Telecommunications company Globacom has enhanced its ‘Borrow Me Credit’ service, introducing new features aimed at ensuring subscribers remain connected even when they have insufficient airtime or data balance.

The company disclosed this in a statement issued in Lagos, noting that the eligibility requirements for the service have been simplified to enable millions of active prepaid customers to access instant airtime and data support when needed.

According to Globacom, the upgraded service now allows customers to borrow special data bundles as well as airtime and data on behalf of other subscribers. The new feature is designed to help users support friends and family members who may be unable to recharge immediately or are temporarily unreachable.

The company said the initiative reinforces its commitment to keeping customers connected during critical moments.

“Whether it is an urgent business call, a late-night research project, or staying in touch with loved ones during an emergency, Glo’s ‘Borrow Me Credit’ ensures that a low balance never results in a communication blackout,” the company stated.

Globacom clarified that while the service attracts a service charge, its primary objective is to provide immediate assistance to subscribers facing low or exhausted balances.

The telecom operator further stated that customers can access airtime and data loans ranging from N25 to N4,000, offering flexible options to meet varying communication needs.

It added that borrowing limits are determined by customers’ usage patterns and level of engagement on the network, with higher limits available to subscribers who maintain stronger usage profiles.

The enhanced service forms part of Globacom’s broader strategy to improve customer experience and expand access to digital communication solutions across the country.

Geely Galaxy, the premium new-energy vehicle brand under Geely Auto Group, has made an official entry into the Nigerian market through a strategic partnership with TIM Motors.

Geely, which also owns globally recognised brands including Volvo Cars, Polestar, and Lotus, is one of China’s leading automotive manufacturers and a major force in the country’s transition to new-energy mobility.

In a special event in Lagos on Friday, the company unveiled three Geely Galaxy models, the EX5 EM-i, the EX5, and the EX2, designed to meet diverse customer needs across the Nigerian market.

The EX5 EM-i is a smart family SUV that combines petrol and electric power for extended driving range of more than 1000km, reduced fuel consumption, and lower emissions. For Nigerian families who want to spend less time at the fuel station and more time on the road, the EX5 EM-i delivers. The EX5 is a value-focused mid-size SUV with a premium, tech-forward interior and over 430 km of driving range. The EX2 is an all-electric subcompact hatchback built for the realities of city life. Affordable, intuitive to drive, and remarkably efficient, it is the answer for commuters tired of fuel queues and rising running costs.

Geely has built a strong reputation for innovation, quality, and intelligent vehicle technologies across both New Energy Vehicle (NEV) and Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) markets. It ranks seventh globally by annual vehicle sales, with over 3.4 million units sold, placing it among the world’s most successful automotive manufacturers. Its footprint continues to grow across international markets.

Thew General Manager of the Passenger Vehicle Business Unit at TIM International, Leon Zhan, expressed excitement about the brand’s arrival, confirming that the company is fully prepared to support ease of ownership and deliver reliable aftersales service through its nationwide network of service centres, spare parts availability, and warranty coverage.

“Electric vehicles represent the future of driving in Nigeria, and we are proud to bring that future closer to Nigerian consumers as the exclusive local partner of Geely Galaxy, a brand built on EV innovation, technology, and performance. We have a product that is a solution for the present challenges and future that people crave for. We are here not just to sell these brands, but to provide a full aftersales support structure covering spare parts and warranty servicing,” Zhan said.

Sales Lead, TIM Motors Abuja Office, Stephanie Odia, stated that the vehicles are fitted with many advanced safety technologies including a Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance System. This feature, she explained has several functions such as the automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, blind spot detection and 360-degree surround cameras.

She added that Geely Galaxy’s products were engineered to address what customers have long been asking for: lower fuel costs and vehicles that work within local infrastructure realities. The brand’s offerings, she opined, were designed to balance performance, affordability, and efficiency across its model range.

TIM Motors was appointed as Geely Galaxy’s exclusive general distributor in Nigeria on the strength of its continental sales network and its track record of customer support across Africa, giving Nigerian buyers the assurance of a partner who understands the local market.

The appointment reflects a commitment to making every customer interaction, from purchase to aftersales, seamless and reliable. TIM Motors’ proven experience across the African auto industry and its understanding of local customer needs are seen as central to Geely Galaxy’s success in Nigeria.

The launch event was held under the theme “Powering the Future,” reflecting Geely Galaxy’s vision of making intelligent, sustainable mobility more accessible to Nigerian consumers.

*Calls for removal of bottlenecks at ports

The Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) has commended the Federal Government of Nigeria for approving the proposed $1 billion African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Credit Facility designed to support Nigerian exporters and businesses in accessing opportunities within the African market.

However, the association has urged the Federal Government to address the critical challenges confronting local manufacturers, exporters, freight forwarders, logistics operators, and small-scale businesses before committing substantial resources to AfCFTA financing initiatives.

In a statement issued by the President of APFFLON, Otunba Frank Ogunojemite, the association noted that while AfCFTA presents enormous opportunities for economic growth and regional integration, Nigeria’s ability to maximise these benefits depends largely on the competitiveness of its domestic industries and the efficiency of its trade facilitation systems.

According to APFFLON, several factors that hindered the success of previous African trade initiatives and treaties remain unresolved. These include poor infrastructure, high production costs, inadequate power supply, multiple taxation, foreign exchange constraints, excessive port charges, cumbersome export procedures, and regulatory bottlenecks that continue to frustrate businesses engaged in international trade.

The Association expressed concern that many local manufacturers and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are already struggling to survive under the current business environment and may not be able to take advantage of AfCFTA opportunities despite the availability of credit facilities.

“While access to finance is important, funding alone cannot solve the fundamental challenges affecting Nigerian businesses. Before providing large-scale AfCFTA credit support, government must first create an enabling environment that allows local industries to compete effectively with their counterparts across Africa,” the statement noted.

APFFLON therefore called on the Federal Government to prioritize reduction of port charges and elimination of unnecessary trade bottlenecks.

The association also called for full implementation of the National Single Window and other trade facilitation reforms, as well as improvement of road, rail, port, and border infrastructure.

Other demands according to the association include: “Simplification of export documentation and cargo clearance processes. Support for local manufacturers through tax incentives and reduced production costs. Improved access to foreign exchange for exporters and manufacturers.

“Strengthening collaboration among government agencies responsible for trade regulation and export promotion. Development of policies that encourage value-added exports and industrial growth.”

The Association emphasized that unless these challenges are adequately addressed, Nigeria risks becoming a consumption market for goods produced by other African countries rather than emerging as a leading exporter under the AfCFTA framework.

APFFLON maintained that sustainable economic growth, industrial development, job creation, and export expansion can only be achieved through comprehensive reforms that strengthen Nigeria’s production and logistics capacity.

The Association reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with the Federal Government and other stakeholders in promoting efficient trade facilitation, logistics development, and policies that enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness within Africa and the global marketplace.