The Afrinvest Foundation has unveiled a 35-seater Information and Communication Technology, ICT, centre at the Emir’s Palace in Kano.
The Group Managing Director of Afrinvest West Africa, Mr Ike Chioke, disclosed this on Thursday in Kano at a stakeholders’ symposium on “Wealth, Faith and Legacy.”
He said the centre, powered by a 15-kilowatt solar system and internet connectivity, was established to provide digital education and learning opportunities for young Nigerians.
@½
Mr Chioke explained that the palace has a repository of more than 300,000 books, which are being digitised to enable wider access to information on the history and culture of Nigeria, particularly the Kano Emirate.
He said the project demonstrated Afrinvest’s commitment to building lasting relationships and contributing to the development of communities where it operates.
The GMD said the company had also expanded access to digital, ethical and Sharia-compliant investment opportunities for residents of Kano State.
According to him, Afrinvest has been operating for 30 years, building its business around reputation, relationships and trust.
He said the company provides digital platforms that enable residents to invest in shares on the Nigerian Exchange, Federal Government savings bonds, commercial papers and Treasury Bills.
Mr Chioke added that Afrinvest had introduced an Initial Public Offering, IPO, feature on its Afrinvestor app, which would allow investors to participate in public offers digitally.
He said Afrinvest was among the issuing houses working on the Dangote Refinery IPO, adding that once the offer is launched, investors in Kano using the Afrinvest app would be able to fund their accounts and register to invest without filling physical forms.
The GMD said the company had also introduced Sharia-compliant investment products for Muslim investors, including the Afrinvest Halal Fund, which is managed under the guidance of Islamic finance experts.
He added that Afrinvest offers Islamic trust products designed to help Muslim clients grow their wealth and transfer it to the next generation.
Mr Chioke said the company had recorded significant growth in Kano since establishing its office in the state two years ago, with thousands of customers using its digital investment platform.
He said the company’s Plutus Neo by Afrinvest platform also enables customers to save and invest in dollars and access the United States stock market.
Mr Chioke said Afrinvest’s goal was to make investment opportunities accessible to residents of Kano and beyond.
Earlier, the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, urged Muslims to explore legitimate investment opportunities that comply with Islamic principles and avoid gambling.
He also called on residents to diversify their investments beyond banking and insurance and consider other productive sectors of the economy.
The Emir stressed the importance of trust in business and encouraged investment in the training and character development of children.
He expressed optimism that the Sharia-compliant investment initiative would encourage people to make informed investment decisions and contribute to the economic development and prosperity of Kano State.