Business
President Tinubu Extends Ban on Raw Shea Nut Exports by One Year to Boost Local Processing
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a one-year extension of the ban on the export of raw shea nuts, effective from February 26, 2026, to February 25, 2027.
The decision, announced in a State House press release by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, reinforces the administration’s focus on industrial growth, domestic value addition, and the broader goals of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The extended ban is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s processing capabilities for shea nuts, improve livelihoods in shea-producing communities across the Savanna belt, and shift exports toward higher-value products such as shea butter.
Processed shea butter, valued for its moisturising, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, serves as a key ingredient in cosmetics, skincare, hair products, and edible oils—and commands prices 10 to 20 times higher than raw nuts.
To support effective implementation, President Tinubu has directed the Ministers of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, in collaboration with the Presidential Food Security Coordination Unit (PFSCU), to develop and coordinate a unified, evidence-based national framework.
This framework will align industrialisation, trade, and investment strategies across the entire shea nut value chain.
The President has also endorsed the export framework developed by the Nigerian Commodity Exchange (NCX) and ordered the immediate withdrawal of all existing waivers that previously permitted direct exports of raw shea nuts.
Going forward, any excess or surplus raw shea nuts must be exported exclusively through the NCX in line with its approved guidelines.
In a related measure to enhance local capacity, President Tinubu directed the Federal Ministry of Finance to establish access to a dedicated Non-Oil Export Stimulation Support (NESS) Window.
This facility will enable the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to pilot a Livelihood Finance Mechanism aimed at bolstering production and processing capabilities in the sector.
The Federal Government reiterated its commitment to policies that drive inclusive economic growth, promote local manufacturing, and position Nigeria as a stronger, more competitive player in global agricultural value chains.
Business
TIME Names Moniepoint CTO Felix Ike Among 50 Global Executives of the Year
In its citation, TIME said Ike “has helped to establish the business as one of Africa’s leading financial platforms.
TIME magazine has named Felix Ike, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Nigerian fintech Moniepoint, to its inaugural Executives of the Year: Tech and Data list.
Ike is the only executive representing an African company among the 50 leaders selected for the 2026 list.
The list, unveiled on Tuesday, September 22, recognises chief information officers, chief technology officers, chief data officers and chief product officers whose decisions are shaping how major organisations deploy technology and use data.
Moniepoint is also the only African company represented on the inaugural list.
Ike was named alongside executives from Netflix, CrowdStrike, Dell, Duolingo, AT&T, OpenAI, Anthropic, Shopify and Reddit, among others.
In its citation, TIME said Ike “has helped to establish the business as one of Africa’s leading financial platforms.
“The recognition follows Moniepoint’s inclusion in TIME’s 2025 list of the 100 Most Influential Companies, giving the Lagos-founded fintech another global distinction.
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Business
Djibouti, Ethiopia and Dangote to build $660 million petroleum pipeline
In Kenya, Dangote and the government are due to break ground on a new 700,000-barrel-per-day crude oil refinery in Lamu next week.
Ethiopia, Djibouti and Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote plan to build a $660 million refined petroleum pipeline that will connect Ethiopia and Djibouti, a spokesperson in Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s office said on Thursday.
The project will include a 120-km (75-mile) pipeline, as well as approximately 375,000 cubic metres of storage capacity at Damerjog in Djibouti and 800,000 cubic metres at Dewele in Ethiopia, the spokesperson told Reuters, adding it should become operational within 18 months.
Abiy said on his X account the project will be developed through a partnership between Ethiopian Investment Holdings and the Dangote Group, which separately is already building a $4 billion fertiliser pipeline and power plant, and a polypropylene packaging facility, in Ethiopia.
The project aims to reduce logistics costs and delays along the Ethiopia-Djibouti transport corridor, Abiy said.
Developers say the infrastructure will strengthen energy security and improve supply chain resilience for the two countries, he said.
Abiy is on a visit to Djibouti and made the announcement alongside its president, Ismail Omar Guelleh, and Dangote.
In Kenya, Dangote and the government are due to break ground on a new 700,000-barrel-per-day crude oil refinery in Lamu next week.
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