Author: Gift Ifeanyi

LAGOS, Nigeria — September 18, 2025.West African businesses are accelerating their digital transformation journey, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), cloud, and data-driven technologies to compete in a fast-changing global economy. This shift was highlighted at SAP Business Suite Innovation Day in Lagos, where regional leaders, technology experts, and SAP executives explored how AI-powered solutions are reshaping the way businesses operate. Building an AI-Ready Business Foundation Shiraz Khota, Managing Director: Emerging Africa at SAP, emphasized that enterprises in the region are no longer experimenting with digital tools — they are actively embedding AI into their core operations. “From collaborative AI agents solving…

LAGOS, Nigeria – September 2025 – Union Bank of Nigeria has reinforced its reputation for financial discipline with the successful redemption of its Series 2, 15.75% bond, valued at ₦6.314 billion, alongside the final coupon payment on September 3, 2025. The repayment, carried out under the Bank’s ₦100 billion Debt Issuance Programme, was fully settled in line with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulations, demonstrating the Bank’s consistency in meeting obligations to bondholders. Confidence After Consolidation The move comes at a pivotal time, just weeks after Union Bank’s merger with Titan Trust Bank, a development that has redefined its growth…

Nigeria has just landed a headline-grabbing financial instrument: the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), in partnership with Afreximbank, has secured $1 billion to capitalise what is being called the National Smallholder Farmers Fund. The move follows President Bola Tinubu’s approval for a broader National Food Security Fund — a revolving, state-matched vehicle intended to shore up production, processing and market access across the country. On paper, the goal is simple and powerful: channel patient, affordable capital into the hands of the smallholder farmers who produce over 90% of Nigeria’s food output, helping them buy inputs, mechanise, and plug into formal markets.…

Nigeria’s eye care sector is entering a decisive moment. Around the world, healthcare delivery is being transformed by artificial intelligence, telemedicine, digital platforms, and changing patient expectations. Optometry cannot afford to remain on the sidelines. This was the underlying message reinforced during a major gathering of stakeholders in Umuahia, Abia State, where experts, policymakers, and business leaders in the vision-care space converged to examine the future of the profession. Their conversations went beyond technical presentations; they raised urgent questions about how Nigerian optometrists can remain relevant in a rapidly shifting global health economy. Technology Will Redefine Practice Emerging digital tools—from…

As Dubai prepares to host GITEX Global 2025 — the world’s largest technology and startup showcase — the spotlight has shifted to Africa, where Morocco’s innovation ecosystem is fast gaining international recognition. A recent feature by GITEX celebrated Anas Chanaa, co-founder and CEO of Nucleon Security, as one of the standout entrepreneurs to emerge from their Supernova Challenge. The competition, held during GITEX Africa 2023 in Marrakech, gave Chanaa’s cybersecurity firm a platform that soon attracted a $3.5 million funding round. “Winning the Supernova Challenge gave us instant credibility and showed investors we were ready to scale globally,” Chanaa noted,…

The city of Lagos is set to host one of the most exciting events of the year as the Mira Gold Trade Fair lights up Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, from October 3rd to October 5th, 2025. Organized by Miragold in collaboration with Naijapreneur.com – the voice of entrepreneurship in Nigeria, the three-day event promises to bring together innovative businesses, creatives, and enthusiastic shoppers for an unforgettable experience of networking, shopping, culture, and entertainment. With over 100 vendors expected, the fair is a platform for businesses to showcase their products, engage new markets, and build valuable connections. Far more than just…

London played host this week to a powerful display of African entrepreneurship, as innovators from across the continent presented bold solutions to international investors at the Commonwealth Startup Fellowship showcase. The event not only underscored Africa’s position as a rising hub of innovation but also highlighted its growing influence in shaping global business trends. Out of more than 1,400 applications from 44 countries, 19 companies were chosen, and Africa dominated the lineup—14 startups from nine nations made the final cut, representing 74% of the cohort. Entrepreneurs from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Malawi, and Zambia proved that African…

Nigeria’s leading export-tech company, Niteon, has entered a new phase with the launch of Niteon Capital, a digital bank built exclusively for manufacturers on the continent. The new venture stems from the vision of Nigerian founders Tony Nwose and Daniel Chukwuemelie, who established the U.S.-based startup to simplify global trade for African producers. From agriculture to textiles and mineral exports, Niteon has built trust by verifying suppliers and linking them with buyers across multiple continents. With operations already active in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and South Asia—and export clearance via an FDA Global Partner License—the company has proven its ability…

Since its inception in 2017, the Calabar Entertainment Conference (CEC) has grown into a major platform for Nigeria’s creative industry. Now in its ninth edition, Executive Producer and CEO of Hit FM, Patrick Ugbe, highlights the sector’s pressing needs, pointing to gaps in capacity building, funding, distribution, and thought leadership. The 2025 edition of CEC will take place on October 17–18 at Hogis Royale in Calabar, Cross River State. The conference will convene young creatives, industry executives, policymakers, and investors to discuss challenges, seize opportunities, and chart long-term strategies for growth in Nigeria’s fast-evolving entertainment landscape. A major highlight of…

Nigeria’s inflation rate continued its downward trend in August, dropping to 20.12% from 21.88% in July, marking the fifth straight month of moderation. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) described it as evidence of easing price growth. Yet on the streets, the story feels different: small businesses and households insist that the cost of living remains painfully high, with weak demand and rising survival pressures. What the Numbers Show The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) revealed a 1.76 percentage point fall compared with July and a sharp drop from 32.15% in August 2024. The CPI inched up to 126.8 points…

Nigeria’s Roberta Edu-Oyedokun, founder of Moppet Foods, has clinched the Outstanding Value-Adding Enterprise Award at the 2025 Women Agripreneurs of the Year Awards (WAYA), marking a milestone moment for Nigerian innovation in food systems. As the only Nigerian recipient at this year’s ceremony, Edu-Oyedokun was celebrated for turning locally sourced, biofortified crops into high-quality, nutrient-rich foods tailored for children. Her pioneering work underscores the importance of value addition in reshaping Africa’s food supply chain. The awards were unveiled during the Africa Food Systems Forum (#AFSForum2025), honoring six remarkable women who are transforming agribusiness across the continent. From Personal Concern to…

Starlink’s promise of near-ubiquitous internet just ran into a reality check in Nigeria. In recent days the service has stopped accepting new home-kit orders in many high-demand neighbourhoods — think Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Ikeja and Surulere in Lagos, plus parts of Abuja — with the company’s site flagging “Sold Out” and directing would-be customers to a deposit-based waitlist. The Guardian Nigeria+1 For the consumer, that message is blunt and immediate: you can queue and pay a deposit, but there’s no guaranteed start date. The notice mirrors a routine tech tradeoff — protect service quality for existing customers by pausing activations…

The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) was created by the Federal Government in 2003 to fuel the growth of micro, small, and medium-sized businesses (MSMEs). Through its free online registration system, entrepreneurs can access official recognition, funding opportunities, and essential business support. Why Register with SMEDAN? SMEDAN provides Nigerian entrepreneurs with a Unique Identification Number (SUIN) and a digital certificate once they complete the registration process. This certificate acts as proof of legitimacy and opens the door to government-backed programs, funding schemes, and capacity-building initiatives. Step-by-Step: How to Register Online To join the SMEDAN network, business…

Nigeria’s business ecosystem is undergoing a remarkable shift, with digital marketing emerging as one of the strongest forces powering small business growth. As online platforms gain dominance in trade, communication, and branding, local entrepreneurs are unlocking new ways to connect with wider audiences, foster customer loyalty, and compete beyond national borders. This digital shift is gradually redefining the future of commerce in the country. Expanding Opportunities in the Digital Economy In today’s fast-paced market, small businesses across Nigeria are increasingly using digital tools to scale. Social media platforms, e-commerce sites, and mobile-driven campaigns have become essential for engaging customers at…

Nigeria’s aviation industry has welcomed a significant policy shift, as the federal government halted the proposed four percent Free on Board (FOB) levy on imports. The move, announced by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has drawn praise from the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), who say the decision will shield the sector from mounting economic strain. Relief for a Struggling Industry In a statement signed by AON President Abdulmunaf Sarina, operators described the suspension as proof of President Bola Tinubu’s determination to foster a business-friendly environment and protect industries under pressure. According to…

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept — it is already shaping how governments function and how businesses operate. Yet, while the technology promises efficiency and innovation, it also raises critical concerns about governance, ethics, and long-term sustainability. This was the central message from the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN), which recently sounded a call for urgent action. At a press briefing in Lagos, Vice President Francis Olawale warned that Nigeria cannot afford to treat AI casually. Representing the Institute’s president, Uto Ukpanah, Olawale argued that AI is “a revolution, not just a tool,”…

Nigeria is preparing to host a landmark Guinness World Record attempt as 60,000 teachers gather for the “Let There Be Teachers” conference on September 20 at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos. The event, described as the largest assembly of teachers in history, is designed to elevate the status of educators, spotlight their challenges, and push forward conversations on education reform. A Movement Beyond Celebration More than just a record attempt, the conference is being positioned as a turning point for education in Nigeria. Leaders from the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), the Nigeria Union of Teachers, and other…

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has shifted from being a buzzword to becoming the backbone of innovation across industries. From finance and retail to education and healthcare, businesses worldwide are racing to adapt. In Nigeria, where small and medium-sized enterprises drive economic activity, the question is no longer if AI will transform business but how fast local entrepreneurs can harness it. FATE Foundation is stepping into this critical conversation with its 10th Business Conference, themed “The AI-Powered Business.” Slated for September 26, 2025, at the Balmoral Convention Center in Lagos, the event aims to position AI not as a distant future but…

For decades, conversations around leadership in Nigeria have often been tied to the achievements of individuals — a celebrated founder here, a visionary chairperson there. But a new wave of thought is emerging: one that challenges leaders to measure their success not by personal milestones, but by the institutions, systems, and legacies they leave behind. This paradigm shift is at the heart of the inaugural Building Beyond You Conference 2025, a gathering that promises to redefine the essence of leadership for Nigeria and the African continent. Hosted by entrepreneur and nation-builder Tara Fela-Durotoye, the event brings together a formidable lineup…

Despite Nigeria’s challenging economic climate, a group of five companies listed on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) are projecting a combined N24.34bn profit after tax for 2025, signaling cautious optimism across key sectors. The forecasts — filed by AIICO Insurance, SUNU Assurances, Prestige Assurance, Red Star Express, and Eterna Plc — point to an overall revenue expectation of N426.36bn and N45.92bn in operating cash flow, reflecting a push for stronger financial discipline in the year ahead. Insurance Sector in the Driver’s Seat With AIICO Insurance, SUNU Assurances, and Prestige Assurance accounting for the bulk of the earnings forecast, the reports…