Shareholders of Zenith Bank Plc have given their unanimous approval for the restructuring of the Bank into a holding company during a court-ordered Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) held virtually on Friday, April 26, 2024. In line with the Scheme of Arrangement dated March 28, 2024, pursuant to Section 715 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), 2020, the shareholders voted to transfer shares to Zenith Bank Holding Company Plc in exchange for the allotment of shares in the HoldCo in the same proportion to their shareholding in the Bank.During the EGM, Founder... Read More »

Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio has recently participated in the International Development Association Heads of State Summit in Kenya. The summit was attended by various heads of state from around the world. President Bio's presence at the event highlights Sierra Leone's commitment to international development cooperation.During the summit, President Bio emphasized the importance of global partnerships in achieving sustainable development goals. He also discussed key issues related to development, poverty alleviation, and economic growth with his counterparts.... Read More »

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is actively engaged in the "High-Level Workshop on Regional Integration" currently taking place in Kasane, Botswana. The workshop, held both physically and virtually, is focused on the theme "43 Years of Regional Integration: Where are we and way forward”.The workshop aims to deepen understanding, enhance collaboration, and coordinate efforts towards advancing the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Regional Integration Agenda. Attendees, including Senior Officers from SADC, African Union, UNECA, ECOWAS, and... Read More »

President Boakai Constitutes National Education Advisory Board, Board of Governors, and Principal of BWIApr 29, 2024The President of the Republic of Liberia, His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has constituted the National Education Advisory Board, Board of Governors, and the Principal of the Booker Washington Institute (BWI).The National Education Advisory Board includes prominent individuals such as the Minister of Education, the Executive Secretary of the Association of Liberian Universities, and various other distinguished members.The Board of Governors of... Read More »

Brewing giant Nigerian Breweries Plc has reported a remarkable performance for the first quarter of 2024, showcasing an 84% increase in revenue compared to the same period in 2023. The unaudited results, disclosed on April 29, 2024, to the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), revealed a revenue of N227 billion, with operating activities growing by over 1000%.According to the Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Hans Essaadi, the company's success can be attributed to various factors, including product innovation, cost-saving measures, and pricing adjustments driven by inflation.... Read More »

African Development Bank Group President Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina has highlighted the urgent need for increased financing to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by setting a new annual financial target.Speaking at the Islamic Development Bank’s 50th-anniversary celebrations in Riyadh, Adesina pointed out a significant annual financial shortfall of $4 trillion, which poses a threat to the SDGs' attainment by 2030.Adesina emphasized the critical role of multilateral development banks in addressing the financial gap through enhanced collaboration and innovative... Read More »

The ECOWAS Council of the Wise has convened a two-day retreat in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, to address the pressing governance, peace, and security challenges in the West African region. The retreat, themed "Leveraging and Responding to the Current Governance, Peace, Security Challenges in the Ecowas Region," aims to reinvigorate the council and enhance its role in promoting peace, security, and stability.During the retreat, the council members will focus on various issues, including the resurgence of military coups, democratic reversals, electoral irregularities, political... Read More »

The Regional Agency for Agriculture and Food (RAAF) has been lauded for its ten years of service in advancing agricultural development in West Africa and the Sahel. During the recent meeting of the RAAF Strategic Orientation Committee in Lomé, members had the opportunity to review the agency's progress.According to the ten-year capitalisation report presented during the meeting, RAAF has made significant strides in promoting agricultural development and food security in the region. Through collaborations with Member States, technical institutions, and development... Read More »

ECOWAS bids farewell to Mr Ousseini Salifou, the First Executive Director of the Regional Agriculture and Food Agency (RAAF), as he embarks on a well-deserved retirement after a successful tenure. Mr Salifou's leadership and dedication have significantly contributed to the implementation of the ECOWAS Regional Agricultural Policy (ECOWAP).Having led RAAF since July 2013, Mr Salifou was instrumental in the development and implementation of key agricultural initiatives within the region. His previous role as the ECOWAS Commissioner for Agriculture, Environment, and Water... Read More »

Stakeholders involved in the implementation of projects and programmes under the Regional Agricultural Policy (ECOWAP) recently gathered to review the activities of 2023. The meetings of the regional steering committees for projects and programmes (COPILS) took place in Lomé, Togo, from 22 to 24 April 2024, under the leadership of the ECOWAS Commission.During the discussions, it was emphasized that "working together is a key driver for better coordination at the regional level," as highlighted in the press release of CoPils 2024. This sentiment underscores the importance... Read More »

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of the Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia, CFR, as the Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). This announcement was made in a State House Press Release by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale.According to Ngelale, "the President believes Mr. Ovia will bring his immense wealth of experience and professional stature to this role to advance the all-important vision of ensuring that no Nigerian student suffers a capricious end to their... Read More »

Tanzanian President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan expressed her appreciation for the partnership with the African Development Bank Group during the celebration marking 60 years of the Union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar. President Suluhu specifically addressed Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, the president of the African Development Bank Group, acknowledging the Bank's significant role in Tanzania's infrastructure development by stating, "I have invited the Bank president for a special purpose."At the event held at Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam city, attended by various high-level guests,... Read More »

The former Gambian Vice-President, Mrs Fatoumata Jallow-Tambajang, recently conducted a briefing session for the forty observers of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Election Observation Mission in Togo. During the session, she emphasized the importance of professionalism and objectivity, stating, "We are here to monitor the election, not to give instructions or dictate things."Mrs Fatoumata Jallow-Tambajang also encouraged a peaceful conduct of the upcoming legislative and regional elections in Togo, highlighting their significance in contributing to... Read More »

President Barrow warmly welcomed AUF Rector Professor Slim Khalmous and the Regional Director at State House in Banjul on Thursday morning. He thanked them for supporting the University of The Gambia with lecturers, noting the challenges of maintaining highly qualified lecturers. The President appreciated the confidence AUF has in The Gambia for hosting its annual conference."Students experience is a key aspect of what we are trying to do so that we can have expertise across the continent." - Vice-Chancellor of UTG, Professor Robinson"Our students will have the... Read More »

The President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, has announced the deployment of an Election Observation Mission to Togo. The mission, consisting of forty observers, is tasked with monitoring the legislative and regional elections set to take place on 29 April 2024."This mission is in line with the provisions of Article 12 of the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance and constitutes support from the regional organisation to its Member States for the conduct of their elections," stated Dr... Read More »

The President of the African Development Bank Group Dr. Akinwumi Adesina has appointed career diplomat Ambassador Jalel Trabelsi as his Special Envoy for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Gulf Region. Ambassador Trabelsi brings to the role over 30 years of experience as a highly accomplished and distinguished diplomat.Ambassador Trabelsi, in response to his appointment, expressed his gratitude, stating, “I am extremely honoured to be appointed by Dr. Adesina to this role. As an African, I am motivated to continue to serve our continent and to contribute to the... Read More »

In a significant move aimed at enhancing food security in Kenya, the Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism has initiated a project set to benefit thousands of smallholder farmers in the country. The project, which involves a credit guarantee of $2 million, is expected to boost harvests and incomes for farmers in need of fertilizers.Marie Claire Kalihangabo, Coordinator of the Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism, highlighted the importance of the credit risk guarantee, stating, “The credit risk guarantee also provides finance directly to smallholder farmers at the last... Read More »

ECREEE, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, unveiled a new website on April 22, 2024. The website is designed to provide easy access to information on sustainable energy initiatives in the ECOWAS region and promote awareness of ECREEE's efforts in promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency in West Africa.The website features a user-friendly interface, intuitive navigation, mobile-friendly design, and updated content. It aims to provide users with easy access to information about ECREEE, its... Read More »

President Boakai Suspends The Board of Commissioners of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA)The President of the Republic, H. E Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has taken decisive action by suspending the Chairperson and Commissioners of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) amidst allegations of financial misconduct and other malpractices.In a statement released from the Executive Mansion in Monrovia, President Boakai suspended Madam Edwina C. Zackpah, Mr. Israel Akinsanya, Mr. Zotawon D. Titus, Mr. James Gbarwea, and Mr. Osborne K. Diggs pending a... Read More »

Ambassador Jainaba Jagne, Permanent Representative of The Gambia to the African Union and Chairperson of the African Union Peace and Security Council, highlighted the challenges facing Africa, stating, "The African continent is currently facing the scourges of terrorism and violent extremism, as well as the resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government."During a meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, between the Peace and Security Council of the African Union and the Mediation and Security Council of ECOWAS, Ambassador Jainaba Jagne emphasized the impact of these issues on... Read More »