In this quarter, we focus on the dynamic landscapes of banking, finance, capital markets, energy, natural resources, transportation, technology, media, and telecommunications sectors in Nigeria and across the African continent and also reports from our just concluded AfCFTA townhalls for the first quarter. As the heartbeat of innovation and progress, these sectors play pivotal roles in shaping the economic, social, and technological fabric of our societies.
Through insightful analysis, industry updates, and expert commentary, our newsletter aims to provide you with a comprehensive overview of the latest trends, developments, and opportunities in these vital sectors.
Banking & Finance
On 29 January 2024, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) released a circular addressed to all Authorised Dealers. In the circular, the CBN, among other things; stipulates that transactions are to be conducted on a “willing buyer willing seller” basis, emphasises the importance of transparency in financial market transactions, and raised concerns about the practice of reporting inaccurate and misleading information by Authorised Dealers and their...Read more
Capital Markets
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) on the 25 of January 2024, announced their collaboration to encourage businesses to utilise the capital market for funding needed to expand their operations. NECA, representing various business organisations and employers across Nigeria, and SEC, the regulatory authority for the capital market, seek to work together to address the sluggish approach of businesses towards the capital market, especially in terms of... Read more
Energy, Natural Resources, Transportation, Technology, Media, & Telecommunications
The Lagos State Government banned the use and distribution of styrofoam and other single-use plastics in the State. This was communicated through a statement signed by Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, dated 22 January 2024. The statement indicated that the ban is aimed at reducing the environmental hazards posed by these non-biodegradable materials. It is noted that despite regular cleaning efforts, these...Read more
A REPORT OF THE ALP PRACTICE GROUP AfCFTA TOWNHALLS Q1, 2024
On 13 February 2024, the ALP Practice Group comprising ALP NG & Co and ALP East Africa Africa held its 7th Global Townhall themed “AfCFTA’s Guided Trade Initiative (GTI): Re-Imagining the Global Supply Chain”. The event which was moderated by Olasupo Shasore, SAN, founding Partner at ALP NG & Co, and Patricia Mutiso, Director Partnerships at ALP Trade Africa brought together a distinguished panel of speakers for an engaging discussion.
The panel shared valuable insights and perspectives on the African Continental Free Trade Area’s (AfCFTA’s) Guided Trade Initiative (GTI) during the townhall event. References were made to non-exhaustive areas considered crucial to the actualisation of seamless intra-Africa trade, such as the expectations of the prevalent competition regime to be introduced under the Agreement, the intricacies and vitality of the investment landscape on the continent, the immeasurable value of... Read the full report here
