Business and Brand
Interswitch to Boost Public Healthcare Delivery through Deployment of eClinic Electronic Medical Records (EMR) Platform in Abia State.
Interswitch to Boost Public Healthcare Delivery through Deployment of eClinic Electronic Medical Records (EMR) Platform in Abia State. Umuahia, Abia State – February 10, 2026 – Interswitch, leading African technology company focused on creating solutions that enable individuals and communities prosper, through its health-tech subsidiary, Interswitch eClat, has taken a major step in advancing Nigeria’s public-sector health digitisation agenda following the conclusion of a high-level stakeholders’ engagement with the Abia State Government. The engagement took place ahead of the phased deployment of eClinic, Interswitch eClat’s Electronic Medical Records (EMR) platform, across public health facilities in the state. The engagement, convened by the Abia State Ministry of Health in collaboration with Interswitch, and held at the State’s Ministry of Health in Umuahia, brought together senior government officials, health administrators, Interswitch representatives and key ecosystem stakeholders to align on the scope, implementation framework, and expected outcomes of the proposed eClinic deployment. The initiative reflects a shared commitment to leveraging digital infrastructure to improve healthcare delivery, operational efficiency, and patient outcomes across Abia State’s public health system. Discussions focused on deploying Interswitch’s eClinic solution in alignment with Abia State’s broader healthcare reform agenda under the current government’s administration, particularly the transition from fragmented, paper-based systems to secure, interoperable digital platforms across public health facilities. The proposed kick-off phase will span six public health facilities, including three primary healthcare centres, two secondary facilities, and one tertiary hospital, creating an end-to-end digital care pathway that strengthens patient referrals, supports continuity of care, and enables data-driven decision-making across all levels of service delivery. The EMR solution is built to reduce patient waiting times, strengthen referral processes, and ensure the secure handling of both clinical and administrative data, supported by a hybrid infrastructure that enables local hosting with cloud-based backup. Speaking at the engagement, Prof. Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Abia State, described the initiative as a major milestone in the state’s healthcare transformation journey and highlighted the importance of private-sector collaboration in achieving sustainable impact.“The Ministry of Health in Abia State is excited about the digitisation of health facilities, starting with Interswitch’s eClinic pilot phase involving three primary, two secondary, and one tertiary health centre. This initiative will enhance efficiency, accountability, and patient care by linking records across different levels of care. Global evidence shows that digital health improves access, reduces the cost of care, and maximises human resources while personalising services for our people. This partnership with Interswitch represents a key deliverable for this administration and aligns with the Governor’s vision for a modern, technology-driven health system,” he said. During technical sessions led by Babatunde Fadeyi, Vice President, Health Ecosystem (Public Sector), Interswitch, stakeholders were taken through the core capabilities of Interswitch’s eClinic platform. These include secure patient record management, ICD-11–compliant diagnosis coding, controlled data update protocols, and integrated billing and reporting tools designed to improve efficiency and accountability across health facilities. Stakeholders were also briefed on the platform’s governance framework, risk mitigation approach, and phased implementation roadmap.Commenting on the engagement, Fadeyi reaffirmed Interswitch’s commitment to delivering measurable impact through technology-enabled healthcare systems. “Abia State has demonstrated a strong commitment to innovation and system reform. The alignment of the state’s healthcare priorities with national health digitisation objectives creates a solid foundation for meaningful progress. Interswitch’s eClinic platform is designed to improve hospital operations by automating workflows, securing patient data, and providing healthcare managers with reliable insights to guide decisions. Beyond improving patient experience, it supports stronger revenue tracking, operational efficiency, and accountability. Our focus is to ensure the success of this pilot phase and deliver tangible improvements across productivity, service delivery, and patient satisfaction,” he said. Also speaking at the engagement, Dr. Ifeyinwa Blossom Uma-Kalu, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Abia State, highlighted the operational and clinical value of Interswitch’s eClinic initiative, particularly in strengthening referrals, improving revenue management, and expanding access to specialist care.“This digitisation initiative will help us track our finances and internally generated revenue more accurately while reducing leakages. More importantly, it strengthens our referral system by allowing patient records to move seamlessly from primary to secondary and tertiary care. With a digital framework, healthcare workers in remote communities can access specialist support through telemedicine, helping to save lives and improve outcomes. This is a critical tool in our efforts to reduce maternal and infant mortality, and we are eager to see the outcomes of Interswitch’s eClinic,” she noted. The engagement also addressed key success factors for the project, including power stability, user training, change management, and inter-agency collaboration, with both parties emphasising sustainability and scalability as the project progresses. Also in attendance were Mr. Gerald Ilukwe, Chief Information Officer, Abia State; Dr. Odochi Azubuike, Chief Executive Officer, Abia State Hospital Management Board; Engr. Nnanna Chigozie, representing the Honourable Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Engr. Ikechukwu Monday (FNSE); Chief Medical Directors; and representatives of public health facilities across the state. Interswitch’s leadership on the initiative underscores its continued investment in building secure, scalable digital platforms that address complex service-delivery and accountability challenges within regulated public-sector environments, drawing on its deep experience across healthcare, payments, and national digital infrastructure. The Interswitch eClinic solution has successfully been deployed across federal and state health institutions in Osun, Ogun, Edo, and Enugu States, demonstrating its readiness for scale and impact.
Increased services are set to begin from 16 June 2026, strengthening the airline’s network in the regionAirline to launch three weekly lights to Port Sudan from 2 July 2026DOHA, Qatar – Qatar Airways is expanding its African network, with light resumptions and frequency increases launching from 16 June 2026. Boosting connectivity across Africa, the airline will restart four weekly lights to Seychelles (SEZ) and two weekly lights to Kigali (KGL) from 16 June, and daily light to Marrakesh (RAK) from 1 July. Qatar Airways is set to enhance convenient travel options by serving the following destinations with increased lights: Alexandria (HBE) – increased three weekly lights to up to sevenCairo (CAI) – increased from 28 weekly lights to up to 35Cape Town (CPT) – increased from seven weekly lights to up to 10Dar es Salaam (DAR) – increased from three weekly lights to up to sevenLusaka (LUN)-Harare (HRE) – increased from five to seven weekly lightsMaputo (MPM)-Durban (DUR) – increased from four weekly flights to up to seven Qatar Airways flights to Port Sudan (PZU) Additionally, the airline is launching three weekly flights to Port Sudan, Sudan from 2July. Passengers travelling to Port Sudan from key markets in the Middle East andSoutheast Asia, such as Oman and Pakistan, can make seamless transfers through Hamad International Airport. The move reinforces the airline’s commitment to global connectivity while balancing sustainable growth with increasing demand for convenient air travel connectivity and trade. Departing every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday: Doha (DOH) to Port Sudan (PZU) – Flight QR1319: Departure 09:00; Arrival 11:00Port Sudan (PZU) to Doha (DOH) – Flight QR1320: Departure 12:25; Arrival 16:20 Qatar Airways is furthering global connectivity by rebuilding its network to over 160 destinations worldwide. Bookings can be made at qatarairways.com or through the airline’s mobile app.About Qatar AirwaysA multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways won the ‘World’s Best Airline’ title for an unprecedented ninth time at the 2025 World Airline Awards, managed by the international air transport rating organisation, Skytrax. Qatar Airways was previously named the World’s Best Airline in 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2024.The airline continues to be synonymous with excellence, and has yet again received recognition for ‘World’s Best Business Class’, and ‘World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge’. As the leading connector in the region, Qatar Airways has also been lauded with the ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’ title for the 13th time.Qatar Airways recently received the Platinum performance recognition by Cirium, the leading aviation analytics organisation, for its reliability and operational performance. The recognition is a testament to the airline’s unwavering commitment to providing seamless and proven operations as part of its award-winning passenger experience.This summer, Qatar Airways will ly to over 160 destinations worldwide, connecting through its Doha hub, Hamad International Airport. The airport has been recognised as the ‘Best Airport in the Middle East’ for 11 consecutive years, as well as ‘World’s Best Airport Shopping’ for the third year in a row by Skytrax. Hamad International Airport has previously been named the ‘World’s Best Airport’ by Skytrax in 2021, 2022, and 2024.Qatar Airways was the first airline in the Middle East to be certified to the highest level of IATA’s Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) programme, based on recognised environmental management system principles (such as ISO 14001). As an inaugural signatory to the Buckingham Palace Declaration in March 2016, Qatar Airways became the first airline globally to be certified to the industry standard for the prevention of illegal wildlife trafficking in aviation.
Business and Brand
Interswitch Welcomes Largest-Ever Developer Academy Cohort, Strengthening Africa’s Tech Talent Pipeline
Interswitch, one of Africa’s leading integrated payments and digital commerce companies, has announced the induction of the third and largest cohort of developer interns into its Developer Academy, reinforcing its long-standing commitment to building world-class technology talent and strengthening Africa’s digital ecosystem. Selected from a pool of over 20,000 applications, the new cohort emerged through a rigorous multi-stage process involving technical assessments, and interviews. Their induction into the Developer Academy highlights both the scale of interest in software engineering opportunities in Nigeria and Interswitch’s role in nurturing the next generation of highly skilled technology professionals. The 9-month programme brings together talents across key engineering tracks, including Backend Development, DevOps, Mobile Development, Frontend Engineering, and Quality Assurance. Designed as an intensive and structured learning experience, the Developer Academy combines theoretical instruction with real-world application, equipping participants with the skills required to thrive in an increasingly global and competitive technology landscape. Commenting on the initiative, Mitchell Elegbe, Founder and Group Chief Executive Officer, Interswitch, emphasised the importance of taking a long-term, ecosystem-driven approach to talent development.“At Interswitch, we have always believed in the capacity to see beyond the immediate challenges and focus on long-term impact. While the migration of skilled talent remains a reality, our approach is to actively shape the outcomes by building a strong and sustainable pipeline of technology professionals. We are therefore committed to equipping individuals with the capabilities to contribute meaningfully to the broader technology ecosystem, locally and globally, not just for our own needs at Interswitch. In doing so, we are not only strengthening the industry but also reinforcing Nigeria’s position as a source of globally competitive engineering talent,” Elegbe said. Beyond its immediate training objectives, the Interswitch’s Developer Academy is anchored on a broader strategic vision, one that addresses the ongoing migration of skilled talent from Nigeria and other developing economies. As global demand for software engineers continues to rise, many highly skilled professionals are increasingly recruited by international organisations. Interswitch’s approach reframes this trend, positioning talent development both as a means of local capacity building and as an opportunity to strengthen Nigeria’s reputation as a global hub for technology expertise. Also commenting, Franklin Ali, Group Chief Human Resources Officer, Interswitch, highlighted the broader impact of the programme. He stated:“The Developer Academy reflects our long-term commitment to building talent at scale. We are equipping these young professionals not just with technical skills, but with the mindset, discipline, and adaptability required to thrive in diverse environments. Whether they build their careers within Interswitch, contribute to the local ecosystem, or explore global opportunities, they represent the strength and potential of Nigerian talent and carry forward the standard of excellence we are committed to building.” Drawing parallels with the evolution of Nigeria’s entertainment industry, where local talent has successfully achieved global recognition, Interswitch envisions a similar trajectory for the technology sector, one in which Nigerian developers are not only participants in the global digital economy but key contributors shaping its future. The Developer Academy also plays a critical role in addressing local industry needs. As fintechs, banks, and startups continue to scale, the demand for highly skilled engineers remains significant. By consistently developing and releasing new cohorts of trained professionals into the ecosystem, Interswitch is contributing to a more resilient talent pipeline and supporting sustained innovation across the sector. During the 9-month programme, participants will benefit from mentorship by experienced professionals, exposure to enterprise-grade systems, and the development of workplace readiness skills essential for today’s dynamic work environment. At the end of the programme, top-performing interns may be offered full-time roles within Interswitch, while others are well-positioned to pursue opportunities across the broader technology landscape. Further demonstrating its commitment to talent development at scale, Interswitch has also invested in dedicated learning infrastructure, including the opening of a new facility in Victoria Island, Lagos, designed to serve as a specialised hub for the Developer Academy and other training initiatives. This move signals a deliberate effort to institutionalise talent development and expand capacity for future cohorts. The continued expansion of the Developer Academy reflects Interswitch’s long-term vision of building a sustainable pipeline of globally competitive talent, positioning Nigeria, and Africa at large, as a leading source of innovation and technical expertise in the global digital economy.
NESCAFÉ, Nigeria’s leading coffee brand, is pleased to announce the launch of its nationwide Next Level Promo, running from April to June 2026. The campaign offers consumers over ₦80 million in cash and meaningful prizes that support entrepreneurial growth.During the campaign, consumers stand a chance to win cash, airtime, laptops, professional cameras, makeup kits, sewing machines, and access to exclusive masterclasses.Participation is simple: purchase any NESCAFÉ Original 3-in-1 promo pack from a participating store. Each pack contains a unique code. Dial *7022# and follow the prompts to enter your code for a chance to win.Winners will be selected through bi-weekly and monthly draws, giving multiple opportunities to win throughout the campaign period.Speaking on the launch, Jean Pierre Duplan, Category Manager, NESCAFÉ, said: “NESCAFÉ is deeply connected to the Nigerian hustle and the resilience it represents. We understand the discipline it takes to show up every day and keep pushing forward. The Next Level Promo is how we bring this understanding to life, helping you make your world while rewarding your everyday effort’’NESCAFÉ is more than a coffee brand; it is a daily companion that fuels focus, energy, and ambition for millions of Nigerians. Through this initiative, the brand continues to celebrate the everyday commitment consumers show in pursuing their goals.The prize pool reflects NESCAFÉ’s commitment to delivering real value, with rewards designed to support different aspects of consumers’ lives, from essential tools and learning opportunities to financial prizes that can make a meaningful difference.The Next Level Promo runs until June 2026. Consumers are encouraged to look out for NESCAFÉ promo packs nationwide and participate for a chance to win while enjoying their favorite coffeeAbout Nestlé NigeriaNestlé Nigeria is a leading food and beverage company committed to unlocking the power of food to enhance quality of life for everyone today and for future generations. With a wide range of products, including popular brands such as NESTLÉ PURELIFE, GOLDEN MORN, MILO, MAGGI and NESCAFÉ, Nestlé Nigeria is dedicated to providing nutritious and delicious food and beverages to consumers across Nigeria.
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