Afrobeats artiste, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has joined business mogul, Aliko Dangote, at New York’s Times Square, where a digital billboard showcased the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

Davido shared a video on social media, showing him standing beside Dangote beneath a billboard displaying the message: “Made in Nigeria.

The display highlighted the refinery, located in Lagos, and formed part of publicity for its public offer.

The appearance brought together two prominent symbols of Nigeria’s global influence: the international reach of Afrobeats and the country’s growing industrial capacity.

Davido’s presence also drew attention to the role of Nigerian artistes in promoting the country’s image and creative influence before international audiences.

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery, with a stated nameplate capacity of 700,000 barrels per day, is one of the country’s major industrial investments.

Its appearance at Times Square projected a Nigerian-built enterprise at one of the world’s most recognised commercial locations.

The refinery’s public offer website describes the exercise as “The IPO for the People” and provides information on the offer, including the prospectus, eligibility requirements, subscription process and approved channels for participation.

According to the website, the refinery describes the exercise as “The IPO for the People” and provides information on the offer prospective, investors are advised to read the prospectus and obtain independent professional advice before making any investment decision.

The website also states that subscriptions should be made only through the approved channels listed on the platform.

The Times Square display has generated public interest online, with many Nigerians viewing the encounter between Davido and Dangote as a representation of the country’s creative and industrial ambitions.

The moment further underscored the growing visibility of Nigerian businesses, products and talents in international markets. (NAN)

By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, has called on the international community to scale up the availability of affordable capital to finance infrastructure and development across Africa.

Oyedele made the call while addressing the United Nations Dialogue on Solutions to Climate Finance on the margins of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

He said Africa’s development ambitions, particularly its energy needs, continue to be constrained by high financing costs, currency risks and limited access to affordable long-term capital.

The Minister explained that despite Africa’s relatively low contribution to global carbon emissions, the continent continues to face what he described as a “prejudice premium” and “narrative cost” in its efforts to mobilise financing for critical infrastructure.

He also identified currency risk and what he termed “stereotype tax” as additional burdens confronting African countries as they seek to raise capital for critical energy and other development assets.

Oyedele therefore called for a strategic shift in the approach to climate finance, with simpler access to affordable capital for developing countries and financing arrangements that better reflect their development realities.

He also urged the international community to scale up investment in gas and other transition energy sources, particularly in Africa, to expand access to reliable and affordable energy and help address global energy poverty.

According to him, greater investment in Africa’s energy sector would also help diversify global energy supply and reduce concentration risks, particularly amid disruptions affecting the Gulf region.

The Minister stressed that Africa’s energy transition must take account of the continent’s significant energy-access deficit, noting the need for greater investment to enable countries to meet their development needs while pursuing a practical transition to cleaner energy sources.

For Nigeria, Oyedele said the immediate priority was to structure and implement policies and programmes that would reduce poverty, expand economic opportunities and accelerate the distribution of shared prosperity.

He said achieving these objectives would require stronger international cooperation and a financing framework that enables developing countries to mobilise the capital required to invest in infrastructure and improve the lives of their people.

President Bola Tinubu has welcomed the 12 million dollars Abuja Centre for Entrepreneurship (ACE), saying it will strengthen Nigeria’s MSME ecosystem and boost business growth.

This ‌‍‍‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‍‍⁠⁠⁠‌was contained in a statement by Presidential Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday in Abuja.

The Centre, funded by the Republic of Korea through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), is being developed at SMEDAN Industrial Development Centre, Idu, Abuja.

It is being developed in partnership with the Federal Government through SMEDAN and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The ACE is expected to provide facilities, technology, training and enterprise support for aspiring entrepreneurs, start-ups and growing businesses.

The centre targets 500 entrepreneurs, 400 start-ups and 1,500 MSMEs, with 5.9 million dollars allocated to construction and 6.1 million dollars for equipment and programmes.

Tinubu said the centre would help establish, strengthen and grow businesses, noting that small enterprises remained important to Nigeria’s economy.

”Small businesses are an important part of our economy. They employ people, support families and create activity in communities across the country,” he said.

He said many entrepreneurs had ideas and determination but needed better access to facilities, technology, training and support to grow their businesses.

According to him, the centre will therefore provide more of that support and strengthen the ecosystem around them,” he added.

”ACE will provide workspaces, digital facilities, training, incubation and enterprise support for entrepreneurs, start-ups and growing businesses.

”The centre will serve businesses in Abuja and surrounding cities, including Kaduna, Jos, Keffi, Lafia, Minna, Makurdi and Lokoja.”

Tinubu said the Federal Government would continue expanding conditions that enabled small businesses to grow, compete and create employment.

”We want more Nigerians to be able to start businesses, grow them and employ others.

”The centre is designed to accommodate women and persons with disabilities, with accessible facilities and crèche services for women with young children.

While construction continues, SMEDAN, KOICA and UNDP will work with universities, incubators, financial institutions and private-sector organisations to build a wider support system,” the president added.

Tinubu thanked the Korean Government for the 12 million dollars investment and commended KOICA, UNDP and SMEDAN for advancing the project.

”Our economy will be stronger when more Nigerian businesses can start, survive and grow. We must keep building the support around them,” he stressed.(NAN)