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

4 months ago

June 9, 2026

OCHEFA

248 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.

Up Next

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

Don't Miss

Exchange Rates Today Tuesday June 9,2026

Click to comment

Business

Naira Exchange Rates Friday, October 16

Published

3 days ago

October 16, 2026

OCHEFA

25 Views

BLACK/ PARALLEL MARKET RATES

₦1370 DOLLAR (USD)

₦1800 POUND (GBP)

₦1510 EURO (EUR)

₦970 CANADIAN DOLLAR (CAD)

₦65 SOUTH AFRICAN RAND (ZAR)

₦350 UAE DIRHAM (AED)

₦190 CHINESE YUAN (CNY)

₦100 GHANAIAN CEDI (GHS)

₦2300 WEST AFRICAN CFA F.(XOF)

₦2200 CENTRAL AFRICAN CFA F.(XAF)

₦850 AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR AUSSIE (AUD)

CBN OFFICIAL RATES

DOLLAR (USD)₦1331.61

POUND (GBP)₦1764.26

EURO (EUR)₦1490.48

SWISS FRANC (CHF)₦1608.23

JAPANESE YEN (JPN)₦8.4

CFA FRANC (XOF)₦2.27

WEST AFRICAN UNIT OF ACCOUNT (WAUA)₦1802.33

CHINESE YUAN (CNY)₦199.01

SAUDI RIYAL (SAR)₦354.83

SOUTH AFRICAN RAND (ZAR)₦80.49

Business

WEF could appoint Lagarde as its next chair, sources say

The WEF’s Board of Trustees, which includes Lagarde herself, was due to meet on November 2 and could elect her as its next chair, said the people close to the organisation, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of ⁠the matter.

Published

3 days ago

October 15, 2026

OCHEFA

38 Views

•European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde

The World Economic Forum could appoint Christine Lagarde as its next chair as soon as next month, four people close to the organisation told Reuters, meaning she would step down early as European Central Bank chief and trigger a wider ‌reshuffle at the top of the ECB.Lagarde’s ECB term is scheduled to end in October 2027.

Leaving early would give European Union leaders a chance to pick a new ECB President before France’s spring presidential election, which opinion polls suggest the far-right could win, and could pave the way for a deal involving two other senior ECB roles.

No final decision has been taken yet, they said.

A spokesperson for the WEF said the forum could not confirm when the next full Board of Trustees meeting would take place, but that the aim was to hold one before the end of the year.

Business

Germany plans tax on sugary drinks

The tax is expected to generate additional revenue for the federal government of €690 million in 2027 and €925 million in 2028.

Published

3 days ago

October 15, 2026

OCHEFA

39 Views

The German cabinet has approved draft legislation to tax sugary drinks in Europe’s biggest economy.

If passed by the German Bundestag, the tax will take effect on 1 July 2027.

The coalition aims to raise revenue for the federal budget while encouraging manufacturers to reduce sugar content and offer healthier products.

The levy is intended to ease pressure on the healthcare system, which faces costs of more than €2 billion every year linked to the high consumption of sugary drinks, which contributes to obesity, diabetes and tooth decay.

According to the federal government, Berlin is using the tax to implement “what associations from the fields of health, science, child protection, and consumer protection have long been demanding.”

The tax is expected to generate additional revenue for the federal government of €690 million in 2027 and €925 million in 2028.