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AfDB Seeks $42 billion to Bridge Financing Gap Hindering African Women Enterprises

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AfDB Seeks $42 billion to Bridge Financing Gap Hindering African Women Enterprises

By: Michael Mike

The African Development Bank (ADB) has said it is presently seeking $42 billion to bridge the current financing gap hindering women-owned and women-led enterprises across the Africa continent.

The Director General, Nigerian Country Department of the bank, Dr Abdul Kamara made the disclosure on Tuesday in Abuja
at the High-Level Dialogue on Investment in Gender Equality and Ending Violence Against Women for Rights and Development organised by United Nations Women in partnership with ADB.

The event is part of the global “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence” campaign, which runs from November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) to December 10th (Human Rights Day).

It brought together key stakeholders to address the pressing issue of gender-based violence in Nigeria, where women and girls continue to face various forms of discrimination and violence.

Kamara said the bank has a very clear stance on Gender Based Violence (GBV), stating that in 2024, ADB celebrated 25 years of gender mainstreaming in all its operations geared towards evidence based reduction in gender gaps and more importantly, in accelerating gender equality.

He said: “One area where the bank has made very visible impact in the economic empowerment in the last seven years is increasing access to finance through a special initiative called AFAWA which is an acronym for Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa.

“In the context of this Pan African Initiative, the African Development Bank seeks to bridge the financing gap of $42 billion currently hindering women-owned and women-led enterprises across the continent and I am glad to report that we disbursed over a billion dollars of this across Africa, seeking to increase access to finance for women.

“This is just one among many initiatives of the bank that are responding directly to the problem gender equality. In Nigeria, all our programmes and projects are gender mapped and have gender experts working with the government to design actions that will bridge gender gaps, looking to access to financing for women, access to market, access skills but most importantly access to jobs and incomes.

“Just last month, we approve here in the bank, $100 million in the programme called Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank for Nigeria. This is a non deposit bank, it is an access to finance. This operation will improve gender responsive, youth entrepreneurship and enterprise development by boosting financial services to foster a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem and affirmative action for jobs focusing on women,” he said.

In his remarks, Minister of Budget and National Planning, Sen. Atiku Bagudu said GBV was a growing concern that required immediate attention and collective action, noting that despite progress made toward dealing with violence, women and girls continue to face violence, discrimination and marginalisation.

Bagudu, who was represented by Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Vitalis Obi, said empowering women was crucial to breaking this cycle of violence and that can be done by creating and promoting gender responsive policies as well as practices.

He said: “We must take decisive action to prevent and protect our women from all forms of violence and to create a society where everyone feels safe irrespective of their gender. One of the ways by which we can bridge this persistent gap is by institutionalising gender responsive budgeting in all sectors of the economy.

“Gender responsive budgeting is the strategic approach that integrates gender perspectives into the entire budget cycle. Allocate adequate resources to the programmes that will address GBV, women empowerment and education,” he said.

On her part, the Chairperson, Nigerian Governors’ Spouses Forum, Prof. Olufolake Abdul-Razaq, said they remained steadfast in advocating gender responsive budgeting across the 36 states and FCT, spending institutional framework that integrate gender perspectives and championing initiatives to protect women rights.

The Kwara State First Lady said the forum was firmly committed to ensuring that all gender laws become a cornerstone of governance at the sub-national levels, adding that the well-being of women and girls remained a pivotal indicator of how well any nation was faring in driving her developmental plan.

“It is time to address the structural barriers that perpetrate inequality for women and girls to reach their full potentials. This is my believe and it is not only an act of justice but a strategic investment in resilience and productivity of our nation as this no doubt stands as a veritable gift to commemorate the 2024 16 days of activism against GBV.

“The Nigerian Governors Spouses Forum really made an effort in the last couple of years…We are also working to get women into leadership because we believe that when women are in leadership position they will help us to sustain this drive of bringing developments to women,” she added.

In her opening remarks, the UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Beatrice Eyong, said GBV was not just a human rights issue but also an economic issue a statistics showed that the menace was costing the Nigerian government 1.5% of its Gross Domestic Product.

“We are talking in terms of billions of dollars that the country is losing every year because of Gender Based Violence. So Gender Based Violence is linked to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. So if we do nothing, we will not get out of poverty and we will not get sustainable development.

“The World Economic Forum estimated in its global gender gaps report of 2022 that it will take about 132 years for the world to achieve gender equality. What does this mean for Nigeria? At this space, some of us, including our daughters might not experience gender equality in their time.

“This is therefore a call to collective actions by all international organisations, government agencies, community stakeholders and even the private sector to address the under-representation of women and barriers to gender equality,” she noted.

The UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria Mohammed Fall, on his part said: “Gender inequality and violence against women remain among the greatest challenges to sustainable development, not just in Nigeria but globally. These issues incur heavy costs—socially, economically, and individually—limiting our collective potential for progress.”

He added that: “Violence and harmful practices against women and girls happen every day in Nigeria, and most of the time they are not reported. The Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey in 2018 found that 9 percent of women aged 15 to 49 had suffered sexual assault at least once in their lifetime and 31% had experienced physical violence. Restrictions and implications from the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the gender-based violence (GBV) in the nation.”

He said: “The United Nations remains steadfast in its support for Nigeria’s journey towards creating an inclusive society where every woman and girl can thrive. We are committed to coordinating partnerships, providing technical expertise, and facilitating dialogues to ensure measurable impacts in Nigeria.”

AfDB Seeks $42 billion to Bridge Financing Gap Hindering African Women Enterprises

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National News

Easter: Church Targets Spiritual Renewal, Community Impact with Power-Packed Programme

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March 28, 2026

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Easter: Church Targets Spiritual Renewal, Community Impact with Power-Packed Programme

By: Michael Mike

As Christians prepare for the Easter season, the City of Truth and Grace Assembly has positioned its 2026 celebration as more than a routine observance, unveiling a spiritually driven programme aimed at fostering personal transformation and strengthening community bonds.

Themed “The Power of Resurrection,” the church said the initiative is designed to rekindle faith, inspire hope, and provide a platform for collective spiritual engagement at a time when many people are seeking renewal amid prevailing social and economic pressures.

The programme, to be hosted by Dipo Fisho, will begin on Good Friday with a family-focused prayer session which organisers describe as a strategic gathering to address both personal and societal challenges through intercession.

According to the church, the prayer session will emphasise unity, healing, and divine direction for families and the wider community.

The Easter activities will culminate on Easter Sunday with a special worship service centred on the message of resurrection, renewal, and spiritual rebirth.

Organisers explained that the programme goes beyond worship services, incorporating moments of fellowship such as a love feast aimed at strengthening relationships among church members and welcoming first-time attendees while reinforcing the central Easter message of love, sacrifice, and redemption.

“This is not just a celebration; it is a call to experience transformation and new beginnings,” the church said, adding that the programme has been carefully curated to deliver both spiritual inspiration and emotional impact.

The event will take place at The Grounds Sport Arena, with activities scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on Good Friday and 8:00 a.m. on Easter Sunday.

With expectations of a large turnout, the church said the programme—also tagged “The Power of Resurrection”—is open to people of all backgrounds and is intended to inspire faith, unity, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Residents across the city have been encouraged to participate, as organisers project the gathering as a significant Easter convergence focused on renewal, hope, and shared spiritual experience.

Easter: Church Targets Spiritual Renewal, Community Impact with Power-Packed Programme

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Germany, Agrofood Fair Drive Investment and Technology for Nigeria’s Food Processing Sector

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March 27, 2026

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Germany, Agrofood Fair Drive Investment and Technology for Nigeria’s Food Processing Sector

By: Michael Mike

Stakeholders from government, industry and the diplomatic community have intensified efforts to mobilise investment and modern technology to strengthen Nigeria’s food processing and packaging sector, as the 11th edition of Agrofood Nigeria concluded in Lagos.

The push was highlighted during a networking event hosted by the German Consulate General Lagos, where Nigerian agribusiness stakeholders, German exhibitors and members of the German diplomatic and business community discussed opportunities to deepen collaboration across Nigeria’s agri-food value chain.

Speaking at a press briefing, the German Consul General in Lagos, Daniel Krull, said strengthening agriculture and food processing is central to Nigeria’s long-term economic growth and food security.

Krull noted that improving the country’s food processing capacity would not only reduce post-harvest losses but also stimulate industrial growth, create jobs and enhance Nigeria’s ability to meet domestic food demand.

He pointed to Germany’s global strength in food processing technology as evidence of how innovation can transform agricultural output into competitive products.

According to him, Germany remains Europe’s largest exporter of coffee despite not cultivating the crop domestically, a feat made possible through advanced processing technology and value-addition capabilities that tailor products to consumer needs.

“Agriculture and food processing are key to addressing food insecurity and unlocking economic potential. Technology and innovation will play a decisive role in enabling Nigeria to fully harness these opportunities,” Krull said.

The annual exhibition, organised by German trade fair company fairtrade Messe GmbH, brings together players across the entire food value chain—from food production and ingredient manufacturing to processing equipment, packaging technologies and finished product distribution.

Managing Director of fairtrade Messe, Paul März, described the event as a vital marketplace where businesses across Nigeria and West Africa connect with global technology providers.

“It is a meeting point and market place where industry meets once a year for Nigeria and West African countries to come to Lagos to discuss products with exhibitors,” he said.

Now in its 11th year in Nigeria, the exhibition featured 137 companies from 17 countries presenting equipment and technological solutions aimed at strengthening food production, processing and packaging.

Since 2017, the fair has also hosted an official German Pavilion supported by the German Government, providing a platform for German manufacturers to showcase advanced machinery designed to improve Nigeria’s food processing capacity.

Organisers said the initiative is aimed at boosting Nigeria’s food self-sufficiency by introducing technologies that reduce dependence on imported food products while encouraging domestic production and industrialisation.

März said the exhibition has already contributed to noticeable improvements in Nigeria’s food processing ecosystem, particularly in the area of packaging and the development of new supply chains.

However, he stressed that significant gaps remain, especially in packaging technology needed to extend shelf life and meet international export standards.

According to him, several companies participating in the fair have already sold machines for sachet packaging, milk powder processing, PET bottling and recycling to Nigerian businesses.

“With its long-term approach, Agrofood will continue to hold yearly in Nigeria to provide even more solutions to existing problems such as food safety, recycling and processing,” he said.

Krull also highlighted Germany’s broader economic engagement with Nigeria, revealing that Germany currently maintains a development portfolio of about €570 million in the country.

He explained that beyond trade exhibitions, the German government supports Nigerian businesses through technical advisory services, vocational education and training programmes as well as financing opportunities for small and medium-scale enterprises.

These include credit facilities and financial support windows facilitated through the German Desk at Access Bank, which provides funding options for businesses seeking to invest in food processing technology.

German companies already operating in Nigeria are also investing heavily in workforce training to ensure local staff can operate and maintain advanced industrial equipment, thereby strengthening technology transfer.

While acknowledging challenges confronting Nigeria’s agri-food sector—including insecurity, financing constraints, regulatory issues and energy shortages—Krull stressed that such obstacles should not deter stakeholders from taking decisive action.

He said Nigeria possesses the natural resources, entrepreneurial capacity and market potential needed to achieve significant growth in the food processing sector if investment, technology and policy support are effectively aligned.

By connecting entrepreneurs, investors and technology providers, he added, initiatives like Agrofood Nigeria could play a pivotal role in accelerating the transformation of Nigeria’s agricultural economy.

Germany, Agrofood Fair Drive Investment and Technology for Nigeria’s Food Processing Sector

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Shettima Hosts Gates Foundation Delegation as 2027 Political Calculations Begin

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1 day ago

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March 27, 2026

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Shettima Hosts Gates Foundation Delegation as 2027 Political Calculations Begin

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, on Wednesday received a high-level delegation from the Gates Foundation at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, in a visit that observers say comes at a politically sensitive moment ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The delegation was led by the President of the foundation’s Global Growth and Opportunity division, Hari Menon, and included senior officials of the organisation’s Nigeria office. The team briefed the vice president on the foundation’s ongoing programmes and partnerships in Nigeria.

Posting on his verified Facebook page after the meeting, Shettima commended the foundation for its long-standing support to Nigeria in critical sectors such as health, agriculture and development.

“Yesterday, I received in audience a delegation of the Gates Foundation led by the President of the Foundation’s Global Growth and Opportunity (GGO) division, Mr. Hari Menon, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja,” the vice president said.

“In my interaction with the delegation, I applauded the Gates Foundation for sustaining investments and humanitarian aid in Nigeria. Indeed, the Foundation remains the nation’s strategic partner in the drive to change the Nigerian narrative.”

The visit comes amid growing political conversations about the composition of the ruling ticket ahead of the 2027 presidential election and whether President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will retain Shettima as his running mate.

Although the meeting was officially centred on development cooperation, political watchers say the timing has drawn attention within policy and political circles, especially given the influence of the foundation founded by billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates.

Sources familiar with the engagement said discussions focused largely on the foundation’s interventions in Nigeria, including programmes aimed at improving public health, expanding agricultural productivity and supporting vulnerable populations.

During his visit to Nigeria, Menon also held diplomatic engagements, including a visit to the Indian High Commission where he met with the ambassador, Abhishek Singh.

The Gates Foundation has operated in Nigeria since 2000 and has been a key partner in several national initiatives, particularly in immunisation campaigns, disease control, nutrition and agricultural development. The organisation marked 25 years of its presence in the country in 2025.

Despite its extensive development footprint, some of the foundation’s programmes have occasionally attracted debate in Nigeria, particularly around issues such as genetically modified crops, vaccination initiatives and population policies.

Analysts say that as political alignments gradually begin ahead of 2027, high-profile international engagements by key government figures may increasingly attract attention beyond their immediate development objectives.

Shettima Hosts Gates Foundation Delegation as 2027 Political Calculations Begin

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