By Adedapo Adesanya

The Lagos State Government has signed Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) with three firms- Fenchurch Power, Mainland Power, and Viathan for about 60MW of generation.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in a statement, noted that plans to scale capacity to 200–400MW within two to three years through market-driven investments under the Lagos State Electricity Law 2024, aligned with the Nigerian Electricity Act.

He noted that the agreements were executed on behalf of the state by Mr Abiodun Ogunleye, the state’s commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources,  alongside representatives of the three firms at Lagos House, Marina.

According to Mr Sanwo-Olu, the signing of three power purchase agreements is designed to build on existing capacity and address what has not been working.

He said Fenchurch Power will support the state’s major water facilities in Adiyan and Iju, while Mainland Power will continue serving Ikeja, Oshodi, and Anthony, with room for expansion.

“Viathan will maintain a stable power supply to key facilities on the Island as we strengthen its integration with the distribution network,” he said.

The Governor insisted that the government will no longer pay for power that is not delivered, explaining that the commercial capital has updated those agreements to reflect current market realities.

“Payments are now tied to actual, metered supply, helping the government to reduce waste and manage costs more effectively,” he added.

He emphasised that the agreement means more reliable power for public infrastructure, better use of state resources, and a clear path to scale capacity over the next few years.

On his part, the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr Ogunleye, stated that development is an attempt to expand generation and revive dormant assets to support a sustainable energy supply.

He noted that the power companies at the moment operate a combined generating capacity of about 60MW and plan to scale up to between 200MW and 400MW within two to three years through market-based investments rather than public spending.

Providing a further breakdown of the network, Mr Ogunleye revealed that Mainland Power, with an installed capacity of 8.8MW, located in the Ikeja GRA axis, has a contracted capacity of 5.8MW, supplying power to strategic public facilities, including the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital and other substations within the state’s network.

He also noted that the Akute Independent Power Plant, now operated by Fenchurch Power, has a contracted capacity of 26MW and is being repositioned as a major energy hub.

The commissioner said the plant, which had been dormant for about five years, is undergoing rehabilitation and upgrades under a long-term operational agreement and is expected to serve surrounding communities, including Adiyan Water Works.

Viathan Engineering, according to him, is expected to service the Island/Lekki corridor, overseeing the Peninsula Integrated Power Project with a combined installed capacity of 21MW — 6MW in Lekki and 15MW in Marina.

Both facilities are expected to supply electricity to major government and health facilities, including Lagos Government House, Lagos Island General Hospital, and Lagos Island Maternity Hospital.

By Adedapo Adesanya

African businessman and the President of the Dangote Group, Mr Aliko Dangote, has announced that the planned expansion of the Dangote Refinery to a production capacity of 1.4 million barrels per day will generate employment for no fewer than 95,000 skilled workers.

According to a statement by the firm, Mr Dangote disclosed this on Saturday in Lagos during his induction as an honorary fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, describing the project as a major milestone in Nigeria’s industrial transformation.

According to him, the expansion underscores the group’s continued commitment to engineering excellence, job creation, and sustainable economic growth.

“This award is particularly meaningful because it recognises what we are doing in the industry, especially our commitment to employing engineers and skilled professionals. At the peak of construction for this expansion, we expect to have about 95,000 skilled workers on site, and we will continue to grow,” Mr Dangote said.

Mr Dangote said that upon completion, the expanded refinery will surpass the Jamnagar refinery in India to become the largest refinery in the world, significantly strengthening Nigeria’s refining capacity.

Mr Dangote noted that the project would rely heavily on Nigerian expertise, creating substantial opportunities for engineers, technicians, artisans, and other skilled professionals. He added that the expansion reflects the group’s long-term vision for industrialisation in Nigeria and across Africa.

Beyond employment generation, the refinery said the expansion is expected to stimulate local manufacturing, enhance technology transfer, and deepen Nigeria’s oil and gas value chain.

It will also improve fuel security, reduce dependence on imported petroleum products, and deliver significant foreign exchange savings for the Nigerian economy.

“The scale of this expansion reflects our confidence in Nigerian capacity and our belief that Africa has the ability to build world-class infrastructure that meets global standards,” Mr Dangote stated.

In his remarks, the President of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, Prof Rahamon Bello, described the honour as well-deserved, noting that Dangote’s impact transcends physical infrastructure.

“What makes this recognition fitting is not only what has been built but also what has been inspired. Alhaji Aliko Dangote’s journey continues to motivate a new generation of engineers, entrepreneurs, and innovators to think boldly, act decisively, and believe in the immense possibilities within our continent,” Bello said.

Recall that recently, the company announced phases to expand its operations and grow its turnover to $100 billion by 2030, with new venture interests, including ports, pipelines, data centres, and mining.

Key initiatives include increasing the capacity of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery from 650,000 barrels per day to 1.4 million barrels per day and boosting its fertiliser production from 3 million tonnes per annum to 12 million tonnes per annum.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The South African Consulate General in Lagos, in partnership with Brand South Africa and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), is hosting the 4th edition of the South Africa Focus Week in Lagos, Nigeria, from April 22 – 26, 2026.

The annual platform continues to grow as a strategic initiative aimed at fostering social cohesion between South Africans and Nigerians while positioning South Africa as a preferred destination for business, tourism, and education. Since its inception in 2023, South Africa Focus Week has attracted over 1,500 participants, bringing together stakeholders from across sectors, including trade and investment, arts and culture, tourism, aviation, and the culinary industry.

The 2026 edition holds particular significance as it coincides with the 30th anniversary of South Africa’s democratic Constitution, enacted in 1996, as well as 32 years of unbroken diplomatic relations between South Africa and Nigeria, established in February 1994. These milestones underscore the enduring partnership between the two nations, rooted in shared history and strengthened through formal agreements and ongoing collaboration.

The 2025 economic relationship between South Africa and Nigeria reflects a strategically significant, multi-dimensional partnership anchored in trade, energy security, investment flows, and strong institutional cooperation. While bilateral trade remains structurally imbalanced – with South Africa exporting US$468.48 million and importing $1.69 billion, resulting in a $1.22 billion deficit – this dynamic is largely driven by South Africa’s reliance on Nigerian crude oil, positioning the relationship as one of strategic interdependence rather than imbalance alone.

This partnership is further elevated by the relative economic weight of both countries. According to IMF projections, South Africa’s economy is valued at approximately $443.6 billion, while Nigeria’s stands at around $334.3 billion in nominal terms for 2026. As two of the largest economies on the continent, their bilateral engagement constitutes a central axis of African economic activity, with disproportionate influence on the success of continental integration efforts.

Beyond trade, the relationship is reinforced by deep two-way investment linkages. South African firms -including MTN Group, Shoprite, and Standard Bank – maintain a strong presence in Nigeria, while Nigerian companies such as Access Bank and Paystack have established a growing footprint in South Africa. Although investment flows are asymmetrical and some Nigerian firms have faced operational challenges, these exchanges reflect an emerging bi-directional economic corridor that extends beyond goods trade into services, finance, and digital innovation.

Aligned with Brand South Africa’s mandate to build the country’s global reputation and competitiveness, the week-long programme will convene leaders from government, business, civil society, academia, and the media. Discussions will focus on leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a tool for market access and global positioning, with Nigeria serving as a key focal point.

The South Africa Focus Week has features a series of high-level engagements and cultural activities designed to deepen economic ties and promote collaboration: South Africa–Nigeria Infrastructure Investment Conference (April 22, 2026) which was held under the theme South Africa–Nigeria Partnership: Unlocking Infrastructure Opportunities,” the conference will bring together key stakeholders in infrastructure development to explore collaborative projects in road, rail, and transportation systems.

The forum also examined the role of Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) and facilitated discussions on project financing and implementation with institutions such as the DBSA and Nigeria’s Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).

This was followed by the 2nd Economic Diplomacy Roundtable (Thursday, April 23, 2026), which was hosted in partnership with MTN Nigeria under the theme Role of Technology in Infrastructure Development, the roundtable will convene senior government officials, private sector leaders, and industry experts to identify investment opportunities and strengthen strategic partnerships.

Friday, April 24, was for Arts and Culture Experience, which is a dedicated cultural day will showcase Lagos’ creative spaces and features a panel discussion on South Africa’s arts, film, music, and culture. The programme includes a South African film screening, engagements with filmmakers, and a networking reception aimed at fostering collaboration between the creative industries of both countries.

The event continues on Thursday, April 25, with Freedom Day Celebration and Closing Ceremony. This commemorative event will celebrate 30 years of South Africa’s Constitution, 32 years of freedom and democracy, and the enduring diplomatic relations between South Africa and Nigeria. The ceremony will also provide an opportunity to reflect on outcomes from the week and outline future areas of cooperation.

The celebration forms part of Brand South Africa’s Global South Africans Programme, which recognises and connects South Africans in the diaspora as ambassadors of the nation’s values and identity.

The week climaxes with the 4th edition of the South Africa Golf Tournament at Ikoyi Golf Club on Saturday, April 26, 2026, which will be done in partnership with Crossflex International.

According to a statement, the event aims to strengthen people-to-people relations through sports diplomacy, bringing together South African and Nigerian golfers in a spirit of camaraderie and collaboration.