General News
GAIN and Afreximbank Empower Young African Entrepreneurs
Grand Africa Initiative (GAIN) in collaboration with Africa Export-Import Bank (AFREXIMBANK) trained young African Entrepreneurs from across Africa.
The program GAIN-AFREXIMBANK Masterclass on Entrepreneurship and Intra-Africa Trade is an empowerment program.
This is part of the Africa Export-Import Bank’s effort to increase participation of African young entrepreneurs in cross border trade and expand trading activity under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) which is pivotal to the continent’s economic transformation.
Grand Africa Initiative (GAIN ) is a Pan-African Non-governmental organization helping African young men and women, between 15 and 35 years, develop and harness their unique ideas, talents and abilities for success in education, entrepreneurship, innovation and employment.
Training, empowering and providing technical support to African young men and women by equipping them with digital, leadership, employability, and entrepreneurial skills for self-sustenance.
The program was designed to equip young African entrepreneurs who were selected from across Africa with skills to build and scale their businesses across borders; learn key insights that will help them identify opportunities in various African Markets, expand their businesses, manage trade finance, form partnerships, grow their income, leverage the opportunities of the AfCFTA, attract foreign direct investment and create employment for more youths.
The program received applications from one thousand, three hundred and seventy-six (1,376) young African entrepreneurs from twenty-nine(29) African countries across the five(5) regions in Africa out of which two hundred (200) were selected. The participants were selected based on the set criteria.
The program kicked off on the August 8th, 2022 with a virtual opening ceremony which had the Executive Director Grand Africa Initiative-GAIN, Ms. Chinwe Okoli; the Senior Manager, AU/AFCFTA Relations and Trade Policy, African Export-Import Bank Mr Babajide Sodipo and the Keynote Speaker His Excellency Thami Mseleku, the High Commissioner of South Africa to Nigeria, selected participants and members of the public in attendance.
It was a 3 month program that had intensive live masterclass facilitated by global experts and leaders in various aspects of business who brought to class experience and mastery.
The participants learned from facilitators from Africa, America, and Europe who covered fifteen (15) broad topics, which was followed by mentorship and business advisory sessions with experienced mentors and experts in various business sectors.
Expected outcomes of the program include: Increase in the number of properly structured businesses, rise in international business partnership deals between young entrepreneurs to promote Intra-Africa trade, emergence of new breed of global entrepreneurs in Africa, creation of more job opportunities for Africa youths. Beneficiaries of the program have been equipped with skills and knowledge needed to beyond build globally competitive businesses, record higher trade volumes, position, and expand their businesses to take advantage of the AfCFTA and contribute to economic development of Africa.
The immediate impact of the program can be seen from the participant’s testimonials about the program:
“This program is top notch. It went beyond my imagination. I applied SWOT techniques to strategise my business which really helped out these 3 months”. Amina Onawo Mohammed, CEO Unique shis Green Products Ltd, Nigeria
“Before I joined this program, my ideas were not structured and I was blind to the possibilities out there and how I could benefit from ACFTA. This program has introduced the idea of networking and the importance of having a clearly defined strategy and branding”. Robert Chikuse, CEO Rowdach Enterprise, Malawi
“The program is an important step towards opening up African opportunities. Expanding the youths engagement in the International Trade and exports market”. Kevin Maino, CEO Regime CONSULTIUM ENTERPRISE, Kenya
“I want to deeply say thank you to Grand Africa Initiative-GAIN and AFREXIMBANK for this and life transforming Masterclass, I have learnt a lot from both the sessions as an Entrepreneur and I have been equipped with the relevant knowledge and information to excel in my business world. The class and mentorship sessions by GAIN professional mentors and other industry experts is highly commendable. The communication of the GAIN teams is also top-notch, And I recommend this Entrepreneurship Masterclass to other people. All thanks to Ms. Chinwe Okoli, God bless GAIN and team, God bless AFREXIMBANK”. Godswill Nnabugwu Alegu, CEO GOLDEN PRIMEGA ENTERPRISES NIG. SERVICES, Nigeria
“To be part of this program was needed in a time like this. I need to be challenged and see that my business is not about my small country. It opened my eyes to more African countries,more opportunities.It showed me mentors and business I can learn from”. Gaëlla Abizera Gahama, CEO Gaaga Hair and Makeup, Burundi
“The GAIN-Afreximbank Masterclass is what every African entrepreneur needs”. Augustine Sensie Bangura, CEO Sierra Agri foods, Sierra Leone
“This program is mind blowing and it has widened my knowledge on marketing and the facilitators were professionals”. Musisi Clement Isaiah, CEO Moruta Investment Co. Ltd, South Sudan
“I gleaned and absorbed so much from the program. I am ready to elevate my business and best prepared for trading in Africa ”. Sandiswa Mgolozeli, CEO Epitomely Interior Doctors, South Africa
“It has really been value packed as it expanded my boundary of thoughts to seeing possibilities”. Markus Matthew, CEO Macfeshi Technologies, Nigeria
“This training is extremely relevant for the African SME, it shifts one’s mindset from business for daily survival to lasting legacy”. Mkhudzo Hamoonga, CEO Nobility Accounting & Advisory, Zambia
“GAIN-AfreximBank, thank you for the opportunity to network and learn. The lessons were quite amazing. GAIN went all out to find key industry leaders and speakers who shared so much needed information, which is very impactful in my business operation. This has indeed been an amazing experience. I am confident that through the tools shared, my business will grow”. Mosebetsi Rapitso, CEO Iconics Pty Ltd, Lesotho
“I can say I have gained more than what I have expected from this training. Overall the training was so good that I have decided to suggest others to participate in similar future training organized by GAIN-AFREXIMBANK”. Tihtina Belamo, CEO TABOR CERAMIC, Ethiopia
“I have learned beyond what I expected. I have taken several master classes and GAIN-AFREXIMBANK master class is the best so far”. Ngwain Sih Elisabet, CEO Phoenix revival association, Cameroon
“During the course of this training, I have been able to generate more streams of income by expanding my business. This training surpassed my expectations”. Letsogile Serojane, CEO Magmr Holdings, Botswana
“Before I joined I had no mode of my business, I was just doing business just to keep myself busy and know that I’m doing business but after my masterclass it’s when I’m really a business woman. Now I see my sales getting into the numbers that I never expected, African Entrepreneurs need a masterclass such as this”. Jacqueline Kawishe, CEO BARRON GROUP OF COMPANIES, Tanzania
The role of youth entrepreneurs cannot be overemphasized in unlocking the economic potentials of Africa and building a strong economy in Africa and the world at large, hence, GAIN is focused on promoting youth development for empowerment by continually designing programs aimed on building the capacity and igniting the positive energy of the greater segment of Africa’s population – the youth.
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Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), in collaboration with MIDAS IT, India, have donated engineering software valued at over $15 million to 15 Nigerian Universities.
MIDAS IT is also conducting a technical workshop to train the universities on the use of the engineering software in designing structures, especially in the area of civil engineering.
Mrs Margaret Oguntala, president of NSE, at the handover ceremony, in Abuja, said the collaboration, which is in line with the Society’s mission, is aimed at training young Engineers who would lead the profession in the future
She advised the benefiting universities to use the software productively and to ensure that the students transition from academic concepts to real-world applications.
“I would like to emphasize that the future of our profession lies in the hands of our young ones. It is our collective duty to guide, support, and inspire them to rise to their full potential.
“Through structured mentorship and active knowledge-sharing, we can equip the next generation to lead the engineering profession with vision, competence, and excellence.
“As the world continues to embrace the Fourth Industrial Revolution, it has become increasingly critical for us as a country to create deliberate pathways for our young innovators to transition from classroom concepts to real-world applications.
“I therefore urge the benefiting universities in this programme to intensify their efforts in closing the gap between academia and industry. By doing so, we will ensure that our engineering graduates are well-prepared to function effectively and confidently in the professional space from the moment they leave the university,” she said.
Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, who was represented by the Okoro Ikechukwu, director of ICT, said the Ministry would always support any action that strengthens the link between Education, innovation, and industry.
“We are always committed to supporting initiative that strenghtens the linkage between education, innovation, and industry, and of course, to drive our collective vision for a knowledge-based and technology-enabled Nigeria. We are always open for partnerships in this regard,” he said.
Mr Bello Goronyo, minister of State for Works, said, “I am particularly pleased to see that this handover is accompanied by a Technical Training Workshop. The best software in the world is useless without skilled hands to operate it.
“This crucial step ensures that the knowledge transfer is complete, empowering our lecturers and coordinators to fully integrate these tools into their curricula for maximum impact.
“The Federal Government’s agenda prioritizes quality infrastructure and local content development and is committed to facilitating a fertile ground for collaboration between industry, government, and academia to advance our technological competitiveness.
“Today’s event is a vibrant demonstration of that commitment,” he said.
Naga Ravi Anne, managing director, Africa and UAE Region of MIDAS IT, emphasised the importance of providing the right tools that would facilitate training for children.
He added that this first stage of donation is focused on supporting civil engineering and that they would consider providing software for mechanical engineering in the next stage.
Abdulrahman Salawu, Vice Chancellor of Confluence University of Science and Technology, on behalf of the 15 universities, promised to use the software effectively, adding that the universities would work towards developing their own software.
Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, Nigeria’s newly appointed minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, has pledged to reposition the ministry as a catalyst for national development through a renewed focus on innovation, research, and technology-driven solutions.
Speaking at a leadership strategic meeting with directors and heads of agencies under the ministry in Abuja on Friday, Udeh said the session was convened to chart a 12-month strategic plan aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“We have identified the key things that we, as an ecosystem — the ministry and its agencies — want to achieve in the next 12 months in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Udeh said.
“We understand the importance of our mandate. If we are to rise to become one of the leading nations of the world, we must take innovation, science and technology seriously — and we have resolved to do exactly that.”
Udeh emphasised that science, technology and innovation (STI) are central to Nigeria’s transformation, not only in economic growth but also in addressing challenges such as insecurity, unemployment, and underdevelopment.
“It will be innovation, science and technology that provide solutions to advance our progress and development — that even tackle the hard-headed monster of insurgency and terrorism,” he stated.
The minister said the meeting produced a set of “quick wins” that would begin to show visible impact from next week. He also underscored the need for synergy and teamwork among all agencies under the ministry to deliver measurable results.
“We have agreed as a leadership that we will work as a team, identify quick wins, and begin to make remarkable impacts immediately. What will make us relevant is the impact we make in the lives of Nigerians,” Udeh added.
Udeh, who was confirmed by the Senate in November 2025 following his nomination by President Tinubu, replaces Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, who resigned in October.
The meeting concluded with a pledge of unity among the ministry’s leadership and a commitment to ensuring that Nigeria’s innovation and technology ecosystem drives inclusive national progress.
The Senate ad hoc committee investigating persistent crude oil theft in the Niger Delta has disclosed that a forensic audit conducted by independent consultants revealed that suspected oil thieves stole more than $300 billion worth of oil, which ought to have been Nigeria’s proceeds from crude oil sales.
Senator Ned Nwoko, chairman of the committee made the disclosure this while presenting an interim report of the committee during Wednesday’s plenary, adding that the findings were based on a forensic review conducted by consultants engaged by the committee.
The Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District explained that the stolen funds were traced to both local and international transactions, however, requested that the committee should be given the mandate to track, trace, and recover all proceeds of stolen crude oil both locally and internationally
“The ad hoc committee should be given the mandate to track, trace, and recover all proceeds of stolen crude oil both locally and internationally, as forensic review by the consultant shows over $22 billion, $81 billion, and $200 billion remains unaccounted,” he said.
Nwoko who did not disclosed identity of the consultants, stated that the period covered by the forensic report, the identities of the suspected perpetrators and the companies allegedly involved.
The federal lawmaker, however, pointed out that the report was interim, suggesting that more findings would be made public in the committee’s final submission, adding that the committee recommended that the Nigerian government establish a special court dedicated to prosecuting oil-related offences and offenders appropriately.
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