The licenses position the company as an accredited service provider for businesses operating in Nigeria ahead of the mandatory July 1, 2026, e-invoicing deadline for medium taxpayers.

This dual-accreditation allows Duplo to provide a unique end-to-end Compliance-to-Commerce pipeline.

While most providers only offer invoice generation, Duplo’s unified platform allows businesses to generate NRS-standard e-invoices, route them automatically to the tax authorities, and settle those payments instantly within the same ecosystem.

The Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS) estimates over ₦500 billion annually is lost to tax leakage, much of it linked to manual invoicing, under-reporting and poor documentation of transactions.

Nigeria’s new Electronic Fiscal System (EFS) initiative is being introduced specifically to digitise invoice generation and reporting at the point of transaction.

By integrating compliance directly into the payment rail, Duplo is redefining the standard for enterprise financial operations, helping businesses transition from manual, high-risk processes to an automated, digital-first model.

As the NRS transitions to a real-time pre-clearance model, businesses with turnovers above ₦1 billion face strict enforcement.

Non-compliance carries administrative fines of ₦200,000 plus 100% tax surcharges on unreported transactions.

Unlike fragmented solutions that force businesses to toggle between multiple apps for invoicing and banking, Duplo’s new licenses enable a seamless, automated workflow:

Automatic Routing: Businesses can plug existing ERPs (SAP, Oracle, QuickBooks, Microsoft Dynamics) into Duplo to automatically generate and transmit invoices to the NRS in the required UBL/XML formats.

Integrated Settlement: Once an invoice is validated by the NRS, it can be settled and reconciled immediately on the Duplo platform. This eliminates the manual “reconciliation lag” that accounts for the majority of financial discrepancies in Nigerian firms.

Companies like Maersk, Krones, DP World, Baobab, Miva Open University, Eat N’Go, IMG, SMT and more already trust Duplo to automate their payment workflows and maintain full visibility over their financial operations.

Commenting on the licenses, Yele Oyekola, CEO and co-founder of Duplo, said,

“Africa’s next growth phase requires robust financial systems, not temporary patches. By securing both the Systems Integrator and Access Point Provider licenses in Nigeria, we are providing the single operational layer that finally connects payments, invoicing and tax logic. This isn’t just about compliance; it’s about closing the loop. Our dual-license status allows businesses to bridge their existing ERPs directly to the national e-invoicing architecture, ensuring that every transaction is validated by the NRS and settled on our platform in one seamless motion. You don’t scale payment operations by adding headcount – you scale by automating decisions and standardizing the infrastructure of your business.”

The post Duplo Taps Dual CBN Licenses to Automate Tax Compliance and Curb ₦500bn Revenue Loss appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

Designed to directly benefit more than 6,500 people with access to clean water and sanitation facilities, the project aims to ensure hygiene campaigns reach a further 100,000 residents.

The programme targets Ikorodu North and Ojodu Local Council Development Areas, where solar-powered water systems will be installed, sanitation improved, and hygiene education delivered through schools, community groups, and local advocates. 

It will also empower 60 women entrepreneurs to engage in WASH-related businesses and increase female participation in governance structures for water and sanitation.

Speaking on behalf of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Folashade Ambrose-Medebem described the initiative as more than a business deal. 

She explained that the collaboration “is a powerful example of what true collaboration can achieve – global expertise aligning with local opportunity.” The governor noted that for Lagos, the project means jobs, stronger supply chains and greater opportunities for entrepreneurs to enter global markets. 

He reminded the audience that PepsiCo has long been a trusted partner, creating livelihoods and investing in communities, while DP World’s “world-class logistics strength” would ensure the impact touches lives, energises the state’s economy, and reinforces Lagos as Africa’s commercial hub.

Wale Edun, coordinating minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, said the partnership represents both continuity and a commendable signal for Nigeria’s sustainability in manufacturing and logistics. 

He pointed out that by sourcing raw materials locally and reinforcing supply chains, the collaboration supports domestic industries and strengthens Nigeria’s long-term export potential. 

According to him, this initiative aligns with the country’s priorities of food security and efficient logistics, showing that global businesses can thrive when the right environment is created. “It creates jobs, empowers communities, and places greater purchasing power in the hands of our people,” Edun said.

The programme builds on DP World’s earlier WASH success in Bauchi State, where more than 7,000 people gained access to solar-powered water systems, while local artisans and hygiene promoters were trained and 40% female representation was secured in WASH committees.

For Mohammed Akoojee, CEO and MD of sub-Saharan Africa at DP World, this record illustrates what is possible when commercial capacity is channelled into social purpose. Nigeria, he stressed, is a key market for DP World, and the collaboration with PepsiCo and WaterAid is proof of how business can create long-term community impact. 

He explained that by investing in climate-resilient water systems, empowering women entrepreneurs, and reaching people with hygiene education, the partnership is delivering impact that “extends beyond the supply chain.”

Ahmed El-Sheikh, president for PepsiCo in the Middle East, North Africa, Pakistan, Ethiopia and Nigeria Foods, echoed that point. He said PepsiCo’s investment is not only about production but about building a supply network that is agile, inclusive and connected to community needs. 

While acknowledging the company’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s food system, he stressed that the benefits must extend beyond the marketplace to improve essentials such as safe water and provide opportunities for people to thrive.

Hatim Khan, senior director of International Programmes at the PepsiCo Foundation, added that investing in safe water is in fact an investment in the strength and resilience of entire communities. 

He spoke on the company’s collaboration with WaterAid, noting that lasting change happens when solutions are locally designed and locally led. With DP World now joining in Lagos, Khan said the project is not only expanding infrastructure but also building networks of people, skills, and resources that will secure long-term access.

WaterAid Nigeria’s Country Director, Evelyn Mere, reiterated that view, calling the initiative a demonstration of how technical expertise, private investment, and community leadership can combine to deliver infrastructure that safeguards health, promotes dignity, advances gender equality, and builds resilience against climate shocks.

This Lagos programme is an extension of the PepsiCo Foundation’s WASH initiative with WaterAid, launched in 2022. Over three years, that effort has rehabilitated six WASH facilities, brought clean water to 54,489 people, and reached more than 800,000 individuals through hygiene media campaigns.

Both PepsiCo and DP World view Nigeria as a strategic growth market. PepsiCo has strengthened local sourcing partnerships to support its expanding food production operations, while DP World employs over 6,000 people across healthcare, consumer goods, and logistics in Nigeria, enabling a further 3,500 jobs through its supply chain.

At the event, senior government officials, private-sector leaders and development partners came together to highlight the economic and social value of this collaboration. 

The occasion also marked the opening of a new PepsiCo manufacturing facility in Lagos, underlining the company’s long-term investment in the food sector and its focus on helping Nigeria’s supply chains serve both markets and communities.

The post 6,500+ Lagos Residents to Get Clean Water as PepsiCo, DP World and WaterAid Expand WASH Projects appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

However, one of the biggest obstacles to sustaining this growth lies in the cost of logistics, in some cases consuming up to 75% of a product’s value, far higher than the global average of 6–8%.

Against this backdrop, PepsiCo and DP World have expanded a $20 million partnership to bolster PepsiCo’s food business in Lagos, launching the iconic billion-dollar snack brand Cheetos into the Nigerian market. 

The investment, beyond just snacks, is being pitched as an initiative to strengthen local manufacturing, create jobs, and address structural weaknesses in supply chains that have long slowed Africa’s largest economy.

Linking the development directly to the Tinubu administration’s reforms, Edun stated that “The inauguration of this Cheetos plant reflects the bold reforms we are driving to stabilise our economy and unlock sustainable growth. With GDP projected to grow by 5%, we are seeing real results from our pillars of reform – diversification, industrialization, and job creation. 

“By sourcing locally and creating jobs, this investment brings to life President Tinubu’s vision of a stronger, more inclusive economy. Producing Cheetos not only for Nigeria but for West Africa highlights our nation’s role as a regional hub for manufacturing, supported by ongoing progress in technology and digitalisation.”

Today, August 20, 2025, PepsiCo cut the ribbon on its expanded snacks factory in Lagos State, marking the official entry of Cheetos into Nigeria. The brand, which generates more than $1 billion annually worldwide, is produced in two flavours, Cheese and Coconut, with Sour Cream set to launch next month.

PepsiCo says the arrival of Cheetos strengthens its snacks portfolio in West Africa, adding to Lay’s and Doritos already in the market. More importantly, it reiterates PepsiCo’s commitment to localisation, job creation, and resilient supply chains.

Local Sourcing at the Heart of Strategy

According to Felix Enwemadu, general manager, PepsiCo Foods Nigeria, nearly all inputs for Cheetos are sourced within Nigeria. “For Cheetos, we’re sourcing close to 100% of the raw materials from Nigeria. Corn grits come from a partnership with farmers under an outgrower scheme. Vegetable oil is supplied entirely by Presco Plc, quoted on the stock exchange. 

“Flavours are also sourced locally. For sausage rolls, our wheat flour is fully supplied by Flour Mills. The only import we have is Quaker Oats, because Nigeria’s climate doesn’t allow oat cultivation.”

This fully integrated sourcing programme strengthens PepsiCo’s supply chain while empowering thousands of local farmers.

Enwemadu stressed that compliance and quality remain top priorities: “Before we launch any product, NAFDAC and SON inspect our factories and conduct quality checks. We follow global standards, including environmental health and safety. Our relationship with regulators is second to none.”

Community Investments

PepsiCo’s investment goes beyond its factory walls, as the PepsiCo Foundation’s Safe Water Access programme with WaterAid Nigeria has reached over 54,000 people directly and educated more than 800,000 Nigerians on hygiene practices since 2022. 

In Lagos, women have been trained as Local Area Mechanics to operate and maintain water systems, ensuring sustainability.

“When we put money in, we’re not just donating; we’re creating self-sustaining systems,” Enwemadu said. “We design projects so communities can maintain them. We work with local leaders to ensure accountability, and we bring in partners like DP World to scale impact.”

DP World’s Logistics Perspective

For PepsiCo’s partner, DP World, which has partnered with PepsiCo across three Nigerian facilities, says logistics inefficiency is one of the greatest threats to Nigeria’s economic competitiveness.

Mohammed Akoojee, CEO & MD sub-Saharan Africa, DP World, was frank, “It’s very inefficient. Nigeria has one of the highest logistics costs in the world. In some cases, up to 75% of the value of a product is logistics. Compare that to the global average of 6–8%. That’s holding Africa back.”

He noted how Nigeria, despite having a population size comparable to Indonesia, handles only 1.6 million containers annually, five times fewer than Indonesia.

DP World is investing in port terminals, road infrastructure, warehouses, and AI-driven technology to reduce costs, “With the amount of data we have across warehouses, trucks, ports, and thousands of points of sale, we could be the Google of Africa in terms of predictive analysis for logistics. AI will allow us to price better, move faster, and make products more affordable.”

A Longstanding Partnership

The Cheetos factory is the third PepsiCo facility developed with DP World in Nigeria. Ajit Nair, MD – FMCL Nigeria, DP World, noted that “Nigeria is PepsiCo’s most integrated market with DP World, spanning the full value chain from manufacturing to distribution. This achievement reflects the strength of our partnership, built on trust, performance, and shared purpose.”

DP World also operates PepsiCo partnerships in Mozambique, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Senegal, with Nigeria serving as the largest footprint.

Government Endorsement

Beyond Edun’s remarks, the Lagos State Government emphasised the bigger socio-economic gains.

Commissioner Folashade Bada Ambrose, representing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said: “The socio-economic impact of this collaboration will be transformative. We will see faster, more cost-effective movement of goods, greater inclusion of Nigerian businesses in global supply chains, and more jobs for Lagosians. This means more opportunities for local entrepreneurs, more exports, and improved food security as perishable goods reach consumers faster.”

She underlined that such partnerships align with Lagos’ vision to remain Nigeria’s commercial hub, where the government creates an enabling environment while businesses drive growth.

PepsiCo’s Nigerian Footprint

Ahmed El-Sheikh, President MENAPAK, PepsiCo, placed the project in context, “Since 1992, we have been proud to be part of Nigeria’s growth, building talent, investing in local capabilities, and working alongside communities. Our food operations employ over 1,000 Nigerians, anchored by two world-class facilities in Lagos producing Quaker Oats and sausage rolls. Today, with this new Cheetos factory, we add another chapter.”

El-Sheikh described Nigeria as standing at a “pivotal moment”.

“Its aspiration to become a trillion-dollar economy in the coming decade is not just hope, it’s achievable — but it requires ambition, trust, and deep collaboration in the public and private sectors.”

The Bigger Picture: Reform, Stability, and Exports

Edun’s keynote went further, pointing to reforms that have freed up 5% of GDP through subsidy removal, boosted foreign reserves to $42 billion, and set the stage for industrialisation. He argued that domestic production and local sourcing reduce FX demand, create jobs, and improve competitiveness.

“Over 90% of the raw materials for Cheetos are locally sourced. That means less dependence on foreign exchange and more jobs in Nigeria. With AfCFTA, Nigerian-made products can now compete across the continent of 1.4 billion people. This is the road to inclusive growth.”

The Cheetos launch may look like a simple product introduction, but its backers say it represents something bigger, which is a test of whether reforms, local production, and supply chain investments can ensure Nigeria’s long-promised economic transformation.

PepsiCo has revealed its intent with $20 million and near-total local sourcing. DP World has committed to reducing logistics expenses that eat up to 75% of product value, and the government is betting on reforms to sustain 5% growth and build a trillion-dollar economy.

The Cheetos plant now seeks to push Nigeria to finally move from being just a market to being a regional hub for manufacturing, trade, and inclusive growth.

The post PepsiCo, DP World Expand Partnership to Tackle Nigeria’s Logistics Costs with $20M Investment, Cheetos Launch appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

The funds are earmarked to support the expansion efforts of Waspito, particularly in the Francophone region.

Waspito, often described as the ‘Facebook for healthcare,’ is a health-focused social network that empowers users across Africa to connect with verified doctors instantly through video calls, breaking away from traditional telemedicine models involving pre-registration and appointment booking.

The startup, founded by Jean Lobe Lobe in early 2020, strategically positioned itself at the intersection of technology and healthcare just before the global health emergency caused by the Covid pandemic. Waspito’s mission is fixed on making quality healthcare accessible to all Africans, especially in regions where the doctor-to-patient ratio is strikingly low.

Waspito’s unique approach allows users to choose from a list of online doctors for immediate video consultations. For medical tests, the platform collaborates with partner laboratories, offering home sample collection services. Waspito has also forged partnerships with local hospitals to ensure seamless transitions for patients requiring further attention or admission.

Jean Lobe Lobe emphasizes the importance of keeping doctors constantly available online. With less than 2 doctors for every 10,000 people in target countries, Waspito aims to bridge the gap by providing a one-stop-shop for all healthcare services. Patients can make payments through various options, including insurance, incentivizing doctors to stay online for extended periods.

The startup, recently honored as the best health startup in Africa at the VivaTech awards has reached 650,000 users in Cameroon and Ivory Coast, onboarded 950 doctors, and facilitated 60,000 consultations. Waspito anticipates further growth with its hybrid model, currently being piloted in Ivory Coast.

The hybrid model involves the establishment of mini-clinics within the branch network of La Poste Corporation, Ivory Coast’s national postal service, providing offline patients with virtual access to doctors and other healthcare services. This innovative approach addresses the challenges of internet and smartphone accessibility in Africa, particularly among underserved populations.

Waspito plans to roll out the hybrid model in Cameroon and Senegal by the end of the first quarter next year. With the support of funds from DP World and other investors, Waspito is focused on making quality medical services readily available to all.

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