Major International Business Headlines Brief ::: 10 September 2025

[Bulls n Bears]

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Major International Business Headlines Brief :::  10  September  2025 

 


                                                                                  

 


 <mailto:info at bulls.co.zw> 

 


 

 


 

ü  Uganda Continues to Welcome Refugees Despite Diminishing Funds

ü  Nigeria: Oil Workers Suspend Strike After Resolving Dispute With Dangote Group

ü  Nigeria: Govt Urged to Adopt Circular Economy for Cheaper Energy

ü  Nigeria, Angola to Sign 15 Agreements

ü  Africa Climate Summit Puts Financing and Resilience Under the Spotlight

ü  Namibia: Finance Ministry to End Payroll Deduction System for Civil Servants

ü  Namibia: Agriculture Ministry Pumps N$28 Million Into Small-Scale Farming

ü  Nigeria: A Simple Way to Transform the Nigerian Economy

ü  Uganda: Gen Mbadi Moves to Address Trade Barriers Between Uganda and DRC

ü  South Africa: Indigenous Nursery Gives Jobs and Skills to People Facing Homelessness

ü  Nigeria: $3.4trn AfCFTA Trade - Nigeria Strengthens Ties With West African Nations

ü  Nigeria: Dangote Vs. Independent Oil Transporters - Nigerians Must Not Be Held Hostage By Enemies of Change

ü  Ethiopia's GERD Equals Energy of 'Three Nuclear Power Plants': Webuild

 


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Uganda Continues to Welcome Refugees Despite Diminishing Funds

More than 75,000 Sudanese refugees have arrived in Uganda, where resources are stretched with crowded schools, inadequate shelter, and limited access to food and health care.

 

On a recent morning at the Kiryandongo reception centre in northwestern Uganda, the exhaustion is palpable among newly arrived refugees - mostly women and children - lining up in the shade to receive assistance. Moving among the crowd is Abdalla Mohamed, going from one family to another to offer translation and guidance on where to go and what to do next.

 

The 53-year-old Sudanese father of four knows the feeling all too well. He arrived in February this year with nothing but his family and the hope of safety. Now, he spends his days helping others.

 

 

"I volunteer at the reception centre and use my English language skills to help interpret for new arrivals," he said. "I also help the community by connecting the most vulnerable to the respective aid agencies. Instead of sitting at home, I thought I could be of help to my people. The reception centre is overcrowded, and I see so many people in need of help every day."

 

 

 

Since the start of 2025, an average of 600 people, mostly from Sudan, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, have been arriving in Uganda each day. The East African country currently hosts nearly 2 million refugees, over half of them children. The strain is evident everywhere, from overcrowded reception centres and school classrooms to inadequate food supplies and health care services. Malnutrition rates, especially in children under five, are rising at an alarming pace.

 

 

"People come in big numbers," said Abdalla. "The assistance they are receiving is not enough, and they don't have money to buy anything. There are vulnerable people, including elders and children, who are separated from their families. They live in overcrowded shelters with not enough water."

 

Despite the dire humanitarian situation and limited services, the refugees' determination to rebuild their lives and regain normality has not waned, including children wishing to continue their education. Schools in the settlement are filled with children eager to learn, crammed into congested classrooms with limited learning resources.

 

"Even before the current situation, the schools were overcrowded," said Sarah Baako Taban, 43, a South Sudanese refugee teacher. "It is worse now. In one of my classes, I teach over 230 students. I don't get a space to walk to reach some of the students at the back. I can only do so much. You won't even know what is happening at the back of the classroom, but we have no choice, we have to keep teaching despite the challenges."

 

 

Among Sarah's students is Sojoud Ibrahim, 18, from Nyala in Sudan's South Darfur region. The war tore through her hometown, scattering her friends and shattering her dreams of becoming a designer. Her family sold their home to pay for transport to escape. She was in secondary school, but now in Uganda, she must start over, placed several grades back in primary school to adjust to a new curriculum.

 

However, her resolve to resume her education and fulfil her dreams remains unbroken. "I am still strong and am not destroyed, and my father supports me," she said. "When the war happened, we managed to come here. I miss my friends. I don't know if they died. I want to continue with my education and complete high school so I can become a designer."

 

In its annual Refugee Education Report published on 9 September, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, warned that deep cuts to humanitarian and development aid are putting recent gains in refugee education at risk, with nearly half of school-aged refugee children still out of school.

 

UNHCR is working with the government of Uganda and partners to provide life-saving assistance with dwindling funds. The agency recently reported that by the end of July, it only had sufficient resources to support less than 18,000 individuals with cash and essential relief items, enough to cover just two months of new arrivals at the current pace.

 

"Emergency funding runs out in September," said Dominique Hyde, UNHCR's Director for External Relations, who recently visited settlements hosting Sudanese and South Sudanese refugees in Uganda. "More children will die of malnutrition, more girls will fall victim to sexual violence, and families will be left without shelter or protection unless the world steps up. Uganda has opened its doors, its schools, and its health centers. This model can succeed, but it can't do it alone.

 

With peace in their homelands still a distant hope, refugees like Abdalla are working tirelessly to rebuild their lives, but without urgent support, their resilience alone cannot sustain them.

 

"Please continue to help us, we need more support," said Abdalla. "I know the world has a lot of problems but try to help us now. Maybe in a few years, Sudan will become peaceful."

 

Read the original article on UNHCR.

 

 

 

 

 

Nigeria: Oil Workers Suspend Strike After Resolving Dispute With Dangote Group

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) suspended its nationwide strike yesterday after reaching an agreement with Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals management.

 

The agreement comes after days of strike action by NUPENG, which accused the Dangote Group of denying employees the right to join recognised labour unions.

 

The dispute escalated into a standoff, prompting a reconciliation intervention by the federal government through the Ministry of Labour and Employment that ended in a deadlock on Monday night.

 

 

 

At a conciliation meeting by the minister, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, both parties held lengthy discussions that produced a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in Abuja.

 

 

According to the resolutions, Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals formally agreed to allow willing employees to join registered unions.

 

The unionisation process will begin immediately and is expected to be concluded within two weeks, between September 9 and September 22, 2025.

 

The agreement also prohibits the creation of a parallel union within the Dangote Group's refinery or petrochemicals arm. Both sides agreed that no worker would be victimised for participating in or supporting the strike.

 

The agreement's signatories are Sayyu Dantata and Otunba Jibrin Otan, representing Dangote Group; acting general secretary Comrade Benson Upah; and general secretary Comrade Nuhu Toro, representing the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC).

 

 

Comrade Akporeha Williams, NUPENG president; Comrade Afolabi Olawale, NUPENG general secretary; and Falonipe, Amos. O, director, trade union services and industrial relations, who signed for the minister of labour and employment, is an all-signatory to the agreement.

 

The MoU reads, "That since workers' unionisation is a right in line with the provisions of the extant laws, the management of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals agreed to the unionisation of employees of Dangote Refinery and the unionisation of employees of Petrochemicals, who are willing to unionise.

 

That the process of unionisation shall commence immediately and be completed within two weeks (9th to 22nd September, 2025), and it was agreed that the employer will not set up any other union",

 

It continued, "Arising from the strike notice, no worker or employee of Dangote refinery and Petrochemical will be victimised. Parties will revert to the Honourable Minister of Labour a week after the conclusion of the engagement. Based on the MoU, NUPENG agreed to suspend the industrial action immediately."

 

How DSS Brokered Deal

 

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has called off its industrial action after the Department of State Services (DSS) brokered a truce between the Federal Government, oil industry stakeholders, and organised labour.

 

The resolution, it was gathered, followed a high-level meeting convened in Abuja with key government officials, representatives of Dangote Refinery, and leaders of major trade unions.

 

Those in attendance included the Minister of Finance, Mr Wale Edun; the Minister of Labour and Employment, Mr Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi; the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mrs Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; and the Dangote Refinery delegation, led by Alhaji Sayyu Dantata.

 

Also present were labour leaders: Mr Akpouha Williams of NUPENG, Mr Benson Upah of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and Dr NA Toto, mni+, of the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

 

After hours of deliberation, both parties resolved to uphold existing labour laws, emphasising that employees must not be compelled to join any union and should retain the freedom to either affiliate with or decline membership of any labour body.

 

Other outstanding issues of contention were also resolved, culminating in all stakeholders signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU).

 

The agreement immediately suspended NUPENG's strike action, which threatened to disrupt petroleum supply and distribution across the country.

 

Government officials hailed the outcome as a significant step towards industrial peace, while labour leaders reaffirmed their commitment to protecting workers' rights within the boundaries of the law.

 

Read the original article on Leadership.

 

 

 

 

 

Nigeria: Govt Urged to Adopt Circular Economy for Cheaper Energy

The federal government has urged enacting policies that would promote a circular economy to be able to provide cheaper electricity for Nigerians.

 

Speaking during a workshop organized by the Circular Economy Powered Renewable Energy Centre (CEPREC) and funded by the United Kingdom (UK) Government's Ayrton Fund, stakeholders said the refurbishment of used renewable products like solar panels, inverter batteries, among others products provide opportunities for communities not connected to the national grid to be electrified in a cheaper and affordable ways.

 

The Director of CEPREC, Prof. Muyiwa Oyinlola, said the project which seeks to accelerate energy across Africa, said the workshop is about sharing its initial findings in the project direction with stakeholders from government, industry players and academia to validate "our thinking as well as get input and feedback in solving a real problem of energy access."

 

 

"So we are trying to see how we can make energy access cheaper and reduce investment. So instead of buying new batteries every time, at the end of one life battery, can we repurpose it and make it better and then give it another 5 to 10 years so that we don't always spend on new ones and throw things away. With this, we are tackling two issues."

 

"Number one is the energy access that we're trying to do by trying to make it cheaper and everything. Secondly is the electronic waste and waste that we have in our society. By that, we are preserving the environment. So it's a case of how do we improve the processes we have now and reduce investments."

 

 

Also, a professor of economics and innovation at the University of Warwick in England, and Deputy Director for the social sciences for CEPREC Project, Giuliana Battisti, said the project will see teams of engineers developing circular sustainable microgrid with an uptake to ensure they fulfill what communities want and how they use electricity.

 

On his part, the CEPREC Lead in Nigeria, Okay, Dr Victor Odumuyiwa, said the initiative is going to come up with models and research outputs that will help to plan for the future of electric vehicles when they get to end of life.

 

Read the original article on Daily Trust.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nigeria, Angola to Sign 15 Agreements

No fewer than 15 Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) will be signed at the ongoing 5th session of the Nigeria-Angola Bilateral Economic Joint Commission (BEJC), which began in Luanda on Tuesday.

 

Nigeria's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said the MoUs, when signed, will propel the existing bilateral relations between the two countries to a higher pedestal while playing very crucial roles in enhancing their mutual interest.

 

According to a statement by her media aide, Magnus Eze, the minister listed the areas covered by the MOUs to include: Establishing Nigeria-Angola Business Council; Economic and Technical Cooperation; Cooperation in Combating Illicit Production, Manufacturing, and Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances, and their Precursors; Migration Partnership; Cooperation Waiver of Visa Requirements for Diplomatic and Official Passport Holders; Cooperation on Transfer of Sentenced Person(s) and Cooperation in Correctional Administration and Reforms.

 

 

Others are Cooperation in Technical Manpower Assistance; Cooperation in the Field of Tertiary/Higher Education; Cooperation in the Fight Against Corruption; Cooperation in Youth Development; Cooperation in Policing and Security; Cultural Cooperation and Exchanges; Cooperation on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters; Cooperation on Defence and Intelligence; Cooperation on Public Communication, Media, and Information Exchanges; Cooperation in the Field of Mining and Mineral Processing; Cooperation on Land Transportation and Related Matters; and Cooperation in the Field of Health and Medical Sciences.

 

 

 

The minister regretted that previous efforts to hold another session since the 4th session in Abuja in October 2001were not successful, but expressed delight that the event became possible after over two decades.

 

 

She noted that the eventual reactivation of the Joint Commission attested to the continued efforts by both countries towards actualising the aspirations of their diplomatic relations for the mutual benefit of their people.

 

She said: "This reactivation, which has birthed the 5th Session of the Joint Commission, has provided an opportunity to resuscitate the moribund bilateral agreements between the two countries.

 

The minister disclosed that she and her delegation looked forward to presenting several other vital issues for consideration, including cooperation and partnerships in the human and natural resources development, such as Technical Manpower Assistance to achieve human capital development, deliberation on the commencement of the Nigerian airline carriers' flight to Angola and other Bilateral Air Services Matters; exploring abundant opportunities existing in the richly endowed oil and gas sectors of both countries, as well as the mineral resources.

 

In his opening remarks, Angolan Secretary of State for International Cooperation, Domingos Vieira Lopes, welcomed the Nigerian delegation, saying that his country looked forward to very fruitful outcomes.

 

Read the original article on Daily Trust.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Africa Climate Summit Puts Financing and Resilience Under the Spotlight

The second Africa Climate Summit opened in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on Monday, with the continent determined to position itself not only as a frontline victim of global warming but also as a source of solutions and innovation.

 

>From 8 to 10 September, 45 heads of state and government, alongside more than 25,000 campaigners, business leaders and institutional representatives, are gathering at the African Union's international conference centre in Addis Ababa.

 

The meeting is seen as a vital moment for Africa to set its priorities ahead of major international milestones later this year - including the UN General Assembly, the G20, and the upcoming Cop 30 climate negotiations in Brazil.

 

 

 

Climate change is already hitting Africa hard. The World Meteorological Organization estimates that the crisis costs African economies between 2 and 5 percent of GDP annually.

 

 

By 2030, as many as 118 million of the continent's poorest people could face severe droughts, flooding, and extreme heat.

 

Yet leaders and thinkers are keen to underline that Africa is not simply a victim. The continent holds 60 percent of the world's solar potential and nearly 40 percent of global renewable energy resources. Its soils are rich in critical minerals essential for the green transition.

 

"Africa could benefit enormously and even become a global leader in the transition," argues Iskander Erzini Vernoit, director of the Moroccan think tank, the IMAL Initiative for Climate and Development, speaking to RFI. "But Africa cannot remain passive. It must act in a coordinated way - and that is one of the goals here in Addis Ababa."

 

UN court rules countries must treat climate change as an 'existential threat'

 

A fairer financial system

 

 

Despite this promise, Africa currently attracts only 2 percent of international green investment. High interest rates and the crushing burden of debt remain major barriers.

 

For Vernoit, this summit offers a chance to demand change, telling RFI: "Africa will continue to press for reform of the international financial architecture. This meeting is a moment to call for a fairer, more equitable system that supports the continent's climate action efforts."

 

African leaders are expected to conclude the summit with a joint declaration, signalling unity and ambition to investors and the international community.

 

At the first Africa Climate Summit in 2023, leaders committed to scaling up renewable energy capacity from 56 to 300 gigawatts by 2030, and pledges of more than $23 billion in renewable energy investments were announced.

 

 

Heavy rains in Guinea capital Conakry cause multiple deaths and destroy homes

 

Challenge of resilient infrastructure

 

But climate change is also eroding progress. A new report from the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), released during the summit, highlights the costs of climate damage to African infrastructure - estimated at nearly $13 billion each year.

 

"Most of these losses come from damage to housing, municipal facilities, schools and hospitals, with flooding accounting for 70 percent of the destruction," Ramesh Subramaniam, CDRI's director, explained to RFI. Earthquakes account for a further 28 percent.

 

The solution, he argues, is not to prevent disasters - which is impossible - but to build smarter and stronger. "If a road is built to the right quality standards, it will resist when disaster strikes. The embankments, the protections - all of it will remain in place," he says.

 

According to CDRI, adapting infrastructure to withstand climate impacts typically adds only 5 to 15 percent to a project's cost.

 

Yet many African countries face infrastructure funding gaps of up to 50 percent, leaving them unable to invest sufficiently in resilience.

 

Africans less likely to blame rich nations for climate crisis, survey shows

 

Stronger voice for Africa

 

Against this backdrop, the Addis Ababa summit is more than a technical discussion - it is a statement of intent.

 

Africa's leaders want to showcase the continent's potential as a clean energy powerhouse, a hub for innovation, and a driver of global solutions - provided that the international community steps up with fair financing and real partnerships.

 

By the close of the meeting, a united African position is expected to emerge, sending a message ahead of the world's next big climate gathering: Africa is ready to lead, but it needs the means to do so.

 

Read or Listen to this story on the RFI website.

 

 

 

 

 

Namibia: Finance Ministry to End Payroll Deduction System for Civil Servants

The Ministry of Finance will discontinue all discretionary payroll deductions for government employees, with the Payroll Deduction Management System (PDMS) scheduled to shut down on 30 November.

 

A directive issued on 28 August informed employees and financial institutions that government's contract with Avril Payment Solutions, the operator of the system, will not be renewed.

 

With immediate effect, no new voluntary payroll deductions may be loaded onto the PDMS.

 

Existing loans already linked to the system will continue to be serviced internally by the ministry until they are repaid in full.

 

 

However, insurance premiums, union fees and other voluntary deductions must be shifted to alternative payment methods, such as bank debit orders, before the closure. Statutory deductions, including Paye, pension contributions and social security will remain unaffected.

 

The government has provided a three-month transition period to allow affected parties to secure new collection arrangements.

 

 

>From December, no non-statutory payments will be processed via the government payroll.

 

The decision has been associated with procurement limitations as well as regulatory concerns previously raised by the Bank of Namibia and the Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (Namfisa).

 

Issues included the risk that prioritisation of certain payments could compromise the integrity of the national payment system, and that some microlenders were relying too heavily on payroll safeguards rather than conducting affordability checks required by law.

 

The phasing out of payroll codes means lenders will now be required to conduct proper affordability assessments and carry more risk themselves.

 

For civil servants, the end of payroll deductions is expected to significantly alter how they access credit, manage insurance, and structure monthly payments.

 

 

Loan approvals are expected to become more difficult, particularly for lower-income and rural employees, as lenders will no longer have the security of direct payroll collection. This is likely to tighten lending terms and reduce loan sizes.

 

Banks and microlenders are also expected to increase interest rates and fees to cover higher risk, which could make even small monthly repayments more expensive once debit order charges are applied.

 

Industry data suggests that smaller insurance policies may become unviable once transferred to debit orders because of additional charges.

 

While the change may reduce over-indebtedness in theory, it also risks leaving thousands without insurance protection and increasing the cost of credit. The abrupt implementation is expected to cause short-term financial strain for many government workers.

 

The directive follows a moratorium imposed two years ago by the Ministry of Finance, together with Namfisa and the Bank of Namibia, on the issuance of new payroll deduction codes while reviewing the relevance of the PDMS.

 

That review has now culminated in a complete phasing out.

 

The PDMS was introduced in 2003 when Avril Payment Solutions was appointed to implement the web-based platform.

 

It centralised deductions between the Payroll Office and financial institutions, easing regulatory and administrative burdens at no cost to government or employees, while broadening access to financial services for civil servants.

 

Read the original article on Namibian.

 

 

 

Namibia: Agriculture Ministry Pumps N$28 Million Into Small-Scale Farming

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has allocated over N$28 million to boost food security, enhance production and productivity, and build climate resilience among small-scale producers.

 

This is according to ministry spokesperson Simon Nghipandulwa, who was on an oversight tour of programmes run under the ministry, on Monday.

 

These initiatives encompass key value chains, including horticulture, poultry, dairy, and small-stock development, with implementation spanning all 14 regions of Namibia.

 

 

 

The Horticulture Support and Value Chain Development Programme, Nghipandulwa said, aims to assist approximately 1 000 small-scale producers with substantial subsidies on essential inputs. Under this programme, farmers can benefit from a 50% subsidy on seeds, 60% on fertilisers, 50% on pesticides and herbicides, and 65% on irrigation materials and shade nets.

 

 

"The programme additionally provides subsidised tillage services at N$500 per hectare for land preparation. To qualify, beneficiaries must be Namibian citizens with verified production capabilities, reliable water sources, and concrete production and marketing plans," the spokesperson said.

 

The Poultry Value Chain Development Scheme, with a budget of N$5.04 million, targets 2 000 small-scale poultry producers nationwide, offering a 60% subsidy on production stock, 50% on veterinary medicines and feeds, and 65% on equipment, including incubators, housing materials, and processing equipment.

 

Nghipandulwa said the programme includes a significant capacity building component, with N$840 000 allocated specifically for training producers on poultry production and marketing.

 

Further, the Dairy Value Chain Development Scheme, which is being piloted in the Otjozondjupa, Omaheke, Hardap, Oshikoto, and Zambezi regions, focuses on 150 existing dairy producers to develop a modern, self-sustaining dairy industry.

 

 

"The programme provides a 60% subsidy on production stock, 50% on veterinary medicines and feeds, and 65% on machinery, equipment, and construction materials," he added.

 

Nghipandulwa said the maximum subsidy per beneficiary is N$200 000 for dairy cattle producers and N$100 000 for dairy goat producers.

 

Complementing these initiatives, he said the Small Stock Distribution and Development Programme continues its revolving project that provides quality core breeding flocks to vulnerable households.

 

He said each beneficiary receives 20 ewes and one ram to establish a sustainable means of income generation.

 

Read the original article on Namibian.

 

 

 

Nigeria: A Simple Way to Transform the Nigerian Economy

Nigeria has a chance to rethink what entrepreneurship means.

 

The experience of Imo shows that village-owned businesses are not just theoretical. They are real, they work, and they can be scaled. What is left is for governments, philanthropists, and community leaders to take this model seriously, support it, and expand it. If every village in Nigeria had a business, the transformation of the economy would not be a distant dream. It would be an everyday reality.

 

Sometimes, the biggest solutions come from the simplest ideas. One such idea is this: What if every village in Nigeria owned a business? It may sound almost too simple to be taken seriously, yet its potential to transform the Nigerian economy is enormous.

 

 

After all, governments in Nigeria already own businesses. The Federal Government owns the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). Lagos State owns Ibile Holdings. Enugu State has the Presidential Hotel and even a new airline. Akwa Ibom runs Ibom Air. Imo State owns Concorde Hotel and Adapalm. Edo and Rivers states both own plantations and oil ventures. If national and state governments can own and run businesses, what stops villages, towns, and communities from doing the same? The honest answer is nothing, except our imagination.

 

Take Imo State as an example. It has more than 1,000 villages. The South-East as a whole has no fewer than 7,000 villages. Across Nigeria, with 8,809 political wards and an estimated 10 villages per ward, the number of villages may well exceed 80,000. Now, imagine if just half of these (i.e., 40,000 villages) each had a business. If each business engaged only 200 people, that would create eight million jobs. At the current minimum wage of ₦70,000 per month, those jobs would generate ₦6.72 trillion annually in salaries alone. The effect on purchasing power, local productivity, and GDP would be nothing short of transformative.

 

 

To put this in perspective, Dangote Cement employs about 20,000 people. First Bank has around 17,000 employees. Even if we assume that every bank in Nigeria employs 20,000 people, the total number of jobs across the banking sector will still not reach one million. By contrast, the village-business model could create eight million jobs. The difference is staggering for a nation of more than 200 million people, with unemployment biting hard.

 

The real obstacle lies in how we view entrepreneurship. In Nigeria, entrepreneurship is typically seen as a personal journey. An individual starts a business, struggles to grow it, and dreams of becoming a big success. Even those who prefer to remain small usually go it alone, convinced it is easier that way. This "one man, one business" mindset dominates not only culture but also education and policy.

 

 

The results speak for themselves. In just 20 months, OKOBI has supported the creation of more than 450 businesses and over 13,000 jobs in Imo State. For context, the state government employs about 50,000 people, including teachers and civil servants. In less than two years, community-driven OKOBI businesses have already created more than a quarter of the number of jobs sustained by the entire state government workforce. That is a remarkable achievement.

 

But African wisdom tells us otherwise: if you want to travel fast, you can go alone; if you want to travel far, you must go together. In reality, no entrepreneur succeeds alone. Every business needs teams, partners, suppliers, and communities. No one claps with one hand. Entrepreneurship works best when it is collective, not just individual.

 

This is important for policy, too. Governments often chase after large corporations, offering them incentives to set up shop. Big firms are valuable; they bring capital, technology, and networks. But they are not the biggest employers. Small and medium enterprises create most of the jobs. Ignoring them leaves a dangerous gap. If African governments genuinely want to tackle unemployment, then supporting small-scale, grassroots businesses is the way forward.

 

Then, there is the issue of informality. In Nigeria, the informal sector contributes more than half of the GDP and provides more than 70 per cent of jobs. But these jobs are usually unstable, underpaid, and unsustainable. Informality is not the future we want. Village-owned businesses can change this. Properly registered and structured, they can provide professional, sustainable jobs, while preserving the benefits of local communities.

 

This is precisely what the Imo State Government, under the leadership of Senator Hope Uzodimma, is doing through its One Kindred One Business Initiative (OKOBI). OKOBI is built on group entrepreneurship. To qualify, a business must be registered with the government, owned collectively by a kindred or community, profit-oriented, job-creating, and place-based. The aim is to empower people from the grassroots up.

 

The results speak for themselves. In just 20 months, OKOBI has supported the creation of more than 450 businesses and over 13,000 jobs in Imo State. For context, the state government employs about 50,000 people, including teachers and civil servants. In less than two years, community-driven OKOBI businesses have already created more than a quarter of the number of jobs sustained by the entire state government workforce. That is a remarkable achievement.

 

The lesson here is powerful. If OKOBI can work in Imo State, it can work elsewhere. Other South-Eastern states can adopt it. And if it works in the South-East, why not across Nigeria? Imagine villages all over the country establishing enterprises, whether in agriculture, food processing, transport, tourism, or manufacturing. Each business would not only provide jobs but also strengthen community bonds, reduce rural-urban migration, and energise local economies.

 

The best part is that these are not charity projects. They are real businesses owned by real communities, generating profit and building wealth from the bottom up. OKOBI is about self-help, about communities refusing to wait endlessly for government jobs or outside investors. It is about taking ownership of the future. And already, there are stories of families lifted out of poverty and villages transformed by new economic activity.

 

The lesson here is powerful. If OKOBI can work in Imo State, it can work elsewhere. Other South-Eastern states can adopt it. And if it works in the South-East, why not across Nigeria? Imagine villages all over the country establishing enterprises, whether in agriculture, food processing, transport, tourism, or manufacturing. Each business would not only provide jobs but also strengthen community bonds, reduce rural-urban migration, and energise local economies.

 

Nigeria has a chance to rethink what entrepreneurship means. It should not only be about lone hustlers or multinationals. It can also be about villages and communities coming together to own and grow businesses. This is a simple idea with the power to transform the entire economy.

 

The experience of Imo shows that village-owned businesses are not just theoretical. They are real, they work, and they can be scaled. What is left is for governments, philanthropists, and community leaders to take this model seriously, support it, and expand it. If every village in Nigeria had a business, the transformation of the economy would not be a distant dream. It would be an everyday reality.

 

Kenneth Amaeshi is a professor of business and sustainable development at the University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom, as well as a professor of sustainable finance at the European University Institute, Florence, Italy.

 

Read the original article on Premium Times.

 

 

 

Uganda: Gen Mbadi Moves to Address Trade Barriers Between Uganda and DRC

The Minister of State for Trade, Gen.eraWilson Mbasu Mbadi, has announced plans to engage his counterpart in the Democratic Republic of Congo to resolve long-standing trade barriers that continue to frustrate business between the two countries.

 

The announcement followed Gen. Mbadi's week-long inspection tour of seven major border posts in the Rwenzori and West Nile regions.

 

The tour, which focused on trade facilitation, revenue performance, and operational challenges, took him to Mpondwe (Kasese), Ntoroko, Goli (Nebbi), Padea (Zombo), Vurra and Lia (Arua), and Oraba (Koboko).

 

 

 

Uganda, with support from UKaid through TradeMark Africa, upgraded the Mpondwe, Ntoroko, and Goli crossings into One-Stop Border Posts (OSBPs) in 2022 to ease cargo clearance and cut costs.

 

 

However, Mbadi found the facilities still underutilized.

 

At Ntoroko, key agencies such as the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) and Ministry of Agriculture were absent, while DR Congo border officials were entirely missing.

 

"Several times we have invited our colleagues from DR Congo for joint border committee meetings, but they never show up," said URA's Ntoroko Customs In-charge, Hamid Juma Aime.

 

Ugandan traders cited mistreatment in DR Congo, restricted access to markets, losses from multiple currency exchanges, and language barriers as major obstacles.

 

They also protested the $50 visa fee charged by DRC authorities despite Uganda having waived visa requirements for Congolese nationals under the East African Community (EAC) Common Market Protocol.

 

 

"Our people still pay the $50 visa fees to enter DR Congo which increases the cost of doing business, yet for us we scrapped those visa fees," said Mabel Nankya, Immigration Officer at Mpondwe.

 

Other complaints included high taxes on fish, lack of cold storage facilities, insecurity caused by armed militias forcing early border closures, poor road networks, and inadequate parking space. At Vurra, long queues of cargo trucks stretched up to two kilometres.

 

Despite the hurdles, trade between Uganda and DR Congo has expanded significantly. Uganda's exports to DR Congo doubled from $500 million in 2020 to more than $1 billion in 2025, making DRC Uganda's largest export market in both the EAC and Comesa regions.

 

Revenue collection at border posts has also risen. URA reported Shs8.7 billion at Mpondwe in 2024/25, surpassing its Shs8.6 billion target.

 

Ntoroko rose sharply from Shs196 million in 2022/23 to Shs1.06 billion in 2024/25.

 

Lia collections grew from Shs2.6 billion to Shs3.8 billion, while Padea exceeded its target by 172%, collecting Shs1.6 billion.

 

Gen. Mbadi assured traders that the government would take concrete steps to ease trade, including ministerial-level talks with DRC, new investment in road and energy infrastructure, and tighter border security.

 

"Very soon, we are going to hold a ministerial meeting with my DR Congo counterpart to iron out all these barriers just like we recently did with Kenya," Mbadi said.

 

"We remain committed to creating conditions that support cross-border trade, enhance regional cooperation, and ensure smoother, more efficient movement of goods and people."

 

Community leaders also urged government to improve health services, provide gender-sensitive facilities for women traders, and step up sensitization campaigns to boost tax compliance.

 

As part of efforts to deepen trade ties, Mbadi is scheduled to extend his visits to the Goli-Mahagi, Padea, and Vurra corridors for further consultations with traders and border officials.

 

Read the original article on Nile Post.

 

 

 

South Africa: Indigenous Nursery Gives Jobs and Skills to People Facing Homelessness

The project is one of several social enterprises run by U-turn

 

An indigenous nursery and landscaping project in Claremont is helping people to move out of homelessness and rebuild their lives.

 

U-turn's Living Roots nursery grows indigenous plants and provides landscaping services to houses in the surrounding suburbs. About 15 people work at the nursery, most of whom live in U-turn's shelters.

 

Homeless people who enrol in U-turn's programme go through four phases: support to access basic needs, therapy and rehabilitation, work-readiness and independent employment. Living Roots forms part of the work-readiness phase and is one of several social enterprises run by U-turn, such as charity shops. Participants in these enterprises earn stipends and gain confidence and skills to help them re-enter the job market.

 

 

Rashied Sambaba, a team leader at Living Roots, joined U-turn when he was homeless and has gone through the full programme. He received training in gardening. With the income from Living Roots, he has been able to move out of the shelter and into his own apartment.

 

One of the Living Roots team members, Grant Davids, said he lives by the motto, "You can change".

 

"I'm doing what I can to improve myself, gaining skills and knowledge on how to be integrated into society," he said.

 

We accompanied the team to a home in Newlands, where they provide gardening services every two weeks.

 

"It's important to support initiatives like this," said the home's owner, Martha le Riche. "Some people are luckier than others, and it's very hard to make a life for yourself without support. If you put trust in people and give them a chance, it uplifts them."

 

 

U-turn spokesperson Stephen Underwood said Living Roots generates income from plant sales, subletting part of the nursery, grants, and landscaping services.

 

"The income has to cover stipends, staff, rent, utilities and goods sold," he said. Additional costs include counselling, food, transport, and accommodation.

 

"Funding is always a challenge, to keep projects going and hopefully to grow them," Underwood said. He said income is seasonal, with warmer months performing better.

 

Living Roots also runs public training courses on gardening and plant propagation. "We are passionate about biodiversity, restoring lives and landscapes, and shifting perceptions about what people experiencing homelessness are capable of," Underwood said.

 

Underwood said the landscaping service has been so successful that the team is fully booked and another group will be added soon to meet demand.

 

Read the original article on GroundUp.

 

 

Nigeria: $3.4trn AfCFTA Trade - Nigeria Strengthens Ties With West African Nations

Nigeria, through the Nigeria Customs Service, is making bold moves to strengthen its intra-regional trade ties with West African nations, aiming to tap into the vast $3.4 trillion African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) market.

 

NCS has already taken significant steps, including signing the ECOWAS Tariff Offer, which reinforces its commitment to regional trade expansion ¹.

 

To boost its trade performance, Nigeria is focusing on key areas such as promoting Regional Value Chains, Championing an Africa-First Mindset, Operationalizing Special Economic Zones (SEZs).

 

 

Customs Area Controller, Seme Area Command, Comptroller Wale Adenuga, made this disclosure when he took over the mantle of leadership of the command.

 

 

 

In his inaugural address, Comptroller Wale Adenuga, emphasized the importance of trade facilitation in unlocking Africa's economic potential.

 

He noted that the NCS is working tirelessly to create an enabling environment for trade to thrive.

 

He said to achieve this goal, the NCS plans to deploy digital solutions, including end-to-end e-clearance, to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and enhance Nigeria's competitiveness in international trade.

 

According to him, the initiative is expected to increase trade volumes, reduce transit times, and lower costs for importers and exporters.

 

He promised to collaborate with regional organizations and stakeholders to harmonize trade processes and strengthen partnerships.

 

 

This includes working with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to implement the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.

 

The handing over ceremony brought together senior officials from sister security agencies, representatives of trade and transport stakeholders, community leaders and members of the Fourth Estate.

 

"When stakeholders make proper declarations, their consignments will leave Customs control within the shortest possible time. The more we facilitate trade, the more revenue we generate and the less smuggling we have," he added.

 

Adenuga also pledged to collaborate closely with sister agencies, including the DSS, Nigeria Police, Immigration, NDLEA, Nigerian Military, NAFDAC and others to reduce crime and create a conducive environment for business to thrive. He also committed to maintaining open communications with the traditional rulers, the youth of Badagry and the media and assured all that "his doors remain open".

 

In his farewell remarks, ACG Oramalugo described the day as one of "mixed emotions" joy at God's faithfulness and his promotion, but nostalgia for the bonds built during his time in Seme. He highlighted key achievements under his leadership, including sustained suppression of smuggling with significant seizures of prohibited goods. Improved revenue collection and enhanced trade facilitation to ease legitimate business while safeguarding national security, as well as fostering inter-agency cooperation and community engagement, among others.

 

Read the original article on Daily Trust.

 

 

 

Nigeria: Dangote Vs. Independent Oil Transporters - Nigerians Must Not Be Held Hostage By Enemies of Change

When a group of independent oil transporters and petroleum marketers threatened to shut down distribution because Aliko Dangote dared to buy gas-powered trucks for his refinery, Nigerians shook their heads in disbelief. The audacity is stunning. Here we are, a country suffocating under fuel queues, high inflation, and broken supply chains -- yet a cabal of truck owners wants to drag us backwards in the name of "protecting their business." Let's call it what it is: a battle of survival for a cartel that refuses to face reality.

 

This is not about patriotism. It is not about protecting consumers. It is not even about the economy. It is raw self-interest dressed up as collective struggle. And if history teaches us anything, it is that those who stand in the way of innovation are eventually buried under its wheels.

 

 

The crocodile tears of the transporters

 

The unions say Dangote is "killing their livelihood" with gas-powered trucks. But let's be honest: what they are really crying about is losing their stranglehold on petroleum logistics. For decades, they thrived on inefficiency, broken roads, and endless scarcity. They got rich while ordinary Nigerians suffered.

 

Now, one refinery dares to modernise distribution -- cutting costs, reducing pollution, improving efficiency -- and suddenly they discover their voice. Nigerians must not fall for this crocodile sympathy. These transporters are not fighting for us; they are fighting against the future.

 

History's harsh verdict on resistance

 

 

>From the Industrial Revolution to today's digital economy, history has always been brutal on those who resist change.

 

The horse-and-carriage industry collapsed when the automobile roared onto the streets. No strike could stop Henry Ford's assembly line.

 

The mighty typewriter empires died when computers took over. You don't see Olivetti or Remington leading global trade fairs anymore.

 

NITEL, once Nigeria's telecommunication monopoly, crumbled because it couldn't see past its rusting landlines while mobile phones conquered the world.

 

Traders who mocked online shopping now watch helplessly as Jumia, Amazon, and Alibaba dominate markets.

 

The lesson? Technology does not ask for permission. It sweeps aside the timid, the lazy, and the fearful.

 

The real victims: 200 million Nigerians

 

If these transporters make good on their strike threat, who suffers? Not Dangote. Not the politicians. Not the wealthy elite. It is the ordinary Nigerian who will line up under the burning sun for petrol. It is the bus driver whose costs will soar. It is the market woman who will pay double to transport her goods. It is the student who cannot afford transportation to class.

 

 

A strike is nothing but blackmail -- and the ransom is the suffering of 200 million people. How shameless.

 

Where is government?

 

This is where leadership matters. Government must not stand idle, wringing its hands while cartels threaten the people. The state cannot play the role of a cowardly referee in a match where the citizens are the ball. Nigerians elected leaders to protect their interests, not to act as errand boys for vested groups.

 

If government sides with the unions in the name of "peace," it will only embolden every greedy cartel that holds the economy hostage. From fuel scarcity to food hoarding, Nigerians have suffered enough. This is the moment for government to show courage: protect the people, enforce the law, and ensure that progress is not strangled by selfish middlemen.

 

Adapt or die

 

The truth is simple: modernisation is not optional. Gas-powered trucks are cheaper, cleaner, and more sustainable. They are the future of logistics, not only in Nigeria but across the globe. If transporters have sense, they will retool, invest in gas-powered fleets, and join the race forward. If they don't, they will be remembered like the typewriter -- nostalgic, irrelevant, and extinct.

 

Instead of blackmail, they should be negotiating partnerships with Dangote, lobbying for government support to transition to new fleets, and carving a role in Nigeria's future energy ecosystem. But to sit on their old trucks, puffing smoke into the sky, and demand that 200 million people pause progress for their sake? That is economic terrorism, not activism.

 

Conclusion: Nigerians deserve better

 

We must be clear: this fight is not about Dangote alone. It is about whether Nigeria moves forward or remains stuck in the past. The Independent Oil Transporters have a choice: embrace change and grow, or resist change and die.

 

The government must not sit on the fence. It must side with Nigerians, not with cartels. As Karl Marx once said, history repeats itself -- first as tragedy, then as farce. If these unions insist on making themselves the farce of Nigeria's energy story, they alone will carry the shame.

 

Read the original article on Daily Trust.

 

 

 

Ethiopia's GERD Equals Energy of 'Three Nuclear Power Plants': Webuild

Addis Abeba — With an installed capacity of more than 5,000 MW and an annual output projection of 15,700 GWh, Ethiopia's Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) can generate energy equivalent to "three medium-sized nuclear power plants," Italian engineering group Webuild said.

 

Ethiopia marked a historic milestone today with the official inauguration of the GERD, the largest hydropower project ever built in Africa. Designed and constructed by Webuild, the project places Ethiopia "at the heart of the continent's green transition," according to the company.

 

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Pietro Salini, Chief Executive of Webuild, as well as Heads of State from African countries who share "a common goal of growth and unity" with Ethiopia, Webuild said.

 

 

Commissioned by Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP), the GERD is among the most ambitious and "complex infrastructure projects globally." With an installed capacity of more than 5,000 MW and an annual output projection of 15,700 GWh, the hydropower plant can generate energy equivalent to "three medium-sized nuclear power plants," Webuild said.

 

The GERD reservoir stretches 172 kilometers and can hold up to 74 billion cubic meters of water, making it the largest hydropower project on the continent. The main dam rises 170 meters, spans 1,800 meters at the crest, and required 10.7 million cubic meters of concrete, giving it the record as Africa's largest roller-compacted concrete (RCC) gravity dam.

 

Webuild recalled that on 28 December 2014, the project's construction team set a world record by laying 23,000 cubic meters of RCC in just 24 hours. "This achievement highlights the project's engineering and organizational excellence."

 

 

Beyond energy production, the GERD has already transformed its surroundings. A new town has developed around the site, with social infrastructure including a hospital, two medical clinics, a school, sports facilities, a bakery producing injera, and new road networks. More than 25,000 workers, mostly Ethiopians, were employed during construction, acquiring "skills and expertise that can be applied to future projects."

 

The company also underscored that the dam is part of Ethiopia's long-term vision for growth, and aligns with Italy's Mattei Plan under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government, which seeks to involve Italian firms in strategic African development initiatives.

 

Webuild highlighted its decades-long partnership with Ethiopia, noting it has completed 30 projects in over 70 years, especially in the hydropower sector. These include Beles Multipurpose Project, the Gibe III dam, and the ongoing Koysha dam, the country's second-largest hydroelectric project after the GERD.

 

Globally, Webuild said it has built 318 dams and hydroelectric plants, with a combined capacity of 53,659 MW. Current projects under construction will add another 14,000 MW and help avoid 13 million tons of CO₂ emissions annually.

 

The company said the GERD inauguration represents not only a turning point for Ethiopia, but also a reaffirmation of its own leadership in sustainable infrastructure. "With GERD, Webuild reaffirms its global leadership and its ability to deliver large-scale, complex, and sustainable infrastructure."

 

Since the beginning of 2025, Webuild said it has finalized more than 10 major projects worldwide, including a section of Interstate 275 in the United States, the Monopoli-Fasano Hospital in Italy, and the Riachuelo environmental remediation project in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

 

Read the original article on Addis Standard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 


 


 Invest Wisely!

Bulls n Bears 

 

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INVESTORS DIARY 2025

 


Company

Event

Venue

Date & Time

 


 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 


Companies under Cautionary

 

 

 


 

 

 

 


CBZH

GetBucks

EcoCash

 


Padenga

Econet

RTG

 


Fidelity

TSL

FMHL

 


 

 

 

 


 <mailto:info at bulls.co.zw> 

 


 

 


DISCLAIMER: This report has been prepared by Bulls ‘n Bears, a division of Faith Capital (Pvt) Ltd for general information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe for any securities. The information contained in this report has been compiled from s believed to be reliable, but no representation or warranty is made or guarantee given as to its accuracy or completeness. All opinions expressed and recommendations made are subject to change without notice. Securities or financial instruments mentioned herein may not be suitable for all investors. Securities of emerging and mid-size growth companies typically involve a higher degree of risk and more volatility than the securities of more established companies. Neither Faith Capital nor any other member of Bulls ‘n Bears nor any other person, accepts any liability whatsoever for any loss howsoever arising from any use of this report or its contents or otherwise arising in connection therewith. Recipients of this report shall be solely responsible for making their own independent investigation into the business, financial condition and future prospects of any companies referred to in this report. Other  Indices quoted herein are for guideline purposes only and d from third parties.

 


 

 


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