Company reaffirms commitment to digital inclusion as Vice President Andrew Uaboi highlights role of African identity in fintech sector

Visa brought its Nigeria and West Africa team together at its Lagos office on Saturday, 15 June 2026, to celebrate Africa Day with a focus on cultural heritage and the continent’s digital future. The event, which featured traditional ceremonies and presentations from staff representing various regions, aimed to honour African identity while spotlighting Visa’s role in advancing digital commerce across the region.

Employees participated by sharing customs and traditions from different parts of Nigeria and West Africa, including naming ceremonies and wedding practices. These activities formed the centre of the celebration, reinforcing a sense of belonging among staff and reflecting the diversity that shapes Visa’s approach to product development and market engagement.

Visa has steadily deepened its presence in West Africa through partnerships with financial institutions, fintech companies, merchants, and governments. The company’s efforts have focused on expanding access to secure digital payments in a region where financial inclusion remains a significant economic challenge. Speaking at the occasion, Andrew Uaboi, Vice President and Cluster Head for Visa West Africa, said: “Africa is not just a market for Visa, it is a core part of who we are. Africa Day is a reminder of why the work we do here matters, and of the responsibility we carry to build systems that create real opportunity for people across the continent.”

Uaboi also addressed Visa’s long-term strategy amid rapid shifts in Africa’s digital economy. “The energy and innovation we see across Africa every day – in our partners, our employees, entrepreneurs and businesses – that is what drives us,” he said. “We are committed to being here, growing here, and helping Africa connect to the world.”

The company reiterated that its people remain central to its mission as it continues investments aimed at connecting African consumers and businesses to global commerce networks. As mobile access expands from Lagos to Accra and beyond, Visa stated it will maintain its role at the heart of cross-border trade and seamless transactions in West Africa.

Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/visa-west-africa-celebrates-africa-day-2026-honouring-the-continents-identity-culture-and-digital-future-2026061514080518957

Governor Aiyedatiwa welcomes project aimed at industrialising South-West, leveraging deep seaport and Lagos-Calabar highway

Billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote has announced renewed plans to develop a massive free trade and industrial zone in Olokola, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State. The announcement came after a strategic meeting with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa in Akure on Monday, where Dangote described the project as a comprehensive industrial hub designed to attract investors and accelerate manufacturing growth in the region.

The proposed free trade zone is expected to feature dedicated power generation, gas infrastructure, cement production facilities, water supply and logistics support. According to Dangote, the initiative will address major constraints faced by manufacturers in Nigeria, especially unreliable electricity supply and high operational costs. He said the “plug-and-play” model will allow companies to benefit from stable power and efficient logistics within the zone.

Speaking during the meeting, Dangote stated, “We want to create the biggest free trade zone where investors can just come and plug in. We will generate power, provide infrastructure and remove the bottlenecks around doing business.” The industrial zone will leverage its proximity to the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Olokola’s coastal location, offering seamless access for importers and exporters.

Governor Aiyedatiwa expressed strong support for the investment drive, noting that it aligns with Ondo State’s goal of becoming a leading industrial centre in South-West Nigeria. He highlighted that Ondo’s deep seaport licence positions it as a key player in maritime trade. “The limestone deposits in the state have been tested and found suitable for industrial use, signalling potential for cement production expansion,” he said. The governor also disclosed that a technical committee has been set up to work with Dangote Group on legal frameworks and community engagement for smooth project implementation.

Dangote emphasised that provision of reliable energy through a dedicated power plant and an east-west gas pipeline corridor would help resolve longstanding electricity challenges that have hampered Nigerian industries for decades. He explained that such infrastructure is critical to reducing dependence on generators and lowering production costs for manufacturers operating within the zone.

The Olokola free trade zone is expected to boost job creation and stimulate economic activity across multiple sectors including construction, transport, energy and manufacturing. While timelines for commencement were not disclosed, both parties indicated readiness to fast-track preliminary processes. Governor Aiyedatiwa assured Dangote of full government support throughout land acquisition, regulatory approvals and stakeholder engagement phases.

Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/africas-richest-man-wants-to-build-a-mega-trading-zone-in-ondo-state-2026061609212749970

Demonstrators demand closure of South African businesses as Nigeria, Ghana evacuate citizens after deadly violence

Hundreds of Ghanaian youths staged a protest in Accra on Thursday under the banner of the ‘South Africa Must Go’ campaign, demanding immediate closure of South African businesses in response to recent xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals. The demonstration followed mounting regional outrage and evacuation efforts by both Ghana and Nigeria to bring home affected citizens.

Protesters marched through major streets in Accra, carrying placards with messages such as ‘Ghanaian lives matter,’ before converging on the premises of prominent South African companies. The action came days after a series of violent attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa left several dead and many injured, prompting urgent calls for protection and accountability across West Africa.

The situation has taken on greater significance for Nigerians as well, with the first batch of Nigerian evacuees arriving home safely on Thursday. They were received at the airport by senior government officials including Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye. Authorities confirmed that more flights are expected in the coming days as evacuations continue from affected areas.

In a video circulating online, demonstrators could be seen chanting outside MTN Ghana’s head office, demanding action from both local authorities and South African leadership. While no official statement has been issued by the Ghanaian government as at press time, security personnel have been deployed to safeguard corporate premises and maintain public order during the protests.

The ongoing crisis has raised fresh concerns about commercial relations between West African countries and South Africa, especially within key sectors like telecommunications and retail. Stakeholders warn that unless xenophobic violence is addressed decisively by South African authorities, long-standing economic ties may suffer significant damage. Regional leaders are now facing pressure to ensure the safety of their nationals abroad while balancing diplomatic engagement with Pretoria.

Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/south-africa-must-go-ghanaians-erupt-in-protest-against-xenophobia-call-for-removal-of-south-africans-2026061608530443270