• Aliko Dangote and Benedict Oramah

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has contributed US$1.35 billion of the US$4 billion syndicated financing arrangement for Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) to refinance the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Complex.

Commenting on the development, Professor Benedict Oramah, President & Chairman of Board of Directors at Afreximbank, said:“With this landmark deal, we once again demonstrate that Africa’s development can only be meaningfully financed from within.

“It is only when African institutions lead the way that others can follow.

The journey to utilise African resources for its own economic transformation is well underway.

Through the Bank’s funding support, we are enhancing the capacity of the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Industries Ltd to produce and supply high quality refined petroleum products to the Nigerian market, as well as for export to the entire continent and the world. Our energy security is in sight.”

Aliko Dangote, President/Chief Executive, Dangote Industries Limited, added:“Afreximbank’s contribution to this milestone financing underscores our shared vision to industrialize Africa from within.

“This refinancing strengthens our balance sheet and accelerates with ease the refinery’s supply of high-quality refined petroleum products across Africa, ” said Aliko Dangote.

Afreximbank acted as the Mandated Lead Arranger, for the syndication.

This financing— one of the largest syndicated loans in recent African financial markets—will refinance capital expended on constructing

The financing alleviates initial operational expenditures and enhances DIL’s balance sheet, supporting its continued growth trajectory.

Afreximbank contributed US$1.35 billion, the largest share among participating banks, underscoring its commitment to large-scale infrastructure that advances Africa’s industrialization, energy security, and intra-African trade.

Since operations at the refinery complex began in February 2024, Afreximbank has continued to support the Dangote Refinery by providing key financing solutions—for crude supply and product offtake—ensuring uninterrupted operations and reinforcing its role in Africa’s most significant refining intervention.

*Dr Jumoke Oduwole, the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment

The first three months of the Federal Government’s “Nigeria First Policy” directive ended with stakeholders expecting Dr Jumoke Oduwole, the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, to update the business community, especially Nigerian manufacturers on how well the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) have complied with the Patronage of quality made in Nigeria products.

In May 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced the ‘Nigeria First’ policy, a bold assertion of economic sovereignty to reshape Nigeria’s financial priorities.

This policy emphasises the promotion of domestic goods and services, particularly within government procurement and public sector activities.Its core objectives are to strengthen Nigeria’s local industries, reduce import dependence, and accelerate industrialisation through import substitution.

Following the enthusiasm surrounding the policy, the Minister stated during an appearance on Channels TV that her ministry would conduct quarterly performance evaluations of all MDAs based on their adherence to the Nigeria First Policy, emphasising the importance of buying made-in-Nigeria goods and services.

She noted that compliance with the policy will now be integrated into performance metrics for the President’s Central Coordinating Delivery Unit.

Oduwole asserted, “This compliance will be continuously monitored. As a major player in the economy, the government must lead by example by boosting local production and decreasing reliance on imports.

“She outlined three main areas where the policy will be implemented: focusing on local procurement, ensuring that all local options are considered before exploring foreign alternatives, and improving regulatory and bureaucratic processes to support local enterprises.

The Minister expressed that her ministry’s performance aligns with the President’s directives, with the overarching goal of fostering both domestic and foreign investment to enhance productivity, trade, and export growth.

•Dr Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry Trade and Investment

The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) has called for ongoing lending support for high-performing sectors of the economy and targeted intervention for sectors currently in recession.

This appeal follows the recently rebased Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), now based on a new reference year 2019.

The latest GDP data for Quarter 1 of 2025 reveals the following:- 37 sectors recorded growth, though many experienced a slowdown.- 9 sectors contracted, and 3 sectors are in recession.

The top-performing sectors include:- Financial Services: 15.3%- Oil Refining: 11.51%- Transportation: 14.08%- Information and Communication Technology (ICT): 7.4%- Metal Ores: 25%Conversely, the sectors that contracted are:- Livestock: -16.7%- Fishing: -0.21%- Textiles: -1.63%- Coal Mining: -22.3%- Quarry & Minerals: -21.55%- Plastics and Rubber: -3.2%- Iron & Steel: -0.35%- Air Transport: -0.81%.

The sectors currently in recession include air transport, textiles, and coal mining.

Dr. Muda Yusuf, director and CEO of CPPE, emphasised the importance of enhancing productivity in critical areas such as agriculture, manufacturing, and trade.

He stated, “These sectors are essential for economic inclusion, job creation, self-reliance, economic security, and diversification.

However, their growth rates are currently below expectations: agriculture grew by only 0.7%, and manufacturing by 1.7% in Q1 2025.

These sectors require targeted interventions to unlock their full potential and drive sustainable development.”