Author: damazah@gmail.com

By Godwin Oritse The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has called on the Federal Government (FG) to suspend the implementation of the Green Tax Policy, scheduled to take off from July 1st, 2026,  citing inadequate stakeholder engagement by the implementing agency, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS). The association argued that key stakeholders, particularly licensed customs agents and importers, who will be directly affected by the policy were not sufficiently sensitised or consulted before its rollout. In a statement signed by ANLCA President, Emenike Nwokeoji, yesterday, the association expressed concern that a fiscal policy with such far-reaching implications for import…

Every week across Africa, a fintech idea dies quietly. Not because the market didn’t need it. Not because the founder wasn’t capable. But because the road from idea to live, compliant, revenue-generating product is lined with barriers most founders were never given the tools to cross — regulatory frameworks, technical infrastructure, compliance knowledge, banking relationships, and capital. Bankiffy was built to remove every one of those barriers. Fuspay Technology Inc. has officially opened applications for Cohort 1 of the Bankiffy Fintech Accelerator Programme — a structured, four-week programme designed to help aspiring and early-stage fintech founders across Africa build, launch,…

By Dapo Akinrefon LAGOS—A coalition comprising Concerned Nigerians in Diaspora United Kingdom, Concerned Fulani People of Nigeria and the Assembly of Lagos Youths has dismissed allegations against the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, describing them as unsubstantiated and a distraction. In a joint statement by US-based public affairs commentator, Kofo Williams; Chairman of Concerned Nigerians in Diaspora United Kingdom, Abanikanda Olumoro; Convener of Concerned Fulani People of Nigeria, Ibrahim Barkindo Chubado; and Assembly of Lagos Youths leader, Mr Lasisi Robert, the groups said they were reacting to a viral video linking Gbajabiamila to budgetary issues surrounding…

The Political Economy of Rwanda’s Rise Pritish Behuria Cambridge Univ. Press (2026)Can Rwanda innovate its way to prosperity? Few African countries have drawn as much admiration and controversy as Rwanda has. Three decades since the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi ethnic group, Rwanda is widely viewed as a rare success story of African development.It has built a reputation for administrative competence, public-health achievements and ambitious state planning. The country has become a laboratory for development initiatives and a fixture in policy case studies. Its capital city, Kigali, hosts global health summits, economic meetings and international technology forums.Africa finally has its…

Ivory Coast’s midfielder #08 Franck Kessie (L) is comforted by Norway’s forward #09 Erling Braut Haaland (2ndL) at the end of the 2026 World Cup round of 32 football match between Ivory Coast and Norway at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington on June 30, 2026. (Photo by Aric Becker / AFP) Ivory Coast gave everything but “lacked maturity” in being ousted from the World Cup on Tuesday in a last-gasp 2-1 defeat to Norway, coach Emerse Fae said. An unmarked Erling Haaland scored with four minutes left of normal time as Ivory Coast’s tournament ended at the last-32 stage. “It’s…

Getty Images and Shutterstock, two of the top photo, video and stock image marketplaces, called off a $3.7 billion merger after hitting a regulatory roadblock in the United Kingdom. Getty, led by CEO Craig Peters, said on Tuesday that its board of directors unanimously decided to scuttle the deal to merge with its rival after the top regulator in the U.K., the Competition and Markets Authority, required the sale of Shutterstock’s editorial business. Getty’s board viewed that requirement as an apparent non-starter, per a regulatory filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Tuesday. The board also stated it intends…

We are at one of my favourite times of the year, but also one of the busiest, with the world seemingly hell-bent on fitting everything in before the summer starts proper. For us, family birthdays abound, with celebrations to organise, cakes to dream up and a constant worry about finding the right presents. Our anniversary is mostly forgotten amid the chaos! What is not forgotten is our deep love of sitting outdoors over long summer evenings that appear to make time stretch magically, languorously. Whether it’s lighting the barbecue or simply turning to my ancient but beloved griddle, a bit…

US President Donald Trump recorded around $1.2 billion in income from his cryptocurrency activities in 2025, according to documents released on Tuesday by the US Office of Government Ethics. A 1978 law requires the president and vice president of the United States to declare their income as well as their assets. According to the documents, which are more than 900 pages long, Trump received nearly $`550 million from his ties to the startup World Liberty Financial. The Trump family lent its support and its name to this cryptocurrency platform, launched in September 2024. World Liberty Financial issued its own cryptocurrency,…

• To invest additional $46bn in refining, cement, fertiliser businesses to accelerate industrialisation • Conglomerate moves to strengthen energy security, deepen continent’s industrial integration Peter Uzoho The Dangote Group has outlined its long term expansion strategy, which will increase its total refining capacity in Africa to 2.1 million barrels per day, comprising 1.4 million barrels per day in Nigeria and a planned 700,000 barrels per day refining complex in Kenya to serve East African markets. This will be facilitated by the group’s planned investment of additional $46 billion between 2026 and 2028 across its refining, cement and fertiliser businesses as…

By Peter Egwuatu Shareholders of Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc have approved plans by the company’s Board of Directors to raise additional capital to accelerate its expansion programme and complete its ongoing world-class pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Amawbia, Anambra State. At the company’s 67th Annual General Meeting (AGM), held virtually, shareholders unanimously approved all the board’s resolutions and called for appropriate timing of the capital raising to ensure full subscription. Shareholders’ group leaders, including Boniface Okezie, Moses Igbrude, Mrs Bisi Bakare, Alex Adio and Adebayo Adeleke, urged the Board and Management to ensure that the new plant, upon completion, serves as a…