Business
Nigeria approves national blockchain Policy to drive digital economy
The new blockchain policy aligns with Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.
Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy (FMCDE) has approved the National Blockchain Policy as the country doubles down on creating a blockchain-powered economy.
The adoption of the policy by the government will pave the way for the formal utilization of the technology in the country, which has seen significant crypto adoption in recent years. The FMCDE believes its implementation will have a positive effect on both the public and private sectors in Nigeria.
Blockchain Adoption
The latest push towards blockchain has also been prompted by Nigeria’s efforts to move away from its heavy economic reliance on the oil and gas sector and instead allow the economy to “leapfrog” into one driven by digital technologies.
As such, the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy developed the National Blockchain Policy to diversify the economy on behalf of the federal government. This is in line with the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), which was unveiled by President Muhammadu Buhari in November 2019.
Subsequently, the first draft of the policy released in October 2020 outlined the strategy and stated that it aligns with the 8 pillars of the ‘DIGITAL NIGERIA’ Roadmap of the FMCDE. They focus on – Developmental Regulation, Digital Literacy & Skills, Solid Infrastructure, Service Infrastructure, Digital Services Development & Promotion, Soft Infrastructure, Digital Society & Emerging technologies, and finally, Indigenous Content Development and Adoption.
“The vision of the Policy is to create a Blockchain-powered economy that supports secure transactions, data sharing, and value exchange between people, businesses, and Government, thereby enhancing innovation, trust, growth, and prosperity for all. The implementation of the National Blockchain Policy will have a positive effect on both the public and private sectors of the country.”
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) will be tasked with coordinating the policy initiatives under the oversight of the FMCDE. The authorities have also set up a multisectoral steering committee to monitor policy implementation.
The Federal Executive Council, on the other hand, directed relevant regulatory bodies – NITDA, Nigeria’s Central Bank, the National Universities Commission, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Nigerian Communications Commission to develop regulatory structures for blockchain implementation across various sectors of the economy.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s SEC plans to support tokenization, with the main focus being real-world assets such as equities, bonds, and real estate. Cryptocurrency, however, is not on the roadmap.
Earlier this year, the country witnessed a cash shortage that led to violent protests, leaving countless citizens injured and a few dead. Nigerians have flocked to cryptocurrencies to hedge against current inflation and dodge the various limitations on naira transactions in online payments. The African country was ranked 11th on the Chainalysis 2022 Global Crypto Adoption Index and 17th for peer-to-peer exchange trade volume.
According to Binance’s West & East Africa Director Nadeem Anjarwalla, the approval of the policy indicates that Nigeria is positioning itself as a nation significantly ahead of the curve. In a statement to CryptoPotato, Anjarwalla commended the all-encompassing approach laid out in the reviewed policy document based on the key initiatives that include establishing a blockchain consortium and strengthening the regulatory and legal framework.
“We believe that growth in blockchain technology is set to become a key differentiator for economies and a key measure of international competitiveness in the next decade for attracting foreign direct investment, cultivating innovation, and creating jobs. As such, this is a welcome development and a significant milestone for the blockchain industry in Nigeria.”
Blockchain Tech Adoption Trajectory
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) recently published a report extensively analyzing blockchain technology. It observed that blockchain, which happens to be one of the “world’s fastest developing technologies,” could boost the global economy with $1.76 trillion by 2030.
The economists at the finance giant expect the majority of businesses to be leveraging blockchain by 2025. By 2025, blockchain’s GDP is estimated to reach $422 billion.
SOURCE: CryptoPotato
Business
Nigeria’s economy grows 3.7% in H1- Stanbic IBTC report
Muyiwa Oni, Head of Equity Research, West Africa at Stanbic IBTC Bank, said that the estimated 3.7 percent year-on-year GDP growth aligns with expectations for annual growth of 3.5 percent.
• President Bola Tinubu
The Nigerian economy grew by 3.7 percent in the first half of 2025, driven by improved business conditions and increased oil production.
This was revealed in the Stanbic IBTC Bank Nigeria Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) report compiled by S&P Global and released on Tuesday.
Earlier, the World Bank estimated that Nigeria’s economy would grow by 3.6 percent in 2025, higher than the 3.4 percent recorded in 2024, despite shifts in global trade dynamics.
This projection is lower than the Central Bank of Nigeria’s estimate of 4.17 percent and the ambitious 5.5 percent GDP growth forecasted by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group in January.
Muyiwa Oni, Head of Equity Research, West Africa at Stanbic IBTC Bank, said that the estimated 3.7 percent year-on-year GDP growth aligns with expectations for annual growth of 3.5 percent.
He said, “Insights from the monthly PMIs and crude oil production data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission suggest an economy that grew by an estimated 3.7 per cent y/y in H1 2025, supported by higher crude oil production and improved growth in manufacturing and services, while agriculture continues to lag its long-term average growth rate of 3.6 per cent.”
Business
Lagos Declares Manufacturing, Selling, Distributing single-use Plastics a Crime
Wahab called on the public, particularly business owners, food vendors, and market traders, to cooperate with the government to ensure a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable Lagos.
• Tokunbo Wahab
The Lagos State Government has announced the commencement of full enforcement of the ban on the use and distribution of Single-Use Plastics (SUPs) across the state, effective July 1, 2025.
Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, made the announcement on Tuesday during a media briefing held at Alausa, Ikeja.
He emphasized that offenders will be prosecuted in line with the State’s Environmental Laws.
Wahab stated that the decision to enforce the ban follows an 18-month transition period granted to residents, manufacturers, and vendors to adjust and adopt more sustainable alternatives.
“The decision to ban Single-Use Plastics in Lagos was not arbitrary. It was an existential one, influenced by multiple factors,” he said.
Wahab explained that Lagos, a coastal city situated below sea level with the smallest land mass in the country—just 3,575 square kilometers—houses about 10 percent of Nigeria’s population.
“That alone is a recipe for environmental crisis. We did not just wake up whimsically and choose to ban styrofoam food packs in 2024.
We had always stated that within the next 12 months, all single-use plastics would follow.
Now, nearly 18 months later, we believe ample time has been given for all to transition. Enforcement starts July 1, and heavens will not fall.
Banned Items and Reasons
Styrofoam Packs: Banned due to their non-biodegradable nature and harmful environmental impact.
Plastic Straws: Prohibited to reduce plastic waste and promote eco-friendly alternatives.
Disposable Plastic Cups and Cutleries: Banned to curb single-use plastic pollution.
Lightweight Nylon Bags: Outlawed because they are not reusable or biodegradable, contributing significantly to environmental degradation.
Wahab called on the public, particularly business owners, food vendors, and market traders, to cooperate with the government to ensure a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable Lagos.
….New rate takes effect from June 30.
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has reduced the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol, from N880 to N840 per litre.
Anthony Chiejina, the Spokesman for the Dangote Group, confirmed the price adjustment on Monday night.
Chiejina said the new rate took effect on June 30.
He said, “PMS price has been reduced from N880 to N840 per litre effective 30th June,.
Recall that Dangote refinery hiked the price of petrol to N880 as tension escalated during the 12-day crisis between Israel and Iran, raising the price of crude oil to almost $80 per barrel.
Also, marketers anticipated that there would be a new price regime from Monday.
Dangote’s partners like MRS, Heyden and AP are expected to adjust their pump prices soon.
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