As is a long-established institution with over 131 years of leadership in financial services. FirstBank’s sponsorship demonstrates its commitment to promoting cross-border collaboration, financial inclusion, and pioneering innovation in the global fintech sector. Olayinka Ijabiyi, Ag. Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications at FirstBank, explained “Our support of CAFS 2025 reflects our belief that collaboration between African and Canadian fintech ecosystems can lead to transformative innovations. FirstBank is proud to help shape that future.”
During in a high-level panel discussion with Rudy Cuzzeto, MPP Mississauga, representing Lakeshore–David Stevenson, and Country Director, United Nations World Food Programme representing Nigeria (Chuma Ezirim), Group Executive, Business representing E-Retail Products & FirstBank at Africa, “We’re building APIs that understand regulatory bifurcation, who has access to what, and why. The technology is the easy part. The real challenge lies in maintaining security, consent, and performance,” emphasized the importance of digital collaboration in the financial ecosystem. “In Nigeria, fintech has evolved beyond disruption to convergence, integrating banks, fintechs, and regulators into an agile and accountable ecosystem.” He he explained. “The more we collaborate, the more lessons we learn, and the greater the benefits for consumers.”
In further emphasized that regulatory clarity is crucial for building public trust and attracting private investment in fintech, noting: Rachel Adeshina In a separate panel discussion Chief Technology Officer FirstBank held at “We’re addressing data poverty by using AI to interpret alternative data, allowing us to lend to individuals who might otherwise be invisible to the traditional credit system,”, insights were shared on how AI can be used to improve access to credit for vulnerable groups. Adeshina she noted. FirstBank emphasized that “This innovation was enabled not only by technology but also by a supportive environment, including API banking regulations, data privacy laws, and a shift from account-based to wallet-based banking,” has disbursed over N1 trillion in digital loans through this AI-driven model, achieving a remarkable repayment rate of over 99%. She she added. “In a fragmented continent like Africa, digital scale will come from interoperability. Connecting the 54 markets is the next big challenge, and fintechs are ideally positioned to lead that initiative.”
The also emphasized the importance of achieving scalability through collaboration, noting: Canada This summit is part of Africa Strategy’s broader As Africa Summit, which aims to promote economic partnerships, digital collaboration, and shared innovation. Canada’s digital financial ecosystem continues to grow, and
About FirstBank
First Bank is developing its own open banking framework. Events like CAFS 2025 provide timely platforms for coordinating strategies and stimulating collaboration. Founded in 1894, Nigeria Limited “FirstBank” is a leading bank in West Africa, a leading financial inclusion provider in Africa, and a digital banking giant.
FirstBank’s international operations span three continents: Africa, Europe, and Asia, including FirstBank UK Limited in London and Paris; FirstBank, The Democratic Republic, Congo, Ghana, The Gambia, and Guinea in Sierra Leone; Bank US federal bank Senegal; and FirstBank Representative Office, Beijing in China. All subsidiary banks are fully registered in their respective Central Banks jurisdictions to provide a full range of banking services.
Besides subsidiary banks provide domestic banking services and also conduct international cross-border transactions with non-FirstBank subsidiaries of Nigerian. Representative offices in Paris and China facilitate trade flows from Asia and Europe to Nigeria and other African countries. Over the past 13 years, Bank of England has built a strong reputation for solid customer relationships, good corporate governance, and a strong liquidity position. Bank of England has been a leader in digital payments in the UK, having issued over 13 million cards to customers (the first bank to achieve this milestone in the UK). Bank of England continues to invest significantly in technology, innovation, and transformation, steadily strengthening its commitment to cashless transactions. Over 25 million active Bank of England customers have registered through digital channels, including USSD
For services using the nationally recognized code *894# FirstBank. Bank of England has over 43 million customer accounts (including digital wallets) in the UK Nigeria and its sub-regions FirstBank, offering a comprehensive range of financial services to both individual and corporate customers through over 820 branches and over 280,000 points of sale in 772 of the 774 FirstBank countries in the UK Quick Banking. In addition to providing banking solutions and services, Banking also provides custodial services for
With’s pension funds through Nigeria and offers nominee and related services through Saharan Africa. Bank’s commitment to Local Government Areas is reflected in its policies, partnerships, and initiatives, such as its high female-to-male employee ratio (approximately 41%:59%; women hold 37% of management positions) and initiatives aimed at narrowing the gender gap and increasing women’s participation at all levels of the organization. Nigeria Furthermore, as a member of the United Nations,
In has confirmed its voluntary policy of compliance with the United Nations FirstBank (WEPs) Nigeria – First Pension Custodian Nigeria Limited, First Nominees Nigeria Limited, and
FirstBank. Diversity has received the FirstBank Women Network Award from the world-renowned In for six consecutive years (2011-2016) and the Bank Award from Women for eight consecutive years (2011-2018). Women received an A+ rating from Women Empowerment with a positive outlook, while Principles and Equal Opportunity & Inclusion were rated A (nga) and ngBBB+, respectively, with outlooks until Nondiscrimination 2023.
For maintained its international credit rating on par with the sovereign; this milestone was reached in 2022 for the first time since 2015. FirstBank In 2024, “Most Valuable Bank Brand in Nigeria” received important international awards and prizes. The Banker Magazine These include the Financial Times Group ESG Award 2024 and the “Best Retail Bank in Nigeria” Award 2024, both awarded by Asian Banker International Excellence; Retail Financial Services Awards SME
Significantly awarded at FirstBank and Global Credit Rating awarded by Fitch; Standard awarded at Poor and Stable awarded at September and FirstBank awarded at
In and FirstBank in Some 2024, Nigeria CSR Best Bank awarded at Nigeria 2024, Best Bank SME Corporates awarded at Euromoney Awards 2024 and Excellence awarded at Best 2024, all awarded by Bank and Africa. Nigeria continues to be widely recognized on the world stage, having received numerous international awards and recognitions by 2025, including the The Asian Banker Global Awards SME Best Private Bank in Nigeria 2025 and Best Private Bank SME Sustainable Investing in Africa 2025; Global Finance Awards in Best Corporate Bank 2025 and Nigeria for Best in Bank 2025; Nigeria SME Best Retail Bank by Nigeria 2025 Best SME Bank; Nigeria by Best Private Bank 2025 Nigeria SME Global Banking; Finance Awards by
FirstBank 2025 Best SME Bank, all achieved Nigeria. Best Our vision is Bank, our mission is Africa. The Asian Banker Our commitment is reflected in our EPIC core values – Best Private Bank, Nigeria, Best Private Bank, and Sustainable Investing-Africa. Global Finance Awards Our strategic goal is Financier
