Business
South-East Private Sector Leaders Committed to Regional Investments
Among those leading this initiative are Dr. Cosmas Maduka, President/CEO of Coscharis Group; Mr. Johnson Chukwu, Managing Director/CEO of Cowry Assets Management Ltd.; Etemore Glover, CEO of Impact Investors Foundation; and Prof. Franklin Ngwu, Director of Lagos Business School.
On October 3, 2024, the Enugu Fashion Hub cluster was inaugurated by Vice President Kashim Shettima, marking a significant step towards enhancing economic development in the South-East region.
In a concerted effort to elevate the region’s economy, prominent private sector leaders and entrepreneurs have united to initiate business ventures that will foster regional transformation.
Among those leading this initiative are Dr. Cosmas Maduka, President/CEO of Coscharis Group; Mr. Johnson Chukwu, Managing Director/CEO of Cowry Assets Management Ltd.; Etemore Glover, CEO of Impact Investors Foundation; and Prof. Franklin Ngwu, Director of Lagos Business School.
During a recent meeting focused on the fourth-quarter economic outlook for the region, these leaders agreed on the need to establish a comprehensive roadmap for economic development.
This strategy will address challenges related to security and governance while promoting private-sector-led initiatives.
The discussions also encompassed ways to engage citizens of the region living in the diaspora, both locally and internationally, in investment opportunities within the area.
Additionally, the establishment of an Eastern Economic Summit was proposed as a dedicated platform for advancing regional development and advocacy.
Prof. Ngwu, who facilitated the session, emphasized the significant developmental needs of the region despite its vast human capital and material resources that remain largely untapped.
He pointed out that the initiative is crucial at this juncture, particularly given the various distractions faced by governments at all levels in the region.
This commitment to collaboration among private sector stakeholders signifies a proactive approach to unlocking the region’s potential and fostering sustainable growth.
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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