Business

Opinion: Major World Economies are Becoming Increasingly Isolationist, Except Those in Africa

Published

6 years ago

September 2, 2019

Eric

By Fareed Zakaria

The best word to describe the mood of the global economy these days is gloomy. The pessimism is closely tied to the loss of faith in free markets and free trade, the two forces that propelled the world economy for the past seven decades. The United States, long the staunchest supporter of these ideas, has moved into full-scale mercantilist mode. Britain, the original free trade superpower, is pulling out of the European Union, its largest free-trade relationship. China is striving to become less reliant on foreign firms and global supply chains. Everywhere the trend seems the same. Except in Africa.

Last month, unnoticed by much of the media, Africa’s leaders announced the creation of a continent-wide free-trade area that will potentially bring together 1.3 billion people in a $3.4 trillion economic zone. The success of this project hinges on whether nations actually do reduce tariffs and other trade barriers, but if they do, trade could rise by as much as 50 percent in the next few decades, according to theInternational Monetary Fund. As the IMF put it, “This could be an economic game changer for the continent.”

Africa has six of the world’s 10 fastest-growing economies. By 2050, a new African middle and upper class of 250 million people could stimulate a five-fold rise in demand for goods and services. The World Bank found that a third of all business-regulation reforms from 2017-2018 took place in sub-Saharan Africa, and the continent boasted five of the 10 most-improved economies in the institution’s annual Doing Business Index. More than 400 African companies already take in at least $1 billion in annual revenue. These data points come from a recent Brookings Institution op-ed, “The high growth promise of an integrated Africa,” by Landry Signé and Ameenah Gurib-Fakim.

One country that has bet big on Africa is China. In 2000, trade between China and the entire African continent was $10 billion. Today it’s $200 billion, making China its largest trading partner. Beijing has invested heavily in aid and loans for the region. President Xi Jinping hosted an African summit in Beijing last year and announced that China planned to spend $60 billion in credit, investment and development projects for the continent for the next three years.

Of course, there are many caveats to the rosy picture of Africa. It’s easier to announce the intention to reduce trade barriers than to actually enact such laws. Africa continues to face massive problems in the form of corruption and mismanagement, not to mention conflict. Some of the continent’s promising growth statistics reflect the simple fact that Africa is rich in natural resources, and a growing world economy has created high demand for these products.

The most encouraging aspect of today’s Africa is the striking rise in private business. The region has the highest rate of entrepreneurship in the world, with 22 percent of working-age Africans launching new businesses, compared with 13 percent of their counterparts in Asia and 19 percent in Latin America. Places such as Rwanda that are truly business friendly and have a strong rule of law are experiencing sustained economic growth and rising standards of living.

I witnessed firsthand the energy of African entrepreneurs on a recent trip to Nigeria. I was a guest of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, which has committed $100 million to train and assist 10,000 entrepreneurs across the continent. The energy and optimism of these young men and women, from all 54 of Africa’s countries, were infectious. Their only complaint was that the world was missing the big good news about their continent.

Africa will demand the world’s attention over the coming decades. It will add 1 billion people to its population by 2050 and 2 billion more by the end of the century, at which point more than one in three people on the planet will be African. That demographic boom could create enormous problems if it is not accompanied by job opportunities and political stability. But it could provide the world with energy and dynamism as populations age and growth slows in most of the rest of the world. Much of this will depend on Africa’s leaders, who will have to finally fulfill the promise of the continent and its people. Too many have stolen from their people for too long.

Africans know the price they have paid by being locked out of global markets and of living in countries with limited private enterprise. They understand that the only real and sustainable path out of poverty is expanding free markets that are, of course, well-managed and regulated by effective governments. Much of the world today could be reminded of that simple lesson.

Culled from Washington Post

Business

Sell Petrol at N770 Per Litre, IPMAN Tells Dangote

Published

1 week ago

June 10, 2025

Eric

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has urged Dangote Refinery to sell premium motor spirit (petrol) at N770 per litre.

The spokesperson of IPMAN, Chinedu Ukadike, said this on Monday.

Ukadike was reacting to comments by businessman, Aliko Dangote, who said Nigeria’s petrol is less expensive, as his refinery ex-depot price stood at N825 per litre.

However, Ukadike noted that PMS is not cheap owing to the country’s position as a crude oil producer.

According to him, the exchange rate is a major determinant in PMS price in Nigeria, noting a drop in exchange from N1,600 to around N1,200 would bring down the price to below N750 per litre.

“On my part, I don’t feel it’s cheap. I think the petrol will go as low as around N770. That’s my own permutation. I’m not an expert in oil refining. But with what I have gathered — the refinery production costs and the landing at the depot cost, petrol should not be more than N780 or N750, in line with the dollar rate. Now the rate is around N1,600 per dollar; should it appreciate further, PMS from Dangote Refinery should be N750 per litre.

“So, if the dollar can come down to N1,200, I want to tell you that the price of PMS at the pumps will go below N750,” he added.

Dangote, barely a week ago, said Nigeria’s petrol price is 55 percent below the West African average.

He reiterated recently that Nigeria’s petrol price is not expensive.

Nigerians currently buy petrol between N875 and N910 in Lagos and Abuja.

Business

UBA Introduces *919# Advance Top-Up Feature for Instant Access to Customers

Published

3 weeks ago

May 26, 2025

Eric

Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has launched a new feature called Advance Top-Up on its USSD banking platform *919#, which is designed to provide instant access to airtime and data for its customers especially when they are out of call credit or disconnected from the internet.

The new feature, which can be accessed through *919*9#, was unveiled at the UBA head office in Marina on Thursday, allowing customers to borrow airtime or data directly from their mobile devices, offering a fast, dependable solution.

UBA’s Group Head, Retail and Digital Banking, Shamsideen Fashola, who spoke during the official launch, described the feature as a timely addition to the bank’s digital offerings and a testament to its customer-first approach.

“At UBA, we are constantly looking for ways to make banking and everyday services more accessible for our customers. With the launch of Advance Top-Up on our USSD platform, *919*9#, we are giving our customers the power to stay connected without interruption, regardless of time, location, or airtime balance,” Shamsideen said.

UBA’s Advance Top-Up which is now live on *919*9#, joins a wide range of services on the platform, which include airtime and data purchases, money transfers to UBA and other banks, account balance checks, card blocking and freezing, online transaction controls, bill payments, and more.
Fashola emphasised the simplicity and convenience of the solution, adding that “You don’t need to download an app or visit a data centre. Just dial *919*9#, follow the prompt, and you’re immediately connected. It’s simple, fast, and reliable.”
The Bank’s Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communication, Alero Ladipo, added that the feature was developed based on real feedback from customers and their evolving needs.

“Our users asked for a way to stay connected when they have no airtime, and as always, we have come up with a quick solution, right there on their phones, instantly, with no fuss, and no need for internet connectivity. Whether for emergency communications or business continuity, *919*9# puts instant connectivity in every customer’s hands,” she explained.
She explained that only recently, the bank unveiled its newly improved Point of Sale (POS) Terminal as well as the UBA MONI App to redefine the digital payment landscape and empower small and Medium Scale Enterprises across Africa.

United Bank for Africa is one of the largest employers in the financial sector on the African continent, with 25,000 employees group wide and serving over 45 million customers globally. Operating in twenty African countries and the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and the United Arab Emirates, UBA provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and implementing cutting edge technology.

Business

UBA Emerges Strongest Nigerian Brand in 2025

Published

4 weeks ago

May 22, 2025

Eric

United Bank for Africa (UBA) has been named the strongest Nigerian brand in the 2025 Brand Finance Banking 500 report, making a remarkable leap from its 9th position in 2024.

With a brand strength score of 92.4 out of 100 and a coveted AAA+ rating, UBA now leads the pack among Nigerian brands, reaffirming its status as a trusted and innovative banking institution.

Brand Finance, a globally recognized independent brand valuation consultancy, highlighted UBA’s outstanding performance across key brand metrics, including familiarity, preference, and consideration within its home market. This performance contributed to UBA’s climb in the rankings, not only as Nigeria’s strongest brand but also as the 13th strongest banking brand globally among 500 evaluated.

“This year’s ranking is no coincidence; it is the result of deliberate planning, strategic investments, and an unwavering focus on customer satisfaction,” said Alero Ladipo, Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications at UBA. “We remain committed to adapting to the evolving landscape while consistently delivering exceptional value.”

UBA’s performance was bolstered by its strong customer loyalty and trust. It scored particularly high in price acceptance, outperforming other leading African banks such as Capitec (South Africa) and Equity Bank (Kenya). These scores reflect UBA’s consistent value delivery and competitive pricing, earning it a solid reputation across its operating regions.

The bank’s rise is also attributed to its sustained investment in digital banking, innovation, and customer-centric technologies. Over the past year, UBA has prioritized digital transformation to enhance user experience and deepen customer engagement—an approach that aligns with current trends in Africa’s rapidly evolving financial services landscape.

Operating in 20 African countries and with offices in the United Kingdom, the United States, France, and the United Arab Emirates, UBA serves more than 45 million customers worldwide. With a workforce of 25,000, it remains one of the largest employers in the African financial sector.

UBA’s strong performance in the Brand Finance report underscores a broader strategy focused on brand equity, innovation, and customer satisfaction, positioning it as a leader in shaping the future of banking in Africa and beyond.