Commerce

Access Africa with Thunes simplify cross-border payments

Access Africa, payment product designed to simplify payments, has partnered with Thunes, a leading global payment infrastructure platform, to streamline and simplify cross-border payments across key markets in the continent

Thunes, which currently connects more than 130 countries into a single network, will help allow Access Africa to facilitate payments across Botswana, Cameroon, Congo DR, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa and Zambia.

Customers of Access Africa will be able to make simple international payments as well as receive diaspora inflows in USD from countries in Africa, the Americas, APAC, Europe, Greater China, and MENA in the form of cash or bank deposits.

Robert Giles, senior advisory retail at Access Bank, commented, “This strategic partnership reinforces Access Africas commitment to providing customers and non-customers with access to top-quality remittance services. Thunes is a cross-border payments network founded in 2016 that enables corporates and financial institutions to move funds seamlessly and provide financial services in emerging markets. Our partnership will significantly expand the reach of Access Africas payment and remittance services to over 100 more countries and expose Thunes to all 60 million customers of Access Africa with over 600 branch locations.”

“Access Africa has been at the forefront of innovation in the African banking sector and is one of the largest banks on the continent. We are excited for the future of our partnership as we enhance the connections between Africa and the rest of the world, and bring major improvements to customers that need to make regular cross-border payments to and from African markets," said Aik Boon Tan, executive vice president for Thunes.

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CMS now in Africa

CMS, an integrated, multi-jurisdictional organisation of law firms that offers full-service legal and tax advice, has extended its footprint in Africa following the addition of Mozambique-based Couto, Graça e Associados Limitada (CGA)

With the new addition, the organisation can register Mozambique as one of the 44 countries it has a presence in, a list which already includes Angola, Morocco, South Africa and Kenya. CGA boasts an established presence in the African business and legal community and is the largest firm in Mozambique. Joining CMS will allow CGA to strengthen its international profile by utilising the former’s global client base.

Duncan Weston, executive partner at CMS, remarked, “Expanding our presence in Africa remains a business imperative for CMS. Many of CMS’s clients have multiple in-country operations in Africa and we are committed to ensuring they get the legal services they need to protect and develop their businesses. CGA has a reputation for outstanding service quality and extensive local market knowledge. This knowledge, combined with CMS’s expertise, will help us build a practice with a truly African identity.”

Pedro Couto, CGA chairman, added, “Our entry into CMS makes us part of an organisation of law firms with international coverage. We expect to benefit from their experience, knowledge and client base with interests in Mozambique. We believe that this membership will allow us to adhere to the latest, most innovative and efficient law firm practices, thereby improving the way we manage our business and service our clients.”

MTN Benin and Ericsson combine for sustainable e-waste management

Ericsson and MTN Benin have collaborated to recycle 123 metric tons of e-waste, advancing environmental sustainability and circular economies, as part of the Ericsson Product Take-Back Programme

The collaboration has resulted in the collection, decommissioning, transportation, and recycling of over 123 metric tons of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) since 2021.

The collaboration is aligned with MTNs Road to Zero pledge, which seeks to reduce its carbon footprint and mitigate the negative effects of climate change by 2040. As a committed pledge holder, Ericsson works to ensure that the decommissioned network equipment is recycled by Ericsson-approved recyclers in South Africa, and MTN Benin receives Certificates of Destruction to guarantee the equipments safe disposal.

With the United Nations identifying WEEE as one of the fastest-growing waste streams worldwide by volume, the program is a key aspect of Ericssons climate action and environmental sustainability strategy and commitment to circular economies. By embracing circular economies, Ericsson hopes to effectively manage electronic waste and extract value from decommissioned equipment while minimising landfill and other environmental impacts.

With the increased adoption of technology, Benin has witnessed an increase in the generation of WEEE. As per The Global E-waste Monitor 2020 Report, Benin generated 9.2 kilotonnes of e-waste in 2019.

Uche OFODILE, CEO of MTN Benin, emphasised, “At MTN, we believe in the benefits of a healthy planet and committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2040. We recognise our responsibility to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change and to support environmental sustainability. By working alongside Ericsson, we are able to ensure that our decommissioned network equipment is recycled responsibly, and that valuable materials and components are extracted for re-use, reducing our environmental impact, and supporting a circular economy. Through this collaboration, we reinforce our Road to Zero pledge and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) commitments and look forward to advancing sustainability across Africa.”

Hossam Kandeel, vice-president and head of global customer unit MTN and customer unit MTN Africa at Ericsson commented, “The Ericsson Product Take-Back program is a core strategy in our commitment to circular economies, where waste products can become new resources. Improper disposal of electronic components can harm the environment by increasing greenhouse gas emissions and causing damage to biodiversity and human health. The programme enables us to recycle end-of-life electronic and electrical equipment in a responsible and sustainable way. As we collaborate with MTN Benin, we aim to encourage and actively support sub-Saharan Africa in achieving its climate goals.”

Ericsson launched its global Product Take-Back Programme in 2005 to minimise its products environmental impact and ensure proper end-of-life handling. Ericsson offers the program to customers in 180 countries worldwide.

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