Author: Vardiafrica

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has initiated a significant step in its digital transformation by launching the Electronic Currency Declaration Form (e-CDF) at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. This pilot programme, which commenced on 9 April 2025, aims to enhance transparency in cross-border financial disclosures and bolster anti-money laundering efforts.​ During the initial phase, the e-CDF system successfully recorded 69 currency declaration transactions. Outbound declarations comprised 51 transactions, amounting to approximately $1.2 million, while inbound declarations totalled 18, with a declared value of around $177,786.88. ​The Guardian The e-CDF platform aligns with international standards on anti-money laundering (AML) and…

All 133 Catholic cardinals eligible to vote for a new pope have arrived in Rome, the Vatican confirmed on Monday, ahead of the conclave beginning this week. They will enter into seclusion in the Sistine Chapel at 4:30 pm (1430 GMT) on Wednesday, voting in secret until one of them secures the required two-thirds majority to become the next head of the Roman Catholic Church. Summoned following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, the group — representing 70 countries across five continents. The 133 “Princes of the Church” who will vote — all those aged under 80, minus…

Rwanda’s foreign minister confirmed Sunday that the East African nation’s government is in “early stage” talks with the Trump administration about possibly taking in migrants deported from the United States. “It has not yet reached a stage where we can say exactly how things will proceed, but the talks are ongoing,” Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe told Rwanda TV. He added that the Rwandan government is in the “spirit” of offering “another chance to migrants who have problems across the world.” Last week, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Trump administration is seeking nations that are willing to accept…

Airtel Africa has announced a partnership agreement with SpaceX to bring Starlink’s high-speed satellite internet services to customers across its operational footprint in Africa. This partnership marks a significant step in expanding digital access on the continent, particularly in underserved and hard-to-reach regions. To operationalise this milestone, SpaceX has secured the necessary operating licences in nine of the 14 countries where Airtel Africa maintains a presence, with regulatory processes underway for the remaining five. Once finalised, this arrangement will allow Airtel Africa to integrate Starlink’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite technology into its service offerings, enabling broader coverage and higher connectivity resilience. Through this…

Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), in partnership with Sweetcrude Limited, has announced the detailed selection criteria for the inaugural Champions of Nigerian Content Awards, designed to honor outstanding contributions to local content development in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. Scheduled for May 21, 2025, at the NCDMB Conference Hall in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, the awards will recognize individuals and organizations that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to advancing Nigerian Content in 2024. The ceremony will coincide with the Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF), further spotlighting industry excellence and contributions to national economic transformation. The 12 Award Categories…

Ogbuku, who spoke during the NDDC Quarterly Management Meeting with Staff at the Commission’s headquarters complex, called on the staff to brace for new challenges in developing the oil-rich region as the agency delivers more people-oriented projects. The NDDC boss expressed satisfaction with the Commission’s recent achievements, especially in project delivery. He said the interventionist agency had lined up projects to mark President Tinubu’s second anniversary. The NDDC Chief Executive Officer assures that while the staff give their best in discharging their responsibility, the Board and Management will not hesitate to meet their welfare needs. He said: “With your support,…

US President Donald Trump has imposed a 100 percent tariff on foreign movies. In a statement issued early Monday morning, Trump claimed that Hollywood is rapidly declining, with filmmakers getting enticed by incentives in other countries. The president labelled the said downturn a national security threat. He said his decision would “save” the US movie industry “The movie industry in America is dying a very fast death. Hollywood, and many other areas within the U.S.A., are being devastated,” he said. “This is a concerted effort by other nations, and therefore, a national security threat. It is, in addition to everything else, messaging…

President Bola Tinubu will meet with the leadership of electricity-generating companies over the N4 trillion power sector debt. A statement by the Special Adviser, Strategic Communications and Media Relations to the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, Bolaji Tunji, on Sunday, said the Federal Government vowed to urgently address the debt following high-stakes talks between Adelabu and chairmen of Generating GenCos in Abuja on Tuesday. He said FG’s intervention is aimed at averting an imminent collapse of the power infrastructure in the country. According to the statement, the minister assured GenCos executives that the government would prioritise immediate payment of a…

The Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) insists no money is missing from the student loan scheme despite claims to the contrary. A recent report had alleged that some schools were diverting money meant for the scheme operated by NELFUND. That prompted the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to launch an investigation into the matter. However, NELFUND’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Akintunde Sawyerr, said the fund has a clean bill of health. “We are all looking for this so-called money. First of all, let me be very clear. No money has been stolen. The…

Gabon began swearing in on Saturday President-elect Brice Oligui Nguema, who led a coup ending decades of Bongo family rule and swept polls last month with nearly 95 percent of the vote. The general and former junta leader, who toppled Ali Bongo in August 2023 ending 55 years of dynastic rule by the Bongo family, officially takes the presidential reins after leading a 19-month transition government. Some 20 African heads of state arrived for the inauguration ceremony at a stadium north of the capital Libreville, while supporters decked out in T-shirts and flags bearing Oligui’s likeness packed out the 40,000-capacity…