Major International Business Headlines Brief ::: 08 August 2025

[Bulls n Bears]

 <https://bullszimbabwe.com/> 

 


 

 <http://www.bullszimbabwe.com> Bullszimbabwe.com
<mailto:info at bulls.co.zw?subject=View%20and%20Comments> Views & Comments
<https://bullszimbabwe.com/category/blogs/bullish-thoughts/> Bullish
Thoughts        <http://www.twitter.com/BullsBears2010> Twitter
<https://www.facebook.com/BullsBearsZimbabwe> Facebook
<http://www.linkedin.com/pub/bulls-n-bears-zimbabwe/57/577/72> LinkedIn
<https://chat.whatsapp.com/CF6wllAfScU9Wr6dXxoQnO> WhatsApp
<mailto:bulls at bullszimbabwe.com?subject=Unsubscribe> Unsubscribe

 


 

 


Major International Business Headlines Brief :::  08 August   2025 

 


 


 


 <mailto:info at bulls.co.zw> 

 


 

 


 

ü  South Africa: Gauteng Health Assures Medicine Availability 

ü  Nigeria: How Nigeria Loses Billions At Free Trade Zones - Reps Committee

ü  Nigeria: Grid Collapse - Labour Unions Urge Govt to Reverse Power
Privatisation

ü  Nigeria: 13 Suspects Face Prosecution As Mining Marshals Shut Down
Illegal Quarry in Abuja

ü  Nigeria: Blue Economy - Freight Forwarders Raise Alarm Over Sabotage of
Govt Reforms

ü  Nigeria: 'Stop Blackmail, Pay Your Debts,' Gas Suppliers Counter Telecom
Operators

ü  Nigeria: Telecoms Blackout Looms As Base Station Operators, Diesel
Suppliers Battle

ü  Liberia: Arcelor Mittal - Public Works Official Commends AML

ü  Nigeria: 3 Weeks' Blackout Cripples Businesses in Kwara

ü  Nigeria: Traders Count Losses As Fake N1,000 Notes Flood Ilorin Markets

ü  Nigeria Aviation Lost $3.5bn to Poor Infrastructure - Rewane

ü  Kenya: President Ruto Orders Release of Over 9,000 Motorcycles With No
Cases

ü  Ethiopia: Egypt 'Scrambling to Create Obstacles' Ahead of GERD
Inauguration: Electric Power CEO

 


 <mailto:info at bulls.co.zw> 

 


South Africa: Gauteng Health Assures Medicine Availability 

The Gauteng Health Department has assured that public health facilities in
the province continue to have consistent access to medicines, despite global
supply challenges, reports EWN. This comes after the Democratic Alliance
raised concerns about delays at the medical supply depot, claiming patients
were waiting long periods for prescriptions. The department dismissed the
claims as misleading and said no facility has reported ongoing shortages.
Spokesperson Motalatale Modiba said that Gauteng leads the country in
medicine availability, with hospitals averaging 95% for all formulary
medicines and 98% for essential ones.

 

Four in Meyiwa Murder Trial Drop Bid to Have Charges Dismissed

 

Four of the five men accused in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial have abandoned
their bid to have charges dropped, reports SABC News. Only one accused,
Mthokoziseni Maphisa, will continue with the application to have charges
against him dismissed. The trial, taking place at the High Court in
Pretoria, is set to resume on August 25, when arguments on the application
will be heard. Defence lawyer Advocate Zithulele Nxumalo said that he will
submit his heads of argument by August 15. State Prosecutor Advocate George
Baloyi agreed to set a timetable for submissions.

 

SASSA Disqualifies 69 Grant Beneficiaries Over Extra Income

 

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has disqualified 69 grant
recipients in Mahikeng, in the North West, from receiving grants after
reviews revealed they have additional income, reports EWN. SASSA said 700 of
the 1,200 identified individuals have come forward for review in the
province so far.  The agency, working with credit bureaus, identified
beneficiaries suspected of earning other income and urged them to visit
local offices to verify eligibility. SASSA CEO Themba Motlou said some
people admitted they were employed, while many others came to review
disability grants and consult with doctors.

 

More South African news

 

 

 

Nigeria: How Nigeria Loses Billions At Free Trade Zones - Reps Committee

The House of Representatives Committee on Customs and Excise has revealed
that several companies operating in the Free Trade Zones of the country were
engaged in sharp practices that lead Nigeria to losing a lot of revenue
running to billions of Naira.

 

This was disclosed by the Chairman of the Committee, Leke Abejide during an
oversight visit to the Kano/Jigawa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service.

 

According to him, companies operating in the free zone are supposed to sell
only 25 percent of their products in the local market while exporting 75
percent to generate foreign exchange for the country.

 

Abejide said by the law establishing the free trade zones, they are supposed
to import their raw materials duty free and produce for export, adding that
any company selling its products locally will be required to pay duty on the
imported raw materials on such manufactured products.

 

He also disclosed that the House Committee plans to conduct an investigation
spanning the last five years with a view to recovering all revenue lost by
the government due to such sharp practices.

 

He also disclosed that the committee plans to introduce an amendment to the
pension reform Act to introduce a Pension Fund Administrator for the Customs
and other paramilitary agencies as well as ensuring that the Comptroller
General is appointed on a four year tenure basis.

 

In his address the Comptroller of the Kano/Jigawa Command of the NCS,
Abubakar Dalhat said the command had generated over N10 billion between
January and June 2025 from the Kano free trade zone as against about N1
billion it generated within the same period of 2024.

 

Read the original article on Daily Trust.

 

 

 

 

Nigeria: Grid Collapse - Labour Unions Urge Govt to Reverse Power
Privatisation

Amid recurring grid collapses and poor electricity supply, labour and trade
unions have called on the federal government to reverse the privatisation of
the power and water sectors.

 

Speaking in Kano on Thursday, the National Union of Electricity Employees
(NUEE) and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service
Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) said Nigeria fared
better when these sectors were government-owned.

 

NUEE's North West Zonal Organising Secretary I, Ayuba Barde, described the
privatisation as a failed policy.

 

He said Nigerians are now paying for services they do not receive, as
private investors focus solely on profit rather than sectoral reinvestment
or service delivery.

 

Barde also alleged that the assets were handed over to government cronies
rather than being sold at market value. "Today, we have nothing to show but
grid collapses, blackouts and inflated billing," he said.

 

AUPCTRE's acting General Secretary, Lawrence Ilesanmi, said power and water
are essential public services that should be subsidised by the government.

 

He said the privatisation has led to environmental damage, citing increased
borehole drilling as a consequence of poor water infrastructure.

 

Read the original article on Daily Trust.

 

 

 

 

Nigeria: 13 Suspects Face Prosecution As Mining Marshals Shut Down Illegal
Quarry in Abuja

As part of ongoing efforts to sanitise the mining sector, the Nigeria
Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has shut down an illegal quarrying
site in the Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

 

Thirteen suspects have been arrested and charged to court in connection with
the unlawful operation.

 

The crackdown was led by the Mining Marshals, a specialised unit of the
NSCDC recently established to tackle illegal mining across the country. The
unit acted on intelligence indicating that the site had been operating
without legal documentation, safety protocols, or environmental safeguards
for over seven months.

 

According to the Commander of the Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of
Corps (ACC) Attah John Onoja, the suspects were found to be working for a
company that had allegedly encroached on a quarry lease belonging to another
licensed operator.

 

"This operation underscores our commitment to zero tolerance for illegality
in the Nigerian mining sector," ACC Onoja stated. "We will not allow any
individual or company to take the law into their own hands or deprive
legitimate operators of their lawful rights."

 

The site was reportedly shut down for breaching mining and environmental
regulations, with the authorities citing risks to public safety and the
environment.

 

The Mining Marshals' action aligns with the strategic directives of the
NSCDC Commandant General, Prof Ahmed Abubakar Audi, mni, whose leadership
has prioritised the protection of critical national assets and the
enforcement of compliance across sectors.

 

Speaking further, ACC Onoja issued a stern warning to operators involved in
unlicensed mining activities.

 

"Let this serve as a warning to all illegal operators. The era of impunity
in the mining sector is over. We will continue to identify, investigate, and
prosecute all violators, no matter how remote or discreet their operations
may be," he said.

 

The suspects are currently in custody and are expected to be arraigned in
court in the coming days as investigations continue.

 

The shutdown comes amid growing concerns over the proliferation of illegal
mining operations, especially in remote and peri-urban areas where
regulatory oversight has historically been weak. Authorities say the
enforcement drive is part of broader national efforts to restore order and
accountability in the mining sector, boost revenue, and enhance internal
security.

 

Vanguard News

 

Read the original article on Vanguard.

 

 

 

 

Nigeria: Blue Economy - Freight Forwarders Raise Alarm Over Sabotage of Govt
Reforms

Following what is perceived as agenda to sabotage government reforms in the
Marine and Blue Economy sectors, the National Association of Government
Approved Freight Forwarders, NAGAFF, has called for the deregistration of
four associations and requested the withdrawal of their Corporate Affairs
Commission, CAC, certificates for national interest.

 

NAGAFF said it carefully observed with enduring patience, recent actions by
Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA; Association of
Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria, AREFF; National Association of Air
Freight Forwarders and Consolidators, NAFFAC; and National Council of
Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, NCMDLCA, since the
appointment of the current Registrar of the Council for the Regulation of
Freight Forwarding in Nigeria, CRFFN, Mr. Kingsley Igwe.

 

Recall that these groups have publicly aligned with a court judgment
obtained by Mr. Lucky Amiwero of NCMDLCA in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/765/2018,
claiming that CRFFN lacks the authority to regulate customs agents and
collect Practitioner Operating Fee, POF, even when the CRFFN has appealed
and filed a stay of execution, rendering the ruling unenforceable.

 

Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos, National President, NAGAFF, Chief
Tochukwu Ezisi, said those who no longer believe in CRFFN's mandate should
exit the stage, adding that the government should investigate the economic
and regulatory sabotage being carried out under the guise of activism.

 

Igwe said: "These groups have often failed in their statutory financial
obligations to CRFFN. ANLCA and NCMDLCA must align their identities with the
new Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Act 2023.

 

"We recommend that CRFFN consider the deregistration of these four
associations and request the withdrawal of their CAC certificates in
national interest.

 

"Despite these distractions, NAGAFF remains proud of the performance of the
current Registrar. Under one year, he has shown exceptional leadership,
including: expanding CRFFN's funding beyond POF to improve financial
sustainability; commenced the training of one thousand freight forwarders in
2025, a capacity-building initiative which has seen a successful training of
300 freight forwarders already; and driving digital modernization and
stakeholder collaboration to strengthen CRFFN's regulatory role.

 

"We hereby pass a vote of absolute confidence on the leadership of the CRFFN
Registrar/CEO under the supervision of the Minister of Marine and Blue
Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola," he stated.

 

Read the original article on Vanguard.

 

 

 

 

Nigeria: 'Stop Blackmail, Pay Your Debts,' Gas Suppliers Counter Telecom
Operators

The Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria, NOGASA, has
faulted the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria, ALTON,
over claims surrounding a dispute between telecom infrastructure firm, IHS
Towers, and two member companies of NOGASA, which led to the suspension of
diesel supplies to telecom base stations in Lagos, Delta, and Kaduna states.

 

NOGASA dismissed ALTON's claims as unfounded, accusing the telecom operators
of being "economical with the truth."

 

Recall that ALTON, in a statement issued Thursday by its Chairman, Engr.
Gbenga Adebayo, alleged: "We have received credible reports that members of
the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, and the
Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria NOGASA, on Tuesday,
blocked access to diesel loading depots in Kaduna, Lagos, and Koko (Delta
State), preventing the distribution of diesel to thousands of
telecommunications sites operated by one of our key members, IHS Towers.

 

"This action, reportedly stemming from allegations by IHS of diesel
misappropriation against two member companies of NOGASA and which is being
investigated by the requisite authorities, has resulted in a critical threat
to the operation of some of the 16,000 telecommunications sites nationwide,
servicing mobile network operators.

 

"These sites not only power mobile and internet services for millions of
Nigerians, but also support essential services such as banking transactions,
hospital communications, emergency response systems, and national security
operations."

 

'Stop blackmail, pay your debt'

 

However, in a counter-statement, NOGASA's Secretary General, Tunde David,
rejected the allegations and provided a different narrative.

 

He said: "To create sustainability in our economy, we must remember that
pacts are binding. This dispute between IHS and NOGASA needs to be resolved
to drive home this point.

 

"When our companies render services to clients, we expect to be paid as and
when due for the economy to remain healthy.

 

"The publication ought to seek accuracy and be truthful in its presentation
of the facts surrounding the matter at hand, rather than the hack job it did
on a very crucial matter.

 

"ALTON is categorically wrong in claiming that the two companies involved
'misappropriated' diesel stocks of IHS.

 

"This is a total lie that fails to acknowledge that IHS owes the companies
in question payments for services already rendered. They are mischievously
raising a false alarm by linking national security to what is strictly a
commercial transaction."

 

David accused ALTON of blackmail, saying "They are engaging in sheer
blackmail because there are other colocation service providers in the
country -- like American Towers, Pan African Towers, and others -- who could
provide intervention mechanisms. They just need to clear their debts.

 

"What NOGASA is actually trying to do is protect the businesses of her
members in order to secure the jobs and livelihoods of their employees.

 

"As employers of labour, the principal objective of our association is to
protect our businesses -- not to sabotage the economy of Nigeria.

 

"Indeed, it is IHS' imperial rascality and insensitivity in failing to
settle our charges that is responsible for our action. They don't expect us
to sit idly by when they have our funds tied down.

 

"We are only asserting our rights to be paid after rendering required
services. ALTON ought to conduct thorough fact checks before making wild
claims.

 

"The numerous charges by victims of IHS show that the company's management
does not seem to care much about its reputation these days. It has become a
deliberate habitual defaulter."

 

David emphasized that foreign management practices must align with local
laws and ethics:

 

"As proponents of global best practices, members of NOGASA understand and
accept the input of foreign managers, but we must never be cowed by their
presumptuousness. We are not fooled, and no amount of intimidation can make
us abandon our rights to engage in collective bargaining against behemoths
militating against the survival of our businesses."

 

He concluded with a firm stance that "For NOGASA in this matter, enough is
enough. We insist that justice must be done. Pay us our requisite fees so we
can return to normal business. This is our plight.

 

"Let it be known that this is entirely a NOGASA affair. NUPENG is simply
mindful and concerned with the safety of their members. Besides, it is
pertinent to note that our staff are also members of NUPENG."

 

Vanguard News

 

Read the original article on Vanguard.

 

 

 

 

Nigeria: Telecoms Blackout Looms As Base Station Operators, Diesel Suppliers
Battle

Lagos — Diesel business dispute between telecom tower managers, IHS, and the
Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria, NOGASA, is threatening
to affect telecom services in the country.

 

The dispute, Vanguard gathered, arose from an allegation by IHS that two
member companies of NOGOSA misappropriated its diesel stock and called for
thorough investigations.

 

However, NOGOSA in a swift response said IHS was deflecting attention to
repeated breach of contracts and refusing to pay for accurate stock its
members had supplied the tower managers.

 

Meanwhile, telecom operators in the country, including MTN, Airtel, Globacom
and 9Mobile have cried out, through their umbrella body, the Association of
Telecom Operators of Nigeria, ALTON, that over 16,000 of their base stations
in Lagos, Kaduna and Delta states may soon shut down, as NUPENG and NOGOSA
have blocked diesel access to IHS. The telcos said the action could put
millions of telecom and banking customers out of services.

 

The shut-down may also affect hospitals, educational institutions and other
sectors whose services depend on telecommunications backbone in those
states.

 

ALTON, however, described the development as sabotage and a threat to
national security, but NUPENG, and NOGASA accused the telecom associations
of blackmail saying that diesel supplied should be paid for.

 

This came as the National Association of Telecom subscribers of Nigeria,
NATCOMs, has called on the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy,
Dr. Bosun Tijani to escalate the conflict between the associations to
President Bola Tinubu for a speedy resolution to avoid plunging the nation
into telecommunications darkness.

 

Meanwhile, industry regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC,
raised alarm over relentless attacks on telecommunications infrastructure,
revealing that Nigeria now records an average of 1,100 fibre optic cuts
weekly, alongside 545 site access denials and nearly 100 incidents of theft.

 

Diesel misappropriation

 

IHS had alleged that the two members of NOGASA misappropriated the diesel
meant for the services of telecom base stations.

 

The umbrella body of the telcos, ALTON, in a statement by its Chairman,
Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, said such disputes should be resolved with dialogue
and not brigandage or brute force.

 

He said: "We have received credible reports that members of NUPENG, and
NOGASA, on Tuesday, blocked access to diesel loading depots in Kaduna,
Lagos, and Koko (Delta State), preventing the distribution of diesel to
thousands of telecommunications sites operated by one of our key members,
IHS Towers.

 

"This action, reportedly stemming from allegations by IHS of diesel
misappropriation against two member companies of NOGASA and which is being
investigated by requisite authorities, has resulted in a critical threat to
the operation of some of the 16,000 telecommunications sites nationwide,
servicing Mobile Network Operators.

 

"These sites not only power mobile and internet services for millions of
Nigerians, but also support essential services such as banking transactions,
hospital communications, emergency response systems, and national security
operations.

 

"While ALTON does not necessarily interfere in disputes between its members
and third parties, we are gravely concerned about the wider implications of
this action on national infrastructure and public safety.

 

"We recognise and deeply respect the vital role NOGASA and NUPENG have
played in sustaining Nigeria's energy supply chain and supporting national
development over the years, and we trust that they will continue to uphold
these values by ensuring that their actions do not jeopardise critical
national infrastructure or public welfare.

 

"We, hereby, request that uninterrupted access be granted to the diesel
supply locations, and we urge all parties involved to embrace constructive
dialogue to resolve the matter, without further disruption to essential
services.

 

"We also remind all stakeholders that telecommunications infrastructure has
been officially classified as Critical National Information Infrastructure,
CNII, under Nigerian law. Any deliberate disruption or blockade that affects
the operation of such infrastructure constitutes a serious threat to
national security and economic stability and will attract strict legal
consequences.

 

"We call on the leadership of NUPENG and NOGASA, our highly respected trade
unions, to intervene by calling their members to order.

 

"Disputes must be resolved within the framework of lawful contracts and
applicable legal processes, without resorting to actions that endanger the
operations of an entire industry and the lives and livelihoods that depend
on it.

 

"We call on relevant authorities, including the Office of the National
Security Adviser, ONSA, the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, and
other critical stakeholders, to urgently intervene to forestall a looming
nationwide communications blackout," he added.

 

ALTON blackmailing the union -- NUPENG

 

Reacting, NUPENG President, Prince Williams Akporeha, accused ALTON of
blackmailing the union, saying that members have no involvement in the issue
and could not have blocked any access to diesel.

 

According to him, "ALTON or IHS has issues with NOGASA. They should settle
with NOGASA. All we did was to direct our members to stay off the battle
line till the issues are settled for safety reasons. So, we are not involved
in the matter with either IHS or ALTON."

 

We can't supply until debts are cleared -- NOGASA

 

On the withdrawal of our services and the claims of ALTON and IHS, NOGASA in
a statement by its Secretary General, Tunde David, said: "To create
sustainability in our economy, we must remember that pacts are binding.

 

This dispute between IHS and NOGASA needs to be resolved to drive home this
point. When our companies render services to clients, we expect to get paid
as at when due for the economy to remain healthy.

 

"The publication ought to seek accuracy and be truthful in its presentation
of the facts surrounding the matter at hand rather than the hatchet job
being done on a very crucial matter such as we have.

 

"ALTON is categorically wrong in claiming that the two companies involved
'misappropriated' diesel stocks of IHS. This is a total lie that failed to
state that IHS owes the companies involved, payment for services rendered.
They are mischievously raising a false alarm by linking national security to
what is strictly a commercial transaction.

 

"They are engaging in sheer blackmail because there are other co-location
service providers in the nation like: American Towers, Pan African Towers
and other alternative intervention mechanisms -- they just need to clear
their debts.

 

"What NOGASA is actually trying to do is protect the businesses of her
members in order to secure jobs and livelihoods of their employees and
workforce. As employers of labour, the principal objective of our
association is to protect our businesses and not in way to sabotage the
economy of Nigeria.

 

"Indeed, it is IHS' imperial rascality and insensitivity in failing to
settle our charges that is responsible for our action. They don't expect us
to sit idly when they have our funds tied down. "We are only asserting our
rights of getting paid after rendering required services. ALTON ought to
conduct thorough fact-checks before making wild claims. The numerous charges
by victims of IHS show that the company's management does not seem to care
much about its reputation these days, as it has become a deliberate habitual
defaulter.

 

"As proponents of global best practices, members of NOGASA understand and
accept the input of foreign managers, but we must never be cowed by their
presumptuousness. We are not fooled and no amount of intimidation can make
us abandon our rights to engage in collective bargaining against behemoths
militating against the survival of our businesses.

 

"For NOGASA in this matter, enough is enough. We insist that justice must be
done. Pay us our requisite fees so that we can return to normal business.
This is our plight. Let it be known that this is entirely a NOGASA affair.

 

"NUPENG is simply mindful and concerned with the safety of their members,
besides it is pertinent to note that our staff are also members of NUPENG,"
he added.

 

NATCOM calls for urgent govt intervention

 

Meanwhile, NATCOM has called on the Minister of Communications and Digital
Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani to escalate the conflict between IHS, NUPENG and
NOGASA to the president, Bola Tinubu for a speedy resolution to avoid
plunging the nation into telecom darkness.

 

NATCOMS, was reacting to the cry by operators that the oil and gas
associations were frustrating their operations by blocking diesel access to
their base stations, said the nation cannot afford the devastation a telecom
blackout can cause to the economy if these groups are not quickly called to
order.

 

National President of NATCOMS, Chief Deolu Ogubanjo said it behoves Tijani
as the ICT industry leader and Tinubu as the President who doubles as Oil
and Gas Minister to sort the matter before major damage is done to the
economy as a result.

 

Ogubanjo said: "No matter what the issues are, nobody should block access to
diesel supply to telecom facilities because the ripple effect will be
devastating. This is where the Minister of Digital

 

Economy comes in as industry leader. He should immediately reach Mr
President and advise him on the dangers of the actions of NUPENG and NOGASA.

 

"What I see here is intimidation. Instead of brow-beating IHS over
allegations of diesel misappropriation by the said two member companies of
NOGASA, these groups should channel their energy towards ensuring a
conclusive investigation.

 

"At the end of the day, there must be a price to pay if they are found
guilty just as those who alleged falsely will also pay, if the accused are
innocent.

 

"We should learn how to follow the rules of law instead of forcing people to
keep quiet when a crime is committed.

 

"The economy will suffer greatly, even if 10 base stations shut down at the
same time, let alone 16,000.

 

"In any case, telecom facilities being denied diesel access are by law
Critical National Assets. So, NUPENG and NOGASA should know what they are
going up against," he added.

 

NCC, telcos raise alarm as Nigeria records over 1,000 fibre cuts weekly

 

Yesterday, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications
Commission, Dr. Aminu Maida, raised the alarm that the nation records more
than 1,000 fibre cuts daily during the Industry Sustainability and Critical
National Information Infrastructure, CNII, Conference in Lagos.

 

The event, with the theme: "Telecom Industry Sustainability and CNII Factor
- Way Forward," brought together regulators, operators, and other
stakeholders to address the crisis threatening Nigeria's digital backbone.

 

According to the EVC, who was represented by the Director, Technical
Standards and Network Integrity Department, Mr. Edoyemi Ogoh, despite
telecom's contribution of over 14.4 per cent to Nigeria's GDP, the sector
remains under siege.

 

He stated: "Telecommunications infrastructure is the nervous system of our
national digital economy. Yet, every week, we record over 1,100 fibre cuts,
545 cases of access denial, and nearly 100 thefts. These are not just
statistics, they represent service disruptions for millions of Nigerians and
losses running into billions of naira.

 

"Telecom infrastructure such as towers, fibre lines, base stations, and data
centres, classified as Critical National Information Infrastructure, CNII,
are increasingly targeted by vandals, thieves, and uncooperative
communities.

 

"These disruptions are impacting essential services including banking,
healthcare, education, and security.

 

"Other key challenges include poor power supply, bureaucratic delays in
Right-of-Way approvals, growing cybersecurity threats, and security risks in
conflict-prone regions.

 

"The sector cannot thrive where technicians are attacked and operators
rebuild the same fibre lines every week.

 

"Let this not just be another conference. Let it be a national awakening to
secure our digital future."

 

Supporting the call for action, Chairman of ALTON, Engr. Adebayo, warned
that the situation is unsustainable.

 

"Every base station lost is a step backward for Nigeria's digital economy,"
he said, urging the media and communities to join the protection effort.

 

As the sector continues to drive innovation, employment, and economic
growth, stakeholders agreed that safeguarding infrastructure must become a
national priority.

 

Read the original article on Vanguard.

 

 

 

 

Liberia: Arcelor Mittal - Public Works Official Commends AML

The Ministry of Public Works' Resident Engineer in Margibi, Hassan Zuannah
Fahnbulleh, has lauded ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) for the significant
progress made on the rehabilitation of a 28-kilometer road in the county.

 

The stretch of road lies between Kakata and the Firestone staff club, in
Harbel Hills.

 

Speaking over the weekend following a joint inspection of the project,
Engineer Fahnbulleh described the work as "commendable," urging both
authorities and everyday road users to acknowledge the company's impactful
contribution to infrastructure development in the area.

 

The final inspection of the road project was conducted on Saturday by a team
of ArcelorMittal Liberia engineers, led by Road Rehabilitation Project
Specialist, Bisko Tomislav. The inspection marked a key step toward the
project's completion.

 

ArcelorMittal Liberia Road Coordinator Roland Gbartea confirmed that the
rehabilitation work is nearly complete, with only a few corrections to be
made before the road is officially handed over.

 

The project is being implemented by Frebenja Group of Companies, a
Liberian-owned construction firm, under a contract valued at over
US$500,000.

 

The initiative forms part of ArcelorMittal Liberia's broader commitment to
supporting national infrastructure and improving access in communities
beyond its operational areas.

 

Read the original article on New Republic.

 

 

 

 

Nigeria: 3 Weeks' Blackout Cripples Businesses in Kwara

Residents of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, have decried the crippling
effects of an electricity blackout that has persisted for over three weeks
in parts of the state.

 

The outage has taken a toll on small businesses and households, especially
those who depend on power for daily operations.

 

The affected areas include Olorunshogo, Agbo Oba, Mandate, and parts of
Gerewu, among others.

 

A welder, Mr Abdullahi, said he had to rent a diesel-powered generator to
keep his business running, which has significantly eroded his already slim
profit margin.

 

"I now rent a diesel generator to work. It's expensive and is eating into my
small profits," he said.

 

Hajia Latifah Abdullahi, a resident of Mandate Estate, said her family lost
food items due to the prolonged outage.

 

"Most of our tomatoes, meat, and fish in the fridge got spoiled. We don't
know what happened, but this is the third week we've experienced total
blackout. They only brought light on Tuesday for a few hours, and nothing
since then," she lamented.

 

A food vendor, Mrs Hikmah Abdulrauf, said the blackout has affected her
ability to store perishable goods and sell cold drinks.

 

"I now spend extra money on ice blocks to keep things cold. It has been
tough," she said.

 

Also speaking, Mrs Afsat Nuru of Agbo Oba described the situation as
worrisome, noting that it has added to the hardship residents are already
facing.

 

"This is beyond inconvenience. The ripple effects are huge. It's affecting
every part of our lives," she said.

 

When contacted on Thursday, the PRO of IBEDC, Ilorin, Mrs Adebayo Lawal,
said she was in transit and would get back.

 

Read the original article on Daily Trust.

 

 

 

 

 

Nigeria: Traders Count Losses As Fake N1,000 Notes Flood Ilorin Markets

Traders in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, are lamenting financial losses
following the circulation of counterfeit N1,000 notes in major markets
across the city.

 

The development, which has affected several businesses, has prompted a
warning from the National Orientation Agency (NOA), cautioning residents
about the activities of criminal syndicates involved in producing and
distributing the fake currency.

 

When Daily Trust visited Mandate Market in Ilorin on Thursday, traders
narrated their ordeals, calling for urgent intervention from authorities.

 

Olarewaju Kunle, a Point of Sale (POS) operator, said he discovered the fake
notes while reconciling his sales at the end of the day.

 

"I discovered the fake notes in the evening while balancing the accounts. I
felt sad because it turned out to be a loss for me," he said.

 

Similarly, a pepper seller, Mallam Nasiru Salisu, recounted how he
unknowingly received a counterfeit note from a customer. He said the
deception was only discovered when he attempted a transaction with a POS
operator.

 

"A female customer who bought about N9,000 worth of pepper included the
counterfeit in the money. It was a POS guy I gave the money to that detected
it and returned it. I had to destroy it afterwards," he said.

 

Another trader, Alhaji Rasheedat, who sells meat in the same market, said
she noticed suspicious features on a note received from a customer after
making a sale.

 

"I had my first encounter with the note when a customer who bought meat of
N1,500 added it to the money she gave me. Before 30 minutes, some ink on the
money started peeling," she explained.

 

To avoid further losses, some traders have begun taking personal
precautions.

 

Funke Lawal, a trader, said she recently started using a counterfeit
detector pen to check every note she receives.

 

Daily Trust reports that officials of NOA had warned residents about the
circulation of the fake N1000 notes within the Ilorin metropolis.

 

The agency said the warning was necessary following confirmed intelligence
reports of syndicates flooding the area with counterfeit currency.

 

The State Director of NOA, Alhaji Abdulganiyu Olurotimi Dare, subsequently
emphasized the need for vigilance among residents and business owners in the
state.

 

According to Alhaji Dare, "the fake notes have batch numbers 364232 and
898248 and can be identified by their blurred portraits, watermarks, and
irregular security features", warning residents to be cautious when handling
large sums of money.

 

"The syndicates behind this crime exploit peak commercial hours in major
local markets to carry out transactions with counterfeit notes. They target
unsuspecting POS operators and merchants, defrauding them of their
hard-earned money", he said.

 

Read the original article on Daily Trust.

 

 

 

 

Nigeria Aviation Lost $3.5bn to Poor Infrastructure - Rewane

Foremost economist and Chief Executive Officer of Financial Derivatives
Company, Mr. Bismarck Rewane has painted a gloomy picture of the aviation
industry, disclosing that due to poor infrastructure, Nigeria's aviation
sector lost $3.5 billion in revenue between 2020 and 2022.

 

He expressed concern over the performance of the air transport sector which
he noted contracted by 0.81% in Q1 '25, the 6th consecutive quarterly
decline.

 

He spoke in Lagos while delivering a keynote speech at the 29th annual
conference of the League of Airports and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) with
the theme, "Financing Aviation in Nigeria: Risks, Opportunities and
Prospects."

 

The economist who described aviation as a very difficult industry noted that
Nigeria has 32 airports but only about 20 were considered viable in 2024
while 92-96% of traffic flows through just 4.

 

He lamented how Nigeria spends billions of dollars in airport operations
without commensurate increase in passenger traffic.

 

Backing his assertion with data, he disclosed that the Murtala Muhammed
International Airport (MMIA), Lagos which is the busiest airport in Nigeria
processes 6.5 million passengers annually and spends 1.75bn dollars to run
the airport.

 

This, he considered, was outrageous compared to other airports across the
globe with much higher traffic but with less spending.

 

He said Los Angeles Intl (USA) processes 76.5 million passengers and spends
3.5 billion dollars; Heathrow (UK) processes 83.9 million passengers and
spends 15.6 billion dollars; Chicago O'Hare Intl (USA) processes 58 million
passengers and spends N4.5 billion dollars; Dubai Intl (UAE) processes 92
million passengers and spends 4.0 billion dollars.

 

Amidst plans to spend N712bn on renovation of MMIA old terminal, the
economist made a case for the privatisation of the terminal while the
renovation should be handled by the concessionaire.

 

He stated that the terminal would yield greater returns in the hands of
private hands and warned of making the same mistake Nigeria made in the oil
and gas sector by spending billions of dollars in refineries that are not
working.

 

He said, "Nigeria has 23 active domestic airlines, however 5 airlines
control 75% of traffic. The industry is fragmented. Domestic passenger
traffic declined for the 2nd straight year to 11.5mn in 2024."

 

Rewane however called for consolidation by airlines, adding, "We need very
strong and effective regulation for safety; concessions and PPPs should be
prioritized for airport upgrades to aid national fiscal sustainability and
avoid inefficient operations. There should be investment in local
maintenance, repair & overhaul hubs.

 

"Government should focus on policy and regulation, not running airlines or
building airports directly and policy consistency is crucial for rebuilding
trust with global investors and attract global aviation capital," he
recommended.

 

Mary Olowo-Sokeye, chief financial officer-InterGuide group who represented
Dr. Gabriel Olowo, former President of Aviation Roundtable (ART) stated that
Aircraft financing in Nigeria is structured to meet different operational
and financial needs while ensuring compliance with the Nigerian Civil
Aviation Regulations 2023 (NCAR 2023).

 

She said, "With Nigerian airlines averaging 48 percent success rate compared
to 81 percent global standards while there are growth in aircraft numbers
and passenger numbers, challenges persist in meeting global standards."

 

Read the original article on Daily Trust.

 

 

 

 

 

Kenya: President Ruto Orders Release of Over 9,000 Motorcycles With No Cases

Nairobi — President William Ruto has given amnesty to owners of boda boda
motorcycles that have been detained in police stations but are not linked to
criminal cases.

 

The President instructed the Interior Principal Secretary to liaise with the
Inspector-General of Police to ensure that the motorcycles are released to
their owners within a week.

 

He said boda boda is a legitimate business, and the operators should be
respected as such.

 

Addressing boda boda sub-county officials at State House, Nairobi, on
Thursday, President Ruto said: "There is no leader who has stood with and
empowered boda boda people as I have done."

 

He added: "That is why before the last election, I raised the profile of
boda boda and mama mboga and placed them at the centre of national
conversation during the 2022 campaigns."

 

While rooting for better treatment of boda boda riders, President Ruto
called on the operators to observe the law while carrying out their
business.

 

At the same time, the President announced that the government has negotiated
with electric mobility company Spiro to make the motorcycles affordable,
providing a major relief for boda boda riders.

 

He said electric mobility motorcycles will cost KSh95,000 each, down from an
average of KSh190,000 for those that use petrol.

 

Boda boda operators will be required to deposit KSh9,500 and make a daily
payment of KSh180.

 

Responding to a request from the boda boda officials over a Bill in the
National Assembly on the sector, the President championed self-regulation
and pledged to petition Parliament over the matter.

 

President Ruto said his administration will empower all sectors of the
economy, beginning with those at the bottom of the economic pyramid.

 

Citing the Hustler Fund, Affordable Housing Programme, and the Universal
Health Coverage, the President said: "Every government policy rolled out by
this administration is informed by the bottom-up philosophy."

 

He said Kenya's economic prosperity will be felt in all corners of the
country and across all sections of society.

 

"This country is for all Kenyans and not just for the rich. It belongs to
those at the bottom, those in the middle and those at the top. That is the
philosophy that will ensure all Kenyans are involved in the economic
development of their country," he said.

 

During the meeting, the boda boda officials were taken through the benefits
of Universal Health Coverage by Social Health Authority CEO Mercy Mwangangi
and affordable housing by Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga.

 

An official of electric mobility company Spiro explained the benefits of
using electric motorcycles, saying they are cheaper, effective, and cheaper
to maintain.

 

Meanwhile, President Ruto assented to the Gambling Control Bill, 2023, and
the Kenya Roads (Amendment) Bill, 2025.

 

The Gambling Control Bill is part of the government's response to the
gambling craze among the youth, which poses a threat to the social fabric of
the society.

 

The Bill provides for the regulation of betting, casinos, and other forms of
gambling; the authorisation of prize competitions and public lotteries; and
the control of advertising relating to gaming and betting promotions, among
others.

 

On its part, the Kenya Roads (Amendment) Bill, 2025, seeks to review the
tenure of the directors-general of Kenya Rural Roads Authority, the Kenya
Urban Roads Authority, and the Kenya National Highways Authority to a term
of three years renewable once on performance.

 

This is in line with the provisions of the Mwongozo Code of Governance for
State Corporations. Previously, the directors-general of the three agencies
served for a renewable five-year term.

 

Present at the signing ceremony were Deputy President Prof Kithure Kindiki,
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, Deputy Majority Leader Owen
Baya, Minority Chief Whip Millie Odhiambo and other leaders.

 

Read the original article on Capital FM.

 

 

 

 

Ethiopia: Egypt 'Scrambling to Create Obstacles' Ahead of GERD Inauguration:
Electric Power CEO

Addis Abeba — Egypt is "scrambling to create obstacles" following Ethiopia's
announcement that the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is set to be
inaugurated soon, according to Engineer Asheber Balcha, CEO of Ethiopian
Electric Power (EEP).

 

Speaking at a press briefing held today at the Skylight Hotel in Addis
Abeba, Eng. Asheber said that GERD and the Gibe III Hydroelectric Power
Station were the largest contributors of electricity generated during the
2024/25 fiscal year.

 

The GERD generated 9,798 gigawatt-hours (33.2%), while Gibe III produced
7,148 gigawatt-hours (24.2%). He described GERD as Ethiopia's "second Adwa"
and "a done and finished deal."

 

However, "following the news that the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam will
be inaugurated soon, Egypt is scrambling to create obstacles," he said. But,
"nothing will change," he added.

 

The CEO's remarks come amid heightened Egyptian diplomatic lobbies in the
Nile Basin state and the U.S. On 04 August, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr
Abdelatty met with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni in Entebbe to reiterate
Egypt's "existential concerns" over water security. Accompanied by Egypt's
Water Resources Minister Hani Sewilam, Abdelatty denounced what Cairo calls
"unilateral actions" by Ethiopia in the eastern Nile Basin and threatened to
pursue "all necessary measures under international law," according to
Egyptian media. The delegation also provided a development grant to a
Ugandan youth-focused NGO and sought to deepen bilateral economic ties.

 

Ethiopia has maintained that the GERD does not harm downstream countries and
supports regional development. Officials also cite the entry into force of
the Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA) in October 2024, which enshrines
principles of equitable and reasonable use of the Nile River.

 

During the press conference today, EEP also reported its general performance
for the 2024/2025 fiscal year and outlined plans for 2025/2026. According to
Eng. Asheber, EEP generated 29,480 gigawatt-hours of electricity, exceeding
its annual target of 25,423 GWh by 16%, or 4,056 GWh. This marks a 43%
increase over the 20,596 GWh generated in 2023/2024.

 

The CEO attributed this growth to partial operation of GERD turbines, the
commissioning of the Assela wind farm, improved spare parts availability,
and effective maintenance by skilled professionals. Overall, 97.3% of the
electricity came from hydropower, with 2.7% from wind sources.

 

Eng. Asheber said the total revenue for the year reached 75.4 billion birr,
93% from domestic power sales and 7% from foreign markets. Of this, $338.7
million came from exports, and 28.52 billion birr from the domestic market.
EEP's foreign currency earnings stood at $330 million, with a target of $427
million in the coming fiscal year.

 

In response to a question from Addis Standard about whether foreign sales
were prioritized over domestic needs, EEP Deputy CEO Eng. Andualem Sia
stated: "No power has been sold without meeting domestic demand." He
explained that while all existing transmission lines are supplied,
infrastructure gaps persist in some regions. Exporting electricity, he
added, is crucial for generating foreign exchange to expand transmission
lines and extend access to underserved communities.

 

Looking ahead, EEP plans to build on this year's gains by modernizing
plants, strengthening monitoring systems, and partnering with
internationally recognized system operators. The goal is to fully
operationalize the GERD and Assela plants and increase total energy
production to 38,124 GWh in the 2025/2026 fiscal year.

 

Among the key projects, the Koysha hydropower plant is now 71.4% complete,
the Aysha II wind project has reached 85.7%, and the Assela wind farm is
already contributing to the grid.

 

Eng. Asheber also highlighted key challenges, including widespread theft of
power infrastructure. He said 43 transmission towers collapsed due to theft
and called for a nationwide awareness campaign. He further cited security
concerns that hindered staff mobility and disrupted planned operations.

 

On electricity pricing, the CEO confirmed that the first tariff revision in
a decade has been finalized and designed to protect low-income households.

 

Read the original article on Addis Standard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 


 


 Invest Wisely!

Bulls n Bears 

 

Cellphone:         +263 71 944 1674 | +27 79 993 5557 

Email:                <mailto:bulls at bullszimbabwe.com>
bulls at bullszimbabwe.com

Website:             <http://www.bullszimbabwe.com> www.bullszimbabwe.com 

Blog:                  <http://www.bullszimbabwe.com/blog>
www.bullszimbabwe.com/blog

Twitter (X):        @bullsbears2010

LinkedIn:           Bulls n Bears Zimbabwe

Facebook:           <http://www.facebook.com/BullsBearsZimbabwe>
www.facebook.com/BullsBearsZimbabwe



 

 

 


 

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.

 


 

 


 (c) 2025 Web:  <http://www.bullszimbabwe.com> www.bullszimbabwe.com Email:
<mailto:bulls at bullszimbabwe.com> bulls at bullszimbabwe.com Tel: +27 79 993
5557 | +263 71 944 1674

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://listmail.bulls.co.zw/pipermail/bulls/attachments/20250808/e8f06751/attachment-0001.html>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image001.png
Type: image/png
Size: 9458 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://listmail.bulls.co.zw/pipermail/bulls/attachments/20250808/e8f06751/attachment-0002.png>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image002.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 29359 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://listmail.bulls.co.zw/pipermail/bulls/attachments/20250808/e8f06751/attachment-0003.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image003.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 29321 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://listmail.bulls.co.zw/pipermail/bulls/attachments/20250808/e8f06751/attachment-0004.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image004.png
Type: image/png
Size: 34378 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://listmail.bulls.co.zw/pipermail/bulls/attachments/20250808/e8f06751/attachment-0003.png>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image005.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 29361 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://listmail.bulls.co.zw/pipermail/bulls/attachments/20250808/e8f06751/attachment-0005.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: oledata.mso
Type: application/octet-stream
Size: 65554 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://listmail.bulls.co.zw/pipermail/bulls/attachments/20250808/e8f06751/attachment-0001.obj>