On July 7, 2017, populations of Dodel and Demett in Senegal have marched to protest against land grabbing in the communities. Indeed, the Dodel municipal council on March 24 this year has sold 10,000 ha of agricultural lands to Moroccan billionaire Anas Safrioui, head of Afri Partners, for two billion cfa only. According to last Friday’s protestors, this deals threatens the source of living...

Recently established offshore drilling company, Borr Drilling says it has received a letter of commitment from Total E&P for the employment of its Frigg jack-up drilling rig in Nigeria. According to the company, Total will use its rig for one-year starting from Q3 of 2017 and has an option to extend the contract. “We are proud to have secured our first commitment with a super major. We have...

The European Union (EU) has said that it is willing to help Nigeria attract more investment, according to Michell Arion (photo, right), EU Ambassador and Head of EU delegation to Nigeria. “We believe that our prosperity is your prosperity, we see West Africa as a block of ECOWAS and Nigeria as the economic base. We see West Africa not as export designation for the EU but investment destination...

Etisalat Nigeria has been given three weeks to rebrand after talks with lenders over the repayment of a $1.2billion debt contracted in 2013, failed. This is coming after the parent company pulled out of the local unit on Monday and new board members were appointed to run the affairs of the company. According to the Chief executive of Etisalat International, Hatem Dowidar (photo), there was...

The African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) has signed a $1.1million grant with the National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILS) and the National Assembly for the NILS-CAP II Project. This is aimed at developing the capacity of lawmakers in the West African sub-region. “The project for which we are signing the grant agreement today is a regional program that will build capacity...

In Nigeria, The Ministry of Power, Works and Housing has on Monday commissioned the Kukwaba 2X60MVA 132/33KV transmission sub-station‎ in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. This will add a further 120MW to the 96MW wheeling capacity of the FCT distribution networks. Speaking at the ceremony, Permanent secretary of the Ministry, Louis Edozien, said the sub-station would address issues...

Nigerians spend about $1.7 billion annually to import vehicles. This consists of about 50,000 new and 150,000 used vehicles, according to Aminu Jalal, the Director-General of the National Automotive Council (NAC). “Nigerians spend an average of N400 billion on importing passenger cars. By the time you add trucks and other vehicles, the amount Nigerians spend on imported vehicles will be...

In Nigeria, the Benin-Owena River Basin Development Authority (BORBDA) is set to begin the execution of a four-year strategic plan worth N30.7 billion ($88.7 million) in Edo, Ekiti, Ondo and Delta. This aims to enhance sustainable agriculture production, ensure completion of on-going irrigation projects in the States and expand BORBDA’s commercial investment outlook. According to the Managing...

Port workers have threatened to embark on a nationwide protest on Tuesday, over their disagreement with some sections of the Ports and Harbour Bill recently passed by the Senate. This they claim could lead to massive job losses. The bill which revolves around the efficient and more profitable management of the Nigerian Maritime space is currently awaiting passage by the House of Representatives....

The French Development Agency (AFD) has committed over € 1 billion in Nigeria since 2008, according to the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Denys Gauer (photo). Speaking while receiving a team from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in Abuja on Monday, the Ambassador said the financial commitments were aimed at supporting sustainable growth with emphasis on economic...