Author: Gift Ifeanyi

At the FANFARTECH Expo 2025, a multi-pronged strategy was unveiled to systematically address the foundational gaps in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, moving the conversation from potential to tangible, financed projects. The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) announced a significant expansion of its agricultural interventions. Alain Thierry Mbongue, the bank’s Acting Regional Chief Operating Officer, detailed a focus that aligns with its strategic plan to shift Africa from raw commodity exports to value addition. “With agriculture contributing 30% of Africa’s GDP and employing over 60% of its workforce, the transformative potential is undeniable,” Mbongue stated. The bank’s approach is two-fold: financing and quality…

In a decisive move that underscores Africa’s rising status in the global digital economy, Equinix has announced a landmark $22 million initial investment to launch a high-performance data center in Lagos, Nigeria. This “LG3” facility is the first phase of a comprehensive $100 million strategy to anchor the continent’s digital infrastructure over the next two years. Scheduled for a Q1 2026 launch, the LG3 data center is positioned as more than just a storage facility; it is designed to be the critical infrastructure required to fuel Nigeria’s—and by extension, West Africa’s—burgeoning tech ecosystem. Lagos, identified as the only African city…

In a landmark feat of engineering and regional cooperation, Nigeria has successfully synchronized its national electricity grid with the West African power network, transforming the nation from a constrained energy market into the pivotal hub of a unified regional system. The successful test, conducted on November 8, 2025, connects Nigeria, Niger, and parts of Benin and Togo to the rest of the West African grid under a single frequency for the first time. This breakthrough, two decades in the making, effectively merges three distinct power zones into one operational network, creating a potential electricity market for over 400 million people.…

Nigerian fintech Juicyway is establishing itself as the essential cross-border payments infrastructure for African enterprises, having already facilitated over $1 billion in FX volume by directly addressing the chronic dollar liquidity and international settlement challenges that hamper business growth. Founded by a team of ex-bankers and FX traders, Juicyway identified a critical gap in the market: while many fintechs focus on retail consumers, mid-market African businesses involved in trade were left struggling with bureaucratic banks and unfavorable exchange rates. The startup’s solution is a B2B-focused platform that allows African businesses to open virtual USD and CAD accounts in their own…

The Nigerian government is deploying a sophisticated public capital strategy to construct a complete funding ladder for its innovation economy, announcing the 2026 launch of two new funds under the landmark $617 million iDICE programme. This second-phase initiative will introduce a dedicated Creative Sector Fund and a “Fund of Funds,” strategically designed to inject capital into niche areas and smaller, emerging fund managers nationwide. The move represents a deliberate escalation from initial anchor investments to building a self-sustaining, multi-layered financial infrastructure for young entrepreneurs. Vice President Kashim Shettima, chair of the iDICE Steering Committee, hailed the strategic rollout as an…

In a direct appeal to the corporate sector, Nigeria’s leading insurer, AXA Mansard, has declared that integrating sustainability is no longer an optional CSR activity but a fundamental requirement for business survival and growth in a climate-vulnerable economy. Speaking at the inaugural AXA Mansard Sustainability Symposium in Lagos, CEO Kunle Ahmed urged a strategic pivot from simply managing risks to actively building resilience. He grounded this call in stark data, citing UNOCHA figures that over 1.3 million Nigerians were affected by flooding in 2024 alone. “Climate risk is fundamentally a business risk,” Ahmed stated, framing environmental threats as direct threats…

The Lagos Angel Network (LAN) has officially inaugurated its Working Committee, marking a major step toward enhancing execution of its strategic priorities and strengthening the organisation’s impact within Nigeria’s startup ecosystem. Formally constituted in October, the Working Committee has been tasked with driving focused implementation across three core operational pillars: Investments, Growth & Partnerships, and Membership Engagement. The committee is composed of experienced members of the network, each bringing deep expertise and a strong commitment to LAN’s long-term vision. The members and their designated focus areas include: Investments:Bandele Badejo, Lola Masha, and Ire Aderinokun Growth & Partnerships:Gareth Shepperson and Tito…

BELEM, Brazil – Nigeria is formally presenting its national climate strategy as a compelling portfolio of bankable projects and partnerships for global investors at the COP 30 summit. The announcement, framed as a strategic market opportunity, was confirmed by the country’s National Council on Climate Change (NCCC). The nation’s Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, is slated to unveil a detailed roadmap designed to convert Nigeria’s ambitious climate pledges into tangible, investable ventures. This move signals a deliberate shift from policy declaration to economic invitation. Tenioye Majekodunmi, Director-General of the NCCC, underscored the calculated timing of this push. He highlighted Nigeria’s strategic advantage as…

A pivotal gathering of Nollywood’s most influential figures is set to challenge the industry’s fundamental metrics for success. The upcoming 5th Peace Anyiam-Osigwe Nigeria Digital Content Regulatory Conference (PAO NDCRC), organized by the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), will serve as a strategic workshop aimed at moving the industry “From Volume to Value.” Dr. Shaibu Husseini, the NFVCB’s Chief Executive, framed the conference not just as a discussion, but as a necessary intervention. He revealed that the two-day event in Lagos will assemble a coalition of filmmakers, tech innovators, investors, and regulators to architect a unified future for…

The 43rd Annual Conference of the Horticultural Society of Nigeria (HORTSON), hosted at the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), has concluded with a powerful, unified directive: to transform horticulture from an academic discipline into Nigeria’s next major engine for youth-driven wealth and economic resilience. Under the theme “Roles of Horticulture in Wealth Creation and Improved Livelihood in a Sustainable Economy,” the gathering served as a strategic workshop, moving decisively from discussion to implementation. Setting the tone, Professor Joshua Ogunwole, representing Vice-Chancellor Professor Abayomi Fasina, delivered a stark and motivating reality check. “The era of waiting for blue-collar jobs is over,” he…

At the 24th Annual WIMBIZ Conference, a powerful consensus emerged: Nigeria’s path to economic salvation is inextricably linked to the full integration of women into its leadership fabric. The event, a gathering of the nation’s most influential female leaders, framed the issue not as a social cause, but as a strategic economic necessity. Keynote speaker Ms. Arunma Oteh, a global financial leader, set a tone of urgent pragmatism. She challenged the nation to take ownership of its future, stating that achieving this requires a fundamental shift in who is “in the room.” For Nigeria to meet its imperative of sustained…

At the 2025 Lagos Mainland Regional conference, Business Network International (BNI) moved beyond simple networking tips, framing its core philosophy as a critical business defense strategy for navigating economic volatility. Under the theme “Elevate and Expand,” the event equipped entrepreneurs with a mindset to thrive in uncertainty. The keynote address by Dr. Niyi Adesanya, a foremost performance strategist, introduced the “Business Ambidextrous Strategy.” He taught members to balance exploiting current opportunities while exploring new ones, a vital skill in a fluctuating economy. Central to this, he explained, are the “Three Rs”: Resources, Readiness, and Reputation. “Of these, reputation carries the…

At the “Best of Nigeria Expo and Invest Nigeria Conference 2025” in London, the message to the global investment community was unequivocal: the new frontier for smart growth has a name, and it is Nigeria. The event, held at the Connaught Rooms, became a platform for a direct appeal to the expertise and capital of the Nigerian diaspora. Representing the Acting High Commissioner, Mohammad Maidugu, official Saidu Barda issued a strategic call to action, urging Nigerian professionals and entrepreneurs abroad to pivot their resources homeward. “I encourage you to bring home your knowledge, networks, capital, and innovation,” the High Commission’s…

Speaking at a high-level EU-Africa dialogue in the United Kingdom, Senator Sani Musa, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, presented Nigeria as a recalibrated and strategic investment destination, asserting that the nation’s era of profound economic reform is yielding tangible results. Addressing an audience of scholars, diplomats, and private investors at Oxford University, Senator Musa made a compelling case for a fundamental shift in how global partners engage with Africa’s largest economy. He urged a move away from aid and towards equity, and from external prescriptions to bankable local partnerships. “Africa constitutes 17 percent of the world’s population but…

At the Oxford Africa Governance Forum, Nigeria’s Senate Finance Chairman, Senator Sani Musa, presented a data-backed argument to international investors, framing the country not as a risk to be managed, but as the pivotal solution to Africa’s chronic investment gap. Speaking at the EU-Africa Dialogue on Financing, Senator Musa challenged the prevailing narrative, urging a strategic pivot from aid and debt to equity and partnership. He highlighted the stark disparity between Africa’s 17% share of the global population and its meager sub-6% receipt of global capital flows, declaring, “That must change.” The senator positioned Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms under President…

In a comprehensive media briefing, Nigerian Breweries Plc. has detailed a multi-faceted sustainability strategy, revealing a foundational investment of over NGN2.5 billion (US$1.7 million) in renewable energy to power its journey toward net-zero operations. The company’s Corporate Affairs Director, Uzodinma Odenigbo, outlined a strategy that seamlessly integrates environmental stewardship with community resilience. He stated that significant capital has been deployed for a transition to renewable solutions, including biomass, solar, and energy-efficiency projects, supported by power purchase agreements with specialized green energy firms. “This transition is a core part of our operational evolution,” Odenigbo explained, highlighting that the environmental commitment extends…

FBN Holdings Plc has demonstrated robust underlying operational strength, with gross earnings surging 17.1% to ₦2.63 trillion, even as its latest unaudited results reveal a strategic period of balance sheet fortification that impacted short-term profits. The group, parent to FirstBank of Nigeria, showcased a powerful core revenue engine. Interest income grew by a remarkable 40.4% to ₦2.29 trillion, while fee and commission income also saw significant growth. In a notable turnaround, the group recorded a net foreign exchange gain of ₦71.9 billion, a stark reversal from the substantial loss of ₦226.7 billion in the previous year. The reported dip in…

In a powerful convergence of finance and creativity, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc recently hosted an assembly of Africa’s leading digital pioneers for a critical conversation on building lasting influence in the online economy. The latest edition of the UBA Business Series, themed “Content that Converts,” moved beyond surface-level marketing tactics to explore the core principles of sustainable digital entrepreneurship. Held at the Tony Elumelu Amphitheatre in Lagos, the event served as a masterclass in strategic brand building, gathering a diverse panel of creators from Nigeria and Kenya to dissect the anatomy of a resilient online career. The Cornerstones…

In a continent pulsating with technological potential, a quiet revolution is taking root. The TechMinds Girls Empowerment Foundation (TMG Empower), in just one year, has emerged as a critical architect of a more inclusive digital future for Africa. By targeting the most potent, yet often overlooked, resource—the minds of young women—the foundation is systematically dismantling the barriers that have kept girls on the sidelines of innovation. Founded in 2024, TMG Empower has already equipped hundreds of girls across Nigeria and the continent with more than just coding skills; it has armed them with a radical new belief in their own…

A new call is out for innovators who build with purpose. “Take the Risk,” the entrepreneurial fellowship founded by Akinyemi Akinro (Loverboyakin), has officially opened applications for its second cohort, aiming to identify and equip a new wave of founders dedicated to solving pressing economic and social challenges. This initiative is more than a competition; it is an ecosystem builder. Following a highly successful first edition that supported over 1,100 entrepreneurs and deployed $325,000 in direct funding, the fellowship is doubling down on its mission to transform ambitious ideas into scalable, impact-driven enterprises. A Conduit for Capital and Confidence The…