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France’s new direction in Africa: what has changed and what can we expect?

It has been a little over two months since Kenya hosted France’s Africa Forward Summit 2026 in Nairobi. Co-hosted by the presidents of each country, it marked the official start of France’s pivot in Africa.

This move brings France away from the francophone regions it has been associated with for so long, towards the anglophone region of East Africa. Whilst some protested the event, citing neocolonialism, the new direction France has taken in Africa was welcomed warmly by many, seeing in itpotential trading opportunities with a European powerhouse.

France came to the summit seeking around 250 deals and agreements with East African trade partners. President Macron himself committed one billion euros of investment during his keynote address at the summit. These impressive figures heralded a landmark moment in European – African relations in two key ways.

First, since 1973, the Africa Forward Summit has been held solely in francophone nations, previously colonised by France. The Africa that France finds itself dealing with now is a different place from when it began its long exit from the continent, culminating, finally, in its departure from Mali.

The fact that France is transitioning to different potential trading nations in Africa may be seen to underline the shift in relations over the last decade between some West African countries and France, which have deteriorated. This has driven the summit towards nations positively disposed to France, in this case Kenya, which stands to benefit a great deal from a reimagined partnership with a European financial giant.

There is a possibility that those junta-led West African nations which booted France out might even feel a twinge of regret. Security across Mali in particular has drastically worsened since Operation Barkhane finished. Even the capital Bamako is looking out anxiously as the various insurgent and terrorist groups rapidly gain ground and move nearer. A combination of collapsing security, together with a reduction in trade with France and the EU, is resulting in a deteriorating quality oflife for the people of Mali.

One critical difference in engaging with Africa which France will experience as it begins its recalibration with the continent will be in the matter of the terms on which African nations now trade. For example, over the last few years, increasing impetus has been placed on the sovereignty of African nations over the extraction and processing systems of their resources.

Essentially, this means African countries are taking more of a driving role in deal-making and developing terms that finallybenefiting from their own resources in a more equitable way. Something which is well overdue. If France can use its fresh start to adapt to this new reality and enter the market on the most up-to-date trading terms, it will find itself a popular trading partner.

The second update to a Franco-African reset is the fact that France chose to reimagine the summit, rather than abandon it, and chose to host it in an anglophone, East African nation, which suggests they are not giving up on Africa. It suggests that whilst it has needed to reposition itself geographically on the continent, France does not want to relinquish the strategic and commercial opportunities Africa offers. This reflects a high level of willingness to invest in the region, something East African nations should stand to benefit from.

Although there were dissenting voices about having a new Western power on the scene in East Africa, many others saw the choice of Kenya as the partner nation as a huge vote of investor confidence. In 2025, Kenya’s GDP showed an encouraging 4.6% growth rate, according to Kenya’s Business Daily. An impressive metric given some of Kenya’s and the region’s wider problems with governance and security. This performance is unlikely to have been missed by France andcould have been an important factor when France was casting around for host nations.

France’s dramatic pivot in Africa is still unproven, and Macron will find the road he is travelling bumpy. Not everyone will welcome the move. But the economic resources France could bring to bear are considerable. The French president’s huge investment promises during the summit demonstrate that this move is not a superficial power play, but a strategic push to become a core partner to East Africa.

Minns is Executive Director of Panel 54, a Pan Africa podcast

Estrela hold tight to Marcus despite transfer interests

Super Eagles forward Abraham Marcus continues to attract transfer interest following his impressive performances for Portuguese side Estrela da Amadora.

The 26-year-old Nigerian was reportedly the subject of interest during the summer transfer window, with clubs from Europe and elsewhere exploring the possibility of signing him.

One confirmed approach came from Brazilian giants Vasco da Gama, whose pound 4 million proposal was rejected by Estrela. Portuguese publication A Bola reported in June that the Lisbon club considered the offer insufficient and expected greater interest in the Nigerian.

Marcus was also credited with interest from Italian side Lecce, while other reports linked him with clubs in Saudi Arabia, Mexico and elsewhere.

Reports of a separate pound 4 million offer from Danish club FC Midtjylland in the closing days of the transfer window have also emerged, although that particular claim has not been independently confirmed by the strongest sources reviewed.

Marcus remains contracted to Estrela until 2028, giving the Portuguese club considerable leverage over his future.

The Nigerian international joined Estrela in 2025 and quickly became an important attacking player. He finished the 2025/26 campaign with five goals and six assists from 31 appearances, according to A Bola.

With two senior caps for Nigeria already to his name, Marcus will also be hoping that regular football in Portugal can strengthen his case for another Super Eagles invitation.

His decision to remain at Estrela could therefore prove significant as he attempts to maintain consistency while waiting for the right opportunity to take the next step in his career.

NSCDC probes deaths of arrested miners

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has launched a probe into the deaths in custody of some arrested illegal miners in Niger State.

Commandant General of the NSCDC, Ahmed Audi, announced that the Deputy Commander-General in charge of Intelligence and Investigation is head of the panel.

The victims, whose number is yet to be made public, died between Tuesday and Wednesday.

Also yesterday, 20 miners were feared dead following the collapse of a mining pit in Bali Local Government, Taraba State.

NSCDC confirmed the death of some suspected illegal miners who were arrested during enforcement operations conducted in parts of Niger State on September 15 and 16.

The suspects were arrested during a coordinated operation by the Niger State NSCDC Command in the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis as part of ongoing efforts to combat illegal mining and protect the nation’s natural resources.

‘NSCDC Commandant General Audi has directed the constitution of a high-powered investigative team, led by the Deputy Commandant General in charge of Intelligence and Investigation, to immediately look into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

‘The team has been mandated to undertake a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances leading to the deaths, including the condition of the suspects upon arrest, their period in custody, the conditions of detention, medical attention provided, and other relevant circumstances surrounding the incident.

‘The remains of the deceased have been deposited at the General Hospital, Minna, for autopsy.

‘The Corps is also working with the relevant health authorities and sister security agencies to ensure that appropriate medical and public-health measures are taken.’

The NSCDC also clarified reports attributing the deaths to a specific disease, adding that it remained subject to medical and laboratory confirmation. The Corps urged the public to exercise restraint on speculation until the outcome of the medical examination is established.

‘The Commandant General also directed that the health and welfare of all persons currently in custody be given utmost priority, while necessary measures are taken to protect personnel who may have had contact with the affected persons.

The Corps assured families of the deceased that the circumstances surrounding the incident will be thoroughly investigated and appropriately addressed based on facts.

‘While the NSCDC remains resolute in its mandate to combat illegal mining and protect Nigeria’s critical national assets, the Corps also remains committed to upholding the dignity, safety and fundamental rights of every person in its custody, a statement from the NSCDC said.

An official of the NSCDC in the Niger State Command said 33 arrested illegal miners died.

He said he could not give the circumstances of the death and did not want his name in print because he was not authorised to speak.

The Commissioner of Police, Niger State Command, Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, also ordered the immediate commencement of an investigation into the unfortunate death.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, SCID Minna, is to take charge of the investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the deaths of these suspects.

Elleman called on family members, relatives, and members of the public who may have credible information and other details that could aid the investigation process to come forward to SCID Minna and render such information, while urging members of the public, residents, family members and acquaintances of the victims to remain calm, law-abiding, cooperate and support the investigative efforts.

No fewer than 20 people are feared dead in a mining pit collapse yesterday in Mayo Kam community in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State.

Among those believed to have died are women and children, a member of the community said.

Details of the incident were sketchy at press time yesterday.

A resident of Mayo Kam, Kenneth Ayila, told our correspondent: ‘A mining pit has collapsed on miners at Mayo Kam village in Bali Local Government Area this afternoon. Over 20 people are feared dead.’

Also speaking, a community leader, Mallam Usman Bello, said the tragedy has left the community in total shock.

‘Those killed in the mining pit are mostly from Mayo Kam community; only a few persons used to come from outside communities to mine in the pit. We are in total shock over the incident,’ Bello said.

When contacted, Taraba State Police Command spokesman, Victor Msherizar, said the Command was yet to receive a report from the Area Command in Bali.

‘As soon as we get the details, I will give you information,’ he said.

The incident has raised fresh concerns over illegal mining activities in the state, particularly amid reports of an existing ban on illegal mining.

Oyo govt releases 2026 BECE, School of science results

The Oyo State Government has announced the release of the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) results and the Entrance Examination results for the Oyo State Schools of Science.

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Olusegun Olayiwola, said the results are now available to candidates and other relevant stakeholders through the channels provided by the Ministry.

He said the examinations assessed students’ academic performance and provided a basis for progression to the next stage of their education. He congratulated candidates who performed well and urged them to remain focused, disciplined and committed to their studies.

He also encouraged successful candidates admitted to the Schools of Science to make good use of the opportunities provided by the specialised institutions.

He reiterated the state government’s commitment to teachers’ welfare, safer schools, and quality education, and charged principals of public secondary schools to prioritise students’ safety and wellbeing.

He spoke at a resumption meeting held at Lagelu Grammar School, Agugu, Ibadan, where he said the government would continue to support teachers through training and retraining, timely promotion, and prompt payment of salaries and other entitlements.

The Commissioner directed principals to ensure that school gates and other entrances were properly manned, perimeter fences regularly monitored, and overgrown bushes within and around school premises cleared.

He also directed schools to establish functional Guidance and Counselling Units and Anti-Bullying Clubs, organise sensitisation programmes on drug and sexual abuse, and provide safe channels for students to report concerns.

He reiterated the government’s position on free and accessible basic education, warning against the collection of unauthorised levies in public schools, and directed schools to organise regular Open Day programmes to strengthen parental participation in students’ academic development.

On Continuous Assessment, the Commissioner explained that the grading system should cover attendance, notebooks, participation in Open Day, textbooks, school-based tests and teacher-based tests, with each component carrying 10 marks.

He said the 60 marks obtained should be divided by two to arrive at the 30 marks obtainable for Continuous Assessment.

He further advised principals to use the approved National Education Research and Development Council (NERDC) curriculum and disregard unauthorised versions circulating on social media.

He encouraged schools to integrate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into teaching and learning where facilities were available, and urged stakeholders to encourage students to use the recently launched Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP).

The Commissioner reiterated the prohibition on mobile phones and other mobile devices during school hours, directing that any device found with a student be released only to the parent or guardian.

He also warned that supervisors, invigilators and school heads found aiding or abetting examination malpractice would be appropriately sanctioned.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mrs Bamidele Oyinloye, urged principals to lead by example through punctuality, discipline, integrity and professionalism, while ensuring the effective administration of their schools.

The Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), Mrs Sherifat Abimbola, also stressed the need to prioritise students’ welfare, maintain discipline and properly manage government properties entrusted to schools.

In separate goodwill messages, the President of the Association of Nigerian Conference of Principals of Public Schools (ANCOPPS), Comrade Babatunde Fasasi, and the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Hassan Fatai, commended the Ministry for the engagement and reaffirmed their support for the government’s efforts to improve education in the State.

They also appealed for sustained attention to teachers’ welfare, promotion and career progression.

Concern over arrest, movement of lecturer from Ilorin to Kogi

A controversy has erupted over the alleged movement of a University of Ilorin lecturer from Kwara State to Kogi State following claims that about 17 police officers travelled to Ilorin to arrest him in connection with a politically related complaint.

The circumstances surrounding the reported incident remain unclear, with the alleged deployment and the reason for the lecturer’s reported movement yet to be independently established.

It was learnt the development may be connected to political disagreements within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi West.

Sources familiar alleged that the don was targeted because of his perceived political association and views on issues involving a senator and the administration of Kogi State, including discussions surrounding the Kabba-Olle-Iluke Road project.

The sources further alleged that the police team travelled from Kogi to Ilorin with the intention of taking the lecturer to Kogi State.

However, there was no independent confirmation that about 17 officers were involved, nor was it established whether the reported movement was carried out pursuant to a warrant, invitation, or other lawful authority.

The development has raised concerns because the lecturer is based in Kwara State, while the alleged police operation was said to have originated from the Kogi State Command.

Sources also alleged that the operation followed an instruction purportedly linked to a senior security official in Kogi State.

The allegation could not be independently verified.

The reported incident comes amid political disagreements within the Kogi West APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The disagreements have reportedly centred on the political future of a serving senator representing the district and the emergence of candidates for the next elections.

The senator recently held a town hall meeting with constituents and party stakeholders from Kabba/Bunu and Ijumu at an event centre in Kabba.

The meeting was attended by APC leaders, former lawmakers, traditional representatives, women and youth leaders and other party stakeholders.

Some participants expressed support for the senator’s continued representation of the district, while there were also calls for support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other APC candidates.

Sources alleged that the political activity had heightened tensions among some party members, with claims that individuals perceived to be aligned with the senator or the President had subsequently faced pressure or threats.

There were also allegations that some APC ward chairmen in Kabba/Bunu and Lokoja local government areas had been suspended, while some political appointees and party officials had faced pressure over their perceived political affiliations.

One case cited by sources involved a local government legislative leader who was allegedly threatened with replacement after attending a political programme in Kabba.

The spokesperson for the Kogi State Police Command said she was not aware of the alleged development.

Efforts to obtain the response of the senior security official whose name was mentioned in connection with the alleged operation were unsuccessful as of the time of filing the report.

A message sent seeking clarification on the alleged deployment and the circumstances surrounding the lecturer’s reported movement was not answered.

The police authorities and the Kogi State government have therefore not confirmed that a team of 17 officers was deployed to Ilorin or that the alleged operation was authorised by the government.

The lecturer was, however, reportedly taken to Lokoja, while efforts to secure his release on bail were said to be ongoing.

The circumstances surrounding his movement from Ilorin to Lokoja, including the specific complaint against him and the legal basis for his reported detention, could not be independently established.

The development is likely to attract attention as political activities intensify in Kogi West ahead of the 2027 elections.

Any confirmed evidence that security personnel were deployed in connection with an internal political disagreement could raise questions about the circumstances and legal basis of such an operation.

For now, the allegations concerning the deployment, the lecturer’s reported arrest and the alleged political motive remain unconfirmed.

184.5kg cocaine: Court upholds detention of KC Luxury

Justice Akintayo Aluko sitting at the Federal High Court, in Ikoyi, Lagos, has dismissed an application by Afolabi Michael Kazeem, also known as KC Luxury, seeking to overturn an order extending his detention for 30 days over alleged involvement in the trafficking of 184.5 Kilogrammes of cocaine.

In dismissing the application, Justice Aluko held that the detention extension order granted on August 20, this year, was properly issued and backed by the Constitution and relevant drug-control laws.

The ruling followed an earlier fundamental rights suit filed by Kazeem before Justice Friday Ogazi, who ordered the NDLEA to produce him in court within 14 days and directed the agency to respond to his challenge against his continued detention. Kazeem had alleged that his detention was unlawful and violated his constitutional rights, and sought his release or bail.

Kazeem through his lawyer, Abdulakeem Labi-lawal (SAN) had asked the court to set aside or strike out the order, arguing that the court lacked jurisdiction to extend his detention.

The lawyer had contended that only a Magistrate Court could issue a remand order under Sections 293 to 299 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, describing the detention extension as an unlawful interference with the suspect’s constitutional right to personal liberty.

However, NDLEA through its lawyer, Abu Ibrahim, dismissed the argument as a misconception of the nature of the order granted by the court.

Abu maintained that the August 20 order was not a remand order under the ACJA but an extension of detention granted to enable the relevant agency conduct detailed investigations into the alleged drug trafficking offence.

According to the ruling, Kazeem was arrested on August 13, this year, at the departure hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, while allegedly attempting to travel to Paris, France.

NDLEA had told the court that the suspect’s arrest was sequel to the seizure of 184.5kg of cocaine at DHL, Ikeja, Lagos, with the agency alleging that the suspect, KC Luxury was connected to the shipment.

Delivering judgment in the application yesterday, Justice Aluko held that Sections 293 to 299 of the ACJA, which deal with remand proceedings, were not applicable to the case before the court.

The judge also held that it has ‘exclusive’ jurisdiction over drug-related matters by virtue of Section 251(1)(m) of the Constitution and Section 26(1) of the NDLEA Act.

The judge further held that the evidence presented by the NDLEA established reasonable suspicion of a drug-related offence, justifying temporary deprivation of liberty under Section 35 of the constitution.

Justice Aluko consequently dismissed KC Luxury’s application for being an abuse of court process and lack in merit.

The ruling, therefore, leaves the 30-day detention extension granted on August 20, this year, in force.

NDLEA has filed a 22-count charge of drug related offences against the suspect, Afolabi Michael Kazeem a.k.a. KC Luxury, though no date has been fixed for his arraignment.

AKK gas to fuel N50b 50MW Idu industrial power project

The Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline is expected to provide the fuel for a N50 billion, 50-megawatt (MW) power project being developed by Welbeck Electricity Distribution Limited for the Idu Industrial Cluster in Abuja.

The first phase of the project, comprising 10MW, is expected to be completed by December and will provide dedicated electricity to manufacturers in the industrial cluster, the Managing Director of Welbeck Electricity Distribution Limited, Chief Afolabi Aiyela, said at the groundbreaking ceremony in Zuba, Abuja yesterday.

The project is designed to use gas available along the AKK pipeline at Zuba and transmit the generated electricity through a 16-kilometre, 33-kilovolt line to the Idu Industrial Estate.

Aiyela said the company was engaging the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Gas Marketing Limited (NGML) and NNPCL Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC) to secure a consistent supply of gas for the plant.

He said: ‘We are starting with 10 megawatts here because it is close to the gas line. I am running a 33KV line down to Idu Estates.

‘That 10 megawatts will take care of the people that need it the most, the Nigerian factories that need it the most.’

According to him, the remaining 40MW would be developed within the Idu Industrial Estate, closer to the customers.

The project is expected to provide 24-hour electricity to the first cluster of manufacturers in Idu and reduce their dependence on diesel and low-pour fuel oil (LPFO), which are used to power their operations.

The project is being developed under the framework allowing embedded and decentralised power generation, while the company is expected to work with the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) on distribution. Existing plans for improving power supply to the Idu Industrial Cluster have also included embedded-generation arrangements involving AEDC.

The Minister of Power, Chief Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, who led the groundbreaking ceremony, pledged Federal Government support for the project and said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was committed to its actualisation. Tegbe has been Minister of Power since June 2026.

Tegbe said the government would review the most cost-effective option for transmitting electricity from the Zuba plant to the Idu Industrial Cluster.

‘We need to ensure the transmission happens. And then even distribution. I am sure Abuja Disco is represented here. Because if you want to actually distribute to you, there must be a handshake,’ he said.

The minister said the project was consistent with the decentralisation provisions of the Electricity Act 2023, which opened greater opportunities for private-sector participation in electricity generation, transmission and distribution.

He said empowering private investors was essential to increasing participation across the electricity value chain and improving access to power for end users.

Tegbe also disclosed that the Federal Government was conducting a technical audit of the nation’s power infrastructure, with the initial focus on three major energy zones.

He said the Lagos axis accounted for about 40 per cent of Nigeria’s electricity demand, followed by the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano axis.

The minister identified vandalism of electricity infrastructure as one of the major challenges confronting the sector.

Aiyela said the N50 billion project would be financed with the support of Wema Bank, Bank of Industry and Sterling Bank, while Mikano would provide the generating engine.

He said the need for reliable electricity in Idu informed the decision to commence the 10MW phase before completing the entire 50MW capacity.

The Secretary-General of the Idu Industrial Cluster, Yakubu Mohammed, commended Welbeck Electricity for fulfilling its promise to provide dedicated power to the area.

Mohammed said electricity was critical to industrialisation and job creation, adding that the cluster has more than 50 factory owners whose businesses require reliable electricity to operate efficiently.

The Idu initiative is also being developed within the broader Federal Government effort to improve electricity supply to industrial clusters and reduce energy costs for manufacturers.

AKK gas to fuel N50b 50MW Idu industrial power project

The Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline is expected to provide the fuel for a N50 billion, 50-megawatt (MW) power project being developed by Welbeck Electricity Distribution Limited for the Idu Industrial Cluster in Abuja.

The first phase of the project, comprising 10MW, is expected to be completed by December and will provide dedicated electricity to manufacturers in the industrial cluster, the Managing Director of Welbeck Electricity Distribution Limited, Chief Afolabi Aiyela, said at the groundbreaking ceremony in Zuba, Abuja yesterday.

The project is designed to use gas available along the AKK pipeline at Zuba and transmit the generated electricity through a 16-kilometre, 33-kilovolt line to the Idu Industrial Estate.

Aiyela said the company was engaging the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Gas Marketing Limited (NGML) and NNPCL Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC) to secure a consistent supply of gas for the plant.

He said: ‘We are starting with 10 megawatts here because it is close to the gas line. I am running a 33KV line down to Idu Estates.

‘That 10 megawatts will take care of the people that need it the most, the Nigerian factories that need it the most.’

According to him, the remaining 40MW would be developed within the Idu Industrial Estate, closer to the customers.

The project is expected to provide 24-hour electricity to the first cluster of manufacturers in Idu and reduce their dependence on diesel and low-pour fuel oil (LPFO), which are used to power their operations.

The project is being developed under the framework allowing embedded and decentralised power generation, while the company is expected to work with the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) on distribution. Existing plans for improving power supply to the Idu Industrial Cluster have also included embedded-generation arrangements involving AEDC.

The Minister of Power, Chief Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, who led the groundbreaking ceremony, pledged Federal Government support for the project and said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was committed to its actualisation. Tegbe has been Minister of Power since June 2026.

Tegbe said the government would review the most cost-effective option for transmitting electricity from the Zuba plant to the Idu Industrial Cluster.

‘We need to ensure the transmission happens. And then even distribution. I am sure Abuja Disco is represented here. Because if you want to actually distribute to you, there must be a handshake,’ he said.

The minister said the project was consistent with the decentralisation provisions of the Electricity Act 2023, which opened greater opportunities for private-sector participation in electricity generation, transmission and distribution.

He said empowering private investors was essential to increasing participation across the electricity value chain and improving access to power for end users.

Tegbe also disclosed that the Federal Government was conducting a technical audit of the nation’s power infrastructure, with the initial focus on three major energy zones.

He said the Lagos axis accounted for about 40 per cent of Nigeria’s electricity demand, followed by the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano axis.

The minister identified vandalism of electricity infrastructure as one of the major challenges confronting the sector.

Aiyela said the N50 billion project would be financed with the support of Wema Bank, Bank of Industry and Sterling Bank, while Mikano would provide the generating engine.

He said the need for reliable electricity in Idu informed the decision to commence the 10MW phase before completing the entire 50MW capacity.

The Secretary-General of the Idu Industrial Cluster, Yakubu Mohammed, commended Welbeck Electricity for fulfilling its promise to provide dedicated power to the area.

Mohammed said electricity was critical to industrialisation and job creation, adding that the cluster has more than 50 factory owners whose businesses require reliable electricity to operate efficiently.

The Idu initiative is also being developed within the broader Federal Government effort to improve electricity supply to industrial clusters and reduce energy costs for manufacturers.

33 professionals from 11 Asian countries learn SL’s experience in market-oriented agriculture

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Department of Agriculture of Sri Lanka jointly commenced the SHEP International Training in Sri Lanka recently.

It brought together 33 participants from 11 Asian countries to learn firsthand from Sri Lanka’s experience in implementing the Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (SHEP) Approach.

The training is organised as part of JICA’s Knowledge Co-Creation Program (KCCP) on Market-Oriented Agriculture Promotion through the SHEP Approach.

Following study sessions in Japan for 2 weeks, participants will spend five days from 7 to 11 September in Sri Lanka observing how the SHEP Approach has been adapted and institutionalised within the Sri Lanka’s agricultural extension system.

The opening ceremony was attended by Agriculture and Livestock, Land and Irrigation Deputy Minister Namal Karunarathne and Department of Agriculture Director General Dr. WART Wickramaarachchi and senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Department of Agriculture. Also, representatives of development partners and the private sector, master trainers, and international participants joined the ceremony.

During the ceremony, JICA Sri Lanka Office Chief Representative Shigeo Honzu welcomed the participants and highlighted Sri Lanka’s achievements in successful implementation of SHEP approach.

He noted that Sri Lanka is hosting the international field exposure program for the second time, reflecting the successful outcomes achieved through the implementation of the SHEP Approach in the country.

SHEP Approach, originally developed in Kenya, promotes a transformation in farmers’ mindsets from ‘Grow and Sell’ to ‘Grow to Sell’ by encouraging production decisions based on market demand. Due to its proven effectiveness in improving farmers’ livelihoods, the approach is now being implemented in more than 60 countries worldwide and has been adopted by various development organisations and partners.

Throughout the training, international participants visited the Dedicated Economic Centre (DEC) in Keppetipola, one of Sri Lanka’s major agricultural marketing hubs, where they conducted market surveys and interact directly with traders, buyers, farmers, and agricultural extension officers. Participants also visited SHEP farmer groups in the Nuwara Eliya District, providing opportunities to learn directly from farmers who have successfully adopted SHEP approach.

SHEP approach has been introduced to Sri Lanka by a technical cooperation project by JICA through July 2021 to March 2026. And implementation of the approach is continuing through the efforts of the Department of Agriculture and Provincial Departments of Agriculture, demonstrating strong national ownership and sustainability.

JICA said it remains committed to working closely with the Government of Sri Lanka and development partners to promote market-oriented agriculture, strengthen farmers’ livelihoods, and contribute to sustainable agricultural transformation in Sri Lanka and beyond.

Nigeria’s $850m cloud economy: Expert raises concern over value capture

Nigeria’s growing cloud economy, estimated at $850 million in annual spending on foreign cloud infrastructure, could become a major driver of domestic wealth creation if the country is able to capture more of the economic value generated by its digital demand, AI infrastructure expert Oluwaseyi Ayodeji has said.

Ayodeji, who has decades of experience in technology and previously worked as an auditor at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), said the scale of Nigeria’s cloud spending should prompt a broader conversation about who benefits from the country’s rapidly expanding digital economy.

He noted that the $850 million figure, which has been cited by industry executives and reported widely, is an industry estimate rather than an official national statistic published by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) or the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

According to him, however, the figure remains significant because it points to the scale of economic activity being generated by Nigerian demand for cloud infrastructure, much of which is currently provided by global technology companies.

Ayodeji, who is also the founder of Regal Stack, a think tank focused on Africa’s sovereign participation in the global AI economy, said the issue was not whether Nigerian businesses should use international cloud providers, but how much of the value created around that consumption could be retained within the country.

‘Nigerian businesses need reliable infrastructure, and global cloud providers have played an important role in making advanced computing available to the market,’ he said.

He argued that the more important question was what happens around Nigeria’s cloud spending, particularly the extent to which Nigerian companies, workers, infrastructure providers, energy suppliers and professional-services firms participate in the resulting economic activity.

His comments come against the backdrop of Nigeria’s National Digital Cloud Policy, which seeks to attract $250 million in private investment within its first 12 months and $750 million within 24 months, while positioning the country as a regional hub for digital services.

Ayodeji said the investment targets were important but should not be confused with the amount of economic value ultimately retained in Nigeria.

He explained that a major data-centre investment could involve imported equipment, foreign financing and specialist engineering services sourced internationally. However, such projects could still generate significant domestic economic activity through construction, electrical and mechanical engineering, fibre connectivity, security, maintenance, energy supply and professional services.

He therefore called for greater emphasis on measuring the economic ecosystem created around digital infrastructure investments.

According to him, indicators such as local procurement, Nigerian employment and payroll, domestic professional services, tax contributions, energy consumption, connectivity expenditure and the participation of Nigerian companies in construction and operations should form part of the assessment.

Ayodeji also identified digital-services exports as an important metric for determining whether Nigeria is moving beyond being a consumer of digital infrastructure.

He noted that when Nigerian-based cloud infrastructure serves customers in other African markets, the resulting revenue represents an export of digital services and could strengthen Nigeria’s position as a regional technology hub.

‘If a Nigerian data centre serves customers in Ghana, Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire or elsewhere in Africa, the resulting revenue is not simply domestic consumption. It is an export of digital services,’ he said.

He added that Nigeria should therefore look beyond building infrastructure for its domestic market and explore how data centres and cloud platforms could support companies delivering digital products and services across Africa and globally.

On the potential for local cloud infrastructure to reduce costs for Nigerian businesses, Ayodeji said the impact should be measured against actual workloads rather than headline prices.

He noted that a meaningful comparison would need to consider computing, storage, data transfer, latency, connectivity and reliability.

The broader objective, he said, should be to transform digital infrastructure from an enabler of technology consumption into an engine of economic multiplication.

Nigeria, he argued, should use the expansion of its cloud infrastructure to strengthen domestic technology supply chains, create opportunities for Nigerian engineers and technical professionals, support companies developing products for African and international markets and expand local participation in infrastructure ownership and operations.

Ayodeji said the country’s digital transformation had historically been assessed largely through adoption indicators, including internet penetration, digital payments and the digitisation of government services.

The next phase, he argued, should focus more directly on the economic value generated by that digital infrastructure.

For Nigeria’s National Digital Cloud Policy, he said, implementation would ultimately determine whether the initiative becomes an infrastructure programme or the foundation for a broader digital economy.

He said the country should establish a clear framework for tracking how much value its growing demand for cloud and digital infrastructure generates domestically.

‘If $850 million is indeed flowing annually into cloud services, Nigeria should know what portion of that spending is creating Nigerian jobs, Nigerian businesses, Nigerian tax revenue, Nigerian infrastructure and Nigerian exports,’ Ayodeji said.

He stressed that the objective should not be to keep every dollar generated by the digital economy within Nigeria, but to ensure that the country captures sufficient value from its growing digital market.

‘The cloud economy is already here. The real competition is over who benefits from it,’ he said.

Ayodeji’s work through Regal Stack focuses on Africa’s participation in the global AI economy, with emphasis on the infrastructure, policy and economic questions shaping the continent’s digital future.