Analysis

How mandatory coverage set to enhance health care in Nigeria
OBG
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The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) was enacted in 2004 to make it affordable for all citizens to have medical insurance, and to provide Nigerians relief from high out-of-pocket spending for health-related services. In 2019 a three-point rebranding was unveiled to improve the transparency and accountability of the insurance scheme, make the organisation result-oriented and accelerate efforts…

Analysis

How tech is disrupting the education sector in Nigeria
OBG
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As economies transition away from traditional learning methods and the characteristics of job markets evolve, education technology (edtech) can help countries achieve efficiency and effectiveness in school management. With widespread resource shortages in schools across the country, Nigeria stands to make significant gains from digital methodologies in order to raise the quality and productivity of…

Analysis

Solutions to address the environmental and health risks of plastic
OBG
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With many emerging markets still facing high levels of plastic waste after the Covid-19 pandemic, solutions are being developed to address its environmental and health challenges. Plastic – which accounted for 12% of global solid waste pre-pandemic, according to the World Bank – took on a more prominent role as personal protective equipment (PPE) and single-use plastics by delivery food services…

Analysis

The shipping industry works to lower its environmental impact
OBG
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As environmental concerns become increasingly pressing for governments and businesses alike, the shipping industry is taking steps to reduce its carbon footprint. In August 2021 Danish shipping company Maersk, the world’s largest container shipping line, announced that it had invested $1.4bn in eight new vessels to be powered by methanol, rather than oil-based fuels. The ships, expected to be delivered…

Analysis

Improved seaports and dry ports in Nigeria expected to boost regional trade
OBG
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The privatisation of port operations as part of the port reform programme launched in 2006 has brought significant efficiency gains and economic savings to the country’s maritime sector. In December 2022 the Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria estimated that the port concession programme had saved the country a total of $1.6bn, roughly $100m annually between 2006 and 2022. Nigeria’s…

Analysis

Nigeria to lower construction costs with local and alternative building materials
OBG
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Nigeria’s infrastructure development drive has the potential to transform the local construction industry and contribute to wider economic growth. One area that stands to benefit from a strong pipeline of large-scale building projects and demand for public housing is the local building materials industry. Due to the underutilization of raw materials, Nigeria is a net importer of such inputs. Indeed,…

Analysis

Mixed-use developments gaining popularity in Nigeria
OBG
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The Covid-19 pandemic initiated and accelerated several consumer and social trends. Mixed-use developments were prevalent in Nigeria before 2020, and lifestyle changes driven by social restrictions made those projects more appealing. “What we have seen is a shift from single-sector developments towards mixed-use real estate,” Bolaji Edu, CEO of Broll Nige-ria, told OBG. “Multiple factors, such…

Analysis

Brick-and-mortar and online stores give consumers retail options in Nigeria
OBG
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Traditional, informal retailers account for around 70% of African consumers’ food, beverage and personal care purchases. Nigeria had around 600,000 small-scale retailers, primarily grocers, accounting for 97% of national retail transactions according to a June 2022 report by international consultancy Boston Consulting Group. While modern malls populated by international brands have gained traction…

Analysis

Governments work to counter a global rise in cyberthreats
OBG
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Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 has caused disruptions across the global economy, from food to energy, and prompted an increase in the number and sophistication of cyberattacks – exacerbating similar impacts from the Covid-19 pandemic. According to a poll of 800 chief audit executives conducted by the UK-based Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors, 77% of respondents thought the…

Analysis

Nigeria's start-up ecosystem continues to attract investment
OBG
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While the first tech start-ups in Nigeria emerged in the early 2000s, the ecosystem truly began to develop in the years from 2012. Financial technology (fintech), e-commerce and retail technology enter-prises dominate the current start-up landscape; however, the ecosystem has expanded to encompass key areas of the national economy including recruitment, mobility and logistics, agri-tech and entertainment. Nigeria,…