Author: Gift Ifeanyi

As old trade systems unravel and global markets face increasing instability, Africa is no longer waiting to be invited into the conversation—it is rewriting the script. The continent is emerging as the engine that will shape future economies, and this shift is at the heart of the Global Africa Business Initiative’s flagship conference, Unstoppable Africa 2025, themed “The Big Push: Africa Shapes the Markets.” Speaking at a pre-event briefing, Sanda Ojiambo, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Global Compact, described the moment as pivotal: “Africa is unstoppable. The continent is at the centre of so many…

At a time when Nigerians are grappling with economic strain, the call for resilience, faith, and collective effort echoed strongly on Sunday in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, during the Second Plenary Meeting of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN). The event, attended by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) George Akume, Governor Umo Eno, Catholic Bishops, clergy, and faithful across the country, became more than a religious gathering—it transformed into a national reflection on leadership, governance, and the role of faith in shaping Nigeria’s destiny. Akpabio: “Nation-Building Is a Covenant of Partnership”…

Entrepreneurs, nonprofits, researchers, and social innovators have a wide range of grant and funding opportunities this September. From AI-driven projects to grassroots women’s rights initiatives, here are some of the top global opportunities you should not miss: September 2025 Global Grants & Funding Opportunities for Entrepreneurs, NGOs, and Researchers 1. Salesforce Accelerator Salesforce is providing funding support to nonprofits for building custom AI solutions.Deadline: September 10Learn more 2. UNESCO Human Rights Prize The Commission Nationale Française pour l’UNESCO is awarding €70,000 for projects that protect children’s rights and combat exploitation.Deadline: September 14Learn more 3. Vital Impacts Environmental Photography Grants One…

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to prioritise security as the foundation of economic progress, calling on business leaders and stakeholders in Aba to actively support the state’s Security Trust Fund. Speaking at the Aba Stakeholders Security Trust Fund Raising Luncheon on September 11, Otti stressed that no meaningful development can thrive without security. He assured residents and investors that every contribution will be transparently managed and used solely for public good. The governor also revealed ongoing partnerships, including an agreement with Radisson Blu to revive the Enyimba Hotel, and announced that President Bola Tinubu would…

The Dangote Group has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening commerce and sustainable development by entering a strategic partnership with the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) for the 2025 Abuja International Trade Fair. The 20th edition of the fair, themed “Sustainability: Consumption, Incentives, and Taxation,” is expected to attract over 100,000 participants, including government agencies, multinational corporations, SMEs, and diplomatic missions. According to Anthony Chiejina, the group’s spokesman, Dangote has consistently supported ACCI as part of its broader agenda to boost intra-African trade and drive industrialisation. He noted that the company’s president, Aliko Dangote, values the Chamber’s strategic role…

Every great success has its roots in vision, discipline, and persistence. For Muazzam Mairawani, chairman of MSM Group, the path to building one of Africa’s most dynamic conglomerates began with a simple desire — to leave a lasting mark on history. Though born into privilege, Mairawani distinguished himself early with a keen business instinct and a solid academic foundation. Armed with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Information Systems from Middlesex University (UK) and an Advanced Diploma in Computing from Informatics Academy, Singapore, he developed the rare ability to merge business management with technology innovation. His entrepreneurial rise began in Nigeria’s…

For Femi Otedola, business started long before the boardroom. At just seven years old, he was already charging visitors to his parents’ Lagos home a small fee for nail-cutting services, diligently logging his profits in a notebook. It was an early sign of the discipline and business instinct that would later define his career. Today, Otedola is recognized as one of Nigeria’s most prominent entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and wealth-builders. His new book, “Making It Big”, traces his remarkable journey through the highs and lows of Nigeria’s challenging business landscape, offering both a candid memoir and a practical guide for aspiring entrepreneurs.…

The Federal Government has clarified that its new Tax Identification Number (Tax ID) requirement is targeted at taxable individuals and businesses—not every bank account holder. Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, explained that under the Nigeria Tax Administration Act (NTAA), a harmonised Tax ID will streamline compliance and close loopholes. For most people, an existing NIN or CAC number will automatically serve as their Tax ID, while current TINs remain valid. From January 2026, taxable persons without a Tax ID may face restrictions on bank accounts, pensions, insurance, or investment services. Entrepreneurs and professionals…

The County Government of Nyandarua in Kenya has named Sadiq Saleh Osude, a Nigerian entrepreneur and philanthropist, as its Special Envoy for Investment. His mandate: to connect the county with credible investors, particularly from the Middle East, and channel funding into strategic growth sectors. The collaboration was sealed during the Soft Conference in Dubai, an event hosted by Gaf Africa and Eki Co-Net. At the gathering, Osude engaged Nyandarua’s Governor, Moses Kiarie Badilisha, to outline a shared vision of positioning the county as a hub for infrastructure development, agribusiness, real estate expansion, and tourism. Appointed for an initial two-year term,…

From an initial listing price of ₦40 per share, BUA Foods Plc has soared to ₦415, pushing its market capitalization beyond ₦10 trillion ($7.05bn) in 2025 and overtaking Dangote Cement and MTN Nigeria as the country’s most valuable company. The food-processing giant doubled its market cap between 2023 and 2024, reporting a staggering 109% jump in revenue to ₦1.53 trillion and profits of ₦265.9 billion. Its 2025 half-year numbers showed continued momentum, with ₦912.5 billion revenue, up 36%. Chairman Abdul Samad Rabiu credits the growth to strategic investments in sugar, flour, rice, and pasta, alongside bold expansion moves such as…

The sudden 41% plunge in US imports of Nigerian goods has sent shockwaves through the country’s trade community, but experts say the slump may be the wake-up call Nigeria needs. Fresh data from Washington shows imports crashed from $639m in June to just $379m in July 2025. While crude oil remains somewhat protected, non-oil exports are taking a direct hit from President Trump’s new tariff regime, which raised duties on Nigerian goods to 15%. For years, Nigeria has leaned heavily on crude shipments to power its US trade surplus. Now, economists warn that overdependence on oil leaves the country vulnerable.…

As Nigerians prepare for new fuel and aviation taxes in 2025, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is seizing the moment to sharpen its opposition credentials. Speaking in Abuja, ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, blasted the ruling APC government for “killing Nigerians with economic hardship.” He painted the administration as directionless, accusing it of piling debt, scrapping fuel subsidy without cushioning measures, and eroding purchasing power through naira devaluation. The ADC argues that the planned 5% petrol tax and additional aviation levies will further alienate citizens already struggling to survive. “What exactly did we vote this government to do—save Nigerians…

Corporate Nigeria is facing a reality check. In 2023, Nigerian Breweries Plc reported a ₦106 billion net loss, while MTN Nigeria declared a ₦400.44 billion after-tax loss in 2024. Both giants cited naira devaluation and forex-related costs as major drivers of the downturn. Beyond financial headlines, one area deeply affected is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). In previous years, CSR in Nigeria was visible through big-budget sponsorships—Project Fame, Gulder Ultimate Search, Maltina DanceAll, and Nigerian Idol defined an era of entertainment-driven corporate philanthropy. Today, many of these shows are gone, reflecting shrinking budgets and shifting priorities. The banking sector exemplifies the…

As Nigeria races deeper into the digital era, a once small gathering of finance correspondents has transformed into a national platform shaping the country’s economic direction. This year marks the 35th edition of the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN) Conference, and the weight behind it is unmistakable. Set for September 20, 2025, at Orchid Hotels, Lekki, the conference will explore the theme:“Bracing for the Digital Economy in Nigeria: Taxation, Banking and Finance.” Heavyweights Lend Their Voice The list of backers reads like a who’s who of Nigeria’s financial ecosystem. From regulators like the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and…

Nigeria’s learning and development community is preparing for one of its biggest gatherings yet, as the Learning and Development Network International (LDNI) unveils plans for its flagship Champions of Talent Development (CTD) 2025 Conference. The three-day event, scheduled for September 16–18 in Lagos, will run under the theme:“Future Fit Talent: Learning, Leading and Thriving.” Organizers say this year’s edition will convene business leaders, HR experts, policymakers, and innovators from across Africa to explore how the continent can harness technology, leadership agility, and workforce resilience to thrive in an era of rapid change. Star-Studded Line-Up At the center of the conversations…

In a world where technology is rewriting the rules of business and society, the Institute of Change Management (ICM) is stepping forward with its maiden annual conference — a platform designed to prepare Africa’s leaders for the turbulence and opportunities of tomorrow. Themed “Navigating to the Future: Synchronising People, Processes and Technology for the Next Era of Change,” the two-day gathering will hold on September 25–26, 2025, at NECA Hall, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos. The Bigger Picture From artificial intelligence and digital finance to shifting workplace cultures, organizations across Africa are under immense pressure to adapt. Yet, many still lack the…

The Nigerian Bar Association’s 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC) in Enugu will be remembered for two things: the spectacle of celebrity “new wigs” making headlines, and the searing reminder from Oby Ezekwesili that the survival of Nigeria’s democracy may depend on how the legal profession responds to its duty. Sadly, most public commentary gravitated toward the first. The buzz about Deji Adeyanju, Dino Melaye, and Osita Chidoka’s seating positions and ceremonial prominence made for viral chatter but trivialized the moment. The real story—the one Ezekwesili forced into the open—was not about robes or rituals. It was about whether Nigerian lawyers…

In Nigeria today, social media has become more than just a place to scroll memes or chat with friends—it has become a digital marketplace where ordinary hustles can explode into thriving businesses. Two young women, starting from modest beginnings, show just how powerful the right post, video, or platform can be in rewriting financial stories. Waist Beads and Instagram: Anita’s Breakthrough Fresh out of NYSC and broke, Anita was living with her aunt in Ikeja. She had one skill—stringing waist beads from cheap glass materials she bought for just a few thousand naira. At a trade fair, she sold about…

Nigerian entrepreneurs are being urged to rethink how they build businesses, with petroleum engineer and consultant Usunobun Ernest placing mentorship and strategic planning at the center of long-term success. Ernest, founder of CitiTap Nig Ltd, has carved out a reputation not just as a business strategist in energy and real estate but also as a guide for emerging entrepreneurs. With over a decade of professional experience and projects spanning both the public and private sectors, he now channels much of his expertise into coaching the next generation. “Too many people chase profit without building the structures to sustain it,” Ernest…

Jigawa State is carving a path to become one of Nigeria’s foremost digital hubs, as the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) joined forces with the state’s Ministry of ICT and Digital Economy to chart the next stage of its transformation. At the NITDA-Sub National Engagement and IT Ecosystem Development Programme, held in Dutse, leaders and stakeholders rallied around the theme “Creating Opportunities, Breaking Boundaries Towards Digitalisation and Entrepreneurial Evolution.” The discussions moved beyond policy into action, positioning Jigawa as a testing ground for how states can lead Nigeria’s digital revolution. Digital literacy and inclusion emerged as the foundation of…