By Modupe Gbadeyanka

African leaders have been urged to design effective policy frameworks and invest in technology to be able to feed itself and the rest of the world.

This advice was given by the chief executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Mr Aliko Dangote, when a pan-African Centre of Excellence for rice research, development, and capacity building, AfricaRice Centre, visited him at his Lagos office.

The serial entrepreneur said strengthening agriculture could help tackle many of the continent’s socio-economic challenges, given its role as a major source of employment and income.

“Africa is richly endowed with arable land. With the right policies, adequate investment, and the adoption of modern technology, farmers can significantly increase their yields and return on investment,” he said.

“With effective policy frameworks and technological advancement, Africa can achieve food security and become self-sufficient. Investing in agriculture will also unlock growth across various sectors of the economy,” Mr Dangote added.

In his remarks, the Director General of AfricaRice, Mr Baboucarr Manneh, commended Mr Dangote’s renewed focus on agricultural investments, describing it as a critical step towards achieving food security on the continent.

He also lauded the recently formalised partnership with Niger State, noting its potential to transform regional food systems.

“Niger State has set an ambitious target of producing five million tonnes of rice over the next five years. To put this into perspective, Africa currently imports around 15 million tonnes of rice annually,” said Dr Manneh. “If realised, this target will have a significant impact on rice self-sufficiency and food security in Africa.”

He emphasised the importance of leveraging public-private partnerships to strengthen the agricultural ecosystem, combining government leadership with private sector expertise and investment.

“This partnership can serve as a blueprint for other states and countries across the continent. With strong support from agricultural science and research, it can dramatically boost productivity and reduce Africa’s reliance on food imports,” he added.

Also speaking during the visit, the Executive Chairman of Niger Foods, Mr Sammy Adigun, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to transforming rice production, revealing that AfricaRice is set to support Niger State in increasing annual rice paddy production from the current 1.5 million tonnes to 10 million tonnes, through the deployment of climate-smart technologies, mechanisation, innovation, and the integration of both large-scale and smallholder farms.

Dangote Rice Limited, a subsidiary of Dangote Industries, recently signed a landmark N1.8 trillion purchase and sale agreement with Niger Foods Security Systems and Logistics Company Limited, owned by the Niger State Government. The agreement will ensure a steady supply of high-quality paddy rice to Dangote Rice in support of Nigeria’s broader food security agenda.

Dangote Rice has made substantial investments in rice mills and plantations across Nigeria. Through its out-grower scheme, the company aims to create employment opportunities while promoting food self-sufficiency nationwide.

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The implementation of the global sustainability disclosure standards developed by the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) in Nigeria would be gradual, the Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr Emomotimi Agama, has said.

According to the SEC chief, Nigeria will not simply “copy and paste” the framework but will adopt a carefully tailored approach.

Speaking at an investors’ roundtable on the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) over the weekend, he explained that Nigeria, having participated in the taskforce that developed the standards, would continue to support the four pillars on which they were built.

He noted that Nigeria, with its vast natural resources and growing population, “is particularly vulnerable to climate change and is simultaneously pursuing an ambitious sustainable finance agenda.”

“This means: capacity building—working with issuers, auditors, and preparers to ensure they understand and are ready for the new requirements; phased implementation—considering a graduated approach, perhaps beginning with larger, listed entities before expanding to others; assurance framework—developing a robust system for the verification of disclosures to guarantee their credibility; and alignment with local realities—ensuring the global baseline is applied in a way that is appropriate and proportional for our market, while maintaining the core goal of global comparability,” he explained.

Mr Agama added that the commission opted for this method “because we believe that embracing this global baseline will enhance the attractiveness of the Nigerian capital market. It signals to international investors that we are serious about transparency, governance, and managing long-term risk. It has transformed the ISSB from a promising new initiative into the definitive global framework for sustainability disclosures.”

According to him, “The case for adoption is clear: for global comparability, for investor trust, for managing systemic risk, and for reducing complexity. This is no longer a question of if, but of how and when. The journey to a sustainable global economy requires a common language. The ISSB has provided that lexicon. IOSCO has called us to speak about it. At SEC Nigeria, we have answered that call.”

He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to working with stakeholders domestically and across the IOSCO network to implement the standards effectively.

“The global perspective is one of unity and decisive action. By adopting the ISSB standards, we are not just complying with a global trend; we are actively building a more stable, transparent, and sustainable financial future for Nigeria, for Africa, and for the world,” he said.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The Ecobank Design and Build Exhibition 2025 slated for September 24 to 28 at the Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC), Lagos, will have two personalities in the real estate business in attendance.

Ecobank, which is behind the event, said the celebrated architect, Mr Christian Benimana, and a leading urban planning scholar, Professor Taibat Lawanson, will grace the programme.

The exhibition’s knowledge exchange sessions will also feature International vs. Local: The Sourcing Question for Interior Design with Patrick Koshoni, Tola Akerele, Aishat Lawal, and Adeyemo Shokunbi; Women in Design & Architecture with Jacqueline Aki, Safiya Yahaya, Nwamaka Okoye, and Sandra Edoho; and insights from Malik Afegbua, Remi Dada, Adewunmi Adegbola, and Omon Anenih, exploring the future of design, technology, wellness, and sustainability.

Mr Benimana, who is the co-founder of the African Design Centre and principal at MASS Design Group, is internationally recognized for advancing socially responsive and sustainable African architecture. He will deliver a keynote address titled Designing the Future on Day 3 of the exhibition.

On her part, Prof Lawanson, who is Leverhulme Professor of Planning and Heritage at the University of Liverpool, will lead a session on Designing Better Cities and Homes in Nigeria on Day 2. The scholar is widely respected for her groundbreaking research on African urban informality, housing, and spatial justice.

“These sessions will deliver practical insights and fresh perspectives that can shape the future of design, construction, and architecture across Africa,” the Head of SMEs at Ecobank Nigeria, Omoboye Odu, noted.

The Ecobank Design and Build Exhibition 2025 underscores the bank’s broader commitment to empowering entrepreneurs, driving financial inclusion, and connecting local businesses with global opportunities.

The lender continues to invest in the growth of SMEs through initiatives such as the Adire Lagos Experience, +234 Art Fair, Ecobank National Schools Team Chess Championship, and Oja Oge 2025. These efforts are complemented by extensive training and empowerment programs designed to strengthen businesses nationwide.