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Some trade experts have called for a harmonised simplified, low cost and time limited incentives to encourage micro businesses to formalise or register their ventures.

The experts said this in the MoniePoint Informal Economy Report, 2025, unveiled in Abuja.

Foyinsolami Akinjayeju, the Chief Executive Officer of Enhancing Financial Inclusion and Advancement (EFInA), said time-limited incentives for formalisation such as fee waivers would help small businesses to register.

Akinjayeju said access to grants or training for newly registered micro-businesses would also encourage informal businesses to formalise their enterprises.

According to her, businesses will formalise and thrive when compliance is both easy and rewarding, and when finance is structured to support, not strain already thin margins.

‘To simplify compliance and incentivise

formalisation, create a tiered registration framework where micro-businesses begin with minimal requirements and scale obligations as they grow.

‘Embed compliance into mobile and agent-based platforms to cut friction; and ensure that registration immediately unlocks tangible value-such as access to finance, skills programmes, or temporary tax holidays,’ she said.

The Director-General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr Chinyere Almona, said in the report that executing targeted fiscal incentives required pragmatism, precision, and phased implementation.

Almona said a tiered system where micro businesses, such as street vendors or family-run shops, enjoyed simplified registration processes requiring minimal documentation would encourage them to formalise their enterprises.

‘Instead of demanding board resolutions from micro-traders, the government can accept mobile-based registrations linked to NIN/BVN, drastically reducing friction.

‘Fiscal support, tax credits, subsidised digital tools, and small-scale infrastructure grants should be front loaded, ensuring operators see the tangible benefits of engaging with the government,’ she suggested.

The Chief Economist, BusinessDay Media, Oluyemi Adeosun, said financial incentives linked to digital and tax compliance could between 20 and 30 per cent of micro-businesses transition to semi-formal operations by 2030.

Adeosun said the move would help increase the sector’s Gross Domestic Product contribution from 58 per cent to 65 per cent.

The Managing Director, MoniePoint Microfinance Bank, Babatunde Olofin, had said the reason for bank’s existence was to create a society where everyone experienced financial happiness and their dreams powered irrespective of their sizes or status.

Olofin said the report would provide policy makers and ecosystem stakeholders with data and insight that would drive inclusive and evidence-based decisions.

He said the goal of the company was to unleash Nigeria’s full economic potential and ensure that the most vulnerable households were not left behind.

Olofin said this year’s report deepened employment, taxation, savings behaviour and business operations within the informal economy.

‘The informal economy report is more than just a study. It is a mirror of Nigeria’s economic reality, especially for millions who make their living outside the formal system,’ he said.

Nigeria’s northwestern states of Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa have teamed up to create the country’s first regional electricity market, pledging an initial N50 billion investment to boost power generation and expand access for millions of people across the region.

The initiative, unveiled after a weekend summit in Marrakech, Morocco, marks an unprecedented collaboration between subnational governments and private investors in Nigeria’s struggling power sector. It also signals growing regional momentum to harness opportunities created by the 2023 Electricity Act, which liberalised the sector and empowered states to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity within their territories.

Under the agreement, the three states will acquire equity stakes in Future Energies Africa (FEA), the core investor in Kano Electricity Distribution Company (Kano DisCo), in a move designed to align local political and economic interests with the utility’s performance and long-term reform goals.

The deal was sealed after a electrification Summit held from October 16-19 in Marrakech, attended by the governors, Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano, Dikko Umar Radda of Katsina, and Umar Namadi of Jigawa, alongside senior government officials, energy regulators, and global consultants.

Sani Sani, head, corporate communications at Kano DisCo said Kano, Katsina and Jigawa will collaborate with Kano DisCo to reduce losses from residential consumers to allow supply to improve to citizens in the States.

‘FEA and State representatives will convene annual international retreat and meet quarterly (and as required) to review progress, set direction, and strengthen ties for North-western tri-state electricity market,’ Sani said.

Central to the plan is a N50 billion tri-state electrification fund, to be launched as a public-private vehicle targeting renewable energy, embedded generation, solar home systems, and mini-grids. The fund aims to catalyze rapid power access to households and small industries across the three states, home to nearly 40 million people combined.

The fund’s first phase will prioritise rural communities and industrial clusters in Kano’s Sharada and Bompai zones, Katsina’s Dutsin-Ma corridor, and Jigawa’s Gumel axis, according to people familiar with the discussions.

‘This partnership is a defining step in our collective journey toward energy independence and economic transformation,’ a senior official from Kano DisCo told BusinessDay. ‘By aligning state ownership with private investment, the tri-state model ensures that the interests of both the citizens and investors are represented.’

The plan builds on the operational turnaround strategy initiated by FEA after it took over Kano DisCo in 2022. Since then, the firm has sought to reposition the distribution company, which covers the largest franchise area in Nigeria, through technology upgrades, renewable integration, and stronger collaboration with state governments.

The partnership is expected to serve as a model for regional power markets in Nigeria. Under the Electricity Act, states can establish their own electricity markets and regulatory frameworks. By forming a joint tri-state electricity ecosystem, the three Northwest governments plan to harmonise regulations, pool investments, and jointly plan power infrastructure that cuts across state lines.

The arrangement will also enable joint regulation in areas where cooperation is beneficial such as tariffs, cross-border mini-grids, and shared generation assets.

‘This is the first time we’re seeing a coordinated subnational electricity market in Nigeria,’ said an industry analyst familiar with the project. ‘It’s a pragmatic way to achieve economies of scale in generation and distribution while ensuring that local priorities are not lost in national policy debates.’

Beyond expanding access, the governors agreed to collaborate with Kano DisCo to address one of the utility’s most persistent challenges, high energy losses from unmetered and non-paying residential customers. The partnership aims to accelerate metering rollout and community-based billing reforms that can improve revenue recovery and service reliability.

BusinessDay’s finding showed Future Energies Africa, which specializes in distributed renewable projects, will serve as both technical partner and investment coordinator for the tri-state market. The company’s executives said the Marrakech summit has established a governance framework for periodic reviews – including quarterly meetings and an annual international retreat – to assess progress and attract new investors.

‘This is a long-term bet on the economic future of the Northwest,’ said an FEA representative. ‘Our goal is to create a power ecosystem that can compete with any region in the country – anchored on renewables, strong regulation, and state participation.’

The collaboration also received backing from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, which has been pushing for subnational power markets since the enactment of the new Electricity Act.

Commissioner Akpeneye, who attended the summit, commended the states for taking initiative, noting that ‘regional markets like this will redefine Nigeria’s electricity future.’

Unlocking the north’s energy potential

Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa occupy a combined landmass larger than Ghana and have among the lowest per capita power consumption in Nigeria. Yet they also hold vast renewable potential, particularly in solar and wind energy.

With average daily sunshine exceeding 6.5 hours and large stretches of undeveloped land, the region could become a hub for solar farms, battery storage, and hybrid microgrids. Analysts say the tri-state fund could help unlock these opportunities by providing seed financing and risk-sharing instruments to local developers.

Beyond the technical aspects, the deal underscores a shift toward greater state ownership of Nigeria’s energy future. For years, subnational governments have complained about limited influence over power distribution companies that serve their regions. By taking direct equity stakes in FEA, the three governors are betting that local participation will drive accountability, improve service delivery, and deepen industrial competitiveness.

‘This is not just about power – it’s about development, jobs, and dignity,’ one participant at the summit said. ‘When states have skin in the game, they can no longer blame Abuja for darkness.’

Among the attendees were the speakers of Katsina and Jigawa State Assemblies, commissioners for power from Kano and Jigawa, and the attorney general of Jigawa State. The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) was represented by commissioner Dafe C. Akpeneye, underscoring federal support for the initiative.

Future Energies Africa was represented by its chairman, Najib J.A. Koguna, along with board members Ahmad Rufai Zakari, OON, Habib Daura Ahmed, and Engr. Yusuf Usman Yahaya.

Also present were Adamu Gumel, Kano DisCo chairman, and Abubakar Jimeta, its managing director. Advisory teams from DLA Piper, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), and BlackAion Capital joined the discussions, lending technical and financial expertise.

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria’s former military ruler and former civilian president, is a bundle of contradictions. One could write a book on Obasanjo’s strengths, and another on his flaws. Of course, Obasanjo is his own hagiographer. He has written many books on himself, with such self-referential titles as My Command, Not My Will and My Watch. But as the biographer Lytton Strachey said, discretion is not the better part of biography. And so, most of Obasanjo’s books are an exercise in self-glorification, with highly disputed narratives.

For instance, Obasanjo’s My Command, an account of his role during the civil war, was so controversial that it provoked General Godwin Alabi-Isama to write his own book, The Tragedy of Victory, to correct what he described as ‘Obasanjo’s Tissues of Lies’. But while the civil war is an elite subject among the retired generals, one issue that all adult Nigerians remember so vividly, as if it was yesterday, was Obasanjo’s attempt to extend his tenure and do a third term as president. He continues to deny it; but each time he does, he provokes a barrage of angry responses from those with knowledge of the unfolding events of the period.

Recently, while speaking during the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation’s Democracy Dialogue in Ghana, Obasanjo said: ‘There is no Nigerian dead or alive that would say I called him and told him I wanted a third term.’ He added: ‘I’m not a fool. If I wanted a third term, I know how to go about it.’ The reactions were quick and unequivocal.

Speaking on Arise Television, Dr Usman Bugaje, a federal legislator during the Third Term saga, said: ‘I can confirm that Obasanjo did everything within his power to get a third term, but failed,’ adding: ‘There is no way he can deny it.’ Joining the fray, Senator Orji Kalu, a former Abia State governor, said on Channels Television: ‘What Obasanjo said was a naked lie. Many people who were part of that period are still alive.’ Senator Kalu continued: ‘He invited me to the Villa and told me about the third term.’ Obasanjo’s previous denials were similarly controverted by others like Adolphus Wabara, a former Senate President.

This is sad because Obasanjo’s positive contributions to Nigeria are monumental, be it as a civil war combatant, a military head of state and a civilian president, not to mention myriad other roles. But at the heart of the problem is Obasanjo’s unwillingness to admit that he is human and thus fallible. It’s either a military thing (soldiers hate appearing weak!) or a cultural/personality issue (a proud Yoruba/Egba chief), but Obasanjo considers publicly admitting a fault or apologising to be utterly beneath him; he would rather use ‘ogboju’ – bold face/bravado – to wriggle out of any situation. Yet only God is infallible!

In my book, Obasanjo is the best Nigerian president to date when it comes to government effectiveness; but he is the worst president in Nigerian history when it comes to the exercise of political power, although, in just over two years in office, President Tinubu is trying very hard to take that position from Obasanjo, with his penchant for crude and unconstrained use and personalisation of power. But let’s focus on Obasanjo and unpack his contradictions.

Take governance. Obasanjo was a visionary and effective leader who freed Nigeria from a debt peonage by successfully negotiating a debt relief; fought corruption by creating anti-graft bodies like the EFCC; and embarked on far-reaching economic and institutional reforms. In her book, Reforming the Unreformable, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Obasanjo’s finance minister during his second term, who helped negotiate the debt relief, describes in detail the wide-ranging macro-economic and structural reforms under the Obasanjo administration. It remains the golden era of governance in Nigeria!

Sadly, the same can’t be said about Obasanjo’s handling of politics. He ran Nigeria like a military dictator: removed state governors through emergency rule; sacked Senate presidents capriciously; and fired his party’s chairmen whimsically. The 2003 presidential election was so massively rigged that Obasanjo secured 99.9 percent of the votes in Ogun, his home state; the Supreme Court nullified the whole election in the state. The one in 2007 was also so massively rigged that the Supreme Court nearly removed its beneficiary, Umaru Yar’ Adua, from office, with only a four to three majority decision in his favour. Before the 2007 poll, Obasanjo declared it a ‘do or die affair’, an utterly anti-democratic stance. And, of course, he attempted to change the presidential term limits to allow him to run for a third term.

Truth is, Obasanjo’s repeated denial of the third term bid is untethered to the facts. In a widely circulated letter to her father in 2013, which she never disowned, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo said she went to Abuja to persuade him to drop the Third-Term Agenda but was rebuffed. ‘When I spoke to you, your outward attitude to the country was that you were not interested in the third term and that it was others pushing it. Your statement to me that day proved to me that you were the brain behind the third term debacle.’ In an editorial after the Senate rejected the proposed constitutional amendment, The New York Times said the bid was an attempt by Obasanjo to ‘join the club of African strongmen who never know when to call it quits.’ So, Obasanjo’s repeated denial contrasts with the version of history.

But why does this matter? Well, because Obasanjo is an iconic Nigerian leader, with colossal achievements. However, his unwillingness to accept his fallibility and admit past errors does his legacy little credit. What’s more, saying that ‘If I wanted a third term, I know how to go about it’, instead of apologising for the trauma he took the country through, insults the intelligence of every Nigerian and belittles Nigeria. A dose of humility will help!

Farewell Dr Kolade, a corporate giant and great patriot

The year was 1993. I was a magazine publisher in London. One day, I received a call from the Nigeria High Commission that Dr Christopher Kolade, then chairman of Cadbury, was in town. I dashed off to Northumberland Avenue, the home of the High Commission, to meet him. He agreed to an interview and invited me to Cadbury’s Guest House at Edgware Road.

When I got there, Dr Kolade received me warmly and fielded my questions for about two hours. His key theme was that instability was hurting Nigeria’s credibility abroad. ‘Nothing is certain in Nigeria until it happens,’ he said, lamenting the constant policy shifts and political crisis. Several years later, he returned to the UK as the High Commissioner. I had a few interactions with him and was enriched by them, adoring him until his death recently on October 8.

Utterly apolitical, but Dr Kolade did not detach himself from Nigeria’s political development. In 2019, ahead of the presidential election, he joined hands with Chief Philip Asiodu and a few other elder statesmen, under the aegis of ‘Burdened Elders’, to warn that ‘the nation is bleeding profusely and approaching a frontier it had never seen before.’ Yet, his most enduring legacies are his sterling contribution to corporate Nigeria and relentless promotion of integrity in public life. He was a living legend. May his soul rest in peace!

The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed claims that it shut down businesses in Abuja following the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest, insisting that shops remain open and residents are free to go about their lawful activities.

Benjamin Hundeyin, Force Public Relations Officer, clarified that only protesters were restricted from accessing certain parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in compliance with a subsisting court order.

Hundeyin, who spoke in an interview with BusinessDay on Monday in Abuja, said the police remain fully mobilised to maintain law and order should the protest extend beyond Monday.

‘We are on ground. We have not wound down our security architecture. The deployment is still in full force. If it continues tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, or even the day after that, we are fully prepared.

‘We will do everything possible to ensure Nigerians go about their lawful duties without any form of intimidation or harassment’, Hundeyin stated.

He dismissed reports that police operations had paralysed government activities in the Abuja Central Area, including around Eagle Square and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service, where several access roads were reportedly blocked.

According to him, the police did not shut down businesses but only enforced movement restrictions on protesters in line with the court order prohibiting demonstrations in certain locations.

‘We did not lock any shops. People are free to open their shops and go about their duties.

‘What we are saying is that protesters have no right to demonstrate in these areas because the court order has restricted them from doing that’, he said.

The police spokesperson reiterated the Force’s appeal for calm and urged residents to continue their normal activities without fear, assuring that security agencies remain on alert to prevent any breakdown of law and order.

The ongoing protest, calling for the release of detained Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has led to heightened police and military presence across major routes in the FCT.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed as false and malicious an online report alleging that the cancellation of activities marking Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary was linked to an attempted coup.

The Director, Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, in a statement on Saturday said the report also made baseless references to the ongoing investigation of 16 army officers.

He said the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) never at any time mentioned or alluded to a coup attempt, adding that the story was a deliberate attempt to incite fear and distrust among citizens.

Gusau explained that the independence anniversary parade was shelved to enable President Bola Tinubu attend a strategic bilateral meeting outside the country.

He also said it was to allow troops sustain ongoing counter-terrorism and anti-banditry operations nationwide.

Gusau added that the investigation of the 16 officers was a routine internal process aimed at upholding discipline and professionalism within the ranks.

He gave an assurance that the outcome would be made public in due course.

‘The DHQ urges Nigerians to disregard the false publication and continue to support the security forces in their efforts to protect lives and maintain peace.

‘The Armed Forces of Nigeria remains firmly loyal to the constitution and the Federal Government under the leadership of the Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Tinubu,’ he said.

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved the establishment and commencement of postgraduate programmes and the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) for SALEM University Lokoja (SUL).

Alewo Johnson-Akubo, SUL Vice Chancellor, disclosed in an interview with newsmen Lokoja on Monday, adding that the approvals followed a critical accreditation and rectification process.

He listed the approved postgraduate programmes as Postgraduate Diploma (PGD), Master of Science (MSc), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programmes in Biochemistry, Mass Communication, and International Relations, as he described the approvals as yet another giant stride in the academic pursuit and excellence by Salem University.

Johnson -Akubo expressed the belief that the university’s strategic investments in laboratories, classrooms, libraries, and digital learning facilities played a key role in securing the NUC’s confidence and approval for the commencement of the programmes.

He said ‘To us in Salem University Lokoja, this feat is a welcome development, having been ordained by the Almighty God, to whom we give thanks.

‘We are so committed to sustaining the university’s vision of transforming graduates into global leaders, who will impact the world on every side of human endeavour,’ he said.

He equally announced that admission would commence immediately for the aforementioned programmes alongside others for the 2025/2026 academic session.

However, he congratulated the Founding Chancellor, Archbishop Sam Amaga, and the entire Salem University community on what he said is a historic move.

Security operatives in Abuja launched a heavy crackdown on peaceful protesters on Monday, barricading the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Chapter Secretariat and firing tear gas and live bullets to disperse demonstrators calling for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest, led by Omoyele Sowore, a human rights activist, kicked off at the Central Business District (CBD) in the early hours of the morning but was quickly met with force.

BusinessDay reporter at the scene confirmed that heavily armed police and military officers sealed off access roads to major government buildings, including the National Assembly, Federal Secretariat, and Eagle Square effectively paralysing movement in central Abuja.

Amidst the chaos, police forces also cordoned off the NUJ Secretariat, preventing journalists from covering the protest freely and raising concerns about press freedom.

Police fired teargas at the junction opposite Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) Secretariat in Utako during the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in Abuja. picture by TUNDE ADENIYI. 20-10-2025.

Protesters and passersby were caught in the melee, with several sustaining injuries as tear gas filled the air and live rounds were fired indiscriminately.

According to Sowore, security forces arrested multiple individuals, including Nnamdi Kanu’s brother and his lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, alongside other peaceful demonstrators and bystanders. ‘The @PoliceNG team deployed to brutalise #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protesters arrested Nnamdi Kanu’s brother, and his lawyer, @AloyEjimakor. They were beaten and taken to the FCT Command. The police must release them immediately!’ Sowore posted on X.

Following the initial clampdown at the Transcorp Hilton axis, protesters regrouped near Chida Hotel in the Utako District, where another round of brutal dispersal occurred. Panic gripped the area as security agents stormed plazas, firing teargas and gunshots into the air. Traders and customers fled for safety, leaving businesses shuttered.

‘We are not protesters. We were just inside our shops when police started firing live bullets and teargas into the plaza,’ a shop owner identified as Kingsley IKe said. ‘Many people locked their shops and ran away. It was terrifying.’

A female protester pleaded with President Bola Tinubu to intervene. ‘We are not protesting against the government but against Southeast leaders delaying his release,’ she said.

Earlier in the day, heavy security was already deployed to all major entry points into the city, Keffi-Abuja Expressway, Airport Road, and Dutse-Bwari road in anticipation of the protest.

Though traffic congestion later eased in some areas, armed security personnel maintained a visible presence, especially around Berger, Wuse, and Utako. Business activities remained subdued as tensions lingered.

Nnamdi Kanu has been held by the State Security Service (SSS) since 2021 and is currently on trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja over terrorism-related charges linked to his separatist activities. Protesters are demanding his unconditional release.

As of press time, calm had yet to return fully to affected areas, and security patrols continued to dominate the streets of Nigeria’s capital.

Rangers have appointed former Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl as their new head coach, with the 36-year-old German describing the role as a ‘huge privilege’ at one of the world’s most storied clubs.

Rohl takes over following the dismissal of Russell Martin, whose 123-day tenure ended on October 5 after just 17 matches in charge. Rangers had also held talks with former manager Steven Gerrard and ex-defender Kevin Muscat before confirming Rohl’s appointment on Monday afternoon.

Speaking to the club’s website, Rohl expressed his pride and determination to turn the season around.

‘It is a huge privilege at an incredible club, recognised around the world,’ Rohl said.

‘I know it has been a difficult start to the season, but there is still so much to play for.

‘The expectations here are clear. The fans want to see results now – my mentality and experience are exactly the same. We have no time to waste; we start straight away. I respect that trust is earned, and we must give supporters confidence by showing it on the pitch from the start.’

Rangers currently sit sixth in the Scottish Premiership with just one win from eight games, and they will face Brann in the Europa League on Thursday.

Rohl previously managed Sheffield Wednesday from October 2023 to July 2025 and has held coaching roles with RB Leipzig, Southampton, Bayern Munich, and the German national team.

His appointment marks the beginning of a new chapter at Ibrox as the club looks to revive their domestic and European ambitions under Rohl’s leadership.

Across Africa’s innovation landscape, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a defining narrative. From Nairobi to Lagos and Kigali to Cairo, governments and innovators are uniting around a shared vision: that AI will drive the continent’s next wave of economic transformation.

This optimism has become institutionalised. The African Union recently introduced its Continental AI strategy, and at least a dozen African countries have developed national strategies and policies related to AI, with the overall aim of leveraging AI to catalyse economic prosperity. Indeed, Africa’s digital future is being reshaped in real time, with AI as one of the centrepieces.

However, beneath this enthusiasm lies a significant disconnect. The institutional discourse around AI in Africa largely mirrors global frames, underlined by an assumption that technological advancements made elsewhere should automatically benefit the continent. This assumption, that innovation is a rising tide that lifts all boats, has previously failed Africa, and it is at risk of failing again.

The imitation trap

Africa’s institutional approach to AI is fundamentally misaligned with the continent’s material and institutional realities. These policies and strategies, which should define the continent’s collective institutional posture on AI development, deployment, and use, generally invoke the priorities of Western countries and dwell on abstract normative principles like trustworthiness, ethics, and human-centricity, concepts that, while important, often float above the more urgent constraints facing the maximisation of the potentials of AI by African countries.

Where these regional and national strategies engage with critical pillars, such as skills development, data governance, responsible innovation, or regulatory harmonisation, they do so sparsely or ceremonially. Many of these policies set ambitious targets for various countries, such as becoming global AI hubs, accelerating development goals, and positioning as competitive players in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. However, they do little to outline clear and practical roadmaps for achieving these objectives.

Ultimately, instead of grounding policy in mechanisms of strategic leverage, many of these institutional documents remain focused on normative alignment and symbolic positioning. In doing so, they risk deferring the substantive arc of Africa’s AI growth to external actors, and whatever independent local private actors can somehow take up the gauntlet. For a technology claimed to be key to leapfrogging some of the continent’s biggest challenges, this is far from ideal.

The key gaps

There are three ways African countries can optimise for AI-enabled growth: AI development, AI deployment, and AI adoption. These are not policy narratives; they are strategic priorities with concrete implications. AI development means the continent must be positioned to create AI technology so it can shape solutions that reflect its own realities. AI deployment involves a concerted institutional effort towards applying AI to real-world problems in key sectors like agriculture, health, and education, using clear public procurement and regulatory tools. AI adoption involves driving access to and use of AI by people in ways that enable co-creation, drive real-world problem-solving, and generate economic value.

For each of these, Africa operates at a deficit. In terms of development, limited computing infrastructure, persistent energy instability, a shortage of research ecosystems, and limited financing constrain the ability to build locally. AI deployment requires institutional capacity, coherent procurement systems, and integrated digital infrastructure that allow institutionally driven large-scale solutions, and these are lacking in many national contexts within Africa. AI adoption, which on its face appears to be the simplest lever, faces real constraints-limited connectivity, low mobile penetration, gaps in skills and knowledge, and affordability barriers-all of which mean those who need these technologies most are often least able to access them.

Policies of aspiration

Not minding these practical gaps, AI policies across the continent are filled with lofty promises, yet few offer any sense of how those promises will be achieved. Most lack credible costs or plans for addressing infrastructural constraints or developing the technical capacity required for AI development. When engaging with AI deployment, they do so from a 10,000-foot perspective, with vague, detached, and theoretical statements. Adoption is addressed through generic policy language borrowed from digital inclusion literature.

Where they do engage, many of these policies-or the discourse around them-fixate on developing large language models (LLMs) for African languages, as if that alone will solve the problem. But localisation is not the same as design, and mere access does not translate to autonomy.

Rethinking strategy: From aspiration to leverage

A credible ‘African’ AI strategy does not become so because it contains the word ‘Ubuntu’ or by listing a series of local, regional, or continental ambitions, unbothered by context. Instead, it must be honest about material constraints and transparent on how to surmount them towards an integrated collection of incisive results.

That means it must address, in itself or through accompanying documentation, the plans for building development capacity through investment in the infrastructure, talent, and data needed to create or adapt AI systems on African terms truly. It means providing clear roadmaps and clear costing plans for deploying AI in sectors like agriculture, healthcare, and education, where the impact can be immediate and locally meaningful. And it means taking adoption seriously, not as passive uptake, but as a strategic challenge tied to access, affordability, and usability, which can only be addressed through concrete concerted work.

The decade that decides

The global rules for AI are currently being written. Infrastructure is consolidating, standards are hardening, and value chains are crystallising. If Africa continues to skim over its material realities in favour of aspirational language, it will lock itself out of the foundational gains of another industrial revolution.

But the window remains open. Africa can still take the more challenging but necessary path by building infrastructure to position it for agency, investing in local use cases that actually position countries to leapfrog, and using policy as an organising principle, not for symbolism.

AI is not destiny; it is contested ground. And in every contest of power, those without leverage are not participants; they are subjects of others’ ambition. Africa must decide now which side of that equation it intends to occupy.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has reaffirmed its commitment to setting up effective emergency preparedness and response structures in all local government areas to strengthen disaster coordination, data management, and early warning systems at the sub-national level.

Zubaida Umar, NEMA director general, made this known in her opening remarks at a two-day training workshop themed ‘Emergency Preparedness and Response Stakeholders Engagement Workshop’ held in Maiduguri on Monday.

The training, organised by NEMA in partnership with the World Bank Group and the Borno State Government, aims to equip stakeholders with essential emergency response skills.

Umar emphasised the importance of strategic planning in ensuring timely and efficient emergency response.

Umar, represented by Bamidele Onimode, director, Planning and Research Forcasting, said the training for stakeholders was to define their roles and responsibilities in mitigating risks and effective response during emergencies at the grassroots level.

She reiterated the agency’s commitment to enhancing national resilience through proactive planning and multi-agency collaboration.

She said, ‘As we begin this two-day engagement, let us reflect on how far we have come, and more importantly, on how much more we can achieve together.

‘I trust that the discussions, technical sessions, and planning dialogues that will take place here will further consolidate the progress we have collectively built across the federation. Together, let us continue to move from reaction to preparedness, from coordination to resilience, and from intention to sustainable.’

In his remarks, Oluwaseun Olowoporoku, who represented the World Bank Country Director, reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to supporting Borno State through technical assistance, operational support, and knowledge exchange to strengthen resilience and emergency response capacity.

He stated, ‘The World Bank is backing this initiative in Borno State with a sense of urgency and responsibility. Global experience shows that every dollar invested in preparedness saves several more in response and recovery, while safeguarding lives and livelihoods.

‘This is a moment for innovation, collaboration, and concrete action. We build an Emergency Preparedness and Response system that is smart, inclusive, and effective for the people of Borno State.’

Olowoporoku praised the Borno State Government for its dedication to protecting lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure from the increasing threats posed by climate change and disaster risks.

Similarly, Ali Abdullahi Isa of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (BOSEMA) expressed appreciation to NEMA for its leadership and commitment to safeguarding the people’s welfare. He assured that the Borno State Government would continue to strengthen collaboration and synergy with NEMA and other relevant agencies.