Business
UK Appoints New Country Director To Lead UK Nigeria Trade And Investment Relations

The United Kingdom has appointed Mark Smithson as the new country director for the Department of Business and Trade in Nigeria.
In this role, Smithson will be responsible for leading trade and investment relations between the UK and Nigeria, with the goal of increasing investment and trade between the two nations.
Smithson, who has experience in both the UK and abroad, will work to support market access and trade policy priorities in addition to his other responsibilities.
The new country director expressed his excitement about his new role and the potential for growth between the two nations. He stated that he is eager to work with the Nigerian government, the private sector, and the UK supply chain to seize the opportunities this partnership offers.
Prior to his appointment, Smithson led the Department of Business and Trade’s capital investment agenda in London, where he focused on large corporations in Europe and the US, as well as institutional investors in Southeast Asia.
He has also served as the head of the Consular Section at the British Consulate General in Barcelona, Spain, and the head of Consular Services at the British Consulate General in Miami.
The UK has also appointed John Humphrey as the trade commissioner for Africa, who will work closely with ambassadors, high commissioners, and the wider diplomatic network to promote UK trade and prosperity in Africa.
Business
Foreign Investment Outflow from NGX Rises by 250.86% in Q1’25

Foreign investment outflow from the Nigerian stock market (NGXchange) has risen by 250.86 percent, Quarter-on-Quarter, QoQ, to N420.37 billion in the first Quarter, Q1’25, from N119.81 billion in the corresponding period of 2024, Q1’24.
The Nigerian Exchange Limited, NGX, disclosed this in its foreign portfolio report.
According to the report, foreign investment outflow also exceeded inflow by 20 percent or N20.11 billion in Q1’25. Despite the outflow, foreign investment inflow rose by 275 percent, Year-on-Year, YoY, to N349.97 billion in Q1’25 from N93.37 billion in Q1’24.
The NGX also revealed that N2.23 trillion equity transactions were recorded by both domestic and foreign investors in Q1’25.
The figure surpassed the N1.54 trillion recorded in the same period of 2024, representing an increase of N690 billion or 44.8 percent.
In March 2025, foreign transactions outperformed domestic transactions by circa 26 percent.
According to the NGX, foreign transactions increased significantly by 1,541 percent to N699.89 billion in March 2025 from N42.65 billion in February 2025.
On the other hand, domestic transactions decreased by 10.98 percent Month-on-Month, MoM, to N415.62 billion in March 2025 from N466.82 billion in February 2025.
Domestic inflow and outflow also declined in the reviewed period.
Business
Liberia Woos Investors at 2025 Investment Conference

Liberia’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Magdalene E. Dagoseh, has highlighted the country’s immense investment potential at the 2025 Liberia Investment Conference.
The two-day forum, which brought together investors, policymakers, and business leaders, aimed to explore investment opportunities in Liberia.
Minister Dagoseh emphasized Liberia’s commitment to creating a conducive business environment, citing minimal financial barriers and a welcoming regulatory framework.
“Liberia is a place of authority of opportunity, where transformation can take place at all levels,” she stated.
The conference showcased Liberia’s investment potential in various sectors, including agriculture, mining, infrastructure, and services.
The agriculture sector, for instance, offers opportunities for investment in crop production, livestock farming, and agro-processing.
She remarked that by investing in Liberia, companies can tap into the country’s growing market and contribute to its economic development.
Diaspora Watch reports that Liberia aims to attract foreign investment, stimulate economic growth, and reduce poverty by showcasing its investment potential.
With its strategic location, natural resources, and growing economy, Liberia is an attractive destination for investors.
The 2025 Liberia Investment Conference marked a significant step towards achieving these goals, highlighting Liberia’s investment potential to a global audience.
Liberia’s investment potential is enormous, and the country is committed to creating a conducive business environment to attract investors and drive economic growth.
Business
$5 Billion African Energy Bank Enters Final Phase
The Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has announced that preparations for the launch of the $5 billion African Energy Bank (AEB) have entered their final phase.
Lokpobiri made the disclosure after a high-level review meeting in Abuja with President of Afreximbank, Professor Benedict Oramah, and Secretary-General of African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation (APPO), Dr Farouk Ibrahim.
According to Lokpobiri, key legal and governance frameworks have been concluded, while capital mobilisation discussions have recorded encouraging commitments from both member nations and private investors.
The AEB, headquartered in Abuja, seeks to mobilise capital for energy infrastructure projects across Africa.
“The AEB is poised to become a transformative financing platform for energy projects across the continent,” Lokpobiri said.
“This review confirms that every critical milestone is either completed or on schedule, and we remain fully aligned with our continental partners.”
APPO’s Ibrahim commended Nigeria’s dedication to meeting the stringent requirements for bank establishment, while Afreximbank’s Oramah stated that the bank was ready to deploy its structuring expertise and capital base to ensure AEB’s successful launch.
A definitive launch timeline and inaugural board meeting date have been fixed and will be announced shortly.
The AEB has an initial capital target of $5 billion, with plans to scale up to $120 billion subsequently.
In a separate event, Lokpobiri flagged off construction of the permanent site for Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy, Alkaleri (BOGAA), saying the move will contribute to the federal government’s human capacity development plan in the energy sector.
The minister highlighted President Bola Tinubu’s broader agenda to harness the full potential of Nigeria’s energy sector in driving economic prosperity, creating jobs, and enhancing national revenue.
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Diaspora Watch – Vol. 49