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  • Nigeria’s economy grows 4.43% in Q2, government eyes $1 trillion GDP by 2030

    Nigeria’s economy grows 4.43% in Q2, government eyes $1 trillion GDP by 2030

    ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Federal Government has said Nigeria’s economy is accelerating and remains on track towards its target of building a $1 trillion economy by 2030, following stronger economic growth in the second quarter of 2026.

    According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Federal Ministry of Finance, Nigeria’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 4.43 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter of 2026.

    The figure represents an increase from the 4.23 per cent growth recorded in the corresponding period of 2025 and 3.89 per cent recorded in the first quarter of 2026.

    The ministry said the strong second-quarter performance lifted Nigeria’s real GDP growth for the first half of 2026 to 4.16 per cent, compared with 3.68 per cent recorded during the same period in 2025.

    It described the performance as evidence of sustained strengthening across the economy.

    “Growth is also becoming more broad-based,” the ministry said.

    “In Q2 2026, 27 economic subsectors recorded real growth above 3.0 per cent, up from 23 subsectors in Q2 2025, showing that expansion is no longer concentrated in a handful of industries.”

    The productive sectors recorded significant improvements during the period, with manufacturing expanding by 3.24 per cent, more than double the 1.60 per cent recorded in the second quarter of 2025.

    Agriculture grew by 4.39 per cent, compared with 2.82 per cent during the corresponding period of the previous year, while the services sector, Nigeria’s largest driver of economic growth, expanded by 4.60 per cent, up from 3.94 per cent.

    The ministry also attributed part of the improvement in the economy’s value in dollar terms to the relative stability and appreciation of the naira.

    According to the statement, the naira appreciated by more than 12 per cent between the first half of 2025 and the first half of 2026, contributing to an estimated 17 per cent expansion of the Nigerian economy in U.S. dollar terms over the period.

    The ministry said that if the momentum is sustained, alongside the Federal Government’s social programmes, it could strengthen dollar incomes, improve purchasing power and help lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty.

    “Given this momentum, Nigeria is well positioned to consolidate its standing among Africa’s largest economies and to advance toward the Government’s target of a USD 1 trillion economy by 2030,” the ministry said.

    The ministry added that the International Monetary Fund had ranked Nigeria among the top 10 contributors to global real GDP growth in 2026, projecting the country to account for about 1.5 per cent of global growth during the year.

    It said continued macroeconomic stability, sustained growth across productive sectors and improving investor confidence could further accelerate Nigeria’s economic expansion.

    “These results underscore the importance of sustaining our reforms and ensuring policy consistency as their benefits begin to reach households across the country,” the ministry said.

    “The Government remains focused on accelerating inclusive growth and translating these macroeconomic gains into shared prosperity for every Nigerian family.”

    According to the ministry, sustained progress could also strengthen Nigeria’s ambition to become Africa’s largest economy by 2028.

  • Kenya becomes Africa’s largest milk producer, surpasses Egypt

    Kenya becomes Africa’s largest milk producer, surpasses Egypt

    NAIROBI, Kenya (Agency Report) — Kenya has emerged as the largest producer of milk in Africa, surpassing Egypt, following a significant increase in the country’s dairy output from 4.6 billion litres to 5.4 billion litres, the government has said.

    The Principal Secretary for Livestock Development, Jonathan Mueke, disclosed this while speaking at the fifth edition of the Kenya Meat Expo and Conference, held under the theme, “Accelerating Sustainable Growth: Empowering the Next Generation in the Meat Value Chain.”

    Mueke said Kenya’s livestock sector was undergoing a major transformation, with the government introducing policies and programmes aimed at commercialising livestock production and turning the sector into a major driver of economic growth.

    According to him, Kenya’s growing milk production and expanding livestock exports demonstrate the enormous economic potential of the sector.

    “Kenya has surpassed Egypt to become the largest producer of milk in Africa, with output rising from 4.6 billion litres to 5.4 billion litres,” Mueke said.

    He added that meat exports had increased by 87 per cent, rising from Sh8.9 billion to Sh16.4 billion, while dairy exports grew from Sh4.9 billion to Sh14.2 billion.

    “These are not just statistics,” Mueke said, noting that the growth represents improved livelihoods for farmers and pastoralist communities across the country.

    The government, he said, is working towards transforming Kenya’s livestock and meat sector into a Sh1 trillion industry, with its strategy built around four major areas — improved genetics, disease control, animal traceability and aggregation.

    On livestock genetics, Mueke said the National Livestock Breeding Programme and the Kenya Animal Genetic Resources Centre (KAGRC) had distributed more than 1.7 million doses of bull semen and maintained a strategic reserve of over 724,000 straws.

    He added that KAGRC had reduced the cost of subsidised sexed semen from Sh8,000 to Sh1,000, following a presidential directive, making improved livestock breeding more accessible to smallholder farmers.

    Kenya, he said, has also exported livestock semen to Sierra Leone, Mauritius, Rwanda, Burundi and Nigeria, positioning the country as an emerging regional hub for animal genetics.

    Mueke also highlighted the government’s efforts to strengthen disease control through mass vaccination campaigns.

    Since the launch of the National Mass Livestock Vaccination Campaign in January 2025, more than 18 million animals have been vaccinated against Foot and Mouth Disease and Peste des Petits Ruminants.

    The Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute (KEVEVAPI), he added, has produced more than 114 million doses of animal vaccines since August 2022, with annual production increasing by more than 500 per cent.

    The government is also introducing the Animal Identification and Traceability System, known as ANITRAC, to provide farm-to-fork monitoring of livestock using RFID technology.

    Mueke said the digital system would improve disease surveillance, curb illegal livestock movement and help Kenya meet traceability requirements in major export markets, including the European Union and the Middle East.

    To strengthen the participation of pastoralists in the livestock economy, the government is also promoting County Livestock Investment Companies (CLICs).

    Under the initiative, pastoralists will collectively own and operate professionally managed livestock companies, allowing them to access organised markets, financing and high-value export opportunities.

    The government has established a Sh5 billion Pastoralist Livestock Business Fund to support more than 350,000 pastoralists across 21 arid and semi-arid counties to establish and operate CLICs.

    Mueke said the first phase of the initiative is expected to improve the livelihoods of about two million household members.

    He noted that more than 330,000 pastoralist households were already insured under the DRIVE project, protecting about 2.7 million animals valued at Sh29.3 billion.

    Mueke said Kenya’s livestock transformation agenda was focused on moving pastoralists and farmers beyond traditional livestock ownership towards commercial production.

    “The challenge is not just ownership of livestock. It is how we commercialise it,” he said.

    He reaffirmed the Kenyan government’s commitment to supporting farmers and pastoralists through improved genetics, vaccination, traceability and collective marketing.

    According to the Principal Secretary, the measures are designed to build a livestock sector that is resilient, competitive and globally connected while ensuring that farmers and pastoralist communities capture greater value from the industry.

  • CBN says Nigeria record $947m remittance inflows in July

    CBN says Nigeria record $947m remittance inflows in July

    ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says the country recorded $947 million in remittance inflows through International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs) in July 2026, marking the highest monthly inflow ever recorded through formal remittance channels.

    The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, disclosed this in a statement issued by the bank’s Corporate Communications Department on Sunday in Abuja.

    Cardoso said the July inflow moved Nigeria closer to the CBN’s target of achieving $1 billion in monthly remittances through formal channels.

    According to him, total inflows through IMTOs reached $3.8 billion in the first seven months of 2026, representing a 50.2 per cent increase compared with the corresponding period in 2025.

    He attributed the growth to a series of reforms introduced by the apex bank to make formal remittance channels more competitive, transparent and accessible.

    The reforms, he said, include the transition to a more market-determined exchange rate, changes to the regulatory framework governing International Money Transfer Operators and the introduction of the Non-Resident Bank Verification Number (NRBVN).

    The CBN Governor added that the bank had also increased its engagement with IMTOs, commercial banks and Nigerian communities in the diaspora to encourage the use of formal channels for remittances.

    “More recently, the CBN has strengthened requirements for remittance transactions to be routed through designated settlement accounts with authorised dealer banks,” Cardoso said.

    He noted that the importance of the rising inflows extended beyond the record monthly figure.

    According to him, increased remittances through formal channels would improve foreign exchange liquidity and transparency, support households and investments and strengthen Nigeria’s external financing position.

    “When we set a clear ambition to reach one billion dollars a month in remittance inflows through formal channels nearly two years ago, some people thought we were dreaming,” Cardoso said.

    “At $947 million in July, we are now approaching that milestone.”

    Cardoso said the CBN was focused on sustaining the broader growth trajectory rather than concentrating on individual monthly figures, which could fluctuate.

    He said the significant increase recorded in the first seven months of 2026 demonstrated the growing impact of reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s formal remittance system.

    The CBN, he added, would continue to deepen its engagement with Nigerian diaspora communities and financial-sector partners across major remittance corridors.

    “As part of its wider international engagements, the Bank will continue to use opportunities in major global financial centres to engage diaspora communities, IMTOs, banks and other stakeholders,” he said.

    “This is to reduce friction, widen access and bring a greater share of remittance flows into formal channels.”

    Cardoso said the CBN remained focused on creating the conditions necessary for sustained growth in remittance inflows, expressing confidence that Nigeria could reach and eventually maintain monthly remittances above $1 billion.

    “July is an important marker, but our focus is not on a single month. It is on creating the conditions for sustained growth in formal remittances,” he said.

  • NRS Chairman: Tinubu’s tax reforms creating new opportunities for Nigerian youths

    NRS Chairman: Tinubu’s tax reforms creating new opportunities for Nigerian youths

    IBADAN, Nigeria (NPA) — The Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Dr Zacch Adedeji, says President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s tax and economic reforms are creating new opportunities for Nigerian youths in business, investment and agriculture.

    Adedeji stated this while delivering a keynote address at the Oyo State Emerging Political Leaders Summit 2026 in Ibadan.

    The summit, organised under the theme “Bridging the Gap, Uniting Political Strength, Mobilising Emerging Political Leaders for 2027,” brought together emerging political leaders and stakeholders to discuss youth participation in governance and opportunities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    Represented by an NRS Manager, Mr AbdulRahamon AbdulLateef, Adedeji highlighted areas where young Nigerians could benefit from the ongoing reforms, particularly in business, investment and agriculture.

    According to him, the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 and Nigeria Tax Administration Act have removed some major tax burdens for small businesses.

    “If you register your own company and your revenue in a year is below N100 million, you are not expected to pay company income tax, VAT, or withholding tax,” he explained.

    Adedeji also said the new tax framework allows institutions in special sectors, including education, to claim VAT refunds on eligible expenses, provided they maintain proper records.

    He noted that such provisions were not available under the old tax laws dating back to 1903, describing the new measures as reforms designed to support the growth of startups and schools.

    The NRS chairman also identified the reformed Nigerian stock market as another potential wealth-creation avenue for young Nigerians.

    He said the market had produced “more than 700 billionaires” between 2023 and 2026, while making it easier for young people to participate in investment opportunities.

    On government finances, Adedeji said federal allocations to states and local governments had increased significantly under the Tinubu administration, rising from about N700 billion monthly before 2023 to N2.5 trillion in June and N3 trillion in July 2026.

    He said the increased allocations were already being reflected in state budgets and reducing the need for government bailouts.

    Agriculture, according to Adedeji, is another sector where young Nigerians can benefit from the reforms.

    He said farmers involved in cocoa and other cash crops are exempted from taxes under the new tax law and enjoy a 100 per cent capital allowance.

    The NRS chairman further said the reforms had contributed to a significant increase in revenue generated by the service, which he said rose from N12.3 billion before 2023 to N28 trillion in 2024, with revenue projected to reach N40 trillion in 2025.

    He urged Nigerian youths to take advantage of the NRS’s digital platforms to understand the reforms and identify opportunities available to them across different sectors.

    Youth Participation in Politics

    Earlier, the Convener of the summit, Mr Wale Ajani, called for a 50-50 power-sharing arrangement between politicians aged 50 and below and those above 50 ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    Ajani said the time had come to restructure political participation in Nigeria through the “50 Below 50” initiative.

    “We cannot chase the elderly ones away. People of 50 years and below should have 50 per cent, while those above 50 take the remaining 50 per cent,” he said.

    He explained that the initiative was not intended to sideline experience but to address what he described as a generational imbalance in political leadership.

    “The initiative is not about sidelining experience, but about correcting a generational imbalance. Young people must be given a deliberate and measurable stake in governance if Nigeria is to move forward,” Ajani said.

    He also urged young Nigerians to become more actively involved in politics and work towards changing the existing political narrative.

    “For the youths, this is not a time to sleep at home. This is not a time to do things the way they have been doing them, because this is a time to change the narrative,” he said.

    The summit also featured panel sessions examining issues affecting young Nigerians in politics, governance and other sectors.

  • NAFDAC intensifies enforcement of ban on sachet, sub-200ml pet alcoholic beverages

    NAFDAC intensifies enforcement of ban on sachet, sub-200ml pet alcoholic beverages

    ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has commenced full enforcement of the Federal Government’s prohibition of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and PET/plastic bottles below 200ml.

    According to a statement personally signed by NAFDAC Director-General/CEO, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, on August 24, 2026, the enforcement followed extensive consultations with government agencies and industry stakeholders, including the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN) and the Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE).

    The agency said concerns over the accessibility of high-alcohol-content beverages in small and inexpensive packaging were first raised in 2018, after which manufacturers were given a five-year moratorium to transition to larger pack sizes.

    The compliance deadline was subsequently extended to December 31, 2025, with full enforcement scheduled to commence on January 1, 2026.

    Under the enforcement measures, manufacturers and other affected stakeholders are required to recall prohibited products, submit compliance reports and dismantle or reconfigure production lines used for the affected products.

    NAFDAC said non-compliant operators could face sanctions, including closure of facilities or placement on the agency’s Regulatory Watchlist.

    The agency said the enforcement was primarily a public health measure aimed at reducing the accessibility of high-alcohol-content products to children and young people.

    According to NAFDAC, sachet and small PET alcoholic beverages are inexpensive, portable and easily concealed, factors which can make them more accessible to underage drinkers.

    The agency also raised concerns over the alcohol concentration of some sachet spirits, noting that some products contain alcohol levels of up to 43 per cent, significantly higher than the levels typically found in beer.

    NAFDAC linked the availability and consumption of high-strength alcoholic products to broader social and health concerns, including alcohol dependence, road accidents, domestic violence and school-related problems.

    The agency also argued that warning labels stating that alcoholic beverages are “not for children” had not been sufficient to prevent underage access and consumption.

    NAFDAC said the policy was also consistent with Nigeria’s commitment to international efforts aimed at reducing the harmful use of alcohol, including the WHO Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol.

    However, the ban has generated significant concern within the manufacturing sector, with industry stakeholders warning of potential economic losses, factory closures and job cuts.

    The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) have been cited as estimating potential losses across the value chain in the region of ₦400 billion to ₦1.9 trillion.

    Industry estimates also suggest that as many as 500,000 direct jobs and five million indirect jobs could be affected, including employment in manufacturing, logistics and agricultural supply chains.

    Manufacturers have also raised concerns over the financial implications of recalling and destroying affected products, as well as the cost of dismantling or reconfiguring production lines.

    Some industry stakeholders have argued that the ban could negatively affect investments made in the sector and reduce manufacturing capacity.

    They have further expressed concerns that restrictions could push consumers towards informal or unregulated markets, potentially increasing the circulation of illicit or smuggled alcoholic products.

    Despite the concerns, NAFDAC maintains that the policy is driven by public health considerations and is intended to protect children and young people from early exposure to high-concentration alcohol.

    Industry stakeholders, however, have argued that sachet alcohol is also consumed by adults, particularly in low-income communities, and that an outright ban may not, on its own, eliminate underage drinking.

    Some have instead proposed alternative measures, including stricter age verification at points of sale, tighter regulation of retailers and expanded public education campaigns.

    The enforcement therefore places the Federal Government’s public health objectives alongside concerns from manufacturers over investment, employment and the potential economic consequences of withdrawing the affected products from the market.

    NAFDAC’s latest directive signals that the transition period has ended and that manufacturers are now expected to fully comply with the prohibition on sachet and sub-200ml PET alcoholic beverages.

  • Afreximbank retains AAA Credit rating from China’s CCXI 

    Afreximbank retains AAA Credit rating from China’s CCXI 

    CAIRO, Egypt (NPA) — China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co. Ltd. (CCXI) has affirmed the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank)’s AAA issuer credit rating with a stable outlook for the second consecutive year. 

    The affirmation, according to a statement issued on Saturday by Afreximbank’s Communications and Events Manager, Vincent Musumba, underscores the bank’s financial strength and strategic importance. 

    CCXI, in its 2026 Credit Rating Report for Afreximbank, released in Beijing on July 30, said it expected the bank’s credit rating to remain stable over the next 12 to 18 months. 

    Musumba said the rating agency identified Afreximbank’s strong strategic positioning, sound risk management system, flexible business development and strong profitability among its key strengths. 

    The agency also highlighted the bank’s prudent liquidity management and very high coverage ratio of current assets to short-term debts, which it said strongly supported Afreximbank’s overall credit strength. 

    According to Musumba, the latest affirmation would further strengthen Afreximbank’s access to diversified funding sources, particularly in China, while enhancing its profile and market presence in one of the world’s largest capital markets. 

    “In 2025, the bank issued its inaugural 2.2 billion Chinese yuan Panda bond, becoming the first African multilateral development institution to access the Panda bond market,” he said. 

    Musumba added that Afreximbank had subsequently become a direct participant in China’s Cross-border Interbank Payment System (CIPS), strengthening its role in facilitating China-Africa trade, investment flows and partnerships. 

    The CCXI affirmation follows S&P Global Ratings’ assignment earlier in 2026 of BBB+ long-term and A-2 short-term issuer credit ratings to Afreximbank, also with a stable outlook. 

    Afreximbank also holds investment-grade ratings from GCR (A), Japan Credit Rating Agency (A-) and Moody’s (Baa2), according to the statement. 

    Commenting on the latest rating, Chandi Mwenebungu, Managing Director, Treasury and Markets, and Treasurer, Afreximbank, described the affirmation as a strong endorsement of the bank’s financial strength and disciplined risk management. 

    “The affirmation of our AAA rating for a second consecutive year is a strong endorsement of Afreximbank’s financial strength, disciplined risk management and enduring relevance to Africa and Global Africa,” Mwenebungu said. 

    He said the rating demonstrated the bank’s capacity to deliver on its mandate, support member states during periods of uncertainty and mobilise capital from diverse funding pools across local and global markets. 

    Mwenebungu added that the rating reflected Afreximbank’s ability to maintain the financial resilience and institutional strength expected of a leading multilateral development bank. 

  • NGX All-Share Index rises as equities gain; Linkage Assurance tops gainers

    NGX All-Share Index rises as equities gain; Linkage Assurance tops gainers

    LAGOS, Nigeria (NPA) — The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) recorded a marginal gain on Wednesday, with the benchmark All-Share Index (ASI) rising by 0.04 per cent to close at 244,912.24 points, as renewed investor interest in selected stocks lifted the equities market.

    The market performance also pushed the Equity Market Capitalisation higher to ₦158.33 trillion, according to the NGX Daily Market Snapshot released on Wednesday.

    Despite the positive performance in equities, the fixed income and Exchange Traded Products (ETPs) segments closed lower during the trading session.

    The Fixed Income Market Capitalisation declined by 0.05 per cent to ₦56.70 trillion, while the ETPs Market Capitalisation slipped by 0.16 per cent to ₦67.89 billion.

    Market activity showed investors maintaining cautious optimism, with buying interest concentrated in selected insurance and consumer goods stocks.

    Linkage Assurance Plc emerged as the day’s best-performing stock, appreciating by 9.94 per cent to close at ₦1.77 per share.

    It was followed by AVA Plc, which gained 9.55 per cent to settle at ₦10.90, while FGI Plc advanced 7.69 per cent to close at ₦2.80 per share.

    Also, among the top gainers were McNichols Plc, which appreciated by 7.34 per cent to ₦5.85, and Coronation Plc, which rose 5.51 per cent to close at ₦2.49 per share.

    According to market analysts, the modest appreciation in the equities market reflected renewed investor confidence in selected counters, particularly within the insurance and consumer goods sectors.

    They, however, noted that investors in the fixed income market remained cautious, contributing to the slight decline recorded in that segment.

    The mixed performance across the various asset classes underscores the cautious sentiment among investors as they continue to monitor market fundamentals and emerging economic developments.

  • Air Peace expands African network with Lagos–Douala–Libreville route

    Air Peace expands African network with Lagos–Douala–Libreville route

    LAGOS, Nigeria (NPA) — Nigeria and West Africa’s leading carrier, Air Peace, has expanded its African operations with the launch of its Lagos–Douala–Libreville route, reinforcing its commitment to strengthening regional air connectivity and promoting seamless travel across West and Central Africa.

    The inaugural flight, which took off on Sunday, August 2, 2026, comes barely 24 hours after the airline commenced services on the Lagos–Conakry–Bamako route, highlighting its sustained drive to broaden its continental network and position Lagos as a strategic gateway for travel, trade and investment across Africa.

    According to a report by Aviation Monitor, the new service links Nigeria’s commercial capital with Douala, Cameroon, and Libreville, Gabon, creating new opportunities for business, tourism, commerce, cultural exchange and stronger people-to-people ties between West and Central African countries.

    Leading the Air Peace delegation on the inaugural flight were the airline’s Chief Commercial Officer, Mr Nowel Ngala, and Director of Flight Operations, Captain Augustine Kamano.

    On arrival at Douala International Airport, the delegation received a warm reception from Cameroonian aviation officials, representatives of the Nigerian diplomatic mission and leaders of the Nigerian community.

    Among those who welcomed the airline were Mrs Suliat A. Paramole, Foreign Affairs Officer at the Nigerian Consulate General, representing the Nigerian Ambassador to Cameroon; Hon. Chief Sir Lovinus Ezeh, President-General of the Nigerian Community in the Littoral Region; Lt. Col. Adolphe Nyamke Bongkwaha, Deputy Chief of the Airport Security Unit, representing the Douala Airport Authority; as well as officials of the Civil Aviation Authority and the country’s transport regulator.

    Speaking during the reception, Mrs Paramole commended Air Peace for strengthening the long-standing relationship between Nigeria and Cameroon through improved air connectivity.

    She said the new route would facilitate greater movement of people, boost commercial activities and promote closer bilateral cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.

    Chief Ezeh also welcomed the development, describing the direct connection as a significant milestone for Nigerians residing in Cameroon.

    He expressed optimism that the route would make travel easier for passengers while enhancing economic, business and social interactions between both countries.

    Representing the Douala Airport Authority, Lt. Col. Bongkwaha described the commencement of the route as an important addition to the airport’s regional network, saying it would strengthen Douala’s position as a key aviation gateway in Central Africa.

    Speaking on behalf of the airline, Mr Ngala said the launch represents another major milestone in Air Peace’s vision of building an interconnected African aviation network.

    According to him, the Lagos–Douala–Libreville route offers passengers greater access to destinations across Air Peace’s domestic and regional network while improving connections to international destinations, including London and the Caribbean.

    He reaffirmed the airline’s commitment to making intra-African travel more convenient through reliable connectivity between major cities across the continent.

    Following its stop in Douala, the inaugural flight continued to Libreville, where it was received by senior officials of Gabon’s aviation authorities and representatives of the Nigerian community.

    Those on hand to welcome the airline included Mr Georges Renaud Maxime Moubamou Malekou, Director of Flight Operations at the Agence Nationale de l’Aviation Civile; Mr Igor Simard, Managing Director of Aéroport de Libreville (ADL); and Mr Mike Iwu, representing the President of the Nigerian Community in Gabon.

    The Gabonese officials described Air Peace’s entry into the market as a welcome development that would improve regional air connectivity, expand travel options and foster stronger economic and diplomatic relations between Gabon, Nigeria and other African countries.

    Similarly, representatives of the Nigerian community in Gabon praised the new service, saying it would provide greater convenience for Nigerians living in the country while strengthening links with home.

    The latest expansion, coming immediately after the launch of the Lagos–Conakry–Bamako service, underscores Air Peace’s strategy of pioneering new regional connections and advancing intra-African air travel.

    With the addition of Douala and Libreville to its growing network, the airline continues to play a leading role in promoting regional integration, facilitating trade and tourism, attracting investment and supporting economic growth across Africa through improved connectivity.

  • Botswana begins child support grant payments for eligible families

    Botswana begins child support grant payments for eligible families

    GABORONE, Botswana (NPA) — The Government of Botswana has commenced payments under its Child Support Grant (CSG) programme, with eligible beneficiaries beginning to receive the monthly allowance and all outstanding arrears.

    The Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs announced the rollout on Monday, describing the initiative as a major social protection programme aimed at supporting low-income households with children during the critical first year of life.

    According to the ministry, approved beneficiaries have started receiving the P300 monthly Child Support Grant, alongside arrears accrued from the programme’s effective commencement date of April 1, 2026.

    The government said the payment of arrears reflects its commitment to ensuring that every eligible child receives the full support due under the implementation schedule.

    The Child Support Grant targets children below the age of one year, providing financial assistance to vulnerable families to help meet their children’s basic needs during the first 12 months of life.

    The ministry noted that the programme is designed to improve child health, nutrition and early childhood development, recognising the first year of life as a critical period for brain development, physical growth and long-term wellbeing.

    According to the statement, the initiative represents the government’s broader commitment to investing in children’s welfare while strengthening Botswana’s social protection system.

    The ministry advised beneficiaries not to rush to post offices or designated payment centres on the first day of disbursement, assuring them that funds would remain available throughout the payment period.

    It encouraged recipients to collect their grants at any convenient time during the month to prevent overcrowding at payment centres.

    Beneficiaries were also urged to comply with instructions issued by payment officials, present the required identification documents when collecting their grants and direct payment-related enquiries to the nearest Social and Community Development Office.

    The ministry expressed appreciation to the public for their patience and cooperation during the implementation of the Child Support Grant programme.

    It reaffirmed the Botswana government’s commitment to expanding and strengthening social protection programmes aimed at improving the welfare of children, families and communities across the country.

    The ministry advised members of the public seeking additional information to contact their nearest Social and Community Development Office.

  • Neimeth Pharmaceuticals commends NAFDAC’s reforms, backs local drug manufacturing

    Neimeth Pharmaceuticals commends NAFDAC’s reforms, backs local drug manufacturing

    LAGOS, Nigeria (NPA) — Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc has commended the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for its ongoing regulatory reforms and renewed efforts to strengthen local pharmaceutical manufacturing in Nigeria.

    The commendation came during a courtesy visit by the company’s Board of Directors to NAFDAC’s Lagos office, where members of the delegation met with the agency’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye.

    According to a statement issued by NAFDAC on Sunday, the Neimeth board expressed appreciation for the agency’s initiatives aimed at promoting local drug production, improving regulatory efficiency and supporting pharmaceutical manufacturers to attain international Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards.

    The company also reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with NAFDAC to advance the growth and competitiveness of Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry.

    Receiving the delegation, Prof. Adeyeye thanked the board for the visit and reiterated the agency’s commitment to building a globally competitive pharmaceutical sector through transparent, science-based regulation and sustained collaboration with industry stakeholders.

    She said NAFDAC would continue implementing reforms designed to strengthen Nigeria’s regulatory framework and improve international confidence in locally manufactured medicines.

    The Director-General highlighted the agency’s ongoing efforts to secure membership of the Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme (PIC/S) and its continued progress towards attaining higher levels under the World Health Organization’s Global Benchmarking Tool.

    According to her, the initiatives are expected to enhance the quality and global acceptance of Nigerian pharmaceutical products while expanding export opportunities for local manufacturers.

    The meeting concluded with both NAFDAC and Neimeth reaffirming their shared commitment to strengthening local pharmaceutical manufacturing, improving the quality of medicines and ensuring a sustainable supply of safe, effective and quality-assured medicines for Nigerians.

    Both parties also pledged to sustain collaboration in promoting regulatory excellence, supporting industry growth and enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global pharmaceutical market.