Economy
Global Economic Uncertainty Threatens FDI Flows to Africa
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The flow of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Africa is being threatened by global economic uncertainty and if nothing is done promptly about this, the continent may continue to suffer economic hardship.
For African governments, part of what is at stake are much needed foreign direct investments and access to affordable financing necessary to spur development and, specifically, to close the estimated $900 billion infrastructure gap.
Equally, the private sector stands to lose billions of Dollars in lost opportunities if the requirements for a favourable investment environment are not adequately addressed.
To address this problem, a roundtable event was held in Nairobi, where Ministers from across Africa sat together with investors and the private sector to determine how best to tackle the investment and credit risk hurdles in order to make African risks bankable.
Participants to the roundtable saw the event as timely because it came at time of geopolitical uncertainties which, according to The World Bank, could lead to “higher borrowing costs or cut off capital flows to emerging and frontier markets”.
The half day forum, the 4th Roundtable to focus on Political and Credit Risks in Africa, took place on the side lines of the African Trade Insurance Agency’s (ATI) Annual General Meetings. The event opened with pointed remarks from H.E. Patrice Talon, President of Benin.
Subsequent discussions focused on possible solutions to the challenges facing governments from the private sector and export credit agencies from panellists such as: Patrick Chinamasa, Minister of Finance & Economic Development, Zimbabwe; Romuald Wadagni, Minister of Economy & Finance, Benin; Felix Mutati, Minister of Finance, Zambia; Chamsou Andjorin, Director Government Affairs & Market Development, Boeing Intl; Helen Mtshali, Syndication Lead – Sub-Saharan Africa, Industrial Finance Solutions, GE; and Nisrin Hala, Senior Director, Global Trade Finance Bus. Development Emerging Markets, SMBC.
Investors are not immune to political and social developments in emerging regions like Africa. In fact, with reduced earnings – the benchmark emerging-market stock index has lost approximately 4 percent annually since 2010 from a high of 22 percent annual return in the preceding decade – investors are now focusing on more than the bottom line in these markets. During the boom years of the last two decades, Africa was experiencing unprecedented GDP growth rates but depressed commodity prices have seen growth in the sub-Saharan Africa region slow to 1.5 percent rate in 2016. According to World Bank estimates, oil exporters account for most of the slowdown owing to their two-thirds contribution to regional output.
In a Bloomberg article published in March 2016, emerging market investors from some of the most prominent companies noted the dramatic change in their investing tactics due to global fragility, which they see as unveiling institutional weakness, corruption, poor governance and efficiencies. In this current climate, investors are now keenly tracking social indicators such as corruption rankings, gender parity and the extent that rule of law is respected within emerging markets.
“Africa is in a period of realignment in this new global order but I don’t think anyone should bet against its resilience. We are still home to some of the fastest growing economies in the world – as of 2017, the World Economic Forum ranks Côte d’Ivoire, Tanzania and Senegal on the list of the top ten fastest growing economies in the world,” notes George Otieno, ATI’s CEO.
In this climate, it is more imperative than ever for African governments to focus on economic diversity to maintain growth while addressing risks to investors. As an internationally respected African institution, the African Trade Insurance Agency (ATI) offers the ideal solution precisely because the company has strong relationships with governments and because its risk assessments and mitigation solutions are seen as credible by global financiers and investors. With ATI involved in a transaction, governments are able to provide security to investors and suppliers against a range of investment risks.
In 2016, ATI insured close to $2 billion (KES202.8 billion) worth of trade and investments and the company is increasingly supporting some of the continent’s most important transactions such as Ethiopian Airline’s fleet expansion and a USD660 million investment in Lake Turkana, Africa’s largest wind farm and, to date, the single largest investment in Kenya.
In this environment, ATI’s products are being seen as a valuable tool to enable lenders to take sub-investment grade risk in Africa thus allowing governments and corporates to access more affordable financing. Importantly, in its role as an investment insurer of last resort, ATI is also providing the necessary comfort to support continued investments into the continent amidst a period of uncertainty.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) have strengthened their partnership to deploy digital identity technology, aiming to combat illegal mining and enhance security in Nigeria’s mining sector.
Speaking while receiving the Director-General and management of NIMC on a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr Dele Alake, described the commission as a critical institution in Nigeria’s development architecture, stressing that effective governance could not be achieved without a credible identity management system.
“NIMC occupies a critical position in translating policy into reality. It is pivotal to the development of any nation because governance today is driven by data, technology and credible identity systems,” he added.
He noted that inadequate identification systems had weakened enforcement efforts over the years, allowing illegal mining activities to flourish in mineral-rich communities.
“Without identification, we cannot trace or track, and insecurity will flourish. In the solid minerals sector, we need effective monitoring of both legal and illegal operations.
“A credible identity ecosystem will strengthen regulation, improve enforcement and support our efforts to sanitise the sector,” Mr Alake said.
The minister identified technology, statistics, data gathering and digital identity as critical enablers for evidence-based policymaking, improved regulatory oversight, efficient licensing, investment promotion and national development.
On her part, the DG of NIMC, Mrs Abisoye Coker-Odusote, highlighted several opportunities for collaboration between both institutions, noting that the newly enacted NIMC Act has positioned Nigeria to fully embrace a digital governance ecosystem.
She explained that deeper integration of identity management into the solid minerals sector would facilitate database integration across government institutions, enhance regulatory compliance, strengthen security and law enforcement, improve monitoring of operators, and provide stronger support for the implementation of Community Development Agreements (CDAs) in mining host communities.
Mrs Coker-Odusote added that NIMC’s upgraded digital infrastructure is capable of supporting government institutions in building reliable databases, improving transparency and delivering more efficient public services.
Both institutions said they would immediately begin implementing technology-driven initiatives under the partnership, expressing confidence that expanding access to trusted digital identities for miners and other eligible residents would enhance accountability and strengthen governance in the solid minerals sector.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government will soon issue a fresh N729 billion bond to settle verified legacy debts owed to electricity generation companies (GenCos), marking another major step in its plan to restore liquidity and financial stability across Nigeria’s power sector.
The bond forms the second tranche of the first phase of the N4 trillion Presidential Power Sector Debt Reduction Programme and follows the successful issuance of about N501 billion in January 2026. Combined, both issuances make up the N1.23 trillion Series 1 and Series 2 components of the Capital Market Multi-Instrument Issuance Programme.
The initiative is part of the federal government’s broader strategy to clear longstanding payment obligations in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), strengthen investor confidence and improve the financial health of the electricity value chain.
The chief executive of the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET), Mr Johnson Akinnawo, said the forthcoming bond issuance represents the first phase of the wider N4 trillion programme approved by President Bola Tinubu to address verified legacy liabilities in the power sector.
“The second issuance demonstrates the Federal Government’s commitment to resolving verified legacy obligations through a transparent, structured and market-based mechanism,” Mr Akinnawo said.
He explained that the January 2026 bond issuance reflected the government’s fiscally responsible approach to settling outstanding obligations owed to GenCos while improving liquidity within the electricity market and strengthening the long-term sustainability of the sector.
According to him, the new bond will further reinforce confidence among investors and provide much-needed financial relief to market participants whose operations have been constrained by accumulated debts.
“By improving liquidity across the electricity value chain, the programme will help strengthen the financial position of market participants, support new investment and promote sustainable electricity generation for the benefit of Nigerians,” he stated.
Mr Akinnawo recalled that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the establishment of the N4 trillion Presidential Power Sector Debt Reduction Programme in 2025, with NBET designated as the sponsoring institution responsible for coordinating the settlement of verified legacy obligations across the electricity industry.
He explained that the debt reduction programme is being implemented through multiple issuances of debt instruments by NBET Finance Company Plc, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) established specifically to execute the programme.
According to him, the debt instruments are backed by the full faith and credit of the federal government and supported by comprehensive risk mitigation measures designed to ensure successful implementation and attract investor participation.
“The programme has the full backing of the federal government and incorporates a robust suite of instruments designed to mitigate transaction risks and support successful execution,” the NBET boss said.
He noted that the issuance of the approximately N729 billion bond would represent another decisive milestone in resolving longstanding financial obligations that have weighed on the electricity market for years.
Mr Akinnawo added that clearing the outstanding debts would strengthen the financial position of electricity generation companies, improve liquidity throughout the power value chain and create a more stable, bankable and investment-friendly electricity market capable of supporting Nigeria’s economic growth and expanding reliable electricity supply.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) has announced the commencement of compliance monitoring activities for large taxpayers under the National e-Invoicing and Electronic Fiscal System (EFS) regime.
A statement issued on Monday and signed by the agency’s chairman, Mr Zacch Adedeji, advised corporate organisations that have yet to adopt this system to do so on or before July 31, 2026.
Recall that on February 17, 2026, NRS issued an implementation timeline for the mandatory adoption of the EFS, also known as the Merchant Buyer Solution (MBS), by large taxpayers.
They were asked to complete the process of onboarding, integration, testing, and commence invoice transmission to the NRS e-invoicing platform in accordance with the prescribed implementation framework.
The compliances include the completion of onboarding on the NRS MBS; the successful integration of taxpayer systems through approved Access Point Providers (APPs) and/or Systems Integrators (SIS); the completion of all required validation and testing activities; the active transmission of invoices to the NRS e-invoicing platform in line with approved standards and guidelines; and the receipt of only compliant e-invoices with a valid Invoice Reference Number (IRN) from suppliers.
Ahead of the deadline, the NRS has commenced compliance monitoring activities to assess the level of adherence to the e-invoicing mandate across the large taxpayer segment.
Those that have not completed the process have been asked to conclude all outstanding onboarding and integration activities and commence invoice transmission before the compliance deadline.
The organisation warned that failure to comply would trigger regulatory and enforcement actions in accordance with the provisions of the relevant tax laws and regulations.
