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AfCFTA: Provide One-Stop Shop For Export, LCCI Tells FG

Lagos Chamber of Commerce And Industry (LCCI) has told the Federal Government to provide a one-stop shop to drive export and maximise the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

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L-R: Area Sales Manager (National & Major Customers), DHL International Nigeria Limited, John Mokwunye; Director General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr. Chinyere Almona; FCA , Deputy President, LCCI, Mr. Gabriel Idahosa, FCA; President, LCCI, Asiwaju Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole, CON; Chairperson, LCCI Export Group, Mrs. Bosun Solarin; CEO, 3T-Impex Consulting Servcies, Mr. Bamidele Ayemibo and Lagos Regional Coordinator, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Mr. Samuel Oyeyipo during the Export Group Symposium on AFCFTA: Nigeria's Preparedness and the Role of Logistics in its Successful Implementation at LCCI Conference and Exhibition Centre, Ikeja Lagos on Tuesday, 30th August, 2022.

Lagos Chamber of Commerce And Industry (LCCI) has told the Federal Government to provide a one-stop shop to drive export and maximise the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

LCCI president, Dr Michael Olawale-Cole, stated this at the LCCI Export Group Symposium with the theme: “AfCFTA: Nigeria’s Preparedness And The Role of Logistics In Its Successful Implementation” in Lagos.

He said AfCFTA presented opportunities to various sectors, especially Small And Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs), and that it was paramount for the nation to revolutionise its logistics sector as trade enabler.

The LCCI president advised that the government should go further to ensure quality profiling of the export-ready goods, packaging and ease port logistics.

“Several exporters or potential exporters are not able to pull through the procedures of exporting from Nigeria, as such, we need a one-stop shop mechanism to drive export logistics and documentation.

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“The regulatory agencies must strengthen the means of communication to close the information gap between the agencies by incorporating communication plan and strategy, mechanism for feedback and continuous interaction.

“We need to promote digitisation and automation of processes and procedures to reduce the level of manual and paper works. Technology should be embedded across the entire export activity chains.

“There is need to improve the export of other products beyond agricultural products. We should look at textiles, solid minerals, creative arts, among others,” he said.

According to him, government must also continue to focus on empowering the non-oil sector to be more productive and competitive through special interventions in areas of financing and provision of infrastructure.

Olawale-Cole noted that the government could explore the Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) model for the provision of needed infrastructure.

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He stated that the importance of export to the business community and to the Nigerian economy could not be overemphasised, hence the goal of LCCI was to promote trade and boost exports to open new vistas of opportunities for Nigerian businesses.

The LCCI president commended the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) 2022 First Half Year Progress Report, which indicated an improvement in non-oil exports with a total value of 2.60 billion dollars, up by 62.37 per cent from the 1.60 billion dollars and 981.44 million dollars recorded in the first halves of 2021 and 2020.

Olawale-Cole urged that this rebound should be sustained through more incentives to exporters and targeted financing for export infrastructure, and that the Export4Survival campaign introduced by the NEPC should also be sustained.

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Mrs Bosun Solarin, Chairperson, LCCI, Export Group, appreciated the LCCI Council, Secretariat and members of the group for organising the event at a time when the country was in dire need of Foreign Exchange and the world waiting to see AfCFTA take off.

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Solarin said AfCFTA from its effective take-off had the potential of elevating 30 million people from 55 countries with 3.4 trillion dollars aggregate Gross Domestic Products (GDP).

She explained that actualisation of AfCFTA benefits remained elusive and unachievable without effective distribution channel in which logistics played a bridging role.

According to her, the tenacity of the LCCI group in exploring the opportunities of AfCFTA prompted the discourse around the symposium.

Solarin noted that transportation was critical to trade and development.

“There is little information about what it actually costs to transport specific goods and commodities around the world, especially in Africa because of connectivity issues.

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“This is a significant challenge/intervention that stakeholders must begin to craft policies that will make the country’s export competitive.

“Speakers and panelists must give suggestions towards reduction of the average cost or moving goods across Africa,” she said

Business

LAFARGE AFRICA ACHIEVES RECORD SALES OF 697BN; OPERATING PROFIT At 192bN, UP BY 89%; PAT UP BY 96% TO CLOSE AT 100BN

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( Net Sales: FY 2024 up 72% YoY benefiting from improved volume; Q4 2024 up 86% vs PY

( Operating Profit: FY 2024 up 89% YoY; Q4 2024 up 103% vs PY
( Operating Margin: FY 2024 28%, up from 25% PY; Q4 2024 31%, up from 28% PY
( Profit After Tax: FY 2024 up 96% YoY, driven by Topline growth; Q4 2024 up 263% vs PY
( Continued focus on Increased product range, Sustainability and Health & Safety

 

Lafarge Africa Plc, a leading innovative and sustainable building solutions company and manufacturers of a range of cement brands has released its audited financial statement, recording a revenue of N696.76Billion for the 2024 financial year. The growth in revenue represents an increase of 72% from N405.50 billion that was recorded in the corresponding period in 2023. A breakdown analysis of the audited result also revealed that operating profit for the company in the financial year ended 2024 grew from N102.02billion in the corresponding period in 2023 to N193.01billion, representing an 89% significant rise.

According to the result released by NGX, the earning per share for the company for the 2024 financial year rose by 96%, moving from 3.17 to 6.22. A statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer, Lafarge Africa, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi noted that despite inflationary pressure on purchasing power which has affected the business, the Nigerian Infrastructure and construction sector has witnessed tremendous growth.

Alade-Akinyemi described the company’s outstanding financial performance as a testament to its strong market positioning, strategic initiatives drive on Volume growth, decarbonizing its environment though emission reduction and converting waste into energy.

We also leveraged on innovation and operational efficiency to deliver strong products and solutions into the building market, drive cost improvement, creating a great environment for our people to thrive and delivering value to our stakeholders.

He explained that despite a challenging business environment, the company remained resilient,
leveraging innovation and green growth in line with its sustainability ambitions, while also delivering value to its stakeholders.

”Lafarge Africa Plc remains committed to strengthening its leadership position in offering environmental friendly building solutions, while driving long-term profitability,” he said.

“We maintain our positive outlook for 2025, with market recovery expected to continue at similar growth with 2024. We will continue to maximize volume opportunities across our markets and actively manage our costs. We remain committed to our sustainability ambitions and strategy of ‘Accelerating Green Growth’ through innovative building solutions and delivery of stakeholder value,” he said.

He expressed appreciation to its esteemed customers, employees and all other stakeholders for their commitment, despite the macroeconomic headwinds being experienced in the industry.

-END-

About Lafarge Africa Plc
Lafarge Africa Plc, a leading Sub-Saharan Africa building solutions company is a member of Holcim Limited, a world leader in building solutions accelerating our world’s green transformation. Listed on the Nigerian Exchange Group, Lafarge Africa is actively participating in the urbanization and economic growth of Nigeria, the largest economy in Africa.

Lafarge Africa has the widest footprint in Nigeria with cement operations in the South West (Ewekoro and Sagamu in Ogun State), North East (Ashaka, in Gombe State), South East (Mfamosing, Cross Rivers State) with Ready-Mix operations in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt. Lafarge Africa has a current installed cement production capacity of 10.5Mtpa.

Lafarge Africa leverages on its innovative expertise to provide value-added products and services solutions in the building and construction industry in Nigeria. Additional information is available on the web site at www.lafarge.com.ng

About Holcim
Holcim is a global leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions with net sales of CHF 27.0 billion in 2023. Our 63,448 employees are driven by our purpose to build progress for people and the planet across our regions to improve living standards for all. We partner with our customers to offer the broadest range of advanced solutions, from sustainable building materials ECOPact and ECOPlanet, to our circular technology ECOCycle®, all the way to Elevate’s advanced roofing and insulation systems.

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Maintain status quo on subscription prices – FCCPC tells MultiChoice

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MultiChoice

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, on Thursday directed MultiChoice Nigeria to maintain its current subscription prices pending the outcome of ongoing investigations.

It should be recalled that the Pay-TV operator had announced a 21 per cent increase in subscription fees for its DStv and GOtv packages, effective from 1st March 2025.

However, on Tuesday, FCCPC vowed to investigate the price hike, summoning the company’s leadership to explain the circumstances behind the proposed increase.

MultiChoice Nigeria subsequently requested an extension of the date for its appearance before the commission.

In response, FCCPC, in a statement issued on Thursday by its Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, said that while the request had been granted, “the company is now required to attend the rescheduled investigative hearing on 6th March 2025, along with all relevant officers and a comprehensive response.”

“Pursuant to this, MultiChoice is expressly instructed to maintain the existing price structure as of 27th February 2025, pending the Commission’s review and final determination on the matter.

“Maintaining the status quo on pricing is essential to prevent any potential consumer harm during this period,” the statement added.

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Dangote slashes petrol price to N860 per litre in Lagos

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petrol

 

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a drop in the ex-depot (gantry) price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), often known as petrol, by N65.00, from N890 to N825 per litre, effective February 27th, 2025.

Under the new system, purchasers in Lagos will pay N860 per liter at MRS stations.

The price adjustment, according to Dangote was designed to provide essential relief to Nigerians in anticipation of the upcoming Ramadan season, while also supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic recovery policy by alleviating the financial burden on the Nigerian populace.

This marks the second price reduction of PMS in February 2025, following a previous decrease of N60.00 earlier in the month.

Additionally, in December 2024, during the yuletide period, the refinery reduced the price of PMS by N70.50, from N970 to N899.50 per litre, as part of its commitment to easing the cost of living and providing relief to Nigerians during the holiday season.

With the latest reduction, the management of the refinery said Nigerians will be able to purchase the Dangote petrol at the following prices in all our partners’ retail outlets.

“For MRS Holdings stations, it will sell for N860 per litre in Lagos, N870 per litre in the South-West, N880 per litre in the North, and N890 per litre in the South-South and South-East respectively.”

“The same product will also be available at the following prices in AP (Ardova Petroleum) and Heyden stations: N865 per litre in Lagos, N875 per litre in the South-West, N885 per litre in the North, and N895 per litre in the South-South and South-East.”

The company assured the public of a consistent supply of petroleum products, with sufficient reserves to meet domestic demand, as well as a surplus for export to enhance the country’s foreign exchange earnings.

It called on marketers to support this initiative, ensuring that Nigerians remain the primary beneficiaries of this effort.

 

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