Business
XeJet Eyeing Aircraft Components Manufacturing in Nigeria, After Launch of MRO Facility In Abuja
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, noted that the move aligns with the federal government’s vision to support local operators and boost the nation’s aviation industry.
The Chief Executive Officer of XEJet, Emmanuel Iza, has disclosed plans to position Nigeria on the global map of aircraft manufacturing, repairs and operations.
“The vision is ambitious. It is to contribute to aircraft manufacturing, even if it’s just components like wings, landing gears, or tires.
Nigeria has the talent and ability; we just need the enabling environment and facilities to make it happen,” he said.
Iza spoke during the launch of XeJet’s Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility and flight support center in Abuja.
He said: “Currently, XeJet employs about 300 people. With this new facility, we expect to quadruple that number.
First phase involves site preparation, including leveling the ground and constructing a taxiway to connect the runway to the facility, which is estimated to cost $5 million. The structure itself will require an equal investment.”
On the occasion, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, noted that the move aligns with the federal government’s vision to support local operators and boost the nation’s aviation industry.
He said: ” Since we came to office, we’ve been focused on attracting MRO facilities to our aviation ecosystem, just as they exist in other parts of the world.
“We’ve searched far and wide for investors, but now we see that what we were looking for elsewhere is right here at home. This collaboration between XeJet and local banks is a dream come true.”
Keyamo added: “This development will not only serve Nigeria but will attract users from across the West African sub-region. That’s the dream—to make this facility a regional center for excellence.”
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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