Business
Animal Mart Enterprises births REAP AFRICA INITIATIVE
By Joel Ajayi
Animal Mart Enterprises Limited introduces REAP AFRICA INITIATIVE. Reap Africa Initiative is a trademark product of Animal Mart Enterprises Limited, trademarked in 2016 and was formally registered as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) on the 2nd of March, 2020 with a mandate to train and empower farmers and small businesses across Africa.
Over the years, Animal Mart Enterprises Limited has through its various projects identified the need to professionally empower farmers through constant training and field demonstrations.
This led to our team comprising of our researchers, farm extension officers, and farm supervisors led by our amiable farm supervisor and project coordinator; Miss Anosike Chinwendu to come up with a strategy that will enable the company to reach its goal of educating and empowering 10,000 farmers annually.
Miss Chinwendu Anosike and her team will directly report to the Head of Operations and Managing Partner of Animal Mart Enterprises Ltd in the person of Mr. Henry Isiguzo.
The goal and objective of this initiative is to reach farmers across all states in Nigeria and promote agribusiness amongst youths and women in both urban and rural areas.
Business
LOTUS Bank, REA Partner To Deepen Renewable Energy Access In Nigeria
Joel Ajayi
LOTUS Bank Limited, one of Nigeria’s leading ethical, non-interest banking service providers, has reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive, sustainable development of the country through a strategic partnership with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), aimed at expanding access to renewable energy solutions across underserved communities.
In a demonstration of its commitment, LOTUS Bank signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the REA on Monday in Abuja, under which it will provide accessible funding of up to N100 billion to empower certified Renewable Energy Service Companies (RESCOS).
Speaking during the signing of the deal, Managing Director/CEO of LOTUS Bank, Dr. Isiaka Ajani-Lawal, described the collaboration as a clear reflection of the Bank’s mission to harness ethical finance to address critical, important and national development needs.
The Banker clarified: “LOTUS Bank was established to redefine the impact that financial institutions can have on the society we serve – not simply through financing, but through partnership, empowerment, and shared prosperity.
“Our involvement with REA and the DARES program underscores our commitment to supporting sustainable development goals, while driving financial inclusion across Nigeria.
We believe non-interest finance must go beyond innovation — it must deliver tangible socio-economic value to all segments of society, Ajani-Lawal assured.
In his remarks at the event, MD/CEO of the REA, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, emphasized the importance of addressing financing barriers for off-grid energy developers.
He said: “While Nigeria has made strides in expanding energy access, financing remains a key constraint for RESCOs. Collaborations like this are essential in unlocking private sector investment and delivering sustainable energy solutions at scale.”
The partnership of the Agency and the Bank is expected to accelerate clean energy project delivery, reduce financing bottlenecks, and stimulate private sector participation — a development that supports Nigeria’s National Electrification Strategy and Implementation Plan (NESIP) and contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) for affordable, reliable, and clean energy for all.
LOTUS Bank’s expansion into renewable energy financing aligns with its broader strategy to deepen ethical and inclusive finance by supporting initiatives that have measurable social, environmental, and economic impact.
Since its inception in 2021, the Bank has positioned itself as a “Bank for all” with a strong focus on financial inclusion through innovative non-interest products designed for individuals, women, youth, and MSMEs; community empowerment and CSR initiatives; expansion of digital accessibility and making ethical banking more accessible to people in urban and underserved locations nationwide; and financial literacy campaigns and stakeholder engagement to deepen understanding and adoption of non-interest banking principles.
In recognition of its role in deepening financial inclusion and ethical finance, LOTUS Bank was recently named the “Best Ethical and Financial Inclusion Bank of the Year” at the 2025 BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards, highlighting the institution’s leadership in inclusive financial innovation
-
Featured7 years agoLampard Names New Chelsea Manager
-
Featured6 years agoFG To Extends Lockdown In FCT, Lagos Ogun states For 7days
-
Featured6 years agoChildren Custody: Court Adjourns Mike Ezuruonye, Wife’s Case To April 7
-
Featured7 years agoNYSC Dismisses Report Of DG’s Plan To Islamize Benue Orientation Camp
-
Featured4 years agoTransfer Saga: How Mikel Obi Refused to compensate me After I Linked Him Worth $4m Deal In Kuwait SC – Okafor
-
Sports3 years ago
TINUBU LAMBAST DELE MOMODU
-
News1 year agoZulu to Super Eagles B team, President Tinubu is happy with you
-
Featured6 years ago
Board urges FG to establish one-stop rehabilitation centres in 6 geopolitical zones
