Author: Gift Ifeanyi

The Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) prize competition is set to elevate its international profile with the inclusion of technology titan Jerry Yang, Co-Founder of Yahoo!, on its 2025 judging panel. Yang’s involvement highlights ABH’s dedication to connecting African entrepreneurs with high-level international expertise and mentorship. Jerry Yang expressed his inspiration, stating, “Africa’s entrepreneurs are shaping the future of innovation in ways that inspire the world. I am honoured to join the judging panel… and look forward to learning from founders who are building bold, scalable solutions for the continent and beyond.” Judging Panel and Distinguished Speakers Yang will be joined…

Nigeria is actively seeking to integrate the skills and financial power of its citizens abroad through two major new programs unveiled by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM). The agency has officially launched the Connected Diaspora x DOWA Start-Up Challenge and the Connected Diaspora Flagship Event 2025, initiatives specifically designed to harness the innovation, expertise, and enterprise of Nigerians across the globe. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman and CEO of NiDCOM, announced the programs at a news conference in Lagos, describing them as timely and transformative steps to tap into the professional strength and creativity of the diaspora. Connected Diaspora x DOWA…

The following summarizes the key insights shared by the founder of Balmoral on transitioning from a corporate career to building a diversified hospitality and live-experience conglomerate in West Africa. The Founding Insight and Scaling Philosophy The founder’s core conviction for launching Balmoral was born from recognizing a fundamental market gap: Nigeria had massive demand for world-class experiences but lacked the necessary infrastructure. Defining Insight (2006): The opportunity was not merely running an events company, but creating an end-to-end experience infrastructure company—developing trained personnel and venues built to global standards. Corporate Lessons (Schlumberger): The transition from corporate life instilled crucial operational…

Student entrepreneurs from eight African nations recently showcased innovative, climate-focused business solutions in Abuja during the 15th Junior Achievement (JA) Africa Company of the Year competition. The three-day event, which concluded over the weekend (December 3–5, 2025), operated under the theme “Action for Climate Transformation,” bringing together teams from Eswatini, Ghana, Mauritius, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda, and Zambia. At the grand finale, First Bank of Nigeria Limited presented its coveted CEO Award to Team Mauritius. This annual contest serves as a vital platform, enabling young innovators to compete for a chance to represent Africa at the global finals, alongside…

PromoPrint Ventures Limited, a leading indigenous printing and branding firm, recently commemorated its silver jubilee in Lagos, marking not just a company anniversary, but a powerful tribute to Nigerian innovation and the enduring strength of local manufacturing capacity. The celebration, hosted at the Lagos Motor Boat Club, gathered prominent business leaders, clients, and key stakeholders to recognize the company’s quarter-century journey of growth and its dedication to world-class local production. A Showcase of Nigerian Capacity The event offered a retrospective exhibition, showcasing the company’s evolution, including its first printed T-shirt from the year 2000. Guests proudly wore custom-designed patterns produced…

The 2025 Brands and Marketing Conference, hosted by the Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria (BJAN), became the platform for a crucial industry call to action regarding Artificial Intelligence (AI). Dr. Cherry Eromosele, Executive Vice President and Group Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Interswitch Group, delivered a keynote address (read by Tomi Ogunlesi, Divisional Head, Brands and Communications) emphasizing the need for a balanced, collaborative, and responsible approach to AI adoption by marketers and journalists. Addressing the conference theme, “AI and the Future of Marketing Workflow: Disruption or Opportunity?”, Dr. Eromosele framed AI not as a replacement for humans, but…

The Ascend360 Conference, a recent event in Lagos, provided Nigerian entrepreneurs, creatives, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with essential guidance on navigating the complex local economic environment to establish, safeguard, and expand their businesses. Hosted at the Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island, the conference was powered by Blaque Swann Legal Practitioners and centered around the practical theme: Build, Protect, and Grow. The event successfully brought together a blend of legal experts, seasoned business leaders, and digital professionals to share actionable strategies for enterprise development. The Mandate: Transformation and Shift In her opening address, Titilope Adisa Obafemi, Principal Partner at Blaque…

Chevron has confirmed its aggressive intent to significantly expand its operational footprint in Nigeria, announcing plans to participate in the country’s forthcoming oil licensing round and deploy a new drilling rig by late 2026. This commitment signals renewed confidence from a major international oil company (IOC) in Africa’s largest energy producer. Jim Swartz, Chairman and Managing Director of Chevron Nigeria/Mid-Africa Business Unit, made the announcement on Friday following a meeting with Nigeria’s upstream regulator. Swartz attributed the company’s bullish stance to the enhanced regulatory clarity provided by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). “We will participate in the next licensing round.…

Nigerian music heavyweight Oluwatosin “Mr Eazi” Ajibade has masterfully parlayed his fame into a formidable portfolio, transforming from a singer of laid-back hits to a venture capitalist with significant stakes across the continent. Through his investment firm, Zagadat Capital, and his diverse network of companies, he has built a business conglomerate spanning at least 18 African countries, focusing on everything from music technology and gaming to fintech, real estate, and talent development. The musician’s strategy blends his celebrity influence and intellectual property (IP) with strategic investments, effectively turning royalty streams and brand recognition into investable assets. Key Pillars of Mr.…

FairMoney Microfinance Bank is undergoing a rapid metamorphosis, transforming from its origins as a purely digital credit provider into a full-spectrum financial powerhouse. The institution is now rolling out a suite of crucial products, including competitive savings accounts, specialized business banking services, and structured SME financing. This strategic expansion is designed to directly support Nigeria’s broad financial inclusion mandates and bolster the Federal Government’s ambitious economic vision of achieving a $1 trillion economy by 2030. While the provision of quick, short-term credit remains a significant component of its operation—the foundation upon which it built its reputation after launching in 2017—the…

Before Moniepoint became a globally celebrated continental fintech success story, a nascent venture capital firm named Oui Capital recognized its potential and placed a foundational bet on the unassuming Nigerian startup. This strategic, early investment has now yielded a phenomenal return, achieving a rare milestone in the venture capital world. Oui Capital, an Africa-focused VC co-founded by Olu Oyinsan and Francesco Andreoli, issued a modest $150,000 check. This funding secured their position as one of Moniepoint’s inaugural backers when the company was an emergent force focused on transforming business banking, then valued at just $12.5 million. Though a relatively small…

The United Kingdom has formally initiated two major economic reform initiatives, valued at £12.4 million (approximately $15.5 million), designed to bolster Nigeria’s fiscal health, strengthen its macroeconomic stability, and enhance the competitiveness of its private sector. The programs, unveiled at the British High Commissioner’s residence in Abuja, are precisely structured to align with the Nigerian government’s core economic priorities and support long-term investment growth. The total grant funding is allocated across two distinct programs: Nigeria Economic Stability and Transformation (NEST) Nigeria Public Finance Facility (NPFF) Cynthia Rowe, Head of Development Cooperation at the British High Commission, marked the launch as…

The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), the federal body dedicated to simplifying business operations and enhancing policy frameworks in Nigeria, has published its comprehensive 2025 Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) Reports. These data-driven assessments provide a critical look at institutional efficiency across both subnational governments (states) and Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). The reports were officially released by PEBEC’s Director-General, Mrs. Zahrah Mustapha-Audu. I. Subnational Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) Report The Subnational EoDB Report evaluates how Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are fostering a competitive business climate. The assessment is based on performance…

A significant stride has been made in Nigeria’s quest for enhanced agricultural value addition, superior agro-processing, and the adoption of climate-resilient mechanics. A diverse assembly of local food equipment manufacturers from across the nation recently concluded an intensive, five-day technical workshop focused on the meticulous development of food processing machinery that is safer, energy-efficient, and manufactured entirely within the country. This crucial program, conducted in Lagos, was implemented under the umbrella of the Advancing Nutrition Through Female-Led Food Processing (ANTFem) project. It was spearheaded by the Food Health Systems Advisory in close collaboration with the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute.…

The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) recently concluded a visit to three key orientation sites in Northern Nigeria—specifically, the Kano, Jigawa, and Yobe States—where he addressed the newest intake of the 2025 Batch ‘C’ participants. His central message focused on prudent future planning for the young graduates. The top NYSC official strongly recommended that the Corps Members fully integrate the Scheme’s foundational tenets, commit to cultivating mutual supportive relationships, and actively champion cultural assimilation. He stressed the lasting value of networking, stating, “Cultivate friendships and embrace a spirit of communal support. Engage with your peers from diverse…

A major investment in Nigeria’s creative future has yielded impressive results, as the Yetroselane Fashion Hub successfully equipped one thousand young adults with specialized abilities for business ownership and professional advancement within the garment sector. This intervention represents a considerable boost to youth employment statistics and the development of new enterprises. The participants, ranging in age from 18 to 35, completed training under the WEFash Impact Project, an intensive incubation and accelerator model. This initiative was executed through a vital collaboration with the Challenge Fund for Youth Employment (CFYE) and the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The program’s design strategically…

The Hands of God Widows Support Initiative (HOGWIN) recently launched a comprehensive program called the Widows Financial Inclusion (WiFIn) Project, focusing on elevating basic trading ventures into financially robust, enduring enterprises. This effort signals a dedicated move away from simple assistance toward a model of targeted investment in the economic viability of participants. In a push to foster self-reliance, digital competence, and sound money management practices among Nigerian widows who are currently underserved, the August 2025 project rollout is a crucial step. The scheme culminates in the provision of seed funding for select beneficiaries, offering essential micro business grants intended…

Aspiring entrepreneurs focusing on climate technology and the circular economy now have a significant opportunity for expansion, thanks to the newly introduced Atunlo Green Earth Business Grant. This funding initiative is specifically designed to bolster the growth of high-impact companies dedicated to environmental sustainability. The program, also identified on official materials as the Ayo Ogunlowo Business Grant, will award a sum of N3,000,000 each to two successful candidates who demonstrate readiness to significantly advance their existing sustainable solutions. The core purpose of this financial injection is to spur immediate action, provide critical support for early-stage implementation, and accelerate momentum within…

Lafarge Africa Plc, a leading provider of building solutions across Nigeria, is actively addressing a significant opportunity within the nation’s labor pool by focusing on Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). To observe the recent International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the corporation hosted participants from its Disability-to-Ability (D2A) Programme, a pioneering vocational training initiative designed to furnish PWDs with highly marketable skills essential for securing self-employment and achieving financial independence. Operating under the rallying cry “Ability Reimagined,” the D2A curriculum is slated to deliver training to 100 individuals across four distinct entrepreneurial fields: repair of laptops and mobile devices, professional make-up…

In a strategic effort to foster a supportive environment for commerce, the Ebonyi State Government has inaugurated the Ebonyi One-Stop-Shop (EBOSS). This centralized hub is specifically designed to significantly improve the ease of doing business by eliminating bureaucratic obstacles that have historically impeded economic growth within the state. The launch event, held at the Staff Development Centre in Abakaliki, saw the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Oguzor Offia-Nwali, perform the unveiling on behalf of Governor Francis Nwifuru. Offia-Nwali explained that EBOSS will streamline administrative services for entrepreneurs and investors, including business registration and licensing. He emphasized that the newly approved…