Tony Elumelu, Chairman of UBA, urges the EU and international partners to prioritize practical economic empowerment for Africa, emphasizing the need to move beyond dependency. Speaking in Abuja, he highlights the impact of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, empowering over 18,000 young African entrepreneurs and creating thousands of jobs. Elumelu stresses the importance of empowerment over handouts for sustainable peace and security.
Charles Odii, DG of SMEDAN, announces plans for feasibility studies to support Nigerian Micro, Medium, and Small Enterprises (MSMEs) with tailored funding. He emphasizes the significance of understanding the unique needs of businesses for informed decision-making.
EU Commissioner for International Partnerships, Ms. Jutta Urpilainen, outlines a shift towards mutually beneficial partnerships, signaling a departure from traditional donor-recipient relationships. She earmarks £150 million by 2027 to support Africa’s energy, digital, and transport infrastructure. Urpilainen highlights opportunities for Nigeria to deepen ties with the EU in the digital marketing sector.
