Author: Gift Ifeanyi

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to deepen its relationship with Qatar, particularly in the areas of agriculture and economic cooperation. This commitment was made clear during a diplomatic visit by Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, who delivered a special message from the Amir of Qatar at the State House in Abuja on Friday. Tinubu welcomed the envoy warmly, noting that Qatar remains a trusted and strategic partner to Nigeria. “I deeply value our relationship with Qatar,” he said. “I’m pleased that the Amir continues to prioritize the discussions we began during…

OkHi, a Nigerian-based startup revolutionizing the smart addressing system, is making significant strides in enhancing financial inclusion across Africa. With plans to partner with leading banks and fintech companies over the next six months, OkHi aims to broaden access to financial services, particularly for underserved and informal communities. The innovative company has already secured partnerships with five African unicorns, focusing on creating better economic inclusion by simplifying access to financial services, especially for individuals who face challenges in verifying their addresses. In an exclusive interview with ITWeb Africa, OkHi’s Chief Product Officer, Roger Norton, shared insights into the company’s digital…

Ten years ago, Ovio Keturah returned to Nigeria with a bold vision— to build a business that would transform how small enterprises across Africa operate. Today, as the founder and CEO of Dukka, a leading tech company, Keturah reflects on a decade of resilience, reinvention, and valuable lessons in entrepreneurship. Keturah’s mission with Dukka is nothing short of transformative: digitizing millions of African small businesses, integrating them into the formal economy, and unlocking access to growth, credit, and long-term wealth. But for Keturah, the goal goes beyond business. She is equally passionate about nurturing the next generation of Nigerian entrepreneurs…

In a groundbreaking move to drive digital adoption in Nigeria, Ikwu Onyeka, a renowned tech innovator, has unveiled Kurrent.app — a game-changing no-code platform designed to help entrepreneurs, professionals, and organizations create sleek mobile websites, digital business cards, personalized bio URLs, and WhatsApp-powered stores, all in minutes and without needing any coding skills. The launch event, held in Lagos, saw Onyeka spotlighting the growing need for Nigerian businesses—especially Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)—to embrace accessible digital tools in order to remain competitive in today’s mobile-first, fast-paced economy. “While many Nigerian businesses are present on social media, few have a centralized,…

The Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy has officially launched the first phase of the Creative Economy Development Fund (CEDF), aimed at empowering Nigeria’s diverse creative sectors and establishing the country as a global leader in arts and cultural innovation. The first phase of applications—focused on funding requests of $100,000 or more—will close on May 30, 2025. A second round, which caters to smaller funding requests for SMEs and MSMEs, will open on August 4, 2025. Eligible applicants for the CEDF include writers, publishers, artists, filmmakers, fashion designers, gaming studios, tourism operators, and service providers across media,…

Spices are essential in cuisines worldwide, enhancing food with their unique flavours, colours, and aromas. But beyond their culinary uses, spices represent a lucrative global industry. Derived from plant parts like seeds, roots, bark, and dried fruits, spices can be used whole or ground. Popular spices include ginger, turmeric, cloves, and black pepper, many of which also offer health benefits such as reducing inflammation and providing antioxidants. The global spice industry is valued in the billions of dollars, with India leading as the largest producer, consumer, and exporter of spices, responsible for over 70% of global production. Other significant spice-producing…

In a bold move to bolster Nigeria’s entrepreneurial landscape, Stewardship Consulting LLC has announced the launch of the Ishoji Oroale Leadership Growth Camp, a two-day program designed to equip Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with vital leadership skills to navigate and succeed in today’s complex economy. The inaugural camp will take place on August 15–16, 2025, in Lagos, bringing together over 150 participants from across Nigeria. Under the theme “Leadership: Essential Skills for Organisational Growth,” the program is set to deliver impactful, hands-on learning to entrepreneurs, professionals, and future business leaders who play a crucial role in driving the…

The Federal Government has once again pledged its unwavering support for entrepreneurship and innovation in Nigeria’s expanding beauty sector. The commitment was made by the Minister for Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, during the graduation ceremony of the Masters of Beauty Academy in Abuja on Saturday. The event marked the graduation of 23 new professionals, the first public cohort of the academy, although more than 200 students have completed its programs in recent years. The 2025 batch is particularly diverse, with students ranging from Gen Z to older generations, reflecting the academy’s inclusive approach to beauty and wellness training. Sulaiman-Ibrahim, who…

In a strategic move to support small businesses, the Edo State Government has formed a partnership with the Bank of Industry (BOI) and LAPO Microfinance Bank to enhance access to credit facilities for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). This announcement was made by Mr. Amen Odigie, Managing Director of the Edo State Investment Promotion Office (ESIPO), during an information session held on Friday in Irrua, Esan Central Local Government Area of the state. Odigie highlighted that this collaboration is in line with Governor Monday Okpebholo’s commitment to strengthening grassroots economic development. He emphasized that the initiative aims to unlock…

The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has called on Corps Members to think creatively, take charge of their future, and avoid relying on others for their success. Addressing Corps Members at both the Benue State Orientation Camp in Wannune and the Nasarawa State Orientation Camp in Magaji Dan Yamusa, Keffi, North Central Nigeria, General Nafiu emphasized the importance of proactive thinking. He urged them to seek ways to add value to themselves, which would ultimately help them succeed in the wider world and contribute to the well-being of society. During his visit, which…

ABIDJAN — As the Africa CEO Forum takes center stage this year, a quiet yet impactful gathering is making waves, extending far beyond the elegant venue of La Résidence. HER Circle, the debut salon-style event heralding The HERitage Collective, signifies the start of a pan-African initiative dedicated to bridging the gap between ambition and opportunity for emerging African women leaders. The concept is both simple and powerful: While women across the continent and diaspora are already making bold strides, the systems designed to fast-track their leadership often remain fragmented and difficult to access. HER Circle offers a deliberate alternative—an environment…

Nigeria’s logistics sector is projected to surpass $3 trillion in growth by 2030, contributing to the global logistics industry, which is expected to reach a total value of over $9 trillion. This projection was made by Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, during the inauguration of the international headquarters of Zenith Carex, a leading logistics firm, in Abuja. The event also marked the 51st birthday of Zenith Carex’s Managing Director/CEO, Dr. Adelana Olamilekan. Dr. Oduwole emphasized the importance of the logistics industry’s expansion, particularly in Africa, where intercontinental trade is poised to flourish under the African…

Aderogba Abdulazeez Ayinde, a forward-thinking Nigerian entrepreneur, has launched Bada, a groundbreaking digital platform aimed at bridging the divide between underserved communities and modern financial services across Africa. Officially rolled out in May 2025, Bada is now available on Google Play and Apple’s iOS Store, offering users a unified solution that integrates gift card trading, cryptocurrency exchange, bill payments, and digital wallet functionalities under one streamlined interface. Bada is tailored to meet the needs of a diverse user base—including students, freelancers, small business owners, and informal traders—many of whom remain excluded from conventional banking services. By delivering accessible and user-friendly…

As part of its ongoing mission to uplift women in business, Women Impacting Nigeria (WIN) successfully concluded its AccelerateHer Outreach Initiative on March 22, 2025, in Bariga, Lagos, commemorating International Women’s Day 2025 in a deeply impactful way. In partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, DevGlobal, Dev-Afrique, and GTCO, WIN supported 50 women entrepreneurs with tailored business training, financial education, and ₦50,000 micro-grants—each designed to accelerate their ventures and promote financial independence. Empowerment Beyond a Day: A Sustained Commitment Although the outreach was held in March, WIN continues to highlight its achievements into May, reinforcing its belief that…

Dangote Cement has lost its long-held spot at the top of the Top 20 West African Companies list after three consecutive years of declining market value. Once worth $11.2 billion in 2022, its value now stands at $5.3 billion, reflecting both market challenges and the continued weakening of the Nigerian naira. BUA Foods, another Nigerian giant, also saw a dip from $5.2 billion in 2024 to $4.9 billion in this year’s assessment. Both firms have been surpassed by Airtel Africa, which surged from $5 billion to $7.8 billion, buoyed by its strong performance across multiple African markets. Although headquartered and…

Industry experts and key stakeholders from across Africa’s logistics, aviation, export, and digital trade sectors will gather in Lagos for the Chinet Aviacargo Conference 2025 to discuss how e-commerce is reshaping the logistics landscape on the continent. As the only air cargo-focused event in West Africa, the conference promises to spotlight the crucial intersection between digital commerce and supply chain innovation. Scheduled to be held on September 16, 2025, at Eko Hotels and Suites, the event runs alongside the 21st Akwaaba African Travel Market and will explore the theme: “How E-Commerce is Shaping the Future of Logistics in Africa.” The…

The possibility of Meta Platforms discontinuing Facebook and Instagram services in Nigeria has sparked grave concern among technology experts and entrepreneurs, who warn that the move could severely disrupt the operations of over 20 million micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the country. With a long history of clashes with regulators worldwide, Meta’s latest dispute stems from a $290 million fine levied by three Nigerian agencies. After failing to overturn the penalties in court, the tech giant is now reportedly considering pulling its platforms out of the Nigerian market—a decision that could devastate the nation’s digital ecosystem and tax…

Airtel Nigeria has unveiled plans to significantly ramp up its capital investment in the country after returning to profitability, marking a major step forward in its long-term growth strategy. The announcement comes as parent company Airtel Africa posted a robust $328 million profit after tax for the fiscal year ending March 2025—an impressive recovery from the $89 million profit reported the previous year. In 2024, the group’s earnings were heavily impacted by foreign exchange losses, particularly in Nigeria. In the 2025 financial year, Airtel Nigeria allocated $168 million toward capital projects—a sharp 33% decline from the $252 million invested the…

Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has stated that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is prioritizing the digital economy as a key driver of economic growth, aiming to elevate its contribution to 21% of the nation’s GDP. Speaking during a visit to his former secondary school, Anglican Grammar School, Onikolobo in Abeokuta, the minister highlighted that the digital sector already accounts for 16% to 18% of Nigeria’s GDP, with strategic efforts underway to increase this figure significantly. Massive Fibre Infrastructure and Educational Investment Tijani announced a national fibre optic rollout of 90,000 kilometers, describing it as a…

In a bid to drive innovation, sustainability, and economic growth, Junior Achievement Africa (JA Africa) and Boeing have unveiled two transformative programs in Nigeria and Togo aimed at equipping young people with critical skills for the future. These programs will focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education and entrepreneurship, providing youth with the tools to thrive in these fast-growing sectors. Empowering Girls in Nigeria through ‘Girls STEMpreneurship’ In Nigeria, the newly launched ‘Girls STEMpreneurship’ program will welcome 500 secondary school girls, who will gain hands-on experience in fields such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The top-performing…