NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
U.S. shifting to ‘investment-led’ strategy in Africa- Senior official

U.S. shifting to ‘investment-led’ strategy in Africa- Senior official

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U.S. trade with Africa ‘will be much more focused around a reciprocal relationship, one that addresses the needs on both sides,’ says ambassador Troy Fitrell.

Ambassador Troy Fitrell, senior official at the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs, said that Washington is “very directly, very intentionally” shifting toward an “investment-led” strategy in Africa.

“The future of the U.S. trade with Africa “will be much more focused around a reciprocal relationship, one that addresses the needs on both sides,” Fitrell said at an online news conference.

He said trade reflects an “exchange between equals” in an activity, unlike the assistance-led paradigm that the U.S. had in the past, which involved “a donor and a recipient, instead of having it being negotiated with equals.”

Fitrell said he tasked ambassadors to “go out and find” commercial opportunities to advocate for US companies, identify opportunities, push for market reforms to enhance the business environment and engage host governments on those issues.

He said as the U.S’ African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) marches to its end date, “it is our Congress who has the responsibility to revise, renew, or re-establish it.”

The envoy added that “if there’s going to be a renewal of AGOA, it will probably reflect the modern world rather than the one from 25 years ago when it was first founded.”

AGOA is a special law enacted in the year 2000 that grants duty-free access to nearly 40 sub-Saharan African nations to US markets.(AA/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

(Edited by Mark Longyen)

Mahmoud calls for increase investment in primary healthcare

Mahmoud calls for increase investment in primary healthcare

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By Philip Yatai

The Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory, Dr Mariya Mahmoud has called on governments at all levels to increase investment in primary healthcare.

Mahmoud made the call in Abuja on Monday, at an event organised by the Society of Family Physicians of Nigeria, FCT/Keffi Chapter, to celebrate the 2025 World Family Doctors Day.

She emphasised the critical need to strengthen primary healthcare systems to address the growing health challenges faced by communities.

She said that the theme, “Building Mental Resilience in a Changing World,” underscored the essential role family doctors play in supporting mental health.

She added that family doctors also foster resilience amidst global adversities such as climate change, social instability, and economic uncertainty.

“Family doctors are frontline caregivers, uniquely positioned to deliver continuous and person-centred care that promotes early intervention and holistic support.

“They are the backbone of our healthcare system, providing comprehensive care that nurtures mental wellness and builds resilience in individuals and communities.

“Not only that, family doctors are unsung heroes, working tirelessly in clinics, rural health posts, urban centres and conflict zones to deliver equitable healthcare,” she said.

The minister praised their enduring relationships with patients, describing it as “vital” for proactively managing mental health issues and chronic diseases.

She reiterated that a robust and accessible primary healthcare was more important than ever in addressing the complex health landscape marked by pandemics, chronic illnesses, and mental health crises.

She stressed the need for training, recruitment and retention of family physicians, especially in underserved and hard-to-reach communities.

Mahmoud emphasised the importance of recognising and valuing family medicine within health policy and practice frameworks.

This, according to her, will ensure sustainable health outcomes.

The chairperson of the family physicians, Dr Ngozi Mmamelu, said that Nigeria faces unique challenges, including limited access to mental health services, stigma and shortage of mental health professionals.

Mmamelu added that family doctors could bridge the gaps by conducting initial mental health screenings, raising awareness and providing basic psychological support.

She further noted that integrating mental health services into primary care is crucial and family doctors could play a vital role in promoting mental wellness.

She reiterated the commitment of the physicians to the principles of family medicine. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Ivory Coast President seeks stronger intra-African trade, local processing of raw materials

Ivory Coast President seeks stronger intra-African trade, local processing of raw materials

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President of Ivory Coast Alassane Ouattara has called for stronger intra-African trade and continued efforts to process raw materials locally.

Ouattara made the call at the 12th edition of the Africa CEO Forum 2025 in Abidjan.

“We must now work to strengthen intra‑African trade by continuing our efforts to process our raw materials and by accelerating the implementation of the AfCFTA,” he said.

He underscored the country’s strong macroeconomic performance driven by private-sector investment.

Speaking during the forum, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye said his country was seeking 1.7 billion dollars in investments to build digital infrastructure and create youth employment.

According to him, the funding will support projects including constructing data centres and deploying high-speed internet, with a target of achieving 5G coverage across the West African nation by 2030.

Forum organisers stressed that improving public policy and economic governance is essential to unlocking Africa’s full potential.

The forum brought together more than 2,800 leaders from the public and private sectors across more than 90 countries.

DNE Africa, a partner of TV BRICS, reported that the 12th edition of the forum, focused on forging a new partnership between African governments and businesses to fast-track the continent’s economic transformation.

The central theme of the forum – “Can a New Deal Between State and Private Sector Deliver the Continent a Winning Hand?” – framed discussions around economic governance, industrial strategy, and the acceleration of the African Continental Free Trade Area. (TV BRICS/NAN)

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

Media group applauds impact, N760bn private investments in CNG

Media group applauds impact, N760bn private investments in CNG

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The Tinubu Media Volunteers (TMV) has applauded what it described as the multi-faceted impact of the Federal Government’s Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative.

In a statement signed by its Chairman Chukwudi Enekwechi and Secretary Shedrach Sunday, the group acknowledged the inflow of N760 billion investment into the CNG initiative.

“We note that with the removal of fuel subsidy at the inception of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration, and the attendant increase in cost of premium motor spirit, the Federal government rolled out the Compressed Natural Gas Initiative.

It said that this has led to cheaper cost of transportation for many Nigerians as CNG continues to take root in the country.

It stressed that the initiative had attracted about N760 billion in private investments into the venture in the past one year.

It added that in dollars terms, the initiative has attracted about $491 million investment into the country, and there are signs that more investments would flow in subsequent years.

“Additionally, the CNG Initiative has generated 84,000 direct and indirect jobs, and this is based on information provided by the PCNGI Programme Director, Michael Oluwagbemi.

“We also note that within a period of one year, CNG conversion centres have increased from seven to over 200 centres across the country with expectations of an increase to 10,000 by the end of the first quarter of 2005.

The media group commended the Federal Government for providing 405 buses to ease the transportation needs of Nigerians workers.

It said this was based on an agreement with Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress during the wage increase negotiations.

“We want to state that this initiative is not only pragmatic, but has potential to reduce unemployment, boost the economy, and increase the mobility of Nigerians when it takes firm root.

“We, however, urge the managers to do more because of the immense benefits of the CNG-Initiative which, if harnessed well, will put smiles on the faces of Nigerians,” it added.

TMV also noted that it looks forward to the extension of the CNG initiative to 25 sites and 15 states in line with the pledge of the managers of the programme to ramp up its activities.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Senegal tasks ECOWAS countries on investment promotion

Senegal tasks ECOWAS countries on investment promotion

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By Mark Longyen

Senegal has urged Member States of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to step up measures that would promote and attract foreign investments to their respective countries.

Ms Fama Fall from Senegal’s Directorate of Foreign Trade, Investment and Development, made the call in a presentation at the ECOWAS Common Investment Market (ECIM) Technical Committee Council meeting in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was organised for member states to evaluate regional investment climate and share their knowledge of cross-border investment promotion and efforts.

It also aimed to focus on interrogating policy decisions that would attract both intra-ECOWAS and extra-ECOWAS investment flows, which would trigger subregional economic integration and development.

Fall, who first reviewed Senegal’s investment climate and investment policy reforms over the past three years, also highlighted its investment promotion, facilitation, monitoring, dispute settlement and bilateral agreement efforts.

She disclosed that Senegal’s foreign direct investment hit 2.58 billion dollars in 2022, and 2.64 billion dollars in 2023, when government deliberately put in place some measures to attract foreign investment.

According to her, the country’s strategic sectors include agriculture; information and communication technologies; construction; health; tourism; as well as oil and gas, which all have potential to attract more investment.

“France is the biggest investor in Senegal, but more and more, new investors are coming from other horizons.

“From China (peanuts, industrial products, public works, etc.); Turkey (public works); and the United Arab Emirates (mainly for gold), not to mention countries like Morocco, Indonesia and the United States of America.

“Senegal currently has seven officially-created SEZs (Special Economic Zones), three of which are operational and four under development,” she said.

Fall said the Senegalese government had also set up a legal framework to attract, enhance, facilitate, promote and monitor investments in the country.

She listed the legal frameworks as the Codes on Mining, Oil, Electricity, Customs, Building, General Tax, French Public Procurement, Local Content Law, Public-Private Partnerships.

Others include the ECOWAS Common Investment Code, ECOWAS Energy Protocol, Pan-African Investment Code, FTAA Protocol on Investment, and the Trade and Investment Agreement between the U.S. Government and ECOWAS.

“Senegal has signed several bilateral investment treaties (BITs) with Turkey; India; Spain; France; Mauritius; Italy; Malaysia; South Africa; Qatar; Argentina; Republic of Korea; Tunisia; United States of America; Romania; United Kingdom; Netherlands; Sweden, Germany; Switzerland; Canada; Tunisia; and UNCTAD.

“It is important to note that the new FTAA Protocol on Investment provides for the lapse of all BITs between African countries as soon as the Protocol is adopted.

“On the other hand, BITs signed with non-African countries remain in force insofar as they are not incompatible with the provisions of the AfCFTA Investment Protocol,” Fall further said.

She explained that the latter’s provisions prevail in the event of conflict with BITs signed with countries that have now become third parties vis-à-vis African countries.

The Senegalese official recommended to member states some regional measures aimed at supporting investment promotion and attraction, such as the improvement of coordination and governance of investment management.

Fall suggested the publishing of an annual report on regional investment monitoring, with statistical data on investment flows in ECOWAS.

“Member countries should overhaul their investment governance, particularly with regard to coordination between administrative departments responsible for investment management.

“Each country should complete the “last mile” of transport infrastructure linking all ECOWAS countries.

“Member states should adopt a resolution for the holding of a mandatory ECIM ministerial meeting on the occasion of ECOWAS’s 50th anniversary,” she added.(NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Stakeholders urge investment in fodder, grazing reserves

Stakeholders urge investment in fodder, grazing reserves

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By Felicia Imohimi

Stakeholders in the livestock sector have urged increased investment in pasture development and the revitalisation of grazing reserves.

They said this is essential to ensure sufficient fodder for livestock and help resolve the ongoing farmer-herder crises nationwide.

The call was made on Tuesday in Abuja at a stakeholders’ workshop convened to validate the draft National Animal Feed Policy Document.

Prof. Ari Maikano, President of the Nigerian Food and Fodder Multi-Sector Platform, spoke on the current state of fodder in the country.

He noted that a thorough assessment from the valley regions to the savannah zones reveals the presence of various types of pasture, shrubs, and fodder.

“These reflect our diverse agro-ecological zones. Nigeria is blessed with rich fodder resources that require further development.

“Some countries have sourced their fodder from Nigeria and integrated it into their national agricultural assets.

“Interestingly, we currently have a situation where some areas have abundant fodder production, while others have high utilisation rates.

“One of the strengths of the fodder sector is the potential for robust business-to-business relationships,” he added.

Maikano highlighted the importance of private sector funding in addressing the challenges faced by the livestock industry, emphasising that the sector cannot continue to rely solely on government support.

“It is essential that the sector attracts significant private sector investment. Encouragingly, we are beginning to see data-driven interventions, which are crucial for the growth and development of the sector.

“Historically, the focus has been on feed, but we are now recognising that fodder is a major constraint in Nigeria’s livestock-agriculture system, and it must be prioritised”.

The professor stressed the need for greater engagement with the fodder sector, describing it as central to resolving many of the country’s current security challenges.

He linked the recurring conflicts between farmers and herders to competition over feed resources.

Speaking at the workshop, Maikano said the objective was to appraise and validate the National Animal Feed Policy Document and harmonise ideas on key issues that should be reflected in the final policy.

He identified private sector participation as one of the core themes of the document that would benefit the sector.

Also speaking, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, described the gathering as a significant step in stakeholders’ collective effort to reposition the livestock sector.

He identified the livestock sector as a vital contributor to national food security, rural livelihoods, and economic diversification.

The minister emphasised that animal feed and fodder form the backbone of any sustainable livestock production system.

He acknowledged that the sector continues to face major challenges, including inadequate feed and fodder supply, poor quality control, weak regulatory frameworks, and limited private sector engagement.

“These gaps have hampered productivity, profitability, and resilience across our livestock value chains,” he said.

“This policy document, which we are here to validate, offers a strategic and inclusive response to those challenges.

“It provides a comprehensive framework for enhancing feed and fodder production, attracting investment, supporting research and development, ensuring quality standards, and improving stakeholder coordination.

“A structured policy for feed and fodder across production, supply, market access, and investment is essential in driving the Ministry’s goal to double our national herd to 398.9 million heads,” he added. (NAN)

Edited by Tosin Kolade

UK pledges £204m for Nigeria’s agriculture growth

UK pledges £204m for Nigeria’s agriculture growth

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UK

By Abbas Bamalli

The United Kingdom (UK) Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has expressed readiness to leverage 204 million pounds in private sector finance and investment into agriculture in Nigeria.

Mrs Adiya Ode, Country Representative for Propcom+, a programme funded by the UK FCDO, disclosed this in Katsina on Monday during a stakeholders’ meeting.

According to her, Propcom+ is UK Aid’s eight-year climate-resilient agricultural market development programme.

It aims to support economic growth for smallholders and SMEs in conflict- and climate-affected regions.

“We’re improving the resilience of smallholders and small-scale entrepreneurs to climate change while increasing productivity and incomes, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and maintaining natural ecosystems.

“The programme, which runs from 2023 to 2030, supports climate-resilient and sustainable agriculture and forestry that benefits people, the climate and nature.

“It also aims to transform Nigeria’s rural economy by addressing environmental, social and economic challenges in the country’s food and land-use system,” Ode said.

Ode explained that the programme will achieve this by increasing productivity, improving nutrition and food security, enhancing climate resilience, reducing emissions, and protecting nature.

“It will also help tackle some of Nigeria’s underlying drivers of conflict and insecurity, supporting sustainable, pro-poor, climate-resilient growth in selected rural markets.

“We work as a ‘market facilitator’, identifying constraints in market systems and enabling changes that help rural markets benefit poor and climate-vulnerable smallholders and entrepreneurs.

“Propcom+ aims to increase the incomes and climate resilience of 3.79 million poor and vulnerable Nigerians, 50 per cent of whom will be women.

“The programme aims to support over four million people in adopting sustainable agricultural practices while about £95 million was earmarked for the programme,” she added.

She revealed that the programme is already active in Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Bauchi, Plateau, Gombe and Adamawa. Katsina has just been approved as a beneficiary.

Ode said this development followed a meeting between Gov. Dikko Radda and the FCDO, where they discussed the programme’s implementation in Katsina.

“Today, we had a very good meeting with farmers, businessmen, processors, academics, women’s groups and cooperatives.

“They support the decision to implement the programme in Katsina.

“In the coming days, we’ll meet government officials to better understand the challenges and how we can address them,” Ode stated.

According to her, Propcom+ aims to tackle three major challenges: low agricultural productivity, conflict over natural resources, and the impact of climate change.

She noted that the programme seeks to transform the rural economy and increase smallholder farmers’ and SMEs’ incomes, ensuring people can earn a decent living and reduce poverty. (NAN)

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo

Coy trains 100 almajiris on skills in Kaduna

Coy trains 100 almajiris on skills in Kaduna

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By Sani Idris

A firm, Nutriment Investment Hub Ltd, on Thursday began a three-month training of 100 teenage Almajiris on various skills in Kaduna.

Amlajiris are children who leave their families to study Islam in Qur’anic schools, mostly in the northern part of the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the company is a subsidiary of Nutriment Feeds and Nutriment Holdings.

The Almajiri children would be trained on alternative farming, which is sack farming and gardening, livestock, poultry farming, shoe cobbling, soap and pomade making, among others.

Mr Dauda Oche, the Group’s Head of the company, said they organised the programme tagged, “Almajiri Lets Farm”, as a corporate social responsibility.

Oche said that the firm had realised that there were a lot of things that they needed to do as a company.

He explained that the programme was a community-based initiative designed to empower the almajiri children with practical agricultural and life skills through practical training.

According to Oche, the programme seeks to provide the almajiri children with sustainable
skills that could enhance their food security, self-sufficiency and long-term livelihood opportunities.

He, therefore, said the programme was aimed at introducing the children to agriculture and enhancing their self-sufficiency.

This is by providing life-long skills, encouraging environmental sustainability and
fostering community involvement.

Oche emphasised: “The aim is not for people to come as aid to support the Almajiris, but to collaborate with the stakeholders for a sustainable outcome for the future of the Almajiris.

“For us, we are not saying that philanthropists should come and give us money for free, that era is over.

“We want to see an era of collaboration, because we believe that the almajiris have dignity, talents and intelligence.”

Speaking further, Oche said they met some institutions like the Kaduna Polytechnic where they sought for 70 hectares of land for cultivation based on the training of the almajiris.

He said that they have had some training on precision agriculture where they could farm sorghum, maize, millet and soybeans.

Oche disclosed that the organisation was looking for the possibilities of empowering about 10, 000 almajiris in the nearest future.

He said, according to the World Health Organisation, about 8.5 to 10 million almajiris constitute 70 per cent of the out-of-school children.

Oche said, “If you empower that number, you can imagine the food security that will come instead of running about in the streets going from one place to the other.

“We realised that they will be more productive to the society and to themselves.

“If an almajiri can farm 22 tubers of yam, it could take care of the carbohydrate requirements for 365 days which is sufficient for the almajiri.

“If we put eight to 10 million Almajiris into such production, it will solve 10 to 20 per cent of carbohydrates requirements of the nation,”he said.

Oche said that a country like Brazil that has a population of 220 million people, earns about 100 million metric tonnes of grains from farming.

He, therefore, said Nigeria, which has a population of about 230 million people and an average of production of 11.5 million metric tonnes, showed a lot of deficits.

“The size of arable lands that we are utilising is less than 50 per cent. with this initiative, I believe we can do much more,”he explained.

Earlier, the Chairman, Kaduna State House of Assembly Committee on Education, Mahmoud Lawal, commended the organisation for empowering the almajiris.

He restated the government’s commitment to supporting such programmes, ensuring that almajiri children acquired skills for self-sufficiency.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the training’s duration is for three months.

It will take place simultaneously at Unguwar Rimi, Badarawa, Babban Saura, Rigasa and Badiko.(NAN)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Trade, investment ministry to go fully digital by December – Oduwole

Trade, investment ministry to go fully digital by December – Oduwole

304 total views today

By Lucy Ogalue

The Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, says the ministry will fully digitise its operations by the end of 2025 to enhance efficiency.

Oduwole said this at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the ministry and the AIG Imoukhuede Foundation on Tuesday in Abuja.

The ceremony took place on the sideline of the Top Management Retreat of the ministry and its agencies.

The minister emphasised the urgency for the digital transition.

According to her, the ministry is just about to start that journey, and the deadline is the end 2025.

“I believe that this ministry is poised to serve Nigeria in a very special way.

“This effort underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing efficiency and streamlining operations within the ministry.”

The minister commended all heads of agencies and parastatals under the ministry for their  contributions towards driving and ensuring a digitised and effective ministry.

The Co-Founder, AIG Imoukhuede Foundation, Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede, expressed the commitment of the foundation to ensure the success of the initiative.

“We firmly believe that the future of Nigeria’s socio-economic development depends strongly on you, the public sector. You are the engine room of growth and development,” she said.

According to her, the foundation has previously played a pivotal role in digitalising the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, turning it into a fully automated institution.

Aig-Imoukhuede said that the partnership would focus on three key pillars: digitalisation, capacity building and performance management.

“The first pillar will move the ministry from manual to automated processes, bringing it in line with 21st-century standards.

“We picked your ministry, because we firmly believe in the work that you are doing.

“Our support will ensure that key trade and industrial policies are executed with greater efficiency,” she said.

She said that capacity building remained a crucial component of the initiative, with efforts geared toward equipping civil servants with the necessary skills to leverage emerging technologies.

“Additionally, performance management systems will be developed to track progress and ensure that the reform efforts yield tangible results.

“We want to help to develop a robust performance management system because that will help to drive the reform efforts,” she said.

Highlight of the event was the signing of a performance bond between the ministry, heads of agencies under its supervision and AIG Imoukhuede foundation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was part of activities to mark Oduwole’s 100 days in office.(NAN)

Edited by Francis Onyeukwu/Kadiri Abdulrahman

Nigeria economy on the rise with investment opportunities- Edun

Nigeria economy on the rise with investment opportunities- Edun

326 total views today

Investment

By Nana Musa

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, says the country’s economy is on the rise with great investment opportunities.

Edun said this while receiving a high-level delegation from First Abu Dhabi Bank, led by the Group Head of Investment Banking, Martin Tricaud, in Abuja on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the delegation visited to discuss investment opportunities and strategic partnerships.

The minister enumerated the country’s economic transformation over the past 18 months.

He listed key reforms like market-driven pricing for foreign exchange and petroleum products, increased trade through the African Continental Free Trade  (AfCFTA), and stronger revenue from both oil and non-oil sectors.

Edun said that those measures had stabilised the economy, improved Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, and strengthened the trade balance.

“The progress we have made in stabilising the economy and driving growth is a testament to our administration’s commitment to economic reforms.

“We are eager to showcase these opportunities to investors and partners like the First Abu Dhabi Bank,” he said.

The Minister said that the government had put in efforts to boost food production and affordability, ensuring long-term economic resilience.

He said that the meeting marked a significant step in the country’s efforts to attract foreign investment and strengthen economic ties with key partners.

“This partnership with First Abu Dhabi Bank is expected to unlock new opportunities for investment, job creation, and economic development,” he said.

Tricaud commended the minister for the country’s achievement.

He said that the partnership would yield positive result for both Nigeria and United Arab Emirates (UAE). (NAN)

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman

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