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Nigerians Banks Must Aid Investments in Renewable Energy Sources, Says Italian Investors

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Solar energy - Investors King
  • Nigerians Banks Must Aid Investments in Renewable Energy Sources

Nigerians can live better, away from all the noise and fumes from electric power generators, to be free of pollution that has caused so much ill-health and needless deaths, according to Roberto Fontana, an investor in renewable energy sources, who hails from Verona, Italy.

Fontana spent a week in Nigeria, casing the investment environment, and came away with positives but remarked that the nation’s banks must do more to encourage business growth.

Fontana, who had with him the Nigerian partner of the company, Mr. Mark Nebo said he has a company in Italy, Switzerland, Egypt, and Spain in renewable energy sector, including solar, wind and energy efficient systems.

He said, “I have a company that specializes in air compressors, chillers, and machinery like forklifts for big businesses. My interest is to bring to Nigeria high quality energy efficient and solar power systems. These will improve the lives of families, increase their wellbeing and to give them opportunity to stop using generators that make people to be sick from pollution. It is one week that I have been here but I am already feeling the effect of the pollution.”

He said his company would bring in long-lasting high quality solar systems that would dissuade Nigerians from buying cheap and poor-quality systems that are prevalent in the nation’s market today.

According to him, the products he intends to import would resolve people’s energy problems, and advised Nigerians to look forward to a bright future like it is experienced in other countries in Europe where quality products are used for their energy needs.

Fontana said he believes that even the low-income people should have energy sources to power their electrical systems like refrigerators, televisions, and not spend hard-earned money buying petrol for their generators.

According to him, his products would have an average of 20 years’ life span, adding “this is what obtains in every part of the world and must be done in Nigeria. They will resolve the problems of families and this is my company’s motto: Resolving Problems.”

He said he is will to take a step and let the market judge, adding that people would be given an opportunity to judge whether it was more economical to buy a product that would last a long time or to buy one that would be replaced often because it breaks down often.

Banks and economic growth…

Fontana said his company would sell to whole sellers/distributors but that “One big problem that I have seen since I have been here, is that while in the rest of the world people/families pay for goods in installment, people here pay in full.

“I have been trying to get the banks involved to have financing agreement but I see a great unwillingness or resistance and their desire to stick to their usual operational format and their absurd taxes/interest rates. Besides, interests charged by banks in Nigeria are too high and this will not make the nation’s economy to grow. The banks are prepared for my type of business, but they need to review downward their interest rates/taxes.”

Giving an example of where this hostile operational environment had posed a problem in the past, he said, “In 2003, Romania was at the level of present day Nigeria in terms of bank taxes/interest rates, but as the banks changed their system/politics, Romania has changed to a very beautiful country with topflight economy.

I suggest that the banks help Nigeria to be a country that is less polluted to improve people’s lives. I am not a banker but if I were, then I’ll change the banking politics.”

Import challenges…

Shipping his goods into Nigeria, Fontana said should not be much of a problem because after discussing with some big shipping companies in the country, he got to realise that the system is the same as in other parts of the world.

He said he would establish his presence in Nigeria as he has in other countries, adding that he had talked to some people in the country who deal in these products. “I have commissioned people to produce the systems that would suit people in the villages and rural communities, but there is need for the assistance of the banks. I see their willingness to do business and they appreciate my initiative a lot but I don’t know if they would play their part. I will play my own part.”

He said if the banks do not reduce their interests for financing the purchase of these products, then it may not work. “All developed countries are maintained with the assistance of their banks. In Italy, we buy telephones by installment payments. Buying goods outright here is not good for the economy and it is also not good for families.”

Solar systems…

According to Fontana, there is a big market in Nigeria for solar systems, adding that sunshine is free and that he would bring in equipment that are simple to use even in villages and that there are complex ones for both medium and big businesses. There are also small solar plants for all strata of society, permitting them to exploit sunshine during the day and use the stored energy during the night and as such there would be no need to use public electricity or petrol for generating sets.

“This money that families will save from not using public electricity and buying petrol, will be used for installmental payment to the banks and after about five years they will complete payment and for the remaining 15 years, the product will work free of charge.”

He intends to set up a complete office in Nigeria just as he has done in other countries, adding that he is comfortable in Nigeria because of the warm welcome that he received.

Is the CEO/Founder of Investors King Limited. A proven foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and many more. He has over two decades of experience in global financial markets.

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China and EU Seek Partnership: Xi Jinping Proposes Key Trade Alliance

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Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed his desire for China and the European Union (EU) to become key trade partners and foster trust in supply chains, during a meeting with EU leaders in Beijing.

The talks marked the first in-person summit between the two sides in four years and addressed a range of economic concerns, including data flows and market access.

Xi emphasized China’s commitment to high-quality development and opening up, positioning the EU as a crucial partner in economic and trade cooperation.

He envisioned the EU as a trusted collaborator in industrial and supply chain cooperation, aiming for mutual benefits and win-win results.

The summit delved into longstanding issues, such as efforts by Europe to “de-risk” its supply chains and the EU’s anti-subsidies investigation into Chinese-made electric vehicles.

China criticized the investigation, urging the EU to avoid using it for “trade protectionism.”

Xi called for the elimination of interference between China and the EU, a statement likely directed at the United States, which has taken actions, including enlisting the Netherlands, to curb China’s development of high-end semiconductors.

The EU leaders, Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel, described their conversation with Xi as “good and candid.”

They discussed the main challenges amid increasing geopolitical frictions, emphasizing a commitment to balanced trade relations and pledging to enhance people-to-people exchanges.

During the meeting, Italy formally informed China of its exit from the Belt and Road Initiative, highlighting ongoing strains between the EU and China.

Xi discussed Belt and Road with EU leaders, expressing a willingness to connect it with the EU’s Global Gateway infrastructure plan.

However, deep issues remain, including Russia’s war in Ukraine, trade imbalances, and Chinese overcapacity exported to Europe.

Jens Eskelund, president of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, stressed the need to address these issues to foster a positive relationship between Beijing and Brussels.

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UAE Commits $30 Billion as COP28 Climate Talks Kick Off in Dubai

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UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed inaugurated the COP28 United Nations climate talks in Dubai on Thursday with a groundbreaking commitment of $30 billion to bolster climate solutions.

Notable world leaders, including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, are scheduled to address the summit.

The unprecedented scale of this year’s COP is evident with tens of thousands of delegates in attendance, making it one of the largest gatherings in COP history.

Beyond politicians and diplomats, the summit attracts campaigners, financiers, and business leaders, providing a diverse platform to address pressing climate challenges.

The urgency of the discussions is underscored by the UN’s declaration of 2023 as the hottest year on record, coupled with the ongoing rise in greenhouse gas emissions.

One early success at COP28 is the agreement among nations on details for managing a fund designed to aid vulnerable countries in coping with extreme weather events intensified by global warming.

Also, rich countries have pledged at least $260 million to initiate this facility.

UAE’s COP28 President, Sultan Al Jaber, announced the launch of ALTERRA, the largest private finance vehicle for climate change, in collaboration with BlackRock, Brookfield, and TPG.

ALTERRA aims to mobilize $250 billion by the end of the decade, with $6.5 billion allocated to climate funds for investments, particularly in the global south.

As the summit unfolds, other pivotal topics include agreements to expand renewables, commitments to phase out fossil fuels, rules for a forthcoming UN carbon market, and the first formal evaluation of global progress in combating climate change since the signing of the Paris Agreement in 2015.

The UAE’s decisive move in financing climate solutions sets a significant tone for COP28, emphasizing the imperative for collective action to address the escalating climate crisis.

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Nigeria Eyes BRICS Membership within Two Years as Foreign Minister Emphasizes Strategic Alignment

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In a strategic move towards global economic collaboration, Nigeria is aspiring to join the BRICS group of nations within the next two years.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, affirmed that Nigeria is open to aligning itself with groups that demonstrate good intentions, well-meaning goals, and clearly defined objectives.

Tuggar stated, “Nigeria has come of age to decide for itself who her partners should be and where they should be; being multiple aligned is in our best interest.”

He emphasized the need for Nigeria to be part of influential groups like BRICS and the G-20, citing criteria such as population and economy size that position Nigeria as a natural candidate.

BRICS, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, stands as a formidable bloc of emerging market powers.

In a recent move to expand its influence, BRICS invited six additional nations, including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt, Argentina, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates, to join the group.

Nigeria, as Africa’s largest economy, has been absent from the BRICS alliance, prompting discussions on the potential economic and political advantages the bloc could offer the country.

Analysts have noted that BRICS membership could provide Nigeria with significant leverage on the global stage.

Vice President Kashim Shettima clarified that Nigeria did not apply for BRICS membership after the bloc’s announcement of new members in August.

Shettima emphasized the principled approach of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, highlighting a commitment to consensus building in decisions related to international partnerships.

As Nigeria eyes BRICS membership, the move is seen as a strategic step towards enhancing its global economic and diplomatic influence.

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