Diaspora Opportunities

  Description Fintech – the term coined for financial services technology is an extremely fast-growing industry worldwide. Nigeria is not an exception. In fact, the total global investment in Fintech between 2010 and 2016 reached as high as $80bn. Its evolution can in large part be attributed to ‘disruptors’ – startups shaping the financial services landscape for good. Some argue that the secret to maintaining the industry is nurturing the startups through which new technology is birthed, but with Fintech gradually seeping into the growth strategies of traditional banks, how should bank relate with FinTechs? This edition, EBS 1701, will examine how banks should relate with FinTechs. eNNOVATORS BREAKFAST SERIES (EBS) is a quarterly cerebral breakfast event. It is designed for the Dreamers, Drivers and Doers (3D) of technology business in ICT industry across Africa.  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ennovators-breakfast-series-ebs-1701...

What is the most critical factor for your startup success? IDEA, PRODUCT, INNOVATION, EXECUTION, FINANCE, TIMING, NETWORK OR KNOWLEDGE This intense Startup Chatroom will identify and help address both the generic and the specific critical success factors for startups. It will provide a networking platform for early stage businesses, investors and knowledge experts. There will be deep insights and compelling stories of self financing models from people who have done it and have supported others to do same. The Start-Upper is a quarterly meetup of like minds and industry practitioners and have previously held in Port Harcourt, Uyo and now to be held in Abuja. Limitted Spot available, please do not book ticket if your participation is not confirmed. NB: All participants will cover the cost of their drinks and get 40% discount from the lounge Date and Time Fri, March 3, 2017 5:0...

The Central Bank of Nigeria continued its intervention into the forex market by pumping additional $180m into the market for settlements of various transactions.The sum of $100m was released into the wholesale forwards segments of the market,additional $80m was provideed to banks specifically for the settlement of dollar demands for schhool fees,medicals,and Personal Travel Allowance.

The Central Bank of Nigeria last week intervened into the Forex Market in Nigeria through the Interbank foreign exchange market. Ten banks got $162.8m on a rate of N330 to N360 per dollar on a 30 days tenor.6 banks got $58.52m dollars on a ratio of N315 to N320.50 per dollar for a tenor of 60 days. The CBN interverntion will enable forex readily available for personal and business travels,medicals,and school fees. Furthermore CBN injected $370.9m through forward sales at a qualified bid ranging from N315 to N360 per dollar.It made spot sales of $6m to 4 banks and sold $35m for payment of school fees, medicals and BTA.These measures brought down the price of dollars from a high of N520 to N460 as of Friday

Federal Government in a statement made it known though Ms Oyo-Ita that it would embark on a N13 billion Mortgage loan.The scheme is being executed by The Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board,The Federal Integrated Staff Housing(FISH) programme and the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company Plc(NMRC). As at today,about  1,350 houses have been uploaded on the 'FISH' programme.The houses are mainly in Lagos and Abuja.More locations are to follow.

         By Alexis Parris Wealth Initiative Summit for Entrepreneurs is an initiative birth from deep thoughts and reflection on economic expansion and wealth creation, many businesses dies not in the lack of ideas but deficiency and compromised ability, focus, drive and executable tools. First of its kind in this region is an epoch summit structured to reposition that dwindling business as the right consultations has been made to circumvent the loop holes through practical, life implemented and app licable strategies both from the USA and Nigeria. In this regards, experts has been partnered to help you learn how and what action plans need be taken in sustaining your business in the present economy. Making profit is one thing but maximizing your profits for expansion requires initiative and proactiveness. This summit gives you an opportunity to meet with top executives and professionals who made several digits in an...

Vice Dean Catherine Duggan will lead sessions on how changes in the global economy are creating new challenges and opportunities for African firms and investors, and how innovative startups are helping to solve some of the continent’s toughest challenges. You will emerge with insights about the state of the world and Africa’s position in it, inspirational stories about Africans doing well by doing good, and framework for helping to build critical thinking skills. Each session will conclude with a networking mixer for rising managers and seasoned business leaders. Attendees interested in the ALUSB MBA for themselves or for their employees will be able to speak with representatives from the business school.   Things to expect Connect with other rising professionals and seasoned business leaders. Learn how changes in the global economy are creating new challenges and opportunities for African firms and investors. Analyze how innovative African start-ups are...

The Worldview Education Fair is primarily designed to open young talented students to education opportunities available around the World. The fairs gathers institutions from USA, Canada, France, UK, Cyprus, Switzerland, India, South Africa, Ireland, Spain and more under one roof giving you the opportunity to explore different study destinations around the world. courtesy eventbrite The World is becoming a global village, gone are the days when students were limited to specific study destinations. At the Worldview Education Fair, we present the many choices available in study destinations, courses, institutions and methods of studying. This is a unique opportunity that comes once in a year, so dont miss out! Come and meet directly with admission officers to discuss what courses, pathways and opportunities are available, as well as the general application and enrolment process. Date and Time T...

Volunteers wanted: The United Nations Volunteers(UNV) programme is asking for volunteers. UNV contributes greatly to peace and development by working with volunteers and partners throughout the world. Requirements to become volunteer There are two types: - University degree in a technical field -Minimum ofv two years of professional work experience for NUNVs and five years for IUNVs in the relevant areas -Not younger than 25 years -Good command of one of the UN Languages Inquiries: Contact-Faustina Ekwe E-mail-faustina.ekwe@undp.org http://www.ng.undp.org/content/nigeria/en/home/operations/unvnigeria.html  

According to a 2014 Gallup poll, companies,  82 percent of the time, appoint the wrong person  to a management or leadership position. That's a staggering number.  And yet it's not inconsistent with either my own experience or other statistics that we see -- such as one, this time from a 2015 Gallup poll, showing that as many as  70 percent of workers are either disengaged or actively disengaged. More evidence? It comes from what seems to be the No. 1 reason why people leave companies:  50 percent of the time , they cite their relationship with their direct manager.  We can only conclude that those managers shouldn't have been there in the first place, and that poor management appointments are to blame. We might also suspect that those appointments not only damaged the mood and morale of these organizations but affected their bottom line. For example, the weak employee-engagement figures  cost American businesses ar...

Over the last two decades of building and running businesses, and the last couple of years working full time with dozens of startup founders and CEOs on their strategies and funding plans in my consultancy business, I have observed that there are a common set of reasons that startups struggle and fail, and a consistent set of factors that make startup companies successful. I wondered if my observations were supported by hard data, and my curiosity around startup success and failure eventually got the best of me. I decided to do some in-depth investigation around this topic. I wondered if there were any research studies that showed why startups succeed and fail? I found several articles that were filled with unsubstantiated opinions and a few sources that had really great hard research around the topic.  Why do companies fail? According to an article in FastCompany,  Why Most Venture Backed Companies Fail , 75 percent of venture-backed startup...

Towards the end of last year, Nigeria welcomed a number of high-profile Silicon Valley investors. Of a sudden, what seemed to be a mere initial interest in Nigerian founders has climaxed to  actual investments  from these investors. Early into the new year, Nigeria is already looking to welcoming more investors into its shores. Following in the footsteps of the likes of  Mark Zuckerberg ,  500 startups , and  Y Combinator , is Techstars Atlanta. Tyler Scriven, the Managing Director, will be travelling with the Ingressive’s Tour of Tech between February 27th to March 4th, and interestingly, Lagos, Nigeria is his first stop. On February 27th, Tyler will be among the Social Media Week panelists, where he will be speaking on the topic, “Investing in Digital Media.” Also, one can  sign up  to meet with Tyler during his startup office hours. The expected arrival of the Atlanta-based investor is an attestation to the rich history of ta...

In line with its determination to boost dollar supply in the economy as well as to bridge the wide gap between the interbank foreign exchange (FX) market and the parallel market, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday pegged the Naira exchange rate for payment of school fees (strictly universities) abroad and Personal Travel Allowance (PTA) at N375 to the dollar. The central bank disclosed this in a closed-door meeting it held with all chief executive officers of commercial banks as well as other authorised FX dealers in attendance. The meeting took place in Lagos. A source who was at the meeting said the new rate for school fees and PTA would become effective from Monday. According to the source, the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele who chaired the meeting, assured that the central bank would provide enough dollars to meet all FX demands for these invisible items. “For tuition fees, the CBN said it would only cater for those in the universities and the persons involved can onl...

United States President Donald Trump have put up his old Cadillac limousine for sale in Gloucestershire. According to reports, Trump’s old special edition Cadillac limousine is available for sale at Fifty Thousand Pounds (£50,000). Donald Trump's Cadillac Limo was manufactured in 1988. The limo was professedly utilized by a relative - presumed to be his dad - before it landed in the UK in 1991. Furnished with a 5.0-liter petrol motor and a programme transmission, the Cadillac Trump limo has 45,000 miles on the odometer and is in good condition. Obviously, the inside is done with fine cowhide and rosewood trimmings, and even contains extravagance augmentations, for example, a beverages bureau, a paper shredder and a fax machine. It is about 30 years of age, all things considered. And keeping in mind that it is suspected that Trump customized the interior components, things like the steering wheel and the door handles don't seem to have been adjusted for use by kids, or grown-...

In a bid to make the lives of Nigerians brighter and more meaningful, ICT giant, MTN Nigeria has collaborated with world renowned solar architect, Lumos, to launch mobile solar electricity systems for the benefit of families and businesses around the country. The national roll-out of the service which is set to hold on the 20th of February,in Abuja, will officially introduce the mobile electricity systems into the marketplace, making it easier for Nigerians to access the revolutionary product. Marketed as Lumos Mobile Electricity Service, powered by MTN, the solution promises to be a catalyst for growth, poised to improve the daily lives of Nigerians. With this innovative product, Nigerians can enjoy accessible, noise-free and fume-free electricity for everyday use and conveniently pay with airtime from a MTN mobile phone. The mobile electricity device which comes with a 5-year warranty, can light up bulbs and power appliances like fans, televisions, cellphones and computers...

Nigerians in need of quick cake delivery service can now heave a sigh of relieve as CakeStore9ja has been set up for a better and faster service. This service is likely to beat the traditional cake option, as it is the first of its kind in Nigeria. While speaking at the official unveiling of the online store recently in Lagos, Chief Operating Officer, Prananet Technology Limited, Dr. Dayo Elutade, said the idea was conceived to meet the needs of Nigerians too busy to patronise the traditional markets for their confectionaries through a secured online shopping experience. Elutade noted that the time had come to give cake business the utmost attention it deserves, adding, “The new online store would enable customers place orders from the comfort of their homes and get the cake delivered at their doorsteps, anywhere within the country, with free delivery within Lagos for the next two months.” He explained that Prananet, the company behind the initiative, the ICT arm of ...

In South Sudan, most people don't have a TV. They rely on radio to get information. But limited access to power means entire communities of are left in information darkness for days at a time, especially in remote areas. One man is turning to the sun to change that.  SEE ALSO: Norway is the first country to switch off FM radio Issa Kassimu, an electrical engineer, came up with the bright idea of setting up the country's first solar-powered local radio station, Mayardit FM. Since March 2016 the station has been running on sunshine.   The devastating impact of information darkness Mayardit FM is not only changing the media landscape, it is also transforming people's lives. Vulnerable populations in South Sudan are very isolated and any kind of information darkness can have a devastating impact.  Since South Sudan's independence in 2011 more than 2.5 million people have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict. The majority of them, almost 1.6 million,...

                                                                             Image credit:Forbes Naturally, great experience comes with tremendous wisdom. Here are 25 quotes from this inspiring entrepreneur, Dallas Mavericks owner, and Shark Tank investor that are worth pondering over. 1.      “The best way to predict the future is to invent it.” 2.      “I’m the one guy who says don’t force the stupid people to be quiet – I want to know who the morons are.” 3.      “Find something you love to do. If you don’t make money at it, at least you love going to work.” 4.      “The thrill of victory in business blows away the thrill of victory in sports. Business is a sport 24X7X365.” 5.    ...

Many Nigerians are not keying in on emerging investments opportunities in critical areas like agroallied processing and agricultural products storage, education and human capital development and electronic payment platforms. Meanwhile these sectors represents new investment frontiers aided by growth in technology, government’s keen interest to drive growth in their value chains, relative ease of securing private capital and a yawning supply gap. These are the views of experts who made presentations at the Vantage Forum 2017, an annual entrepreneurship advancement initiative organised by the Elevation Church in Lagos on January 26. With unemployment rate at about 13 percent and underemployment rate of 19 percent, for over 61million Nigerians without gainful employment, an ability to scan the environment for opportunities and sharpen their entrepreneurial skills are now winning skills. Doyin Salami, economist and faculty member at the Lagos Business School in his lead pres...