IMG_5294 L-R: Chief Finance Officer, LAPO Microfinance Bank, Emmanuel Igiehon; Managing Director, LAPO Microfinance Bank, Cynthia Ikponmwosa; Managing Director, FirstCap Limited, Ukandu E. Ukandu, and Head of Capital Markets, FirstCap Limited, Oluseun Olatidoye, at the LAPO MFB SPV Plc Series 1 Bond Issuance Signing Ceremony recently held in Lagos.

Lagos, Nigeria – April 2026 — FirstCap Limited, a leading investment banking firm and subsidiary of FirstHoldCo Plc., has successfully closed the ₦4.46 billion Series 1 Bond Issuance by LAPO MFB SPV Plc, reinforcing its strong leadership in Nigeria’s debt capital markets and deepening access to long term funding for high impact sectors.Acting as Lead Issuing House, FirstCap structured the fund raising on behalf of LAPO MFB SPV Plc (a company sponsored by LAPO Microfinance Bank Limited to mobilise institutional capital targeted at SME financing, renewable energy expansion, and digital financial services, three critical drivers of inclusive and sustainable economic growth in Nigeria.The transaction is underpinned by a compelling impact thesis, with proceeds strategically deployed to support small businesses and clean energy initiatives. The microfinance sector continues to demonstrate resilience and strong fundamentals positioning the issuance at the intersection of growth, sustainability, and financial inclusion.Commenting on the transaction, Ukandu E. Ukandu, Managing Director, FirstCap Limited, said:

L- R: Company Secretary, LAPO Microfinance Bank, Peggy Idehoy; Managing     Director, LAPO Microfinance Bank, Cynthia Ikponmwosa; Managing Director, FirstCap Limited, Ukandu E. Ukandu; Chief Finance Officer, LAPO Microfinance Bank, Emmanuel Igiehon, at the LAPO MFB SPV Plc Series 1 Bond Issuance Signing Ceremony recently held in Lagos.

“This successful issuance underscores our strategic commitment to directing capital where it delivers measurable economic impact. At FirstCap, we partner with institutions that have the scale, discipline, and vision to transform markets, and LAPO exemplifies these qualities.The ₦4.46 billion bond is positioned to be a catalyst for SME growth, expanded energy access, and broader financial inclusion. We remain committed to structuring transactions that are not only bankable, but impactful and aligned with Nigeria’s long term economic trajectory.”FirstCap Limited remains committed to leading from the forefront of Nigeria’s capital markets, structuring transactions that are bankable, impactful, and investable, while supporting the future trajectory of Nigeria’s economic development.”

Across Africa, cryptocurrency has evolved from a fringe experiment into a serious financial instrument. From remittances and cross-border trade to inflation hedging and digital savings, millions of Africans now interact with crypto not as speculation, but as utility. Yet while the market is maturing, many African crypto brands are still communicating like Silicon Valley startups, fast, flashy, informal, and overly obsessed with hype. That approach may have worked in the era of early adoption. It will not sustain trust in the era of mainstream finance.The future belongs to crypto brands that communicate like banks.This does not mean becoming boring, bureaucratic, or detached. It means understanding that financial services are built on trust, clarity, consistency, and accountability. Customers can forgive a fashion brand for vague messaging. They cannot forgive a financial platform for uncertainty.Across the continent, trust remains one of the biggest barriers to financial innovation. Consumers have witnessed collapsed schemes, frozen wallets, rug pulls, and overnight disappearances disguised as “investment opportunities.” Many people do not distinguish between legitimate blockchain businesses and opportunistic fraudsters. To the average customer, they often look the same: sleek logos, social media promises, referral bonuses, and aggressive influencer marketing.That is where communication becomes strategic.Banks spend decades refining the language of confidence. They explain risk. They publish policies. They reassure customers during uncertainty. They understand that silence during a crisis can trigger panic. Crypto brands operating in Africa must adopt the same discipline.When customers ask where their funds are stored, how transactions are processed, what happens during delays, or how disputes are resolved, the answers should not be buried in jargon-filled FAQs. They should be visible, simple, and repeated consistently across channels.In practical terms, this means moving away from the startup culture of “move fast and explain later.” Financial trust does not work that way. If a platform experiences downtime, users should hear from the company immediately. If regulations change, brands should educate users calmly and clearly. If there are risks, they should be disclosed honestly, not hidden beneath marketing slogans.African regulators are also paying closer attention to the digital asset sector. From the Central Bank of Nigeria to the Securities and Exchange Commission, institutions increasingly want visibility, compliance, and consumer protection. This should not be seen as hostility. It is a signal that crypto is entering the serious room of finance.And in serious rooms, communication standards matter.The brands that will thrive are not necessarily the loudest on social media. They will be the most credible. They will issue timely updates, publish transparent policies, train customer-facing teams, respond professionally to complaints, and speak with the calm authority expected of custodians of value.Take remittances as an example. Many Africans use crypto rails because traditional transfers can be expensive or slow. But if a user sending school fees from United Kingdom to Nigeria encounters a delay, speed is no longer the only concern. Assurance becomes everything. A prompt explanation can retain a customer. Silence can lose them forever.This is where African crypto brands have a strategic advantage. They understand local realities better than many global competitors. They know the pain of currency volatility, settlement delays, and fragmented payment systems. But local relevance alone is not enough. They must pair innovation with institutional-grade communication.At FlashChange, for instance, the broader lesson is clear: in a trust-sensitive market, users do not only buy rates or speed. They buy confidence. Every message, update, customer response, and public statement contributes to that confidence.The next growth phase of crypto in Africa will not be won solely by technology stacks, token listings, or referral campaigns. It will be won by reputation.Banks learned long ago that money moves where trust lives. Crypto brands on the continent must learn the same lesson, and fast.Because if you are handling people’s value, their savings, or their transfers, you are no longer just a startup. You are a financial institution in the public mind. Communicate accordingly.John Kokome is the Corporate Communications Manager at FlashChange, a fintech platform redefining secure digital asset exchange. With experience across fintech, cryptocurrency, telecoms, and development communications in Africa. He currently leads strategic storytelling, reputation management, and stakeholder engagement initiatives at the company, focusing on building trust, transparency, and financial literacy in the digital assets space. John’s work sits at the intersection of policy, technology, and public perception, with a strong emphasis on Africa-first narratives and responsible innovation. He has contributed opinion pieces and thought leadership articles on governance, youth empowerment, branding, and Nigeria’s evolving digital economy.

In a bold move to strengthen environmental protection across Nigeria, Sterling Bank, in collaboration with Sterling One Foundation, Lagos Waste Management Authority, Sunbeth, community volunteers, and partner organizations, are set to launch The Great Nigeria Cleanup, a nationwide environmental movement taking place on April 25, 2026.Spanning all six geopolitical zones, and aligned with the United Nations Decade ofAction, this initiative will mobilize citizens across Lagos, Abuja, Ogun, Osun, Cross River, Delta, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Abia, Enugu, Imo, Sokoto, Kano, Benue, Plateau, Kogi, and Katsina, reinforcing the urgency of sustained, community-led efforts to combat plastic and waste pollution and restore the health of Nigeria’s environment.Speaking on the initiative, Temitayo Adegoke, Chief Operating Officer of SterlingBank stated: “At Sterling, we believe that real impact happens when institutions and individuals come together with a shared purpose. The Great Nigeria Cleanup is our collective opportunity to not only clean our surroundings but to redefine how we care for our environment. This is about building a culture of responsibility and pridethat will outlive this moment.” Also commenting, Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO of Sterling One Foundation added: “Thefuture we want for Nigeria depends on the actions we take today. The Great NigeriaCleanup is about more than sanitation, it is about dignity, wellbeing, and shared responsibility.We are proud to be part of a movement that empowers people acrossthe country to take ownership of their environment.”As Nigeria continues to face growing environmental challenges, including wastemanagement and urban pollution, The Great Nigeria Cleanup stands as a timelyand urgent response, one that brings together government, private sector, andcitizens to drive meaningful, lasting change.

On April 25, Nigerians everywhere are encouraged to step out, show up, and be part of this historic movement. Because a cleaner Nigeria is not just a vision, it is a responsibility we all share. //Ends.About Sterling Bank LimitedSterling Bank is a full-service national commercial bank in Nigeria and a member ofSterling Financial Holdings Group. With a heritage of more than 60 years, the bankhas evolved from Nigeria’s pre-eminent investment banking institution to a trusted provider of retail, commercial, and corporate banking services.Sterling is a forward-thinking financial institution committed to transforming lives through innovative solutions, exceptional service, unwavering integrity, and a steadfast focus on its HEART strategy, which centers on Health, Education,Agriculture, Renewable Energy, and Transportation. As pioneers in digital banking and financial inclusion, Sterling continues to lead by example, showing how purpose-driven leadership can deliver transformative outcomes for individuals,businesses, and society at large.Guided by a culture of innovation and a passion for excellence, Sterling Bankremains dedicated to redefining the banking experience for millions of customers across Nigeria. For more information visit https://sterling.ng/About Sterling One Foundation (SOF) is a registered non-profit focused on tackling the root causes of poverty in Nigeria, and Africa through interventions and social impact programmes across three critical sectors namely: health, education and climate action & food security. Gender Equality and women empowerment are integrated as a cross-cutting priority across all our programming areas. The Foundation’s programmes adopt a central theme of prioritizing partnerships for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For more information visit onefoundation.ng.