PalmPay (www.PalmPay.com), a leading financial platform with over 30 million users on its smartphone app in Nigeria, today announces the launch of its USSD code.

This service offers Nigerians an additional way to manage their finances without the need for internet connectivity. With the PalmPay USSD code, customers can now perform a wide range of banking transactions by dialing *861# from their mobile phones.

PalmPay has been operating in Nigeria since 2019 under a Mobile Money Operator license issued by the CBN. The fintech pioneered a model that provides financial services such as money transfers, bill payments, credit services and savings via a one-stop-shop financial ‘superapp’.

Customers without access to smartphones are able to make transactions via a nationwide network of over 500,000 Mobile Money Agents. The addition of a USSD access point is designed to further enhance the accessibility and convenience of its platform for consumers in a market where data network outages are common.

Chika Nwosu, Nigeria Managing Director, emphasized the company’s commitment to financial inclusion “At PalmPay, we aim to bridge the gap in digital access, and the introduction of our USSD service aligns with that mission. Our platform ensures seamless connectivity for our users.” he said. “In addition, our USSD platform comes with a security feature which allows our customers to remotely freeze their accounts in case their phone is lost or stolen, providing an extra layer of protection to safeguard their finances.”

PalmPay has achieved significant milestones in Nigeria, reaching over 30 million registered users on its app and connecting 1.1 million businesses through its network of mobile money agents and merchants. The company has been a key driver of financial inclusion in Nigeria, with a third of PalmPay users reporting that they opened their first-ever financial account through the platform.

Recently, PalmPay was recognized as one of the World’s Top 250 Fintech Companies in 2024 by CNBC and Statista.

With its user-friendly interface, reliable transactions, and focus on driving market share through fee-free transfers and promotions, PalmPay continues to solidify its position as a major player in Nigeria’s fintech ecosystem.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of PalmPay.

About PalmPay:
PalmPay is a leading emerging markets-focused fintech platform committed to driving economic empowerment in Africa.

PalmPay operates in several key markets across Africa, including Nigeria, Ghana and Tanzania, with plans to expand further in the region and other emerging markets. The company has global HQs in China and London.

For more information, visit www.PalmPay.com

President Isaias Afwerki met, in the early afternoon hours today at Denden Guest House, Egyptian delegation led by Foreign Minister, Dr. Badr Abdelatty.

In the extensive meeting – which is part and parcel of the periodic Consultative Forums that both countries hold in Asmara and Cairo respectively – the two sides discussed in greater depth, bilateral matters and regional issues of mutual importance; especially current developments in the Sudan, the Federal Republic of Somalia, as well as, the security of the Red Sea.

The two sides underlined that enhancement of the bilateral ties between Eritrea and Egypt constitutes one of the key pillars of regional peace and stability. In this respect, both sides agreed to further upgrade the prevailing bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the economic, political, trade, agricultural, energy and health sectors.

The two sides categorically noted that Egypt does not espouse an agenda of regional destabilization and interference. Misconstruing these facts to peddle unwarranted statements and accusations by some quarters is thus hollow and merely invoked to rationalize their strategic mistakes.

Speaking to national media outlets, Dr. Badr Abdelatty remarked that President Isaias has a deep and profound knowledge of the history and development of the region, and that the meeting was particularly helpful and constructive given the current sensitive times.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Osman Saleh, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Eritrea, and on the Egyptian side by Mr. Abbas Kamel, head of Egypt’s General Intelligence Service, and Mr. Mohamed Hatem el-Atawy, Ambassador of Egypt in Eritrea.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Thirty-eight Burundi military officers serving with the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) have completed a comprehensive training on civilian protection and complying with human rights and International Humanitarian Law.

The five-day training conducted in Jowhar, north of Mogadishu, was jointly organised by the ATMIS Protection, Human Rights and Gender (PHRG) Cluster and the Civilian Sector Coordination Unit. The objective was to enhance the capacity of officers in protecting vulnerable groups, including women and children, during combat operations.

“When we have operations, it’s important that our troops protect civilians and their human rights and of course respect the principles of International Humanitarian Law,” ATMIS Senior Protection and Human Rights Officer, Ms. Gloria Jaase, said.

“That way, we will achieve our goals for compliance and accountability to International Humanitarian Law, International Human Rights Law and protection of civilian frameworks.”

Ms. Jaase called on ATMIS troops to maintain the highest standards of conduct and discipline while protecting civilians.

ATMIS Burundi contingent commander, Col. Oscar Hatungimana, stressed the importance of capacity building of ATMIS personnel to protect local communities and supporting Somalia’s stabilisation.

“The training will have a positive impact on the execution of our mandate. It is crucial for every peacekeeper to engage in continuous training to ensure sound decision-making,” said Col. Hatungimana.

ATMIS Civil Affairs Officer, Fadil Karar, said the officers have acquired necessary skills and knowledge to protect and promote human rights in their Area of Responsibility (AoR).

“Our troops are also involved in mentoring the SNA and work jointly to enhance the capacity of Somali Security Forces. Additionally, we equip ATMIS troops with information and knowledge in mentoring their SNA counterparts,” added Fadil. 

The training covered key areas such as International Humanitarian Law (IHL), International Human Rights Law (IHRL) and Protection of Civilians. Other topics included prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, Civilian Casualty Tracking, Analysis and Response Cell (CCTARC) and standard operating procedures while handling detainees. 

Participants thanked ATMIS for the training and requested additional capacity building workshops. 

“The training included a thorough review of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and all various protocols by the African Union. It has enhanced our ability to maintain discipline during peace-support operations,” said Maj. Clément Cimana. 

Another participant, Lt. Estella Nshimirimana, said: “We examined the integration of gender considerations and our responsibilities as female soldiers.” 

The training is part of ATMIS’ ongoing efforts to ensure compliance to civilian protection, Human Rights and International Humanitarian Laws. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).

The ALPS Group held another weekly virtual meeting on September 12 to coordinate efforts to expand emergency humanitarian access and protections for Sudanese civilians, of whom over 25 million are facing famine and acute hunger.

With increased options for humanitarian access, international donors and aid organizations are mobilizing hundreds of thousands of tons of additional humanitarian assistance for the people of Sudan, including food, medicine, and aid helping the most vulnerable, such as women and children.

This relief could save countless lives and alleviate suffering for millions of Sudanese.

While recent the commitments to humanitarian access made by the Transitional Sovereign Council, the Sudan Armed Forced (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are welcome, we ask them to effectively facilitate unhindered, safe and rapid access on key roads, including from Port Sudan through Shendi to Khartoum, as well as roads from Khartoum to El Obeid and to Kosti.

We also call on the HAC to swiftly conclude discussions with the humanitarian community on simplifying the notification system. 

There should also be public announcements and implementation of simplified notification systems by both parties to allow the UN and NGOs to execute safe cross-border and cross-line aid deliveries without delays.

There should be public announcements of notification systems by both parties to allow the UN to execute safe cross-border and cross-line assistance deliveries as needed without assistance having to wait for formal permissions to save lives.

The ALPS group is gravely concerned about increased fighting in El Fasher and the rest of Darfur and calls for an immediate pause to the fighting.

We call for humanitarian pauses in Sennar, Khartoum, and al-Jazira states that would allow aid to flow through and to these areas as well. We are prepared to work with all parties so that, together, we can alleviate the acute hunger and famine conditions the Sudanese people currently suffer.

To ensure the expedited delivery of humanitarian assistance and increased humanitarian presence, the ALPS Group urges the RSF and SAF to decree, and ensure the implementation of, all necessary steps for immediate airfield assessments and humanitarian flights into and within Sudan.

The ALPS Group calls on the SAF and RSF to hold perpetrators of war crimes and violations of international law, including international humanitarian law responsible for their actions.

The RSF issued a command directive to its troops to improve protection of civilians, but the world is still waiting to see it enforced, including on response to recent civilian deaths from shelling in Sennar state and El Fasher.

Similarly, the ALPS Group asks the SAF to issue a similar directive and take steps to end the aerial bombing of civilian targets and civilian infrastructure.

We call for progress towards discussing the compliance mechanism for the obligations of the parties to the Jeddah Declaration, proposed by the ALPS group.

This mechanism aims at preventing violations of those obligations by the parties.

We reaffirmed our dedication to ongoing consultations with Sudanese women as an integral component of the ALPS Group.

Inspired by the demands of the Sudanese people, the ALPS Group continues to pursue an urgently-needed cessation of hostilities for all of Sudan.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs&International Cooperation.