Category: English

Source: APO

Two university lecturers, Dr Felix Ijeh and Ewere Okonta; and a public relations practitioner, Blaise Udunze have joined the league of regular contributors to The Nigerian Economy Newspaper (https://Economyng.com), as the media platform navigates the crowdy lane to the top.

Felix Ijeh, PhD, is a seasoned banker, distinguished economist, researcher and policy analyst. He is currently a senior lecturer at the Department of Economics, Faculty of Management and Social Sciences, Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo. A fellow of the Nigerian Economic Society (FNES), Dr Ijeh was a regional manager of Wema Bank before becoming a lecturer. He writes on the economy, engaging our audience in crucial and impactful economic issues and developments both locally and globally. We have put his articles together in his special column as The Tuesday Discourse with Dr Felix Ijeh. You can read read one of his insightful articles here: https://apo-opa.co/4rNAT3a.

Other analytical articles by Dr Ijeh are also published in The Nigerian Economy Newspaper on Saturday, which we bring to our teeming readers in Nigeria and across the world as The Weekend Analysis.

Commenting on his editorial involvement at the newspaper, Dr. Ijeh said: “Every well-meaning Nigerian should contribute to her growth and development with their skills and mental resources. This is the path I’ve chosen as an economic analyst and researcher and I find The Nigerian Economy Newspaper as a fantastic new media platform to reach a wide range of people in the financial, maritime, aviation and other economic sectors. I’m grateful to the newspaper’s management for giving me the platform to express my honest views and findings.”

Ewere Okonta, a senior lecturer at the Business Administration Department, University of Delta, Agbor, Delta State, and an entrepreneur, takes on family and social issues of man’s daily encounter with life, bringing to bare the values of discipline, morals, the relevance of trade and vocation to man’s siuccess and purposeful living. Here is one of his copies published recently by The Nigerian Economy Newspaper https://apo-opa.co/4suBoAA.

“The Nigerian Economy Newspaper is one of the few online newspapers in Nigeria with a broader coverage. I am glad to be one of its several contributors, adding to the newspaper’s premium content on a daily basis,” Okonta said, while speaking on his engagement.

Blaise Udunze, an aggressive writer and a vocal public relations professional and public analyst with a background and experience in financial sector public relations, exudes in-depth knowledge of the banking industry. In his contributions published mainly on Wenesdays, he exposes Nigeria’s hidden challenge in money politics – macro-financial management, banking leadership and public budgetting loopholes while suggesting solutions. You can read one of his very incisive articles here: https://apo-opa.co/4bYSG2S.

Commenting, Udunze said: “I am excited to find The Nigerian Economy Newspaper as another veritable platform to air my views about the Nigerian financial sector. This is an issue I’m passionate about and I’m grateful to the publisher, Mr. Samson Echenim, for providing yet another vibrant platform for my voice.”

Speaking on the development, the Publisher and Editor-in-Chiief, The Nigerian Economy Newspaper, Mr. Samson Echenim said: “Together, these new firebrand writers provide that in-depth, incisive and insightful contents that set The Nigerian Economy Newspaper apart from the crowd of online newspapers, giving us a popular edge over our counterparts and competitors.

“This is in addition to our partnership with Apo Group, an international media content provider, to deepen the quality of our stories and create a unique value in the online media ecosystem. Today, we have become the fastest growing digital business newspaper, not only in Nigeria, but across the globe.”

“This is one of the several ways we have chosen to do things differently. The crowd is huge and the challenge is real. We have chosen not to be lost in crowd by providing those contents that do not only inform and educate, but put our readers ahead of time. In a world where things move too fast, we are taking deliberate decisions to make our readers be on top of trends. We are grateful to our millions of readers across the world and we promise more.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Nigerian Economy Newspaper.

Source: APO

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) and FCI will jointly host the Africa Regional Conference on Factoring, Receivables Finance & Credit Insurance on 15–16 April 2026 in Kampala, Uganda. As Africa moves towards a unified market, these financial tools serve as essential catalysts for bridging the trade finance gap, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and accelerating intra-African trade volumes.

Held under the theme “Beyond Traditional Lending: The Continued Rise of Factoring and Supply Chain Finance in Africa,” the conference is supported by Afreximbank, FCI Academy and ICISA. The event will bring together senior representatives from financial institutions, development finance institutions, insurers, regulators, government bodies, and other key stakeholders from across Africa and beyond to advance alternative scaling solutions for African businesses, with a strong focus on SMEs.

The event will provide a platform for high-level dialogue on the growing role of factoring, receivables finance and credit insurance in supporting trade, enhancing access to working capital and strengthening financial ecosystems across the continent. Discussions will focus on market development, legal and regulatory frameworks, credit insurance, digitalisation, and the practical considerations involved in building and scaling sustainable receivables finance solutions.

As institutions across Africa continue to explore effective alternatives and complements to traditional lending models, factoring and supply chain finance are increasingly being recognised as important tools for supporting business growth, improving liquidity and facilitating domestic and cross-border trade. Against this backdrop, the conference aims to contribute to greater awareness, deeper market understanding and constructive dialogue on the conditions needed to support continued development across the region.

The conference will also offer an important opportunity for knowledge exchange and strategic engagement, enabling participants to hear from market practitioners, policymakers and industry leaders while strengthening connections across the receivables finance and wider trade finance community.

Speaking ahead of the event, Mrs Kanayo Awani Executive Vice President-Intra-African Trade and Export Development at Afreximbank noted: “Factoring is not just an alternative, it is a necessity for African businesses that need immediate liquidity to remain competitive. By bringing this dialogue to Kampala, we are happy to continue collaborating with our partners at FCI to ensure that the legal and financial frameworks are in place to turn these receivables into the working capital that drives the AfCFTA engine.”

Ms. Betül Kurtuluş, Deputy Secretary General of FCI, shared: “The continued development of factoring and receivables finance in Africa depends not only on awareness, but also on practical dialogue between market participants, regulators and institutions. This conference reflects that shared commitment and provides a valuable opportunity to explore how these solutions can continue to evolve across the region.”

Through this joint initiative, Afreximbank and FCI reaffirm their shared commitment to supporting market development, fostering dialogue and advancing practical financing solutions that can contribute to trade expansion and broader economic growth across Africa.

Registration for the conference is currently open. Further information on the programme and participation is available via https://apo-opa.co/4sE0RYj.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

Media contacts:
Afreximbank
Vincent Musumba,
Communications and Events Manager (Media Relations)
Email: press@afreximbank.com

​FCI
Ms. Tanya Naysmith,
Senior Marketing Officer
Email: naysmith@fci.nl
Email: fci@fci.nl 
T: +31 (0)20 627 03 06                                                                                              

About African Export–Import Bank (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) at “Stable”, Moody’s (Baa2), China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), and Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-). 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.

For more information, visit: www.Afreximbank.com

About FCI:
FCI is the Global Representative Body for Factoring and Financing of Open Account Domestic and International Trade Receivables. FCI was set up in 1968 as a non-profit global association. With today close to 400 member companies in more than 90 countries, FCI offers a unique network for cooperation in cross-border factoring. Member transactions represent nearly 60% of the world’s international correspondent factoring volume.

FCI is a non-exclusive organisation, open to any company which is providing Factoring Services or plans to set up Factoring Activities but also to service providers to the industry.

FCI offers three major areas of activities:

• CONNECT: the Business network supports cross-border factoring activities through which its members cooperate as export and import factors
• EDUCATE: FCI promotes and develops best practices in both domestic and international factoring and related Open Account Finance products
• INFLUENCE: FCI promotes and defends the Industry with stakeholders and policy makers worldwide

www.FCI.nl

Source: APO – Report:

The West Africa Climate Resilience Summit will bring together public officials, local authorities, researchers, youth, and development partners to discuss regional priorities and identify actionable pathways for climate resilience. Themed “From Climate Crisis to Climate Resilience: Pathways for West Africa and the Sahel at Local and Regional Levels,” the event is part of a global series of Climate Resilience Summits jointly organized by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences (PAS) and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences (PASS). The Dakar edition (https://apo-opa.co/4sY4Q1C), hosted in partnership with AKADEMIYA2063 (https://AKADEMIYA2063.org/) and the Centre de Suivi Écologique, aims to foster high-level policy dialogue to advance climate resilience, emphasizing inclusion and perspectives from diverse stakeholder groups—particularly youth—on science and climate action.

Download Document: https://apo-opa.co/3NA774a

“Climate change affects everyone, and no one is exempt from its far-reaching effects,” said Cardinal Peter Turkson, Chancellor of PAS and PASS. “Yet Africa bears a disproportionate share of its impacts (cfr. Climate apartheid of Desmond Tutu). Faith-based communities agree that we must respond by harnessing the continent’s expertise and fostering dialogue to develop integrated, effective solutions, protecting creation.”

In response to the global climate crisis, PAS and PASS advanced an unprecedented, bottom-up global approach to resilience. The Climate Resilience initiative was launched with an international summit at the Casina Pio IV in the Vatican, culminating in a Call to Action signed by Pope Francis, along with scientists, policymakers, and leaders of diverse faith communities. In pursuit of this Call to Action, PAS and PASS are convening a series of regional summits worldwide to catalyze coordinated local and global action within a shared resilience framework. To date, six summits have been held across four continents—in Austria, Brazil, Kenya, and the United States. The work continues under the leadership of Pope Leo XIV.

“It is fitting that this landmark dialogue is taking place in Senegal, which has developed a robust strategic framework with a strong focus on adaptation in agriculture, coastal protection, and renewable energy,” said Dr. Cheikh Mbow, Director General of the Centre de Suivi Écologique. “These priorities are reflected in Senegal’s new development strategy, Vision Sénégal 2050 – Agenda National de Transformation, and the National Plan for the Adaptation of the Agricultural Sector to Climate Change, aimed at strengthening resilience. Advancing knowledge for sustainable climate action remains crucial to ensure science-driven policies grounded in local realities.”

The Climate Resilience (https://apo-opa.co/3NlOLnv) concept is anchored in the MAST strategy: Mitigation, Adaptation, and Societal Transformation, emphasizing the intersection of regional contexts, community engagement, global collaboration, science, and nature-based solutions, while unlocking finance, insurance, equity, and justice. This global framework, designed for local adoption worldwide, draws on the expertise of mayors, governors, regional scientists, and practitioners who are closest to the urgency of climate impacts.

“The year 2023 ranked among the hottest on record, possibly exceeding paleotemperature records dating back 125,000 years. Climate change is not standing still; our endeavors are to accelerate action toward a sustainable environment and a resilient future,” said Prof. Marcelo Suárez-Orozco, Chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Boston, and PASS Council Member.  “To strengthen the resilience of people and ecosystems under growing climate stress, we must empower local communities and fuse traditional knowledge with science-driven, interdisciplinary approaches. This integration is not only essential for climate resilience at the local level—it is the decisive path to a just and sustainable tomorrow.” 

The West Africa Climate Resilience Summit will draw on regional expertise in climate resilience, in collaboration with PAS and PASS. Thematic discussions will foster regional and international cooperation and knowledge exchange to advance effective, innovative, and scalable climate solutions. The dialogue will also tailor responses to the region’s diverse climate risks and socio-economic, governance, and cultural contexts, equally exploring the role of forests and other nature-based solutions.

“Sustainability and adaptation to a changing climate require a more judicious use of biological and ecological resources, alongside resilience-proofing policy interventions across sectors,” said Dr. Ousmane Badiane, Executive Chairperson of AKADEMIYA2063. “This Summit will provide a platform for regional and global climate actors to explore pathways for enhancing capacity-strengthening and sharing best practices to support the local implementation of climate resilience solutions, with a strong focus on regional and local planning, adaptation, and resilience financing.”

The two-day Summit will bring together a diverse range of stakeholders—including policymakers, mayors, leading scientists and researchers, leaders of Christian and Islamic communities, youth leaders, and civil society—providing an intersectional platform where climate science, social science, policy, business, and faith-based communities converge.

“Adaptation in West Africa and the Sahel is very much a matter of food and agriculture. The Summit will therefore also focus on food system innovations and water,” said Prof. Joachim von Braun, President of PAS. “We call for enhanced action for food and nutrition security under climate stress and deploying innovative financing mechanisms in support of that.”

The primary outcome of the regional summits will be a blueprint for climate resilience that can be adopted locally by communities worldwide.  The 2025–2026 regional summits will further advance the call to action for a Universal Protocol for Climate Resilience, culminating in a comprehensive Vatican summit in 2027 and the release of the Universal Protocol.

– on behalf of AKADEMIYA2063.

Additional Links:
Climate Resilience Summits https://apo-opa.co/3NlOLnv
West Africa Climate Resilience Summit https://apo-opa.co/4sY4Q1C

Media Contact:
Dr. Layih Butake
Director, Communication & Outreach, AKADEMIYA2063
Lbutake@akademiya2063.org

Source: APO

• In 2024, the Coca-Cola system in South Africa contributed R51.2 billion in value-added economic impact across its value chain. 
• The Coca-Cola system and its value chain supported over 87,000 direct and indirect jobs in South Africa in sectors including retail, agriculture, manufacturing, transport and services. 
• The Coca-Cola system purchased R25.6 billion worth of goods and services from suppliers in South Africa in 2024, strengthening the country’s industries and communities.

The Coca-Cola (www.Coca-ColaCompany.com) system in South Africa today announced the results of a comprehensive socio-economic impact study, conducted by global consulting firm Steward Redqueen.

Download Infographic: https://apo-opa.co/4bpsbn2

“This new independent study highlights the scale of the Coca-Cola system’s contribution to South Africa’s economy, employment, and communities,” said Luis Felipe Avellar, president of the Africa operating unit of The Coca‑Cola Company. He spoke during a media briefing hosted by the Honourable Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition, Mr. Parks Tau, ahead of the 2026 South Africa Investment Conference, where the Coca-Cola system will participate as a sponsor.

The study reveals that the Coca-Cola system in South Africa – comprising Coca-Cola and its authorized bottlers – alongside a broad network of local suppliers, distributors, and retailers, contributed R51.2 billion in value-added economic activity in 2024.

Through its value chain, the Coca-Cola system supported over 87,000 jobs through suppliers, partners, and customers. This means that for every direct job created by the system, 10 more jobs were supported across South Africa’s economy.

“Our business is interconnected with local communities, we hire locally, produce locally, distribute locally and, where possible, source locally, helping to build a stronger, more integrated economy in South Africa,” Avellar said.

Charl Goncalves, Managing Director of Coca-Cola Peninsula Beverages, emphasized the system’s focus on partnerships: “We remain committed to creating opportunity for our people, our partners, and the communities we serve.”

The study also highlights the Coca-Cola system’s strong local integration, with R25.6 billion worth of goods and services sourced from suppliers in South Africa in 2024. This local procurement supports industries as diverse as sugar production, packaging, transportation, and marketing, reinforcing the Coca-Cola system’s role as a partner for growth in South Africa’s economic development.

“South Africa remains one of our most strategic markets in Africa—the beginning of a legacy that dates back to Coca-Cola’s first entry on the continent in 1928. These findings reaffirm the Coca-Cola system’s role as a key driver of shared value and sustainable growth within the South African economy,” said Sunil Gupta, CEO, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa.

The Coca-Cola system has strengthened its footprint in South Africa through sustained investment and innovation, including the launch of a new bottling line at CCBSA’s manufacturing facility in Midrand.  This investment highlights the system’s commitment to investing, producing, and distributing locally, while contributing to South Africa’s social and economic development.

The Coca-Cola system’s contribution extends beyond economic impact. South Africa is one of the beneficiaries of the Africa Water Stewardship Initiative (https://apo-opa.co/4bFqSiD), a nearly $25 million investment through 2030 to help address critical water-related challenges in local communities in 20 African countries.

The study conducted by Steward Redqueen measured the direct, indirect, and induced economic impacts of the Coca-Cola system in South Africa, combining company operational data with trusted third-party economic sources. The analysis demonstrates how Coca-Cola’s local operations ripple across the economy – from farmers growing sugarcane to retailers selling beverages – creating jobs, generating income, and building opportunities.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Coca-Cola.

For Media Enquiries:
Wendy Thole-Muir
Senior Director
Strategic Communication 
Coca-Cola Africa
wtholemuir@coca-cola.com

Amava Kamana
Senior Manager Communications
Coca-Cola Africa
akamana@coca-cola.com

About The Coca-Cola Company:
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company with products sold in more than 200 countries and territories. Our company’s purpose is to refresh the world and make a difference. We sell multiple billion-dollar brands across several beverage categories worldwide. Our portfolio of sparkling soft drink brands includes Coca-Cola, Sprite and Fanta. Our water, sports, coffee and tea brands include Dasani, smartwater, vitaminwater, Topo Chico, BODYARMOR, Powerade, Costa, Georgia, Fuze Tea, Gold Peak and Ayataka. Our juice, value-added dairy and plant-based beverage brands include Minute Maid, Simply, innocent, Del Valle, fairlife and AdeS. We’re constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We seek to positively impact people’s lives, communities and the planet through water replenishment, packaging recycling, sustainable sourcing practices and carbon emissions reductions across our value chain. Together with our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, helping bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at www.Coca-ColaCompany.com and follow us on Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/4t2MCvQ), Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/3PrF6fJ) and LinkedIn (https://apo-opa.co/4bxztDS).