Author: Gift Ifeanyi

Reaffirming its dedication to empowering Nigerian youth and fostering long-term economic sustainability, International Breweries Plc has officially launched the 2025 edition of its flagship Kickstart Initiative — a decade-strong program designed to ignite youth entrepreneurship across the country. Celebrating its 10th year, the initiative remains rooted in its mission to equip ambitious young Nigerians with the tools, funding, and mentorship required to turn small ideas into thriving enterprises. Dr. Peter Bamkole, Chairman of the Advisory Board at the International Breweries Foundation, emphasized the importance of youth-led innovation in shaping the nation’s future. “We believe Nigeria’s economic transformation lies with its…

While many chase the spotlight, Kenneth Nwokike is quietly crafting a future where entrepreneurship in Africa is not just possible, but practical, scalable, and empowering. From smart financial dashboards to real-time payment systems and grassroots mentorship, Kenneth is shaping a new digital foundation for African businesses—one carefully designed tool at a time. Aroda Finance: Bringing Order to Business Chaos For small business owners in Nigeria juggling multiple roles, Aroda Finance offers clarity and control. Built to serve as a central business command center, Aroda simplifies inventory, invoicing, CRM, and remote operations across locations. “I wanted to give entrepreneurs a dashboard…

Despite mounting global trade tensions and one of the weakest worldwide economic outlooks in nearly two decades, the World Bank has maintained a positive growth forecast for Nigeria, projecting a 3.6% GDP increase in 2025. In its latest global economic outlook released Tuesday, the Washington-based institution highlighted Nigeria’s services sector—notably finance, telecommunications, and ICT—as the primary engine behind this growth trajectory. “Growth in Nigeria is forecast to strengthen to 3.6 percent in 2025 and to an average of 3.8 percent in 2026–27,” the report stated. Services Drive Growth While Oil Falters Africa’s largest economy saw its fastest growth in a…

In a compelling session with young business leaders in Ikoyi, Lagos, Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh, Africa’s most celebrated technology entrepreneur and Chairman of Zinox Group, laid out a powerful blueprint for entrepreneurial survival in Nigeria’s complex economic terrain. Ekeh, widely regarded for revolutionizing Africa’s tech landscape, declared that navigating the Nigerian business environment requires more than just innovation—it demands a fusion of strategic depth, ethical leadership, and relentless resilience. To illustrate his point, he drew inspiration from three of Nigeria’s most prominent political figures—President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and Mr. Peter Obi. The Composite Strength Every Nigerian Entrepreneur…

Four emerging business educators have successfully completed the International Labour Organisation’s Start and Improve Your Business (ILO-SIYB) Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop, positioning themselves to make a meaningful impact on Nigeria’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Held virtually over a rigorous 10-day period, the program was facilitated by ILO-SIYB Master Trainer Kemisola Rosamond T’Oluwanimi, who equipped participants with internationally recognized tools to coach both budding and seasoned entrepreneurs across the country. Empowering Trainers, Empowering Nigeria The ILO-SIYB program, established in 1996 and tailored for the Nigerian and South African business environments, is a globally acclaimed initiative that promotes sustainable small business development. This…

The sixth edition of the Lagos Young Entrepreneur Awards (Layeawards) is slated for September 2025, offering a dynamic platform to honour exceptional young entrepreneurs whose ventures are helping position Lagos State as Africa’s fifth largest economy. The announcement came via a formal statement released by A List Events and Entertainment Company, the organiser of the prestigious awards ceremony. With a focus on inspiring a new generation of business leaders, the event seeks to reward innovation, promote excellence, and reinforce the critical role of entrepreneurship in driving economic progress. A Celebration of Enterprise and Impact According to Oluwanisola Ashifat, CEO and…

Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group and Africa’s wealthiest individual, has been honoured with the prestigious title of 2024 African Business Icon of the Year by Champion Newspapers, in recognition of his unmatched influence on industrialization and economic development across the continent. The honour was presented during the Champion Newspapers Annual Awards ceremony held in Lagos, where Tunde Oladipo, Group Branding Lead of Dangote Industries, accepted the award on Dangote’s behalf. A Titan of Industry and Philanthropy Dangote’s recognition goes beyond corporate success. He was also named “Man of the Year” and “Global Business Icon”, further underscoring his leadership…

At the unveiling of Immortal AI in Lagos, Femi Bejide, CEO of Statisense, delivered a bold message: Nigeria’s path to economic stability and growth hinges on empowering businesses—particularly SMEs—with intelligent data tools. Bejide asserted that economic democracy—a system where businesses of every size have the opportunity to thrive—cannot be realized without a deep integration of data-driven decision-making across the entrepreneurial landscape. He emphasized that in leading economies, enterprise success and longevity are not left to chance, but are shaped by access to actionable insights derived from structured data. “Strong economies are built on strong businesses. And strong businesses rely on…

Abuja, Nigeria – A historic transformation has taken place in Nigeria’s capital as authorities officially rebranded the long-standing Abuja International Conference Centre, now christened the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, in tribute to the sitting president. During a formal unveiling ceremony led by President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike announced the new name and underscored a renewed vision for the facility’s relevance and sustainability. Calling the newly refurbished centre a “world-class venue befitting international standards,” Wike emphasized the need for rigorous maintenance and equitable access policies. “It doesn’t matter who you are —…

Kigali, Rwanda – In a groundbreaking move to reshape the global property landscape, the Nation Association of Realtors (NAR) has launched its inaugural Regional Real Estate Summit, bringing together a vibrant cross-section of industry leaders, policymakers, and investors from across continents. Hosted under the theme “Elevating Global Standards: A New Era for Real Estate,” the summit served as a catalyst for transformative dialogue on ethics, innovation, and inclusive growth in property markets. With hundreds in attendance, the event underscored a growing demand for strategic partnerships and integrity-driven practices across borders. Raising the Bar on Professionalism Delivering a rousing keynote, NAR…

Abuja, Nigeria – As Africa’s energy landscape evolves with unprecedented urgency and opportunity, global industry stakeholders are preparing to converge at the 2025 NOG Energy Week — a landmark summit poised to redefine the continent’s energy future through investment, innovation, and international collaboration. Slated for June 29 to July 3, 2025, at the recently renamed Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja, the conference is themed “Accelerating Global Energy Progress Through Investment, Partnerships, and Innovation.” The event marks a strategic turning point in how Africa envisions its role in the global energy order. Reimagining Energy Through Innovation and Capital…

Lagos, Nigeria — Stakeholders across Africa’s impact investment landscape have called on the Nigerian government to play a more decisive role in unlocking capital for the country’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), emphasising that policy reform and implementation are critical to driving economic resilience and inclusive growth. This call was made during a high-level roundtable held in Lagos on Monday, ahead of the 2025 Africa Impact Summit Study Tour in Nigeria. The event brought together top policymakers, global investors, and ecosystem leaders under the joint convening of Impact Investors Foundation, Impact Investing Ghana, GSG Impact, Alitheia Capital, and Kuramo…

Benin City, Nigeria — A wave of entrepreneurial optimism swept through Benin City today as business leaders, government officials, and development partners gathered for a pivotal strategic session ahead of the launch of Edo Business Connect — Nigeria’s first state-backed, fully digital business platform. The trailblazing initiative is spearheaded by the Edo State Investment Promotion Office (ESIPO) in partnership with GIZ and the Edo State Development and Investment Digital Access (EDODiDA). Together, they aim to digitally transform the way businesses operate, grow, and interact with government institutions across the state. Expected to go live before August 2025, Edo Business Connect…

Despite an estimated $1.16 trillion in global impact investment, much of this capital remains out of reach for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria and Ghana, largely due to structural challenges and low investment readiness. This gap in accessibility has prompted calls from industry leaders for stronger institutional support and strategic reforms to enable local businesses to benefit from this vast funding opportunity. These issues took center stage during a High-Level Roundtable in Lagos, held as part of the 2025 Africa Impact Summit Study Tour. The event was hosted by the Impact Investors Foundation Nigeria (IIF) and brought together…

Keystone Bank Limited has once again been recognized for its pivotal role in advancing Nigeria’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), clinching the Most SME-Friendly Bank of the Year 2024 award at the prestigious Champion Newspapers Annual Awards held in Lagos. This award highlights the bank’s exceptional contributions to expanding access to finance and fostering strategic growth for SMEs across the country. According to the organisers, Keystone Bank has demonstrated consistent leadership in providing tailored financial services that empower businesses and fuel sustainable economic development. The accolade was formally presented to Nnenna Anyim-Okoro, Executive Director of South and Corporate Banking at…

Yes, we vote. Occasionally. We have multiple political parties. We’ve transitioned from military rule to civilian governance. But democracy is not a box-checking exercise—it is a promise. At its core, democracy must deliver freedom, dignity, and opportunity. It must not only give people the right to vote, but also the power to prosper. And this is where Nigeria’s democratic journey faces a critical fault line. While political transitions have occurred, economic transformation has lagged. For millions of Nigerians—entrepreneurs and professionals alike—democracy has meant little in real terms. They battle suffocating bureaucracy, unstable policies, inflation, and inadequate infrastructure. Despite ambition and…

In a socio-economic environment where entrepreneurship often arises from necessity rather than choice, few individuals have managed to turn adversity into a sustainable and impactful enterprise. Honour E. Ndah stands out as one such trailblazer—a resilient Nigerian woman who transformed career disappointments into a mission that is redefining Nigeria’s small business landscape. Today, she is more than an SME consultant; she is a strategist, mentor, and advocate for inclusive enterprise development. Honour’s journey began in her early twenties, shortly after graduating and facing a string of rejection emails from graduate trainee programs at top firms. Her vision of joining a…

Ashoka, a global network of social innovators, has unveiled the fourth cohort of its Ashoka Young Changemakers (AYC) and recognized outstanding secondary schools in Lagos for their exceptional performance in its Changemakers training programme. Nine outstanding young individuals were inducted into the AYC network—an initiative that identifies and supports youth who demonstrate exceptional leadership, teamwork, and a drive to solve social problems within their communities. During the 2025 Young Changemakers Festival held in Lagos, Ashoka celebrated these emerging leaders and presented cash prizes totaling ₦875,000 to three schools that excelled in the Changemakers programme: First Place: Abule-Eko Community Junior Grammar…

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has called on Nigerian women entrepreneurs to leverage their growing influence to boost the nation’s economy and strengthen their role in governance. Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Gbájéníyì of Egbaland, High Chief Temitope Fawehinmi, and her entourage at his private residence in Boroboro, Oyo town, Oba Owoade emphasized the vital role women must play in shaping Nigeria’s socio-economic future. Highlighting the rapid rise in the population of women in the country, the monarch stressed the need for women to translate their numerical advantage into tangible prosperity and political relevance. “There must…

Former President Goodluck Jonathan officially launched the Development Bank of Nigeria with an initial capital base of $1.5 billion (approximately ₦300 billion), aiming to transform access to long-term financing for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across the country. Designed to provide medium- to long-term loans with tenors of up to 10 years and grace periods extending to 18 months, the bank is expected to address one of the major challenges confronting Nigeria’s small businesses—limited access to affordable credit. The initiative is supported by several global development institutions, including the African Development Bank, the World Bank, Agence Française de Développement,…