Author: Gift Ifeanyi

Top organizations including OCP Africa, Deloitte Africa, UNDP, UN Women, Nedbank, the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, the Development Bank of Southern Africa, and the Digital Cooperation Organisation (DCO) are set to headline the 11th edition of the Africa Women Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF). Scheduled to take place from October 30–31, 2025, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) in South Africa, the AWIEF 2025 Conference and Exhibition will bring together an inspiring mix of entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, corporate executives, and development partners from across the continent and the diaspora. The two-day event will feature discussions,…

A new initiative, Scaling Women’s Economic Empowerment through Affirmative Procurement Reform (SWEEAP), is opening powerful opportunities for women business owners in Kano and Rivers States to expand their ventures and compete more effectively in both local and international markets. The program is designed to strengthen women-led enterprises by equipping them with the skills to secure public and private procurement contracts, enhance operational capacity, and drive sustainable business growth. Why This Program Is Transformative Despite their major contribution to Nigeria’s economy, many female entrepreneurs still struggle to access finance, contracts, and visibility in competitive markets. SWEEAP bridges this divide by simplifying…

In a bold move to redefine the future of media practice in Nigeria, Seplat Energy Plc has transformed its 2025 Annual Media Training Programme into a launchpad for journalists ready to evolve beyond traditional reporting into entrepreneurship and innovation. Held in Abuja, the two-day event gathered 50 media professionals for an intensive learning experience that merged business acumen, digital transformation, and self-development — signaling Seplat’s commitment to building financially independent and forward-thinking journalists. Redefining the Role of Journalists in a Changing Economy At the core of the training was a radical idea — journalists can be creators, innovators, and business…

The Advancing Nutrition Through Female-Led Processing (ANTFem) Program has launched its Cohort 2.0 application round — an empowering initiative dedicated to strengthening women-owned food enterprises across Nigeria. Spearheaded by Food Health Systems Advisory (FHSA), this program focuses on supporting women entrepreneurs transforming the food processing sector in areas such as dried tomatoes, dried okra, smoked or dried fish, yoghurt, and fura da nono. Participants receive customized guidance covering business growth, financing, technology adoption, digital innovation, mentorship, and market expansion, all designed to build profitable and sustainable food ventures.  Eligibility Criteria For Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): Must be a female-led…

Over the past decade, the Masterpiece Resource Development Centre (MRDC) has become a powerhouse for entrepreneurship growth in Nigeria, nurturing more than 10,000 business owners and providing a showcase platform for over 500 enterprises nationwide. Speaking ahead of the organisation’s upcoming conference, Modupe Oyekunle, MRDC’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer, reflected on its 18-year journey of building capacity, driving innovation, and promoting enterprise sustainability since its founding in 2007. According to Oyekunle, MRDC’s rise from a small idea to a national hub for entrepreneurial excellence was accelerated through its collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Through the Start and…

Nigeria’s biggest film and creative stars are set to captivate the world stage at this year’s GUBA Awards and Cultural Showcase in Barbados, where African heritage meets Caribbean flair. The event promises a fusion of glamour, emotion, and artistic brilliance — complete with dazzling fashion moments, heartfelt tributes, and a special feature by Nollywood legend Sola Sobowale, whose presence has sparked excitement among fans across Barbados. Joining her are acclaimed filmmakers and actors Tola Odunsi and Stan Nze, whose participation highlights the global reach and storytelling excellence of Nigeria’s creative industry. Nigeria’s Global Influence Takes the Spotlight This year’s GUBA…

The UK Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) is paving the way for easier access to British markets for Nigerian businesses, according to Ms. Mujina Kaindama, the UK Head of Trade Policy for Nigeria. Speaking during the UK DCTS Roadshow held in Kano, Kaindama explained that the initiative aims to simplify rules of origin and make compliance less burdensome for exporters. She noted that the engagement was designed to be hands-on, with participants receiving practical guidance from trade experts on how to effectively use the DCTS to grow their enterprises. In her contribution, Dr. Adiya Ode of Propcon+ underscored the agricultural…

As 2025 draws to a close, small and medium-sized business owners across Nigeria face a decisive period that could define their financial outcomes for the year. With the final months bringing heightened competition and increased consumer demand, entrepreneurs are urged to adopt smarter, more strategic approaches to stay ahead. Experts featured on SME Clinic, a BusinessDay Television program for emerging business leaders, revealed that adaptability, collaboration, and financial prudence are the key drivers of success in these crucial months. According to Success Ajilore, a chartered accountant and founder of the Business Transformation Network, business owners must stay alert to shifting…

The story of Greece’s connection to Nigeria is one of entrepreneurship, endurance, and cultural resilience — a narrative that began in the late 19th century and continues to evolve today. What started as a handful of Greek employees in a British trading company eventually blossomed into a vibrant community that helped shape Nigeria’s commercial and industrial landscape. According to historian Antonis A. Chaldeos, author of The Greek Community in Nigeria, the foundation of this relationship was laid when Patterson and Zochonis (PZ) expanded operations from Sierra Leone to Lagos. The company’s decision to recruit Greek workers — who later advanced…

Across Nigeria, young people are rethinking what it means to build a career — and in Oyo State, a quiet revolution is taking shape. It’s no longer about waiting for job openings; it’s about creating them. With government backing and the rise of purpose-driven enterprises like Planet 3R Limited, a new generation of innovators is transforming waste into opportunity. In Ibadan, a group of 100 young graduates recently completed an intensive six-week training on waste recycling and sustainable production. What began as a skills workshop evolved into a powerful lesson on how creativity, when combined with environmental awareness, can spark…

Tourism experts and hoteliers are calling on government bodies and private investors to seize the economic promise within Kwara State’s growing hospitality sector, citing the region’s peace, cultural richness, and strategic location as catalysts for major financial inflows. At a press briefing ahead of the 2025 Hospitality Impact and Tourism Conference (HITC 2.0), the event’s convener, Folashade Folayan, challenged both national and international stakeholders to reshape how Nigeria’s North Central region is perceived — from a zone often overshadowed by insecurity concerns to one brimming with opportunity and stability. “The narrative needs to shift,” Folayan stated. “The North Central region…

Africa’s economic transformation, according to MTN Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer Karl Toriola, will not come from ambition alone but from execution — a deliberate focus on aligning trade, technology, and trust across borders. At the Nigeria–South Africa Economic Diplomacy Roundtable held in Lagos, Toriola challenged policymakers and business leaders from both nations to translate their influence into actionable progress, emphasizing that Africa’s two largest economies hold the keys to the continent’s shared prosperity. “Our collective strength can move the continent forward — if we act with clarity and coordination,” he asserted. Turning Agreements into Action Toriola underscored that the African…

As Nigeria approaches its 65th Independence anniversary, a new generation of thinkers and reformers is gathering to chart a fresh course for the nation’s leadership and governance. The Oxford Global Think Tank (OGTT) is convening some of the country’s most influential voices — from policymakers and business moguls to innovators and scholars — for a strategic dialogue themed “Better Leadership for a Better Nigeria.” The high-level summit, scheduled for Tuesday, October 28, at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, seeks to ignite meaningful discourse on leadership ethics, inclusive governance, and the role of innovation in national renewal. A Convergence of Visionary Minds…

After years of record-breaking earnings, Nigeria’s banking giants are entering a new era—one defined less by explosive growth and more by strategic resilience. Access Holdings Plc, the country’s largest banking group by assets, reported a 23.3% decline in post-tax profit, sliding to ₦215.9 billion ($139.1 million) in the first half of 2025 from ₦281.3 billion ($187.2 million) a year earlier. The dip marks its first profit contraction in five years, underscoring a broader industry recalibration after the foreign exchange windfalls that once inflated earnings began to fade. Margins tighten as the naira steadies While Access Holdings managed to grow net…

In Nigeria’s bustling hospitality scene, where guest expectations evolve faster than ever, a quiet revolution is underway — one powered by intelligent technology. Huawei Nigeria is leading this transformation, reshaping how hotels operate, conserve energy, and connect with their guests through smart, data-driven systems. For years, many hotels across the country have struggled with inconsistent service delivery, high operational costs, and outdated infrastructure. Now, Huawei’s new generation of intelligent hotel solutions is setting a different tone — one that combines efficiency with elegance. From manual management to intelligent ecosystemsRather than relying on fragmented systems, Huawei’s approach integrates every aspect of…

In an era where speed and trust define financial systems, two Nigerian innovators — Damilola Parkinson and Olajide Bakare — are rewriting Africa’s place in global payments. Their company, Lucrestack, has unveiled LupoFi, a cross-border platform built to eliminate the long-standing barriers that limit how Africans send and receive money worldwide. From Problem to Possibility For decades, African entrepreneurs have battled with delayed settlements, restrictive gateways, and opaque compliance systems that stifled cross-border trade. LupoFi steps in as a next-generation financial bridge, connecting users across Africa to major markets in China, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Canada, the United States, and Europe…

Nigeria is charting a new course in youth empowerment and job creation as the Federal Government kicks off a large-scale Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) initiative — a skills revolution designed to turn young Nigerians from job seekers into business owners. The ambitious programme, spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Education, targets nearly one million participants across 2,600 training centres nationwide. Already, 250,000 youths have begun hands-on training in the first phase, according to Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who made the announcement during an inspection tour of AFS Vocational Hub in Garki and Golden Finger Farms…

Nigeria is setting the stage for a new era of industrial transformation through a strategic collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) — a partnership designed to fast-track sustainable growth, ignite innovation, and strengthen the country’s role as Africa’s next major manufacturing hub. Unveiled in Abuja, the Programme for Country Partnership (PCP) 2024–2028 carries a total investment package of $175 million, blending public funding, international development support, and private-sector collaboration. The initiative targets deeper industrial integration, energy transition, and inclusive economic expansion across key sectors. Building Industries That Work for People Unlike traditional development plans, the PCP acts…

Nigeria’s logistics and transport professionals gathered in Lagos for the 2025 National Conference and Induction Ceremony of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), where discussions centered on building a sustainable blue economy through innovation and supply chain efficiency. Reimagining the Supply Chain CILT Nigeria’s President, Mrs. Mfon Usoro, reminded participants that the nation’s economic future depends on more than just maritime development. “Our focus extends beyond the blue economy—it encompasses the entire logistics and transport network that fuels industrialisation and drives the Renewed Hope Agenda,” she said. She noted that CILT’s mission is rooted in strengthening every link…

Nigeria has called on industrialized nations to rethink their engagement with Africa, urging them to move beyond a transactional approach driven by resource extraction and adopt a model built on equality, shared growth, and respect for Africa’s development needs. Speaking at the Reuters NEXT Gulf Summit in Abu Dhabi, Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar criticized how many Western countries treat Africa as a mere source of raw materials, comparing their behavior to players in the video game Minecraft — constantly mining, collecting, and extracting resources without building genuine value for the continent. “The relationship shouldn’t feel like a game where…