Author: Gift Ifeanyi

At the 5th WenA SME Conference in Abuja, Aisha Babangida, founder of the Women Entrepreneurs Association (WenA), issued a passionate call for governments across Nigeria to adopt gender-inclusive procurement reforms similar to those implemented in Kaduna State — describing them as a proven blueprint for women’s economic advancement and national growth. Themed “Policy Reforms and Resilience Strategies for SMEs in a New Economy,” the conference brought together entrepreneurs, policymakers, and development partners to explore how targeted reforms can strengthen women’s role in the formal economy. Babangida commended the Affirmative Action Procurement Reform Initiative, led by UN Women with backing from…

At this year’s Moonshot by TechCabal conference — an influential gathering that unites Africa’s top innovators, investors, and policymakers — one company took the spotlight for championing a vital cause: empowering Africa’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with affordable, intelligent technology. The event, which explored key forces shaping Africa’s digital evolution — from artificial intelligence (AI) to sustainable innovation — also provided a platform to address persistent barriers slowing SME growth across the continent. Among these are poor access to digital infrastructure, funding limitations, and fragmented business systems. Speaking during the conference, Vincent Edigin, Co-founder and CEO of GreenBii, underscored…

Some people build law firms. Others build companies. But few, like Gbenga Oyebode, have mastered the art of doing both—and doing them at a scale that reshapes entire industries. For more than forty years, Oyebode has stood at the intersection of intellect and enterprise, transforming his mastery of law into a blueprint for business leadership. From Law to Leadership: A Journey of Dual Excellence Long before becoming the face of Nigeria’s palm oil success story, Gbenga Oyebode was shaping the nation’s corporate legal landscape. After earning his law degree from the University of Ife in 1979 and a Master of…

Marking a significant expansion beyond beverages, the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Ltd. has officially stepped into the snack market with the debut of Plazma Biscuit, a well-loved European treat now making its way to Nigerian consumers. This launch signals NBC’s strategic diversification into Nigeria’s thriving fast-moving consumer goods sector, underscoring its confidence in the country’s growing economy and appetite for quality snacks. It also demonstrates the company’s commitment to broadening its product portfolio and deepening its local presence after decades of beverage leadership. The introduction of Plazma was made possible through a partnership involving Bambi, one of Europe’s leading confectionery…

After transforming media intelligence globally with Meltwater and empowering thousands of African entrepreneurs through MEST Africa, Jorn Lyseggen is returning to the frontlines of innovation—this time, with a bold new fintech venture designed to reshape how Africans handle money. His latest creation, BMONI, is an AI-powered financial platform tailored for Africa’s digitally savvy professionals and small business owners who operate seamlessly across borders but still face financial barriers in moving funds freely. Officially launched in Nigeria on October 13, BMONI represents Lyseggen’s most personal mission yet—to revolutionize how Africans spend, save, and transfer money both locally and internationally. “There are…

In a growing economy where innovation and integrity must go hand in hand, QNET is pushing for a redefinition of what it means to be an entrepreneur in Nigeria — one rooted in ethics, empowerment, and community growth. During a recent virtual gathering tagged “Beyond VCON: Media Insights from VCON 2025”, QNET brought together Nigerian journalists and media leaders to reflect on lessons from its global convention held in Penang, Malaysia. The session served as more than a debrief — it became a conversation about reshaping the public’s perception of direct selling and redefining the standards of ethical entrepreneurship across…

In a world where global trade alliances are fracturing and economic blocs are redefining their boundaries, Nigeria is turning this disruption into opportunity. Under the leadership of Professor Jude Osakwe and the NIDO-Africa network, the “Made-in-Nigeria” initiative is emerging as a cornerstone of the continent’s economic transformation — aligning national ambition with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Rather than viewing the global trade divide as a setback, Osakwe sees it as the moment Africa must take control of its own economic narrative. According to him, this is not simply a policy statement;…

Nigeria’s top editors are gearing up for a major national discourse as the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) prepares to host its 2025 All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) in Abuja this November. The gathering, which unites over 500 leading minds in journalism, governance, and academia, will focus on strengthening democratic values and national unity ahead of the 2027 elections. A highlight of the event will be the participation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who will officially declare the conference open on November 12, 2025, reaffirming his administration’s engagement with the media as a critical pillar of democracy. Themed “Democratic Governance…

In an economy where access to foreign exchange can make or break a business, a new player is rewriting the rules. ZitraPay, a digital FX platform launched in June 2025, is bridging one of Nigeria’s most persistent economic gaps — helping small and mid-sized enterprises access US dollars transparently and legally without resorting to risky black-market routes. The company was founded by Teniola Tayo-Olugbode, a seasoned risk and compliance expert with over 14 years of experience spanning Africa, the United States, and global markets. Known for his fintech contributions at Yala and Float, Tayo-Olugbode is now channeling his expertise into…

Nigeria is preparing to take the spotlight in 2026 as it welcomes the world’s most powerful economic players to Abuja for the World Investment Summit (WIS) — an event expected to unlock up to $5 trillion in foreign direct investment and redefine Africa’s investment landscape. Set for April 27–30, 2026, the four-day summit, themed “Unlocking Capital, Accelerating Development, Driving Prosperity,” is poised to become one of the largest gatherings of investors, policymakers, and innovators ever hosted on African soil. The event will convene over 80 Heads of State and Government, 96 Ministers, 800 global speakers, and more than 8,000 delegates…

In a bold move to expand financing opportunities for small businesses, the Federal Government has launched an ambitious initiative to list at least 1,000 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) on the Nigerian capital market. The goal is to enhance access to long-term funding, stimulate job creation, and fast-track the nation’s $1 trillion economy agenda. The initiative was unveiled following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) in Abuja. The partnership seeks to provide innovative financing alternatives for Nigeria’s over 40 million…

In a country where youth unemployment remains a pressing concern, a growing number of young Nigerians are finding new hope — not in job applications, but in entrepreneurship. One programme leading that charge is Unity Bank’s Corpreneurship Challenge, a bold initiative that is quietly transforming National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps into breeding grounds for future CEOs. Since its launch, the initiative has supported 578 young entrepreneurs nationwide, giving them not only access to startup capital but also the training, mentorship, and confidence to build thriving ventures. NYSC Camps Become Innovation Hubs The Corpreneurship Challenge takes an unconventional route —…

A powerful new wave of entrepreneurial transformation is coming to Nigeria as the Global Impact Business Community (GIBC) opens applications for its flagship Impact Conference 2025, set to take place from November 28 to 30, 2025, in Lagos. Backed by Trade Lenda, the initiative isn’t just another business summit — it’s a nationwide movement to bridge the funding and knowledge gap that holds back thousands of promising entrepreneurs. GIBC’s ambitious plan aims to unlock ₦15 billion in funding and extend capacity-building support to over 10,000 small and medium enterprises (SMEs), with a special focus on women and youth-led ventures. Turning…

As Nigeria accelerates its “Decade of Gas” vision, energy leaders and stakeholders are calling for a complete transformation of the country’s gas investment model — one that ensures profitability, accessibility, and long-term sustainability. This urgent message echoed strongly during a panel discussion at the Annual Energy Conference of the Association of Energy Correspondents of Nigeria (NAEC) in Lagos, where executives from Sahara Group, Neconde Energy Limited, Rainoil Limited, and Eterna Plc stressed that the future of Nigeria’s gas industry depends on making domestic gas investments bankable and commercially viable. From Vision to Viability Panelists agreed that while Nigeria holds vast…

Akwa Ibom State is preparing to take center stage in national discourse as it gears up to host the 2025 Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) Annual Conference, slated for December 1–5 in Uyo. Governor Umo Eno, in reaffirming his administration’s support for the event, described the forthcoming gathering as a reflection of Akwa Ibom’s rising reputation as a destination for innovation, intellectual exchange, and global-standard development. The governor made this commitment during a breakfast meeting with the NBA-SPIDEL leadership, led by Chairman Prof. Paul Ananaba (SAN), at the Government House in Uyo. The delegation…

At a time when Africa’s entrepreneurial and creative ecosystems are gaining global attention, Nnamdi Ekeh, Chief Executive Officer of Konga Group, has urged Nigerian entrepreneurs to cultivate a global mindset and anchor their growth strategies on innovation, structure, and collaboration. Speaking at The Atinuda Experience 5.0 in Lagos—an annual gathering themed “From Local to Global Creative Transformations”—Ekeh emphasized that the path to building world-class African enterprises lies in embracing global standards while leveraging local ingenuity. Africa’s Moment on the Global Stage Ekeh noted that Africa’s business and creative sectors stand at a defining crossroads. With technology democratizing access and global…

At the opening of TechCabal’s Moonshot 2025 conference in Lagos, Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, set a new tone for Africa’s innovation narrative — one that calls for trust, collaboration, and shared purpose between policymakers and the tech ecosystem. Oduwole revealed that the federal government is actively engaging with African partners to expand market access for Nigerian startups and digital service providers, signaling a shift toward a continent-wide strategy for innovation-driven trade. “Government and the ecosystem must begin to trust each other,” she urged. “We are engaging with key African partners to open markets for Nigerian…

At the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meetings, Tony Elumelu, Chairman of the UBA Group, called for deeper collaboration between African governments, global financial institutions, and private sector leaders to break the structural barriers limiting the continent’s participation in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution. Speaking during a high-level session themed “Boosting Productivity Growth in the Digital Age,” where he shared the stage with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, Elumelu stressed that Africa must not be left behind as AI reshapes global economies. “AI should democratize prosperity, not deepen inequality,” he said. “For Africa to benefit, we must…

Growing unease is spreading across Nigeria as recent demolition exercises in Lagos State raise deeper questions about ethnic coexistence and government accountability.What began as an urban renewal initiative has now stirred a wave of discontent, particularly among the Igbo business community, whose properties have reportedly been most affected. Observers fear that the unfolding events could become a flashpoint for renewed ethnic distrust if leaders at both the state and federal levels fail to act with urgency and fairness. Community advocates argue that the demolitions, justified by authorities as part of enforcement against illegal structures, appear unevenly implemented, leading to accusations…

In a bold step toward closing the gender gap in Nigeria’s innovation space, the Aurora Tech Award has launched a groundbreaking accelerator to equip women-led startups with the skills, confidence, and connections needed to thrive in the global tech economy. The new initiative, titled “Foundry for HER Bootcamp,” is a three-day virtual accelerator developed in partnership with The Nest Innovation Technology Park Ltd. Scheduled to run from October 15 to 17, 2025, the programme will mentor and train over 120 early-stage female founders across Nigeria in the fundamentals of business growth, from fundraising and pitching to scaling beyond local markets.…