Economy
UK Assures Nigeria Better Investments, Visa Policy
By Adedapo Adesanya
- Promises Easier Visa Policy
- Vows to Compete with China, Others to Boost Trade
- To Cut Aid Linked to Coal for Climate Protection
The United Kingdom is looking to Nigeria and other African countries as the next ideal partner to boost its international trade as it finalises its Brexit dealings this year.
At the UK-Africa Investment Summit in London on Monday, British Prime Minister, Mr Boris Johnson, promised African leaders from 21 countries better investments, an environmentally friendly development aid and visa reform.
The Prime Minister said that the UK was just one in a long list of countries currently wooing African countries, including China, Turkey and France, but said that the country had many potentials in the areas of financial services, education, and technology.
To further woo the African delegates, Mr Johnson announced that there would be two policy changes to enable this. First is the immigration system which he said would be fairer.
It was also noted that the UK would be ending all its aid directly linked to coal or coal-fired power stations. Seen as a climate friendly gesture, Mr Johnson has invited President Muhammdu Buhari to the 2020 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) to be held in Glasgow, Scotland in November.
These moves are to help the country compete with other global powers to tap into the African market as evident in the trade numbers which showed that UK’s two-way trade with Africa in the year ending in the second quarter of 2019 was $46 billion, while in comparison, Africa’s two-way trade with China, the continent’s top trading partner, was $208 billion in 2019.
This is not surprising as Africa is showing economic momentum as the recently launched African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTFA) offers many benefits and last year, economic growth slowed in all geographic areas except Africa, according to reports by the United Nations (UN) in its annual World Economic Situation and Prospects for 2020.
In his address, the UK chief parliamentarian noted that the partnership was long overdue, but said that the British government and the businesses will work hard to convince African nations to see the country as a business partner.
“We have no divine right to that business,” he said. “This is a competitive world. You have may suitors,” he added.
During his meeting with President Buhari on the sidelines of the summit, he also noted that Nigeria was part of the UK’s investment lookout, pointing out that has its second largest trading partner, the country was committed to supporting Nigeria’s growing economy through investment and shared expertise.
Economy
Zichis Confirms Intention to Borrow from Capital Market
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
One of the newest members of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited, Zichis Agro-Allied Industries Plc, has confirmed its intention to approach the capital market to raise funds, subject to shareholder and regulatory approval.
However, it denied reports suggesting it’s “set to undertake an Initial Public Offering (IPO) or related capital raising activity.”
In a notice on Monday, the firm affirmed proposing “to seek shareholders’ approval at its forthcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) to raise additional capital, which may be through equity, debt, or a combination of both, subject to regulatory approvals and market conditions.”
“At this stage, the structure, timing, and details of any such capital raising have not been finalised, and no specific transaction has been concluded,” a part of the statement signed by the company secretary, Solomon Itsede, stressed.
Zichis expressed its commitment to upholding “the highest standards of corporate governance, transparency, and timely disclosure.”
“Accordingly, any material corporate actions or capital market activities will be formally communicated through the appropriate regulatory channels,” it said, advising shareholders and the investing public “to rely solely on official disclosures and filings made by the company through the NGX and other authorised regulatory platforms when making investment decisions.”
Zichis welcomed the “continued interest of investors and market participants in its operations and performance,” promising to remain focused on delivering sustainable value through disciplined strategic execution.
It also lauded the continued support of its shareholders, saying it remains committed to maintaining transparency in all its communications.
Economy
NERC Orders Transparent Reporting of Transmission Loss Factors
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has issued a directive to ensure transparency in reporting the Regional Electricity Transmission Loss Factor, as it remains above the 7 per cent threshold.
In a public notice posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, the order, contained in No. NERC/2026/026 is aimed at improving transparency and efficiency in Nigeria’s power grid through enhanced reporting of Regional Transmission Loss Factors (TLF).
The regulator disclosed that the order is backed by the provisions of the Electricity Act 2023, which enables the commission to regulate, monitor, and ensure efficiency in the power sector.
According to the statement, the Data from the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) indicate that the national average TLF was 8.71 per cent in 2024 but was reduced to 7.24 per cent in 2025.
The statement added that the report exceeds the 7 per cent benchmark approved by NERC in the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO).
The statement reads, “The Order dated 8 April 2026 establishes a formal framework for reporting transmission losses across regions operated by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
“Taking effect from 13 April 2026, the Order is backed by provisions of the Electricity Act 2023, which empower NERC to regulate, monitor, and ensure efficiency in the electricity market.”
The directive reads, “NISO to install smart meters at all boundary regional interconnection points by December 2026 to accurately measure energy flows for each region of the transmission network.
“NISO to measure and document all energy flow of power transformers at transmission substations.
“NISO to file quarterly reports on TLF to NERC on a regional basis.”
It added, “TCN to file an action plan by July 2026 on the reduction of TLF to a value within the 7 per cent approved benchmarks in the regions.
“TCN to ensure that TLF across transmission regions shall not exceed 6.5 per cent by December 2026.”
NERC concluded that the order is designed to strengthen accountability in transmission operations and support better grid performance through structured loss reporting.
Economy
Dangote Refinery Plans Cross-border Listing of Shares
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigerian businessman, Mr Aliko Dangote, is planning to list shares of his $20 billion oil refinery on multiple African stock exchanges.
The landmark cross-border public offering on the continent was disclosed by the chief executive of the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), Mr Frank Mwiti, following a meeting held last week in Lagos between Mr Dangote and several heads of African exchanges.
Last year, Mr Dangote unveiled plans to list a 10 per cent stake in his Lagos-based refinery on the Nigerian Exchange this year.
According to a Bloomberg report, citing an email from the chief executive of FirstCap, Mr Ukandu Ukandu, Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited, Vetiva Advisory Services Limited, and FirstCap Limited have been appointed as advisers for the initial public offering of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE.
Mr Mwiti said the proposed listing is designed to cut across multiple markets and deepen investor participation across the continent.
“The plan is to structure a pan-African IPO,” he said.
Bloomberg also reported that a spokesman for the Dangote Group confirmed that discussions had taken place between Mr Dangote and exchange officials but declined to provide further details.
In February 2026, Mr Dangote said that the IPO could be launched within the next five months.
“But individually Nigerians too will have an opportunity in the next maximum four or five months, they will actually be able to buy their shares,” he said at the time.
He added that investors would have flexibility in how they receive returns.
“People will have a choice either to get their dividends in naira or to get their dividends in dollars because we earn in Dollars.”
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