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Foreign chambers urge Marcos to focus on implementing reforms, pass key investment bills

Foreign business groups have urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to focus on fully implementing recently enacted economic reforms while pushing for the passage of key investment-related measures to further improve the country’s business climate.

In a letter dated Tuesday, ahead of the President’s State of the Nation Address next week, the Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines (JFC) outlined legislative and executive priorities it said would help translate policy reforms into higher investments, greater productivity and more jobs.

The JFC said the government should prioritize the effective implementation of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) Act, the Ease of Doing Business Act and the Ease of Paying Taxes Act, while strengthening the Anti-Red Tape Authority.

The group also renewed its call for faster processing of value-added tax (VAT) and creditable withholding tax (CWT) refunds, describing delays as a long-standing concern among foreign investors.

Foreign business groups have consistently cited regulatory inefficiencies, bureaucratic delays and the ease of doing business as among the biggest challenges faced by companies operating in the Philippines.

On the legislative front, the JFC urged Congress to prioritize 12 investment-related measures, including amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), the Cybersecurity Act, the Digital Economy Act, the Freedom of Access to Information Act, the National Single Window System Act, the National Land Use Act, the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act, the Blue Economy Act, amendments to the Civil Aviation Authority Act and the Philippine Ports Authority Charter, the Holiday Rationalization Act, and measures further liberalizing foreign equity restrictions.

According to the JFC, these measures would modernize the country’s regulatory framework and strengthen its competitiveness as an investment destination.

The group also identified several executive actions that could be implemented without new legislation, including stricter enforcement of the Ease of Doing Business, CREATE MORE and Ease of Paying Taxes laws; a review of Administrative Order No. 23 on the Digital and Integrated System for the Pre-Border Technical Verification and Cross-Border Electronic Invoicing of All Import Commodities; streamlined visa processing for foreign nationals; a reassessment of the Food and Drug Administration’s revised registration fees; a review of the implementation of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Act; and broader stakeholder consultations on emerging food regulations, including the Philippine Nutrient Profile Model.

The JFC also urged the administration to sustain its trade agenda by concluding free trade agreement negotiations with the European Union and Canada.

The Department of Trade and Industry has said it aims to complete both negotiations before the end of the year.

‘Recent reform gains demonstrate the value of sustained government and private sector collaboration,’ the JFC said.

‘Building on this progress will be instrumental to strengthening competitiveness, attracting investment, creating quality employment, and sustaining long-term economic growth,’ it added.

The Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines is composed of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines Inc., the Korean Chamber of Commerce Philippines Inc., and the Philippine Association of Multinational Companies Regional Headquarters Inc.

Portuguese firm battling auctioneers selected for mega Embu dam project

A Portuguese construction company battling creditors in its home country has been conditionally selected to develop the long-delayed Thuci Dam in Embu under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), raising fresh questions over the financial strength of firms seeking major State infrastructure projects.

A report by the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Directorate shows that the State Department for Irrigation approved an unsolicited proposal by Elevolution Engenharia, SA to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the multi-purpose dam. The proposal received conditional approval in January 2026, pending the fulfilment of several requirements.

Elevolution Engenharia is the main construction arm of Portugal’s Elevo Group, which has spent years restructuring after accumulating about pound 350 million (Sh53 billion) in debt owed to banks, suppliers, tax authorities and other creditors.

Portuguese court records and media reports indicate the group’s financial troubles triggered insolvency proceedings, restructuring efforts and enforcement action by lenders.

More recently, Banco Comercial Português (BCP), Portugal’s largest private bank, moved to auction shares and bonds linked to the group in a bid to recover part of its outstanding loans.

Despite these challenges, the State Department for Irrigation says the company has not yet received final approval to proceed.

Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho said the PPP Committee’s approval was conditional and required the firm to demonstrate stronger financial capacity before moving to the next stage.

“The condition is to submit audited financial statements prepared by a reputable independent audit firm in accordance with internationally accepted accounting standards in place of the management accounts initially submitted,” Mr Kimotho said.

The company must also provide documentary evidence of its financial capacity and the equity or capital it intends to invest in the project.

The final cost of the dam has not been determined, although earlier estimates placed it at about Sh705 million ($5.45 million).

The Thuci Dam project is expected to provide irrigation water to about 27,500 acres in Runyenjes and Chuka Igambang’ombe constituencies, supply treated domestic water to surrounding communities and generate renewable hydropower. It also includes plans for agro-processing, tourism development, biomass energy production and carbon credit initiatives.

The project has remained on the drawing board for years, becoming a recurring campaign issue in Embu.

Initially, the government planned to deliver it through an engineering, procurement, construction and finance (EPC-F) model but later abandoned the approach because of limited public financing.

Instead, the ministry opted for a PPP model under which a private investor would finance, build, operate and maintain the dam before recovering its investment through water charges over an agreed concession period.

The proposed deal comes amid growing scrutiny of Kenya’s Privately Initiated Proposal (PiP) framework, which has attracted financially distressed firms pursuing multibillion-shilling projects.

The model came under intense public scrutiny in 2024 after India’s Adani Group proposed to redevelop Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and build electricity transmission lines. President William Ruto later cancelled both projects following the indictment of Adani Group founder Gautam Adani and other executives by US prosecutors over an alleged bribery scheme in India. The Adani Group has denied the allegations.

The Thuci Dam proposal is therefore likely to face close scrutiny as the government weighs whether Elevolution can demonstrate the financial muscle needed to deliver one of the region’s most anticipated water projects.

Beyond chatbots, here is real AI chance for African businesses

How long do customer insights gather dust in the systems of your organisation before anyone acts on them? Consider a typical Sacco environment where a member’s loan application stalls for weeks.

The proof of their frustration exists across three corporate systems: a timestamp in the core banking database, an angry call log in the customer relationship management software, and a ticket in the complaints registry.

The data is all there, but because the departments don’t communicate with each other, a decision that should take less than five days ends up taking more than three weeks.

Ultimately, the disgruntled member shares the experience with their chama, and the Sacco ends up losing 10 members whom it never thought it was at risk of losing.

The same pattern shows up in a hospital that keeps readmitting a patient whose warning signs were sitting in three unconnected records, or a distributor whose shrinking orders were visible for months before anyone called the retailer.

The cost never appears on any dashboard, because no single system holds the whole story. It is spread across several, and the organisation reads them one at a time.

This is the real AI opportunity for African enterprises. Not chatbots. Not generated content. The opportunity is the insight your organisation already collects and never acts on.

Most leaders think they have a data problem. What they have is a distance problem, the gap between what the organisation knows and what the organisation does.

Closing that distance requires five actions. First, spot the customer’s pain. Second, pinpoint where the workflow breaks. Third, examine the data you already hold. Fourth, embed AI at that exact step. And fifth, define the one number that proves it worked.

The order matters. Most AI projects start at the fourth step, embedding a tool, then later looking for a problem it might solve. You should not introduce new technology before the first three steps are handled.

Every system in your organisation is already writing down what your customers complain about, so you don’t need more systems to collect more data, you need an AI tool to help you narrow down on what the complaints are.

For the Sacco, AI would flag any loan application idle for more than 48 hours, classify why it stalled, and inform the member before they call. It doesn’t replace a banker. It simply reads, at scale and without tiring, the signals three systems were already writing down.

The writer is an AI transformation partner, global speaker, and author of Scaling Impact. Based in Nairobi, he advises boards and executives across Africa on turning artificial intelligence into measurable business value

Tackling the menace of illegal mining in Nigeria

Though Nigeria is abundantly blessed with over 44 solid minerals, spread across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, with these enormous resources expected to drive sustained construction, power generation, and manufacturing, the menace of

Illegal mining in the country costs an estimated, whopping $9 billion annually in lost revenue.

Furthermore, illegal mining severely degrades the green environment, and directly fuels the recurring insecurity. This crisis is characterized by three main threats such as Insecurity and banditry: Illicit extraction-particularly of gold, lithium, and tin. These are intertwined with armed conflict, banditry, and militia groups that use the proceeds to fund their operations.

So serious the matter is that the Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke recently raised the alarm over an unregulated influx of individuals from northern states into Osun’s mining communities. He warned that these movements risk importing banditry and terrorism financing.

That informed the establishment of a Mining Community Intelligence Architecture with the noble aim to combat banditry and criminal infiltration linked to illegal mining in the state. The new security framework mandates the creation of seven-member community committees across the Ife-Ijesa axis to profile newcomers and improve intelligence gathering.

In other parts of the country, the most affected areas with the key mineral deposits that span from industrial materials including limestone and kaolin to precious metals like gold and lithium are Zamfara, Kaduna, Kogi, Kwara, down to Ondo, Osun and Oyo.

For instance, some of the major, commercially viable solid minerals and their primary states of occurrence, include gold and lithium found in states such as Zamfara, Kaduna, Kwara, and Nasarawa. Also, industrial minerals like limestone/kaolin/talc are located across Kogi, Ogun, Sokoto, and Niger states. As for energy and metal ores such as coal/iron ore/tin they are found mostly in Enugu, Kogi, and Plateau states.

Other important deposits including lead/zinc are found in large quantities in Ebonyi/Taraba while bitumen is in Ondo and Lagos states. This piece of vital information is. based on data from Facebook USAfrika.

The resultant effects of illegal mining include environmental disasters: unregulated excavation and the use of toxic chemicals that severely degrade farmlands and contaminate important water sources, such as the Osun River.

‘Illegal mining has evolved into a major national security threat, linked to criminal and terrorist financing… Combating it has become an urgent priority to stop economic sabotage.’- NSCDC/Mining Marshals Squad

With regards to economic sabotage there are foreign cartels and illicit syndicates who exploit artisanal miners, smuggling strategic minerals out of the country with little to no taxation or royalties returning to local communities. And it has been revealed that some of the traditional rulers are accomplices in this unpatriotic act. But what are the significant factors facilitating illegal mining of minerals in Nigeria? That is the million-naira question.

According to experts on solid mineral mining and the after effects on the host communities in particular and the country in general, illegal mining thrives here due to extreme poverty, weak regulatory enforcement, and powerful cartels that smuggle billions in minerals annually. There are also corrupt elites and foreign actors who fund illicit operations, while locals participate for mainly for survival, as we are currently experiencing in the country. But what is of importance are the needed steps to be taken to frontally tackle the criminal act and save the country from its deleterious, socio-economic effects?

Solutions to illegal mining in Nigeria require a holistic and multi-dimensional approach that combines technology, law enforcement, policy formalization, and community integration. In this regard, according to the

Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, the federal government is deploying.

an uncompromising crackdown on illegal mining and its financial sponsors. He emphasised it as a national security threat that fuels banditry.

The government is therefore, utilising tech-infused surveillance and the Nigeria Mining Marshals to dismantle illicit camps nationwide. But more has to be done than said for the enforcement of this laudable initiative.

In the light of this is zero tolerance for sponsors of illegal mining in the country. That perhaps, explains why the Ministry is actively tracking wealthy backers and financiers of illegal operations. That is, rather than focusing mainly on low-level artisanal workers. So far, operations have resulted in the arrest of over 300 illegal miners and the prosecution of more than 150 suspects, including foreign nationals. This is highly commendable.

Another bold step taken forward to secure vast mining corridors is the Federal Executive Council (FEC)’s approval of N2.5 billion for satellite surveillance equipment to monitor mining sites in real-time.

Hitting the nail on the head, Alake has urged the traditional rulers and local communities to stop the selling of land to unauthorised miners and to report illicit activities to security agencies.

Good enough, it is on record that the Ministry of Solid Minerals has revoked thousands of dormant mining titles and continues to formalise artisanal miners into regulated cooperatives to plug revenue leakages. There are ongoing efforts to track ongoing enforcement updates and read official statements directly on the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development portal.

On the whole, much as one commends efforts to curb this menace, the federal and state governments should keep enforcing the crackdowns and regulatory reforms through the Mining Marshals. Also, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) who are deployed as a specialised squad of ‘Mining Marshals.’ should be well trained and equipped to curb the activities of the criminals.

Doing so will eventually save Nigeria from the loss of huge revenue, protect the environment from degradation and provide livelihood for several job-seeking Nigerians.

’Take Akewte fabrics to the nations,’ First Lady says as she supports production with N2b

The First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, on Tuesday, donated the sum of N2b to revive Akwete, a local textile fabric and urged Nigerians to preserve their heritage posterity and prosperity.

Tinubu who visited Abia State, the production site of the local hand-woven historic Akwete fabric, described the tradition of the Akwete handmade fabric as a practice that is ‘ dear to the hearts of the women who makes it’, adding that they should be encouraged to pass it on to the next generation.

Busola Kukoyi, the Senior Special Assistant SSA Media to the First Lady, in a statement,

Tinubu united that the craft which was transferred from generation to generation, had over the years endured as a legacy ev n to generations yet unborn.

ý’Our young people need to also be encouraged to get used to our tradition and cultural outfits’.

ý’It is the culture that raised me and there is nowhere that I stand in the world without wearing African wears’. ý

ý’These women while they hold their craft very dear, it is a spiritual thing for them, one of the good things that I saw, were young people in their families doing exact thing’.

ý’I love traditional outfits because our tradition, our culture tells us who we are, the moment we lose that, we won’t remember where we come from.’

She described it as a ‘sacred craft done with love, patience, endurance and that should not be desecrated. When we saw a building there, we said we would lift the structure.

ý’ We can build on it, which will tell the story

ý’For the women of Akwete, I heard your cry, am here to announce to all Nigerians and the Igbo should take Akwete to the nations. For me and all the notable sons of Igbo land, rise up to preserve this’.

The First Lady, donated N2b to the state for the development of the Akwete production site in Abia State.

The First Lady had earlier been conferred with the chieftaincy title of Ugo Nwanyi of Abia.

She was received at the historic production site of the hand-woven Akwete fabric by Abia State Governor Alex Otti and his wife, Priscilla Otti, traditional rulers from across the State, notable politicians, clergy men and women among others.

Sovereign Trust bolsters claims-paying capacity with successful rights issue

Amid the conclusion of a successful rights issue, Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to delivering on its promise to policyholders through the prompt settlement of genuine claims, maintaining its reputation as a dependable insurer in Nigeria’s dynamic insurance industry.

As at June 30, 2026, the Company had paid claims worth over N2.7 billion across its various lines of business, underscoring its capacity to stand by customers when they need it most. The sustained level of claims settlement reflects the Company’s strong operational discipline, sound underwriting practices and healthy financial position affirmed by the GCR international rating agency.

This commitment comes on the heels of the successful conclusion of the Company’s Rights Issue, which attracted an impressive level of participation from existing shareholders. The strong response further demonstrates the confidence of investors in the Company’s strategic direction, corporate governance and long-term growth prospects.

Speaking on the Company’s performance, Lucas Durojaiye, managing director/CEO, noted that prompt claims payment remains one of the strongest indicators of an insurer’s financial strength and reliability.

‘Our promise to policyholders goes beyond selling insurance policies. We remain committed to honouring our obligations promptly and efficiently while continuing to build a stronger and more resilient organisation for all our stakeholders.’

The successful Rights Issue has further strengthened the Company’s capital base, positioning Sovereign Trust Insurance for enhanced business expansion, increased underwriting capacity and improved value creation for shareholders, customers and other stakeholders.

With a stronger financial foundation and a clear growth strategy, Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc remains focused on deepening customer trust, driving innovation and reinforcing its position as one of Nigeria’s leading non-life insurance companies.

Akwa Ibom matriculates 1,413 nursing students to boost healthcare delivery

Akwa Ibom State Government has pledged to ensure a resilient healthcare system shaped by purposeful investment in education and training of health workers.

Governor Umo Eno stated this during the matriculation of 1,413 students of the State College of Nursing Sciences held in Ikot Ekpene.

He said it was both an honour and a profound reminder that the future of our ‘healthcare system is being shaped today through purposeful investment in education.’

Represented by Ubong Umoh, Commissioner for Education, he pointed out the matriculation of 1,413 student nurses was not merely an academic exercise, ‘It is a reflection of our administration’s deliberate commitment to building a resilient healthcare workforce capable of meeting both present and future demands.’

According to him, it also affirmed the confidence ‘our young people have in the nursing profession and their readiness to contribute meaningfully to society.’

He urged the matriculating students to embrace diligence, excellence, commitment, and unwavering loyalty to their calling.

Eno also announced the inclusion of students of the College of Nursing Sciences among beneficiaries of the N1.3 billion bursary support programme, reaffirming the government’s commitment to supporting education and human capital development in the State.

‘This milestone aligned seamlessly with the state government’s declaration of a state of emergency in the health sector, which has resulted in significant investments, including the development of the Ibom International Hospital, the recruitment and improved welfare of healthcare professionals, and the establishment of modern primary healthcare centres across the 31 local government areas.

‘These investments must be sustained by a new generation of well-trained and globally competitive nurses’, he said.

He commended Ekaette Akpan, Provost of the College, whose exemplary leadership has continued to strengthen the institution across its campuses in Ikot Ekpene, Uyo, Uruan, Eket, and Oron, saying her commitment to academic excellence and character development has continued to position the college as a centre for quality nursing education.

In his goodwill message, Igbemi Arthur Igbemi, Medical Doctor and Executive Secretary, Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Agency (AKSHIA)

lauded all stakeholders for their support towards the successful take-off and growth of the institution.

Table tennis player secures bronze medal at European Championships [PHOTOS]

Azerbaijani athlete Onur Guluzaade has won a bronze medal in the doubles competition at the European Youth Table Tennis Championships held in Gondomar, Portugal, AzerNEWS reports.

Guluzaade claimed the medal alongside his Turkish teammate Görkem Öcal, marking a historic achievement for Azerbaijani table tennis.

The young player became the first Azerbaijani table tennis athlete in the independence era to win a medal at this level of European competition.

Note that the national table tennis players have been increasingly active on the international stage, representing the country in various European and world competitions.

In recent years, their participation in training camps and tournaments abroad has played an important role in improving performance levels and gaining international experience.

The Azerbaijan Table Tennis Federation (ASTF) plays a key role in the development of the sport in the country.

The federation was established in the early 1950s, following the organization of a Baku section for table tennis. This came after a growing interest in the sport in the 1930s and 1940s.

Officially, ASTF has been a member of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) since 1995, and at the same time a member of the European Table Tennis Union (ETTU).

One of the main goals of ASTF is to organize and develop table tennis across the country: to build a stable and well-equipped national federation; to ensure proper material and technical support and training for the national teams; to promote the sport at the grassroots level, including among youth; and to involve Azerbaijani athletes in national and international competitions.

Azerbaijan rises from energy partner to strategic player in Europe

The official visit of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to Germany, which began on July 21, 2026, marked a significant milestone in relations between Baku and Berlin and reflected a broader transformation in Azerbaijan’s position within the European political landscape.

The signing of the “Joint Declaration on a Strategic Agenda for the Bilateral Partnership” by President Ilham Aliyev and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz became one of the key outcomes of the visit. The document demonstrated a new level of political understanding between Azerbaijan and Germany and confirmed the growing importance of bilateral relations.

The symbolism is hard to miss. Germany is now the second major Western European country (after Italy) to formalize relations with Azerbaijan in a strategic partnership format. Read alongside Italy’s earlier move, this sequence of diplomatic decisions suggests that Azerbaijan’s political weight in Europe is steadily increasing, and that the major European Union member states increasingly view Baku as one of their most important partners across the Eurasian space.

During his visit to Berlin, President Aliyev also addressed the development of relations between Azerbaijan and the European Union, emphasizing the importance of recent high-level contacts.

“This year, we witnessed visits to Azerbaijan by both the President of the European Council, Mr. Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ms. Ursula von der Leyen. These visits hold significant political importance. This will further strengthen relations between the European Union and Azerbaijan,” President Ilham Aliyev said during a joint press conference with Chancellor Merz.

The Berlin visit came amid a period of unprecedented diplomatic activity between Azerbaijan and European institutions and capitals.

On March 11, 2026, European Council President António Costa paid an official visit to Baku – his first visit to Azerbaijan in this capacity. His discussions with President Ilham Aliyev covered strategic partnership, energy, transport, and security cooperation.

A few months later, on May 4, 2026, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni arrived in Baku for an official visit. Energy cooperation was one of the central topics of discussions. President Ilham Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan exported around 25 billion cubic meters of natural gas in the previous year, with 9.5 billion cubic meters delivered to Italy, and both sides discussed possibilities for increasing supplies.

Italy has long been one of Azerbaijan’s closest European partners, particularly in the energy sector. The expansion of strategic ties with Rome has also strengthened Azerbaijan’s role in Europe’s efforts to diversify energy sources.

On May 5, 2026, President Ilham Aliyev received a delegation led by Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission. During the meeting, the head of state emphasized that the EU remains one of Azerbaijan’s main trade partners and highlighted Baku’s role as a reliable contributor to Europe’s energy security.

The Azerbaijani leader also pointed out that Azerbaijani gas had recently begun reaching additional EU member states, including Germany and Austria, further expanding the country’s energy footprint in Europe.

Barely four months after Costa’s visit, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Baku on July 1. She offered striking praise for Azerbaijan’s foreign policy trajectory, highlighting Baku’s contribution to a peace agenda, its role in regional stability, and what she called a strategic vision for the future. Her remarks signaled that Brussels sees Azerbaijan as one of the principal guarantors of long-term stability in the South Caucasus.

Another significant European visit followed on July 13, 2026, when Slovak President Peter Pellegrini arrived in Azerbaijan. Discussions focused on bilateral relations, infrastructure and social projects, as well as Slovakia’s possible participation in reconstruction efforts in Azerbaijan’s liberated territories, including Karabakh and the Aghdam region.

The increasing frequency of high-level European visits reflects a broader shift in Azerbaijan’s international standing. As a result of its active foreign policy, strategic location, energy resources, and diplomatic initiatives, Azerbaijan is increasingly viewed as a middle power whose position is taken into account on regional and international issues.

Azerbaijan’s foreign policy strategy has focused on developing relations with different centers of power based on mutual respect, national interests, and equal cooperation. In its dialogue with the European Union, Baku has increasingly emphasized that political agreements should be supported by practical outcomes and concrete projects.

The country’s growing importance is particularly visible in the energy sector. Against the backdrop of Europe’s efforts to diversify energy supplies following the war in Ukraine, Azerbaijan has strengthened its reputation as a reliable alternative supplier. Today, Azerbaijani natural gas reaches 12 European countries, making energy cooperation one of the central pillars of relations with the EU.

Although energy remains a key element of Azerbaijan’s relationship with Europe, cooperation is expanding into transportation, connectivity, security, investment, technology, and regional stability.

At the same time, Azerbaijan considers the EU its leading economic partner and seeks to transform political dialogue into long-term economic and institutional cooperation.

Strategic partnerships with major EU states lend weight within Brussels. A strong relationship with Brussels, in turn, enhances Baku’s standing with individual member states.

Germany’s decision to formalize a strategic partnership with Azerbaijan is, in one sense, simply a recognition of realities that have been building for years. In another sense, it is a bet on Azerbaijan’s continuing reliability as an energy supplier, on its durability as a regional actor, and on the proposition that a middle power with multi-vector diplomacy can become a structural partner for a union.

Senate moves to bring foreign aid, NGO funding under legislative oversight

The Senate on Wednesday passed for second reading a bill seeking to subject foreign aid, donor-funded projects and grants received by government agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and state governments to stricter legislative oversight amid growing concerns over transparency, accountability and national security.

The proposed legislation, sponsored by Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe North), scaled second reading after lawmakers expressed worries that billions of naira in foreign assistance entering Nigeria, particularly through NGOs, are largely outside public scrutiny.

Opening the debate, Dankwambo noted that although Nigeria remains one of the world’s largest recipients of grants, humanitarian assistance, technical support and concessional financing from bilateral and multilateral development partners, the management of such funds has remained fragmented and poorly coordinated.

He said many donor-funded projects are executed outside the national budget framework and spread across various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), resulting in duplication, weak coordination and poor accountability.

According to the lawmaker, the bill seeks to establish a legal framework that would ensure all foreign assistance received in the country is integrated into Nigeria’s fiscal planning process and subjected to constitutional oversight.

He explained that the legislation proposes the establishment of a National Donor Coordination Framework, compulsory registration of all donor-funded projects, the creation of a national database for foreign assistance, integration of donor interventions into government budgets, mandatory public disclosure of funding and project implementation, as well as sanctions for the diversion, misuse or non-registration of donor-funded programmes.

Contributing to the debate, Tahir Monguno, Senate Chief Whip, described the proposal as long overdue, noting that foreign assistance is currently driven largely by donor agencies with limited domestic coordination.

Jibrin Barau, the Deputy President of the Senate, said while foreign assistance received directly by the Federal Government is usually reflected in the national budget, funds channelled to NGOs and state governments are often beyond public accountability.

Barau said, ‘We can’t tell what money goes into the coffers of NGOs. Fraudsters set up bogus, pseudo NGOs and collect money from there.’

He said the absence of effective regulation of donor funds had remained a longstanding concern and urged lawmakers to ensure the bill is passed into law.

Also supporting the bill, Adamu Aliero said improved regulation of foreign assistance would enhance transparency and encourage development partners to deepen their support for Nigeria.

He recalled instances during oversight visits by the Senate Committee on Agriculture where agencies could not satisfactorily account for donor funds received.

Aliero called for the legislation to expressly cover NGOs and state governments, saying such provisions would strengthen the National Assembly’s oversight responsibilities.

Sani Musa, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, said the proposed law would align Nigeria’s donor funding regime with international best practices while promoting greater accountability and confidence among development partners.

He also raised concerns over the security risks associated with unregulated foreign assistance.

Musa said, ‘Most of the aid coming to so-called NGOs is not subjected to scrutiny.

‘We have seen instances where such arrangements create security concerns because we do not know who is accounting for what. Is it insurgents taking money meant for victims?’

According to him, the bill would also provide a clear distinction between foreign investments and grant inflows, thereby improving fiscal planning and policy coordination.

Adams Oshiomhole backed the proposal, insisting that all donor funds entering Nigeria should be declared, properly documented and subjected to legislative oversight.

He also advocated mandatory disclosure of financial resources received by NGOs and civil society organisations, alongside stiff penalties for organisations that violate the law.

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, equally endorsed the bill, warning that foreign funds coming into the country could be deployed in ways capable of undermining national security.

Following the debate, the Senate referred the bill to its Committees on National Planning and Economic Development and Finance for further legislative work, directing the panels to report back within four weeks.