Business – Page 157 – Rise Africa

Ecobank Nigeria Champions Cross-Border Trade in Africa

23.02.2026

Ecobank Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing cross-border trade and accelerating Africa’s economic integration following the successful hosting of its Customer Forum in Lagos. Held under the theme ‘Strengthening Regional Integration for Economic Transformation’, the high-level forum convened policymakers, economic experts, industry leaders and business stakeholders to explore practical strategies for deepening intra-African trade...

Tinubu Slashes GenCos’ Debt, Approves N2.8tn Payment

23.02.2026

President Bola Tinubu has approved the payment of N2.8tn to power generation companies as the Federal Government’s verified liability for accumulated electricity subsidies dating back to 2010, The PUNCH reports. This was as he rejected the N6tn claim submitted by the operators and insisted he will not pay a naira beyond the audited figure, highly...

BOI Donates 30-Room Medical Students’ Hostel to Unizik

23.02.2026

The Bank of Industry has formally handed over a newly built 30-room medical students’ hostel block at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital College of Health Sciences, Nnewi Campus. According to a statement released on Friday, the health facility was handed over to the Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Professor Stanley...

Nigeria’s $1.5tn Stranded Capital: An Economic Emergency

23.02.2026

Nigeria may be sitting on between $1tn and $1.5tn in stranded and underutilised capital, according to the Foundation for Peace Professionals, which says the estimate represents one of the largest pools of dormant economic value in Africa. In a statement obtained by The PUNCH on Saturday, PeacePro Executive Director, Abdulrazaq Hamzat, said research reviewed by...

NSIA & JICA Launch $50m Innovation Fund for Nigerian Startup

23.02.2026

The Federal Government has formalised the launch of a $50m Impact Innovation Fund to support Nigerian startups addressing critical social challenges, following the signing of agreements between the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority and the Japan International Cooperation Agency. The signing ceremony, held at the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning in Abuja on Friday, covered...

SIA Foundation opens applications for startup cohort in Nige

23.02.2026

The Sola & Ibukun Adeyinka Foundation has officially opened applications for Cohort 3 of its flagship SIA Startup Foundry, a high-impact incubation programme designed to equip early-stage founders with the training, funding, mentorship, and operational capacity required to scale sustainable, investable ventures. Nigeria’s entrepreneurial ecosystem continues to pulse with innovation and ambition, yet thousands of...

Oikus CEO on Scalable Housing Solutions for Nigeria’s Demand

23.02.2026

Israel Ihaza, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Oikus, a Nigerian property technology firm, discusses the sector’s challenges and the path forward in this interview with ANOZIE EGOLE Nigeria’s real estate market is rapidly evolving. What long-term trends do you expect to shape the next 10 to 15 years, and how is your company positioning...

Kano Market Fire Raises Solar Safety Concerns in Nigeria

23.02.2026

The recent fire incident at Singer Market has triggered fresh concerns over safety standards in Nigeria’s fast-growing renewable energy sector, with the Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria cautioning against premature conclusions and announcing a detailed industry-led investigation. The association said it was aware of reports linking the inferno to a possible explosion involving a solar...

Nigeria Seeks Aviation Investment for Aerotropolis Model

23.02.2026

Nigeria’s aviation industry is set for a major investment drive as the Federal Government moves to establish aerotropolises across key cities while convening global aircraft lessors, financiers, and airline operators for strategic business engagements in the country. The engagement is themed Aircraft Acquisition and Investment Summit. Speaking through a video on Sunday ahead of the...

Pension Opportunities in Nigeria’s Informal Sector

23.02.2026

The Director-General of the National Pension Commission, Omolola Oloworaran, has identified Nigeria’s informal sector as a major opportunity for pension expansion and domestic capital mobilisation, noting that millions of workers remain excluded from retirement savings despite their economic relevance. In an opinion piece made available to The PUNCH, Ms Oloworaran stated that pension reform over...