Author: Vardiafrica

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has signed a $1.35 billion financing agreement to support the refinancing of debt incurred during the construction of the Dangote Refinery. The deal is part of a $4 billion loan package for Dangote Industries Limited. In a statement released by the bank, the financing will be used to repay outstanding costs linked to the development of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals complex, Africa’s largest single-train refinery, with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day. Speaking on agreement, Professor Benedict Oramah, president and chairman of Afreximbank, said: “With this landmark deal, we once again demonstrate…

Nigeria’s D’Tigress have returned to the country following their historic fifth consecutive title win at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The women’s basketball team landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Monday aboard two chartered flights conveying both players and officials. On the ground to receive the team were officials of the National Sports Commission, the Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Association of Nigerian Women in Sports, and a handful of supporters. They brought home not only the championship trophy but also an unprecedented achievement in African women’s basketball. D’Tigress…

Senator Oluremi Tinubu has commended D’Tigress, Nigeria’s female basketball team on their unprecedented fifth consecutive #AfroBasketWomen title, becoming the first African country to achieve this feat. “You are true inspirations and pride to girls and women in general. Thank you for keeping the Nigerian flag flying,” the wife of President Bola Tinubu said in a statement late Sunday.In the final on Sunday, Nigeria edged out Mali 78-64 in a tense showdown, displaying resilience and composure to claim their seventh AfroBasket title. They have dominated African women’s basketball, winning their 29th consecutive game without a single loss since 2015. As with…

Nigeria’s Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has warned of widespread thunderstorms and heavy rains across the country beginning Monday, raising fears of flash floods in several states. The three‑day forecast, released Sunday in Abuja, signals heightened risks as the nation enters a critical phase of the rainy season. The agency predicted morning thunderstorms on Monday in the northern states of Adamawa, Taraba, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Jigawa, Kano and Katsina, with conditions expected to intensify later in the day. “There is a high possibility of flood occurring over parts of Adamawa, Taraba and Bauchi states during the forecast period,” NiMet said in its statement.…

Nigeria’s D’Tigress have made history by winning an unprecedented fifth consecutive #AfroBasketWomen title, becoming the first African country to achieve this feat. Nigeria edged out Mali 78-64 in a tense showdown, displaying resilience and composure to claim their seventh AfroBasket title They have dominated African women’s basketball, winning their 29th consecutive game without a single loss since 2015. As with most of their early games in the tournament, Nigeria got off to a slow start. However, spurred by Mali’s intensity, Rena Wakama’s side regrouped in the second quarter and headed into halftime with the scores level at 41–41. To qualify…

Senegal has announced a significant change to its immigration policy by introducing an electronic visa (e-visa) system that specifically targets non-African nationals. Senegal introduces E-Visa payment requirement for non-African travelers The country’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko confirmed that visitors from outside the African continent would now be required to pay their visa application fees online in advance. According to Sputnik Afrique, the reform was introduced as part of ongoing efforts to modernise and secure the country’s migration infrastructure. Officials stated that the measure would strengthen administrative security, limit potential abuse, and simplify procedures for Senegalese migration services. The new measure will also help…

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have uncovered a sophisticated drug trafficking operation involving the concealment of cocaine and tramadol in 71 vehicle side mirrors destined for Libreville, Gabon, through the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos. According to a statement issued on Sunday by NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, a total of three suspects have been arrested in connection with the illegal shipment. The initial discovery on July 19 led to the interception of 57,420 pills of tramadol 225mg and 57 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.60kg in cargo booked on Air Côte…

Former Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi has reaffirmed his one term of four years stance if elected president in 2027. Obi vowed to serve only one term as president if elected in 2027. In a statement he issued on Sunday, Obi declared, “My One-Term, Four-Year Vow Is Sacrosanct.” The former Anambra State governor noted that those skeptical of his one-term pledge are judging him by their standards. He said: “John F. Kennedy, did not even complete a full term, yet his vision and ideals continue to inspire generations. In Africa, Nelson Mandela, revered globally as a symbol of justice…

Nigeria winger Ademola Lookman says he has handed in a transfer request at Atalanta after accusing the club of “breaking promises” to him. The 27-year-old, a reported target for Serie A rivals Inter Milan, said he had reached an agreement with the club’s board that he could leave if a “fair” offer arrived this summer. However, the England-born winger says Atalanta have reneged on that promise after “receiving an offer in alignment to what I believe had been discussed”. “I feel I have no choice but to speak out for what I believe is right and I feel that enough…

Chukwuma Soludo, governor of Anambra state, has criticised politicians who pledge to serve only one term in office, describing such promises as signs of mental instability. Last month, George Moghalu, the candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the Anambra governorship election, pledged to serve a single term to encourage zoning and rotation of power in the state. Also, at the federal level, both Peter Obi, former presidential candidate of the LP, and Rotimi Amaechi, former minister of transportation, have pledged their willingness to serve only one term if elected president in 2027. Obi said any candidate from the south elected president…