by admin | Apr 16, 2025 | africa, business, investing news, leadership, Travel
LAGOS, NIGERIA – The innovative strides within Africa’s travel sector have been acknowledged through the accolade bestowed upon Nwaiku Allwell, founder and CEO of TravelWithWells (TWW). Recognized by the esteemed Pan-African Youth Leadership organization, Allwell was named among the Top 100 Most Influential Young Africans. This distinction underscores TWW’s role as an innovator in providing streamlined travel experiences for youthful African explorers eager to navigate the globe confidently.
Founded in September 2022, TravelWithWells emerged from a profoundly personal journey undertaken by its founder. Prior to his inaugural international voyage to Ghana, Allwell encountered common worries shared among African travelers regarding visa procedures, airport regulations, and dependable travel support. Recognizing that numerous individuals possess adequate funds for traveling yet encounter difficulties with logistical aspects, he established TWW as an answer to these challenges. Now, the company stands as a reputable worldwide provider of comprehensive travel services, assisting countless customers with effortless visa processing, flight bookings, accommodation reservations, and crafting exceptional travel adventures.
Talking to Allwell during the awards ceremony, he provided profound perspectives on the essence of the brand’s identity. As he stated:
Seamless travel experiences form the heart of what we do—essentially our guiding purpose. This is precisely why we emphasize travel consultations and tailor-made tour packages. Our dedication to making travel effortless has not only cultivated a dedicated clientele but also garnered prestigious awards.
Discussing the effect of the accolade and his outlook on African tourism, Allwell stated;
This accolade isn’t solely mine; it represents all African explorers with aspirations that transcend boundaries. Our presence serves as an acknowledgment that we think travel ought to be effortless, thrilling, and readily available.
“I aspire to witness an Africa where individuals can traverse the continent effortlessly without the necessity of obtaining visas, and we are definitely prepared to contribute towards making this vision a reality,” he remarked.
TravelWithWells envisions a world where more people from Africa can easily discover international locations, assured that they have a reliable travel agency supporting their journey at each stage.
As TravelWithWell (TWW) broadens its reach into new markets and continues to advance its travel technology offerings, this acknowledgment from Pan-African Youth Leadership underscores its significance as a major actor in Africa’s developing travel sector.
ABOUT TRAVELWITHWELLS
TravelWithWells (TWW) stands out as a premier travel service designed specifically to simplify international journeys for young Africans. By providing visa assistance, personalized trips, concierge support, and additional amenities, TWW enables people to discover new places effortlessly.
Visit
www.travelwithwells.com
to learn more.
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
).
by admin | Apr 2, 2025 | business, business & finance, investing business news, investing news, news
In April, Kreston Pedaborisk will hold a breakfast seminar to explore how Enterprise Risk Management can enhance business resilience amidst economic and regulatory instabilities, as stated by the company on Monday.
The seminar titled “Enhancing Corporate Resilience: Incorporating Enterprise Risk Management for Long-term Development” will gather regulators, industry specialists, and corporate leaders for stability discussions.
Nosa Ogebebor, a partner at Kreston Pedabo, stressed the importance of companies transitioning from seeing Enterprise Risk Management merely as a regulatory obligation to embracing it as an integral part of their strategic planning.
He observed that although regulatory institutions like the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Securities and Exchange Commission have advocated for more robust risk management systems, numerous companies—including many small and medium-sized businesses—are still without organized methods because of scarce knowledge and experience.
Ogebebor highlighted regulatory uncertainties, economic fluctuations, and escalating cybersecurity threats as major concerns for Nigerian enterprises.
Nevertheless, he pointed out that progress in technology along with an increasing emphasis on corporate governance offer businesses the chance to enhance their risk management structures.
The consequences of inadequate or absent ERM strategies can be significant, putting companies at risk for financial setbacks, legal fines, and harm to their reputation,” he emphasized, underscoring that taking preemptive action in managing risks is much more economical than addressing them once they become crises.
He emphasized that adhering to international benchmarks like the COSO ERM Framework, ISO 31000, and guidelines from the Financial Action Task Force is crucial for Nigerian enterprises aiming to boost governance practices, draw in overseas investments, and strengthen regulatory adherence.
The seminar will include prominent speakers such as regulators and professionals from the industry, who will provide their perspectives on implementing Enterprise Risk Management in different fields.
The discussions will address how Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) contributes to business resilience, explore effective approaches in managing risks and ensuring good corporate governance, examine the influence of cybersecurity threats on ERM, and present case studies showcasing firms that have effectively incorporated ERM tactics into their operations.
Ogebebor viewed the event as a crucial step, considering the changing economic environment in Nigeria.
He observed that by gathering regulators, industry leaders, and risk management specialists, the seminar intends to promote a proactive risk culture amongst businesses in Nigeria.
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
).
by admin | Mar 25, 2025 | business, economics, investing, investing company news, investing news
In February 2025, The Nigerian Exchange Limited saw a significant drop in trading activities with total transactions falling by 16.07 percent to N509.47 billion from N607.05 billion observed in January.
The decrease was primarily caused by a substantial exodus of foreign investors, with their activities dropping by 40.36% from N71.51 billion to N42.65 billion during that period.
The NGX’s Domestic and Foreign Portfolio Investment Report, published on Monday, indicated that foreign investments decreased by 29.67% to ₦18.05 billion in January from ₦25.66 billion previously. Additionally, foreign outflows saw a reduction of 46.33%, dropping to ₦24.60 billion from ₦45.85 billion.
The decrease in international involvement lowered their total trading share to merely 8.37 percent, down from 11.78 percent in January, underscoring the ongoing prominence of local investors in the stock market.
On the contrary, local investors maintained dominance over the market, representing 91.63 percent of all trades conducted. Nonetheless, their transaction value dropped by 12.83 percent, decreasing from N535.54 billion in January down to N466.82 billion in February.
An analysis of local trades showed that individual investors invested N214.51 billion, marking a 19.76 percent decline from the N267.35 billion recorded in January. Meanwhile, institutional investors put in N252.31 billion, which represents a 5.92 percent reduction compared to the N268.19 billion they had committed in the prior month.
The decrease in international deals highlights increasing worries about investors’ trust in Nigeria’s stock exchange.
Year-to-date, the total transaction volume for January and February 2025 was recorded at ₦1.12 trillion. Domestic investors were responsible for ₦1 trillion, which constitutes approximately 89.78%, whereas foreign investors accounted for ₦114.16 billion, constituting around 10.22%.
In comparison to the corresponding timeframe in 2024 when the total transactions amounted to N1.01 trillion, there has been a rise of 10.62 percent in market activity this year. Nevertheless, the proportion of involvement from international investors has decreased from 11.78 percent in 2024 down to 10.22 percent in 2025.
In the last 18 years, statistics indicate a consistent rise in local involvement in Nigeria’s stock exchange, with domestic activity climbing by 33.15%, from ₦3.56 trillion in 2007 to ₦4.73 trillion in 2024. During this timeframe, international dealings also expanded by 38.31% from ₦616 billion to ₦852 billion. Nonetheless, despite these increases, overseas engagement stayed comparatively modest at around 15% of all trades in 2024, whereas indigenous traders made up approximately 85%.
PUNCH disclosed that foreign investors pulled out ₦455.62 billion from the Nigerian stock market in 2024, far exceeding overall investments and highlighting worries regarding investor trust, even as the Central Bank of Nigeria attempted to stabilize the naira.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.
Syndigate.info
).
by admin | Mar 24, 2025 | business, investing market news, investing news, news, stocks
On Monday morning, stocks climbed higher as investors attempted to find their footing amidst an ongoing trade dispute. The S&P 500 surged by 1.1%, marking its first positive week since slipping into a four-week downturn previously. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 0.7%, and the Nasdaq Composite gained 1.5%. Market watchers continue to keep a close eye on potential effects from new tariffs concerning inflation rates, consumer expenditure patterns, and overall economic expansion. Equities have experienced fluctuating sentiment due to alternating announcements about tariff implementations and cancellations. Additionally, shares of genetics-testing firm 23andMe plummeted following news that they were voluntarily filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy during the weekend.
HERE’S THE UPDATED INFORMATION. THE PREVIOUS REPORT FROM AP FOLLOWS BELOW.
Wall Street showed strong gains ahead of the opening bell on Monday, carrying forward the momentum from the previous week.
The future contracts for the S&P 500 jumped by 1.1%, those for the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 0.9%, and Nasdaq futures rose by 1.4%.
While investors focused on company updates, they also kept an eye on new developments regarding U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs, events that have caused significant fluctuations in the markets over the past few weeks.
A genetics testing firm called 23andMe saw its stock price plummet by about 42% during early morning trades following the announcement at the weekend that it would file for voluntary bankruptcy. The financially troubled company had previously cut its workforce by almost half and declared an end to several active clinical studies as they assessed different options for some of their holdings.
The shares of The AZEK Company surged by 20% during pre-market trading on Monday following an announcement that it would be acquired by Australia-based James Hardie Industries through a cash-and-stock transaction worth approximately $8.75 billion.
This marks the second significant transaction within the industry in just seven days, following QXO Inc.’s announcement on Thursday of their purchase of Beacon Roofing Supply Inc., which amounts to approximately $11 billion when accounting for debt.
Regarding tariffs, reports indicated that President Trump might refine his strategy to concentrate specifically on nations with considerable trade surpluses against the U.S., which encompasses numerous Asian countries.
Throughout most of this year, markets have experienced severe turbulence, dramatically fluctuating with every new tariff announcement.
A trade conflict between the United States and major trading allies could exacerbate inflation issues and negatively affect both consumers and companies. These entities have been cautioning investors regarding tariffs, rising prices, and increasing ambiguity surrounding cost impacts.
Trump has set an April 2 deadline to impose more tariffs on trading partners. It follows a series of other deadlines that have been set for tariffs only to be postponed, sometimes at the last minute.
During his meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, business leaders and U.S. Senator Steve Daines—a staunch advocate for then-President Donald Trump—heard a more amiable message from the premier. Notably, Sen. Daines was the initial congressional representative to travel to Beijing after Trump assumed office in January.
The relationship between these nations has reached a critical point, Li stated. He emphasized that both parties should opt for dialogue instead of conflict and pursue mutually beneficial collaboration rather than competitive rivalry. Additionally, Li mentioned that China wishes to collaborate with the United States to ensure the consistent and enduring growth of Sino-American ties.
The gathering also included heads from multiple U.S. corporations such as FedEx Corp.’s leader Raj Subramaniam, Brendan Nelson who is the senior VP at Boeing Co., Qualcomm’s chief executive Cristiano Amon, along with Pfizer’s head honcho Albert Bourla.
Recently, officials from the Trump administration have indicated that the list of impacted nations might not apply universally, and current tariffs—like those imposed on steel—may not automatically stack up,” noted Junrong Yeap from IG in his analysis. He further mentioned, “there is growing hope that Trump’s tariff proposals could turn out to be all talk with little action.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index advanced by 0.4% to reach 23,787.71, while the Shanghai Composite Index increased by 0.2%, closing at 3,370.03.
In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 dipped slightly by 0.2% to reach 37,608.49 following an initial report indicating that industrial production declined at its quickest rate over twelve months, with new orders decreasing even faster.
The S&P/ASX 200 index in Australia rose by 1%, finishing at 7,936.90, whereas South Korea’s Kospi declined by 0.4% to end at 2,632.07.
During midday in Europe, most of the major stock markets showed gains. The UK’s FTSE 100 increased marginally by under 0.1%, whereas France’s CAC 40 climbed by 0.5%.
Germany’s DAX rose 0.6% following the nation’s private sector business activities reaching a ten-month peak, despite a lesser-than-anticipated decline in manufacturing.
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
).
by admin | Mar 24, 2025 | financial markets, investing, investing market news, investing news, investors
Trump’s repeated tariff threats have rattled global markets. But in India, the market slump isn’t just about Trump. Millions of small investors are feeling the squeeze — for reasons beyond a potential US trade war.
It was the fear of missing out, or
Fear of Missing Out
That prompted Kanishk K. to begin investing in the stock market.
He informed LIFEHACK that during India’s struggle with the second wave of the COVID-19 lockdown in 2021, he began observing advertisements on Instagram showcasing social media personalities offering advice on earning money.
“I didn’t want to be left behind as others were making profits. This aspect really drew me towards investing in the market,” Kanishk stated.
He detailed how, following his initial foray into mutual funds, he progressively shifted towards stock market trading.
Similar to many novice investors, he lacked knowledge regarding the basics of investing but stayed updated on market trends, particularly through Reddit, the U.S.-based social media platform, as he mentioned.
Initially, “everything was going well.”
Enthusiasm in the stock market amid the COVID-19 pandemic
Saloni Puj* and Ishan Shah had experiences akin to Kanishk’s.
Puj, a media expert hailing from Kolkata, which serves as the capital of West Bengal, along with Shah, who operates a cultural hub imparting knowledge in art and music within the western metropolis of Ahmedabad, both ventured into stock market investments roughly during the period when pandemic-induced lockdowns were implemented.
Shah mentioned that the market was performing exceptionally well, giving the impression that everyone making profits was doing so through trading. He admitted to purchasing arbitrary stocks, often following suggestions from others. Surprisingly, regardless of his actions, he continued to see gains.
Puj adopted a more cautious strategy.
She stated that she was well-aware the market was experiencing an enthusiastic phase, and she recognized the bubble that was forming at the time.
In September 2024, the situation took a turn for the worse as the excitement surrounding their ventures suddenly deflated. Following an extended period of growth, the markets experienced a correction, which was then succeeded by a prolonged downturn.
New retail investors join the marketplace
For many Indians who entered the stock market following the pandemic downturn, the subsequent upturn proved to be an exciting period. This surge mirrored the approximately €250 billion ($275 billion) economic support package that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration introduced in 2020.
Throughout the lockdown period, numerous individuals found themselves with additional free time and resources at their disposal, leading many to be swayed by the notion of earning fast and effortless profits.
“Sagun Agrawal, a derivatives trader in India’s capital markets and an advocate for financial literacy among women, noted that during the pandemic, individuals found themselves with extra money, leading many younger investors to enter the stock market as retail participants. This influx was beneficial for the market, enhancing liquidity and generating investment funds for capital creation,” he explained.
Online trading has gained popularity due to new firms providing minimal transaction costs and straightforward credit accessibility. An example of this is Margin Trading Facility (MTF), enabling investors to purchase stocks by initially paying just a portion of the total price. In this setup, brokers finance the remaining balance as a loan, accompanied by an interest charge.
What caused the market decline?
According to NSE data, from March 2020 to March 2024, the count of registered investors in India nearly tripled, reaching approximately 92 million.
India’s NIFTY 50 stock market index rose from approximately 8,000 points in March 2020 to unprecedented heights above 26,000 points in September 2024. Retail investors, swept up in the excitement, believed that everything was going well — right up until things took a turn for the worse.
In the six months since September last year, Indian equities have lost more than $1.2 trillion in value. In February, the NIFTY 50 benchmark index was down 16% from its peak, and on its longest losing streak since 1996. It was the worst performing global market.
Among those most severely affected were small retail investors.
“A significant number of these retail investors lacked proper information and pursued overly hyped securities, causing a bubbly environment in the market. Over the past six months, as adjustments occurred, these investors experienced substantial financial losses,” stated Agrawal.
Bijoy Peter, a senior partner at Bangalore-based Germinate Investor Services, noted that one factor behind the market adjustment was the gap between the escalating valuations of Indian corporations and their decreasing profits. He also mentioned that India’s GDP growth had decelerated to 5.4% during the July-September 2024 quarter.
He additionally highlighted insufficient governmental investment in infrastructure and various sectors back then, along with other worldwide influences.
Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) began withdrawing their funds from India. Meanwhile, China initiated similar actions.
implementing significant stimulus measures
In its marketplace, this attracted capital flows to the area, he mentioned.
The transfer of funds from India had significant consequences.
“When a substantial amount of money leaves, the consequences are significant since investors must offload their assets,” explained Peter. “Such extensive selling greatly influences share values, leading to a decline in the overall market.”
Peter highlighted that numerous beneficial initiatives introduced by the administration have gone unnoticed by the markets—such as raised tax thresholds, actions by the Reserve Bank of India aimed at infusing liquidity into banks, along with the government’s pledge for heightened expenditure on infrastructure projects.
Agrawal pointed out that back in September, the major participants were Indian High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNIs) along with significant investors. According to her, they perceived that the market was overpriced and offered little potential for additional gains.
“One trader, requesting anonymity, stated that when key investors withdrew their funds from the market, it triggered a downturn, leaving minor investors to absorb the financial losses,” as reported by LIFEHACK.
‘Trump offers India an unparalleled chance’
Despite facing turbulent conditions over the past five months, Indian markets are now showing signs of improvement as the stock market saw substantial increases last week.
Nevertheless, investors continue to be wary due to US President Donald Trump’s warnings about implementing reciprocal tariffs on India starting April 2, referring to India as “a major tariff abuser.”
Delhi has stated that it is engaged in talks with the United States aimed at setting up a trade agreement that would tackle tariffs and improve market accessibility.
Dr. Surjit Bhalla, an economist and formerly the executive director for India at the IMF, who also served in the Economic Advisory Council during Prime Minister Modi’s second term, expressed optimism about India’s prospects under President Trump, stating that this administration has offered India a singular chance to implement reforms.
This opportunity is unprecedented, especially when it comes to sectors such as trade, foreign direct investment, and various critical elements influencing GDP expansion and profitability.
“Bhalla stated that this is a vital time for implementing essential changes, covering sectors such as agriculture, both externally and internally. This presents an opportunity for India to progress to the next phase of reforms,” he added.
Small investors smarter now
In the meantime, retail investors such as Kanishk, Shah, and Puj, who have endured challenging periods over the last several months, are preparing for the potential effects of Trump’s proposed tariffs, all while hoping for the best.
Kanishk mentioned that he has become more careful following the downturn, stating that he now “takes the advice from financial influencers with a grain of salt.”
A year ago, Shah ceased operations, occasionally pondering if quitting prematurely. However, now he feels relieved as he observes everyone feeling quite stressed. He mentioned, “I think I may have avoided a major issue.”
Puj has completely overhauled her investment approach; she plans to remain stationary and purchase only modest amounts when the market declines.
After witnessing all her investments lose value just recently, she stated that she has become more knowledgeable now, noting, “Dropping in value isn’t very enjoyable.”
*names changed on request
Edited by: Keith Walker
Author: Shakeel Sobhan (located in New Delhi)
