ANALYSIS AND CALL FOR URGENT ACTION ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND INDUSTRIAL CONDITIONS (ON ALLEGED LEAD POISONING) IN OGIJO, OGUN STATE, AND PROPOSED PATHWAYS FOR GOVERNANCE AND REMEDIATION
1.0 INTRODUCTION The largely rural community of Ogijo in Ogun State has recently drawn national attention following reports that suggest possible environmental and public health concerns. It is currently viewed as a location where indications of contamination may exist, although full verification is still underway. Lead is an extremely toxic metal, and the […]
WTO members review five regional trade agreements, discuss transparency issues
At the WTO Committee on Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs) meeting held on 2 December, members reviewed five RTAs involving countries including China, Ecuador, Israel, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Türkiye, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The meeting also addressed broader topics under the Transparency Mechanism for RTAs. Ambassador José Valencia of Ecuador, […]
Global financial system must adapt to better serve economy
The UN Trade and Development Agency (UNCTAD) has warned that the global financial system risks undermining international trade if it fails to adapt to evolving economic needs, with developing countries, including African economies, likely to be most affected. The report highlights that financial markets increasingly drive global trade, with credit lines, payment systems, currency markets, […]
SADC shifts focus to digitalising regional trade corridors
SADC is shifting its transport corridor strategy from building new infrastructure to enhancing the management and efficiency of existing corridors. Governments are increasingly focusing on digitalising border posts, sharing customs data, and strengthening corridor management institutions. Transport corridor consultant Lovemore Bingandadi highlights that regional integration is a gradual process, with member states progressing at different speeds. […]
AfCFTA at Five: Nigeria’s services boom leaves small exporters behind
Since ratifying the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in 2020, Nigeria has viewed the agreement as a transformative opportunity to shift from oil dependency toward production, trade, and continental integration. Five years on, the federal government completed its first implementation review, assessing progress under Phase I Protocols covering Trade in Goods, Trade in Services, […]
NUPRC Launches 2025 Oil & Gas Licensing Round, Targets $10 Billion Investment
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has officially commenced the 2025 Oil and Gas Licensing Round, projecting up to $10 billion in new investments. The licensing round, approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, offers 50 oil and gas blocks across onshore, shallow water, frontier basins, and deepwater terrains. The bid process will run for […]
FEC approves IP, talent export, AfCFTA reforms to drive digital economy
The recent approval of three transformative policies by Nigeria’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) marks a strategic pivot toward a digital and knowledge-based economy. These policies—focused on Intellectual Property (IP) reform, digital trade under AfCFTA, and services export coordination—form an integrated framework for innovation-led growth. National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy (NIPPS) This is Nigeria’s […]
Germany-Nigeria trade volume rises 30% to €3 billion
Germany–Nigeria trade relations have entered a renewed phase of growth and cooperation, with total trade volume rising by 30% to reach €3 billion—cementing Nigeria’s position as Germany’s second-largest trading partner in Sub-Saharan Africa. According to Ambassador Annett Gunther, this growth reflects Nigeria’s gradual economic recovery and renewed investor confidence. Over 90 German companies now operate […]
Modern Infrastructure Financing: Bridging Nigeria’s infrastructure gap through innovative and sustainable financing models
Nigeria stands at a pivotal juncture in its development trajectory. As Africa’s most populous nation and largest economy, its growth potential is immense — yet persistently undermined by a severe infrastructure deficit. With infrastructure stock estimated at only 30% of GDP, well below global norms, the nation’s aspirations for prosperity and competitiveness hinge on a […]
Developing countries call for fairer global rules as crises deepen
At the 16th UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16) in Geneva, government ministers from the Group of 77 and China (G77) reaffirmed their commitment to collective action in addressing the world’s most pressing economic challenges — including rising debt, weak investment, and digital inequality. The conference, held under the theme “Shaping the Future: Driving Economic Transformation for […]
AfCFTA: Africa loses $5bn annually in foreign exchange transactions
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat has disclosed that Africa loses approximately $5 billion annually through foreign exchange (FX) transactions, a challenge that continues to increase the cost of doing business across the continent. This financial drain, according to the Secretariat, poses a serious barrier to Africa’s economic growth and competitiveness, limiting the […]
Martin’s Drift Border Post enhances Regional Trade efficiency
In a significant step toward deepening regional economic integration, the Martin’s Drift border post—linking Botswana and South Africa—was the focus of a comprehensive study The study, carried out from 21 to 23 October 2025 under the leadership of Senior Programme Officer Alcides Monteiro, assessed key operational factors including the implementation of the Coordinated Border […]
Africa’s next chapter will be built, not announced
Africa stands at a pivotal juncture where its long-term aspirations, framed in Agenda 2063 and aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, must evolve from planning to tangible implementation. The focus has shifted from drafting strategies to executing finance-ready projects that generate jobs, stimulate industry, and enhance public services. At the heart of this transformation is the […]
South African firms encouraged to expand into global markets through UAE partnership
A recent high-level investment briefing in South Africa, hosted by Creative Zone by Encor in partnership with Azanyah Trade Hub and the UAE Embassy in South Africa, outlined clear pathways for South African businesses to expand into the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The event positioned the UAE as a strategic global gateway, highlighting its business-friendly policies such as 100% foreign […]
Nigeria to lead Africa’s supply chain renaissance: Summit gathers powerhouses to rewire trade, integration and innovation
The 2025 Nigeria Supply Chain Leadership Summit (NSCLS) emerges as a pivotal event positioned at the intersection of global disruption, regional integration, and national transformation. Set for November 14, 2025, the summit is not merely a conference but a strategic forum aimed at redefining Nigeria’s and Africa’s role in the evolving global supply chain landscape. […]
FG, GenCos seal N4trn Power Sector Debt Payment Agreement
The Federal Government of Nigeria has finalized the implementation framework for a ₦4 trillion government-backed bond to settle verified arrears owed to power Generation Companies (GenCos) and gas suppliers. The initiative, known as the Presidential Power Sector Debt Reduction Plan, was approved by President Bola Tinubu and endorsed by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in August 2025. The plan aims […]
FG Seals $435m Agreement to Boost Renewable Energy Development Nationwide.
The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and various state governments, has signed renewable energy agreements worth $435 million with local and international partners to expand electricity access nationwide. The agreements were formalized at the Nigeria Renewable Energy Innovation Forum (NREIF 2025) in Abuja, as part of efforts to position Nigeria as Africa’s renewable […]
Cross-Border E-Commerce: Unlocking Global Markets for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
Cross-border e-commerce is creating new pathways for South Africa’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to compete globally. This was the key message from Mr. Kwanele Mkhwanazi, Director of Export Development and Support at the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), during a panel discussion at the 7th Annual EDHE Studentpreneurs Indaba, hosted by […]
Trade and Gender Group Discusses Implementation of 2025-2026 Work Plan
The Informal Working Group on Trade and Gender (IWG) met on 8 October to discuss its 2025–2026 Work Plan and review the implementation roadmap that will guide its gender equality initiatives leading up to the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Cameroon, March 2026. The roadmap outlines concrete steps to integrate gender considerations into trade policies, enhance gender-disaggregated data […]
Ghana and Niger Target Transit Bottlenecks with New Trade Deal
Ghana and Niger have signed a new trade agreement to streamline their shared transit corridor, tackling long-standing delays, bureaucratic bottlenecks, and high trade costs. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed in Accra, focuses on harmonizing customs procedures, enhancing cargo tracking, and reducing extortion and excessive checkpoints that have hindered cross-border trade. For Ghana, the deal […]
Ethiopia Begins Shipment of Goods Under AfCFTA Trade Deal
Ethiopia has achieved a significant economic milestone by officially commencing the shipment of goods under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework. The inaugural consignment, consisting of meat, fruits, and various agricultural products, was exported to Somalia, Kenya, and South Africa via land and air routes. At a symbolic ceremony marking the launch, Trade and Regional […]
Zambia Champions Tech to Supercharge Trade Growth
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has called on African nations to prioritize digitization as a key driver for eliminating trade barriers and enhancing economic growth. Speaking at the Third Africa Digital Ministerial E-Government Summit in Lusaka, Hichilema emphasized the critical role of digital transformation in improving cross-border trade efficiency and reducing the high cost of doing business across the […]
Kenny Introduces Bill to Strengthen U.S Trade, Combat Chinese Africa
Senator John Kennedy, has introduced the AGOA Extension and Bilateral Engagement Act, also referred to as AGOA 2.0, aimed at renewing and reforming the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The bill seeks to extend AGOA for two years while aligning the program more closely with U.S. strategic interests and countering China’s growing influence in […]
Ethiopia Targets Kenya and South Africa in first AfCFTA Exports
Ethiopia will officially begin trading under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) on Thursday, 9th October, concluding a seven-year preparation period since signing the agreement in 2018. According to State Minister Yasmin Wohabrebbi, the first exports—comprising agricultural and manufactured goods such as meat, coffee, fruits, edible oil, and textiles—will go to Kenya, with shipments to South Africa and […]
Nigeria, others seek AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol implementation
Nigeria has strengthened its role in advancing digital trade integration across Africa by hosting the first Digital Trade Market Access Roundtable in Lagos, aimed at implementing the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol. Led by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), the event brought together regulators from Ghana, Egypt, Kenya, Rwanda, and South Africa to guide Nigerian […]
The WCO Supports Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office and Stakeholders to Enhance Competencies in Rules of Origin
The World Customs Organization (WCO), in partnership with the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office and the Nigeria Customs Service, conducted an Advanced Training Workshop on Rules of Origin (RoO) in Abuja from 16 to 18 September 2025. The initiative, held under the EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme and funded by the European Union, aimed to […]
Biashara Africa Forum Postponed to November in Lomé
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat has announced that the third edition of the Biashara Africa Forum will now take place from November 3–5, 2025, instead of the earlier scheduled dates of October 20–22, 2025. The forum will be hosted in Lomé, Togo, a city recognized for its active role in advancing the implementation of […]
African Parliamentary Leaders Applaud Progress in AfCFTA Implementation
The 2025 Conference of Speakers of National and Regional Parliaments held from 29th – 30th September 2025, underscored growing confidence in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a driver of continental integration and industrial transformation. Speakers from across Africa commended the AfCFTA Secretariat, led by Secretary-General Wamkele Mene, for its tangible progress in operationalizing […]
Navigating Trade Challenges: South Africa’s Economic Future Post-AGOA
The latest trade statistics from the South African Revenue Service (SARS), released on 30 September 2025, reflect both strength and vulnerability in South Africa’s economic landscape. Despite recording a R4.0 billion trade surplus, exports fell by 6.8% while imports grew by 1.9%, highlighting the fragility of the current trade balance. The decline in major export […]
Namibia’s intra-Africa exports hit N$4.7b
Namibia’s export performance continues to show impressive growth, underscoring the country’s expanding role in regional trade and investment. As of late 2024, Namibia’s total exports to African markets exceeded N$4.7 billion, while imports from the continent stood at N$7.7 billion. The country’s key export commodities — diamonds, uranium, gold, fish, and copper — continue to drive […]