Business
Xenophobia: MTN, Stanbic IBTC, other South African firms face pressure in Nigeria
Xenophobia: MTN, Stanbic IBTC, other South African firms face pressure in Nigeria
South African companies with identifiable business interests estimated at about N20.43 trillion in Nigeria are facing growing uncertainty as pressure mounts on the Federal Government to take stronger action over renewed xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.
The renewed violence has triggered calls for economic retaliation, with lawmakers, student groups and other stakeholders urging the government to consider measures against South African businesses operating in Nigeria.
The calls followed reports of attacks on foreign nationals, killings, looting of businesses and the displacement of Nigerians in different parts of South Africa.
The Federal Government has so far focused largely on diplomatic engagement and measures to protect Nigerians in the country, including the evacuation of 1,490 Nigerians from South Africa in five phases between June 10 and July 15.
Nigeria has also continued to press South African authorities to strengthen protection for Nigerians and other foreign nationals and ensure that those responsible for attacks are brought to justice.
The latest dispute has, however, renewed scrutiny of the extensive South African investments in Nigeria, which span telecommunications, banking, insurance, retail, hospitality, logistics, aviation, manufacturing and property-related businesses.
The estimated N20.43tn figure is based largely on publicly available market capitalisation, asset and property valuations of major South African-linked businesses operating in Nigeria. It should not be interpreted as the precise value of South Africa’s foreign direct investment stock in Nigeria.
Calls for retaliation
Pressure for economic retaliation intensified after South African authorities ruled out compensation for Nigerians who abandoned businesses and properties during the latest wave of xenophobic violence.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole called on the Federal Government to consider appropriating profits made by South African companies operating in Nigeria if South Africa failed to compensate Nigerian victims.
Oshiomhole argued that Nigerian authorities should explore stronger economic measures to protect the interests of citizens affected by xenophobic attacks.
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The proposal, however, has not become government policy, while the Senate subsequently rejected the idea of using profits from South African companies in Nigeria to compensate victims.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has also threatened protests against major South African-linked businesses, including MTN and MultiChoice, in response to the attacks on Nigerians.
The growing calls have raised concerns about whether the diplomatic dispute could eventually spill into Nigeria’s business environment.
Nigerians killed in South Africa
The renewed violence has also resulted in deaths.
Among those killed were Amaramiro Emmanuel and Ekpenyong Andrew, who died in separate incidents in April.
Two other Nigerians, Emeka Iroegbu and Musa Joe, were reported killed in separate incidents on June 28.
By late July, reports indicated that at least four Nigerians had been killed during the latest wave of violence, while Nigerian officials said many more Nigerians had suffered harassment, intimidation, property losses and other forms of abuse.
The Nigerian government subsequently intensified its response, including the voluntary evacuation programme that returned 1,490 Nigerians from South Africa.
The evacuation was coordinated through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission and other government agencies.
South African businesses in Nigeria
South Africa’s commercial presence in Nigeria extends well beyond the brands most familiar to consumers.
The most prominent South African-linked companies listed on the Nigerian Exchange are MTN Nigeria Communications Plc and Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc.
MTN Nigeria is one of the largest companies on the Nigerian Exchange by market value, while Stanbic IBTC is a major player in Nigeria’s banking and financial services industry.
Other South African-linked interests in Nigeria include Rand Merchant Bank, Sanlam, Alexander Forbes, Broll Property Group, Metrofile, PEP, Mr Price, Pick n Pay, Nampak and businesses associated with the hospitality, aviation and manufacturing sectors.
Some companies commonly described as South African businesses have, however, undergone ownership changes over the years.
For instance, Protea Hotels, which has South African origins, is now part of Marriott International’s global hotel network. Some Nigerian operations also involve local investment partners.
This makes it necessary to distinguish between companies with South African origins, companies controlled by South African parent groups and businesses that still have substantial South African ownership.
How the N20.43tn figure was calculated
The estimated N20.43tn value of South African-linked interests in Nigeria is largely derived from the market values and publicly available asset information of major companies.
MTN Nigeria and Stanbic IBTC account for the bulk of the figure when their respective market capitalisations are considered.
However, market capitalisation should not be treated as the amount of money invested by a foreign parent company.
Both MTN Nigeria and Stanbic IBTC are publicly listed Nigerian companies with shares held by Nigerian and international investors.
Consequently, any action targeted at the companies could affect not only South African interests but also Nigerian shareholders, pension funds, employees, customers, suppliers and government revenues.
Nigeria maintains diplomatic pressure
Despite the growing calls for retaliation, the Federal Government has continued to pursue diplomatic channels.
South African International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola visited Abuja as President Cyril Ramaphosa’s special envoy amid efforts to ease tensions between the two countries.
The discussions focused on the safety of Nigerians and other foreign nationals in South Africa, migration issues and the broader state of Nigeria-South Africa relations.
Nigeria has maintained that South Africa must do more to prevent xenophobic attacks and protect Nigerians legally resident in the country.
South Africa, for its part, has reiterated its opposition to xenophobia, racism and discrimination while insisting that criminality should not be associated with nationality.
The dispute has also generated concerns over compensation for Nigerians who lost businesses and property while fleeing the violence.
South African authorities have rejected calls for government compensation, arguing that the state cannot compensate individuals for private property abandoned during the unrest.
Economic stakes for both countries
Any decision by Nigeria to retaliate against South African companies could have consequences for both countries.
MTN Nigeria, for example, provides telecommunications services to millions of Nigerians and employs thousands of people directly and indirectly through its wider supply chain.
Stanbic IBTC also has a significant presence in Nigeria’s banking, investment and financial services sectors.
Any disruption to their operations could therefore affect consumers, workers, shareholders, suppliers and government tax revenues.
South Africa also has significant economic interests in Nigeria, making the relationship important to businesses in both countries.
The situation has consequently placed the Federal Government in a difficult position: responding firmly to xenophobic attacks against Nigerians while avoiding measures that could undermine jobs, investments and economic stability at home.
For now, Nigeria appears to be relying on diplomatic pressure, consular intervention and the protection of affected citizens rather than imposing broad economic sanctions.
But as calls for retaliation continue to grow, the future of South African investments in Nigeria could become a major factor in the increasingly tense relationship between Africa’s two largest economies.
Xenophobia: MTN, Stanbic IBTC, other South African firms face pressure in Nigeria
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Business
Petrol Depot Prices Fall as Dangote, Marketers Cut Rates, Pump Price Reduction Looms
Petrol Depot Prices Fall as Dangote, Marketers Cut Rates, Pump Price Reduction Looms
The price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, has fallen across several major Nigerian depots, with the Dangote Petroleum Refinery cutting its wholesale price by N25 per litre, raising expectations that filling stations could begin reducing pump prices as they replenish their stocks.
The latest reductions were recorded in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Calabar and Warri, following a decline in international crude oil prices and renewed competition among petroleum suppliers.
Dangote Refinery reduced its petrol ex-gantry price from N1,350 to N1,325 per litre, just days after raising the price to N1,350.
The latest adjustment means the refinery has reversed part of the N85 increase introduced on September 12, when its petrol gantry price rose from N1,265 to N1,350 per litre.
Other major depot operators also reduced their prices, particularly in Lagos, where several companies cut their rates by between N20 and N24 per litre.
In Lagos, Ascon, Integrated, Pinnacle and Sahara reduced their petrol prices by N24 to between N1,326 and N1,327 per litre.
MRS reduced its price by N20 to N1,332, while Wosbab was listed at N1,330 per litre.
The reductions were also recorded outside Lagos.
In Calabar, Mainland reduced its petrol price by N7 to N1,320 per litre, while Alkanes cut its price by N2 to N1,325. Matrix retained N1,330, while Sobaz marginally increased its price by N1 to N1,328.
In Port Harcourt, Stockgap reduced its petrol price by N7 to N1,323 per litre, while Masters cut its rate by N2 to N1,328. Bulk Strategic and Sigmund were listed at N1,328, while Matrix retained N1,330.
In Warri, Keonamex reduced its price by N3 to N1,327, while Nepal and Prudent cut their rates to N1,329 and N1,328 respectively. Some operators, however, recorded marginal increases, underscoring the continuing volatility in the downstream market.
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The latest wholesale adjustments followed a decline in global crude prices, with Brent crude trading below $100 per barrel while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) also declined.
The movement is important to Nigeria’s petrol price market because international crude and refined-product prices influence the cost of locally refined products as well as imported PMS.
Brent had climbed as high as about $109 per barrel the previous week before retreating below the $100 mark, although other crude benchmarks have moved differently.
The latest decline has provided some room for refiners and marketers to review wholesale petrol prices downward, but further reductions will depend on the direction of crude prices, foreign exchange conditions and the cost of refined petroleum products.
The reduction at the depots has not, however, immediately translated into equivalent reductions at filling stations.
Petrol was still selling at between about N1,370 and N1,450 per litre in different locations, according to the latest market checks.
In Abuja, motorists and commuters complained that several filling stations had not reduced their pump prices despite the Dangote price cut.
Some stations were still selling petrol at between N1,395 and N1,450 per litre, creating a significant gap between the new Dangote depot price and some retail prices.
The delay is partly linked to the way the deregulated downstream petroleum market operates.
Retailers that purchased their existing stocks at higher prices may continue selling those products at prevailing rates until the stocks are exhausted and replaced with cheaper supplies.
Transportation, storage, logistics, station operating costs and individual marketers’ margins also influence the final pump price.
Consequently, a reduction in the ex-depot price does not automatically translate into an immediate N25 reduction at every filling station.
The latest wholesale price movement nevertheless places additional competitive pressure on retailers, particularly as more marketers begin lifting cheaper products.
It also comes as domestic refining continues to take a larger share of Nigeria’s petrol supply.
Data attributed to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) showed that domestic refineries supplied about 76.7 per cent of Nigeria’s petrol requirement in the first quarter of 2026, while petrol imports fell by about 60 per cent year-on-year to approximately 965.5 million litres.
The figures reflect the growing importance of the Dangote Refinery and other domestic refining facilities in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum market.
However, imported petrol has not disappeared from the country’s supply chain.
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The Federal Government has approved the importation of 830,000 metric tonnes of petrol for the fourth quarter of 2026, ahead of the Christmas and New Year period when fuel demand traditionally rises.
The permits were reportedly issued to Matrix Energy, AA Rano, AYM Shafa, NIPCO, Pinnacle Oil and Bono Energy.
The latest allocation represents an increase from earlier import approvals this year and means imported PMS will remain part of Nigeria’s supply mix despite the expansion of domestic refining capacity.
The import programme has also become a point of contention between Dangote Refinery and the downstream regulator.
Dangote Refinery is challenging the continued issuance of petrol import licences by the NMDPRA, arguing that domestic refining capacity is sufficient to meet local demand.
The legal dispute is before the Federal High Court, with the matter scheduled for further hearing on October 7, 2026.
The continuing import programme, however, reflects concerns about supply security.
NMDPRA data cited in industry reports showed that domestic petrol supply declined from about 32.5 million litres per day in June to 25.8 million litres per day in July, while imports increased from approximately 18.1 million litres per day to 19.7 million litres per day during the same period.
Total daily petrol supply consequently fell from 50.6 million litres to 45.5 million litres.
The figures indicate that although domestic refineries now provide the larger share of Nigeria’s petrol, imports can still serve as a buffer when local production falls below market requirements.
Another factor affecting the competitiveness of local refining is import parity.
The Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria had estimated petrol import parity at between N1,364.02 and N1,365.02 per litre as of September 17.
Dangote’s new N1,325 per litre price is therefore below that earlier import-parity estimate, although actual import costs continue to change with international prices, exchange rates, freight and other charges.
The development could encourage more marketers to source products from domestic refineries if local products remain commercially competitive with imported alternatives.
It also illustrates the changing structure of Nigeria’s fuel market, where international crude prices remain important but domestic refining capacity, competition and supply availability are increasingly influencing prices.
The Federal Government has also been engaging operators in the downstream sector over petrol pricing and supply.
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority has convened consultations involving refiners, depot owners, marketers and retailers as the government seeks greater stability in the petroleum market.
For consumers, the immediate issue remains whether the reduction in wholesale prices will translate into cheaper petrol at the pump.
The latest reduction provides room for a downward movement, but the timing and size of any retail price cut will depend on the cost of existing stocks, new depot prices, transportation expenses, market competition and the direction of international crude prices.
The volatility of the market has also been reflected in the diesel segment.
Some depots reduced the price of automotive gas oil, with Lagos recording reductions of up to N15 per litre at some operators, while Port Harcourt and Warri also recorded significant cuts.
The movement in both petrol and diesel prices comes at a time when high energy costs continue to affect transportation, logistics, food distribution and operating expenses for Nigerian households and businesses.
If the lower crude prices persist and wholesale petrol prices remain at the new levels, motorists could see further reductions as cheaper stocks move through the distribution chain.
For now, the latest petrol depot price cuts have created a new opportunity for pump-price reductions, although the immediate impact will vary from one location and retailer to another.
The development also reinforces the increasingly competitive nature of Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, with Dangote Refinery, other domestic suppliers and importers competing to meet demand under a deregulated pricing regime.
Petrol Depot Prices Fall as Dangote, Marketers Cut Rates, Pump Price Reduction Looms
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Auto
NADDC Pushes Affordable Auto Loans to Boost Vehicle Ownership, More Jobs
NADDC Pushes Affordable Auto Loans to Boost Vehicle Ownership, More Job
The National Automotive Design and Development Council has called for far-reaching reforms in vehicle financing to make car ownership more affordable while boosting local vehicle assembly, job creation and industrial development.
The Council said a properly structured financing system could turn vehicle credit from a mere consumer lending product into a major economic tool for expanding productive mobility and strengthening Nigeria’s automotive value chain.
Director-General of NADDC, Otunba Joseph Oluwemimo Osanipin, stated this in an address delivered on his behalf by the Council’s Principal Information Officer, Tanko Kyumnom, at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Auto Sectoral Group Symposium in Lagos.
The symposium, held on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at the Henry Fajemirokun Hall of LCCI, was themed: “From Subsidy to Credit: Can Vehicle Financing Replace Fuel Subsidy as Nigeria’s Mobility Equaliser?”
Osanipin said the growing cost of mobility had made it necessary to explore financing models that would enable individuals, businesses and transport operators to acquire vehicles without bearing the full cost of ownership upfront.
According to him, spreading vehicle payments over an agreed period could provide a more sustainable pathway to vehicle acquisition, provided that the financing products are affordable, accessible and structured around the economic realities of Nigerian consumers.
He, however, cautioned that simply making credit available would not be enough.
“Vehicle financing offers a more sustainable approach by enabling individuals, businesses and transport operators to acquire vehicles and pay for them over time,” Osanipin stated.
The NADDC DG said the bigger opportunity lies in linking vehicle financing with the growth of locally assembled and Nigerian-made vehicles.
He explained that increased access to credit for locally produced vehicles could generate wider economic benefits by stimulating demand for domestic assembly, supporting component manufacturers, creating jobs and strengthening local supply chains.
Osanipin therefore urged stronger collaboration among government institutions, financial institutions, vehicle manufacturers and other stakeholders in designing financing schemes capable of supporting both mobility access and automotive industrialisation.
The NADDC boss identified affordable vehicle loans, leasing arrangements, fleet financing, credit guarantees and appropriate interest-rate support as mechanisms that could broaden access to vehicle ownership and productive mobility.
lt also stressed the need for repayment structures that take into account the earning patterns and business realities of Nigerians, particularly transport operators and small businesses whose vehicles are directly linked to their income-generating activities.
Osanipin maintained that the objective should extend beyond increasing the number of vehicles on Nigerian roads.
“The goal is not simply to put more vehicles on Nigerian roads. It is to ensure that Nigerians can access productive mobility without placing an unsustainable burden on government finances or household incomes,” he said.
According to him, a properly structured automotive financing system could create a stronger connection between mobility, economic inclusion and domestic vehicle production.
“With the right policies and partnerships, vehicle financing can become a powerful instrument for mobility, economic inclusion and automotive industrial development,” Osanipin added.
The NADDC’s position places vehicle financing within the broader effort to build a sustainable automotive ecosystem in Nigeria—one in which access to credit supports vehicle users while also creating stronger demand for local assembly, components and associated automotive services.
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Auto
Jetour T1 Storms Abuja as Automaker Accelerates Nigeria Expansion
Jetour T1 Set to debut in Abuja as Expansion Gains Momentum
Following a successful debut in Lagos, Jetour Nigeria will host the Jetour Experience Abuja from September 22 to 24, 2026, positioning its all-new T1 model as a major competitor in the country’s growing adventure SUV market.
The three-day event in the Federal Capital Territory will give prospective buyers and motoring enthusiasts direct access to product demonstrations, expert-led technical sessions, and hands-on test drives.
“Strong participation, extensive test drives, and significant sales enquiries at the Lagos edition, coupled with growing demand from Abuja residents, influenced the decision to bring the experience to the nation’s capital,” the company said in a statement. The show holds at Maha Event Centre, Area 8, Garki.
To support its growing national footprint, Jetour Nigeria has established a network of seven accredited dealers: Elizade Nigeria Limited, New Era AutoVehicle Services Limited, Kojo Motors, Germaine Auto Centre, Tab Autos Limited, R.T. Briscoe Motors, and Mandilas Autos. The partnerships cover retail sales, genuine spare parts supply, and comprehensive after-sales maintenance.
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The T1 enters the market with a focal point on balance—combining off-road capability with urban comfort.
The smart T1 has the following features-
Dimensions: 4,705mm (L) x 1,967mm (W) x 1,843mm (H) |; Wheelbase: 2,800mm; and
Powertrains: 1.5L Turbo / 2.0L Turbo (254 hp, 390 Nm torque).
The drivetrain is BorgWarner XWD Intelligent 4WD | 7-Speed DCT or 8-Speed Automatic. Terrain Capability: 199mm ground clearance, 600mm wading depth, and 28° approach/departure angles.
Other features include 15.6-inch HD touchscreen, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 platform, 8-speaker audio, 5-seater configuration with 574 litres of rear luggage space, 85 percent high-strength steel chassis alongside a Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS), which includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, Forward Collision Warning, and Autonomous Emergency Braking.
Since its Nigerian market entry, Jetour has secured several local and international automotive honors, including Fastest Growing Auto Brand of the Year and Auto Brand of the Year.
Jetour T1 Set to debut in Abuja as Expansion Gains Momentum
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