Business

The Way Forward for Business in Africa

Published

4 years ago

August 26, 2020

Africa has a fast-growing economy, mainly due to its resources, which include its people. The African population over the years has proven to be industrious and ready to go the extra mile given the opportunity. And up until the pandemic hit, there were opportunities for innovation, investments, and other business opportunities.

But despite the setback, an opportunity has also been created for Africa to redefine how it does business, to suit the changing times. One of the areas that have been negatively impacted by the coronavirus is the employment sector, one which is key to the growth of the African economy. And even before that, employment in Africa was a pressing topic for many governments and policymakers.

There was the unemployment problem, which was created by a lack of sufficient jobs for the growing population, which is primarily made up of the youth. And even then, many Africans looked to self-employment as a way to proactively solve the problem. This shift towards freelancing is structural and is gradually growing from just a trend into a powerful driver of economic growth. This got to the point where more people, especially the youth, who were looking for more control in their career, through flexible working hours, would leave their jobs to freelance.

However, with the pandemic, even those who were fortunate to have traditional jobs are facing the threat of experiencing a decline in income due to reduced working hours or losing them completely. This proves that the traditional work or employment structure is not the most sustainable, especially during certain situations, such as a crisis and so it is time for it to be reviewed. This threat will put a strain on the livelihoods of the average citizen and is also likely to increase poverty.

Despite the gloomy picture, there is a silver lining where an alternative way of doing business can be introduced to put the skills and qualifications of the African citizen to good use and give businesses that don’t have the luxury of retaining staff a cost-effective option. The Africent Group recognizes the need for a solution to the traditional way of doing things, as well as a more convenient way for individual professionals to conduct business.

They have, therefore, created Kreek Africa, @ https://kreekafrica.com/, an online community that connects freelancers to businesses on a secure platform to conduct business. This smart way of doing business promises to revolutionize the employment scene in Africa by giving Africans visibility and a competitive edge in the global market.

And despite the fact that this form of employment model is popular in other parts of the world, Kreek Africa will be the one that recognizes the resourcefulness of the African workforce to offer an enabling platform that nurtures it without discrimination. The platform promises an easy and convenient way for business people to go about their work, with a secure verification process and the other strict measures put in place to protect its users.

It also promises to give professionals from various fields, disciplines, and industries, all over Africa, an opportunity to showcase their skills and qualifications to be recognized and be a part of projects that will add value to their work. Kreek Africa also seeks to capitalize on the existing widespread knowledge and use of technology and the internet to bring opportunities through online solutions pertaining to business growth and personal career development.

Kreek Africa, @ https://kreekafrica.com/ believes that Africa has the necessary resources to grow its economy and get back on its feet, even in the face of a crisis. The initiative, in the long run, will enrich the lives of the African population

Business

FIRS ANNOUNCES AN ONGOING RECRUITMENT

Published

38 minutes ago

December 23, 2024

Sahara Weekly

FIRS ANNOUNCES AN ONGOING RECRUITMENT.

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has rolled out an exciting opportunity for experienced professionals to join its team.

In a public notice via its X handle, the agency announced job openings for positions like Assistant Manager, Deputy Manager, and Assistant Director in fields such as Tax, Public Relations, Legal, ICT, and Risk Management.

Interested candidates are encouraged to review the eligibility criteria and apply via the official portal at careers.firs.gov.ng before January 11, 2025. This recruitment drive is aimed at bolstering public service efforts and maximizing national development.

Business

UBA GMD Calls for Public-Private Collaboration, Joins Aviation Minister to Commission New MMIA Departure Section

Published

18 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Sahara Weekly

UBA GMD Calls for Public-Private Collaboration, Joins Aviation Minister to Commission New MMIA Departure Section

The newly renovated departure section of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, refurbished by United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, was officially commissioned on Friday, December 20th, 2024.

The laudable project, which marks a transformative moment in Nigeria’s aviation sector, underscores UBA’s unwavering commitment to national development and highlights the immense value of strategic public-private partnerships (PPPs).

The ceremony was graced by distinguished stakeholders, including the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN; the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku; other Directors, and Heads of Agencies operating at the Airport.

Speaking at the event, UBA’s Group Managing Director/CEO, Oliver Alawuba,lauded the collaboration that brought the project to fruition as he emphasised the need for public and private institutions to come together to build and revamp the nation’s assets.

“This renovation is a testament of UBA’s belief in the transformative power of investing in national assets. By modernising our airports, we not only enhance infrastructure but also position Nigeria as a global hub for tourism, trade, and investment,” he stated.

Alawuba took time to highlight the broader economic impact of such initiatives, urging increased private-sector participation in national development. “Public-private partnerships like this demonstrate what can be achieved when we unite for a shared vision of progress and investing in infrastructure catalyses economic growth, improves travel experiences, and creates opportunities across various sectors of the economy,” he added.

Alawuba reflected on the power of unity and collaboration, quoting Helen Keller: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” The commissioning of the renovated departure section serves as a reminder of what strategic partnerships can achieve in driving national development and elevating Nigeria’s global standing.”

While commissioning the project, Keyamo commended UBA for executing the project, a feat he termed a landmark achievement in Nigeria’s aviation sector. “This renovated departure section exemplifies the bank’s commitment to elevating aviation infrastructure, improving passenger experiences, and fostering international partnerships. It is a proud moment for the ministry and all stakeholders involved, and I thank the management of UBA for pioneering this initiative,” he remarked.

The minister highlighted other key achievements of his ministry, including compliance with the Cape Town Convention, the launch of a consumer protection portal, and advancements in major infrastructure projects such as the second runway at Abuja Airport and solar energy integration in airport operations.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive of FAAN, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, commended UBA and other stakeholders for their contributions, adding, “This project reflects FAAN’s dedication to delivering world-class aviation infrastructure. The enhanced departure section not only elevates passenger experiences but also strengthens Nigeria’s competitive position in global aviation,” she said.

She called for more private-sector participation, emphasising that “partnerships like these are essential to transforming the aviation sector into a beacon of excellence.”

The newly renovated departure section boasts cutting-edge facilities designed to enhance efficiency and passenger comfort. This upgrade reaffirms the Murtala Muhammed International Airport’s status as a critical gateway to Nigeria and a major hub for international travel in Africa.

United Bank for Africa is Africa’s Global Bank. Operating across twenty African countries and the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and the United Arab Emirates, UBA provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and implementing cutting edge technology. UBA is one of the largest employers in the financial sector on the African continent, with 25,000 employees group wide and serving over 45 million customers globally.

Business

Dangote Hails Tinubu on Impact of Crude for Naira Swap Deal

Published

2 days ago

December 21, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Dangote Hails Tinubu on Impact of Crude for Naira Swap Deal

…As Dangote Refinery partners MRS to sell PMS at N935 per litre nationwide at its retail outlets

Sahara Weekly Unveils That The Foremost entrepreneur and President of the Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the positive impact of the naira for crude swap deal on the Nigerian economy, which has led to reduction in prices of petroleum products in the country.

To provide succour to Nigerians, Dangote recently reduced the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from N970 to N899.50 at its Refinery loading gantry and provided generous credit terms to marketers.

“To ensure that this price reduction gets to the end consumer, we have signed a partnership with MRS to sell petrol from its retail outlets nationwide at N935 per litre” he added. This price has already commenced in Lagos, and it will be offered nationwide from Monday.

In his statement, he called on other oil marketers such as the NNPC Retail and all other marketers, “to work with us to ensure that Nigerians enjoy high-quality petrol at discounted prices.”

According to him, “The Dangote Refinery is for the benefit of Nigeria and Nigerians. We will therefore continue to work with various value chain players to deliver high quality petrol at cheaper prices. Our aim is for all Nigerians to have ready access to high quality petroleum products that are good for their vehicles, good for their health, and good for their pockets.

Recall that in September, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) under the leadership of Mr. President approved the sale of crude to local refineries in Naira and corresponding purchase of petroleum products in Naira. The move, which commenced on October 1, led to reduced pressure on the dollar and ensured the stability of the local currency.

Dangote thanked Nigerians for their unwavering support and the government for creating an enabling environment for the domestic refining industry.