Author: Gift Ifeanyi

The Federal Government is set to launch a de-risking fund in May to improve access to affordable financing for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). This initiative was announced by the Special Adviser to the President on Job Creation and MSMEs, Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, during the 2025 International Women’s Day event organized by the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) on Saturday in Abuja. A Boost for MSMEs Adekunle-Johnson highlighted that the de-risking fund is part of a broader strategy to address high lending rates and stimulate the growth of small businesses across Nigeria. The fund aims to reduce…

Tawa Anike, the CEO of Righteous Ventures, is making a remarkable impact in Nigeria’s agricultural sector. Since launching her journey in 2022, Anike has been committed to revolutionizing agriculture and agribusiness through practical, hands-on training programs that empower youths and women. At the helm of Righteous Ventures, a thriving mushroom farm in Ondo City, Anike’s passion for sustainable agriculture shines through in her dedication to improving livelihoods. Her initiatives are not only focused on cultivating crops but also on nurturing entrepreneurship, self-reliance, and food security. Empowering Communities and Promoting Food Security Anike’s work at the community level is centered on…

As Aliko Dangote celebrates his 68th birthday, his journey represents more than just financial success; it’s about the transformation of entire regions and nations, turning barren landscapes into thriving industrial hubs and laying the groundwork for Africa’s economic future. Dangote’s story echoes his core belief: “You don’t have to be born rich. You can make it through hard work, dedication, and the right opportunities.” Dangote, Africa’s wealthiest individual, has dramatically reshaped the continent’s industrial landscape. A visionary entrepreneur and philanthropist, he has used his ambition and innovative spirit to transform vast, undeveloped lands—once barren bush paths—into bustling industrial cities. His…

With the ever-increasing cost of living, especially in bustling cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for many Nigerians to rely solely on their 9-5 jobs. Double hustling has become the new norm to stay afloat. But the challenge is, how do you choose the right side hustle? The options can be overwhelming, and that’s where we come in. Let’s break down some of the most profitable and trending side hustles Nigerians are diving into in 2025. Social Media Management and Content Creation In 2025, businesses are more focused than ever on building a strong online…

According to Uzoma Nwagba, the Chief Executive Officer of CREDICORP, Nigeria needs around N180 trillion circulating within its financial system to unlock a credit economy that mirrors the success of South Africa’s. In a recent interview on Arise TV, Nwagba highlighted the challenges stifling Nigeria’s credit ecosystem. These include inadequate infrastructure, a lack of trust in the system, and poor credit visibility for most Nigerians. “To build a consumer credit system similar to what exists in South Africa, where about 50% of the population can walk into a store and purchase a car or laptop on credit, we need approximately…

Nigeria is bracing for a potential blow to its economy as U.S. tariffs—triggered by accusations of unfair trade practices—coincide with a sharp drop in global oil prices, threatening the revenue lifeline of Africa’s largest oil producer. The Trump administration’s recent 14% tariff on Nigerian goods, announced under its “Liberation Day” policy shift, officially took effect Wednesday. While oil and gas exports remain exempt from the tariffs, the move has indirectly contributed to a dip in oil prices, intensifying concerns about Nigeria’s already fragile fiscal balance. Oil Prices Tumble to Four-Year Lows As global markets react to the U.S. trade offensive,…

Nigeria’s fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, which had begun to find some relief amid a stable naira and easing inflation, is now grappling with fresh uncertainty as President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs ripple through global markets and fuel renewed pressure on the naira. The 14% U.S. import tariff on Nigerian goods—part of Washington’s broader clampdown on “unfair trade practices”—has triggered capital flight from frontier markets like Nigeria, prompting a flight to safety by offshore investors. The result: a sharp drop in the naira’s value, rising dollar demand, and mounting fears of a prolonged FX crisis. CBN Interventions Fall Short On…

For decades, Nigeria’s energy sector was largely defined by the influence of foreign oil majors. These international giants brought critical investments and advanced technologies—but also dominated decision-making, often prioritizing global interests over local development. Today, however, the balance of power is shifting. A new era is dawning—one driven by the rise of indigenous energy companies that are charting a bold and self-sufficient future for Nigeria. At the heart of this transformation is Renaissance Africa Energy, a beacon of local ownership and ambition. Renaissance isn’t standing alone. The likes of Seplat Energy, Oando Energy Resources, and others are rapidly expanding their…

In a groundbreaking move that positions Nigeria at the forefront of global gas logistics, Temile Development Company has signed a landmark contract with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) for the construction of a state-of-the-art 88,000 cubic meter Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC)—with an option for a second. This high-value agreement, exceeding $124 million, marks the first-ever VLGC order by an African-owned company, reinforcing Temile’s growing influence in the international energy transportation space. The ceremonial signing took place at the prestigious Dorchester Hotel in London, capturing global attention and underscoring a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s maritime ambitions. A Game-Changer for Nigerian…

At the Career Smart Woman Conference 2025, the Women in Career Advancement Network (WICAN) issued a bold call to action for women to own their empowerment journey and redefine success on their own terms. Held in Abuja, Nigeria, the conference brought together over 200 career and business women, uniting them under the banner of ambition, resilience, and transformation. Igniting Purpose and Possibility In her inspiring keynote address, Nonyelum Ujam encouraged women to believe in their dreams and pursue them without hesitation. “The major goal is to let the younger generation of girls see that you can achieve anything you set…

Nigeria is set to command attention at the 8th Financing Investment and Trade in Africa (FITA2025) conference, taking place May 6–7, 2025, in Tunis, Tunisia. The high-level event, organized by the Tunisia-Africa Business Council (TABC), coincides with the Council’s 10th anniversary, marking a decade of promoting economic integration and intra-African partnerships. Showcasing Nigeria’s Economic Vision Under the theme “Driving Africa’s Transformation,” FITA2025 will highlight investment opportunities in key sectors including industrial transformation, energy transition, digitalisation, and infrastructure modernisation—areas that align closely with Nigeria’s development priorities. Nigeria has been named one of five featured countries in the “Invest in” spotlight sessions,…

In a strategic move to boost its digital economy and solidify its place on the global tech map, Nigeria will host its first-ever GITEX Nigeria from September 1–4, 2025, in Abuja and Lagos. Organized by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in partnership with KAOUN International, the landmark event is expected to welcome over 20,000 participants, including 1,000 startups and 100 investors, offering a powerful launchpad for Nigeria’s small and medium-sized tech enterprises to showcase innovations, attract investment, and expand internationally. Theme: “Forging the Rise of Digital Nigeria” Themed “Forging the Rise of Digital Nigeria,” GITEX Nigeria 2025 will…

In a bold move to combat the growing STEM talent shortage and position Nigeria for the future of work, Product Hub Africa (PHA), through its Stem-A-School initiative, has successfully trained over 3,000 students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). At the recently concluded 2025 STEM Conference held at Nile University, Abuja, the initiative connected students with experts in robotics, aerospace, and artificial intelligence (AI). The event was a powerful reminder of the critical role STEM plays in Africa’s global competitiveness. “Africa Can’t Afford to Be Left Behind” — Victoria Oladosu Founder of Stem-A-School and PHA, Victoria Oladosu, emphasized the…

Lagos, Nigeria – The 2025 Vanguard Economic Discourse held in Lagos brought together top economists and industry stakeholders who painted a sobering picture of Nigeria’s economic future, forecasting a year marked by turbulence and uncertainty. With the theme, “Nigeria’s Economic Outlook 2025: Hardship and Pathways to Sustainable Recovery,” the event served as a national wake-up call, urging immediate structural reforms and strategic planning. Global Instability, Local Vulnerabilities Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Yemi Kale, former Statistician General of the Federation and current Group Chief Economist at the African Export-Import Bank, emphasized that Nigeria sits at a precarious intersection of global…

Nigeria is on the brink of exiting the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, thanks to the recent incorporation of cryptocurrency and digital asset regulations into the Investments and Securities Act (ISA 2025). This new law, signed by President Bola Tinubu, addresses deficiencies in the country’s anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CFT) frameworks, a key reason Nigeria was placed on the FATF grey list in February 2023. A Path to Reform The Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr. Emomotimi Agama, highlighted that the inclusion of digital asset regulation in ISA 2025 is a strategic move…

MTN Group is gearing up for its second public retail offering in Nigeria as part of its drive to deepen local ownership and rebound from recent macroeconomic headwinds. The telecom giant plans to reduce its stake in MTN Nigeria from about 76% down to 65% through a public offer—a move that aligns with its longstanding commitment to localize ownership and boost investor participation. Key Points: Strategic Sell-Down:Ralph Mupita, President of MTN Group, revealed at an editors’ roundtable (as reported by ITWeb) that MTN has long stated the need for increased local ownership. The Group now intends to sell down approximately…

Afreximbank has disbursed an impressive $50 billion into Nigeria over the past decade, making substantial contributions across various sectors, including energy, manufacturing, healthcare, transport, and financial services. This investment underscores the bank’s strong commitment to Nigeria’s development, helping expand the country’s non-oil economy. Key Highlights: Significant Investments:Afreximbank President Prof. Benedict Oramah revealed that the total disbursements to Nigeria amounted to $50 billion, with $19 billion directed towards Nigeria’s financial services sector, which has seen notable growth over the years. Afreximbank Africa Trade Centre (AATC):The commissioning of the Afreximbank Africa Trade Centre (AATC) in Abuja marks a major milestone in the…

In a significant move that will ease the financial strain for many Nigerians, Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a reduction in the ex-depot price of premium motor spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol. The price has been cut from over N930 per litre to N865, marking a N65 decrease. This reduction comes at a time when global crude oil prices, particularly Brent crude, have been experiencing a downturn. On Wednesday, Brent crude prices dropped below $60 per barrel, reaching $62.08 per barrel, which is the lowest level since February 2021. This decline has been attributed to mounting trade tensions and…

🗓️ Date: May 20–22, 2025📍 Venue: Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State🎯 Theme: Strategic Solutions for a Thriving Nigerian Blue Economy The highly anticipated Sustainable Nigerian Blue Economy – Strategy Conference 2025 has been rescheduled to May 20–22, 2025, according to organizers, Alfe City Institution. The new dates were chosen to ensure full participation across religious holidays, reflecting the inclusive nature of the event.  From Advocacy to Action This Uyo edition marks the culmination of a national advocacy journey that began in 2021 with the inaugural Nigeria Blue Economy Stakeholders Conference held in Lagos. Over the years,…

Mr. Christopher Uwakwe, a lecturer at Godfrey Okoye University (GOUNI), Enugu, has earned international recognition by becoming the first STEP-S Master Trainer in West Africa. His achievement comes under the Students Training for Entrepreneurial Promotion – Sustainability (STEP-S) initiative, a four-year international project running from 2024 to 2027. What is STEP-S? STEP-S is a collaborative project between: Godfrey Okoye University (Nigeria) Leuphana University (Germany) Mount Kenya University (Kenya) University of Venda (South Africa) Funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the initiative aims to integrate sustainable entrepreneurship principles into academic programs across Africa, focusing on tackling unemployment and encouraging…