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Dangote Engages World Bank, IMF, U.S. EXIM On Investment Drive
Africa’s leading industrialist and President and Chief Executive of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has reaffirmed the central role of infrastructure development, job creation, and private sector investment in accelerating Africa’s economic transformation.
Dangote made this assertion during a series of high-level engagements with global financial leaders on the sidelines of the recently concluded International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C.
The meetings formed part of his ongoing efforts to mobilise investment flows and deepen strategic partnerships within Nigeria’s energy and industrial sectors.
Speaking during a keynote address at the World Bank’s Water Forward event, Dangote emphasised the urgency of scaling private sector participation to reposition water systems as enablers of industrialisation and employment across developing economies.
He noted that infrastructure, particularly effective and sustainable water management, remains foundational to inclusive growth and long-term economic resilience.
“Africa’s growth story will be defined by our ability to invest in infrastructure that supports industry, creates jobs, and unlocks productivity across the continent,” Dangote said.
“When the private sector is fully engaged, especially in critical areas like water and energy, it becomes a powerful engine for inclusive and sustainable development.”
As part of his engagements, Dangote also held strategic discussions with senior global financial leaders, including World Bank President Ajay Banga, focusing on accelerating capital inflows into Africa’s industrial sector.
He stressed that rapid industrialisation is vital to strengthening economic resilience, promoting diversification, and reducing the continent’s exposure to external shocks.
Dangote further outlined the Group’s Vision 2030 strategy, which targets the significant expansion of operations across the Dangote Refinery, Fertiliser and Petrochemical Complex, and other business units, to achieve annual revenues of US$100 billion.
According to him, the strategy reinforces the Group’s long-standing commitment to Africa-led industrial growth and sustainable development.
Reiterating his position, Dangote underscored that robust private sector participation—backed by reliable infrastructure—is essential to unlocking the economic value of water resources and advancing inclusive development across Africa.
The World Bank event attracted a distinguished audience, including heads of government, the United Nations Secretary-General, leaders of European development institutions, and representatives of multilateral development partners.
If you’d like, I can tighten this further for wire distribution, adapt it to an IMF-only framing, or localise it more strongly for Nigerian media.
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal has shared details of a private conversation he had with late President Muhammadu Buhari about his political ties and disagreements involving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Recall that Lawal spoke in an interview on Channels Television, where he said the conversation happened shortly before Buhari’s death.
He explained that Buhari warned him about possible political disagreements that could come up between him and Tinubu in the future.
According to him, the late president said such situations were likely but should be handled carefully.
He said Buhari advised that any clash in political views should remain focused on governance and public issues.
The former president, he added, made it clear that personal attacks should be avoided, and discussions should remain centered on national matters rather than personal matters.
Lawal said he accepted the advice and made a promise to follow it. He explained that since then, he has tried to keep his public comments about Tinubu within political issues only, without bringing in personal matters.
He added that Buhari told him he might end up in political disagreement with someone he considered a friend, but he should avoid turning it into something personal. Lawal said he agreed to that guidance at the time and has tried to respect it in his political activities.
Quoting his exchange with Buhari, Lawal said the late president told him, “You are going to fight your friend politically; please promise me you will not go personal with your fight.”
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has stated that the party can only adopt a consensus candidate where all aspirants voluntarily agree to the arrangement.
Speaking on the party’s nomination process, the chairman emphasized that consensus candidacy is not imposed but must be the product of mutual consent among all contenders seeking the ticket.
In a statement, the chairman clarified that any consensus candidate must have backing of all the contenders.
— Prof. Nentawe
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to boost consumer protection.
NCC spokesperson, Nnenna Ukoha, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
She said the agreement would also combat fraud across telecommunications and financial sectors.
Ukoha said the MoU was formalised alongside inauguration of joint committees on payment systems, consumer protection, and the Telecoms Identity Risk Management System portal.
NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Aminu Maida, said the pact provided a framework for collaboration on payment integrity, fraud mitigation, digital inclusion, and consumer protection.
He said the initiative would deliver outcomes that strengthen trust, deepen inclusion, and support a secure digital economy.
Maida described the signing as a milestone, reflecting both institutions’ commitment to financial stability and consumer protection in an interconnected ecosystem.
“The Commission places significant importance on collaboration. Many milestones in addressing industry challenges came through strategic partnerships,” he said.
He recalled NCC and CBN intervention in resolving the USSD debt impasse, restoring confidence among consumers, telecom operators, and financial institutions.
According to him, the MoU will promote secure digital payments and expand access to underserved populations and small businesses.
Maida said the TIRMS portal would help curb electronic fraud by offering real-time insights into phone number status.
“This includes whether a line is active, swapped, disconnected, reassigned, or flagged for suspicious activity.
“This will significantly improve financial institutions’ ability to combat phone-linked fraud,” he said.
He said the collaboration would also ensure prompt resolution of consumer complaints, including failed airtime recharges.
CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, said the MoU would improve coordination on approvals, standards, and innovation, including sandbox testing.
Cardoso reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to building a safer, more resilient, and inclusive digital financial system.
“Going forward, the Central Bank remains committed to working with the Commission to protect consumers and strengthen trust in the digital economy,” he said.
He inaugurated the joint committees, noting they would prioritise consumer protection and fraud prevention.
The initiative is expected to boost confidence while addressing risks in converging telecoms and financial services.
Ex SGF Babachir reveals what Buhari told him about Tinubu before his demise
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NCC, CBN sign pact to strengthen consumer protection, curb fraud
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