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Nigeria Set to Join YouthConnekt Africa, To Enjoy Investment Acceleration Boost for Nigerian Youth
Joel Ajayi
Nigeria is set to join YouthConnekt Africa, a youth forum that brings together young people from across the African continent.
The Nigerian Delegation led by Directors in the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports: Olusegun Olufehinti, Hajiya Amina Dauran and the Special Assistant on youth and ICT to the Honourable Minister Kemi Areola are currently attending the YouthConnekt Africa Summit holding in Kigali Rwanda to solidify the partnership between Nigerian youth and the youth across the African continent under the umbrella of YouthConnekt Africa.
Following the commitment of the Federal Government to promote entrepreneurship and strengthen youth policy, which is the subject of a sectoral policy letter focusing on citizenship, volunteerism, social cohesion and employment of young people and women that correspond to the objectives of YouthConnekt Africa, the Federal Government through the Youth Ministry decided to approve Nigeria joining the youth group.
This decision, to join this initiative, was taken for the sole purpose of the socio-economic transformation of the Nigerian youth.
During the Intergenerational Dialogue at the opening ceremony of the Summit, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda reiterated to the African Youth that, “You must play a part in what you become. You must play a part in what your society becomes. No matter how small. You must make that decision to play a part. If you wait for handouts, that’s what you become.”
Also speaking at the event the Rwandan Minister of Youth and Culture, Rosemary Mbabazi highlighted the importance of the
‘3Ps’ for youth empowerment, which are; Policies, Programmes and Partnerships.
While Rigathi Gatchgua, the Deputy President of Kenya reminded the youth that happiness is an attitude of the mind and urged them to focus on the years that they are young, ensuring they take advantage of their youthfulness vigor, energy and opportunities to build the best future for themselves and others.
As Nigeria continues to implement an ambitious range of programmes aimed at training and empowerment of the youth, through a strong focus on education, creation of decent jobs and strengthening policies for social inclusion.
Youth Minister Sunday Dare stated that he strongly believes the YouthConnekt platform will help enhance these areas of focus for the African youth.
News
AWESSA 2026: Customs Assures Border Cooperation for Women Entrepreneurs
By James Samuel, Abuja
The Nigeria Customs Service has said the nation’s borders must become gateways of opportunity for African women entrepreneurs, not obstacles that kill their businesses.
This was disclosed at the African Women’s Economic Sovereignty Summit and Awards (AWESSA) 2026 held at the Customs House, corporate headquarters of the Nigeria Customs Service in Abuja.
Representing the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, his representative, an Assistant Controller, said hosting the summit inside Customs premises was deliberate.
“That this summit holds within the Customs premises is no accident. It is a statement of intent,” he said.
“The border is where the promise of every African trader either comes alive or dies quietly. And the men and women of this Service have resolved that for every woman entrepreneur of this continent, that promise will never die.”
He said women account for an estimated 70% of informal cross-border trade in Africa and over half of agricultural labour, yet they face documentation, standards, finance and harassment challenges.
“Too often she meets the border as an obstacle rather than a gateway. Because she trades in small volumes, in cash, in informality without formal papers, capable business women are now trapped in informality, invisible to trade statistics,” he noted.
He added: “AfCFTA will not be delivered by treaties alone. It will be delivered at border posts, in conference halls, and in market stores.”
Also speaking, the Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, represented by a Director, said women are central to Nigeria’s non-oil export sector.
According to her, NEPC’s focus is now on building export- ready competitive enterprises through programmes like the Women in Export Initiative, Export Clinic, and Zero to Export.
“Our focus is no longer on encouraging exports alone, it is on building competitive export-ready enterprises. We are supporting women to move beyond production into value addition, quality assurance, standard compliance, branding and market positioning,” she said.
She said AfCFTA offers a market of over one billion people, but women need knowledge, certifications and institutional support.
“Empowering women economically is one of the most effective tools for achieving poverty reduction, food security, job creation and inclusive growth,” she stated.
The Convener, Helen Okon, who is the Publisher of Business Review Africa & Africa Today Magazine, as well as representatives of NAFDAC DG and NEXIM Bank MD, reaffirmed commitment to supporting women-owned businesses access standards, certification and finance.
The summit, with the theme of positioning women as drivers of trade and sustainable development, is part of activities marking the International Year of the Women Farmer.
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