Economy
Cotton Sector Has Annual Turnover of $50bn—Expert
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The possibility of rural communities in Nigeria to tap into the cotton industry, which boasts of an annual turnover of $50 billion has been emphasised by the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Mr Qu Dongyu.
At an event to mark the World Cotton Day event last Thursday at the World Trade Organization’s headquarters, the agric expert said managing trade policy and climate risks were critical to supporting the more than 25 million farmers who grow cotton.
According Mr Dongyu, “Cotton represents so much more than just a commodity: It is a culture, a way of life, and a tradition that finds its roots at the heart of human civilization.”
Continuing, he said, “Cotton provides employment and income for some of the poorest or most remote rural areas in the world.”
World Cotton Day is being held at the initiative of the C-4 countries – Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad and Mali – and is being hosted at the WTO with the collaboration of FAO, the UN Conference on Trade and Development and other organizations.
“It is critical that the cotton sector meets the highest standards of sustainability at all stages of the value chain,” the Director-General said.
Natural fibres are opportunity
Mr Dongyu also stated that apart from having an annual turnover of around $50 billion with a production of 25 million tonnes in 75 countries, international trade in cotton is estimated at $18 billion annually.
It was because of this the event came up to discuss market and policy trends for the cotton sector because it is a major source of livelihoods and incomes for many rural smallholders and laborers, including women, providing employment and income to some of the poorest rural areas in the world.
In many, regions, cotton is the only viable economic activity available to rural households and communities and the sector benefits more than 100 million families worldwide.
For example, cotton export earnings help to finance 50 percent of the food import bills for Mali and 22.5 percent of those for Chad, while they more than offset the cost of food imports in Burkina Faso, accounting for as much as 60 percent of the country’s export revenues.
A particular focus of the discussion was how to tackle the opportunities offered by growing demand for natural fibres in recent years, as part of a marked trend toward sustainability which has provided further market opportunities for cotton fibres. Despite this there is a loss in market share for the natural fiber triggered by robust demand for the man-made fibres, most notably polyester. In addition, there are exogenous risks because of climate change.
Efforts of FAO
FAO has long offered developing countries technical and policy support for boosting productivity and creating more opportunities in the cotton value chain. There is a need to keep increasing productivity, investment and bring innovation and sustainable standards to increase the benefits of the cotton sector.
FAO’s South-South framework has also been leveraged in the cotton sector, in which China and India are the biggest producers and Brazil the second exporter after the United States of America.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The suspension placed on trading in the shares of Fortis Global Insurance Plc has been lifted by the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited after six years.
The embargo arose from the company’s violation of Rule 3.1: Rules for Filing of Accounts and Treatment of Default Filing (Default Filing Rules).
The underwriting firm, formerly known as Standard Alliance Insurance Plc, was suspended by the exchange on July 2, 2019, after the board failed to file the necessary financial statements.
Rule 3.1 provides that if an issuer fails to file the relevant accounts by the expiration of the cure period, the exchange will: a) send to the issuer a second filing deficiency notification within two business days after the end of the cure period, b) suspend trading in the issuer’s securities, and c) notify the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the market within 24 hours of the suspension.
A notice from the bourse last week disclosed that the company has now filed all outstanding financial statements due to the NGX, and in view of this, the embargo has been lifted pursuant to Rule 3.3 of the Default Filing Rules.
This section states that, “The suspension of trading in the issuer’s securities shall be lifted upon submission of the relevant accounts, provided the exchange is satisfied that the accounts comply with all applicable rules of the exchange.
“The exchange shall thereafter also announce through the medium by which the public and the SEC were initially notified of the suspension, that the suspension has been lifted.”
The bourse informed trading license holders and the investing public “that the suspension placed on trading on the shares of Fortis Global Insurance was lifted on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.”
By Dipo Olowookere
Last week, on the floor of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited, investors transacted 3.860 billion stocks worth N128.581 billion in 240,463 deals versus the 3.087 billion stocks valued at N81.505 billion traded in 222,185 deals in the preceding week.
In the five-day trading week, financial equities led the activity chart with 2.188 billion units valued at N50.459 billion in 94,005 deals, contributing 56.68 per cent and 39.24 per cent to the total trading volume and value, respectively.
Services stocks followed with 466.771 million units worth N4.495 billion in 18,526 deals, and ICT shares sold 377.800 million units for N9.049 billion in 25,653 deals.
Chams, Access Holdings, and Universal Insurance were the most active in the week with 664.942 million units valued at N6.801 billion in 15,161 deals, contributing 17.23 per cent and 5.29 per cent to the total trading volume and value apiece.
Business Post reports that 71 equities appreciated during the week versus 44 equities in the previous week, as 35 stocks depreciated compared with 49 stocks a week earlier, while 42 shares closed flat versus 55 shares in the preceding week.
RT Briscoe was the biggest price gainer with a price appreciation of 60.69 per cent to close at N12.63, Zichis gained 60.38 per cent to trade at N6.72, Abbey Mortgage Bank chalked up 59.04 per cent to settle at N14.95, Union Dicon expanded by 49.14 per cent to N13.05, and Austin Laz grew by 38.46 per cent to N5.40.
Conversely, Deap Capital was the biggest price loser after giving up 27.37 per cent to quote at N6.82, Union Homes REIT lost 26.99 per cent to finish at N69.25, Red Star Express declined by 17.55 per cent to N17.15, UPDC REIT shrank by 12.29 per cent to N7.85, and Cornerstone Insurance tumbled by 12.24 per cent to N5.45.
From the above data, the week was under buying pressure, which raised the All-Share Index (ASI) and the market capitalisation by 3.84 per cent to 171,727.49 points and N110.235 trillion, respectively.
Similarly, all other indices finished higher with the exception of the insurance index, which depreciated by 2.33 per cent due to sell-offs.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Leading cement maker, Dangote Cement Plc, has reaffirmed its commitment to making Africa fully self‑sufficient in cement production by raising its output to 90 million metric tonnes per annum by 2030 from the current 52 million metric tonnes per annum.
The chief executive of the firm, Mr Arvind Pathak, during a strategic briefing on the company’s expansion drive, disclosed that efforts are being made to accelerate investments across African markets to close supply gaps and support the continent’s infrastructural ambitions.
According to him, the organisation is strengthening the continent’s industrial backbone and reducing reliance on imported construction materials, stressing that, “Our vision is clear — to ensure Africa produces enough cement to meet its own needs…Through continuous expansion, operational excellence, and a strong distribution network, we are positioning Dangote Cement to power growth across the continent. We are not just building a business; we are building Africa’s future.”
“Through our collective determination, we have eliminated Nigeria’s dependence on imported cement and transformed the country into a net exporter of cement to several neighbouring nations,” Mr Pathak added.
Dangote Cement currently operates in multiple African countries, with integrated plants, grinding facilities, and distribution hubs strategically located to serve diverse markets.
The company’s ongoing projects include plant upgrades, capacity expansions, and the introduction of advanced energy‑efficient technologies designed to reduce operational costs and carbon footprint.
Reinforcing the company’s long-term vision, its founder, Mr Aliko Dangote, described self-sufficiency as both an economic imperative and a continental responsibility.
“Africa has no reason to depend on cement imports. We have the raw materials, the talent, and the determination. Our goal at Dangote Cement is to unlock Africa’s potential by ensuring that every nation on this continent can access affordable, high‑quality cement produced within Africa. This is how we build prosperity, job opportunities, and sustainable development,” the businessman stated.
Mr Dangote added that the company’s investments reflect its passion for unlocking continental competitiveness and fostering industrialisation across Africa.
With major infrastructural projects rising across African cities — from highways and bridges to housing developments — the demand for cement continues to grow. Dangote Cement’s renewed push toward continental self‑sufficiency is expected to address supply challenges, stabilise prices, and enhance construction reliability in the years ahead.
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