Economy
South African Firms Storm Nigeria to Shop for Business Opportunities

By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Some South African businessmen and companies are in Nigeria to consider putting their money in the nation’s economy.
The South African business delegation taking part in the Outward Trade and Investment Mission (OSM) in Nigeria continued their search for trade and investment opportunities in different sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The delegation visited Lekki Free Trade Zone, a privately-owned free trade zone outside Lagos as part of the site visit programme.
South Africa’s Foreign Economic Representative (FER) in Nigeria, Mr Calvin Phume said it was important to expose the South African business delegation to the likes of Lekki Free Trade Zone in order to showcase the vast opportunities available across the Nigerian economic sectors where they can look into setting up public-private partnerships and joint-ventures.
“Opportunities are abound in Nigeria. South Africa has taken a conscious decision to partner with Nigeria during their development phases and that Nigeria, like most countries in Africa, presents a wealth of business opportunities for South African companies,” said Mr Phume.
He added that the visit was an opportunity to continue pursuing economic collaboration and partnerships with Nigeria, and crafting the way forward for sustainable economic development and the development of investment in the African continent.
General Marketing Manager of Lekki Free Trade Zone, Mr Oyewole Adegoke, said there were efforts to market Nigeria by focusing on key economic sectors as identified by government.
Mr Adegoke said he was delighted to host a business delegation from South Africa and to disseminate information on current investment opportunities in the free trade zone to SA businesspeople.
“Our aim is to market Nigeria’s economic potential to investors across the world, as a private organisation working closely with the Nigeria Export Processing Zone Authority (NEPZA) and its stakeholders,” said Mr Adegoke.
He added that it would be of benefit for South Africa and Nigeria to have South African companies operating from the free trade zone as preferential policies and incentives granted to investors are aimed at easing doing business in Nigeria.
General Manager at Dermacell Cosmetics and Healthcare, manufacturers and suppliers of skincare products using Aloe Ferox as its main ingredient, Mr Junior Mokgapi said that setting up a manufacturing facility in the free trade zone would allow his products to penetrate Nigeria, opening a market into the West Africa region.
“Nigeria is one of the biggest economies in Africa. If one can crack it into Nigerian market and conduct business, then the rest of Africa has no boundaries,” said Mr Mokgapi.
Founder of Valotech 228, a supplier of rail signalling design and construction, installation and rail maintenance solutions, electrical installations, and mechanical design, Ms Dorothy Mofomme said her main objective for coming to Nigeria was to try and penetrate the market and fill the gaps.
“We noticed that there is a need for rail infrastructure development, especially with all the critical infrastructure projects and activities going on here. Setting up shop in the free trade zone would be advantageous as all rail, roads and ports are in close proximity,” said Mr Mofomme.
Economy
IPMAN Changes Tone, Hails Dangote’s Distribution Move

By Adedapo Adesanya
In an apparent change of stance, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has now hailed the management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery over its plan to commence free distribution of petrol and diesel to independent marketers an large-scale consumers across the country, beginning from August 15, 2025.
Earlier, the marketers’ association had lamented that the development could lead to problems, calling it a “dangerous monopoly.”
In a new statement, IPMAN in Rivers State described the development as “bold, strategic and transformative,” noting that the initiative, accompanied by the deployment of 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered tankers, will significantly ease the challenges facing Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.
Mr Tekena Ikpaki, Chairman of IPMAN Rivers State Chapter, in an official statement issued on Tuesday, said, “This is a timely intervention that could not have come at a better time. It addresses a multitude of issues plaguing our members, especially supply inconsistency, high transportation costs, infrastructural bottlenecks, and unstable market prices.”
Dangote Refinery last week announced it would distribute fuel free-of-charge to marketers and other large consumers, in what the company described as a corporate intervention aimed at stabilizing the downstream sector.
Mr Ikpaki emphasized that independent marketers, who account for the majority of fuel distribution in the country, stand to benefit significantly.
“With the planned deployment of 4,000 brand-new CNG-powered tankers, Dangote is not just addressing supply but also investing in a cleaner, more sustainable logistics model. This aligns with global climate goals while resolving domestic distribution gaps.”
IPMAN stressed that the emergence of Dangote as a credible alternative to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited offers marketers a “multi-source supply model” that will drive competition and improve pricing mechanisms in the retail market.
“The era of single-source dependence is no longer viable. Multiple supply routes mean better pricing, improved logistics, and more reliability for consumers at the pump,” he added.
Mr Ikpaki also called for inclusive implementation and regulatory oversight to ensure that independent marketers from all regions benefit equitably from the initiative.
“While the offer of free product distribution appears generous, we encourage government regulators to ensure the program is implemented transparently and without favoritism. Independent marketers across Nigeria must benefit without discrimination.”
He further reiterated the association’s commitment to supporting investments aimed at improving Nigeria’s fuel supply chain, including infrastructure upgrades and market efficiency. But he warned against any monopolistic tendencies by dominant players.
“We welcome industry giants like Dangote and NNPCL playing critical roles, but we must ensure no single entity overwhelms the market to the detriment of smaller operators. A level playing field is non-negotiable.”
IPMAN also linked the Dangote initiative to NNPC’s ongoing Crude-for-Naira programme, describing both as complementary efforts aimed at improving fuel availability, supporting the naira, and stabilizing the energy sector.
“These are the types of public-private partnerships Nigeria needs, strategic actions with long-term benefits. They restore confidence and offer renewed hope for a more affordable, efficient, and inclusive energy future for Nigeria.”
He concluded by reaffirming the association’s readiness to collaborate with all key stakeholders, including the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, (NMDPRA), to ensure successful execution of the fuel distribution program.
“Let us all work together to build a more resilient and prosperous petroleum sector that truly serves the Nigerian people,” he said.
Economy
Dangote Refinery to Begin Export of Petrol to Asia

By Adedapo Adesanya
Dangote Refinery will begin to export premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, with the first destination bound for Asia this month.
According to Reuters, a 90,000 metric ton cargo of petrol from the refinery will be sold out of the region for the first time and bound for the Asian continent, without specifying which country.
Citing a source, Mercuria – a Switzerland-based global commodity trading firm – is due to load the cargo on June 22
This development will change the export strategy of the 650,000 barrels per day refinery which started exporting petrol last year. However, the cargoes have stayed in West Africa.
The Asia route also points to the fact that the $20 billion Dangote refinery is growing and can take upon the global market as a petrol supplier.
It also indicates the company’s confidence that production is now stable enough to meet Nigeria’s domestic needs and also export beyond the African region.
“We sell our products to those who are willing to give us the highest price. It’s the buyer’s right to take the products to any destination of their choice,” a spokesperson for the Dangote refinery said to the publication.
Even at home, the refinery is making moves as it announced plans to begin nationwide distribution of petrol and diesel from August 15, 2025 with a targeted customers including marketers, petrol dealers, manufacturers, telecoms firms, aviation, and other large users across the country.
The company is deploying 4,000 brand-new Compressed Natural Gas-powered tankers to boost delivery capacity and improve access to fuel across the country.
The offer, according to a statement released on Sunday, is open to marketers, petrol station dealers, manufacturers, telecoms operators, aviation firms, and other large-scale fuel users.
The firm also disclosed plans to support distribution through the establishment of daughter booster CNG stations and a dedicated fleet of over 100 gas-powered tankers. It noted that the logistics support, including free product delivery, was designed to eliminate distribution bottlenecks and bring down operational costs in key sectors of the Nigerian economy.
Economy
NASD Index Jumps 1.00% as Four Stocks Gain

By Adedapo Adesanya
The NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange appreciated by 1.00 per cent on Tuesday, June 17 after four stocks ended in green territory.
Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc gained N2.90 to close at N31.90 per share compared with the previous day’s N29.00 per share, FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc improved its value by N2.81 to settle at N71.31 per unit compared with Monday’s price of N68.50 per unit, Air Liquide Plc appreciated by 89 Kobo to end at N9.97 per share versus the N9.08 per share it was sold a day earlier, and UBN Property Plc added 6 Kobo to its value to finish at N2.24 per unit, in contrast to the preceding day’s N2.18 per unit.
As a result, the market capitalisation of the platform rose by N19.42 billion to N1.967 trillion from N1.947 trillion and the NASD Unlisted Security Index (NSI) increased by 33.17 points to 3,359.50 points from the previous session’s 3,326.33 points.
Yesterday, the volume of securities jumped by 33.3 per cent to 639,427 units from the 479,638 units traded in the previous trading day, the value of securities went up by 8.3 per cent to N23.6 million from N21.8 million, and the number of deals declined by 5.4 per cent to 35 deals from 37 deals.
At the close of business, Impresit Bakolori Plc remained the most traded stock by volume on a year-to-date basis with 536.9 million units worth N524.7 million, followed by Air Liquide Plc with 507.2 million units sold for N4.2 billion, and Geo-Fluids Plc with 268.4 million units valued at N475.7 million.
Also, Okitipupa Plc was the most active stock by value on a year-to-date basis with the sale of 153.7 million units for N4.9 billion, trailed by Air Liquide Plc with 507.2 million units traded for N4.2 billion, and FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc with a turnover of 39.5 million units valued at N1.6 billion.
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