Business

FG Clears $850m Debt To EU Airlines

Published

2 years ago

July 2, 2024

494 Views

The Federal Government of Nigeria has successfully cleared a backlog of debts amounting to $850 million owed to European airlines. This significant achievement was announced by Samuela Isopi, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, during the 9th edition of the Nigeria – EU Business Forum held in Abuja.

Ambassador Isopi commended the Nigerian government for taking action to settle the outstanding debts. She also praised the government’s decision to lift foreign exchange restrictions on the importation of forty-three items, which has been viewed positively by the EU.

Nigeria remains a crucial economic partner for the EU, with bilateral trade reaching approximately 35 billion Euros in the past year. Additionally, the EU is the largest foreign investor in Nigeria, with investments valued at around 26 billion Euros, representing a significant portion of Nigeria’s foreign direct investment.

Isopi highlighted the presence of over 230 EU companies operating in Nigeria, contributing to job creation particularly among youths and women. This underscores the economic ties and mutual benefits derived from the EU-Nigeria relationship.

The theme of the forum, ‘Investing in Jobs and Sustainable Future’, reflects the focus on fostering dialogue between the public and private sectors. It aims to emphasize the role of government in supporting businesses to achieve inclusive development, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable economic growth and job creation.

The forum was attended by key figures including Myriam Ferran, Director General at the EU, Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and National Planning, and Nura Rimi, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment. It provided a platform to discuss strategies for enhancing economic cooperation and investment opportunities between Nigeria and the EU.

Overall, the successful settlement of airline debts and the positive outcomes highlighted at the forum signify a strengthening of economic relations between Nigeria and the European Union, with a focus on mutual prosperity and sustainable development.

Business

Tony Elumelu’s United Capital Secures approval to operate in Ethiopia

Elumeu lauded the transformational Prime Minister of Ethiopia, His Excellency @AbiyAhmedAli , for promoting economic reforms and regional cooperation, the Director General of Ethiopian Capital Market Authority @CMAEthiopia , Ms. Hana Tehelku, and the team at @UnitedCap on this landmark achievement.

Published

5 hours ago

June 9, 2026

OCHEFA

5 Views

United Capital Group has again secured regulatory approvals to commence operations in Ethiopia.

Its Chairman, Tony Elumelu, broke the news on Tuesday, via his official X.

” This development is particularly noteworthy because Ethiopia only recently opened its financial sector to foreign participation, making United Capital’s entry a historic step for both the company and the ongoing integration of African capital markets,” said Elumelu.

Last month, United Capital commenced operations in Rwanda, marking its formal entry into East Africa and reinforcing its ambition to build a leading continental financial services institution.

The Group’s newly established entities include United Capital Trustees Rwanda Limited, licensed to provide trusteeship services, and United Capital Financial Services Rwanda Limited, licensed to offer investment management services, including portfolio management, investment advisory, capital mobilisation, capital market advisory, and fund management solutions.

With this development, United Capital now operates in 11 countries, including Nigeria, with a strong presence in key African markets, a recent expansion into the eight countries within the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) region, alongside a growing footprint in East Africa.

According to Elumelu, African institutions are increasingly leading, competing, and succeeding across the continent.

For decades, Africa witnessed foreign capital flowing in while profits largely flowed out.

That narrative is beginning to change.

This is Africapitalism in action — a vision that recognizes the importance of both indigenous and international capital working together to finance Africa’s development and unlock shared prosperity.

Business

Lagos developing world – class new business district —Sanwo-Olu

Sanwo-Olu said Lagos was deliberately building a globally competitive economy driven by innovation, infrastructure and private-sector participation.

Published

8 hours ago

June 9, 2026

OCHEFA

15 Views

• Invest Lagos Summit 3.0: Secretary to the Lagos State Government, ‘Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin (right); Member, House of Representatives, Kafilat Ogbara; Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Tunbosun Alake; Chairman, Commonwealth Enterprise & Investment Council (CWEIC), Lord Jonathan Marland; Vice President Kashim Shettima; Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade & Investment, Mrs Folashade Bada Ambrose-Medebem; Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Sam Egube, Dr Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji and members of the State Executives Council at the opening of Invest Lagos 3.0, themed: “Lagos – The Business Gateway to Africa”, in Lagos, yesterday.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has disclosed that as part of efforts to deepen access to global capital, his administration is developing the Lagos International Financial Centre (LIFC), envisioned as a world-class financial district that would strengthen the state’s position as a gateway for investment into Africa.

Speaking yesterday at the third edition of the Invest Lagos Summit, attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, other governors, foreign investors, development finance institutions and business leaders, Sanwo-Olu said Lagos was deliberately building a globally competitive economy driven by innovation, infrastructure and private-sector participation.

Sanwo-Olu said that the state had recorded significant economic progress in recent years through targeted reforms across transportation, digital infrastructure and industrial development.

Highlighting key infrastructure achievements, Sanwo-Olu cited investments in road networks, waterways and rail transportation, describing them as critical enablers of economic growth and investor confidence.

The governor noted that Lagos was increasingly serving as a gateway to African markets and global capital, positioning itself at the centre of continental trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

According to him, Lagos remains one of the continent’s most strategic economic hubs, with a population exceeding 25 million and a gross domestic product steadily approaching the $300 billion mark.