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LCCI Tasks FG On Enhanced Support For SMEs

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The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has urged the Federal Government to increase support to Small and Meduim Enterprises (SMEs) due to their importance to economic growth and development.
The LCCI Chairman, Trade Promotion Board, Mr Gabriel Idahosa, made the call in an interview with the newsmen on Monday at the sidelines of the ongoing 2021 Lagos International Trade Fair ( LITF).
Reports say that the 2021 fair is holding from Nov. 5 to Nov. 14 at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos and has as its theme as: “Connecting Businesses, Creating Value.”
Over 200,000 visitors are expected while about 1,500 exhibitors from 16 countries are participating in the 35th edition of the fair.
Idahosa noted that majority of the exhibitors in the trade fair were SMEs who see it as a huge opportunity to showcase their businesses and services to the world.
He said: “The SMEs constitute between 70 to 80 per cent of the economy. So, they are very critical and it is a major function of LCCI to empower and encourage the SMEs.
“Apart from having an SME group inside the LCCI, we have 26 sectorial group and each of these groups have SMEs which also get a lot of support.
“The SMEs are at the very core of everything the LCCI is doing and we even enable them to connect with the larger enterprises as suppliers and service providers.”
Idahosa commended the Federal Government for developing a framework to support SMEs called the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA).
He said : “SMEDA is doing a lot of programmes targeted at SMEs. From empowerment to skills development and financing that is growing.
“We also have the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN). The entire capital of DBN is devoted to SMEs. DBN lends to microfinance banks which in turn lends to SMEs.
“The Central Bank of Nigeria itself has an SME programme. So there are a lot of programmes around the SMEs.
“The reason there is concern about the impact is that when you have over 40 million SMEs in the country as at the last count and you are having programmes reaching about five million, the impact will not be so obvious.LCCI Tasks FG On Enhanced Support For SMEs

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Minister Inspects Nigeria/Benin Republic-owned Sugar Firm … Decries Decrepit Condition

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January 17, 2025

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Nigeria’s Minister of State, Industry, Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment, John Owan Enoh, has inspected the Savé Sugar Company, a joint venture between Nigeria and Benin Republic, decrying the current decrepit condition of the facilities.
Inspecting the once thriving company located in Cotonou, Benin Republic recently, the Minister expressed  appreciation for the extra security measures put in place by the government of Benin Republic to secure the Savé Sugar Company which was  Established in 1975.
Special adviser to the Minister on Media, Diana Tiku Nsan, said on arrival in Cotonou,  Sen. Enoh paid a courtesy visit on his Benin counterpart, Minister He noted that during the ship’s port calls, the team engaged with the Indian diaspora worldwide.
Approximately 200 individuals received medical attention from the naval health team during the camp, and beneficiaries were also given free medications.of Commerce and Industry, Benin Republic, Shadiya Alimatou Assouman, where a meeting with both ministers resonated with shared concerns and aspirations of both countries.
Assouman said, “this visit marks a historic moment. Since the inception of the company, no Nigerian minister has visited the facility.
“Your bold step signifies a commitment not only to the sugar complex but also to the bilateral relations between our nations”.
The Minister, who proceeded on an on-site  inspection of the facility, observed that the company has experienced changing fortunes and now lies almost decrepit with the last managers, Compliant of China, having vacated in May 2023, at the expiration of a 20-year lease agreement.
After the assessment, the Minister said, “various meetings at both technical and policy levels have continued to be held, but an action is needed.
“This visit is an eye opener, and more than anything else, we seek its revival. The two countries, as a matter of urgency, need to get a worthy core investor within the shortest possible time.
“This is not just about sugar; it is about livelihoods, partnerships, and the shared future of our nations.
“However, where that is not feasible, the recommendation of the 2021 joint assessment report which submits to the selling of our equity in the company will be brought to the table for possible consideration. Action starts today”.
Nsan also said “the deteriorating situation with the Savé Sugar Company Ltd predates the exit of the Chinese. A joint assessment visitation in 2021 was quite damning and recommended that Nigeria sell its equity holding in the company.
“This was declined by the Buhari administration, which instead preferred that upon expiration of the lease agreement with Compliant of China, the two governments competitively source for new core investors.
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NGA Becomes Official Partner To 29th Gas Conference … As President Set To Address 2025 World Summit

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January 17, 2025

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The Nigerian Gas Association (NGA) has been officially announced as an “Association Partner” for the 29th World Gas Conference (WGC) 2025, which will take place from May 19 to 23 in Beijing, China.
The WGC 2025 is organised by the International Gas Union (IGU) and hosted in 3-year intervals.
It is the largest and most influential event in the global gas industry bringing together thousands of industry leaders, policymakers, gas executives, specialists, and exhibitors.
The event serves as a critical platform for discussing the future of the gas sector, showcasing innovations, and facilitating high-level collaborations among key stakeholders.
President of the NGA, Akachukwu Nwokedi, will join global energy and gas leaders who will headline the event as speakers.
The conference, billed to focus on the theme, “Energising a Sustainable Future”, is projected to have over 30,000 participants from 70 countries, including 600 companies, 300 exhibitors, and 400 expert speakers.
Nwokedi will emphasise Nigeria’s critical role as a major global natural gas market player.
With over 200 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves, Nigeria is Africa’s largest resource proprietor and one of the top ten globally.
Nwokedi will detail Nigeria’s initiatives aimed at exploiting these vast reserves to drive domestic economic growth, secure energy supply, and contribute to international sustainability goals.
Reflecting on the upcoming event, Nwokedi said, “We are proud to have the NGA support the WGC 2025 as an Association Partner.
“The World Gas Conference is a key forum for sharing knowledge and driving meaningful dialogue on the future of natural gas, particularly as the world grapples with the need for a balanced energy transition. Nigeria has a wealth of natural gas resources that, if appropriately harnessed, can position us as a leader in global energy markets.
“The WGC will be a veritable platform for sharing updates on recent industry initiatives, which aims to showcase Nigeria as a destination for gas investments, boost the country’s domestic economic growth and the role of gas in Nigeria’s decarbonisation efforts.
“I am honoured to have been invited to speak as the leader of Africa’s leading gas advocacy group to expound on Africa’s plans to harness untapped natural gas reserves in providing energy security for its 600+ million undeserved population, and how Nigeria is at the forefront of this energy revolution.
“This is important because we understand that maximising the potential of these resources will require strategic investments in infrastructure, policy reforms, and a commitment to cleaner energy solutions”.
With more than 90 years of history, the WGC has consistently provided a platform for discussing the evolving role of natural gas in the global energy mix.
The NGA invites its members and other natural gas value chain players to participate prominently through sponsorship and inclusion in the Nigerian Pavilion at the conference in China.
As Nigeria’s largest gas advocacy body, the NGA remains steadfast in its mission to promote natural gas as a critical component of Nigeria’s energy future and advocate for policies that support its sustainable development.
Through partnerships with global organisations and platforms like the WGC, NGA aims to ensure that Nigeria maintains its position as a leading player in the energy sector.
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Dangote Refinery Affecting European Oarkets – OPEC

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January 17, 2025

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The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has said Dangote Refinery is affecting European markets, as importation of petroleum products in Nigerian had dropped.
A report by OPEC, midweek, noted that in the last quarter of 2024, “imports also declined, particularly oil product imports, improving the outlook for the external sector”.
In September 2024, Dangote Refinery, a $20 billion project, spearheaded by billionaire Aliko Dangote, officially begun petrol production, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s energy sector.
Announcing the feat, Dangote said: “This refinery will fuel growth, development, and prosperity by supplying energy to our people”.
Accordingly to data OPEC got, the average daily crude production in Nigeria hit 1.507 million barrels in December.
The OPEC report noted that the Dangote Refinery, at 650,000 barrels per day, bpd capacity, is 246,00bpd more than Shell’s Pernis refinery in the Netherlands. Also, BP Rotterdam in the Netherlands has 380,000 bpd capacity.
“The ongoing operational ramp-up efforts at Nigeria’s new Dangote refinery and its gasoline (petrol) exports to the international market will likely weigh further on the European gasoline market.
“Continued gasoline production in Nigeria, a country that has relied heavily on imports to meet its domestic fuel needs in the past, will most likely continue to free up gasoline volumes in international markets, which will call for new destinations and flow adjustments for the extra volumes going forward”, OPEC stated.
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