Business
LCCI, NIXIN Reel Actions to Boost Nigeria’s Paper Industry
He condemned the current tariff regime, which imposes duties on plain paper imports but allows for the importation of printed materials duty-free.
The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has called on the Federal Government to provide policy support and incentives to boost local paper manufacturing in Nigeria.
The Chairman, LCCI, Printing Publishing and Allied Group (PPA), Gabriel Okonkwo, stressed the urgent need for government intervention in the paper manufacturing sector to revive local production and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imports.
During a meeting with stakeholders at NIXIN Paper Mill, Okonkwo highlighted policy inconsistencies that have continued to undermine local manufacturers.
He condemned the current tariff regime, which imposes duties on plain paper imports but allows for the importation of printed materials duty-free.
“This unfair policy has created a lopsided competitive environment that favours foreign manufacturers over local producers.
“This has led to a situation where it’s cheaper to print books and other materials abroad and import them, rather than produce them locally,” he added.
As a result, a significant number of printing jobs are being outsourced to other countries, depriving our local industry of business opportunities.
If local manufacturers can provide high-quality paper at competitive prices, it would reduce our reliance on imports, conserve foreign exchange, create jobs, and contribute significantly to the economy,” Okonkwo said.
He pointed out that Nigeria’s large population, especially its student demographic, offers a massive market for paper products, calling on support for local paper manufacturers to produce at scale and competitive prices.
Reinforcing his call for increased confidence in local capacity, Okonkwo pointed to recent developments with the electoral body as a case in point. “INEC didn’t even believe we could produce ballot papers locally until recently.
It’s time we began to believe in and invest in our own,” Okonkwo stressed.
As part of NIXIN Paper Mill’s commitment to the nation’s self-sustenance, the paper mill is concentrated on increasing production capacity, improving product quality, and expanding its product line to meet the growing demands of the Nigerian market, thereby reducing the country’s dependence on foreign paper products and contributing to the growth of the local economy.
The Managing Director of NIXIN Paper Mill, Eric Wang, highlighted the potential of Nigeria’s paper industry, comparing it with his hometown in China, with a population of just 300,000, supporting a paper factory that consumes over 20,000 tons monthly.
In contrast, Nigeria, with a population exceeding 200 million, recorded only 70,000 to 75,000 tonnes per month, a figure he believes should be much higher given the country’s educational and commercial demands.
“We see that over 80 percent of Nigeria’s educational and printing materials are imported from Asia,” Wang stated.
Business Manager, NIXIN, Williams Sun, echoed that Nigeria significantly underutilized its local paper production capacity, with many orders still going to countries like India and China.
He emphasized the significant investment NIXIN has made of over $60 million and expressed frustration over the lack of returns, noting that one year into operations, the expected market response has yet to materialize.
Sun urged the government to support investors and take steps that will attract more players into the publishing and paper production space, which is critical for building a self-sufficient industry.
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Business
IEA Cushions Global Oil Supply By 290 Million Barrels March -July
Ultimately, a full and unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz remains essential to avoid a further deterioration in global energy security.
Image credit : IEA Oil Market Report
The International Energy Agency (IEA) said that its member countries had so far released 290 million barrels of oil available to the market.
IEA Executive Director, Dr Fatih Birol confirmed,in a statement posted on the website, Monday.
” Since the announcement on 11 March of the IEA collective action to make 400 million barrels of oil available to the market, around 290 million barrels have been released by IEA Member countries, with more continuing to flow to the market.”
Birol said that IEA countries still hold a substantial volume of emergency stocks in reserve, including over 1 billion barrels of government-controlled stocks.
He emphasised that, for the moment, crude oil and gas markets have continued to benefit from several cushioning factors.
These include significant supplies from Gulf producers – notably through major efforts by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates – that have continued to reach global markets via various routes. In addition, oil producers in other regions – notably the United States, Brazil, Venezuela and Kazakhstan – have increased exports, helping offset some of the supply losses.
On the demand side, China has played an important role in stabilising markets by reducing its crude oil imports by nearly 50% compared with pre-war levels. is closely monitoring the situation in oil markets following recent developments in the conflict in the Middle East – with the escalation in hostilities affecting the Strait of Hormuz and energy infrastructure in the region increasing security of supply concerns and casting greater uncertainty over the market outlook.
Threats to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, an increasingly important alternative shipping route for bypassing Hormuz, are adding to those concerns.
Dr Birol emphasised that there is no room for complacency on oil security amid the escalation in hostilities and drawing down of available commercial inventories.
Refinery activity and product supplies have not picked up as much as crude deliveries, meaning that markets for refined oil products, including diesel and gasoline, are considerably tighter than those for crude.
Ultimately, a full and unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz remains essential to avoid a further deterioration in global energy security.
For natural gas, a large majority of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply lost due to the Hormuz disruptions has been offset by LNG flows from other markets, led by the United States.
But further delays in resuming Gulf exports risk keeping global LNG markets tighter for longer, Dr Birol warned.
Business
Nigerian Exchange Emerges Top In Africa By Dollar Values
By comparison, Zimbabwe Stock Exchange, trails Nigeria when returns are converted into dollars, underscoring how currency movements can significantly alter relative market standings from a global investment perspective.
The Nigerian equities market has emerged Africa’s strongest performer in U.S. dollar terms with a 68.2 percent Year- till-Date (YtD) return in the first seven months of 2026.
The bourse performance between January and July 24, 2026 outpaced other continental stock markets helped by investors confidence on the back of reforms by the Nigerian government.
The strong performance in dollar terms highlights the impact of exchange rate dynamics and renewed foreign portfolio participation.
By comparison, Zimbabwe Stock Exchange, trails Nigeria when returns are converted into dollars, underscoring how currency movements can significantly alter relative market standings from a global investment perspective.
Source: ThisDay
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