Business
Will Trump Renew AGOA in September?
Talking about Nigeria’s participation and utilisation of AGOA preferences since the year 2000, the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce said in the past that Nigerian companies had not taken advantage of AGOA.
The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) expires in September 2025, raising questions on the possibility of its renewal.
AGOA is a programme that allows eligible countries in sub-Saharan Africa to export 6,800 different products to the United States without paying tariffs or facing limits on the amount they can export.
It came into existence in the year 2000 when President Bill Clinton’s administration passed some specific trade laws, which included AGOA.
Its purpose is to assist the SSA economy to promote a free market system, stimulate economic growth and integrate into the global economy. AGOA was modernised and extended from 2015 to 2025.
However, a concerted effort was made last December to renew AGOA. American Senator James Ritch introduced a bipartisan Bill that would renew the trade pact for 16 years, extending it to 2041. John James also introduced legislation that would extend AGOA for 12 years.
Apart from differences over the time frames, the two bills were aligned in their support for an enhanced AGOA.
Talking about Nigeria’s participation and utilisation of AGOA preferences since the year 2000, the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce said in the past that Nigerian companies had not taken advantage of AGOA.
In 2023, Nigerian-born US Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, Wally Adeyemo, noted that Nigeria has not taken advantage of AGOA and urged entrepreneurs and start-ups to seize opportunity by selling their products and exploring ‘duty-free access’ to the US markets.
Analysts who spoke to The Guardian agreed that Nigeria has not benefited by not taking full advantage of the window.
A capital market analyst, Ola Adeyanju said that despite Nigeria’s strong fundamentals, lack of basic infrastructures has rendered the citizens powerless against exportation.
“Cost of production and lack of basic infrastructures are seriously working against exporters in this country,” he said.
Source: The Guardian
Business
Royal African Society marks 125 years of Africa – Britain Businesses
The anniversary featured the Closing of Markets Ceremony and ringing of the exchange’s closing bell, alongside high-level sector discussions, fireside chats, the presentation of philanthropy awards and the unveiling of the Top African Brands in the UK and Top British Brands in Africa.
• Arunma Oteh, Chairperson of the Royal African Society
The Royal African Society has marked 125 years anniversary of Africa and Britain businesses and investments at a ceremony held at the London Stock Exchange.
The Wednesday event brought together the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II; President and Chief Executive Officer of Africa Finance Corporation, Samaila Zubairu; Chief Executive Officer of British International Investment, Leslie Maasdorp; Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Flutterwave, Olugbenga “GB” Agboola; Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Royal African Society, Stella Okotete; and other business, diplomatic and policy leaders.
Chairperson of the Royal African Society, Arunma Oteh, said that the organisation had spent 125 years fostering partnerships between both regions.
Oteh said that the celebration was aimed at deepening collaboration between Africa and the UK while promoting investment, innovation and shared prosperity.
The anniversary featured the Closing of Markets Ceremony and ringing of the exchange’s closing bell, alongside high-level sector discussions, fireside chats, the presentation of philanthropy awards and the unveiling of the Top African Brands in the UK and Top British Brands in Africa.
Business
US subjects imports from Nigeria to 12.5% tariff
The tariff affects imports from 60 economies that Washington says have not “imposed and effectively enforced a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labour.”
The United States has imposed a 12.5 per cent tariff on imports from Nigeria as part of a new trade measure targeting countries it says have failed to prohibit the importation of goods produced with forced labour.
The tariff affects imports from 60 economies that Washington says have not “imposed and effectively enforced a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labour.”
The measure was announced in a statement posted on the website of the Office of the United States Trade Representative on Thursday.
Nigeria is among the countries subject to the 12.5 per cent tariff, while India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico and the United Kingdom will face a lower 10 per cent rate after adopting or committing to implement bans on imports linked to forced labour.
The move follows investigations launched by the USTR in May 2026 into 60 of the United States’ largest trading partners under Section 301 of the Trade Act.
According to the agency, it received more than 1,600 written submissions, held public hearings involving over 100 witnesses, and consulted more than 45 governments before announcing the tariffs.
Business
MTN Nigeria asks customers to trade old SIM packs for prizes
MTN named eight collection centres across the country where customers can deposit their items. The locations cover Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Jos, Delta, Port Harcourt, and Ibadan.
MTN Nigeria has invited customers to bring in old SIM packs, recharge cards, booster cards, dongles, and MTN-branded phones in exchange for prizes.
The telecom giant is running the campaign the under the hashtag #YelloMoments.
MTN launched the campaign on Wednesday, July 23, via its official social media pages, telling followers that items kept in drawers over the years could be worth something.
Customers who participate will also be featured on what MTN described as a “Memory Wall.”
Collection centres across Nigeria
MTN named eight collection centres across the country where customers can deposit their items. The locations cover Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Jos, Delta, Port Harcourt, and Ibadan.
In Lagos, customers can visit MTN Plaza at No. 1 Awolowo Road, Falomo, Ikoyi, or the office at 43 Allen Avenue, Ikeja. In Abuja, the collection point is at No. 4, Medeira Street, Maitama.
In Kano, it is at 2, Civil Centre Road. In Jos, Plateau State, the centre is at Plot 3119, Royalfield Road.
In Asaba, Delta State, the location is KLM 129, Benin–Asaba Expressway. In Port Harcourt, Rivers State, customers can go to 234, Old Aba Expressway, Opposite Hannah Fast Food.
In Ibadan, Oyo State, the drop-off point is at MTN Regional Office 1, Olubadan Avenue and Up/Zartech Road, Oluyole Estate.
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