As World Environment Day draws global focus to the theme “Beat Plastic Pollution”, Nigerian environmentalists say action must replace promises in the fight against plastic waste. Nigeria generates over 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, with 870,000 tonnes coming from Lagos alone, leaving the country’s cities, rivers, and drainage systems increasingly choked by single-use …
By Esther Ososanya Africa’s path to industrialisation continues to be blocked by two stubborn barriers: poor electricity access and erratic government policies, according to the verdict from Africa’s leading industrialist, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who, alongside philanthropist Tony Elumelu and former President Olusegun Obasanjo, laid out a bold, solution-driven agenda to unlock the continent’s economic potential. …
By Esther Ososanya Vice President Kashim Shettima has described the ongoing economic reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s administration as some of the boldest in Nigeria’s history, noting that they are already delivering tangible results. Speaking on Tuesday through his Special Adviser on Economic Matters, Dr Tope Fasua, at the opening of the 32nd Annual Meetings …
By Esther Ososanya The Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), in collaboration with the Dangote Refinery and key federal stakeholders, has pledged full support for the presidential directive aimed at reducing fuel prices and enhancing national energy security through a crude-for-naira exchange policy. This commitment was made during a courtesy visit by the Presidential …
By Esther Ososanya The Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Wamkele Mene, has called for urgent action to unlock the power of digital trade across the continent. Speaking at a side event during the 32nd Afreximbank Annual Meetings in Abuja, Mene described digital trade as one of the most promising tools …
By Esther Ososanya Africa is being held back by flawed external credit ratings that overlook its true economic realities, says Dr. Yemi Kale, Group Chief Economist at Afreximbank. Speaking during the public presentation of the 2025–2026 Trade and Economic Outlook Report in Abuja at the AAM 2025, Dr. Kale warned that Africa’s cost of …
By Esther Ososanya The Executive Secretary of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), Mr. Kamar Bakrin, has announced an aggressive strategy to remove longstanding obstacles frustrating sugar self sufficiency in Nigeria. Addressing stakeholders at a tripartite meeting involving the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, and major operators of the Backward Integration Programme (BIP), Bakrin …
By Esther Ososanya Africa holds over $4 trillion in untapped domestic capital, much of which lies idle while the continent battles a massive infrastructure deficit, according to Mr. Samaila Zubairu, President and CEO of the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC). Zubairu issued this charge during a plenary session on Thursday at the ongoing 32nd Annual General …
By Esther Ososanya Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has delivered a searing critique of Africa’s development failures, blaming the continent’s stagnation on its dependency mindset, corruption, and a misfit political system. Speaking on Thursday at the 32nd Annual Meeting of Afreximbank in Abuja, Obasanjo lamented that despite vast resources and human capital, African nations remain stuck …
By Esther Ososanya The Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, has said Nigeria needs to strengthen its domestic revenue mobilisation capacity to support sustainable national development, particularly as global economies move away from reliance on commodities. Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja through Mrs. Ndidi Chineyolum, a director in the ministry, at the TaxADR …
