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National Sports Commission Reaffirms Commitment as Partner and Co-host of the Sports Africa Investment Summit

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Mallam Shehu Dikko

Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko to Deliver Agenda-Setting Keynote Address in February 2025

LAGOS, Nigeria, January 21, 2025/APO Group/ — 

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has reaffirmed its active participation as a Partner and Co-Host of the upcoming Sports Africa Investment Summit (SAIS) 2025. Under the leadership of its Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, the NSC has reiterated its unwavering dedication to advancing the summit’s mission of driving economic growth through sports. With the summit now scheduled for February 17th and 18th, 2025, this adjustment reflects the Commission’s commitment to ensuring the event aligns with its renewed vision of fostering a sustainable and inclusive sports ecosystem in Nigeria.

In a statement on the postponement, Mallam Shehu Dikko emphasized:

“The National Sports Commission is committed to shaping a sustainable and inclusive sports ecosystem in Nigeria. The decision to postpone SAIS reflects our desire to align this summit with our renewed vision and ensure that public sector engagement is maximized. This extra time will enable us to strategically mobilize resources, foster collaborations, and demonstrate leadership in the sports investment space.”

As a highlight of SAIS 2025, Mallam Dikko will deliver a landmark agenda-setting keynote address during the opening ceremony on February 17th. His address will underscore the Commission’s strategy for repositioning sports as a robust economic sector powered by innovative business models, and reaffirm its role as a catalyst for social and community transformation in Nigeria and across Africa.

This extra time will enable us to strategically mobilize resources, foster collaborations, and demonstrate leadership in the sports investment space

Mallam Dikko will also participate as a panelist in two key breakout sessions:

  • Facilities, Stadiums, and Arenas: The Sports Infrastructure Strategy for Industry Development
  • Accelerating Industrialization through Sports Development and Investments

Through these engagements, Mallam Dikko will further emphasize the NSC’s commitment to fostering public-private partnerships and leveraging sports as a driver of sustainable development. This collaboration underscores the Commission’s vision of transforming sports into an economic powerhouse capable of delivering wide-reaching social and community impact.

With the theme “Unleashing Africa’s Potential: Investing in Sports Infrastructure for a Sustainable Future,” SAIS 2025 is set to bring together policymakers, investors, and industry leaders to explore transformative strategies that unlock significant opportunities across Africa’s sports ecosystem.

Event Details

  • Dates: February 17–18, 2025
  • Venue: Lagos Continental Hotel, Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos
  • Time: 9:00 AM Daily

For tickets and registration, visit www.SportNigeria.ng/SAIS, email sais@sportnigeria.ng, or contact 0706 203 8705 (Call/WhatsApp).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Sport Nigeria Ltd.

Business

Hainan Economic and Trade Delegation Visits the U.S., Focusing on Trade and Investment Cooperation

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Hainan

SAN FRANCISCO, USA – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 May 2026 – From May 11 to 14, a Hainan economic and trade delegation, jointly organized by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Hainan Provincial Committee (CCPIT Hainan)and the Hainan Youth Federation, visited the United States to conduct business exchange activities aimed at accelerating bilateral trade and investment between Hainan and the U.S. The delegation, comprising over 20 members, included heads of enterprises and institutions from sectors such as international trade, port logistics, digital technology, marine environmental protection, legal services, and modern agriculture.

At the China (Hainan Free Trade Port)–U.S. (San Francisco) Economic and Trade Exchange Meeting, the delegation highlighted the policy advantages and innovative achievements of the Hainan Free Trade Port to American enterprises. The two sides engaged in extensive exchanges in areas such as international trade, modern services, high-tech industries, and cross-border investment.

The head of the delegation noted that since the Hainan Free Trade Port began island-wide special customs operations on December 18, 2025, policy dividends have been steadily unleashed. The customs supervision model of “freer access at the first line, regulated access at the second line” has been fully implemented. The number of zero-tariff commodity items has been expanded to 6,631. Additionally, the policy of exempting tariffs on processed goods with a value-added rate exceeding 30% has created new cost advantages for cooperation between Chinese and U.S. enterprises.

Sean Randolph, a representative of the Bay Area Council, stated that direct exchanges between companies are essential for establishing long-term cooperative relationships. He noted that the San Francisco Bay Area, as a key gateway for Pacific trade, has maintained long-standing economic ties with Asia, particularly China. As the Hainan Free Trade Port continues to develop, sectors such as services, life sciences, and tourism are creating new opportunities for collaboration with California-based businesses.

During the visit, the delegation also participated in the 2026 China-California Economic and Trade Forum and held business negotiations with U.S. companies. The CCPIT Hainan signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Sino America Business Information Center to support the establishment of a platform for bilateral economic and trade cooperation and exchanges.

In addition, the delegation visited institutions such as the American-Chinese CEO Society, the Huamei Business Information Center, the Silicon Valley Open Intelligent Culture Foundation, and Sidley Austin LLP, engaging in in-depth exchanges on cross-border investment , specialized industry development, and commercial legal matters.

In June 2020, China unveiled a master plan to build the whole of Hainan Island into a globally influential and high-level free trade port by the middle of the century. The initiative reached a major milestone in December last year with the launch of island-wide special customs operations, which marked the completion of the first key step toward that goal.

The move has turned the island into a special customs supervision zone, allowing freer trade between Hainan and areas outside China’s customs borders, while enforcing standard customs controls for goods moving from Hainan to the mainland.

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PAC Capital Limited Secures Seven Prestigious International Awards, Reinforcing Leadership in Investment Banking and Advisory

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PAC Capital’s recognition reflects its extensive footprint across key African markets, supported by strong partnerships with multilateral institutions, global investors, and strategic allies

We are proud of this milestone and even more excited about the opportunities ahead

LAGOS, Nigeria, May 21, 2026/APO Group/ –PAC Capital Limited (www.PACCapitalLtd.com), a leading investment banking and financial advisory firm in Nigeria, has been honoured with seven distinguished awards across two globally recognised platforms, further solidifying its position as a market leader in capital markets, advisory, and cross-border investment solutions.

 

At the Gazet International Awards 2026, PAC Capital Limited emerged winner in five categories:

  • Best Investment Banking & Financial Advisory Firm – Nigeria 2026
  • Excellence in Capital Markets & Fundraising Solutions – Nigeria 2026
  • Best Debt & Equity Capital Advisory Firm – Nigeria 2026
  • Excellence in Cross-Border Investment & Capital Solutions – Africa 2026
  • Outstanding Infrastructure & Project Finance Advisory Firm – Africa 2026

In addition, the firm was recognised by World Business Outlook Awards 2026 with two major honours:

  • Most Preferred Investment Banking Firm Nigeria 2026
  • Best Investment Banking and Advisory Firm Nigeria 2026

These recognitions underscore PAC Capital’s strong institutional capacity, robust regulatory foundation, and consistent delivery of innovative financial solutions across Equity Capital Markets, Debt Capital Markets, and specialised finance and advisory services.

Commenting on the achievement, Humphrey Oriakhi, Managing Director stated:
“This multi-award recognition is both humbling and affirming. It reflects the deliberate strategy we have pursued to build a resilient, full-service investment banking platform capable of delivering complex, high-impact transactions across markets. As we continue to deepen our footprint in Africa and expand across Global Africa, our focus remains on creating sustainable value for our clients and stakeholders through innovation, discipline, and strong execution.”

PAC Capital’s recognition reflects its extensive footprint across key African markets, supported by strong partnerships with multilateral institutions, global investors, and strategic allies. The firm’s involvement across diverse sectors—including oil and gas, power and energy, infrastructure, aviation, information technology, and the public sector—demonstrates its versatility and depth in delivering tailored financial solutions.

Bolarinwa Sanni, Executive Director, PAC Capital Limited:
“These awards speak to the strength of our client relationships and our ability to consistently deliver tailored financial solutions in an increasingly dynamic market environment. We have built a reputation for excellence across capital markets, advisory, and project finance by staying responsive to client needs and maintaining the highest standards of professionalism. We are proud of this milestone and even more excited about the opportunities ahead.”

As a founding member of Nigeria’s OTC securities trading platform and a registered Issuing House and Bonds Listing Member with FMDQ, PAC Capital continues to uphold some of the highest regulatory and governance standards within the Nigerian financial services industry.

 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of PAC Capital Limited.

 

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How the Product Leadership Accelerator (PLA) is Re-Engineering African Enterprises for a Digital-First Economy

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Leadership

As Africa looks to technology for the next wave of economic evolution, the PLA stands at the center of that journey, turning the SVPG Product Operating Model into a reality for the continent’s most innovative and ambitious enterprises

LAGOS, Nigeria, May 20, 2026/APO Group/ –As the global community celebrates World Product Day, a profound shift is taking place across Africa’s enterprise landscape. The Product Leadership Accelerator (PLA), www.AfricaPLA.com, an initiative of the Innovate Africa Foundation, is officially setting a new gold standard for how value is created and scaled, in Africa, by transforming African enterprises from traditional service providers into high-velocity, “product-led” engines of growth.

 

The PLA is bridging the gap between legacy business models and the modern Product Operating Model. This methodology, practiced by global companies like Apple, Netflix and Amazon, is now being localized, through the PLA, to ensure African enterprises and startups alike solve the continent’s toughest challenges through relentless innovation and de-risked execution.

Building a Pan-African Product Management Talent Pipeline

The PLA is currently powering its 2026 Accelerator Program, a rigorous 12-week program featuring 48 product managers from 13 African countries, including Nigeria, Egypt, Ghana, South Africa, and Kenya. In a significant move for gender equity in tech, the cohort maintains a female representation of about 54%, ensuring the future of African product leadership is as diverse as the markets it serves.

As the fellows tackle real-world problem statements across diverse industries during the 12 week accelerator program, they are mentored by an elite roster of practitioners who have built products at enterprises such as Interswitch, Netflix, Amazon, Microsoft, Paystack, and mPesa. They also receive strategic, high-level guidance from global product legends Marty Cagan and SVPG Partner Christian Idiodi.

“Building in Africa requires a distinct level of empathy, adaptability, and mastery of the product operating model,” explains Nkem Nweke, Lead at the PLA. “We empower leaders and enterprises to harness tools like AI while offering them strategic product management advisory. Our goal is to support companies in adopting a product-led culture which drives sustainable economic growth. By mitigating risks before investing significant capital or public resources, we help both enterprises and startups create solutions that truly meet market and consumer needs.”

Enterprise Transformation and Proven Outcomes

Our goal is to raise product leaders who are deeply versed in the mechanics of discovery and delivery

The impact of the PLA extends deep into the corporate sector through its specialized Product Management Advisory. Organizations reliant on technology spanning telecoms, FMCG, commerce, retail, finance, and government, are increasingly seeking to leverage the PLA’s expertise to shift their product teams from traditional project-based approaches to outcome-driven product cultures that drive growth.

The effectiveness of the PLA’s approach is best seen through its corporate partnerships. Afrinvest, a leading financial institution, serves as a primary example of how the PLA’s advisory services drive immediate corporate value.

“The PLA didn’t just upskill one individual; it has been a game-changer for our internal innovation culture, sparking a ripple effect of outcome-driven progress throughout our entire product department. “says Victor Ndukauba, Deputy MD, West Africa Afrinvest. “Seeing the speed at which our team can now identify and solve real consumer problems is why we’ve increased our participation this year.”

This sentiment is echoed by partners like Insight7, One Cluster and Agile Product Management, who view the PLA as the engine room for the continent’s digital maturity.

Central to this transformation is integrating tools like Artificial Intelligence (AI), enabling product managers to achieve world-class standards, driving efficiency, and ensuring African businesses set the pace for global innovation.

De-Risking African-Built Solutions

For founders, the stakes have never been higher. “Our goal is to raise product leaders who are deeply versed in the mechanics of discovery and delivery, ” notes Osa Awani, Head of Program at the PLA. “We see the shift happening in real-time as our fellows move from theoretical knowledge to building solutions that address market friction with surgical precision.” When founders and Product Managers master the product operating model, they stop guessing; and with a commitment to solving real problems, African product leaders will not only compete globally they will lead.”

Impact by the Numbers

  • 13 Countries: Active representation in the 2026 cohort, including Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Egypt, Kenya, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Cameroun, Egypt and more.
  • 54%+ Female Representation: Leading the charge in inclusive tech leadership.
  • Scores of Scholarships: The Innovate Africa Foundation has provided scholarships to dozens of African product managers to attend prestigious SVPG Masterclasses, resulting in career promotions, career pivots to executive leadership, and the launch of new tech ventures.
  • 3-City Product Tour: Recently concluded engagements with product leaders across Lagos, Nairobi, and Cape Town.

A Future Defined by Innovation

Founded by Christian Idiodi, (partner at the globally renowned Silicon Valley Product Group),  the PLA is rooted in the belief that the intersection of world-class tools such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and strategic product management is essential to mastering the craft of creating exceptional products for Africa; thereby unlocking Africa’s economic potential. By offering cutting-edge tools, a robust network, and the innovative mindset of the world’s most successful organizations, the PLA ensures Africa’s challenges are addressed with future-ready, world-class solutions.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Product Leadership Accelerator (PLA).

 

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