Latest news with #BolaAhmedTinubu
Al-Ahram Weekly
3 days ago
- Business
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt participates in Afreximbank forum in Nigeria to boost African trade ties - Economy
Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) Governor Hassan Abdullah is among 6,000 participants from over 80 countries attending the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) forum, which opened its 32nd annual meetings in Abuja, Nigeria on Wednesday, focusing on trade, innovation, and South–South cooperation. The event, which runs from 25 June through 27 June, brings together central bankers, heads of state, investors, and economists, including African and Caribbean leaders. This year's meetings—held under the theme Building the Future on Decades of Resilience—come at a time of rising pressure on African economies to accelerate integration, attract investment, and deepen private sector engagement. Speakers include Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and African Union Commissioner Albert Muchanga. Also on the agenda are AfCFTA Secretary-General Wamkele Mene, business leaders Aliko Dangote and Tony Elumelu, and economists Jeffrey Sachs and Kishore Mahbubani. The meetings are expected to generate new partnerships and funding commitments across trade, infrastructure, and industrial development, particularly under the African Continental Free Trade Area. Organizers say upcoming announcements will focus on expanding cross-border payments, boosting Africa–Caribbean ties in trade and tourism, and formalizing private sector roles in shaping economic policy. Afreximbank will also elect a new president this week, ending the current leadership's 10-year tenure. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Zawya
5 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Republic of The Gambia: President Barrow and Other Heads of State Attend the 67th Ordinary Session of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
His Excellency President Adama Barrow has joined other regional leaders at the Ordinary Session of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Heads of State and Government in the capital city of Nigeria, Abuja. The Summit reviewed the State of the Community, economic cooperation, security and broader sub-regional developments. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu chaired the Summit and reaffirmed Nigeria's continuous commitment to ECOWAS regional peace and security responses. He took pride in the completion of the ECOWAS military logistics depot in Lungi, Sierra Leone, and called for the ECOWAS Standby Force concept to be translated into reality to serve as a regional counter-terrorism pillar. Response to external security threats in the sub-region require effective collaborations among ECOWAS member states and partners. President Tinubu commended ECOWAS for implementing fundamental policies such as common external tariff, protocol on free movement of goods, services and people to stimulate development and cooperation. Moreover, he called for an enabling environment to empower private sectors, remove trade barriers and create necessary conditions for investment, entrepreneurship and innovation to flourish. As President Tinubu concluded his tenure at the 67th ECOWAS Summit, he handed over the Emblem to the newly elected Chair of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government H.E. Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone. Delivering his inaugural speech, President Bio promised to prioritize four key areas, namely: restoring constitutional order and deepening democracy, revitalizing regional security cooperation, unlocking economic integration and building institutional credibility. Other speakers included H.E. Leonardo Santos Simão, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), and H.E. Amb. Bankole Adeoye, Commissioner Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the African Union Commission. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Office of The President- Republic of the Gambia.
Zawya
5 days ago
- Politics
- Zawya
67th Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Summit: H.E. Julius Maada bio, President of Sierra Leone, is the new chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government for a one-year t
The Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) held its Sixty-Seventh Ordinary Session, today, 22 June 2025, in Abuja, Nigeria. During the Session, the Heads of State considered the report of the 94th Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers, and reports on the State of the Community, the Security and Political Situations in the Region, among others. H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, warmly welcomed ECOWAS leaders while paying tribute to Nigeria's leadership and hospitality under H.E. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Chairmanship of the Authority. Dr. Touray highlighted ECOWAS's achievements over the past 50 years, reaffirming its standing as Africa's most advanced Regional Economic Community despite ongoing challenges. He stressed that dialogue with the three member states that have withdrawn is progressing positively, and he called for stronger support for the region's private sector to drive sustainable growth, job creation, and deeper integration. He paid tribute to ECOWAS's Founding Fathers for laying the foundation for unity and regional cooperation. In his opening statement, H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Chair of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, reflected on ECOWAS's remarkable achievements for the past 50 years while urging leaders to confront persistent security threats. He emphasized that no single country could tackle terrorism, violent extremism, and cross-border crimes alone, and called for stronger coordination, political will, and decisive collective action to safeguard peace and stability across West Africa. 'While celebrating our achievements over the past 50 years, we must also confront the challenges that continue to impede our aspirations; like the security threats, violent extremism and other cross-border crimes that continue to widen and deepen in their intensity. No single Nation can address these challenges alone. We must rethink coordination, amplify political will, and prioritise a collective approach to security. We must act decisively on the fight against terrorism to serve as instrument for peace and stability for our region', he stressed. H.E. Leonardo Santos Simão, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), in his statement, conveyed the UN Secretary-General's warm greetings and reiterated the United Nations' commitment to supporting peace, security, and regional integration in West Africa. He highlighted the UN's active diplomatic engagement across the region and underscored the urgent need for collective action against terrorism, which remains the most significant threat to stability. In his message, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, delivered by H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the African Union Commission, conveyed heartfelt congratulations to ECOWAS leaders and citizens on the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS. He celebrated ECOWAS's legacy as a symbol of unity, resilience, and regional integration since its founding in 1975. Looking ahead, the AU Chairperson urged a united and coordinated response to pressing challenges, including terrorism, violent extremism, and unconstitutional changes of government, while deepening efforts to tackle poverty and inequality. He reaffirmed the AU's unwavering support for ECOWAS and called for a people-centred Community where youth and women lead regional transformation through innovation, technology, and quality education. The Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government at the end of the Summit elected H.E. Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone as the Chairman of the Authority to replace H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, whose tenure came to an end. A communique will be issued at the end of the Summit.
Zawya
20-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
African and Caribbean leaders to headline Afreximbank's 32nd Annual Meetings in Abuja, Nigeria
The 32nd Annual Meetings (AAM2025) of African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) ( will bring together an influential coalition of global, African and CARICOM leaders in Abuja, Nigeria from 25–27 June 2025. This high-level forum will focus on advancing trade, investment, and innovation across the continent, with Heads of State, Prime Ministers, top business executives, academics and acclaimed academics confirmed to speak. H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; former Nigerian President H.E. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and H.E. Ambassador Albert Muchanga, African Union Commissioner for Economic Development, Tourism, Trade, Industry&Mining, are among the confirmed dignitaries. They will be joined by ministers, central bank governors, investors, and industry leaders from Africa, the Caribbean, and beyond. Held under the theme 'Building the Future on Decades of Resilience', AAM2025 will focus on accelerating trade opportunities, driving investment and fostering innovation. Professor Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, remarked: 'AAM2025 comes at a pivotal time for Africa. As the continent confronts global uncertainties, it is doing so with renewed resolve. Following the successful 31st edition of AAM held in The Bahamas last year, we are back on the African continent for this year's meetings which are about catalysing practical action—building stronger institutions to strengthen trade integration and unlocking the full potential of African innovation. We thank H.E Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for his support.' The speaker lineup includes renowned economists and industry leaders including Professor Jeffrey Sachs, Director, Centre for Sustainable Development, Columbia University and Dr. Kishore Mahbubani, Distinguished Fellow, Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore. Africa's foremost business innovation leaders such as Mr. Aliko Dangote, President&CEO of Dangote Group and Mr. Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings, will also participate. The speaker lineup further includes Professor Ghulam Mufti of King's College London, former Prime Minister of Jamaica P.J. Patterson, and other influential figures. Afreximbank's 32nd Annual Meetings (AAM2025) in Abuja are expected to deliver strong economic benefits, both in the short and long term. The main anticipated impacts include the trade and investment mobilisation, policy and institutional advancement and strengthening South-South cooperation and trade flows. AAM2025 is expected to facilitate significant trade and investment deals, including Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and public-private partnerships. The meetings are expected to catalyse billions of dollars in funding over the next 5–10 years for key strategic sectors. By bringing together heads of state, ministers, leaders of trade institutions, policymakers and the private sector, the meetings will advance regional dialogue on several priorities: implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), enhancing cross-border payment systems to speed up regional transactions, strengthening Africa–Caribbean (CARICOM) economic ties through expanded trade, tourism, and joint ventures, and ensuring private sector participation in policy reforms. These discussions aim to reduce business costs, improve trade infrastructure, and deepen regional economic integration. With world-renowned economists, scholars, and entrepreneurs participating, AAM2025 will shape thought leadership on Africa's development path. Platforms like this influence policy, shift narratives, and inspire reforms that foster innovation, inclusion, and competitiveness. This year's meetings will also mark the launch of several new initiatives. AAM2025 is expected to welcome thousands of participants and media from more than 80 countries. A full programme of events and speakers is available on Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank. Follow us on: Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Instagram About Afreximbank: African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra- and extra-African trade. For over 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa's trade, accelerating industrialisation and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank has set up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2024, Afreximbank's total assets and contingencies stood at over US$40.1 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$7.2 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A), Moody's (Baa1), China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) and Fitch (BBB-). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its equity impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure (together, "the Group"). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.
Japan Today
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Japan Today
Nigerian president orders crackdown on gangs after 150 killed in conflict-hit north
In this photo released by the Nigeria State House, Nigeria President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, second from left, visits the victims of of a recent gun attack on a village at the hospital in Benue, north- central, Nigeria, Wednesday June 18, 2025. (Taiwo Okanlawon/Nigeria State House via AP) By DYEPKAZAH SHIBAYAN Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday directed security agencies to hunt down the perpetrators of a weekend attack that killed at least 150 people in the country's north-central region, as he faces growing pressure over a worsening security crisis. Tinubu visited Benue state, the site of the recent deadly attacks, seeking to calm tensions and promise justice for the victims. 'We will restore peace, rebuild, and bring the perpetrators to justice. You are not alone.' the Nigerian leader said on X. Assailants stormed Benue state's Yelewata community from Friday night till Saturday morning, opening fire on villagers who were asleep and setting their homes ablaze, survivors and the local farmers union said. Many of those killed were sheltering in a local market after fleeing violence in other parts of the state. Authorities in Benue state blamed herdsmen for the attack, a type of violence frequently seen in northern Nigeria's decadeslong pastoral conflict. Opposition leaders and critics have accused Tinubu of a delayed response to the killings, noting his office issued a statement over 24 hours after the attack. His visit to the state occurred five days later. The Nigerian leader traveled to Makurdi, Benue State's capital, where he visited a hospital to see those injured in the attack and met with local leaders to discuss how to end the killings. He did not visit the Yelewata community. He also appeared to reprimand the police for not making any arrest yet more than four days after the killings. 'How come no arrest has been made? I expect there should be an arrest of those criminals,' Tinubu asked as he addressed senior police officers during a gathering in Benue. Analysts blame Nigeria's worsening security crisis on a lack of political will to go after criminals and ensure justice for victims. 'In the end, the result is the same: No justice, no accountability, and no closure for the victims and their communities," said Senator Iroegbu, a security analyst based in Nigeria's capital Abuja. 'Until this changes, impunity will remain the norm, and such tragedies will continue to occur.' © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
