Business

Holcim exits Nigeria after $1 billion sell-off of Lafarge Stake to Huaxin Cement

Published

2 years ago

December 2, 2024

OCHEFA

363 Views

Swiss cement maker Holcim -the parent company of Lafarge Africa, is set to exit Nigeria over unfavourable economic conditions.

Reuters reported on Sunday that Holcim, which owned an 84 per cent stake in Lafarge Africa (WAPCO.LG) said it has now sold its stake to China’s Huaxin Cement for $1 billion. According to Holcim, the deal, projected to be sealed by 2025, is subject to regulatory approvals.

The transaction is geared towards streamlining its portfolio by targeting high-growth regions like North America, which will, in 2025, the U.S. The company is said to be focused on sustainable growth in its core markets, higher-margin products and strategic infrastructure investments.

The development comes after the company, in September, acquired a stake in Sublime Systems, a U.S. tech start-up dealing in low-carbon cement, as it plans to improve its environmental credentials.

It’s also coming after the company, in October, reported a slightly better than expected after making a recurring operating profit of 1.67 billion Swiss francs ($1.90 billion) for the third quarter of 2024.

Other companies that have dumped Nigeria in 2024 include Pick n Pay, Microsoft Nigeria, Total Energies Nigeria, PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC, Kimberly-Clark Nigeria, and Diageo PLC, while a few others have left in 2023.

Business

NPA initiate trucks movement code to ease traffic at Lagos ports

The initiative is designed to ensure that each truck is matched exclusively to its designated empty container, eliminate multiple allocations, improve traffic management and enhance operational efficiency within the port corridor.

Published

2 days ago

July 30, 2026

OCHEFA

39 Views

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has introduced a movement code to streamline the movement of empty containers into seaport terminals and reduce traffic congestion caused by container trucks along the Apapa and Tin Can Island port corridors.

The Guardian reported that under the new policy, the movement code will serve as a unique identifier generated by a holding bay for every empty container uploaded to the Electronic Call-Up (ETO) platform.

The code must correspond with the details captured on the ETO system before trucks are granted access to port terminals.

In a notice issued to stakeholders, the NPA said the movement code has become a mandatory requirement for completing the truck-container matching process.

Truck drivers are required to obtain the code from designated holding bays before proceeding to the ports.

According to the authority, the initiative is designed to ensure that each truck is matched exclusively to its designated empty container, eliminate multiple allocations, improve traffic management and enhance operational efficiency within the port corridor.

Business

Okonjo-Iweala lauds Cardoso for stabilising Nigeria’s monetary environment

Okonjo-Iweala, gave the commendation on Thursday at the 7th Africa Emerging Markets Forum held in Abuja, with the theme: “Building Resilience Amidst Geo-economic Uncertainties.”

Published

2 days ago

July 30, 2026

OCHEFA

51 Views

The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has commended the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Olayemi Cardoso, for stabilising Nigeria’s monetary environment.

Okonjo-Iweala, gave the commendation on Thursday at the 7th Africa Emerging Markets Forum held in Abuja, with the theme: “Building Resilience Amidst Geo-economic Uncertainties.”

Speaking at the forum, Okonjo-Iweala commended Cardoso on the work that he and his team have done on currency and monetary policy stabilisation.

However, she emphasised that Nigeria must sustain broader macroeconomic reforms.

“Nigerians have to feel the dividends of reform in the real economy,” she added.

The forum brought together policymakers, business leaders and development partners to discuss strategies for strengthening Africa’s resilience amid growing global economic uncertainty.

Business

Naira Exchange Rates Thursday, July 30 : Black Market, CBN, Commercial Bank

Sterling Bank publishes both a buy rate and a sell rate for USD, GBP, EUR, and ZAR. The buy rate is what Sterling Bank will pay you when you exchange foreign currency for Naira. The sell rate is what you will pay when buying foreign currency from Sterling Bank at its branches.