Author: Gift Ifeanyi

Cape Town — The 2025 edition of the Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) came to a vibrant close on October 31, as eight exceptional women from across the continent were celebrated for their groundbreaking work in technology, energy, agriculture, creativity, and social impact. The awards gala, held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), marked the grand finale of the two-day AWIEF2025 Conference, which gathered over 500 delegates representing more than 50 countries. From emerging innovators to industry veterans, the winners reflected the growing influence of women in shaping Africa’s entrepreneurial and economic transformation. Among those honoured…

Lagos — A new voice has emerged in the African business landscape with the debut of Traxis Africa Magazine, a publication dedicated to showcasing the creativity and resilience of African entrepreneurs often overlooked in mainstream media. At the launch event in Lagos, the magazine’s founder, Mrs. Ijeoma Okonkwo, said the platform was born out of a determination to rewrite how the world perceives African innovation and enterprise. She emphasized that the publication aims to celebrate real stories of impact, consistency, and growth rather than fleeting moments of publicity. Drawing from her experience organizing business exhibitions, Okonkwo noted that many small…

In a continent where access to capital and political networks often define success, Dr. Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi carved an extraordinary path — one built not on privilege or connections, but on vision, grit, and relentless innovation. As the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nestoil Limited, he stands today at the helm of one of Sub-Saharan Africa’s most diversified industrial powerhouses, with interests that cut across oil and gas, energy, aviation, real estate, manufacturing, and communications. His business journey began humbly in 1983 when he launched Obijackson West Africa Limited, a small trading firm that imported household goods, engineering tools, and…

Abu Dhabi — The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has announced plans to raise its equity interest in the $20 billion Dangote Petroleum Refinery to 20 percent, reinforcing Nigeria’s bid for energy independence and stronger participation in the downstream oil market. The disclosure was made by Bayo Ojulari, Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., during a session at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC) 2025. Ojulari explained that the strategic expansion aligns with the company’s long-term goal of deepening domestic refining, ensuring energy security, and promoting broader Nigerian ownership in key energy assets. “Our…

We are excited to announce that Mine Media will be covering the Founder Institute Lagos Cohort XII Graduation and Ecosystem Gathering. A landmark event celebrating Africa’s next generation of startup founders building scalable and impact-driven businesses. Themed “Build. Impact. Scale. Fueling Africa’s Growth Through Scalable Innovation,” the event will bring together founders, ecosystem leaders, investors, and partners committed to advancing Africa’s innovation economy. Over the past 14+ weeks, this cohort has undergone one of the world’s most rigorous accelerator programs — iterating, validating, building, and positioning their ventures for scale. Their work spans sectors critical to Africa’s future: from education…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended warm congratulations to renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist Femi Otedola, Chairman of Geregu Power Plc, as he marks his birthday on November 4. In his message, President Tinubu praised Otedola for his outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s economic advancement, describing him as a visionary whose entrepreneurial drive and investments have strengthened the nation’s energy sector and inspired new standards of excellence in private enterprise. The President commended the business magnate’s innovation, resilience, and commitment to corporate responsibility, noting that his achievements serve as a powerful example for emerging entrepreneurs across the country. President Tinubu also highlighted…

Nigeria’s leading business body, the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), has kicked off a renewed push to expand trade and investment ties with China through a high-level business forum now underway in Guangzhou. The gathering represents more than an event — it marks the revival of direct engagement between Nigerian enterprises and Chinese partners, a practice last seen in 2015. At the heart of this initiative is a shared goal: giving Nigerian businesses greater exposure and stronger representation within one of the world’s most dynamic markets. During a closed-door session between NACCIMA delegates and…

The Skyewise Empowerment and Advancement Foundation (SEAF) has officially begun accepting applications for the 2025 Skyewise Foundation Entrepreneurship Grant, one of its flagship initiatives under the upcoming Meet the CEOs 5.0 Conference. This year’s grant aims to fuel the growth of young entrepreneurs and early-stage startups that are harnessing innovation to solve pressing societal and economic challenges. The program underscores SEAF’s mission to strengthen Nigeria’s startup ecosystem and support transformative ideas capable of driving sustainable development. Grant Purpose and Vision Through the Entrepreneurship Grant, SEAF seeks to identify and fund forward-thinking founders who are creating scalable solutions with measurable community…

At a recent event in Lagos, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi challenged Nigerians to rethink what true wealth means, stressing that the nation’s progress depends on nurturing entrepreneurs rather than glorifying money. He shared this message while attending the launch of Ebele Obi’s book, “Just Go Further! Becoming the Total Entrepreneur,” where he lamented that many young people associate success solely with financial gain, overlooking innovation, creativity, and hard work. “Our challenge as a country is that the younger generation believes wealth is measured by money,” Obi said. “We have people around us who have built genuine wealth…

A quiet but notable shift is unfolding in Nigeria’s financial markets as local investors, once heavily positioned in dollar assets, are now rebalancing toward naira-denominated investments. The change comes amid renewed interest from Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs), whose return has injected fresh momentum into the country’s capital markets. Market analysts attribute this reversal to a mix of factors — including the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) aggressive monetary tightening, the naira’s sustained appreciation, and the lure of high-yield domestic instruments. Nigeria’s elevated interest rate regime has pushed yields on short-term government securities, such as Treasury Bills and Open Market Operations…

Guided by a vision of economic transformation and regional empowerment, Odua Investment Company Limited stands as a symbol of resilience and innovation in Nigeria’s business landscape. Established under the visionary leadership of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the conglomerate has evolved from its foundational roots in real estate into a diversified powerhouse spanning hospitality, agriculture, insurance, ICT, and oil and gas. Under the leadership of Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, Odua Investment Company continues to strengthen its position as a driver of sustainable development across the Southwest. Ashiru’s leadership philosophy emphasizes consolidation, transparency, and smart investment — values that have redefined the company’s trajectory…

In a bold move to strengthen youth-led enterprises, Bumpa, a leading digital business management platform, has teamed up with the Bank of Industry (BoI) to empower 200 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across Nigeria. The joint initiative aims to provide young entrepreneurs with six months of free access to business management tools, training, and hands-on digital support to help them scale sustainably. This partnership aligns with BoI’s broader mission to drive inclusive economic growth and support the Federal Government’s ambition of building a $1 trillion economy. By focusing on digital adoption and business modernization, the program directly addresses the…

For years, the United Kingdom has been a dream destination for thousands of young Nigerians seeking better lives abroad. From care homes to hospitals, the UK’s Health and Care Worker visa offered a stable pathway out of Nigeria’s harsh economic climate. But that era is fading fast.With the UK set to halt new Health and Care Worker visas for foreign care workers starting July 22, 2025, a once-dependable migration route is closing — leaving many Nigerians questioning what’s next. This policy shift, part of a broader immigration clampdown designed to reduce net migration, has hit Nigeria’s youth especially hard. As…

In a major push to make taxation fairer and more inclusive, the Federal Government has approved a new tax reform framework set to take effect on January 1, 2026.The reform package introduces 50 targeted exemptions and reliefs designed to cushion the impact of rising living costs on salary earners, pensioners, and small-scale entrepreneurs. The initiative, led by Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, represents one of the most extensive restructurings of Nigeria’s tax system in decades. The goal, according to the committee, is to simplify the process, eliminate multiple taxation, and boost compliance by…

Across Nigeria, formal business registration is often promoted as the key to growth, stability, and access to finance. On paper, joining the formal economy opens doors to visibility, protection, and new opportunities. Yet, in practice, millions of small and micro-entrepreneurs continue to thrive informally, far removed from government systems and official recognition. Despite continuous awareness campaigns and policy reforms, most of Nigeria’s micro and small enterprises still operate outside regulatory frameworks. Many entrepreneurs see little value in registration — not out of defiance, but due to harsh economic realities that prioritize survival over structure. According to the Moniepoint Informal Economy…

Technology will take center stage at the 2025 Annual Conference and Gala Night of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) Nigeria Branch, following the appointment of T2 as the exclusive technology partner for the prestigious event. The partnership highlights the increasing influence of digital innovation in redefining arbitration and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) across Africa. Scheduled to take place in Lagos from November 12 to 14, 2025, the conference will explore the theme “Connecting the Dots: Core Principles, Innovation, and Meaningful Outcomes in ADR.” It is expected to draw leading professionals from the legal, corporate, and policy sectors to discuss…

Lagos, Nigeria — A consortium of industry experts has called for a renewed emphasis on collaboration, agile leadership, and intelligent automation as the backbone of Nigeria’s small and medium enterprise (SME) growth. At the inaugural SixthSense Leadership Roundtable, held under the banner “Thriving in the Next Decade: People, Technology, and Strategy Systems,” practitioners explored practical paths to resilience amid a rapidly changing global landscape. Leadership as the engine of scale Bright Ukwenga, principal consultant and convener of SixthSense Leadership Consulting, framed leadership as the critical multiplier in business growth. “Starting a venture may rely on a single bold mover, but…

In the dynamic world of Nigeria’s foreign exchange scene, recent developments illustrate a currency environment that’s increasingly influenced by domestic production and capital inflows. Analysts note that shifts in supply channels, policy signals, and energy-sector output are reshaping how markets price the naira across both official and informal channels. A macro view of the exchange regime Market observers point to a notable divergence between formal exchange rates and informal trading levels, reflecting different drivers on each side of the market. While the official window has shown relative steadiness, traders on parallel platforms report more volatility as demand for dollars adjusts…

In a milestone for Nigeria’s fintech and inclusion agenda, Moniepoint Inc. has introduced Africa’s first AI-powered chatbot aimed at demystifying the informal economy. The launch underscores a growing push to bring clarity and accessibility to a sector that powers a large swath of daily commerce, from street stalls to micro-enterprises. Government endorsement signals momentum The rollout received official commendation as part of a broader collaboration with the federal government to strengthen financial access for informal workers. At the Abuja unveiling of the second edition of Nigeria’s Informal Economy Report, government representatives framed the project as a practical bridge between policy…

A diverse group of Nigerian professionals and influencers took the spotlight at The Achievers Awards International (TAAI) Under 40 Entrepreneurs Awards Conference 2025 in Zanzibar, recognizing outstanding contributions across business, humanitarian work, and innovation. Theme and purpose The event embraced the theme “Innovation, Integrity, and Impact in a Changing Africa,” underscoring Africa’s rising momentum to honor achievement and cultivate the next generation of leaders. The conference celebrated entrepreneurship that blends creativity with practical impact, challenging attendees to drive positive change in their communities and industries. Notable Nigerian honorees A cross-section of Nigeria’s innovators and leaders were acknowledged, including healthcare pioneers,…