Business News
MTN raises $140.24 million as part of divestment plan
South African telco giant, MTN Group has raised about $140.24 million from its asset sales in the first of this year (2019).
South African telco giant, MTN Group has raised about $140.24 million from its asset sales in the first half of 2019.
Making this disclosure to some newsmen in a post-earnings conference in Johannesburg, MTN’s Group Chief Executive, Rob Shuter said the fund raised was part of a divestment plan to simplify the company’s portfolio.
MTN in March this year (2019) announced a $99.5 million divestment programme that will be embarked upon over the next three years and will reduce risk and improve returns. Nairametrics understands that the telco is committed to revamping its presence in some markets alongside investments in e-commerce platforms as part of a plan to streamline the company into a focused operator in high-growth markets in the Middle East and Africa.
[READ MORE: Notore announces changes in its board of directors]
With the recent change that saw Pascal Dozie leave his position as the Chairman of the Nigerian arm of the company, alongside five other Non-Executive Directors, one can say the strategic revamp the company is committed to isn’t only going to take place at the parent company.
The Non-Executive Directors whom the company retired alongside Dozie were:
- Col. Sani Bello (Rtd) Vice-Chairman;
- Chief Victor Odili, OON Non-Executive Director;
- Mallam Ahmed Dasuki Non-Executive Director;
- Mr Babatunde Folawiyo Non-Executive Director; and
- Mr Gbenga Oyebode, MFR Non-Executive Director.
Replacement: Meanwhile, the telecommunications company appointed Ernest Ndukwe as its Chairman-designate.
Independent Non-Executive Directors
- Mr Michael Onochie Ajukwu
- Muhammad .K. Ahmad
Non-Executive Directors
- Mr Andrew Alli
- Mrs Omobola Johnson
- Mr A.B. Mahmoud, SAN
- Mrs Ifueko Okauru
[READ ALSO: NSE closes this week trading in negative territory]
About MTN: MTN (formerly known as M-Cell) was founded in 1994 and has over 200 million subscribers. It is a South African Multinational telecommunications company, operating in many African, European and Asian countries. The company is one of the three largest telecommunications firms in Africa. It is headquartered in Johannesburg.
Appointments
UACN Property Development Company Plc appoints Wole Oshin as Chairman
Mr. Wole Oshin has been announced as the new Chairman of UACN Property Development Company Plc.
Business News
Financial institutions generate N24.77 billion VAT in 2020, up by 44.4% Y-o-Y
Banks and other financial institutions generated on behalf of the government, a total sum of N24.77 billion as VAT in 2020.
Banks and other financial institutions have generated on behalf of the government, a total sum of N24.77 billion as Value Added Tax (VAT) in 2020, up by 44.4% when compared to N17.15 billion recorded in 2019.
This is according to the Sectoral value-added tax report, recently published by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
On a quarterly basis, financial institutions generated the highest VAT figures of N7.36 billion in Q4 2020, up by 64.77% Year-on-Year. This is sequel to the sums of N5.43 billion (Q1, 2020), N5.11 billion (Q2, 2020), and N6.87 billion (Q3, 2020) generated earlier.
The growth in the generated VAT figures might be attributable to the implementation of the modified VAT structure of 7.5% which became effective on February 1, 2020.
Historical trend
The major highlight of VAT generated by the government from financial institutions and their percentage in relation to the total VAT revenue is succinctly captured below;
- In 2015, banks and financial institutions generated on behalf of the government, a total of N23.06 billion as VAT, representing 3.03% of total generated VAT across board.
- In 2016, it generated a total of N25.05 billion, representing 3.22% of the total generated VAT across board for the period under review.
- In 2017, a total sum of N20.76 billion VAT revenue was generated by the aforementioned sector, representing about 2.13% of the total VAT for the year.
- In 2018, a total sum of N18.5 billion was generated by the federal government as VAT from financial institutions, representing about 1.7% of the total VAT for the year.
- In 2019, banks remitted the total sum of N17.15 billion as VAT, representing about 1.45% of the total VAT generated across all sectors for the year.
- A total sum of N24.77 billion was generated as VAT from banks and financial institutions, representing about 1.62% of the total VAT generated across all sectors for 2020.
What you should know: Nairametrics had earlier reported that Nigeria generated N1.53 trillion VAT in 2020, up by 29% Y-O-Y.
- Nairametrics gathered that banks and other financial institutions generated the total sum of N129.29 billion as VAT between 2015 and 2020.
- Nairametrics also learnt that the sum of N24.77 billion generated by financial institutions as VAT in Q4, 2020 is the highest ever by the financial sector, since 2013.
Hospitality & Travel
KLM demands rapid antigen tests from Lagos passengers, as Netherland bans flights to UK, others
Passengers are to obtain rapid antigen tests at Murtala Mohammed International Airport before departure via Air France KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.
Air France KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has asked passengers departing from Lagos to obtain a rapid antigen test at Murtala Mohammed International Airport before departure from January 26, 2021.
This was disclosed by the Commercial Team Nigeria, Air France KLM Royal Dutch Airlines in its newsletter.
The airlines explained that customers, who are traveling to France as their final destination, now need to show a negative COVID-19 test result before boarding the aircraft and that the test result cannot be older than 72 hours and only PCR or LAMP tests are accepted.
Also, to fight against COVID-19, the Dutch government imposed flight ban to the United Kingdom, South Africa and South America.
It stated, “In addition, a second COVID-19 test will be required (rapid test – antigen) for all customers traveling to The Netherlands, including transfer customers.
“No passengers will be allowed to board the aircraft without both the negative PCR test (72 hours before departure) and antigen test results (4 hours before departure) and will be rebooked accordingly. For now, all flights to/from U.K will be suspended until 27 January 2021.”
Steps to obtain rapid test
- Antigen testing for passengers flying to The Netherlands including transfer customers need to be done as of 4
hours prior to flight departure. In order to undergo the test, each passenger must complete a biodata form - The payment for the COVID-19 antigen test needs to be made via cash or card. The venue for sample collection is at the airport close to the check-in desks.
- Rebook policy for mandatory PCR test: Customers that are not able to provide negative test results on time can take advantage of Air France and KLM PCR-test rebook policy.
What you should know
In December 2020, Nairametrics reported that KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Air France resumed flight operations to Abuja and Lagos.
The airlines in a statement disclosed that international passengers can now fly Air France and KLM from Nigeria (Abuja and Lagos) to Paris and Amsterdam, with the possibility of further transfers to other European and North Atlantic destinations.
In a piece of travel advice, the airline asked customers to ensure they are well prepared for their trip and check the entry and travel requirements for their destination and transit countries in line with travel restrictions and governmental authorizations before making any travel plans. This is as the entry requirements may change with short notice.
