Business
Abdul Samad Rabiu: The Game Changer Transforming Lives Through BUA Group
The Master Builder: Abdul Samad Rabiu and the BUA Legacy”
By Femi Oyewale
Arguably, Abdul Samad Rabiu, one of Africa’s leading industrialists and philanthropists, has emerged as a transformative force in Nigeria and beyond. Through the BUA Group, Rabiu has not only revolutionized industries but has also dedicated himself to improving lives and fostering economic growth. This article explores how Abdul Samad Rabiu and his BUA Group are reshaping industries and communities, becoming a beacon of hope and progress.
The Rise of BUA Group: A Visionary’s Journey
Founded in 1988, the BUA Group began as a modest trading company, importing and distributing commodities such as rice, edible oils, and flour. Under Rabiu’s visionary leadership, the company evolved into a diversified conglomerate with operations spanning cement, sugar, real estate, steel, ports, and terminals.
Today, BUA Group stands as one of Africa’s largest and most influential industrial enterprises, directly contributing to the continent’s economic development. With a focus on self-sufficiency and reducing import dependency, Rabiu’s initiatives have helped strengthen Nigeria’s position as a manufacturing hub.
Transforming Industries: BUA’s Impact
1. Cement Industry: Building Nations
BUA Cement has become a cornerstone of Nigeria’s construction and infrastructure sectors. The company’s state-of-the-art plants, strategically located in key regions, have significantly boosted local production capacity, reducing reliance on imports. This industrial expansion has led to job creation and infrastructure development, directly impacting millions of lives.
2. Sugar Refining: Sweetening Local Economies
Through its sugar plantations and refineries, BUA Group has contributed to Nigeria’s self-sufficiency in sugar production. The company’s backward integration program, which includes developing vast sugarcane plantations, has provided jobs for thousands of Nigerians while reducing the country’s sugar import bill.
3. Agriculture: Feeding the Future
Rabiu’s focus on agriculture goes beyond sugar. BUA’s investments in rice milling and other agro-processing industries are addressing food security challenges and empowering smallholder farmers across Nigeria. By leveraging technology and innovation, the company is helping modernize Nigeria’s agricultural landscape.
4. Energy and Infrastructure: Powering Progress
In a nation grappling with energy deficits, BUA Group has invested in power generation to support its operations and contribute to the national grid. The company’s infrastructure projects, including ports and terminals, are enhancing trade efficiency and positioning Nigeria as a key player in global commerce.
The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative: Philanthropy at Scale
Rabiu’s commitment to transforming lives extends beyond business. In 2021, he launched the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) with an initial pledge of $100 million annually for health, education, and social development projects across Africa.
1. Health Sector Interventions
ASR Africa has funded the construction of hospitals, medical research centers, and healthcare facilities in underserved communities. These initiatives aim to improve access to quality healthcare and address systemic challenges in the sector.
2. Education and Capacity Building
Education remains a cornerstone of Rabiu’s philanthropic efforts. From building schools and universities to providing scholarships, ASR Africa is empowering the next generation of leaders and innovators.
3. Social Development
Through strategic partnerships with governments and NGOs, ASR Africa addresses pressing social issues, including poverty alleviation and community development. These projects are designed to create lasting change and promote inclusive growth.
A Legacy of Impact and Inspiration
Abdul Samad Rabiu’s journey from a young entrepreneur to one of Africa’s most influential figures is a testament to his vision, determination, and compassion. Through the BUA Group, he has demonstrated how businesses can drive economic growth while prioritizing social impact.
As he continues to expand his influence, Rabiu’s focus remains steadfast: transforming industries, empowering communities, and creating opportunities for millions. His story serves as an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs and a reminder of the power of purposeful leadership.
Abdul Samad Rabiu and the BUA Group represent a transformative force in Africa’s economic and social landscape. By prioritizing sustainability, innovation, and philanthropy, Rabiu is not just changing industries but also improving lives. His work underscores the importance of aligning business success with societal progress, making him a true game changer in every sense of the word.
Alpha Morgan to Host 19th Economic Review Webinar
In an economy shaped by constant shifts, the edge often belongs to those with the right information.
On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, Alpha Morgan Bank will host the 19th edition of its Economic Review Webinar, a high-level thought leadership session designed to equip businesses, investors, and individuals with timely financial and economic insight.
The session, which will hold live on Zoom at 10:00am WAT and will feature economist Bismarck Rewane, who will examine the key signals influencing Nigeria’s economic direction in 2026, including policy trends, market movements, and global developments shaping the local landscape.
With a consistent track record of delivering clarity in uncertain times, the Alpha Morgan Economic Review continues to provide practical context for decision-making in a dynamic environment.
Registration for the 19th Alpha Morgan Economic Review is free and can be completed via https://bit.ly/registeramerseries19
It is a bi-monthly platform that is open to the public and is held virtually.
Visit www.alphamorganbank to know more.
GTBank Launches Quick Airtime Loan at 2.95%
Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd (GTBank), the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, Africa’s leading financial services group, today announced the launch of Quick Airtime Loan, an innovative digital solution that gives customers instant access to airtime when they run out of call credit and have limited funds in their bank accounts, ensuring customers can stay connected when it matters most.
In today’s always-on world, running out of airtime is more than a minor inconvenience. It can mean missed opportunities, disrupted plans, and lost connections, often at the very moment when funds are tight, and options are limited. Quick Airtime Loan was created to solve this problem, offering customers instant access to airtime on credit, directly from their bank. With Quick Airtime Loan, eligible GTBank customers can access from ₦100 and up to ₦10,000 by dialing *737*90#. Available across all major mobile networks in Nigeria, the service will soon expand to include data loans, further strengthening its proposition as a reliable on-demand platform.
For years, the airtime credit market has been dominated by Telcos, where charges for this service are at 15%. GTBank is now changing the narrative by offering a customer-centric, bank-led digital alternative priced at 2.95%. Built on transparency, convenience and affordability, Quick Airtime Loan has the potential to broaden access to airtime, deliver meaningful cost savings for millions of Nigerians, and redefine how financial services show up in everyday life, not just in banking moments.
Commenting on the product launch, Miriam Olusanya, Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd, said: “Quick Airtime Loan reflects GTBank’s continued focus on delivering digital solutions that are relevant, accessible, and built around real customer needs. The solution underscores the power of a connected financial ecosystem, combining GTBank’s digital reach and lending expertise with the capabilities of HabariPay to deliver a smooth, end-to-end experience. By leveraging unique strengths across the Group, we are able to accelerate innovation, strengthen execution, and deliver a more integrated customer experience across all our service channels.”
Importantly, Quick Airtime Loan highlights GTCO’s evolution as a fully diversified financial services group. Leveraging HabariPay’s Squad, the solution reinforces the Group’s ecosystem proposition by bringing together banking, payment technology, and digital channels to deliver intuitive, one-stop experiences for customers.
With this new product launch, Guaranty Trust Bank is extending its legacy of pioneering digital-first solutions that have redefined customer access to financial services across the industry, building on the proven strength of its widely adopted QuickCredit offering and the convenience of the Bank’s iconic *737# USSD Banking platform.
About Guaranty Trust Bank
Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) is the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, a leading financial services group with a strong presence across Africa and the United Kingdom. The Bank is widely recognized for its leadership in digital banking, customer experience, and innovative financial solutions that deliver value to individuals, businesses, and communities.
About HabariPay
HabariPay is the payments fintech subsidiary of GTCO Plc, focused on enabling fast, secure, and accessible digital payments for individuals and businesses. By integrating payments and digital technology, HabariPay supports innovative services that make everyday financial interactions simpler and more seamless.
Enquiries:
GTCO
Group Corporate Communication
[email protected]
+234-1-2715227
www.gtcoplc.com
Business
BUA Group, AD Ports Group and MAIR Group Launch Strategic Plan for World-Class Sugar and Agro-Logistics Hub at Khalifa Port
BUA Group, AD Ports Group and MAIR Group Sign MoU to Explore Collaboration in Sugar Refining, Agro-Industrial Development, and Integrated Global Logistics Solutions
Abu Dhabi, UAE – Monday, 16th February 2026
BUA Group, AD Ports Group, and MAIR Group of Abu Dhabi today signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore collaboration in sugar refining, agro-industrial development, and integrated global logistics solutions. The partnership aims to create a world-class platform that strengthens regional food security, supports industrial diversification, and reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as a hub for trade and manufacturing.
The proposed collaboration will leverage BUA Group’s industrial and logistics expertise, Khalifa Port’s world-class infrastructure, and AD Ports Group’s operational experience. The initiative aligns with the objectives of the UAE Food Security Strategy 2051, which seeks to position the UAE as a global leader in sustainable food production and resilient supply chains. It also aligns with Nigeria’s food production- and export-oriented agricultural transformation agenda, focused on scaling domestic capacity, strengthening value addition, improving post-harvest logistics, and unlocking new markets for Nigerian produce across the Middle East, Asia, and beyond.
Photo Caption: L-R: Kabiru Rabiu, Group Executive Director, BUA Group; Cpt. Mohammed J. Al Shamisi, MD/Group CEO, AD Ports Group; Saif Al Mazrouei, CEO (Ports Cluster) AD Ports Group; Abdul Samad Rabiu, Founder/Executive Chairman, BUA Group; and Steve Green, Group CFO, MAIR Group
Through structured aggregation, processing, storage, and maritime export channels, the partnership is designed to reduce supply chain inefficiencies, enhance traceability and quality standards, and also create a predictable trade corridor between West Africa and the Gulf.
BUA Group—recognised as one of Africa’s largest and most diversified conglomerates, with major investments across sugar refining, food production, flour milling, cement manufacturing, and infrastructure- brings extensive industrial expertise and large-scale operational capability to the venture. MAIR Group will provide strategic support in developing integrated logistics and agro-industrial solutions, creating a seamless platform for production, storage, and distribution.
Abdul Samad Rabiu, Founder and Chairman of BUA Group, said:
“This MoU marks an important milestone in BUA’s international expansion and reflects our long-term vision of building globally competitive industrial platforms. Together with AD Ports Group and MAIR Group, we aim to develop sustainable food production and logistics solutions that strengthen regional supply chains and support the UAE’s Food Security Strategy 2051.”
He further added that, “This partnership represents not just a commercial arrangement but a strategic food corridor anchored on shared economic ambition, resilient infrastructure, and disciplined execution, reinforcing long-term food security objectives for both nations.”
A representative of MAIR Group added:
“This collaboration underscores our commitment to advancing strategic industries in Abu Dhabi and building integrated solutions that reinforce the UAE’s position as a global hub for trade, food security, and industrial excellence.”
A spokesperson from AD Ports Group commented:
“Our partnership with BUA Group and MAIR Group highlights Khalifa Port’s role as a catalyst for high-impact industrial investments. This initiative will enhance regional food security, strengthen global trade connectivity, and support Abu Dhabi’s economic diversification goals.”
This MoU marks a historic collaboration that combines world-class infrastructure, industrial expertise, and strategic vision, setting the stage for a sustainable and resilient food and logistics ecosystem that will benefit the UAE, the region, and global markets alike.
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