Africa is strategically positioning itself to tap into a $712 billion digital trade market by 2035, leveraging key partnerships and trade-enabling infrastructure to deepen continental integration and economic sovereignty. This ambition is primarily driven by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Wamkele Mene, Secretary General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, announced this goal at the 2025 Afreximbank Annual Meetings (AAM2025) in Abuja. He emphasized that the Protocol on Digital Trade is central to AfCFTA’s strategy for unlocking the potential of Africa’s growing digital economy. “We intend to harness this significant market, which is estimated to be over $712 billion by…
Author: Elvis Eromosele
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has channeled over $250 billion into Africa’s development in the past 32 years, announced Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, at the bank’s 32nd Annual Meetings in Abuja. Oramah described Afreximbank’s journey as one of “resilience, determination, and transformation.” Speaking at the event, themed “Building the Future on Decades of Resilience,” Oramah emphasized the bank’s remarkable evolution. Once viewed with skepticism, Afreximbank has grown into a leading multilateral financial institution in Africa. “From humble beginnings, we have defied doubt and built an institution that has empowered neglected industries, provided lifelines during…
MTN Nigeria has reaffirmed its dedication to Nigeria’s digital future by investing ₦3 billion in the Federal Government’s 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) program. This significant commitment was announced by Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, on Tuesday. Dr. Tijani emphasized the crucial role of public-private partnerships in accelerating Nigeria’s digital transformation, highlighting MTN’s long-standing support for the 3MTT initiative. “I acknowledge MTN Nigeria’s long-term support for the 3MTT Nigeria program, with a cumulative investment of ₦3 billion since inception,” said Dr. Tijani. He hailed MTN as one of the earliest backers of the 3MTT program,…
The Lagos State Government is set to launch a new digital addressing system on July 1, 2025. This initiative aims to simplify business operations, enhance access to essential services, and increase the state’s revenue. Dr. Babatunde Olajide, Special Adviser to the Governor on e-GIS and Urban Development, explained that this “Lagos identifier program” will benefit various sectors, including housing, transportation, e-cab hailing services, security, emergency response, taxation, and urban planning. He highlighted that the technology will not only establish Lagos as a “smart state” but also have a tangible impact on residents’ lives and improve the government’s capacity to respond…
The Lagos State government has reasserted its commitment to maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health with the recent launch of its bi-annual Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health Plus Nutrition Week (MNCH+N). Flagged off on Monday, June 23, 2025, by Dr. (Mrs.) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, First Lady of Lagos state in Alimosho Local Government Area, the initiative aims to provide accessible, cost-effective, and high-impact healthcare services to transform health outcomes and save lives. Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat, wife of the Deputy Governor, represented the First Lady at the event and expressed gratitude to the Alimosho community for hosting the state-wide launch.…
By Elvis Eromosele Nigeria’s agricultural sector is a paradox. A significant portion of the population, over 70 per cent of households are engaged in agriculture activities. So, we can say that agriculture is the lifeblood of millions in Nigeria. Yet the country remains a net food importer of key staples including rice and maize. While the nation’s agricultural sector holds immense promise for economic diversification, job creation, and ensuring food security, it is currently grappling with deep-seated issues that have hindered its progress. A revolutionary partnership is currently building the groundwork for an agricultural revolution. Launched in June 2024 in…
Dangote Cement recently paid out a substantial N502.6 billion in dividends to its shareholders, which translates to N30 kobo per share, following approval at the company’s 2024 Annual General Meeting in Lagos. Shareholders lauded the Board, Management, and staff for their commendable performance, acknowledging the company’s robust dividend payment and unwavering commitment to corporate governance despite the prevailing economic challenges. This positive sentiment was echoed by prominent shareholder representatives like Faruk Umar of AARNS and Bisi Bakare of the Pragmatic Shareholders Association. Chairman Aliko Dangote highlighted the company’s impressive financial achievements, including a 62.2 per cent year-on-year revenue growth to…
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has set an ambitious revenue target of ₦1.28 trillion for 2025, representing a 40 per cent increase from the ₦894.8 billion it generated in 2024. This projection was revealed by Mr. Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director, NPA, during his budget defense session with the House of Representatives Committee on Ports and Harbours. Dantsoho emphasized that the 2025 budget is more than just figures; it reflects the NPA’s aspirations for a more efficient and globally competitive port system in Nigeria. He proudly noted that in 2024, the Authority surpassed its revenue target of ₦865.39 billion, achieving ₦894.86…
The recent escalation of conflict between the United States and Iran, following reported US-Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, is sending shockwaves through the global oil market. Energy analysts and petroleum marketers in Nigeria are now warning that this could drive petrol prices in the country as high as N1,000 per litre in the coming weeks, especially if Brent crude surpasses the $80 per barrel mark. Global crude oil prices are already reacting sharply, with Brent crude trading higher. This surge is primarily attributed to “preemptive defensive strikes” by the United States on three major Iranian nuclear sites, announced by…
In a significant push for educational reform, the Enugu State Government is intensifying its efforts to train over 18,000 public school teachers in preparation for the September 2025 resumption of Smart Green Schools across the state. This comprehensive training program, with its first phase already concluded, aims to equip educators with the skills needed for a modern, technology-driven learning environment. Professor Ndubueze Mbah, the state’s Commissioner for Education, announced at a recent seminar that both newly recruited and existing teachers are undergoing rigorous training in digital literacy and 21st-century instructional methods. This initiative is central to Governor Peter Mbah’s administration’s…