Business
French minister to meet Nigeria’s SMEs over €3.5bn start-up fund

Nigeria will benefit from a €3.5 billion initiative of the France President, Emmanuel Macron, dedicated to supporting the development of start-ups and SMEs in Africa.
Already, the French Minister of Foreign Trade and Attractiveness, Franck Riester, has arrived in Nigeria to open the ‘Choose Africa’ conference, a forum to reach out to the SMEs in the country.
The visitor is expected to meet with young Nigerian entrepreneurs in the cultural and creative sector to discuss the major role of their country in African creativity and the development of the African entrepreneurial ecosystem, with the support of France.
Riester said the initiative would enable the continent to benefit fully from the opportunities of the digital revolution.
A statement by the Press Officer of the French Embassy Nigeria, Onyinye Madu, said the visit was a follow up on the priorities set by Macron during his official visit to Nigeria in July 2018 as well as his desire to build a new partnership between Africa and France.
The statement read in part, “As the largest economy in Africa and the economic engine of West Africa, Nigeria is indeed a major partner for France-the first in sub-Saharan Africa with bilateral trade amounting to a total of $4.5 billion in 2019 and $2.3 billion in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
‘’The minister will have several official meetings in Abuja and Lagos to underline the importance of the bilateral economic relationship and to prepare the summit on the financing of African economies in Paris on May 18, 2021.’’
It said the objective of the minister’s mission, who will be in Nigeria between April 12 and 14 was also to further strengthen the links between the French and Nigerian private sectors.
“In this regard, the minister will have in-depth discussions with the main Nigerian economic actors to strengthen bilateral cooperation and investments, both in Nigeria and in France, particularly in the logistics sector,’’ it added.
Auto
CFAO subsidiary LOXEA unveils BYD electric vehicles in Nigeria

CFAO subsidiary LOXEA unveils BYD electric vehicles in Nigeria
A subsidiary of CFAO Mobility, LOXEA Nigeria, has introduced the BYD brand of electric vehicles to the Nigerian market.
LOXEA has thus become the pioneer in bringing the renowned electric vehicles (EVs) manufactured by BYD (Build Your Dreams) into the country.
BYD is a high-tech multinational company and the world leader in electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
“As a Fortune Global 500 enterprise, BYD relentlessly innovates to create a sustainable future,” said the automaker.
“In November 2024, BYD becomes the first company in the world to achieve the milestone with the roll-off of its 10-millionth NEV.
“BYD achieves 4.27 million new energy vehicle sales in 2024, claiming the global sales champion in the third consecutive year.”
Managing Director of LOXEA Nigeria, Mr. Mehdi Slimani, stated, “We are proud to distribute this type of electric vehicle and all its associated services.
“Our upcoming showroom in Victoria Island, Lagos will be a place dedicated to the discovery of BYD vehicles, combining modernity, comfort, and economy of use. “It is very important for CFAO Mobility in Nigeria to participate in this way in the country’s energy transition and support our customers who wish to make the switch to electric.”
Chief Executive Officer of CFAO Mobility, Marc Hirschfeld, spoke on the importance of this launch for both the company and the country, saying, “BYD is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of electric vehicles, with a level of innovation know-how that now matches the expectations of our markets in Africa.
“A whole new ecosystem has to be designed around mobility in African cities.
“This applies not only to individual and corporate customers, but also to stakeholders including urban public transport networks and government agencies.
LOXEA specialises in providing innovative mobility solutions across Africa.
With a commitment to sustainability and excellence, it delivers high-quality mobility services, from electric vehicle leasing to fleet management and infrastructure support.
LOXEA is a leading player in innovative mobility solutions in Africa, offering clients a range of 100% electric vehicles from BYD.
As a pioneer in the deployment of electric vehicle solutions across the continent, LOXEA is bringing to Nigeria a comprehensive suite of services associated with electric vehicles.
This includes the installation of electric charging stations, vehicle maintenance, repair services, and the provision of spare parts.
In addition to providing an inaugural charging station at the upcoming LOXEA Victoria Island showroom, the company is also offering an adaptable solution that allows customers to charge their EVs conveniently at home.
The company says more information on this can be obtained from its website: https://www.byd-nigeria.com/ .
Business
Petrol price rises to N935 in Lagos

Petrol price rises to N935 in Lagos
Petrol marketers across the Lagos metropolis at the weekend raised the pump price of the commodity to between N925 per litre and N935 per litre.
This is in response to the increase in the landing cost of petrol, the stoppage by Dangote Refinery of the sales of the commodity in naira about two weeks ago and the delay in conclusion of negotiation on the naira for crude policy.
Last Monday, the landing cost of the commodity rose to N843.28 per litre from a previous N797 per litre a forthnight ago.
This increase represents an addition of N46 per litre to the landing cost of petrol.
Some filling stations like TotalEnergies sold at N935 per litre; MRS, N925.
ARA is a crucial global oil and biofuel hub known for its physical infrastructure, pricing benchmarks, and significant oil consumption.
It added that seasonal refinery maintenance across Europe and a recent fire at the Falconara refinery in Italy have further restricted supply, adding to market tightness and price volatility.
The Association said the foreign exchange rate remained fairly stable, with minimal fluctuations observed over recent periods.
Therefore, the landing cost of petrol, being fundamentally influenced by these elements, is likely to change several times intra-day.
It advised that savings can be achieved through negotiations, access to foreign exchange, and logistics efficiencies, for example, by eliminating Ship to ship (STS) transfer where possible or receiving larger cargos.
MEMAN explained that the landing cost into Apapa/ASPM Jetty is calculated based on the following assumptions: exchange rate, finance charges at 32 per cent per annum for 30 days; STS and related charges; NIMASA charges at two per cent of local STS; NMDPRA at 0.5 per cent MDGIF; NPA and VAT charges covering towage, berthage/mooring, ship dues, cargo dues, contingency, fire coverage, agency fee; other costs at N2 per litre.
Petrol price rises to N935 in Lagos
Business
Dangote Refinery: MRS, other filling stations increase petrol price
Dangote Refinery: MRS, other filling stations increase petrol price
The price of petrol has surged to N930 per litre in Lagos and N960 in northern states, following the recent suspension of naira payments for crude oil by the Dangote refinery.
MRS filling stations implemented the new pricing structure on March 28, 2025, marking a N70 increase from the previous rate of N860 in Lagos and N80 higher than the former N880 in the North.
Other fuel retailers have also adjusted their prices, with NIPCO reportedly selling at N930 per litre in Magboro, Ogun State, on Saturday.
According to MRS Oil & Gas, trucks will load products from its Lagos depot and distribute them across the country at varying costs.
The company’s latest pricing document confirms that Lagos has the lowest fuel rate, while northern states face the highest prices. However, the company did not specify whether it sourced its supply from the Dangote refinery.
Under the revised price framework, petrol now costs N930 per litre in Lagos, N940 in other South-West states, and N960 in the South-South and South-East regions, including Edo, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River, and Enugu.
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In the North, Abuja, Kaduna, Benue, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Nasarawa will pay N950 per litre, while Zamfara, Kano, Jos, Bauchi, Taraba, Adamawa, Borno, Katsina, Jigawa, Gombe, and Yobe will pay N960.
The Free Carrier Agreement (FCA) price, which determines how much marketers pay before reselling fuel, also differs by region. Lagos has the lowest FCA price at N905 per litre, whereas states like Borno, Taraba, Adamawa, and Yobe have FCA prices around N888 per litre.
The recent suspension of the naira-for-crude initiative by the Dangote refinery was attributed to discrepancies in crude oil allocation. Sources indicate that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) allocated large volumes of crude to foreign creditors to settle outstanding loans, making it difficult to sustain local transactions in naira.
As a result, independent fuel importers have taken advantage of the situation, increasing depot prices. Industry analysts warn that the rising petrol costs could drive up transportation fares and the prices of goods and services.
Experts suggest that prices may stabilize once the Dangote refinery secures a reliable crude oil supply from NNPCL and resumes selling in naira. Until then, consumers across the country will have to contend with higher fuel costs.
Dangote Refinery: MRS, other filling stations increase petrol price
(PUNCH)
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