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The invisible infrastructure moving Africa’s economy

A trader in Onitsha does not think about payment infrastructure when she restocks her shop. A nurse in Accra is unlikely to consider financial connectivity when her salary lands in her account. A manufacturer in Nairobi does not see a payment rail when it settles a supplier in Kampala. Yet behind each of these ordinary transactions is a financial system that determines how quickly money moves, how much it costs to move it and, ultimately, how easily people and businesses can participate in the economy.

Across Africa, this invisible infrastructure is becoming increasingly important. As economies digitise and countries move towards greater regional integration, the ability to move money quickly and reliably is no longer simply a convenience; it is becoming part of the machinery of commerce itself.

In 2025, Access Holdings processed 2.8 billion transactions across its network, a figure that offers more than a measure of corporate scale. Behind the number are wages paid, suppliers settled, school fees transferred, businesses financed and families supported. Multiplied across millions of people and businesses, these seemingly routine payments provide a glimpse into the financial circulation of a continent where the speed and reliability of money movement can determine how quickly economic activity takes place.

The importance of these financial rails is often most visible where traditional infrastructure is weakest. Across much of Africa, cash dependency, fragmented markets and unreliable systems have historically increased the cost of moving money and limited access to formal financial services. When payments clear faster and more reliably, businesses can settle suppliers, workers can receive wages and households can meet obligations without the delays associated with more cumbersome systems.

This is the less visible side of Africa’s economic transformation. Roads, ports and power plants are recognised as infrastructure because they are physical. Payment systems are different: they operate largely out of sight, but they determine whether money can travel across the economic distance between a customer and a business, an employer and a worker, or one African market and another.

For Access Holdings, that infrastructure increasingly extends beyond conventional banking. The financial holding company coordinates five specialised operating companies, each serving a different part of the financial system. Access Bank anchors banking and trade, Hydrogen Payment Services operates payment infrastructure, Access Pensions manages long-term savings, Oxygen X Finance provides digital consumer lending, while Access Insurance Brokers provides risk protection.

Together, the businesses form an ecosystem that follows customers through different stages of their financial lives, from opening a savings account and accessing credit to making payments, contributing to a pension or managing financial risks.

The group’s reach is also increasingly continental. Access serves more than 60 million customers across 25 countries and three continents, giving it a network that links economic activity across markets including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Zambia, Mozambique and Angola.

That connectivity matters as African countries seek to deepen intra-African trade through the African Continental Free Trade Area. Continental integration is often discussed in terms of tariffs, trade agreements and government policy, but its success also depends on the ability of businesses to make and receive payments efficiently across borders.

A business in Lagos paying a partner in Accra, or a manufacturer in Nairobi settling an invoice in Kampala, turns the idea of regional integration into an everyday economic transaction. The movement of money becomes the mechanism through which businesses experience the benefits of connected markets.

For millions of Africans, however, the first step is not cross-border trade but access to the formal financial system. In 2025, Access said its network brought 2.53 million low-income Africans into the financial system and onboarded 78,438 micro, small and medium enterprises onto financing platforms.

The significance of digital payments therefore extends beyond the transaction itself. Once individuals and businesses begin to transact digitally, they can establish a financial record and become more visible to institutions that provide savings, credit and other financial services.

A payment rail can consequently become an entry point into the broader financial system. For a small business, the ability to transact digitally can help create a financial history. For an individual, access to formal payments can provide a pathway to savings and other financial services. What begins as a transaction can therefore become part of a longer process of financial inclusion.

Scale also creates a resilience benefit. Access’s presence across multiple economies and business lines means its financial infrastructure is not concentrated in a single market or service. The network can continue supporting customers across different markets even as individual economies experience currency movements or changes in economic conditions.

For customers, that resilience is ultimately experienced in simple terms: whether a payment goes through, a salary arrives or a supplier receives funds when expected. In economies where uncertainty can increase the cost of doing business, reliability itself becomes an economic asset.

But the significance of the 2.8 billion transactions lies less in the number than in what the number represents. Each payment is connected to an underlying economic activity, a purchase, a wage, a business transaction, a family obligation or a transfer of funds.

At that scale, small improvements in the movement of money can accumulate into wider economic effects. Every payment that clears instead of failing, every transfer completed more quickly and every cost reduced in the movement of funds can remove a small piece of friction from economic activity.

Africa’s financial transformation is therefore taking place not only through banks and financial institutions, but through the infrastructure that allows money to move between them, businesses and households.

As the continent becomes more digitally connected and African economies seek greater integration, the institutions capable of operating financial infrastructure across borders will play an increasingly important role in determining how easily capital and commerce move.

The most consequential infrastructure may not always be the infrastructure that can be seen. Sometimes it is the system working quietly behind a transaction, allowing a trader to restock, a worker to receive a salary, a business to settle a supplier or a family to send money home.

In the end, that is the significance of moving money. It is not simply about transferring funds from one account to another. It is about reducing the friction between economic activity and the people who depend on it.

And when money moves more efficiently, the economic activity around it can move with it.

How natural disasters, medical advancements forced Jehovah’s Witnesses’ U-Turn on blood transfusion

For many years, Jehovah’s Witnesses (JW), as a religious organisation, have based its stand on blood transfusion on the interpretation of Mosaic Law, which, among other things, forbade believers from anything that relates to blood.

According to the organisation, Jehovah connects the sacredness of life with blood. It therefore bases its stand on Jehovah’s command to Noah in Genesis 9: 4, which says ‘…only flesh with its life, its blood you must not eat.’

Over the years, JW have operated strictly against blood transfusion, which many have endured even at the expense of loved ones.

But a recent update from its leadership, tagged ‘2026 Governing Body Update #6 ‘, discussed an adjustment to JW’s position on blood components – further indicating that ‘Christians are not under the Mosaic Law.’

While the organisation holds the right to its interpretation of the Bible as a religious sect, many adherents have lost their lives for refusing to accept blood transfusion in their critical moments, while the belief lasted.

In recent months, several natural disasters like earthquakes in Venezuela, Japan, and Colombia, wildfires in Europe and in North America, and devastating mudslides in Asia have affected many, including Jehovah’s Witnesses.

In many of the affected places, Jehovah’s Witnesses were directly involved in rescue efforts involving fellow witnesses, where local brothers and sisters donated over half a million dollars’ worth of food, clothing, and other supplies.

While JW branch offices in affected areas set up relief centres to help people in need of essential items, those in critical condition and in need of blood transfusion could not get the help required because the organisation they belong to does not support blood transfusion.

According to the Governing Body, Jehovah’s Witnesses have always endeavoured to reflect on God’s view of the sacredness of life. While that position is true and justified, it was, however, based on a misinterpretation of the scriptures.

The occurrence of natural disasters and medical advancements in a way forced the Governing Body to reevaluate the organisation’s position on blood transfusion – therefore positing that ‘It’s an opportunity for each of God’s servants to reflect Jehovah’s view of life.’

According to the Governing Body, obedience to Jehovah’s view of life includes avoiding the consumption of blood.

‘And since the underlying principle is respect for life, it also includes avoiding blood guilt caused by murder or by careless or reckless conduct that could result in the loss of life.’

Furthermore, the Governing Body, in obedience to the apostolic command to abstain from blood, reiterated that the Bible does not comment on the use of a person’s own blood in medical and surgical care.

‘Therefore, like other choices about health care, each Christian must make his own decision about the use of his own blood in all medical and surgical care.’

New perspective/Biblical understanding on blood transfusion

The Bible expressly warned that believers are not to add or remove from any part of the scripture. However, this part of the Bible and other commandments have been interpreted from various points of view.

Therefore, it is not surprising to see the JW Governing Body review the organisation’s stand on blood transfusion – which for many years have exposed Jehovah’s Witnesses to controversies in many places.

‘It’s more about Biblical understanding of the principle about the use and consumption of blood that became clearer,’ a witness who wanted to remain anonymous told BusinessDay.

She added that there has been no pushback from within the organisation to force the Governing Body to review her position on blood transfusion.

‘There are so many people that I know that would still refuse any form of blood, because their conscience doesn’t allow them.’

She also clarified that whole blood is still not taken by Jehovah’s Witnesses, but they can only take the four components as required for treatment

‘If their conscience allows it, they can store their own blood and reuse it for medical procedures. The former principle was to take fractions of the components of whole blood and not whole blood or the full components,’ she said.

The anonymous Witness also disclosed that the review was not directly influenced by technological advancements. ‘JW’s have always been tech-savvy and use tech to their advantage.

‘We’ve always had very successful no-blood surgeries, backed by the world’s most advanced doctors,’ she added.

Importance of blood transfusion

Blood transfusion is primarily needed to save a person’s life when they have lost too much blood. It helps people with severe anaemia by giving their body the red blood cells it needs to carry oxygen.

Blood transfusion is also very important during major surgeries, accidents, childbirth, and other emergencies, where the patients’ blood count is low.

Similarly, some patients with serious illnesses may also require blood or blood components as part of their treatment. ‘Having enough safe blood available in hospitals means doctors can respond quickly when someone’s life is at risk,’ Said Yekeen, former chairman, YMLSF OYO State branch, told BusinessDay.

According to Yekeen, hospitals need regular blood donors to ensure that blood is available when patients need it urgently – hence people should be open to blood donation and transfusion.

‘People should be willing to donate blood because their small act of kindness can save someone’s life,’ Yekeen said.

According to him, donated blood is carefully tested/screened and matched to make the transfusion as safe as possible. ‘By donating blood and being open to receiving it when necessary, we can help save lives and support one another,’ he added.

Power of decision given to each Witness

While the recent review of the Governing Body is seen as a welcome development, much still has to be done in areas of acceptance because the U-turn now places the power to give or receive on individual Witnesses.

Therefore, the Governing Body warned that taking the matter lightly could harm a Christian’s conscience and his relationship with Jehovah.

The warning according to the Governing Body was based on the fact that members of the Body are not masters of other believers’ faith, but are rather fellow workers in faith.

‘This scriptural clarification allows each Christian to do as stated in Galatians 6: 5. Each one will carry his own load.

‘After further prayerful consideration, the Governing Body has decided that this same principle applies to the four primary components of whole blood,’ the Governing Body stated.

On the back of this, the Body urged Witnesses to prayerfully consider all factors relevant to their situation when making medical decisions involving products derived from blood.

‘In this way, each Christian can make a decision that leaves him with a clean conscience and shows deep respect for Jehovah, the source of life.’

The Governing Body also touched on how individual Witnesses can view the acceptance or rejection of any blood-related product.

‘Each Christian will likely reason differently. Some might reject all such products because they believe that taking any part of blood is wrong.

‘Others might accept certain products because they represent a small percentage of whole blood,’ the Governing Body stated.

French President calls for AI safeguards to protect children

French President Emmanuel Macron has called for artificial intelligence systems to be tested and evaluated before being made available to children, citing the need to protect them from potential risks associated with the technology.

Macron made the remarks in New York during a high-level meeting on protecting children’s rights and safety in the age of artificial intelligence, held on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. The meeting was organized as part of the Coalition for Children’s Rights and Protection in the Age of AI.

The French president noted that children are increasingly interacting with technologies capable of speaking to them, answering questions, imitating friendship and responding to their anxieties. He said artificial intelligence was already becoming part of children’s daily lives and warned against repeating mistakes made with social media.

Macron also referred to the growing role of social media in the lives of children and teenagers over the past decade. He welcomed efforts to strengthen protections for children online and stressed the need to apply similar safeguards to artificial intelligence.

According to Macron, AI models should undergo testing and evaluation before being placed in children’s hands. He said that no AI model should be made available to children by default before it has been tested, evaluated and authorized.

He also stressed the importance of independent research into AI systems, taking into account different languages, cultures and educational environments. Such assessments, he said, should examine both the potential benefits claimed by developers and the risks associated with children’s age, the way the technology is used and the specific circumstances of its use.

Macron said the coalition would continue its work on the issue, with the next step expected at the Paris Peace Forum in November.

Cyprus Department of Meteorology – Forecast for the Sea Area of Cyprus (A)

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1012hPa (hectopascal)

Weak low pressure is affecting the area. The weather will be mainly fine, but locally increased cloud coverage will be present at times. From late afternoon, local showers and isolated thunderstorms are expected, spreading from the west. THUNDERSTORMS MAY BE ACCOMPANIED BY SUDDEN CHANGES IN WIND DIRECTION AND INCREASES IN WIND SPEED.

Visibility: Good, but moderate to poor in showers

Sea surface temperature: 28°C

Warnings: NIL

AREA

PERIOD

WIND

STATE OF SEA

West Coast

Morning

Southwest to West 3, gradually 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

West to Northwest 3 to 4, at times locally 4 to 5

Slight

Night

West to Northwest 3 to 4, later 4

Slight

South Coast

Morning

Southwest to Northwest 3, gradually Southwest to West 4

Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

Southwest to West 4, at times locally 5

Slight

Night

Southwest to West 3, at times locally 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight, at times locally Slight

East Coast

Morning

West to Northwest 3, gradually South to Southwest

Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

South to Southwest 3 to 4, at times locally 4 to 5

Smooth to Slight

Night

Southwest to West 3, at times locally 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight, at times locally Slight

North Coast

Morning

South to Southwest 3, gradually Southwest to West 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

Southwest to West 3 to 4, at times locally 4 to 5

Slight

Night

Southwest to West 4, later offshore 4 to 5

Slight, later offshore Slight to Moderate

Time of issue: 0530

Date: 27/09/2026

Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the art of political engineering

WHAT does it mean to be a good political leader? This is one fundamental question that straddles political philosophy and political science. Political theorists have always been concerned with the idea of the political community and how its leadership can facilitate social harmony for further socioeconomic development. This makes the question of leadership a very critical one for democratic theory, and the determination of the essence of democracy and good governance. All across the world, there are series of indices by which the characteristic features of good leadership are determined. For instance, the human development index references a composite achievement of political leadership in terms of the living standards of the citizens. For many years, the top positions have always been the preserves of the Scandinavian and European countries, from Finland and Norway to the Netherlands and Germany. The highest-performing African countries are not only interspersed within the index, they also constitute the bulk of the countries that make up the bottom rung of the list.

Such indices and indicators of poverty and prosperity make the determination of leadership even all the more interesting and sometimes confounding, especially in a country like Nigeria that carries the burden of geopolitical, regional and continental possibilities and challenges. Since her return to democratic experimentation in 1999, Nigeria’s search for a good political leader has become redoubled, especially given that Nigeria’s postcolonial and post-independence predicaments have become even more grinding for millions of average Nigerians. As we drive slowly and steadily towards another general election in 2027, the discourse around leadership and the future of Nigeria has become even more accentuated. The apprehension about the impending democratic decision process is not only palpable but also fundamentally existential. Millions are asking whether their political and electoral choices this time around would be defining enough to swing Nigeria’s political, and hence economic, fortunes.

And at the very heart of that democratic apprehension is the possibility that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will return to political power for another four years. Or that the opposition will be able to wrest power from him either jointly in strategic concert or singly through individual political and charismatic appeal. We must concede: within the force-field of the typical gains and pains that necessarily attend a root-and-branch brand of structural adjustment-grounded reforms, things are very difficult in Nigeria. The indices for multidimensional poverty are depressing. Millions have also been traumatised by insecurity from banditry and insurgency. Then there are the severe macroeconomic expressions of a governance system that is struggling to make sense of Nigeria’s oscillating fortunes. No one can envy any political leader who makes the decision to take on the heavy burden of shouldering Nigeria’s predicament at this moment in time. I do not envy such a leader given my background in governance, policy, and institutional reform. While I have been trying to make sense of the Nigerian civil service system, the President of Nigeria is trying to make sense of the political and economic dynamics of making Nigeria work. That is enormous. But then, people can argue that those who present themselves for leadership positions cannot be pitied because they had a sense of what it would entail, and they presumed that they had what it takes to steer the nation out of her challenges. This is a good argument that must be put in proper context.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu knew the task involved in managing the affairs of Nigeria. He has been involved at several political levels of Nigeria’s unfolding for decades; from being in the trenches of the pro-democracy movement, locally and in exile, to being in the legislative arm as a senator, to governing a state, and in the management of party politics and its combustible dynamics at challenging times, and participating as a core stakeholder in geopolitical policymaking at the highest levels through numerous but disruptive transitions. When he brazenly insisted that it was his turn to get to that highest level of overseeing Nigeria’s fate-when he served the notice to all political agents that ‘Èmi lókàn’ (it’s now my turn)-we have all missed the courage embedded in that political decision. And this for me is where we must start in our reflection on President Tinubu’s performance after four years in office, and whether or not his administration deserves a second term.

Given the heat of Nigeria’s pressing situation, we often gloss over the provenance and complexity of current predicaments. Nigeria did not become the way it is under Tinubu. In other words, Nigeria under the Tinubu administration is already a composite of complex and complicated dysfunction and debilitation. From independence to date, the political and developmental circumstances of the Nigerian state have kept fluctuating so much so that millions of Nigerians have been the worse for it. The commencement of the democratic experiment has not brought much relief. The issue is not to therefore articulate platitudes and excuses on why the Tinubu administration could not be considered to be magicians who are expected to transform Nigeria overnight. On the contrary, the critical analysis lies elsewhere.

This is where my interest in political philosophy enables an analysis that deepens the understanding of Bola Ahmed Tinubu beyond the usual political commentaries that often dissolve into petty and abusive vitriols. How does political philosophy enable us to figure the political style and leadership dexterity of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the president of the Nigerian state at this moment in time? One critical lens derives from the trajectory of his political evolution from a pro-democracy agitator to the sitting president of Nigeria. This alone is sufficient to necessitate an astute study of his political tenacity. In this regard, he has earned a space among the political avatars that have bestraddled the Nigerian space. Only a few leaders ever could survive Nigeria’s chaotic and violent political space, not to talk of ascending to the zenith of its governance structure. My interest, however, is not just taking on a measure of his political unravelling. Rather, I am intrigued by what his over three decades of political actions could reveal to us in terms of a distinct framework of political leadership, a schema of political power and the dynamics of nation-building.

It is very clear to me that, as a Tinubu acolyte, Western political understanding and global parameters of leadership will sit uneasily on Tinubu. This is not something to be lamented, because a leader is a function of the confluence of context, ideology, temperament and temporal situatedness. There is a level of unfairness in judging a postcolonial leadership by the parameters of Western political theory or democratic institutionalism. I will hazard the hypothesis further that, compared to Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Tinubu will still not be able to measure up in terms of a leadership grounded in value credentials. This is because Tinubu is already bedevilled by serious reputational negatives that derive from his political rising. However, the crucial difference between Awolowo and Tinubu is simply that the latter is at the helm of affairs of the Nigerian state at a time when it is most difficult to be a president. And this is doubly so for him because he has not only a running knowledge of the dynamics of the Nigerian predicaments; he also specifically asked to be president.

And yet, Tinubu has converted his political position into a stance of strength. His enigma persona, I insist, derives from his capacity for political engineering. This is an amorphous term that I need to unravel to capture my measure of respect for someone I consider to be a typology of a good leader. The rise of Tinubu from pro-democracy activist to governor of LAGOS State to political kingmaker and ultimately to president reveals a Machiavellian streak that speaks to his capacity to balance shifting alliances, strategically navigate complex and fragmented ethno-regional landscapes, and preside over an immense political machinery that manoeuvres between loyalists and rivals. He has become the ultimate Machiavellian strategist who is not just passively deft in deflecting oppositions, allegations and controversies. On the contrary, his strategic competences and alliances are meant to forge a pathway for rethinking Nigeria’s future.

This is a political persona that defies easy location in existing populist or bureaucratic leadership typology. We have a leader who has to ride through the rough and tough waters of the Nigerian political terrain and democratic context to be able to lay the foundation of a new Nigeria. This demands not just a visionary and ideological framework but also a transactional realism that demands systematic patronage structures which leverage the assistance of loyalists and experts around whom nation-building and political engineering can be facilitated. In the political discourse literature, the apt term for this patronage is political gardening-a framework of harnessing competences, expertise and alliances that could be deployed for political and non-political objectives. What makes Tinubu’s political rising fascinating and formidable is the emergence of a political machinery founded on political gardening, his capacity to headhunt political, economic and technocratic capacities that transcend generational and regional limitations.

This political machinery has not been founded for the sake of merely obtaining power for the sake of power. This is a difficult argument to sell given the generations of political powerbrokers who have passed through Aso Rock and left Nigeria worse than they met it. But then, why headhunt a critical mass of technocratic brainpowers if the endgame was simply to seize and exploit political power? If this harnessing of technocratic competence worked in his grand modernising plan for Lagos State, why would Nigeria be any different with the same strategy? This is where the Machiavellian label deserts our characterisation of Tinubu. This is because Machiavelli’s understanding of political power was for the maintenance of the state’s boundaries; Tinubu’s understanding of political power dwells at the very tight juncture where institutional patronage and strategic resilience must meet visionary policymaking, and power consolidation must be balanced by political engineering.

Four years are not sufficient for balancing power play while trying to inject structural reform into the Nigerian system. But what is more, for a nation-state that has been run into a complicated national dysfunction, there is no gainsaying the urgent necessity of swallowing hard pills of stringent policies like the fuel subsidy removal, the unification of the foreign exchange rates and the tightening of the monetary policy in ways that seek to eliminate price instability as an act in economic stabilisation that has crystallised. These are a few of the policies already put in place to alleviate the policy errors of the past and achieve fiscal growth and accountability.

Let us return to the critical comparison between Awolowo and Tinubu. We are all apprised of the legacy of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, especially in terms of human and infrastructural development. Tinubu’s legacy is still in the making, and the quest for a second term in office will go a long way not only to douse the immediate threat of political opposition (directed towards reputational damage) but to also allow freer avenue for the consolidation of the foundations of transformational policies. To secure a spot in the annals of political leadership in Nigeria, Tinubu is faced with the challenge of converting his political strategies and pragmatic orientation towards not just stabilising the fractured Nigerian state but also laying a policy architecture of economic recovery and growth.

CIPM ICE 2026 ends with call for organisations to reposition for value, impact

After four days of thought-provoking conversations, bold ideas, and meaningful connections, the curtains have fallen on the 58th International Conference and Exhibition (ICE) of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM), leaving thousands of HR professionals with a renewed commitment to create measurable value and lasting impact in their organisations.

The conference brought together over 4,000 physical delegates and over 1,000 virtual delegates from across Nigeria and beyond, reinforcing its position as Africa’s largest gathering of human resource professionals.

Delivering his closing remarks,

Mallam Ahmed Ladan Gobir, the President and Chairman of the Governing Council of CIPM, reflected on the journey of the conference and the significance of the conversations that shaped the event.

‘We came, we learned, we networked, and we connected,’ he said, capturing the essence of a conference that brought together business leaders, HR professionals, policymakers, academics, and global experts around the theme, ‘Repositioning for Value and Impact.’

Mallam Gobir noted that while the conference sessions had come to an end, the real work was only beginning.

‘The real conference begins when we return to our boardrooms, leadership teams and organisations. What we have learned here must be translated into action, measurable value and lasting impact,’ he charged.

According to him, the conference succeeded in providing delegates with more than just knowledge.

‘This conference has given us knowledge and memories to take home. The challenge before us now is to ensure that the lessons learned become catalysts for transformation in our workplaces and institutions,’ he said.

Expressing appreciation to participants, speakers, sponsors, exhibitors and partners, the CIPM President acknowledged the vital role delegates played in making the event a success.

‘There is no conference without the people, and you all brought this one to life. We are grateful to every delegate who travelled from different parts of Nigeria and the world in search of knowledge, collaboration and professional growth,’ he added.

Throughout the conference, delegates engaged in insightful discussions on some of the most pressing issues shaping the future of people management, including human-centred leadership, public sector transformation, organisational performance, governance, workforce productivity, artificial intelligence, human capability, HR standards, career development and the evolving expectations of business leaders from the HR profession.

A major highlight of the conference was the announcement of a growing international recognition of CIPM and its commitment to advancing global standards in people management.

Mallam Gobir noted that the Institute continues to deepen its global footprint through mutual recognition and strategic partnerships with leading professional bodies, including the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), Chartered Professionals in Human Resources (CPHR), the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the World Federation of People Management Associations (WFPMA).

He described the partnerships as a testament to the growing influence of Nigerian HR professionals on the global stage and a reflection of CIPM’s commitment to ensuring that its members remain globally competitive.

In another significant announcement, the CIPM President revealed that the Third African Human Resource Summit will be held alongside the 59th International Conference and Exhibition (ICE 2027) next year, a development expected to further strengthen collaboration among HR practitioners across the continent and consolidate Africa’s voice in the global people management ecosystem.

The conference featured an impressive lineup of renowned speakers, business executives, public sector leaders and HR thought leaders who challenged participants to rethink conventional approaches to people management and embrace innovation, data-driven decision-making and value creation.

Many delegates described the conference as one of the most impactful editions in recent years. They praised the quality of the speakers, the relevance of the sessions and the diverse networking opportunities that enabled meaningful exchanges among professionals from different industries and countries.

As delegates departed Abuja with fresh insights, new partnerships and renewed inspiration, the closing message remained clear: the success of the conference will not be measured by the number of sessions held or contacts exchanged, but by the value created and the impact delivered in workplaces, organisations and communities.

With the curtains drawn on the 58th International Conference and Exhibition, CIPM has once again reinforced its position as the leading voice of people management in Africa, leaving participants with a renewed commitment to reposition themselves and their organisations for greater value, relevance and impact in an increasingly dynamic world of work.

A ‘DIAMOND’ IN THE SKY | JAAN by Kirk Westaway feted in Trip.Gourmet’s 2027 Fine Dining List

Long before gastronomy tourism became a thing, Singapore was already known for its cavalcade of dining options. Hence, I was not at all surprised when the Lion City earned a whopping 27 selections on Trip.Gourmet’s recently unveiled 2027 Fine Dining List.

It was even less surprising to learn that the multi-awarded, 2-Michelin Star JAAN by Kirk Westaway, a prestigious fine dining restaurant located 70 floors above the iconic Swissôtel The Stamford, was again given the coveted Diamond status in the much-anticipated annual list.

Ng Guo Lun, Head Chef of JAAN by Kirk Westaway, was on hand to receive the citation, only the latest in a long line of numerous accolades, and later talked to BusinessMirror about the restaurant’s storied odyssey and his personal association with it.

Defined by a longtime collaborative partnership, steady culinary evolution and a common passion for contemporary British cuisine. Guo Lun shared that JAAN by Kirk Westaway originally specialized in French cuisine, but when its namesake Executive Chef Kirk Westaway took over in 2015, Guo Lun helped craft a new identity that moved beyond traditional French boundaries toward modern British gastronomy.

With Chef Kirk’s British heritage, Drawing from Chef Kirk’s British heritage, JAAN by Kirk Westaway built a culinary style rooted in comfort, familiarity, and fine ingredients.

‘I wouldn’t say there’s approval, but Kirk and I work together like a partnership. He comes up with ingredients that he might want to incorporate; I try to put them together. It’s a continuous effort to put them together to create dishes,’ Guo Lun shared in describing their creative process.

Through continuous tasting, testing, and tweaking, they constantly evolve the restaurant’s set menu together.

Asked about their popular dishes, Guo Lun says that they’ve got a range of good dishes that are constantly evolving; among the most sought-after, not only with Singapore diners but also with an increasing number of visiting tourists, is the Hen’s Egg.

Often offered in several variants, JAAN by Kirk Westaway’s Hen’s Egg is a runny, slow-cooked organic egg paired with complementary gourmet ingredients such as Kaviari or Oscietra caviar, Cornish Yarg cheese wrapped in nettles, wild mushrooms, onions, or cauliflower base, then served with truffled or parmesan brioche ‘soldiers’ for dipping.

Aside from the Hen’s Egg, other signature dishes in JAAN by Kirk Westaway’s current menu include the Kagoshima Wagyu, described as an exquisitely tender beef glazed in a concentrated, rich jus with chopped black truffle and accompanied by seasonal roasted white asparagus; the Violin Courgette, a lengthy, trumpet-shaped Italian climbing squash prized for its delicate, nutty flavor, fine texture, and tender bite; and its Charred Leek and Potato Soup, a British classic fine-tuned with whipped potato foam, chives, and crispy croutons, and served in a cup specially designed for sipping.

Of course, anyone who has dined at JAAN by Kirk Westaway will attest that while the aforementioned offerings and more contribute to its popularity, the overall ambiance is an equally big part of its appeal. Beyond the food and the floor-to-ceiling panoramic views of Marina Bay Sands and the rest of Singapore’s breathtaking skyline, Guo Lun said he places more emphasis on building a warm, welcoming, and almost home-like atmosphere where guests feel genuinely cared for through thoughtful hospitality.

‘We feel that it’s not just about the view, but also about the whole atmosphere that we create. What we like to do is a lot more welcoming and homely feel so everybody’s being welcomed to the restaurant itself,’ he pointed out.

His philosophy resonates with a wide variety of international patrons, including many Filipino diners who come to JAAN by Kirk Westaway to discover unique takes on British cuisine they can’t and won’t find anywhere else.

‘Our guests enjoy our food, and most of them will admit that they have never encountered British cuisine to be such a unique experience,’ Guo Lun further enthused.

Outside of his 70th-floor kitchen, Guo Lun still manages to find a healthy work-life balance as a dedicated family man and father to two children while still staying active through running and playing tennis.

JAAN by Kirk Westaway, however, remains the heart and soul of his professional life. His passion and dedication to his craft, as well as his collaborative partnership with Kirk Westaway, are key to the numerous accolades the restaurant has been showered with every single year. It’s also why it literally and figuratively towers head and shoulders above just about every other dining option.

CBK leans on two bonds, targeting Sh50 billion

The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has turned to two familiar 15- and 20-year Treasury bonds in its Sh50 billion October issuance, hoping to ride the demand they attracted last month to hit its target.

A prospectus for the October bond sale shows that for the second successive month, the State is reopening a 15-year bond first issued in July 2019 at a rate of 12.34 percent, and a 20-year bond that was initially sold in April 2019 at 12.873 percent.

The two papers have each been reopened five times in the last 12 months, placing them among the go-to bonds for the CBK in its recent domestic borrowing programme for the government.

The 20-year paper was reopened in January, March, May, July and September this year, while the 15-year paper was brought back to market in November 2025, and in February, March, May and September 2026.

By reopening these bonds repeatedly, their outstanding amounts have climbed sharply, raising the risk of refinancing pressure when they will be scheduled for redemption in the future.

The 15-year bond started out with a face value of Sh50.6 billion in 2019, but this has now ballooned to Sh161 billion, while the outstanding amount on the 20-year paper has climbed from Sh9 billion at first issuance to Sh209.8 billion currently.

The reopenings done earlier this month were in two separate sales each targeting Sh60 billion, where the bonds were sold alongside a pair of 30-year papers.

The 15-year paper had its auction on September 2 alongside a 30-year paper from 2011. The 15-year attracted bids of Sh57.1 billion, compared to Sh11.1 billion for the 30-year, with the CBK taking up a total of Sh47.7 billion on the sale.

On September 16, the 20-year paper was auctioned alongside another 30-year bond that was initially floated in March 2026. Bids on the 20-year bond stood at Sh43.8 billion, compared to Sh37.6 billion for the 30-year, with a total accepted amount of Sh50.2 billion on the two papers.

The CBK is now anticipating that the demand seen earlier this month on the two bonds will carry forward into the October sale.

The government’s fiscal agent has been looking to lock in as much borrowing as possible in the early months of the fiscal year, with analysts saying that this will help in managing interest rate expectations later in the year when the country will be closing in on a general election.

Net borrowing in the first two months of the fiscal year stood at Sh406 billion, as per CBK data, equivalent to 41 percent of the full year target of Sh987.4 billion.

With the additional borrowing of Sh97.92 billion in September, the net borrowing has now hit 51 percent of the year’s target, given that there were no bond maturities falling due this month and Treasury bill maturities have generally been refinanced through rollovers.

The CBK has also been refinancing the government’s domestic debt through monthly switch bond sales, where holders of securities that are due to mature soon are offered an exclusive chance to transfer their investment into longer dated alternatives.

The October switch sale opened on Thursday, targeting Sh10 billion from a three-year bond that was issued in January 2024 at a rate of 18.3854 percent-maturing in January 2027- and a 15-year paper from 2013 which pays 12 percent annually and matures in April 2028.

Holders of these bonds have been given the chance to transfer part of their capital into another 15-year bond that was sold in May 2018 at 12.65 percent, with a maturity date in May 2033.

In the most recent swap sale on September 7, investors moved Sh11 billion from a 15-year bond from 2013 into a 10-year security that matures in November 2029.

Why that stiffness could be linked to menopause

The menopausal transition, or perimenopause, is a period of hormonal and physical change that occurs over several years.

Women may experience changes in bone density, increasing their long-term risk of osteoporosis and fractures. The changes also affect the cardiovascular system, brain, muscles and joints.

One condition that has attracted little attention is frozen shoulder, medically known as adhesive capsulitis.

“Frozen shoulder is characterised by pain and progressive stiffness of the shoulder, with increasing difficulty moving the arm. It can affect anyone, but it appears to occur more frequently in women, particularly during the menopausal years,” explains Dr Maina Muriithi an obstetrician gynaecologist at Aga Khan University hospital.

He notes the condition typically develops gradually. Pain may be the first symptom, followed by increasing stiffness and a progressive reduction in the range of movement.

“Simple activities such as dressing, reaching overhead or placing the hand behind the back may eventually become difficult.”

However, he says, “frozen shoulder is not exclusively a menopausal condition, and menopause should not automatically be assumed to be the cause of shoulder pain.”

Is there a link between menopause and frozen shoulder?

“There does appear to be an association between the menopausal transition and musculoskeletal problems, including frozen shoulder. The precise nature of this relationship is not fully understood,” Dr Maina says.

One proposed explanation relates to declining oestrogen levels. Oestrogen receptors are found in tissues involved in movement function, including tendons, connective tissue and joint structures. Changes in oestrogen signalling may influence inflammation, collagen metabolism, tissue repair and the health of connective tissues

“During menopause, hormonal changes are also associated with changes in body composition, muscle mass and bone metabolism. These changes may contribute to the musculoskeletal symptoms that many women experience.”

“It would be an oversimplification to say that low oestrogen directly causes frozen shoulder,” he says.

Dr Maina points out that frozen shoulder also occurs in men and in women who are not menopausal. It can be associated with other conditions, including diabetes and thyroid disorders, and may occur following shoulder injury, surgery or prolonged immobilisation.

What actually happens inside a frozen shoulder?

“The shoulder is a remarkably mobile joint. It consists of the upper end of the arm bone, the shoulder blade and a surrounding capsule containing supporting ligaments, tendons and other soft tissues,” explains Dr Maina.

“The joint is lined by a synovial membrane, which produces synovial fluid that helps lubricate the joint and facilitate movement. In frozen shoulder, inflammation develops within the joint capsule. Over time, the capsule can become thickened and contracted with fibrosis and adhesions developing. This progressively restricts movement and can cause significant pain and stiffness.”

Think of it as a highly engineered mechanical system in which the normally flexible surrounding tissues become inflamed, thickened and less elastic. The result is a joint that becomes increasingly difficult and sometimes extremely painful to move.

Is frozen shoulder a normal part of menopause?

No. Dr Maina notes that although bone and joint symptoms are common during the menopausal transition, persistent or severe shoulder pain and restricted movement should not simply be dismissed as ‘part of menopause.’

“A woman presenting with new musculoskeletal symptoms should be appropriately assessed. Shoulder pain can arise from several conditions, including rotator cuff muscles disorders, osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthritis, trauma and, less commonly, infection or other significant pathology,” he cautions.

Similarly, generalised bone pain, significant back pain or a fracture after minimal trauma requires appropriate evaluation rather than being automatically attributed to menopause.

“The decline in oestrogen during and after menopause accelerates bone loss in many women. Over time, this can contribute to osteopenia and osteoporosis, increasing the risk of fractures.”

The spine, hip and wrist are particularly important sites because fractures in these areas can have significant consequences for mobility and quality of life.

Women may also report back and joint pain, muscle aches and stiffness, reduced muscle strength,changes in posture and reduced physical activity.

The severity of menopausal symptoms varies considerably between individuals, and the presence of severe menopausal symptoms does not by itself establish the presence of osteoporosis,” he adds.

Treatment

Dr Maina notes depending on the severity and stage of the condition pain relief and anti-inflammatory medication may be used where appropriate. Physiotherapy is an important component of treatment, with exercises aimed at maintaining and gradually restoring shoulder movement.

“In some patients, corticosteroid injections into the shoulder can provide significant short-term relief, particularly where pain is limiting movement and rehabilitation administered by qualified medical personell.”

More persistent or severe cases may require assessment by an orthopaedic surgeon or musculoskeletal specialist. Additional procedures may occasionally be considered when conservative treatment does not provide adequate improvement.

What about hormone replacement therapy in management?

“Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), can be highly effective for women with bothersome vasomotor and other menopausal symptoms when appropriately prescribed,” he says.

However,he cautions HRT should not be prescribed solely as a treatment for frozen shoulder.

“Current evidence does not establish HRT as a stand-alone treatment that reverses adhesive capsulitis,” he says. “The decision to use HRT should instead be based on the woman’s overall menopausal symptoms, medical history, risk factors, preferences and the potential benefits and risks of treatment.”

Additionally regular weight-bearing and resistance exercise can help maintain bone and muscle strength. A balanced diet containing adequate calcium and protein, together with appropriate vitamin D intake, supports bone health.

Vitamin D supplementation may be appropriate in women who are deficient or at increased risk of deficiency.

Women should also avoid smoking and limit excessive alcohol consumption, both of which can negatively affect bone health.

“Bone-density assessment using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is an important tool for assessing osteoporosis risk. It is not necessary for every woman simply because she has reached menopause; the decision to perform a DXA scan depends on age, risk factors, previous fractures and other clinical considerations,” Dr Maina adds.

EU-backed health programme reaches 35,796 as Kwara raises funding

stating that its interventions have reached 35,796 people,as the state increases its health allocation to 15% of its 2026 budget

The EU said the interventions also generated 12,264 referrals and helped about 10,000 people access healthcare services free of charge.

The results were presented during a review of the EU-SARAH partnership in Kwara, where discussions focused on sustaining progress through stronger state ownership, financing and coordination.

Speaking at the meeting, the Head of Partnerships at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Massimo De Luca, said the visit provided an opportunity to assess progress and better understand how the EU’s wider cooperation with Kwara could respond to the state’s priorities.

‘Part of the objectives of this visit is to understand how we work on the broader partnership between the European Union and Kwara,’ De Luca said.

He noted that EU and EU Member State engagement in Kwara extends beyond health to areas including energy, skills, agriculture, civil society, peace and security. A key focus of the discussion was sustainability, including the level of state financing for health and the release of budgeted funds.

Amina Ahmed El-Imam, Kwara State Commissioner for Health, said the proportion of the state’s budget allocated to health had risen from about 4 per cent to 15 per cent in 2026.

‘Kwara has made consistent progress from about 4 % of the budget and, in 2026, it’s 15% of the budget,’ she said.

While acknowledging that budget releases were not always 100 %, the Commissioner said releases had increased year-on-year over the past seven years. She stressed that the state was working towards partnerships based on mutual contribution rather than long-term dependence on external support.

Responding, De Luca described the state’s approach as encouraging and emphasised the importance of strong systems, accountability and local ownership in sustaining development gains.

‘Thank you so much for this very encouraging vision and account of what you have done,’ he said.

Oluwatosin Fakayode, Director of Public Health at the Kwara State Ministry of Health, said Kwara was increasingly using health data to guide decision-making, including identifying Ilorin and Moro local government areas for particular attention based on their contribution to maternal mortality.

He added that state has also developed a roadmap for transitioning from paper-based to digital health systems.

Fauziyyah Alaaya, representative of adolescents in Kwara and Speaker of the State’s Children’s Parliament, welcomed the inclusion of adolescents and young people in health interventions