Business
Wema Bank’s ALAT Wins Best Digital Bank in Nigeria — Euromoney Awards 2025
In recognition of its pioneering role in Africa’s digital banking space, ALAT Africa’s first fully digital bank and an innovation of Nigeria’s oldest indigenous bank, Wema Bank has been named Nigeria’s Best Digital Bank at the 2025 Euromoney Awards.
Euromoney is a leading provider of competitive intelligence and benchmarking insight for the global banking and finance industry, trusted for over 50 years to deliver data-led analysis that informs strategy, validates performance, and supports decision-making at the executive level. The Euromoney Awards, pioneered by Euromoney, are regarded as the ultimate accolade in banking; the industry-leading stamp of approval that banks across the globe work yearlong to achieve. Recognised as Nigeria’s leading financial institution in digital innovation, Wema Bank’s revolutionary digital bank, ALAT, was awarded Nigeria’s Best Digital Bank at the Euromoney Awards 2025 held at The Peninsula London Hotel in London on Thursday, 17th July, 2025.
Since its launch on May 2nd 2017, ALAT has bridged the gaps in delivery of financial services to Nigerians within Nigeria and globally, evolving remarkably into a holistic hub of lifestyle and financial solutions for Nigerian adults of all ages and from all walks of life. From simply being the first fully digital bank in Africa, ALAT has evolved remarkably into a digital platform with an ecosystem of dynamic financial solutions tailored to provide seamless, reliable, and convenient service for all. With ALAT, basic financial services like transfers, airtime & data purchases, bill payments and loans are placed at the fingertips of users, in addition to a wide range of advanced financial services and solutions that merge banking with lifestyle.
From in-app local and international flight bookings to tailored personal and group savings options, investments and stocks, movie and event tickets, deals and discounts on a limitless pool of products and services, 24/7 health consultation, and a suite of customised loan options for salary earners and non-salary earners; ALAT changed the game, redefining banking and financial services in a world where digital has become the future. In view of ALAT’s groundbreaking role in blazing the trail for FinTechs in Africa and its intentionally-curated wealth of features and offerings designed to meet the needs of Nigerians in Nigeria and the diaspora, it is evident that the Bank is undeniably deserving of the recognition and accolade.
Underscoring Wema Bank’s commitment in shaping the future of banking through impactful innovations like ALAT, Wema Bank’s MD/CEO, Moruf Oseni, expressed appreciation to the Euromoney Awards for recognising the Bank’s impact on the proliferation of digital innovation in Africa, reiterating the Bank’s commitment to its sustainability vision of developing digital solutions for societal impact. Receiving the award, Oseni commented, “The world is moving fast and so is the permeation of ‘digital’ into the most critical aspects of our lives. 80 years ago when Wema Bank was established, typewriters were the extent of banking technology. Today, we have pioneered a fully digital bank, and possess technology advanced enough to power over 150 FinTechs. In ten years, one can only imagine what this fast-paced digital economy will bring. One thing is clear, any business, venture or institution that will remain relevant by the end of the next decade, must leverage digital technology today. This is why Wema Bank is so driven when it comes to digital. Innovation and empowerment”.
“As a Bank, our stance is clear. Wema Bank will never relent in empowering lives through innovation and developing digital solutions for societal impact. We will continue to pioneer innovation, empower innovators and bridge the gap between traditional and digital, leveraging the opportunities of the digital world to generate meaningful impact on lives and businesses in Nigeria, Africa and across the world. We have remained resilient in this commitment since 1945 and this award tells us that the world is feeling our impact. We are honoured by this recognition, and I take this opportunity to extend our sincerest gratitude to the Euromoney Awards. We take this as a challenge to keep up the good work, go harder, and continue going above and beyond in shaping the future of banking through digital innovation. Here’s to 80 years of impact and a future of limitless possibilities with Wema Bank”. Oseni concluded.
Wema Bank continues to raise the bar in financial services, placing Nigeria on the global map for banking and digital innovation. Since 1945, the Bank has spearheaded a positive transformation in Africa’s banking and financial landscape, proving that Nigerian-owned businesses have the capacity to last and stand the test of time. As the Bank celebrated its 80th anniversary on May 2nd 2025, its futuristic digital platform, ALAT simultaneously clocked 8, marking 8 years of digital transformation.
The world continues to watch in anticipation as Wema Bank leads the movement in digital innovation, shaping the future of banking in Africa.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WEMA BANK
Established on May 2nd, 1945, Wema Bank is Nigeria’s oldest indigenous bank, most innovative, and pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT. Commemorating a remarkable 80 years of impact and a future of possibilities, Wema Bank celebrated its 80th anniversary on May 2nd 2025 alongside the 8th anniversary of ALAT by Wema.
The publicly quoted Nigerian company has successfully built a legacy of trust, resilience and banking excellence that has won it the loyalty of its customers for 8 decades and counting. The Bank has remained innovative in delivering value to its stakeholders, constantly introducing products and services tailored to the needs of its customers at every stage of their lives.
Wema Bank is a proud partner to more than one million individuals, families, and businesses across Nigeria, helping them achieve their personal and financial goals.
Since its establishment in 1945, Wema Bank has built a legacy of pioneering innovation and empowering innovation to thrive, connecting traditional with digital and introducing several digital gamechangers and industry-firsts that have redefined standards across various industries and verticals.
From launching Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, in 2017, Wema Bank went on to launch the ALAT For Business App, a business-focused version of ALAT; CoopHub App, a-first-of-its-kind digital solution designed to empower cooperatives for optimal productivity; Wema Phygital, a self-service implementation adding a digital touch to the physical experience in Wema Bank’s branches; ALATPay, an end-to-end payment gateway that provides instant settlement for business transactions; and the ALAT Xplore App, Nigeria’s first fully licensed banking app for
The Lagos International Trade Fair Complex Management Board (LITFCMB) has condemned the use of its facility for the production of counterfeit products and other illegal activities, pledging to work with regulatory and law enforcement agencies to rid the complex of such practice
The board also commended the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for its recent enforcement operation, which led to the arrest of two persons allegedly linked to the illegal revalidation of expired drinks and the production of counterfeit consumables within the complex.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of LITFCMB, Veronica Safiya Ndanusa, said the activities were contrary to the board’s commitment to promoting legitimate trade and ethical business practices.
She disclosed that relevant authorities had commenced investigations to establish the facts surrounding the incident and identify measures to prevent a recurrence.
Ndanusa warned that individuals and businesses found culpable of engaging in activities that endanger public health or undermine the integrity of local manufacturing would face the full weight of the law.
“As a body rooted in the principles of ethical business practices, transparency and genuine trade, we strongly condemn any activity that threatens public safety or brings the reputation of the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex Management Board into disrepute,” she said.
“Our facility exists to provide a conducive environment for legitimate businesses to thrive, not to serve as a breeding ground for the production or distribution of counterfeit and substandard products.”
The board chief assured members of the public that the management would collaborate with relevant regulatory and law enforcement agencies to ensure that the complex remained free of illegal activities.
She also urged traders and business operators within the facility to comply with established standards, stressing that the pursuit of profit must never come at the expense of consumers’ health and safety.
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, has cautioned governments against introducing new taxes or increasing existing tax burdens on vulnerable citizens and productive sectors, warning that such measures could deepen economic hardship.
Oyedele spoke on the sidelines of the 2026 annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank in Bangkok, Thailand, where he presented a communiqué on behalf of the Intergovernmental Group of Twenty-Four (G24), which he chairs.
“This is the wrong time to impose new taxes or increase the burden of tax, particularly on the vulnerable population and productive sectors of the economy,” he said.
Responding to questions on how developing countries could reduce debt-servicing costs without cutting essential public spending,report quoted Oyedele as urging governments to identify waste, find savings and improve revenue collection before placing additional financial pressure on citizens and businesses.
He said borrowing remained necessary to finance economic growth but stressed that governments must ensure that debt supports job creation and inclusive development.
“Borrowing and debt financing is a necessary condition for growth, and every country emerging, developing must be able to apply debt financing in a way that is overall of positive impact, particularly to stimulate job-rich and inclusive growth,” he said.
The minister also called for available public funds to be prioritised for essential services, including healthcare and education, while private capital could help finance other areas of investment.
On the choice between taxation and borrowing, Oyedele said both options carried consequences and should be considered in the context of their impact on household welfare.
“If you collect taxes, you raise the money now, and that itself has a lot of trade-offs. What taxes are you collecting? You collect taxes from the most vulnerable, and this will deprive them of money to provide food, health, education,” he said.
He argued that excessive taxation could leave low-income households with less money for basic needs, while borrowing also carried future obligations.
“Debt is future taxes, so it’s not one or the other. It’s to strike a balance, bearing in mind ultimately that the essence of tax and of debts is to cater for the people,” Oyedele said.in the report.
Former Governor of Ekiti State and ex-Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has warned the United States against slipping into isolationism in its engagement with Africa, insisting that Nigeria remains a must-have strategic partner in the evolving global order.
Fayemi maintained this position in Lagos while speaking as a panelist at the Nigeria Moment, a Nigeria–United States Strategic Dialogue organised by the American Business Council in collaboration with the Heritage Foundation.
In his presentation, which focused on why Nigeria is a must-have partner in the changing world order, Fayemi,former chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) stressed the need for a more holistic relationship between both countries grounded in transparency, mutual benefit and shared prosperity.
He insisted that Nigeria must be treated as a strategic partner in the emerging world order.
“While welcoming the growing American interest in Nigeria’s vast mineral endowment, Fayemi warned that the partnership must go beyond resource extraction.
“Nigeria must be engaged as a strategic actor and a co-creator in shaping the future of global energy and resource governance, rather than as a testing ground for experiments. A partnership built on mutual respect, shared interests and long-term cooperation offers the strongest foundation for an enduring relationship between Nigeria and the United States,” Fayemi said.
Describing the engagement as a pleasure, Fayemi said the dialogue brought together a distinguished group of policymakers, business leaders and strategic thinkers to reflect on the future of Nigeria-US relations.
He commended the convener of the dialogue, Mr Ayo Otuyalo,for an excellent convening and for bringing together such high-level participants for the important strategic conversation.
The conference featured Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State as keynote speaker, alongside senior representatives of the Federal Government, including the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Power,
Also st the event were : Engr Joseph Tegbe; Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr Dele Alake, represented by Engr Simon Nkom; and the Head of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs Oritsemeyinwa Eyesan among others.
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