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Intra-Regional Trade Potential a Key Focus in New Report

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A new focus report, produced by Oxford Business Group (OBG) in partnership with the African Economic Zones Organisation (AEZO), shines a spotlight on the continent’s rapidly developing industrial sector, which is poised to become a key driver of broader economic growth as regional integration increases.

Titled ”Economic Zones in Africa – Focus Report”, the report was launched at the AEZO’s 6th Annual Meeting II, which took place on November 25 at the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat office in Ghana, with participants also able to attend remotely. The meeting was held under the banner “Connecting African Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to Global Value Chains at the era of the AfCFTA” and explored a range of topical issues relating to SEZs, from their potential to boost trade to the impact of Covid-19 on the continent’s supply chains.

The focus report examines the wealth of benefits that the AfCFTA is expected to deliver to both Africa’s economic zones and the businesses located in them, which range from greater market access to a reduction in trade barriers and lower production costs.

The disruption that the pandemic brought to supply chains and the opportunities emerging from the health crisis for businesses to become part of nascent regional value chains across a more closely connected continent are a key focus.

The report also charts the digital transformation taking place in many of Africa’s economic zones, as businesses make the move away from traditional segments to high-tech processes and digital services, adding value to their offerings in the process.

In addition, it provides in-depth analysis of the drive evident among many SEZs to put environmental, social and governance principles and sustainable business practices at the heart of their strategies, at a time when ethical investment and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals are high on the global agenda.

The report includes in-depth case studies and viewpoints by representatives from key industry players namely: Tanger Med; Polaris Parks; Lagos Free Zones; Ghana Free Zones Authority; Misurata Free Zone; and Sebore Farms.

It also includes a contribution from Ahmed Bennis, Secretary General, AEZO, in which he highlights the role that SEZs are playing in the continent’s industrial transformation and the importance of supporting their development.

“Economic zones can play a game-changing role in Africa’s diversification and inclusion by providing end-to-end solutions and services that support industrial upgrades and increase countries’ attractiveness for investment,” he said. “With the implementation of AfCFTA and the post-Covid-19 recovery that the world is beginning to experience, we believe that real investment opportunities exist in Africa at this moment, which can translate into job creation and social and economic development. Africa has resources that need to be developed and economic zones can play a key role in this.”

Bernardo Bruzzone, OBG’s Regional Editor for Africa, added that while African economic zones had experienced production problems during the pandemic due to global supply chain disruptions, ongoing remedial action, including new infrastructure and human capital development, would help provide resilience against future external shocks.

“Africa’s real GDP growth is forecast to reach 3.4% in 2021, with an increase in intra-regional trade and improved connectivity among the facilitators of economic recovery,” Bruzzone said. “Looking ahead, we see economic zones as having a key role to play in helping the AfCFTA achieve its potential through the development of new strategies that will lead to a more diverse, higher-value range of exports.”

The study forms part of a series of tailored reports that OBG is currently producing with its partners, alongside other highly relevant, go-to research tools, including a range of country-specific Growth and Recovery Outlook articles and interviews.

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Economy

Nigerians Struggle as Sachet Water Prices Hit Record Highs Amidst Economic Hardship

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As economic challenges persist in Nigeria, citizens face yet another hurdle of soaring prices of sachet water, a vital source of drinking water for many.

Sachet water, colloquially known as ‘pure water,’ served as a convenient and inexpensive option for hydration, with prices starting at N5 in the early 2000s.

However, over the years, the cost has steadily climbed to as high as N50 per sachet.

This exponential increase has forced many Nigerians to seek alternative sources of water, including boreholes and wells, despite concerns about their safety.

Residents across the country, from Lokoja to Abuja, lament the financial strain caused by the inflated prices.

Marvelous Sanni, a resident of Lokoja, recounts how a bag of sachet water, once priced at N200, now sells for N400 to N500.

Families like hers have been compelled to turn to borehole water, raising questions about sanitation and health risks.

The situation is dire for households like that of Margret Danjuma in Abuja, who can no longer afford the daily consumption of sachet water.

Resorting to purchasing water from boreholes, Danjuma reflects the broader struggle faced by many Nigerians in securing clean and affordable drinking water amidst economic turmoil.

Local businesses, too, feel the pinch, with some restaurants discontinuing the provision of water to customers or resorting to unconventional methods like selling water in nylon bags.

The Association of Pure Water Producers attributes the price surge to rising production costs, including the cost of materials and treatment.

Experts and consumer protection agencies express concern over the unjustifiable price hikes, attributing them to greed and cartel-like behavior within the industry.

Calls for government intervention to regulate prices and ensure affordability resonate amid the growing hardship faced by Nigerians nationwide.

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Port Harcourt Refinery Receives Over 450,000 Barrels of Oil – Mele Kyari

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The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC) has announced a significant milestone in the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery, with over 450,000 barrels of oil already stocked into the facility.

Mele Kyari, the Group Managing Director of NNPC, disclosed this development during a press briefing after appearing before a Senate Ad-hoc Committee investigating the various Turn Around Maintenance projects of the country’s refineries.

Kyari’s revelation underscores the progress made in the rehabilitation efforts of the Port Harcourt refinery, which has been undergoing mechanical works alongside the Warri and Kaduna refineries.

The influx of crude oil into the Port Harcourt facility signals a crucial step towards its operational revival, following years of underperformance and neglect.

Addressing the Senate committee, Kyari reiterated NNPC’s commitment to fulfilling its promises regarding the refinery rehabilitation projects.

He emphasized the importance of regulatory compliance testing before commencing operations, assuring stakeholders that the Port Harcourt refinery is poised to restart operations within the next two weeks.

The news of the refinery receiving a substantial volume of oil injects optimism into the Nigerian energy sector, highlighting the potential for increased domestic refining capacity and reduced dependence on imported petroleum products.

It also aligns with the government’s broader agenda of revitalizing the country’s oil and gas industry to drive economic growth and self-sufficiency.

As the Port Harcourt refinery gears up for a potential restart, attention now turns to the forthcoming regulatory compliance tests and operational readiness assessments.

The successful revival of the refinery holds the promise of not only bolstering Nigeria’s energy security but also stimulating broader economic development and job creation initiatives.

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CBN Governor Transfers N100bn Worth of Fertilisers to Agriculture Ministry for Food Security Enhancement

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The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, handed over N100 billion worth of fertilisers to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

The ceremonial handover took place at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, where the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, received the substantial contribution.

During the handing over ceremony, Governor Cardoso emphasized the CBN’s commitment to maintaining price stability, identifying the cost of food as a critical component of inflation.

He noted that addressing food inflation is pivotal due to the significant portion of household expenditure allocated to food and non-alcoholic beverages in Nigeria.

Despite the implementation of various measures by the CBN to curb inflation, the inflationary pressures remain largely driven by escalating food prices.

Cardoso acknowledged the challenges posed by transient inflationary pressures but expressed optimism about substantial alleviation by the third quarter of 2024.

The collaboration between the CBN and the Ministry of Agriculture aims to mitigate the surge in food prices by enhancing food productivity and security.

In alignment with its strategic shift, the CBN veered away from direct quasi-fiscal interventions and transitioned towards leveraging conventional monetary policy tools to execute monetary policies.

As part of this strategy, the CBN announced the allocation of 2.15 million bags of fertiliser valued at over N100 billion to support the Ministry of Agriculture in its efforts to enhance food productivity and security.

Minister Kyari praised the CBN for providing fertilisers, emphasizing their significance as the majority cost value in agricultural production inputs.

He highlighted the challenges faced by the agriculture sector due to various factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, flooding, climate change, and the naira redesign policy.

However, Kyari expressed optimism about mitigating these challenges and reiterated the importance of fertilisers in agricultural production.

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