Author: Gift Ifeanyi

A major strategic realignment is underway in Nigeria’s manufacturing sector, as the Frigoglass Group confirms the sale of its Nigerian Glass business to Helios Investment Partners, a premier Africa-focused private equity firm. The transaction, valued at up to €100 million, represents the final major step in Frigoglass Group’s post-restructuring strategy initiated in 2023. The agreement covers the entirety of Frigoglass’s shareholding in Frigoinvest Nigeria Holdings, the holding company encompassing: Beta Glass PLC: The core Nigerian glass container manufacturing entity. Frigoglass Industries Nigeria: Operations related to plastic crates and metal crowns manufacturing. Culmination of Transformation and Financial Rebalancing Gagik Apkarian, Founder…

In a powerful validation of the growing global influence of arts-based social entrepreneurship, Nigerian-UK leader Kunle Adewale was honored with the prestigious Social Impact Award for Community Development and Inclusion at the Global Entrepreneurship Festival (GEF) 2025 in Accra, Ghana. The Global Entrepreneurs Award, the highest accolade at the world’s largest entrepreneurship festival, recognized Adewale as a visionary whose interdisciplinary work has redefined communities and propelled global humanitarian efforts. A Global Portfolio Rooted in Empathy Adewale’s recognition stems from his pioneering work at the convergence of art, health, and social equity. He is the founder of the Arts in Medicine…

The benchmark for success in Ogun State’s commerce is no longer just local survival—it’s global competitiveness. This was the core message delivered by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Adijat Adeleye, to a vast gathering of local entrepreneurs and businesswomen at the Deemakay Business Exhibition Season 7 in Abeokuta. The Commissioner challenged vendors to urgently refine their craft, demanding that local goods and services be prepared to compete favorably with international counterparts. The Platform of Resilience and Innovation Addressing the exhibitors at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, Adeleye lauded the exhibition as more than just a marketplace; she…

The fight for survival among Nigerian Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) demands more than mere encouragement—it requires structure and strategic intervention. This principle was the driving force behind the hugely successful 2025 Abeokuta Business Summit, where INBRID Global convened over 2,000 entrepreneurs in a high-impact capacity-building forum. The summit was explicitly designed to tackle the most persistent bottlenecks hindering MSME growth, including crippling access to capital, severe operational friction, and escalating business costs—challenges that persist despite the sector contributing over 45% to Nigeria’s GDP. The Strategic Mandate: From Struggling to Structured Godwin Adekoya, Principal Consultant at INBRID, articulated the…

In a powerful demonstration that effective empowerment requires both financial resources and moral grounding, the MajmolQueen Foundation, led by US-based philanthropist and registered nurse Hajia Majeedah Ashimi Idris, recently injected crucial support into Nigeria’s small business ecosystem. At a special gathering held at Crescent Schools, Victoria Island, Lagos, the foundation disbursed cash grants and essential equipment valued at millions of naira to over 14 young entrepreneurs, predominantly women. The impactful event was paired with a comprehensive business seminar focused on two critical success factors: accessing interest-free (non-riba) funding and adhering to ethical Islamic business practices. The Visionary: Empowerment Across Continents…

The intersection of technology, sport, and entertainment in Africa just got a massive $70,000 boost. The NBA Africa Triple-Double Accelerator, a powerful initiative dedicated to supercharging the continent’s tech ecosystem, has recognized five pioneering startups in its second-annual cohort, providing them with crucial funding and unparalleled access to global innovation networks. This league-backed program is not just writing checks; it’s cultivating the next generation of African entrepreneurs who are using cutting-edge tools—from AI-powered analytics to blockchain investment platforms—to redefine their industries. The Starting Five: Meet the Winning Innovators Out of more than 700 applications spanning 32 African countries, only ten…

The Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) prize competition is set to elevate its international profile with the inclusion of technology titan Jerry Yang, Co-Founder of Yahoo!, on its 2025 judging panel. Yang’s involvement highlights ABH’s dedication to connecting African entrepreneurs with high-level international expertise and mentorship. Jerry Yang expressed his inspiration, stating, “Africa’s entrepreneurs are shaping the future of innovation in ways that inspire the world. I am honoured to join the judging panel… and look forward to learning from founders who are building bold, scalable solutions for the continent and beyond.” Judging Panel and Distinguished Speakers Yang will be joined…

Nigeria is actively seeking to integrate the skills and financial power of its citizens abroad through two major new programs unveiled by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM). The agency has officially launched the Connected Diaspora x DOWA Start-Up Challenge and the Connected Diaspora Flagship Event 2025, initiatives specifically designed to harness the innovation, expertise, and enterprise of Nigerians across the globe. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman and CEO of NiDCOM, announced the programs at a news conference in Lagos, describing them as timely and transformative steps to tap into the professional strength and creativity of the diaspora. Connected Diaspora x DOWA…

The following summarizes the key insights shared by the founder of Balmoral on transitioning from a corporate career to building a diversified hospitality and live-experience conglomerate in West Africa. The Founding Insight and Scaling Philosophy The founder’s core conviction for launching Balmoral was born from recognizing a fundamental market gap: Nigeria had massive demand for world-class experiences but lacked the necessary infrastructure. Defining Insight (2006): The opportunity was not merely running an events company, but creating an end-to-end experience infrastructure company—developing trained personnel and venues built to global standards. Corporate Lessons (Schlumberger): The transition from corporate life instilled crucial operational…

Student entrepreneurs from eight African nations recently showcased innovative, climate-focused business solutions in Abuja during the 15th Junior Achievement (JA) Africa Company of the Year competition. The three-day event, which concluded over the weekend (December 3–5, 2025), operated under the theme “Action for Climate Transformation,” bringing together teams from Eswatini, Ghana, Mauritius, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda, and Zambia. At the grand finale, First Bank of Nigeria Limited presented its coveted CEO Award to Team Mauritius. This annual contest serves as a vital platform, enabling young innovators to compete for a chance to represent Africa at the global finals, alongside…

PromoPrint Ventures Limited, a leading indigenous printing and branding firm, recently commemorated its silver jubilee in Lagos, marking not just a company anniversary, but a powerful tribute to Nigerian innovation and the enduring strength of local manufacturing capacity. The celebration, hosted at the Lagos Motor Boat Club, gathered prominent business leaders, clients, and key stakeholders to recognize the company’s quarter-century journey of growth and its dedication to world-class local production. A Showcase of Nigerian Capacity The event offered a retrospective exhibition, showcasing the company’s evolution, including its first printed T-shirt from the year 2000. Guests proudly wore custom-designed patterns produced…

The 2025 Brands and Marketing Conference, hosted by the Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria (BJAN), became the platform for a crucial industry call to action regarding Artificial Intelligence (AI). Dr. Cherry Eromosele, Executive Vice President and Group Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Interswitch Group, delivered a keynote address (read by Tomi Ogunlesi, Divisional Head, Brands and Communications) emphasizing the need for a balanced, collaborative, and responsible approach to AI adoption by marketers and journalists. Addressing the conference theme, “AI and the Future of Marketing Workflow: Disruption or Opportunity?”, Dr. Eromosele framed AI not as a replacement for humans, but…

The Ascend360 Conference, a recent event in Lagos, provided Nigerian entrepreneurs, creatives, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with essential guidance on navigating the complex local economic environment to establish, safeguard, and expand their businesses. Hosted at the Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island, the conference was powered by Blaque Swann Legal Practitioners and centered around the practical theme: Build, Protect, and Grow. The event successfully brought together a blend of legal experts, seasoned business leaders, and digital professionals to share actionable strategies for enterprise development. The Mandate: Transformation and Shift In her opening address, Titilope Adisa Obafemi, Principal Partner at Blaque…

Chevron has confirmed its aggressive intent to significantly expand its operational footprint in Nigeria, announcing plans to participate in the country’s forthcoming oil licensing round and deploy a new drilling rig by late 2026. This commitment signals renewed confidence from a major international oil company (IOC) in Africa’s largest energy producer. Jim Swartz, Chairman and Managing Director of Chevron Nigeria/Mid-Africa Business Unit, made the announcement on Friday following a meeting with Nigeria’s upstream regulator. Swartz attributed the company’s bullish stance to the enhanced regulatory clarity provided by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). “We will participate in the next licensing round.…

Nigerian music heavyweight Oluwatosin “Mr Eazi” Ajibade has masterfully parlayed his fame into a formidable portfolio, transforming from a singer of laid-back hits to a venture capitalist with significant stakes across the continent. Through his investment firm, Zagadat Capital, and his diverse network of companies, he has built a business conglomerate spanning at least 18 African countries, focusing on everything from music technology and gaming to fintech, real estate, and talent development. The musician’s strategy blends his celebrity influence and intellectual property (IP) with strategic investments, effectively turning royalty streams and brand recognition into investable assets. Key Pillars of Mr.…

FairMoney Microfinance Bank is undergoing a rapid metamorphosis, transforming from its origins as a purely digital credit provider into a full-spectrum financial powerhouse. The institution is now rolling out a suite of crucial products, including competitive savings accounts, specialized business banking services, and structured SME financing. This strategic expansion is designed to directly support Nigeria’s broad financial inclusion mandates and bolster the Federal Government’s ambitious economic vision of achieving a $1 trillion economy by 2030. While the provision of quick, short-term credit remains a significant component of its operation—the foundation upon which it built its reputation after launching in 2017—the…

Before Moniepoint became a globally celebrated continental fintech success story, a nascent venture capital firm named Oui Capital recognized its potential and placed a foundational bet on the unassuming Nigerian startup. This strategic, early investment has now yielded a phenomenal return, achieving a rare milestone in the venture capital world. Oui Capital, an Africa-focused VC co-founded by Olu Oyinsan and Francesco Andreoli, issued a modest $150,000 check. This funding secured their position as one of Moniepoint’s inaugural backers when the company was an emergent force focused on transforming business banking, then valued at just $12.5 million. Though a relatively small…

The United Kingdom has formally initiated two major economic reform initiatives, valued at £12.4 million (approximately $15.5 million), designed to bolster Nigeria’s fiscal health, strengthen its macroeconomic stability, and enhance the competitiveness of its private sector. The programs, unveiled at the British High Commissioner’s residence in Abuja, are precisely structured to align with the Nigerian government’s core economic priorities and support long-term investment growth. The total grant funding is allocated across two distinct programs: Nigeria Economic Stability and Transformation (NEST) Nigeria Public Finance Facility (NPFF) Cynthia Rowe, Head of Development Cooperation at the British High Commission, marked the launch as…

The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), the federal body dedicated to simplifying business operations and enhancing policy frameworks in Nigeria, has published its comprehensive 2025 Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) Reports. These data-driven assessments provide a critical look at institutional efficiency across both subnational governments (states) and Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). The reports were officially released by PEBEC’s Director-General, Mrs. Zahrah Mustapha-Audu. I. Subnational Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) Report The Subnational EoDB Report evaluates how Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are fostering a competitive business climate. The assessment is based on performance…

A significant stride has been made in Nigeria’s quest for enhanced agricultural value addition, superior agro-processing, and the adoption of climate-resilient mechanics. A diverse assembly of local food equipment manufacturers from across the nation recently concluded an intensive, five-day technical workshop focused on the meticulous development of food processing machinery that is safer, energy-efficient, and manufactured entirely within the country. This crucial program, conducted in Lagos, was implemented under the umbrella of the Advancing Nutrition Through Female-Led Food Processing (ANTFem) project. It was spearheaded by the Food Health Systems Advisory in close collaboration with the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute.…