Okonjo-Iweala on Verge of Becoming WTO DG as Contender ‘Quits’

By Adedapo Adesanya African Development Bank (AfDB) President, Mr Akinwumi Adesina, has called for investments in renewable energy in Africa, pointing out the continent’s rich energy mix. In his keynote address (on September 4) during a session on Harnessing Africa’s renewable energy potential’, held at the ongoing Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, Mr Adesina stressed that “Every economy can only go as far as the energy it produces.” Mr Adesina underlined Africa’s tremendous potential in energy—from hydro and wind power, solar, to geothermal—which remains untapped in the face of a staggering electricity deficit on the continent. Africa has an

By Adedapo Adesanya In an unprecedented response to the devastation caused by the recent earthquake in Morocco, Binance, through its charity arm, has announced plans to airdrop up to $3 million in Binance Coin (BNB) to Binance users identified as living in the areas affected by the tragedy. Last Friday, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck Marakkesh in the North African country and has left close to 3,000 dead, with at least 2,500 injured and a host of others missing. In the aftermath of natural disasters, people often lose access to traditional banking at the exact moment when extra funds are

By Adedapo Adesanya India on Wednesday became the first nation to land a spacecraft near the Moon’s south pole and the fourth country – after Russia, the United States, and China – to land on the moon. This has been regarded as a historic triumph for the world’s second most populous nation and its ambitious, cut-price space programme. The unmanned Chandrayaan-3, which means Mooncraft in Sanskrit, touched down at 6:04 pm India time (1:34 pm Nigerian time). Its landing comes days after a Russian probe crashed in the same region and four years since the previous Indian attempt failed at

Kestér Kenn Klomegâh South Africa hosted the 15th BRICS summit from August 22 to 24. The BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) members have thoroughly discussed a wide range of significant issues, including the bloc’s expansion, common currency, investment and trade, the bloc’s strategy and geo-policy. We already know that BRICS members consistently champion the rights and interests of Africa and also play an increasing role and influence in the global governance system – particularly international financial and economic organisations. Holding the 15th summit, especially this crucial time, within the context of the emerging multipolar world, BRICS discussed

By Dipo Olowokere November 2 and 3, 2016, has been slated for the CyberXchange Conference 2016, which holds in Lagos. The event, which takes place at the Landmark Event Centre, Lekki Peninsula, seeks to identify the key trends and technologies in Cyber Security; emerging from diverse industries such as Finance, Payments, ecommerce, Banking, Telecommunications, Law enforcements, Oil and Gas, Insurance, Digital Media, Energy, and emerging start-up companies. Professionals, academia, researchers, IT gurus, developers of cyber security in the private and public sector have been urged to attend the programme, which promises to be exciting. Participants will have the opportunity to

With its Wega 3DSA 2.0 product, Truxtun Capital has reached an unachieved milestone in the payment industry by releasing the first broadly available FIDO Certified, multi-factor strong authentication payment solution for consumers. The Geneva-based Fintech uniquely combines several technologies in a mobile app, City Wega, available now on iOS. Truxtun Capital’s exclusive white label technology solution is leveraging European and global security requirements with a unique online on-boarding and identity validation process. The Wega payment solution developed by Truxtun Capital provides customers with mobile, virtual and physical card products in a simple user experience. Each customer takes control of their

By Dipo Olowookere Leading digital lifestyle company, Tigo Tanzania, has entered into an exceptional partnership with technology company, Uber. The deal is offering customers of Tigo the opportunity to use the Uber app for free from today onward. The first of its kind partnership will be beneficial to existing Uber riders and driver-partners and encourage more riders to use the Uber app. “Tigo is a robust brand in the Tanzanian market and we have a vested stake in introducing more efficient ways for customers to engage with the world around them. “Uber is a strong addition to the growing range

By Kester Kenn Klomegah Professor Vladimir Filippov, Rector of the Russian University of Peoples’ Friendship (RUDN) and Minister for Higher Education (1998-2004) has given an exclusive long-ranging interview in which he speaks about his university as it marks its 60th year of establishment and the plans for the future. During his meeting with this correspondent, Kester Kenn Klomegah, he also discusses the importance of reforms, challenges and achievements in his university in the Russian Federation. The Russian University of Peoples’ Friendship (RUDN) is an educational and research institution located in Moscow. It was established in 1960 primarily to provide higher

By Investors Hub European stocks are trading mixed on Wednesday as global trade tensions linger and investors look ahead to the release of the Fed meeting minutes for direction. Investors remain worried about a protracted US-China trade war after the New York Times reported that the Trump administration is considering placing limits on Chinese video surveillance firm Hikvision’s ability to buy U.S. technology. Ahead of the release of the Fed minutes, St. Louis Fed President James Bullard said there is a case for lowering interest rates if inflation doesn’t appear on track to rise back to desired levels. While the

By Kester Kenn Klomegah Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi and French Total Energies CEO Patrick Pouyanné witnessed, in late January, the signing and exchange of fresh additional agreements that permit prompt resumption of the natural gas exploration projects in Cabo Delgado, northern Mozambique. The construction of the gas liquefaction plant, extracted from the seabed (about 40 kilometres offshore) is the largest currently financed private investment in Africa. But, the natural gas project was suspended in March 2021 after an armed attack that left the province devastated, with about 3,100 deaths and more than 817,000 residents displaced. At the modest ceremony, President

By Dipo Olowookere On Sunday, during his nationwide broadcast, President Muhammadu Buhari announced a total lockdown of Lagos, Abuja and Ogun State from 11pm of Monday, March 30, 2020 for an initial 14 days. This action was taken to curb the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), which has infected 111 persons in the country and claimed two lives. Globally, over 700,000 people have tested positive for the virus, with over 30,000 deaths. It is envisaged that during the lockdown, though Ogun State will become effective this Friday after a plea by its Governor, Mr Dapo Abiodun, residents will need cash

Organisers of the fast-growing consultative event brand, Policy Implementation Assisted Forum (PIAFo), have dedicated the event’s next edition to robust engagement on the pending amendment bill of the National Information Technology Development Agency Act, NITDA Bill 2021. The event, now in its fifth edition, is slated for Thursday, April 13, 2023, at The Colossus Lagos, 4 Sheraton Link Rd, Maryland, Lagos, with the theme: “NITDA BILL: Towards the Sustainability of Nigeria’s Digital Economy Drive”. The National Information Technology Development Agency was established in 2007 by the NITDA Act, while the NITDA Bill 2021, now pending at the National Assembly, seeks