Economy
Illicit Flows Cost Africa $88bn Yearly—Edun
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, has raised concern over Africa’s mounting revenue losses, warning that the continent forfeits an estimated $88 billion annually to illicit financial flows (IFFs), a development he described as a critical threat to sustainable growth.
Speaking at the 5th Session of the Sub-Committee on Tax and Illicit Financial Flows of the African Union on Tuesday in Abuja, Mr Edun said the persistent outflows continue to deprive African countries of vital resources required for infrastructure, healthcare, and overall economic development.
The high-level meeting, held at Transcorp Hilton Abuja, brought together policymakers, tax administrators, and development partners to examine strategies for strengthening fiscal systems amid evolving global economic uncertainties.
Mr Edun stressed the need for African countries to reduce reliance on external financing sources such as debt, aid, and foreign investment, noting that these options are becoming increasingly unpredictable. He maintained that domestic resource mobilisation must serve as the foundation for long-term economic sustainability.
“Our ambition is to finance up to 90 per cent of Africa’s development needs from domestic resources,” he said, referencing the continent’s Agenda 2063 development framework.
He identified structural challenges, including tax evasion, weak institutional capacity, and limited economic diversification, as key impediments, while emphasising that curbing illicit financial flows remains central to unlocking Africa’s fiscal potential.
Highlighting ongoing reforms under President Bola Tinubu, Mr Edun noted that measures such as tax system reforms, fuel subsidy removal, and exchange rate unification are beginning to improve revenue performance and boost investor confidence.
He added that initiatives like the National Single Window are helping to reduce trade-related leakages, while enhanced international tax cooperation is supporting efforts to recover lost revenues. He also cited Executive Order 9 as a key policy aimed at strengthening transparency in the oil and gas sector.
Calling for broader continental action, Mr Edun urged African nations to expand their tax base, strengthen public financial management systems, and deepen financial inclusion. He listed institutional strengthening, digital infrastructure investment, and cross-border collaboration as critical reform priorities.
“The question is no longer whether we must reform, but how urgently and how boldly we act,” he said, warning that failure to act could leave African economies exposed to external shocks.
On his part, the Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Mr Zacch Adedeji, called for urgent steps to safeguard domestic resources and address widening financing gaps across the continent.
Mr Adedeji noted that illicit financial flows ranging from tax evasion and trade mispricing to aggressive tax avoidance continue to weaken Africa’s capacity to fund critical sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, and education.
“Every year, billions meant for development are lost through illegal financial transfers. These are lost hospitals, lost schools, and lost opportunities,” he said.
He stressed that the cross-border nature of illicit flows requires coordinated responses at both national and continental levels, adding that Nigeria is pursuing reforms to modernise revenue administration through expanded tax coverage, improved compliance, and digital innovation.
According to him, efficient and transparent tax systems are essential not only for revenue generation but also for strengthening public trust in government institutions.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ibeto Seaport and Terminals Command, Port Harcourt, and the Nigeria Police Force have renewed their commitment to joint security operations at the nation’s maritime corridors, following a strategic meeting between top officials of both agencies.
According to a statement, the renewed partnership came as the Commissioner of Police, Eastern Port Police Command, CP Shuaibu Audu, paid a working visit to the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Usman Yahaya, at the Command headquarters on April 17, 2026.
The engagement, according to a statement by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Tangwa Emmanuel, was aimed at strengthening inter-agency cooperation and boosting operational efficiency within the port environment.
Speaking during the visit, Comptroller Yahaya described the engagement as significant, stressing that sustained collaboration among security agencies remains critical to safeguarding national assets and ensuring seamless port operations.
This visit is timely and highly appreciated. It reflects the importance of sustained cooperation among agencies entrusted with the security of our nation and the protection of critical economic assets,” he said.
He assured the police boss of Customs’ readiness to maintain strong working relations with the Eastern Port Police Command.
“We are fully committed to working with the new Commissioner of Police and giving all necessary support towards the successful discharge of his responsibilities,” Mr Yahaya added.
The Customs Area Controller noted that the synergy between both agencies has continued to play a vital role in maintaining order, facilitating legitimate trade and curbing criminal activities within the port system.
This was contained in a statement shared via the Customs official X handle.
Customs and the Police share common responsibilities in safeguarding the port environment. Synergy remains the cornerstone for achieving our collective mandate,” he stated.
He also briefed the visiting Commissioner on the operational relevance of the Ibeto Seaport and Terminals Command, reiterating the Command’s commitment to strengthening maritime security.
On his part, CP Audu said the visit was part of efforts to consolidate existing ties between the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Customs Service.
“My presence here today is to reinforce the cordial relationship between the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Customs Service. No organisation can function effectively in isolation,” he said.
He emphasised the importance of sustained collaboration among security agencies, particularly in securing the nation’s ports, which he described as vital to economic stability.
Synergy among security agencies is essential to addressing emerging threats. Our ports are strategic national assets, and we must work together to keep them secure,” Mr Audu stated.
The police commissioner also sought continued support from Customs officers in advancing shared security objectives.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Mr Taiwo Oyedele has become the new Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy after the exit of Mr Wale Edun.
This announcement was made on Tuesday by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation via a statement signed by Mr Yomi Odunuga, the Special Adviser of Media and Publicity to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr George Akume.
It was disclosed that President Bola Tinubu approved the removal of Mr Edun as Finance Minister as well his counterpart in the Housing and Urban Development Ministry, Mr Ahmed Musa Dangiwa.
According to Mr Akume, “These changes are aimed at strengthening cohesion, synergy in governance as well as achieving more impactful delivery on the economy to Nigerians, through the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
In approving the cabinet reshuffle, the President has fully exercised his powers as conferred on him by Sections 147 and 148 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended), he added.
Before this minor cabinet reshuffle in the membership of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), Mr Oyedele the Minister of State for Finance.
Mr Muttaqha Rabe Darma has now been named as the ministerial nominee and minister designate for the Housing and Urban Development Ministry.
Mr Tinubu thanked the outgoing ministers for their services to the nation while wishing them the best in all their future endeavours, reminding others that “the process of reinvigoration shall be continuous.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Dangote Group has announced plans to begin its own crude production, to help cover shortfalls in local crude feedstocks, in the coming weeks through its upstream assets.
According to Mr Devakumar Edwin, the Vice President of the Dangote Group, the company has commenced early testing on crude from its Niger Delta licenses.
In an interview with Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, the official said the company has already begun standard well testing and is preparing to scale up output.
“We have opened a well and begun standard testing, which should be completed in the next three to four weeks, maximum.
“After that point, oil can start to be pumped in larger volumes, and the company can begin work on drilling new wells,” he said.
Also speaking, Mr David Bird, the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Dangote refinery, said the upstream assets could provide a more stable crude supply for the refinery.
“Alongside its upstream interests, the company is seeking to establish its own shipping presence to help reduce logistics costs and improve the reliability of its crude sourcing,” Mr Bird said.
While confirmation has come from the company, the Nigerian government or the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited is yet to officially confirm the development.
The 650,000 barrels-per-day facility has been able to get enough feedstock locally under the federal government’s Crude-for-Naira initiative, leading it to source crude from international markets at a premium, which is partly responsible for the high cost of petrol and other fuels.
However, in April 2026, the NNPC said it would increase its crude supply to Dangote Refinery to seven cargoes.
The refinery, on several occasions, has stated it sources the majority of its crude oil outside Nigeria despite being the country’s Naira-for-crude sale deal.
Last month, it said the NNPC only gave it four to five cargoes, which is less than 50 per cent of expected volumes. The majority of Nigeria’s crude is tied to joint ventures with international oil companies.
With the latest development, it would help reduce the dependency on international crude as well as allow Dangote to ease some of its import costs.
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