African manufacturers are making a final push in Washington for a one–two year extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), the U.S. trade programme granting duty-free access to thousands of products. AGOA, a key driver of U.S.–Africa… Read on blog or Reader SMALL BUSINESS INSIGHTS Read on blog or Reader African manufacturers push for AGOA lifeline to keep U.S. market access By Busola Bamidele on September 23, 2025 African manufacturers are making a final push in Washington for a one–two year extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), the U.S. trade programme granting duty-free access to thousands of products. AGOA, a key driver of U.S.–Africa trade since 2000, is set to expire in September 2025. The law waives tariffs on over 1,800 product lines, benefiting apparel, auto parts, agri-processing, and mineral exports industries that sustain hundreds of thousands of jobs across countries like Kenya, Lesotho, and Madagascar. If Congress fails to act, U.S. import duties would return overnight, with some synthetic textiles facing tariff spikes from about 10% to over 40%, threatening factories and export zones. Read also: African manufacturers push for AGOA lifeline to keep U.S. market access Rivers market women get support to grow small businesses African lawmakers unite in Abuja to curb $587bn capital flight Edo targets SMEs, diaspora investors at Glasgow Global Investment Summit SMEs gain boost as Nigeria's economy expands 4.23% Kenyan-led delegations are lobbying Capitol Hill for a short-term extension to keep production alive while a longer reauthorisation is negotiated. Congressional staffers show sympathy, but a tight legislative calendar and heightened tariff politics make passage uncertain. AGOA has long been seen as both a development tool and a strategic counter to China's growing influence in Africa. African leaders fear that even a widely supported trade programme could be swept into broader U.S. trade disputes this year.

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Over 108 market women in Isiama community, Andoni LGA of Rivers State, have received more than ₦12 million in business grants to scale their small enterprises. Each beneficiary got between ₦200,000 and ₦300,000 after presenting viable proposal… Read on blog or Reader SMALL BUSINESS INSIGHTS Read on blog or Reader Rivers market women get support to grow small businesses By Busola Bamidele on September 23, 2025 Over 108 market women in Isiama community, Andoni LGA of Rivers State, have received more than ₦12 million in business grants to scale their small enterprises. Each beneficiary got between ₦200,000 and ₦300,000 after presenting viable proposals for ventures like crayfish trading, tailoring, interior design, hairdressing, and bulk foodstuff sales. The initiative, spearheaded by community son Justus Ngerebara in partnership with Fast Track Development Initiatives (FDI), aims to ease economic hardship and create sustainable livelihoods. Read also: Rivers market women get support to grow small businesses African lawmakers unite in Abuja to curb $587bn capital flight Edo targets SMEs, diaspora investors at Glasgow Global Investment Summit SMEs gain boost as Nigeria's economy expands 4.23% Nigeria's Q2 GDP growth hits 4.23%, SMEs urge focus on real sector gains Ngerebara, supported by his wife Dr. Unyime, said empowering rural women would uplift households, spark generational change, and drive local development. This is the first phase of the empowerment programme, with annual reviews planned to reward outstanding performers. Past interventions by the organizers include solar-powered streetlights and water facilities for the community. Former Rivers Works Commissioner, Dr. Sampson Ngerebara, hailed the project as a landmark move for rural women's inclusion, while beneficiaries like crayfish seller Mrs. Hebron Fyneface praised it as a "great milestone" for boosting small businesses and lifting families out of poverty.

SMALL BUSINESS INSIGHTS © 2025. Unsubscribe or manage your email subscriptions. Get the Jetpack app Subscribe, bookmark, and get real‑time notifications - all from one app! Automattic, Inc. 60 29th St. #343, San Francisco, CA 94110

Nigeria's economy expanded by 4.23% year-on-year in real terms in the second quarter of 2025, according to fresh data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The growth stronger than the 3.48% recorded in Q2 2024 reflects gains from the reba… Read on blog or Reader SMALL BUSINESS INSIGHTS Read on blog or Reader Nigeria's Q2 GDP growth hits 4.23%, SMEs urge focus on real sector gains By Busola Bamidele on September 23, 2025 Nigeria's economy expanded by 4.23% year-on-year in real terms in the second quarter of 2025, according to fresh data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The growth stronger than the 3.48% recorded in Q2 2024 reflects gains from the rebased 2019 GDP series and a rebound in oil output. Nominal GDP climbed to N100.73tn, up 19.23% from N84.48tn in the same period of 2024. Oil production averaged 1.68 million barrels per day, powering a 20.46% surge in the oil sector, while non-oil activities dominated by agriculture, telecoms, finance, and trade grew by 3.64%, contributing 95.95% to overall output. Industry expanded by 7.45%, but manufacturing slowed to 1.60%, signaling persistent pressure on Nigeria's production base. Despite the headline growth, labour unions and small business leaders questioned the figures, warning that the numbers fail to reflect the realities of households and enterprises. The Nigeria Labour Congress dismissed the report as "growth without development," citing worsening living conditions and unemployment concerns. Organised private sector players, including the Association of Small Business Owners, urged government to channel reforms toward the real sector. "GDP growth is encouraging, but without stronger manufacturing and trade, small businesses and households won't feel the impact," said ASBON President Dr. Femi Egbesola.

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