Tag Archives: Payments

AMA, Business, Technology

Cellulant Appoints Anthony Hernandez as Chief Operating Officer to Lead AI-enabled Customer Operations Strategy and Strengthen Execution

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Appointment signals a move toward AI-powered operational transparency, real-time compliance, and data-led growth for customers

NAIROBI, Kenya, 15 April 2026 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/ – Cellulant, Africa’s leading payment technology company, has appointed Anthony Hernandez as Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead end-to-end customer experience, from onboarding and transactions to customer growth, alongside advancing operational automation across the business.

Cellulant serves the payment needs of enterprises and global businesses across Africa through a single API that connects to multiple markets and hundreds of payment methods. As the company continues to scale, its focus is on strengthening the operational backbone required to enable payments with consistency, reliability, and visibility for customers across every market while enabling them to grow.

Commenting on the appointment, Peter O’Toole, Chief Executive Officer of Cellulant, said, “In payments today, trust is the real currency, and operational excellence is what earns it. As we continue to grow our volumes and support market-leading businesses across Africa and beyond, we are deliberately strengthening our operational foundations. Anthony’s role is to ensure we embed that operational discipline with intention, delivering consistent, high-quality experiences as we deepen our presence across markets and support our customers’ growth.”

Anthony brings over 25 years of global leadership experience across financial services, fintech, and industrial sectors, with a strong track record in building and scaling high-performing operating models in complex, regulated, and fast-growing environments.

Throughout his career, Anthony has held senior leadership roles at GE Capital, Xapo Bank, and Demica (now part of FIS), where he led large-scale digital transformations, regulatory approvals, and built global operating teams managing assets totalling tens of billions of dollars.

Under Hernandez’s leadership, Cellulant will advance an automated, data-driven operational framework to meet growing customer expectations around real-time visibility into fund status and settlements, alongside robust transaction monitoring to support compliance across its markets. Leveraging platform data, the company will deliver deeper insights to help customers optimise performance, manage risk, and grow. He will also strengthen compliance and risk frameworks to ensure the highest standards of governance across regulated markets.

“Payment flexibility starts with access to the right options and is grown by how reliably those options work in practice,” said Anthony, COO at Cellulant. “Cellulant has built a powerful payment infrastructure for businesses operating across Africa, and I’m excited to join a team that is at the very heart of Africa’s digital economy. Our focus is now building the operational discipline and systems that ensure customers experience simple, reliable and frictionless payment experiences every time, while giving them the visibility and insight to grow their businesses.”

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of Cellulant

About Cellulant

Cellulant is Africa’s leading payments company, providing seamless, secure, and innovative solutions that empower businesses, banks, and global brands to thrive in a fast-changing global economy.

With a presence in over 24 countries and support for more than 200 payment methods, including cards, bank transfers, and mobile money, our single API payment platform, Tingg, streamlines collections, disbursements, and reconciliations. Tingg processes over 4.5 million transactions daily for market leaders across various sectors, including Travel & Hospitality, Telecoms, E-commerce, Ride-Hailing, Trade, and Remittances.

By simplifying how people pay and get paid, we drive trust, commerce, and scale, connecting companies and people to their ambitions.

For More Information:
● Visit – www.cellulant.io | LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/cellulant/

The post Cellulant Appoints Anthony Hernandez as Chief Operating Officer to Lead AI-enabled Customer Operations Strategy and Strengthen Execution appeared first on African Media Agency.

AMA, Business, Technology

Cellulant Appoints Former Agoda CFO to Drive Next Phase of Pan-African Growth

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Seasoned global fintech leader joins Cellulant to strengthen financial leadership as the company scales its payments platform

NAIROBI, Kenya, 19 march 2026 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/ – Cellulant, Africa’s leading payments technology company, has appointed Darren Makarem as Chief Financial Officer, strengthening its executive team as it accelerates its expansion as the preferred payments partner for global and regional enterprises.

The appointment comes as Cellulant builds on strong operational momentum, scaling its platform with greater financial discipline while delivering differentiated, product-led value to customers.

A seasoned finance and operations leader with over 20 years of experience in the digital and fintech sectors, Darren will help strengthen the company’s financial strategy and operational foundations.

Having achieved profitability in 2024, Cellulant is leveraging its infrastructure, which processes over 4.5 million transactions daily, to serve Africa’s digital payments economy, projected to reach $1.5 Trillion by 2030.*

A CFO Who Understands the Customer

Darren brings a strong understanding of payments from the customer side. As former Global CFO at Agoda, he oversaw the company’s global payments network, managing annual transaction volumes of approximately $12 billion. In that role, he navigated multi-currency settlement, conversion rate optimisation, the need for reliable, high-uptime payment infrastructure and payment experiences that enable customer growth.

“Darren doesn’t just understand the numbers; he understands the customer,” said Peter O’Toole, CEO of Cellulant. “His experience as a high-volume user of payment services at Agoda gives him a unique perspective on what businesses need to grow. He will leverage these insights to build a finance centre of excellence, ensuring our financial operations are as innovative, agile, and customer-centric as our products.”

Global Rigour Meets Emerging Market Expertise

Darren brings a rare blend of institutional rigour and experience scaling a global fintech platform. An ACA-qualified professional, he began his career with EY in England and later earned an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management.

His experience spans complex regulatory and commercial landscapes, notably serving as APAC & LATAM CFO at Binance and, most recently, as CEO of OnRamp. This background in digital assets and regulated business models is particularly vital as Cellulant continues to explore new payment and settlement models.

Building for Sustainable Growth

For Darren, the opportunity at Cellulant is rooted in both the strength of the platform and the scale of the opportunity ahead.

“What excites me about Cellulant is the quality of what has already been built. A deep payment network, strong enterprise partnerships and a real focus on customer value,” says Darren Makarem, Chief Financial Officer at Cellulant. “Cellulant’s true strength is its people, obsessed with solving the toughest payment challenges in the market. My priority is to ensure the business has the financial discipline, insight and operational support to move fast, stay bold and keep delivering.”

Cellulant continues to invest in the leadership, infrastructure, automation and organisational capability required to build a high-performance, product-centric business that is trusted by customers and positioned for sustained growth across the continent.

*Source: The Future of Digital Payments in Africa, a report by Genesis Analytics commissioned by Mastercard (2025).

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of Cellulant

About Cellulant
Cellulant is Africa’s leading payments company, providing seamless, secure, and innovative solutions that empower businesses, banks, and global brands to thrive in a fast-changing global economy.

With a presence in over 24 countries and support for more than 200 payment methods, including cards, bank transfers, and mobile money, our single API payment platform, Tingg, streamlines collections, disbursements, and reconciliations. It processes over 4.5 million transactions daily for market leaders across various sectors, including Travel & Hospitality, Telecoms, E-commerce, Ride-Hailing, Trade, and Remittances.

By simplifying how people pay and get paid, we drive trust, commerce, and scale, connecting companies and people to their ambitions.

For More Information:

● Visit – www.cellulant.io | LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/cellulant/

The post Cellulant Appoints Former Agoda CFO to Drive Next Phase of Pan-African Growth appeared first on African Media Agency.

AMA, Business, Technology

XTransfer’s CSO Speaks at Inclusive FinTech Forum 2026 in Rwanda

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KIGALI, Rwanda, 18 March 2026 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/ – XTransfer, the world’s leading B2B cross-border financial platform, was honoured to have its Chief Strategy Officer, Neil Ni, speak at the Inclusive FinTech Forum 2026 in Rwanda, underscoring the company’s growing expansion across Africa to deliver more inclusive financial services for SMEs engaged in international trade across the continent.

XTransfer’s CSO, Neil Ni (Left), speaks at the Inclusive FinTech Forum 2026 in Rwanda.

Neil joined the panel discussion, “Securing the Global Payments Highway: Cybersecurity for Real-Time Cross-Border Transactions” during the forum to share perspectives on how the industry can strengthen cybersecurity, anti-money laundering (AML) controls, and operational resilience as cross-border payments scale in speed and volume.

Drawing on XTransfer’s experience supporting SMEs in international trade, Neil noted that traditional B2B cross-border payments often pass through multiple correspondent banks, creating complex procedures, settlement delays and high costs that can strain SME cash flow. He shared that transfers can take several days to settle, and fees can materially impact businesses operating on tight margins, sometimes pushing SMEs toward unlicensed channels that raise compliance and transparency risks.

“As the industry scales, the challenge isn’t only transaction volume, it’s speed and trust,” Neil said. “To keep legitimate trade moving safely, risk and compliance must become more intelligent, consistent, and scalable.”

Neil shared that AI is now foundational to XTransfer’s risk and compliance capability. He highlighted TradePilot, XTransfer’s self-developed large language model (LLM) tailored for the global foreign trade financial sector, which helps identify suspicious patterns earlier, prioritise alerts, reduce false positives, and support more consistent decisions across markets, strengthening AML and compliance at speed.

Neil also discussed XTransfer’s accelerating expansion in Africa, noting more than 300% growth in the region in 2025 as SMEs seek faster and lower-cost ways to manage cross-border trade payments. He added that XTransfer is focused on working with ecosystem partners and regulators to support safer, more standardised cross-border information flows, one reason XTransfer is building X-Net, the industry’s first Unified Global B2B Trade Settlement Network and Risk Control Platform, to enhance interoperability and shared security standards across payment rails.

“Building resilience requires collective effort,” Neil added.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of Xtransfer

For more information, please visit Xtransfer’s official site: https://www.xtransfer.com
and follow us on social media :
https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtransfer.cn
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AMA, Business

Bolt Extortion Scandal: Governance Gaps Exposed in Azerbaijan — Could Africa Be Next?

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Africa, 16 March 2026 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/ – A corruption scandal has erupted within Bolt’s Azerbaijan operations — and it is not a minor compliance breach. The controversy has exposed alleged systemic bribery, selective onboarding, manipulation of bonuses, and the deliberate blocking of drivers’ accounts until payments were made through intermediaries. Even more troubling, reports indicate that elements within the local transport regulatory ecosystem were entangled in the controversy.

Following complaints from drivers and fleet owners, Bolt’s headquarters in Estonia conducted an internal audit that reportedly led to the dismissal of the country office head and other staff. In responding, the platform effectively acknowledged governance gaps that may have enabled extortion by local management. While reiterating its zero-tolerance policy, Bolt’s intervention came only after sustained pressure.

For Africa, the issue is not whether an identical scandal is unfolding. There is no public evidence of that. The deeper concern is structural vulnerability: could it happen here?

Ride-hailing platforms operate within asymmetric power systems. Drivers depend entirely on algorithms they cannot interrogate, enforcement mechanisms they do not design, and local management structures that hold enormous discretionary power. When an account is suspended, income stops instantly. If local officials were to exploit that leverage — through selective deactivation, preferential onboarding, or opaque bonus allocation — how would drivers contest it?

The Azerbaijan case raises uncomfortable parallels. Allegations included restricted access to lucrative ride categories and arbitrary enforcement. In Africa, are airport pickups, premium tiers and fleet onboarding governed strictly by transparent, auditable criteria Or could informal influence shape outcomes behind the scenes?

The regulatory dimension deepens the concern. 

What oversight mechanisms exist between ride-hailing platforms and African transport authorities? If elements of a local transport ecosystem were compromised — as suggested in Azerbaijan — would Africa’s institutional framework detect and deter it early?

Bolt’s headquarters ultimately intervened in Azerbaijan. 

But escalation to Europe is not a practical remedy for the average African driver navigating daily earnings volatility. Would whistleblowers feel protected? Is there an independent dispute resolution mechanism beyond digital ticketing systems? Are internal audits triggered proactively, or only after scandal erupts?

The rapid expansion of ride-hailing in Africa has delivered economic opportunity. Yet platform growth without transparent governance invites systemic risk. Corporate controls are only as strong as local enforcement integrity. When gaps appear at the market level, drivers bear the cost first.

The Azerbaijan scandal should not trigger alarmism across Africa. It should trigger due diligence. If Bolt has acknowledged governance weaknesses abroad, it must demonstrate robust preventative safeguards locally. 

The burden of proof now rests on transparency.

Digital mobility thrives on trust. If drivers begin to suspect that account security, onboarding access or earnings are vulnerable to discretionary manipulation, confidence in the entire system erodes. 

Africa’s ride-hailing sector cannot afford to wait for a domestic scandal before tightening oversight.

The hard questions are no longer hypothetical — they are preventive.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA)

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AMA, Business

Flocash and Quest Financial Services Partner to Launch Revolutionary Prepaid Visa Card in Zimbabwe

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Revolutionizing Payments with Secure, Convenient, High-Limit, Multi-Channel & Globally Accepted Solutions

HARARE, Zimbabwe, 03 March 2026 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/ – Flocash, a leading global digital payment solutions provider, today proudly announces a strategic partnership with Quest Financial Services to launch a new, accessible prepaid Visa card in Zimbabwe. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in enhancing financial inclusion and providing secure, convenient digital payment solutions for consumers nationwide through an innovative Visa Card for travellers, professionals, students, freelancers, and SMEs who require seamless domestic and cross-border payment capabilities.

Under this partnership, Flocash leverages its robust and secure payments technology platform to manage card transactions, ensuring reliability and global acceptance. Quest Financial Services, a trusted name in Zimbabwe’s financial and remittances space, will directly sell the card and manage customer-facing services.

The new prepaid Visa card will empower Zimbabweans with a safe and efficient tool for everyday financial transactions. Key features and benefits include:

  • Nationwide Accessibility: Customers can easily purchase and reload the card with cash at any Quest Financial Services’ branch across Zimbabwe. They also have other in-app top-up options from local wallets and bank accounts.
  • Global Visa Acceptance: It can be used for purchases online and in-store at millions of merchants worldwide where Visa is accepted, including for secure online services and subscriptions.
  • Enhanced Security: As a prepaid solution, it helps users manage their budgets effectively and minimizes the risks associated with carrying cash. The card is protected by Visa’s advanced security features.
  • Financial Inclusion: It provides a viable electronic payment option for a broad spectrum of the population, including those who may not have ready access to traditional banking products.
  • High Transaction Limits: It supports payments for travel, tuition, business needs, and online transactions.
  • Real-Time Card Control via Mobile App – Clients can block/unblock the card, track activity, and receive instant alerts. Every transaction is clearly visible in the app, helping users track spending effortlessly.
  • Virtual Card Issuance: Clients can generate secure, single-use virtual Visa card numbers for safe online payments.

“We are thrilled to partner with Quest Financial Services to bring this innovative prepaid solution to Zimbabwe,” said Sirak Mussie, a managing director at Flocash. “Our mission is to enable digital commerce and financial access in growth markets.

By combining Flocash’s advanced payments technology with Quest’s local network and trust, we are delivering a powerful tool that meets the digital payment needs of Zimbabwean consumers.”

“With this card, Zimbabweans can now enjoy higher limits, full control via mobile app, multiple top-up channels, and added security through virtual cards, empowering them to transact with confidence both locally and internationally,” he added.

James Msipa, the managing director at Quest Financial Services, said, “This partnership with Flocash aligns perfectly with our commitment to providing practical and innovative financial services to Zimbabweans. The launch of this Quest Prepaid Visa Card offers our customers unprecedented convenience and security, allowing them to participate fully in both the local and global digital economy. It offers high transaction limits, seamless multi-channel loading, and advanced digital controls that simplify financial management for our customers. We are excited to roll this out through our branches nationwide.”

The new prepaid Visa cards will be available for purchase at all Quest Financial Services branches starting 4 March, 2026.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of Flocash

About Flocash:
Flocash is a leading provider of payments technology and processing services across the Middle East & Africa, serving consumers, businesses, and financial institutions. With a presence in over 60 countries, Flocash enables digital businesses and consumers to connect to the global digital economy securely and reliably.

About Quest Financial Services:
Quest Financial Services is a provider of financial solutions in Zimbabwe, offering a range of services designed to meet the evolving needs of individuals and businesses. With a branch network and a customer-centric approach, Quest is committed to driving financial empowerment and accessibility across Zimbabwe.

The post Flocash and Quest Financial Services Partner to Launch Revolutionary Prepaid Visa Card in Zimbabwe appeared first on African Media Agency.

AMA

Congo Basin Countries Forge Strategic Path to Carbon Markets with Roadmaps to Monetize Forest Wealth

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Washington, USA, 24 February 2026 -/African Media Agency (AMA)/- Six countries of the Congo Basin—Cameroon, Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Republic of Congo—are working to take bold steps to unlock results-based payments and climate finance. The newly launched Strategic Roadmaps for Carbon Market and Climate Finance in the Forest Sector for the Congo Basin Countries developed with support from the World Bank, serve as blueprints to transform the region’s vast forest wealth into a powerful engine for climate-resilient growth and sustainable development and green jobs.

These roadmaps provide country-specific blueprints to help High Forest, Low Deforestation (HFLD) Congo Basin countries to engage credibly and effectively in global carbon markets, mobilize results-based finance, and transform their forest assets into engines for climate-resilient growth. Tailored to each country’s readiness and institutional landscape, the roadmaps build on the foundational data from Congo Basin Forest Ecosystem Accounts to create a comprehensive framework aligning nature and climate goals with national development priorities. As part of the World Bank’s broader Analytical and Advisory Services (ASA) for the Congo Basin, these roadmaps aim to shift the region’s development narrative—from one of forest loss or degradation to forest-led growth.

“Forests across the Congo Basin offer more than global climate regulation—they represent critical financial assets and a development opportunity,” said Chakib Jenane, World Bank Regional Practice Director Western and Central Africa Region. “These roadmaps provide the crucial link and show how countries can convert natural capital into tangible investments that generate revenues, jobs, and resilience for local communities.”

The roadmaps call for stronger institutional coordination, equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms, and robust digital, and Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) systems aligned with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. While countries like Gabon, Republic of Congo are advancing with pilot results-based agreements and REDD+ progress, others like Equatorial Guinea and Central African Republic are in the early stages of development. Opportunities abound also in Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon. The roadmaps highlight the gaps and prioritize key actions that will allow countries to harness the potential from carbon markets and climate finance.

“Carbon markets can be a game-changer for Congo Basin countries—but only if the right enabling conditions are in place,” said Cheick Fantamady Kanté, World Bank Division Director for Cameroon, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Republic of Congo. “These strategic roadmaps provide a practical end-to-end guide for governments to operationalize carbon finance, with a focus on good governance, private sector engagement, and benefits for local communities.”

Developed through broad stakeholder consultations and grounded in national priorities, the roadmaps support countries to:

  • Align national frameworks with Paris Agreement Article 6.2 and 6.4.
  • Build digital and institutional capacity for MRV readiness.
  • Clarify the legal and fiscal treatment of carbon credits.
  • Engage the private sector and ensure the participation of local communities and indigenous peoples.
  • Attract long-term climate investment and technical partnerships.

These carbon market climate roadmaps represent a convergence of jobs, environment, and economic agendas.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of Word Bank Group.

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Entertainment

Todd Bridges’ Monthly Income Revealed in Estranged Wife’s Battle With Ex

Maravi Post Reporter

Todd Bridges’ three-figure monthly income was laid bare in his estranged wife Bettijo B. Hirschi’s contentious spousal support battle with her first husband, just months before the pair called it quits.

In court documents exclusively obtained by Us Weekly, Bettijo claimed that Bridges, 60, made $700 per month in 2024 when her ex Heath Hirischi tried to modify their agreed-upon spousal maintenance, citing her monthly expenses were more than $16,550. (Bettijo filed for divorce from Heath in 2020. The divorce was finalized the following year.)

“My husband [Bridges] is semi-retired, so he doesn’t have a very stable income,” Bettijo informed the judge during a hearing on October 16, 2025, per the docs.

When the judge asked Bettijo to clarify whether Bridges has an income, Bettijo responded, “He makes, like, $700 or something a month, around there, that we rely on.”

Everything Bettijo B. Hirschi Said About Her and Todd Bridges marriage 2
Courtesy The Tamron Hall Show/YouTube

She also revealed that she pays the mortgage on their home and most of the expenses.

“He does help with food when he gets extra payments, cause he does, like, contract work,” she added of Bridges, per the docs.

Heath also brought the Diff’rent Strokes actor into his long legal rift with Bettijo, with whom he shares four children.

After she exchanged vows with Bridges on September 21, 2022, Heath asked that the financial support he was paying her be terminated because his ex had married a “well-known Hollywood actor.”

At the time, Heath said he paid his ex-wife $2,700 in spousal support, which was originally not supposed to end until December 2031.

Everything Bettijo B. Hirschi Said About Todd Bridges Marriage Before Split

Heath also argued that Bettijo had established herself as a well-known designer and lifestyle blogger, and made a “significant income” after the dissolution of their marriage, as well as “additional income” from saying “I do” to Bridges.

Heath told the court in December 2022 docs that he was hit hard financially after the COVID-19 recession, and at times, he had to “live between his vehicle and his office so that he could maintain his financial payments” to his ex.

He said he was “unable to live comfortably,” contrary to his ex, who he noted resides in a $880,000 home with Bridges.

On December 24, 2025, the court ruled that Heath would pay his former wife $1,206 per month in child support and $43,401.96 for appropriate past support.

Bettijo and Heath were also awarded joint legal decision-making authority over their two minor children and she would be the primary residential parent.

One month later, Bridges announced his separation from Bettijo in January after three years of marriage.

“After much prayer and reflection, my spouse and I have made the difficult decision to separate,” he told People on January 14. “This was not an easy choice, and it comes with a heavy heart, but also with love and gratitude for the life we shared.”

“I thank God for the time we’ve had together, the lessons we’ve learned, and the family we’ve built. Even in this season of change, I trust He is guiding us both toward healing, peace, and new beginnings,” Bridges continued. “I ask for privacy as we navigate this transition and continue to lift my former partner up in prayer, wishing them joy and fulfillment in the chapters ahead.”

AMA

Narrow Path to Recovery: Finding a Climate-Smart Pathway and Stabilizing South Sudan’s Economy

MaraviPost

Washington, USA, 05 February 2026 -/African Media Agency (AMA)/- Two new World Bank Group reports released today underscore that South Sudan stands at a critical crossroads, where restoring public finances and taking urgent, climate-smart action are essential to reversing economic decline and placing the country on a sustainable development path. The new Public Finance Review (PFR) and Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) warn that intensifying climate shocks, combined with weak fiscal management, is driving a dangerous cycle of fragility, conflict, displacement, and deepening poverty.

The reports find that devastating floods, rising temperatures, and increasingly frequent climate shocks are already reshaping livelihoods, weakening the economy, and heightening social vulnerability—particularly for women, pastoralists, and resource-dependent communities. These pressures are compounding long-standing structural constraints: despite vast oil resources, South Sudan’s development has stalled due to fragile institutions, opaque revenue management, misallocation of public spending, and elevated macroeconomic vulnerabilities.

The Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) projects that South Sudan will require over US$13 billion in climate adaptation investments by 2050. Extreme flooding, now considered the ‘new normal’ covers up to one-quarter of the country in severe years, cutting communities off from essential services, damaging livelihoods, and contributing to widespread food insecurity. Climate change is also projected to cause substantial declines in labor productivity, livestock revenues, and crop yields, including an 8% reduction in sorghum yields by 2050 under hotter climate conditions.

The Public Finance Review (PFR) documents how volatility and eroded fiscal space have been driven by extreme oil dependence, combined with underinvestment, disruptions to Sudan’s export infrastructure, and governance gaps. According to the report, public spending averages 35% of GDP but is skewed toward administration, security, and rule of law, while health, education, and social protection remain severely underfunded. Salary arrears are widespread, and average public wages have collapsed in real terms.

“The PFR provides a timely and actionable roadmap for restoring economic stability in South Sudan. As a government, we are committed to taking immediate steps by accelerating the implementation of Public Financial Management (PFM) reforms and strengthening budget discipline. These reforms are essential to rebuild trust, stabilize our economy, and deliver basic services to our people,” said Honorable Benjamin Ayali Koyongwa, Undersecretary of Planning in the Ministry of Finance, Republic of South Sudan.

The PFR recommends the government take action to help stabilize inflation, strengthen the exchange rate, rebuild trust with partners, and open the door for deeper reforms, including: Committing to transferring all oil revenues into the National Revenue Fund and publishing quarterly oil data to rebuild confidence in resource management; Prioritizing monthly salary payments to stabilize public administration and frontline service delivery; Publishing budget execution reports, annual financial statements, and the full list of capital projects to strengthen transparency and accountability; Refraining from entering any new non-concessional or ‑oil-backed‑ borrowing agreements that jeopardize future revenues; Following procurement rules for crude oil sales and ensure Parliamentary oversight for all prepayment arrangements.

“South Sudan stands at a pivotal moment – climate change is no longer a distant threat, it is a daily reality, reshaping the country’s economy and communities. However, by improving public financial management, prioritizing climate-smart policies and investments, strengthening institutions, and protecting essential services, South Sudan can place itself on a more resilient and sustainable development path,” said Charles Undeland, World Bank Group Country Manager for South Sudan. “The World Bank Group stands ready to continue supporting the government in these critical steps,” he added.

The CCDR underscores that South Sudan’s natural wealth is in its fertile land, water systems, and renewable energy potential which can be engines of growth. The report highlights inclusive, climate-informed growth as a key pathway to greater resilience for South Sudan. It identifies five priorities to address the climate impact in South Sudan:

  • Strengthen flood management, including early warning systems, community‑led preparedness, and rehabilitation of critical infrastructure.
  • Invest in climate‑resilient agriculture and livestock systems, including improved seeds, sustainable grazing systems, and better access to water.
  • Scale up off‑grid renewable energy solutions, essential for resilience, health services, education, and economic diversification.
  • Accelerate governance and public financial management reforms to direct more resources toward climate‑smart investments.
  • Enable responsible, sustainable use of natural capital especially forests, fisheries, and wildlife to support rural livelihoods and expand economic opportunities.

The World Bank Group Country Climate and Development Reports (CCDRs) are a core tool for integrating climate and development. CCDRs assist countries in identifying and prioritizing actions that address greenhouse gas emissions and adaptation needs in ways that align with broader development objectives. These reports provide data, research, cost assessments, and suggest priority actions to facilitate a low-carbon, resilient transition. They are intended to guide governments, the public, private sector, and partners by feeding into the World Bank’s diagnostics and operations to enhance funding for effective climate action.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of Word Bank Group.

Contacts
Addis Ababa: Gelila Woodeneh, (+251) 911 50 1196, gwoodeneh@worldbank.org
Juba: Lomoro A. John Sindani, (+211) 925 472 380, lsindani@worldbankgroup.org

The post Narrow Path to Recovery: Finding a Climate-Smart Pathway and Stabilizing South Sudan’s Economy appeared first on African Media Agency.

AMA, Business, Technology

Nigeria to Host 2026 RegTech Africa Conference & Expo Under the Patronage of the Office of the Vice President

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Conference to Convene Global Leaders on Building Trust, Infrastructure, Inclusion, and Policy
for a Borderless Economy

ABUJA, Nigeria, 02 February 2026-/African Media Agency (AMA)/-Preparations are underway for the 2026 RegTech Africa Conference & Expo (RACE 2026), Africa’s flagship platform on regulatory technology, digital innovation, and policy reform, scheduled to hold from 20–22 May 2026 at the State House Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The Conference will be held under the Patronage of the Office of the Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, in partnership with the Presidential Committee on Economic and Financial Inclusion (PreCEFI), and in collaboration with the Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA)—underscoring its strategic importance to Nigeria’s and Africa’s economic transformation agenda.

Anchored on the theme “Building Trust, Infrastructure, Inclusion, and Policy for a Borderless Economy,” RACE 2026 will convene regulators, policymakers, technology leaders, innovators, investors, and development partners to shape the future of Africa’s digital and regulatory landscape in an era of accelerating cross-border trade and financial integration.

As Africa advances the promise of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)—a single market of over 1.4 billion people and a projected value of US$3.4 trillion—the Conference will address one of the continent’s most pressing challenges: how to align technology, regulation, and policy to enable seamless, trusted, and inclusive economic activity across borders.

“RACE 2026 is positioned as a strategic policy and innovation platform—where technology-enabled regulation becomes a catalyst for trust, inclusion, and sustainable economic growth across Africa,” Cyril Okoroigwe, Chair Organising Committee.

A Platform for Regulatory Innovation and Economic Empowerment

The Conference will spotlight how RegTech, SupTech, artificial intelligence, digital identity, interoperable payment systems, cybersecurity, and data-driven compliance solutions can reduce friction, lower risk, and unlock opportunities for governments, businesses, startups, and citizens.

Key outcomes will focus on:

  • Building trust through technology-enabled regulation and smarter supervision
  • Strengthening digital infrastructure for interoperable payments, identity, and data exchange
  • Driving inclusion for SMEs, startups, women, and underserved populations
  • Modernising policy frameworks to support innovation while safeguarding financial integrity

High-Level Engagement and Global Participation

RACE 2026 will feature 50+ world-class speakers, 10 thematic tracks, and over 1,000 in-person and virtual participants from across Africa and the global financial and technology ecosystem. The hybrid event will include ministerial dialogues, regulators’ CEO forums, innovation showcases, and curated B2B and B2G networking sessions.

A major highlight will be the Global Startup World Cup – Regional Challenge, positioning Abuja as a launchpad for Africa’s most promising technology startups to compete on the global stage.

Speaking on the partnership, Dr. Nurudeen Abubakar Zauro, Technical Adviser to the President / Executive Secretary, Presidential Committee on Economic and Financial Inclusion (PreCEFI):

“The 2026 RegTech Africa Conference & Expo aligns strongly with Nigeria’s commitment to economic and financial inclusion. By bringing together regulators, innovators, and policymakers, the Conference provides a critical platform to harness technology and smart regulation as tools for trust-building, inclusion, and sustainable economic growth—both within Nigeria and across Africa.”

Call to Action: Registration and Partnerships

Attendance at the 2026 RegTech Africa Conference & Expo is strictly by registration, which is mandatory for all participants. Early registration is strongly encouraged due to limited capacity and high-level security protocols at the venue.

Organizations interested in partnerships, sponsorships, exhibitions, or strategic participation are invited to engage with the Organising Committee.

📩 Partnership & Sponsorship Enquiries:
Email: info@regtechafricaconference.com

🎟 Registration & Event Information:
🌐 Website: www.regtechafricaconference.com

Positioning Africa for a Borderless Future

Through strategic media engagement and the #BorderlessAfriconomy and #RACE2026 campaigns, the Conference aims to reshape global narratives—presenting Africa not as a high-risk market, but as a policy-aware, innovation-ready, and investment-attractive continent.

The 2026 RegTech Africa Conference & Expo is expected to play a defining role in advancing Africa’s journey toward borderless economic empowerment, where trust, technology, and policy work together to deliver shared prosperity.

Event Details:
📍 Venue: State House Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja
📅 Date: 20–22 May 2026
🌍 Format: Hybrid (In-person & Virtual)
🔗 Website: www.regtechafricaconference.com

Distributed by African Media Agency on behalf of RegTech Africa.

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