Economy
AfDB to Prioritise Private Sector in Climate, Green Growth Financing
By Adedapo Adesanya
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has revealed plans to plug the gaps in the much-needed finances on the continent by leveraging the private sector, especially in climate and green growth.
This was disclosed by Mr Kelvin Urama, the first Vice President for the Economic Governance and Knowledge Management Complex of the bank, during the virtual Pre-Annual Meetings media conference.
The briefing was organised to herald the bank’s annual meetings, scheduled to hold from May 22 to May 27 in Sham El Sheikh, Egypt, where COP27 was held last year.
According to Mr Urama, the need for financing for Africa is very humongous for the public sector financing to meet those demands.
“This year, the bank will focus on how to leverage the private sector to address the financial gaps for achieving the paramount actions and bring good transitions on the continent.
“To do this, we have structured five different and very interesting knowledge events for the meeting, one of them is the presidential dialogue.
“This will feature our heads of the state having a dialogue with the bank’s president on the changing global financial architecture and the role of the multilateral development banks.
“How do we position the MDBs and the MDB reforms within the era of trying to mobilise financing more for Africa to reach all the financing gaps we had already highlighted?”
Mr Urama said there would be an inauguration of the African Economic Outlook 2023 which will focus again on mobilising private sector financing for climate change and green growth in Africa.
He said, “Here, the report will have key areas on looking at the macro-economic performance and outlook on the continent.
“It will also examine youth innovative financing mechanisms to mobilise private sector financing in Africa for climate and green growth.
“Also, we will talk about how to harness micro capital to address the gap on the continent and innovative financing instruments for crowding in private sector investment in Africa.
“The next is on harnessing micro capital to finance climate change and green growth in Africa, and then we have a study on key actions to achieve inclusive growth and sustainable development in Africa.’’
He said this would identify the blueprint for the continent’s development for the next 40 years.
It would put Africa on sustained growth of 7 to 10 per cent GDP annually and consistently for the rest of this incubation period of the agenda 2063.
“And ultimately, it will be able to address poverty and all the other development challenges that Africa faces,’’ Mr Urama added.
Similarly, Mr Quaynor Solomon, Vice President, Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialisation Complex, called for Africa to always think innovatively and creatively to address its challenges.
Mr Solomon said the meeting would allow the continent to deliberate on avenues to address all the climate change challenges on the continent.
He further said it was important for the continent to leverage innovation measures to tackle the issue of climate change in Africa.
On his part, the Secretary-General of AfDB, Mr Vincent Nmehille, said the Boards of Governors would review the annual reports on the bank’s finances, operations and other activities during the preceding year.
Mr Nmehille said the governors would also adopt resolutions in key decisions and conclusions of the annual meetings.
Further, the secretary-general said the governors would dialogue on approaches towards addressing three strategic challenges Africa would face in the coming year.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The duo of Afriland Properties Plc and Geo-Fluids Plc crashed the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange by a marginal 0.06 per cent on Wednesday, December 11 due to profit-taking activities.
The OTC securities exchange experienced a downfall at midweek despite UBN Property Plc posting a price appreciation of 17 Kobo to close at N1.96 per share, in contrast to Tuesday’s closing price of N1.79.
Business Post reports that Afriland Properties Plc slid by N1.14 to finish at N15.80 per unit versus the preceding day’s N16.94 per unit, and Geo-Fluids Plc declined by 1 Kobo to trade at N3.92 per share compared with the N3.93 it ended a day earlier.
At the close of transactions, the market capitalisation of the bourse, which measures the total value of securities on the platform, shrank by N650 million to finish at N1.055 trillion compared with the previous day’s N1.056 trillion and the NASD Unlisted Security Index (NSI) went down by 1.86 points to wrap the session at 3,012.50 points compared with 3,014.36 points recorded in the previous session.
The alternative stock market was busy yesterday as the volume of securities traded by investors soared by 146.9 per cent to 5.9 million units from 2.4 million units, as the value of shares transacted by the market participants jumped by 360.9 per cent to N22.5 million from N4.9 million, and the number of deals increased by 50 per cent to 21 deals from 14 deals.
When the bourse closed for the day, Geo-Fluids Plc remained the most active stock by volume (year-to-date) with 1.7 billion units valued at N3.9 billion, followed by Okitipupa Plc with 752.2 million units worth N7.8 billion, and Afriland Properties Plc 297.5 million units sold for N5.3 million.
Also, Aradel Holdings Plc, which is now listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited after its exit from NASD, remained the most active stock by value (year-to-date) with 108.7 million units sold for N89.2 billion, trailed by Okitipupa Plc with 752.2 million units valued at N7.8 billion, and Afriland Properties Plc with 297.5 million units worth N5.3 billion.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The euphoria around the recent appreciation of the Naira eased on Wednesday, December 11 after its value shrank against the US Dollar at the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM) by N5.23 or 0.3 per cent to N1,547.50/$1 from the N1,542.27/$1 it was valued on Tuesday.
It was observed that spectators’ activities may have triggered the weakening of the local currency in the official market at midweek as they tried to fight back and ensure the value of funds in foreign currencies strengthened.
The domestic currency was regaining its footing after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) launched an Electronic Foreign Exchange Matching System (EFEMS) platform to tackle speculation and improve transparency in Nigeria’s FX market.
At midweek, the Nigerian currency depreciated against the Pound Sterling by N3.56 to close at N1,958.68/£1 compared with the preceding day’s N1,955.12/£1 and against the Euro, it slumped by 34 Kobo to trade at N1,612.66/€1, in contrast to the previous session’s N1,613.00/€1.
As for the black market segment, the Naira lost N45 against the American currency during the session to quote at N1,670/$1 compared with the N1,625/$1 it was traded a day earlier.
A look at the cryptocurrency market showed a recovery following profit-taking as the US Consumer Price Index report matched economist forecasts.
The news was enough to convince traders that the Federal Reserve is certain to trim its benchmark fed funds rate another 25 basis points at its meeting next week.
The move also saw Bitcoin (BTC), the most valued coin, return to the $100,000 mark as it added a 2.9 per cent gain and sold for $100,566.12.
The biggest gainer was Cardano (ADA), which jumped by 15.00 per cent to trade at $1.16, as Litecoin (LTC) appreciated by 10.4 per cent to sell for $121.76, and Ethereum (ETH) surged by 7.0 per cent to $3,929.30, while Dogecoin (DOGE) recorded a 6.7 per cent growth to finish at $0.4181.
Further, Binance Coin (BNB) went up by 5.2 per cent to $716.72, Solana (SOL) expanded by 4.6 per cent to $229.77, and Ripple (XRP) increased by 4.2 per cent to $2.43, while the US Dollar Tether (USDT) and the US Dollar Coin (USDC) closed flat at $1.00 apiece.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The Dangote Refinery located in the Lekki area of Lagos State has made its first export of premium motor spirit (PMS) just three months after it commenced the production of petrol.
In September 2024, the refinery produced its first petrol and began loading to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) on September 15.
However, due to some issues, the facility has not been able to flood the local market with its product, forcing it to look elsewhere.
In a landmark move for regional energy integration, Dangote Refinery has partnered with Neptune Oil to take its petrol to neighbouring Cameroon.
Neptune Oil is a leading energy company in Cameroon which provides reliable and sustainable energy solutions.
Dangote Refinery said this development showcases its ability to meet domestic needs and position itself as a key player in the regional energy market, adding that it represents a significant step forward in accessing high-quality and locally sourced petroleum products for Cameroon.
“This first export of PMS to Cameroon is a tangible demonstration of our vision for a united and energy-independent Africa.
“With this development, we are laying the foundation for a future where African resources are refined and exchanged within the continent for the benefit of our people,” the owner of Dangote Refinery, Mr Aliko Dangote, said.
His counterpart at Neptune Oil, Mr Antoine Ndzengue, said, “This partnership with Dangote Refinery marks a turning point for Cameroon.
“By becoming the first importer of petroleum products from this world-class refinery, we are bolstering our country’s energy security and supporting local economic development.
“This initial supply, executed without international intermediaries, reflects our commitment to serving our markets independently and efficiently.”
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