Business

Expert charges tech businesses to leverage Startup Act for growth

Published

2 years ago

December 6, 2022

By Rukayat Moisemhe

Mr Ayodele Kusamotu, Chairman, Kusamotu and Kusamotu, on Tuesday charged technology startup businesses to take advantage of the newly unveiled Startup Act for growth and sustainability.

Kusamotu said this at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Group and Professional Practice Group seminar with the theme, “Insights into the Nigeria Start-up Act, 2022,” in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Start Up Act was signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari on Oct. 19 to harness the potential of the country’s digital economy through co-created regulations.

Kusamotu said some of the incentives under the Act included assistance for startups within the pioneer scheme industries to apply for tax relief.

Others, he said, were the five per cent withholding tax on non resident companies providing technical services to a labelled startup and full deduction on research and development expenses in Nigeria.

Kusamotu added that the startups were also exempted from Industrial Trust Fund contributions where it provided in-house training to its employees for the period it was designated as start-up.

“Also, export incentives, access to loans, credit guarantee scheme, investment tax credit equivalent to 30 per cent of the investment in the labelled startup provided, shall be applied on any gains on investment which are subject to tax.

“Additional, capital gains tax shall not be charged on gains that accrue from the disposal of assets by an angel investor, venture capitalist, private equity fund, accelerators or incubators with respect to a labelled startup, provided the assets have been held in Nigeria for a minimum of 24 months.

“So, this is a commendable effort at empowering the community and fostering innovation and it is critical that startups take advantage of this,” he said.

Kusamotu, however, stressed the need for governance structure for the startup consultative forum in the council.

He added that directive on amount of seed fund to be invested in research and development must be spelt out, and called for rules to back up the law to support the implementation of the Act.

Earlier, LCCI president, Dr Michael Olawale-Cole, said the theme of the seminar was apt considering the fact that the Act supported entrepreneurship, sound regulation, and an efficient tax system for a digital economy.

He added that it also provided support for innovation management in the tech-start-up ecosystem in Nigeria, seeing that the Nigerian ICT sector was one of the fastest growing sectors in the economy.

He noted that the ICT sector remained the only sector with consistent positive growth before and after the coronavirus pandemic, with a growth of 10.53 per cent in the third quarter and a 15.4 per cent contribution to Gross Domestic Product.

He added that Nigeria recorded over 3,300 start-ups in 2020, the highest in Africa compared to South Africa (660 start-ups) and Kenya (600 start-ups).

Olawale-Cole attributed the strong growth recorded by the sector to the innovative activities of ICT operators and policies introduced by government including the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (2020-2030), E-Government Masterplan and others.

“The technology startup ecosystem has recorded exponential development, innovation and sophistication.

“No doubt, the Nigerian technology startups seem to be leading in the emergence of startups in Africa despite macroeconomic challenges and numerous regulatory hurdles.

“In order to further harness the potential of the sector, President Muhammadu Buhari signed the Startup bill into law, putting Nigeria on the list of African countries with Startup laws.

“The Nigeria Startup Act project is a collaboration between the executive and stakeholders in the tech startup ecosystem to harness the potential of Nigeria’s digital economy through legislative backing and framework.

“The Act is expected to support the building of a more structured and self-regulated tech ecosystem in Nigeria,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Business

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

Published

2 weeks ago

February 28, 2025

Seyi Babalola

( 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.

Business

Maintain status quo on subscription prices – FCCPC tells MultiChoice

Published

2 weeks ago

February 28, 2025

Seyi Babalola

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.

Business

Dangote slashes petrol price to N860 per litre in Lagos

Published

2 weeks ago

February 26, 2025

Seyi Babalola

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.