Business
Congolese Regulator Understudies Nigeria’s Telecoms Market
…As NCC shares regulatory experience
AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
SPONSORED BY: H&H
The delegation from the central African nation purposively paid a scheduled visit to NCC, essentially to understudy the latter’s policies, practices and programmes that have made it a model telecommunications regulatory authority on the Continent and beyond.
The Congolese team led by CTRA’s Network Director, Benjamin Mouandza, spent three days at the NCC Head Office in Abuja, where it was exposed to key result-oriented regulatory activities, frameworks, programmes and policies of NCC, with the objective to explore how such operational frameworks could be adapted by the African nation noted for its huge rainforest reserves.
In the letter written to the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, the Congloese regulator had indicated interest to gain more insights into three areas of NCC’s regulatory activities, namely, management of issues associated with Quality of Service (QoS), SIM Boxing and Call Masking, as well as telecom equipment type-approval process.
In response to the request, Danbatta had graciously accepted to host the team and further directed relevant departments of NCC, including Special Duties (SD); Technical Standards and Network Integrity (TSNI); and the Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement (CME) directorates to interact with the team to provide necessary information sharing that may be useful to the Congolese counterpart.
Addressing the CTRA team, the NCC’s Director, TSNI, Bako Wakil, spoke extensively on the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) institued by NCC on QoS and how these KPIs are measured and monitored by the Commission toward ensuring improved service delivery to the Nigeria’s ever-growing telecoms consumers.
He said this also helped to improve Quality of Experience (QoE) of the consumers. On type-approval process, Wakil stated that the Commission had developed a rigorous type-approval process to ensure that telecoms equipment, including terminal devices, manufactured in line with international standards and specifications are brought into the country.
The “NCC is serious about type-approval process like other processes, because non-type approved devices and equipment which are also not manufactured to international standards and specifications have negative implications for quality of service delivery on the networks,” he said.
Wakil also spoke extensively, to the admiration of the Congolese team, on call masking and highlighted measures the NCC had put in place to address the menace.
He described call masking as “the practice of sending international calls to an operator but disguising the calls as if they were local by sending the calls on the local interconnect route with a local number in the national numbering plan instead of the original international calling number.”
In a related presentation to the visiting team on SIM boxing fraud and efforts being taken by the NCC to combat the menace, NCC’s Director, CME, Ephraim Nwokonneya, spoke on the problems created by fraudulent practice of SIM Boxing, including threat to national security, loss of revenue to service providers and the government.
Additionally, he asserted the anti-competitive practices associated with such acts among licensees as well as the general economic implications so evident in revenue loss.
However, Nwokonneya itemised solutions to SIM Boxing fraud from a regulatory perspective. He declared that regulators can deploy anti-SIM boxing and call masking solutions, be proactive and effective in monitoring and enforcement, collaboration with the industry and law enforcement agencies, capacity building through training and skill acquisition programmes, as well as the review of the Enforcement Regulations and enabling laws.
More importantly, Nwokonneya told the Congolese telecoms regulator team that collaboration between the regulator and the industry is required to effectively combat the menace of SIMBox Fraud, Call Masking and Call Refiling in conjunction with deployment of technological solution and well trained staff.
From the presentations, it was made clear that the scale of call masking and SIMBoxing has been on the downward decline in Nigeria while the number of complaints from subscribers on incorrectly displayed calling numbers has also reduced substantially.
To prove that NCC processes emplaced to combat the menace are succeeding, Nwokonneya stated that there has been a significant and noticeable improvement in the display of correct international calling numbers into Nigeria networks.
The NCC Directors also reiterated that the Commission is also taking strategic actions on SIM Registration, the National Identification Number (NIN) and the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) linkage policy. The NCC team informed the visitors that a maximum of four SIM numbers are permissible to be registered per subscriber per network requirement. This is another measure deployed by the NCC to tackle SIMBoxing which usually requires multiple SIMs to flourish.
The NCC team emphasised that the combination of regulatory action and deployment of technology solutions have helped to put the menace of call masking and SIMBoxing in the Nigeria’s telecoms sector under check. Commenting on the benefits of the visit, CTRA’s Mouandza, said the choice made by the Congolese regulator to visit NCC on a benchmarking tour has been worthwhile. “We have come to understand how the regulator in Nigeria has been handling some salient regulatory issues and matters in the country as it relates to telecoms.
In the course of this visit, I can say that our objective has been achieved. The experience has been very rich, we have learnt many things. We thank the EVC and his team for accepting to host us. We are more positioned now to replicate some of the things we have learnt in our telecoms market back home,” he said.
The Congolese officials had practical demonstrations of the issues earlier discussed, especially the nature of technologies that have been deployed by the NCC to independently and remotely monitor, measure and validate QoS on the networks of mobile operators in the country.
It will be recalled that the visit by the Congolese team came barely a month after the NCC hosted officials from Sierra Leone’s National Telecommunications Commission (NATCOM), who equally visited NCC to benchmark the Nigeria’s telecom regulator’s policies, programmes and regulatory activities.
Over the years, the NCC has constantly received delegations from telecoms regulators in Africa and this trend has remained a major boost for Nigeria’s global ranking as a model in telecommunications regulation. Suffice it to say, that, these benchmarking visits have eloquently reinforced NCC’s leadership status in operational efficiency, collaborative partnership, and commitment to intra-African solidarity in the telecommunications sphere.
Business
ACCESS HOLDINGS PLC ANNOUNCES THE APPOINTMENT OF MS. BOLAJI AGBEDE AS ACTING GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
SPONSORED BY: H&H
The Board of Directors of Access Holdings Plc (‘the Company’) has announced the appointment of Ms. Bolaji Agbede as the Acting Group Chief Executive Officer of the Company following the unfortunate demise of its former Group Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, on February 9, 2024.
Ms. Bolaji Agbede
The appointment is subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Until her recent appointment, Ms. Agbede was the Company’s most senior founding Executive Director in charge of Business Support.
She has nearly three decades of professional experience cutting across banking and business consultancy services. Ms. Agbede commenced her professional career in 1992 at Guaranty Trust Bank and served in various capacities within the Commercial Banking and Operations functions rising to the position of Manager in 2001.
She subsequently served as the Chief Executive Officer of JKG Limited, a business consulting outfit in 2003.
Ms. Agbede joined Access Bank Plc (‘the Bank’) in 2003 as an Assistant General Manager and was responsible for managing the Bank’s portfolio of chemical trading companies.
She served as the Bank’s Head, Group Human Resources between 2010 and 2022 and was appointed the Company’s founding Executive Director, Business Support in 2022.
She has a track record in successful people integration in business combination and culture transformation.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Statistics from the University of Lagos (1990) and a Masters of Business Administration Degree from Cranfield University UK in 2002. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management UK and the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria.
Ms. Agbede has attended several renowned leadership and professional development programmes including the High-Performance Leadership Programme organised by the IMD and the Strategic Talent Management Programme organised the London Business School.
Business
AFRICA RE: REMEMBERING THE LEGACY OF A COLOSSUS – MR. BAKARY KAMARA
AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
SPONSORED BY: H&H
Africa Re, Africa’s leading reinsurance company, recently held an Evening of Tributes, themed “The Colossus” for its immediate past Group Managing Director, Mr Bakary Kamara. The event which was held on the evening of Saturday, 10th February 2024, at The Sky Restaurant, Eko Hotel, saw friends, colleagues, family and industry leaders gathered to celebrate the life and legacy of Mr. Bakary Kamara.
Born in 1949, Mr. Kamara’s journey in the insurance sector was marked by dedication, vision, and transformative leadership. His tenure at Africa Re saw tremendous growth in premium income, profit and shareholders fund. The Evening of Tributes, organized by the African Reinsurance Corporation, is a powerful testament to the enduring impact “THE COLOSSUS” left on the African insurance landscape.
During the Evening of Tributes, a heartfelt video montage played, telling the story of Mr. Bakary Kamara’s remarkable journey, from his early career to his visionary and influential leadership at Africa Re.
Distinguished speakers, including Mr Corneille Karekezi, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (GMD/CEO) of Africa Re, vividly portrayed his character in their heartfelt tributes. “When giants leave this world, they leave behind giants; they leave behind strong institutions, they leave behind strong families, they leave behind good culture. Africa Re is not a normal institution, it’s a very complex institution because we are not in one country. We have all the cultures of the African continent in one institution.”
The evening delved beyond professional accolades, revealing the multifaceted dimensions of Mr. Bakary Kamara. His Children, Former colleagues and mentees shared personal stories that highlighted his compassion, generosity, and unwavering commitment to empowering others.
“My Father would tell us that being educated does not mean you are better than the one who has never been to a western school. Being financially independent does not mean that you are better than one with little means. Being a Muslim does not mean you are better than a Christian or a Jew.” said Hada Kamara.
These poignant testimonials resonated with the audience, showcasing a leader who touched lives far beyond the boardroom.
In his heartfelt tribute, Mr. Ken Aghoghovbia, DMD/COO of Africa Re, spoke of the profound impact Mr. Bakary Kamara had on the institution. “Mr Kamara demonstrated the rare combination of tough love and genuine care. Recognizing the potential within each individual, he pushed us beyond our comfort zones, challenging us to dig deeper, strive harder and never settle for less. Thus, the collective goal of staff under his leadership was to be nothing but the best, and as a result Africa Re became a respectable global brand.”
The Evening of Tributes wasn’t simply retrospective; it was a call to action. Industry leaders discussed how Mr. Bakary Kamara’s vision continues to shape the future of African insurance, emphasizing specific examples of how his legacy is being carried forward. This forward-looking perspective cemented his place as a guiding light, inspiring generations of professionals to build upon his foundation.
As the evening concluded, it became clear that Mr. Bakary Kamara was beyond just a leader; he was a symbol of an unwavering commitment to a brighter future for Africa. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of insurance professionals to build upon his foundation and contribute to the continent’s economic and social development.
As we remember Mr. Bakary Kamara’s remarkable life and the profound impact he made, the African Reinsurance Corporation reaffirms its commitment to its vision – a vision of a stronger, more resilient Africa, where insurance plays a vital role in protecting and enabling progress. Mr. Kamara’s legacy serves as a beacon, guiding us as we continue to fulfil our promise.
Business
FIRSTBANK CLINCHES THE PRESTIGIOUS CORPORATE BANK AWARD AT THE 2023 EUROMONEY AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE
FirstBank, Nigeria’s premier financial institution and financial inclusion services provider, was announced as the Best Corporate Bank at the recent prestigious Euromoney Awards for Excellence, Nigeria 2023.
The Bank clinched the coveted award based on its 130-year commitment to enabling its corporate customers achieve success through relevant and tailored financial solutions. FirstBank’s continuous investment in technology has been crucial to its leading industry role in optimally meeting the needs of its corporate customers. Recent investments in technology include the development of its smart and interactive Transaction Banking Platform known as FirstDirect2.0.
FirstDirect2.0 provides a one-stop shop online banking platform for corporates, offering best-in-class capabilities such as Payments, Collections, and Account Services, and a locally focused phased implementation of Trade and Supply Chain Finance – a first for the Bank.
The platform offers customers various solutions for corporate cash management (Payments, Collections and Liquidity Management). It will also deliver end-to-end trade solutions for corporate clients covering L/C creation, tracking, bidding and reconciliations.
The Bank’s Corporate Banking model is focused on ensuring that its clients get the same quality of service across the Bank’s geographical locations. The execution of this approach through the deployment of the Global Account Management (GAM) Framework, implemented to enhance cross-relationship management tailored to Customers with a Pan African footprint.
Dedicating the awards to its customers, Dr Adesola Adeduntan, CEO FirstBank Group said: “We are thrilled to announce that we have been recognised as the Best Corporate Bank in Nigeria at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2023.
“We say a heartfelt thank you to all our incredible customers for trusting us. This award is dedicated to YOU,” he concluded.
According to Euromoney, the “Awards for Excellence” – is the definitive annual awards programme of the global banking industry. The awards represent the highest distinction to the banks and bankers who matter most in an industry where differentiation is highly sought after and exceptionally difficult to demonstrate.”
“For over 30 years, Euromoney has recognised the banks and that have demonstrated their differentiation, pioneering a comprehensive awards programme that today remains the industry benchmark globally, it concluded.”
Amongst other awards, FirstBank recently added to its awards kitty, Best Corporate Bank Western Africa, 2023, by Global Banking and Finance; Best Internet Banking in Nigeria, 2023 by International Business Awards; the Most Innovative Banking Brand in Nigeria by Global Brands Awards as well as the Financial Institution of the Year 2023 by Afreximbank Pan-African Business and Development.
About FirstBank
First Bank of Nigeria Limited (FirstBank) is the premier Bank in West Africa and the leading financial inclusion services provider in Nigeria for 130 years.
With over 800 business locations and over 232,000 Banking Agents spread across 99% of the 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria, FirstBank provides a comprehensive range of retail and Corporate financial services to serve its over 42 million Customers. The Bank has an international presence with subsidiaries operating in 9 other countries. These subsidiaries are FirstBank (UK) Limited in London and Paris, FirstBank in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, Sierra Leone, The Gambia; FBNBank in Ghana and Senegal as well as a Representative Office in Beijing, China. The Bank is at the forefront of promoting digital banking in the country and has issued over 13 million cards, the first bank to achieve such a milestone.
FirstBank has continued to make significant investments in technology, innovation and transformation, and its cashless transaction drive has been steadily accentuated with over 23 million active FirstBank customers signed up on digital channels including the USSD Quick Banking service through the nationally renowned *894# Banking code.
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