27 JUN 2024 · Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) account for 90 percent of businesses, 60 to 70 percent of employment and 50 percent of GDP globally. In Nigeria, MSMEs account for 96.7 percent of businesses, approx. 46 percent of the GDP and employ over 80 percent of the labour force, according to the latest report published by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN). Therefore, MSMEs have been recognised as the backbone of societies globally with the capacity to contribute to development, innovation, wealth creation, employment generation and poverty reduction and promote equitable economic growth if given adequate support, especially considering Nigeria’s strong, youthful and entrepreneurial population. Considering the immense potential of MSMEs and the need to raise awareness about their pivotal role in economic development, June 27 was earmarked for the celebration of MSME Day annually. To deliver a competitive entrepreneurial ecosystem capable of creating employment, wealth creation and driving socio-economic development, gaps within the entrepreneurship ecosystem need to be urgently addressed for its potential to be harnessed. Technology adoption has been identified as a veritable tool in driving the required reforms in the MSME ecosystem in Nigeria. Hence, the podcast seeks to explore the imperative of technology and digitalisation to the realisation of desired policy reforms across key pain points such as access to markets, access to finance and taxation.

5 JUN 2024 · In light of the need to raise awareness and encourage action to protect the environment, June 5 has been earmarked as World Environment Day. This day is celebrated annually, and the theme for 2024 is Land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience. This theme resonates well with the submissions in the white paper published by the NESG Sustainability Policy Commission in March 2024, “A Pragmatic Path to Net-Zero Using the Green Economy, Blue Economy, and Forestry.” While environmental sustainability issues remain a global concern, Nigeria is one of the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels, flooding, more intense storms, and desertification. Therefore, this podcast will highlight the imperatives to address the interrelated issues of climate change, environmental conservation and social well-being. Bringing his wealth of experience as an Environmental Sustainability and Waste Management Consultant with over 20 years of experience, Dr Femi Idowu-Adegoke will discuss Nigeria's progress since the submission of an updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in 2021, the significant challenges, and potential strategies to bolster environmental sustainability

30 MAY 2024 · As we reach the five-year mark since the introduction of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), it has been considered necessary to examine the effectiveness of this landmark treaty. This discussion will focus on how the Nigerian economy can strategically position itself to maximise the benefits of the AfCFTA. Leaders of the NESG Trade, Investment and Competitiveness Policy Commission will discuss the imperatives of the Domestication of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement and other policy imperatives. Also, bringing a wealth of experience as the CEO of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Dr Muda Yusuf will provide his invaluable perspective as a key industry player. He will discuss Nigeria's progress since ratifying the agreement in November 2020, the significant challenges, and potential strategies to bolster intraregional trade. In addition, according to Article 28 of AfCFTA, the treaty is "subject to review every five (5) years after its entry into force..." Given current realities, the conversation will address whether or not the agreement should be reviewed and what such reviews should be.

30 MAY 2024 · As we approach the five-year mark since the signing of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement on May 30, 2024, it has been considered necessary to examine the effectiveness of this landmark treaty. This discussion will focus on how the Nigerian economy can strategically position itself to maximise the benefits of the AfCFTA. Leaders of the NESG Trade, Investment and Competitiveness Policy Commission will discuss the imperatives of the Domestication of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement and other policy imperatives. Bringing a wealth of experience as the CEO of Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Dr Muda Yusuf will provide his invaluable perspective as a key industry player. He will discuss Nigeria's progress since ratifying the agreement in November 2020, the significant challenges, and potential strategies to bolster intraregional trade. Also, according to Article 28 of AfCFTA, the treaty is "subject to review every five (5) years after its entry into force..." Given current realities, the conversation will address whether or not the agreement should be reviewed and what such reviews should be.

18 APR 2024 · Did the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over-promise and under-deliver in 2023? In this episode of the #IfNotNowWhen series, Amaka Anku, Africa practice head at Eurasia Group, sits with Festus Okoye, INEC’s former head of voter education, to discuss Nigeria’s electoral system and the commission’s performance in the 2023 general elections. They debate the common use of the phrase “electronic transmission of results” and discuss what INEC can do to improve election logistics in the future.

8 APR 2024 · The theme for World Health Day 2024 is 'My health, my right’. The WHO Council on the Economics of Health for All has found that at least 140 countries recognize health as a human right in their constitution. Yet countries are not passing and putting into practice laws to ensure their populations are entitled to access health services. Without health, a person is denied their right to be contributing members of society and to provide for their families. Right to Health is the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.

8 APR 2024 · The theme for World Health Day 2024 is 'My health, my right’. The WHO Council on the Economics of Health for All has found that at least 140 countries recognize health as a human right in their constitution. Yet countries are not passing and putting into practice laws to ensure their populations are entitled to access health services. Without health, a person is denied their right to be contributing members of society and to provide for their families. Right to Health is the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.

28 MAR 2024 · Why do so many Nigerians believe unverified political and social claims? On this episode of the #IfNotNowWhen series, Amaka Anku, Africa head at Eurasia Group, chats with Babatunde Fashola, former governor of Lagos, about how to debunk these myths through more effective government communication and how to encourage the creation of policy ideas that mobilize Nigerians to achieve collaborative economic growth.

28 MAR 2024 · Why do so many Nigerians believe unverified political and social claims? On this episode of the #IfNotNowWhen series, Amaka Anku, Africa head at Eurasia Group, chats with Babatunde Fashola, former governor of Lagos, about how to debunk these myths through more effective government communication and how to encourage the creation of policy ideas that mobilize Nigerians to achieve collaborative economic growth.

22 MAR 2024 · To commemorate the #WorldWaterDay2024 themed "Water for Peace", we had an engaging conversation with Engineer Nyananso Gabriel Ekanem. Engineer Ekanem is the Thematic Lead, Water and Sanitation Thematic Group of the Infrastructure Policy Commission of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG).