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
Jetour T2 PHEV Storms Abuja as Jetour Steps Up Nigeria Expansion
Jetour T2 PHEV Storms Abuja as Jetour Steps Up Nigeria Expansion
Abuja is set for a major dose of electrified motoring as Jetour Nigeria takes its technologically advanced T2 Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) to the nation’s capital for an experiential showcase aimed at deepening the brand’s growing footprint in Nigeria.
The Jetour T2 PHEV will headline the Jetour Experience Abuja, scheduled for September 22 to 24, 2026, following the strong reception recorded at the brand’s Lagos edition earlier this year, where customer participation, test drives and sales enquiries reportedly surged.
The move to Abuja, according to Jetour Nigeria, was largely driven by growing demand from motorists in the Federal Capital Territory who have been seeking an opportunity to experience the brand’s latest vehicles, particularly the T2 PHEV.
The Abuja activation will feature test drives, product demonstrations and interactions with Jetour’s technical and sales teams, giving prospective buyers first-hand access to the SUV and its plug-in hybrid technology.
Jetour Nigeria, the sole authorised distributor of the brand in the country, is also leveraging an expanding nationwide dealer network comprising Elizade Nigeria Limited, New Era AutoVehicle Services Limited, Kojo Motors, Germaine Auto Centre, TAB Autos Limited, R.T. Briscoe Motors and Mandilas Autos to strengthen sales and after-sales support across key markets.
READ ALSO:
- Obi Explains Why He Won’t Step Down for Atiku in 2027
- ASUU Threatens Nationwide Strike Over Unpaid Salaries, Unimplemented Agreement
- FG to Give Students 100MB Free Data Daily From October 1
The company said the decision to stage the Abuja experience was also driven by requests from patrons and prospective customers in the capital who want an opportunity to experience Jetour’s latest products, including the technologically advanced T2 PHEV.
The Jetour T2 PHEV combines rugged SUV capability with hybrid efficiency, advanced technology and comprehensive safety features, positioning it as an attractive option for Nigerian motorists seeking performance, comfort and improved fuel economy.
Since its entry into the Nigerian market, Jetour has recorded growing acceptance, with its SUV range gaining popularity among families, professionals and adventure enthusiasts.
The brand’s expanding customer base has been supported by competitive pricing, after-sales service and vehicles engineered to cope with diverse road and driving conditions across Nigeria.
Jetour’s growing reputation has also been reinforced by a number of local and international recognitions spanning product quality, design, innovation and customer satisfaction.
Its vehicles have also earned strong global safety ratings, with the T2 achieving a 5-Star NCAP safety rating, placing it among vehicles meeting high benchmarks for occupant safety.
The Abuja event is expected to feature test drives, product demonstrations and direct interactions with Jetour’s technical and sales teams, giving visitors an opportunity to experience the brand’s products and understand the technology behind the T2 PHEV.
Beyond showcasing its expanding SUV lineup, Jetour said the Abuja activation reflects its commitment to bringing the brand’s ownership and customer experience closer to motorists across Nigeria.
With the Federal Capital Territory as its next destination, Jetour is looking to build on the momentum generated in Lagos while deepening its footprint in one of Nigeria’s most important automotive markets.
Jetour T2 PHEV Storms Abuja as Jetour Steps Up Nigeria Expansion
![]()
Auto
Honda shakes up Nigeria operations, dissolves HAWA, retains HMN
Honda shakes up Nigeria operations, dissolves HAWA, retains HMN
Japanese automobile giant, Honda, has overhauled its operations in Nigeria, dissolving its automobile arm, Honda Automobile Western Africa Limited, and folding its business into Honda Manufacturing Nigeria Limited.
The restructuring, which took effect on September 1, 2026, followed the sanctioning of the merger by the Federal High Court, with HMN emerging as the surviving entity.
Under the new arrangement, HAWA, which had been responsible for Honda’s automobile business operations in the country, has ceased to exist as a separate corporate entity, while HMN has taken over its assets, liabilities, contracts, rights, obligations and ongoing business operations.
Honda, however, moved quickly to allay concerns over the development, assuring customers, dealers and business partners that the restructuring would not disrupt its automobile operations or affect the level of service and support they receive.
In a notification to its business partners dated August 31, 2026, Honda said the restructuring had resulted in the consolidation of both companies into “one unified entity”, with HMN assuming all assets, liabilities, rights, obligations, contracts, undertakings and business operations previously held or conducted by HAWA.
READ ALSO:
- Fire Scare at Abuja Train Station as Electrical Fault Sparks Blaze, NRC Assures Passengers
- Veteran Nollywood Actress Cries Out for Financial Help Over Cervical Cancer Battle
- MURIC Raises Alarm Over Alleged Religious Imbalance in NDA 78RC Admission
The development means that existing relationships, arrangements and commitments involving HAWA will henceforth be managed and administered by HMN.
The company, however, stressed that the restructuring would not disrupt its automobile business operations in Nigeria.
“Automobile business operations previously conducted by HAWA will continue under HMN without interruption,” Honda assured its partners, adding that it remained committed to maintaining the same level of service, support and cooperation that customers and business partners had come to expect.
The restructuring is also expected to streamline Honda’s corporate structure in Nigeria by bringing its manufacturing and automobile business operations under a single surviving entity.
Honda said it was currently updating relevant corporate records and information as part of the integration process. These include corporate details, registered address, authorised signatories, management information and other related documentation.
It added that any changes requiring the attention of its business partners would be communicated in due course.
The company further requested the continued support and cooperation of its partners during the transition, while providing a copy of the Federal High Court order sanctioning the merger as an appendix to its notification.
Honda shakes up Nigeria operations, dissolves HAWA, retains HMN
![]()
Railway
Fire Scare at Abuja Train Station as Electrical Fault Sparks Blaze, NRC Assures Passengers
Fire Scare at Abuja Train Station as Electrical Fault Sparks Blaze, NRC Assures Passengers
A minor fire caused by an electrical fault broke out at the Idu Train Station in Abuja on Wednesday night, but the incident did not disrupt operations on the Abuja–Kaduna train route, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has said.
The fire, which occurred in the station’s low-voltage electrical room, was detected at about 8:30 p.m. and was quickly brought under control by maintenance personnel.
A preliminary inspection showed that some electrical supply cables connected to the station’s control panels were damaged in the incident.
READ ALSO:
- Veteran Nollywood Actress Cries Out for Financial Help Over Cervical Cancer Battle
- MURIC Raises Alarm Over Alleged Religious Imbalance in NDA 78RC Admission
- Agunbiade fires back at Deji Yesufu: Don’t mistake Boko Haram for Islam
However, the NRC said the station’s solar power system was not affected, while power had been temporarily restored to the lifts and escalators.
According to the Corporation’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Callistus Unyimadu, all the lifts and escalators are currently operational except Lift 1.
The NRC stressed that the incident had no impact on Abuja–Kaduna train services, assuring passengers that scheduled operations would continue as normal.
The Corporation said its technical team was conducting a detailed assessment to establish the cause of the electrical fault and permanently restore the affected installations.
It added that appropriate safety measures had been put in place while the assessment and remedial work continued.
Fire Scare at Abuja Train Station as Electrical Fault Sparks Blaze, NRC Assures Passengers
![]()
-
metro2 days agoPolice Arrest Woman Over Fake OPay Shutdown Notice
-
Politics2 days agoAmaechi will be caged politically, Wike shouldn’t bother about Ikwerre votes — Wihioka
-
Feature3 days agoLagos Records 33,009 Domestic Violence Cases Amid Economic Hardship
-
metro2 days agoResidents Cry Out Over Poorly Constructed Entrance of Ademola Abiola Street, Demand Urgent Intervention
-
metro3 days agoNSCIA warns FG against weaponising state institutions in El-Rufai case
-
Politics2 days agoRemi Tinubu Appeals To South-East Voters, Says She Wants To ‘Enjoy Nigeria’ In Old Age
-
News3 days agoMissing Billions: Lawmakers Summon NNPCL and 146 Marketers Over ₦432bn Downstream Debt
-
Politics2 days agoBreaking the Cycle of Collective Guilt: When a Ruling Party Voice Backs Peter Obi
