Author: Victor Olayiwola

The long-anticipated return of the Lagos International Trade Fair has become a defining moment for Nigeria’s commercial landscape, reigniting Lagos’s reputation as a dominant trading centre and gateway for regional commerce across West Africa. Speaking with Business Insider Africa, Barrister Vera Safiya Ndanusa, Executive Director of the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex Management Board (LITFCMB), described the fair’s comeback as a major victory for the nation’s business community and a catalyst for renewed economic activity. Ndanusa highlighted that the fair acts as a crucial marketplace where entrepreneurs, manufacturers, and innovators can converge under one roof. With exhibition spaces offered at…

For years, discussions around technological innovation in Africa were framed in terms of future potential — possibilities waiting to be unlocked someday. Today, that narrative has shifted dramatically. Innovation on the continent is no longer theoretical; it is actively unfolding, shaped by Africa’s own social dynamics, economic realities, and local challenges. A new generation of founders, investors, and policymakers is building an ecosystem that does not simply borrow dominant global models. Instead, Africa is redefining them, and the world is taking notice at Emerging Valley, where these ideas and innovations converge. During the 9th edition of the event, held on…

Paramount Africa has officially announced that it will cease all operations by the end of December 2025, bringing to a close more than twenty years of broadcasting and media production across South Africa, Nigeria, and the wider continent. For decades, the company served as one of Africa’s most recognisable entertainment brands, reaching over 100 million viewers in 52 territories and offering a diverse catalogue of youth culture, music, comedy, and children’s programming. However, the broadcaster has now become one of the casualties of a major global restructuring effort initiated by its parent company, Paramount Global. The division is well-known for…

In November 2025, Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, renowned entrepreneur and Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, participated in a major dialogue at CNN’s Global Perspectives on Africa event held in London. The session, moderated by CNN’s Eleni Giokos, also featured Lady Lynn Forester de Rothschild, Founder and CEO of the Council for Inclusive Capitalism. Together, they explored the growing impact of Africapitalism and the emergence of a new, more inclusive global economic model shaped by African perspectives. The discussion focused on how Africa’s private sector and its rising generation of entrepreneurs are driving sustainable development, building stronger communities, and influencing…

GTR Africa London is set to return on November 12, 2026, reaffirming its position as the United Kingdom’s leading platform for discussions centered on Africa’s trade, export, and infrastructure financing landscape. As one of the most anticipated events on the international trade calendar, the conference continues to serve as a critical hub for connecting global stakeholders who are shaping the future of African commerce. The 2026 edition is expected to welcome over 500 delegates, including senior representatives from major banks, multinational corporations, export credit agencies, development finance institutions, insurers, and investment bodies. With more than three hours of structured networking…

The BusyBee Event Business Summit has taken a significant step toward expanding its regional footprint by forming a new international partnership with the Sofitel Cotonou Marina Hotel & Spa. This collaboration marks a major milestone in BusyBee’s ongoing mission to strengthen the events, tourism and hospitality landscape across West Africa. The announcement was made during the recently concluded 9th edition of the BusyBee Event Business Summit, held in Abuja. According to the summit’s convener, Bisi Sotunde, the partnership highlights the increasing global recognition the platform is receiving and reflects its commitment to intensifying cross-border connections within the industry. As part…

Across Africa, heatwaves, droughts, cyclones and intense flooding are no longer rare or exceptional. These events, once considered unusual, have become increasingly frequent as climate patterns shift. Major African cities are now among the fastest-deteriorating regions in terms of air quality, with pollution levels projected to climb even further in the coming years. While extreme weather events are visibly damaging communities, destroying property and affecting businesses, experts warn that there is another crisis unfolding beneath the surface. The mental health consequences of climate change—particularly on the workforce—are severe, far-reaching and often overlooked. These concerns were emphasised during a recent International…

Binance (www.Binance.com) today announced the launch of Binance Junior (https://apo-opa.co/49UWuBE), a new parent-controlled app and sub-account for kids and teens, ages 6-17, that offers parents a family-centric platform to build crypto wealth and savings, helping prepare their children for a digital financial future. Binance Junior allows parents to open and manage crypto savings accounts on behalf of their children, enabling young users to save and earn crypto in the account through Binance Flexible Simple Earn, while restricting trading activities to ensure safety. Parents can fund the Binance Junior account via their master account or through on-chain transfers. By offering controlled…

Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP), the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) , and CDG Invest, part of the Caisse de Dépôt et de Gestion (CDG) Group, have signed a landmark agreement formalising CDG Invest’s entry into the Growth and Resilience Platform for Africa (GRAf). The agreement was announced in Rabat during the 2025 Market Days, the three-day centerpiece event of the Africa Investment Forum. GRAf is a co-investment platform promoted by CDP and the African Development Bank Group as part of the implementation of Italy’s Mattei Plan for Africa. CDP is Italy’s flagship development finance institution. Under the Mattei Plan for Africa,…

The Arab Africa Trade Bridges (AATB) Program signed the Membership Agreement with the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, officially welcoming the country as a new Member. The signing ceremony took place in Abuja on the sidelines of the 5th AATB Board of Governors Meeting, hosted by the Federal Government of Nigeria. The Agreement was signed between Eng. Nasser Al-Thekair, GM Trade & Business Development at the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), and Mr. Clement Kouakou, Deputy Director of the Ministerial Cabinet, Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development of Cote d’Ivoire. The membership reflects Côte d’Ivoire’s strategic commitment to strengthening economic…