Author: Gift Ifeanyi

As Africa accelerates toward a cloud-first economy, critical questions about where data resides, who controls it, and how enterprises comply with fast-evolving policies are taking center stage. On September 18, 2025, Lagos will host the Africa Data Sovereignty Conference, a high-stakes summit addressing data localization, infrastructure readiness, and the future of digital trust on the continent. The conference, convened by Olla Systems in partnership with Africa Hyperscalers, is expected to attract more than 300 decision-makers from enterprises, startups, and government institutions. It comes at a pivotal time as countries including Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo,…

Stakeholders from across the sub-region will gather in Lagos this October for a major dialogue on how the insurance sector can respond to the growing threats posed by climate change. The 2025 West African Insurance Companies Association (WAICA) Education Conference, hosted by the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), will take place from October 12 to 15. The annual forum will draw participants from Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, The Gambia, and other member states. According to the NIA, this year’s theme — “West African Insurer in the Face of Climate Change” — reflects the urgent need for the industry to redefine…

For decades, Nigerian companies struggled with one persistent obstacle: moving money across borders was slow, costly, and riddled with uncertainty. Importers, exporters, and service firms alike often found themselves at the mercy of delayed banking systems, high fees, and little visibility on when payments would clear. That reality is shifting. Oneremit, a cross-border payment platform built specifically for Nigerian enterprises, is opening seamless payment corridors to over 100 countries. By doing so, it is transforming how local businesses handle international transactions and equipping them to compete on the global stage. Breaking Down Long-Standing Barriers For most business owners, the pain…

A group of United Nations human rights experts has sounded the alarm over recent oil asset sales in Nigeria, cautioning that the divestments by international energy giants risk deepening environmental harm and undermining ongoing cleanup efforts in the Niger Delta. In letters published on the UN’s website, the mandate holders expressed concerns that companies including Shell, Eni, ExxonMobil, and TotalEnergies transferred oil fields and infrastructure to local buyers “without transparency” and outside a human rights-based framework. The correspondence was also sent to the governments of Nigeria, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and the Netherlands, underscoring the global…

What was once dismissed as a niche sound has grown into Nigeria’s most powerful cultural signature—Afrobeats now commands worldwide attention. Artists such as Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido have filled arenas across continents, led major international festivals, and collaborated with stars including Drake, Beyoncé, and Ed Sheeran. Rema’s Calm Down remix with Selena Gomez has become one of the most-streamed Afrobeats records in history, while Tems has helped craft global hits for Rihanna and Beyoncé. This movement is more than a musical trend. According to a study by the Rome Business School, The Entertainment Business in Nigeria: A Model for…

T2mobile has taken a bold step in its transformation journey by entering a multi-million-dollar partnership with Huawei, a global leader in ICT solutions and network equipment. The collaboration is designed to overhaul T2mobile’s core infrastructure and usher in a new era of advanced connectivity across Nigeria. The agreement was formalized through a symbolic handshake between T2mobile’s Chief Executive Officer, Obafemi Banigbe, and Constantine Jiang, Managing Director of Huawei Nigeria’s Carrier Business Group. Beyond network upgrades, the initiative places strong emphasis on resilience, customer experience, and wider economic impact. Leveraging Huawei’s expertise, T2mobile plans to deliver faster, more secure, and more…

Carloha Nigeria, the sole distributor of Chery vehicles in the country, is reshaping what it means to own a car by combining affordability, peace of mind, and a forward-looking service experience. With its newest customer-focused initiatives, the company is making brand-new sedans and SUVs more accessible to Nigerians while ensuring long-term value through an unmatched after-sales framework. At a recent media gathering at its Alapere showroom in Lagos, Managing Director Sola Adigun explained that Carloha’s strategy is rooted in innovation, significant investments, and staff training. According to him, the company is not only improving the car ownership journey for Nigerians…

In a bold move to support small business owners and side hustlers, PalmPay has unveiled the PalmPay Hustle Grant, an initiative designed to provide financial relief and recognition for hardworking Nigerians. The program offers ₦500,000 cash prizes to selected individuals whose businesses and personal stories reflect determination, innovation, and impact. Who Is Eligible? PalmPay explained that the grant is open to Nigerians engaged in side hustles, startups, or entrepreneurial ventures. Applicants are expected to share an inspiring story about their hustle, highlighting challenges, resilience, and future plans. They must also demonstrate how ₦500,000 would significantly elevate their business—whether through expansion,…

Nigeria has reached a financial milestone: the country’s foreign exchange (FX) reserves climbed to $41 billion in mid-August, the highest level seen in four years, according to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). For policymakers, this represents a win for economic stability; for ordinary citizens, it raises a harder question—when will the numbers translate into relief at the market and in their pockets? The CBN attributes the growth to stronger oil output, higher export revenues, and targeted policy interventions. Economists see it as a sign of renewed investor confidence, the kind of signal that boosts Nigeria’s international credit profile and…

Nigeria’s oil and gas sector recorded a double breakthrough in July 2025: gas flaring dropped to 7.16%, even as daily production climbed to 7.59 billion standard cubic feet per day (BSCFD), according to fresh data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). The regulator described the milestone as proof of progress toward its 2030 zero-flare commitment, noting that the country has managed to raise output while curbing environmental waste. “The simultaneous growth in output and decline in flaring underscores the Commission’s drive to boost production while advancing its 2030 zero-flare commitment,” NUPRC said in a Saturday statement. Production on…

The Lagos State Government has committed nearly ₦75 million in fresh grants to fuel scientific research, technological innovation, and STEM-focused initiatives across the state. The funding, managed through the Lagos State Science Research and Innovation Council (LASRIC), is designed to strengthen a knowledge-based economy, boost entrepreneurship, and position Lagos as a leading hub for innovation in Africa. The support was distributed in three categories — Research and Development (R&D), Innovation, and STEM Education — demonstrating the state’s focus on nurturing talent and equipping future leaders. At the awards ceremony, held at the Governor’s Office Banquet Hall in Alausa, Ikeja, the…

Nigeria’s manufacturing industry is under increasing pressure to embrace modern systems that boost efficiency, competitiveness, and long-term growth. At the 58th Annual General Meeting of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Ikeja Branch, SeamlessHR reaffirmed its commitment to helping manufacturers achieve this transformation through innovative human resource technologies. Chidi Orji, Director of Sales at SeamlessHR, highlighted the company’s track record of building digital tools used in more than 20 countries and trusted by over 2,000 organisations spanning diverse industries, including manufacturing. He explained that while SeamlessHR is known for its HR and payroll platforms, it has also designed specialised solutions…

Nigeria’s digital economy received a major boost on Saturday as Arigo Technologies introduced seven groundbreaking platforms aimed at proving that Africa can be more than a consumer of global innovations — it can be a creator and trailblazer. At the Lagos launch event, Dr. Arinze Madueke, founder of the company, said the platforms were specifically designed to tackle Africa’s unique social and economic challenges while showcasing the continent’s ability to lead in global technological transformation. “We are not just releasing apps. These are solutions that open up jobs, empower small businesses, connect talents, and demonstrate that Africa can take the…

Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which serve as the backbone of the country’s economy, are facing a massive funding gap estimated at $158.1 billion, a challenge experts say is stifling growth and limiting job creation. Speaking at the close of the SDG Investment Forum in Abuja, hosted by Onyx Investment Advisory Limited (OnyxIAL) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nigeria, the Chief Executive Officer of the Impact Investors’ Foundation, Etemore Glover, stressed that the financing challenges confronting SMEs remain a critical barrier to their expansion. At the event, at least three Nigerian enterprises secured investment commitments and advisory…

Nigeria and Colombia have elevated their diplomatic ties with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on political consultations, setting the stage for stronger economic and cultural collaboration. The agreement, formalized during the Nigeria-Colombia Bilateral Meeting and Business Forum at the Presidential Villa, was signed by Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, and Colombia’s Deputy Minister for Multilateral Affairs, Mauricio Jaramillo Jassir. According to Jassir, the MoU will pave the way for consistent political dialogue and ease visa approvals for Colombian diplomats, making bilateral engagement smoother and more effective. Shettima Pushes for Economic Transformation Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima,…

Nigeria’s digital economy has moved far beyond experimentation, evolving into one of Africa’s fastest-growing engines for consumer engagement and capital inflows. With 38.7 million active social media users in 2025—reflecting a 5.3% jump in just one year—the country’s online ecosystem is advancing faster than many global benchmarks in both innovation and user adoption [1]. This momentum is fueled by a unique blend of factors: nationwide 4G/5G rollout, a predominantly youthful demographic (60% under 25), and explosive growth on platforms like TikTok (56.9%) and X (31.7%) [1]. For investors, the opportunity lies not just in raw numbers but in how local…

Nigeria’s infrastructure finance landscape has undergone a quiet but significant transformation since 2017 with the creation of the Nigerian Infrastructure Credit Enhancement Facility (InfraCredit). The institution, set up through a partnership between the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority and the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG), was established to provide guarantees in local currency, reducing risk for investors and enabling the financing of large-scale projects. InfraCredit’s journey began with a USD 25 million contingent capital injection from GuarantCo, PIDG’s guarantee arm. This was further strengthened in 2020 when PIDG’s project development subsidiary, InfraCo, added USD 27 million in equity, boosting the company’s…

Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ) has announced the theme for its 24th Annual Conference: O.W.N – Own. Walk. Nurture. WIMBIZ, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring and empowering women to attain leadership roles, confirmed that the landmark event scheduled to take place on November 6–7, 2025 at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, will bring together over 2,000 women leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals, policymakers, and visionaries from across Africa and the globe. According to the Executive Director, Omowunmi Akingbohungbe, the theme “O.W.N – Own. Walk. Nurture.” reflects WIMBIZ’s commitment to inspiring women to take ownership of…

Nigeria is beginning to unlock its vast natural gas reserves after decades of underutilisation, with the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF) driving projects that promise to lower costs, boost industry, and advance the country’s energy transition. Launched by President Bola Tinubu in early 2024, the Fund was created to plug infrastructure gaps that have long prevented gas from becoming a mainstream energy source. Within its first year, MDGIF has backed 16 companies, financing projects that range from compressed natural gas (CNG) stations to large-scale storage terminals. Some initiatives are already reshaping access to cleaner fuel. FEMADEC Energy has…

Adesola Fabusuyi, founder and CEO of couture and bridal brand Trendencias Apparel, has called on the Federal Government to urgently tackle obstacles crippling Nigeria’s business environment, warning that entrepreneurs are losing ground under harsh conditions. Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos, Fabusuyi said the current climate is discouraging investment, slowing job creation, and weakening the country’s competitiveness. She highlighted unreliable power supply, high production costs, and limited access to finance as persistent barriers to growth. “Unstable power supply is one of the biggest struggles. A sudden outage in the middle of production can throw off our timelines and affect…