Author: Gift Ifeanyi

Nigeria has officially exited the “crisis management” phase that characterized the first two years of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.1 Speaking at the launch of the 2026 Macroeconomic Outlook Report in Lagos, Finance Minister Wale Edun declared that the era of turbulent transitions—marked by subsidy removals and currency unification—has paved the way for a period of economic consolidation. The government’s new mandate is clear: translate macroeconomic stability into “lived experiences” for Nigerians through job creation, food security, and infrastructure resilience. 1. Key Performance Indicators: The 2025 “Steadying” Before forecasting 2026, the Minister highlighted the recovery metrics recorded over the past year.…

As of January 16, 2026, a major diplomatic and economic storm is brewing between Abuja and Washington. Ambassador Joe Keshi, Nigeria’s former permanent secretary and veteran diplomat, has issued a stark warning regarding the United States’ indefinite suspension of immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, including Nigeria. The policy, set to take effect on January 21, 2026, targets countries deemed “high risk” for usage of public benefits.1 Ambassador Keshi argues that this move is not merely about immigration—it is a direct threat to the $24 billion annual remittance lifeline that keeps millions of Nigerian households above the poverty…

A new paradigm has emerged among Africa’s industrial elite. The era of being a “net consumer” of global technology and commodities is being replaced by a aggressive drive toward computational and resource sovereignty. From Strive Masiyiwa’s AI factories to Femi Otedola’s total banking pivot, the continent’s wealthiest are betting on high-stakes structural shifts rather than mere survival. 1. Strive Masiyiwa: The $720M “Sovereign AI” Pivot In late 2025, Strive Masiyiwa executed a strategic transition from telecommunications to foundational AI infrastructure. Partnering with Nvidia, Masiyiwa’s Cassava Technologies is building a network of AI Factories across five key hubs: South Africa, Nigeria,…

The definition of business success in Nigeria has undergone a radical transformation. The era of “loud visibility” and “clever survival” has been replaced by a more disciplined reality. Following the full commencement of the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 on January 1st, the country has moved from a reactive business environment to a structured fiscal landscape. In this new economy, growth without structure is no longer viewed as ambition—it is considered strategic exposure. To win in 2026, entrepreneurs must pivot toward a new “Scorecard” that values transparency as much as profit. 1. The First Metric: Fiscal Visibility In 2026, opacity is…

ARM Investment Managers has officially disrupted the traditional lending landscape with the launch of the ARM Private Debt Fund. This ₦200 billion shelf programme represents one of the most significant moves toward non-bank financing in sub-Saharan Africa, specifically engineered to provide “patient capital” to a segment long neglected by commercial banks. The fund arrives at a pivotal moment. While Nigerian SMEs contribute nearly 50% of the GDP, they face a staggering $158 billion financing gap. With traditional banks constrained by a 20-22% Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) and rigorous regulatory hurdles, private credit is emerging as the essential bridge for industrial…

The Nigerian financial landscape is witnessing a massive capital injection from the Alert Group. Following a year of explosive growth where total assets surged from ₦2.9 billion in 2023 to a staggering ₦63 billion by the end of 2025, the Group has officially committed to a ₦130 billion loan disbursement target for 2026. This “war chest” is specifically designed to bypass traditional banking bottlenecks, providing rapid-response capital to over 60,000 active customers and a growing pool of underserved entrepreneurs. 1. The Alert Ecosystem: A Multi-Pronged Financial Machine The 2026 expansion is driven by four specialized subsidiaries, each tackling a different…

The Sahel region’s geopolitical landscape has shifted from diplomatic cooperation to a “command economy” for security. Niger’s Ministry of Transport has just delivered a stark ultimatum to its private logistics sector: regional solidarity is no longer optional. By revoking the licenses of 14 road haulage operators and withdrawing the permits of 19 drivers, the Nigerien government has essentially nationalized the risk associated with the “Niamey-Bamako Axis.” This move marks a critical escalation in the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) strategy to break the jihadist “siege” on Mali. 1. The Strategic Chokepoint: The 1,400km “Corridor of Fire” The 1,400-kilometer route between…

As of January 2026, Nigeria’s entrepreneurial ecosystem has entered a “harvest year” under the Renewed Hope Agenda. With the launch of the Renewed Hope Development Plan (2026–2030), the Federal Government has shifted from emergency reforms to a structured drive toward a $1 trillion economy. For the modern Nigerian entrepreneur, the landscape is no longer just about “survival” but about formalization and scale. Below is the definitive guide to the new incentives, digital shifts, and legal frameworks governing business in 2026. 1. Strategic Funding & Incentives (2026 Edition) The government has consolidated multiple funding streams into high-impact portals to reduce “middleman”…

Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima hosted a high-level delegation from the MIT Kuo Sharper Centre for Prosperity and Entrepreneurship at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The meeting was centered on the Kuo Sharper Foundry Fellowship (2025–2026), a transformative initiative aimed at bridging the gap between African startups and global capital. Lauding the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for its “transformative impact,” Shettima highlighted a staggering statistic: the MIT ecosystem has raised over $1.5 billion and created 30,000 direct jobs globally over the past two decades. 1. The Foundry Fellowship: Accelerating the African Engine Led by Executive Director Dina Sherif, the…

A key player in Nigeria’s logistics and supply chain sector, Fembol Group—unveiled the winners of its maiden Fembol Student Grant. The initiative, which drew over 500 applications from universities across the country, is designed to turn academic research and raw ideas into market-ready ventures. By moving beyond simple financial aid, Fembol is positioning itself as a “venture-builder” for the youth, providing a structured funnel of mentorship, validation, and capital. 1. The Winners: Solving Health, Energy, and Sanitation The three grand prize winners represent high-growth sectors where innovation is most needed in sub-Saharan Africa. Position Startup Name Founder Core Innovation Winner…

In a targeted move to cushion economic pressures and stimulate local growth, the Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, recently empowered 300 residents of the Alimosho Federal Constituency. The initiative, led by Commissioner Akinyemi Ajigbotafe on Saturday, January 10, 2026, utilized the Alimosho Local Government Secretariat as a hub for distributing cash grants, food items, and educational support. Breakdown of the Empowerment Program The program adopted a multi-sectoral approach, ensuring that support reached the most critical areas of the community: Beneficiary Category Number Assisted Form of Support Small Business Owners 100 Entrepreneurs Direct cash support…

As of January 2026, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) continues to solidify its reputation as a leading champion of youth-led social impact in Nigeria. At the 25th Anniversary Gala and Awards of Enactus Nigeria, held in late 2025 at the Civic Centre in Lagos, the bank was conferred with the prestigious Changemaker Collaboration Award. This recognition highlights a decade-long partnership that has transformed the lives of thousands of students across more than 30 tertiary institutions nationwide. Enactus Nigeria: 25 Years of Excellence Enactus (formerly Students in Free Enterprise – SIFE) is a global non-profit that provides a platform for university…

On January 7, 2026, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva announced that Abebe Aemro Selassie will retire as Director of the African Department (AFR) on May 1, 2026.1 His departure marks the end of a transformative decade-long leadership of the Fund’s most complex regional portfolio. An Ethiopian national who joined the IMF in 1994, Selassie’s 32-year career has been defined by his role as a bridge between global financial architecture and African economic aspirations. A Decade of Crisis and Reform (2016–2026) Since taking the helm in 2016, Selassie steered the department through a period of unprecedented global shocks.4 His tenure is…

Zenith Bank stands as a pillar of African finance, a transformation driven by Jim Ovia’s philosophy of “patient capital.” Under his guidance, the bank has transitioned from a converted residential house in Victoria Island to a global financial powerhouse with total assets exceeding ₦31 trillion ($21.9 billion) and shareholders’ equity of ₦4.7 trillion ($3.3 billion) as of September 2025. Strategic Growth and Market Dominance Zenith Bank has maintained its position as Nigeria’s most profitable lender, consistently delivering high returns despite currency volatility and inflationary pressures. Financial Resilience: In 2024, the bank posted a record profit of ₦1.03 trillion ($670 million),…

Terra Industries (formerly known as Terrahaptix) has officially emerged from stealth mode, announcing a record-breaking $11.75 million seed funding round. This investment, led by Silicon Valley’s 8VC, marks a pivotal moment for African sovereign security, positioning Terra as the continent’s first “defense prime”—a vertically integrated technology provider similar to the U.S. firm Anduril. The company is led by two young visionaries: Nathan Nwachuku (22), a former Physics Olympiad representative and edtech founder, and Maxwell Maduka (24), a former Nigerian Navy UAV engineer who previously sold his first drone startup to an automotive firm. 1. Strategic Backing from Global Defense Giants…

In a major breakthrough during the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates officially signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. The agreement, signed during a bilateral meeting between President Bola Tinubu and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, marks the formal end to previous diplomatic frictions and sets a new course for massive trade expansion and investment protection. 1. Key Highlights of the CEPA Trade Deal The agreement is designed to dismantle trade barriers and provide legal certainty for investors in both nations. Feature Details of…

Despite the macroeconomic headwinds that characterized much of 2024 and 2025, Nigeria enters 2026 as a formidable pillar of African innovation. While the funding landscape has shifted toward profitability and debt over raw growth, Nigerian startups raised over $410 million in 2025, positioning the country as a leader in the “Big Four” African tech hubs (alongside Kenya, Egypt, and South Africa). Government initiatives, such as the $617 million iDICE programme, are set to launch two additional funds in 2026 specifically targeting technology and creative startups, further fueling this momentum. Five Startups to Watch in 2026 1. Chowdeck: From Food to…

As of January 2026, the economic partnership between West and East Africa is seeing a significant boost through the activities of Dr. Odera Ozoka, a Nigerian-American entrepreneur and filmmaker. Recently appointed by President Yoweri Museveni as the Special Mobilizer for Credible Investors for Uganda, Dr. Ozoka is bridging the gap between the Nigerian diaspora and East African markets. His work focuses on the “spirit of Pan-Africanism,” moving beyond national borders to foster shared growth through gender-inclusive development. The Mission: Empowering Northern Uganda’s Women Working alongside Uganda’s Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Betty Amongi, Dr. Ozoka is currently on…

As of mid-January 2026, the Nigerian insurance industry is at a critical crossroads. A proposal to exempt foreign insurance companies from paying tax on premiums sourced from Nigeria has sparked a heated debate between the federal government and local operators. While proponents argue that tax breaks for foreign insurers would deepen market penetration, domestic firms warn that it creates a “harmful and unfair” disadvantage during a sensitive period of industry rehabilitation. 1. The Core of the Controversy The proposal stems from a review of the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 by KPMG Nigeria, which suggested that removing Withholding Tax (WHT) on…

High Chief Royal Ifechukwu Asianya, the Managing Director of Royal C. Investment Company (Nigeria) Limited, has transformed a 1993 apprenticeship at the Nkwo Nnewi spare parts market into a leading automotive empire. His journey is a classic testament to the “Nnewi Model” of business—starting with humility, surviving market collapses, and eventually dominating a niche. Today, Royal C. Investment stands as Nigeria’s foremost importer of fairly used Coaster and Hiace buses, serving as a critical backbone for Nigeria’s interstate and intra-city transportation networks. The Evolution of Royal C. Investment Chief Asianya’s career is marked by strategic pivots in response to shifting…