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IMF East AFRITAC Holds its 16th Steering Committee Meeting in Tanzania

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 ARUSHA – The Steering Committee of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s Regional Technical Assistance Center for East Africa (East AFRITAC) endorsed the Center’s work plan for 2015.

This envisages a substantial scaling up of technical assistance and training activities. Steering Committee members also welcomed the achievements in 2014, which included strengthened public financial management, support for better fiscal analysis and bank supervision, improved tax administration and significant progress towards disseminating revised GDP data across the region.

The Steering Committee met in Arusha, Tanzania from March 27-28, 2014 to review activities over the year since May 2013 (fiscal year 2014), and discuss a number of strategic and operational issues in the Center’s work. Officials from six of the seven member countries attended, 1 together with representatives of donors (DfID, EU, EIB, Germany, and Switzerland), the East African Community and IMF staff, as well as the Executive Director representing the United Kingdom at the IMF.

In his opening remarks on behalf of Governor Ndulu of the Bank of Tanzania, the Chair of the Steering Committee (Deputy Governor Juma Reli) praised East AFRITAC for technical assistance which was of high quality, relevant and strongly owned by its member countries. He also emphasized the importance of peer-to-peer learning and encouraged the Fund to explore further ways it can foster this between sub-Saharan African countries.

During the discussions, Steering Committee members commended East AFRITAC’s capacity building activities and the successful execution of the work plan in 2014. They applauded the Center for its work on regional activities in support of integration in the East African Community. In that context, they welcomed the new initiatives at the Center in

2015 to support the region’s central banks modernize their monetary policy frameworks, as well as help strengthen government finance statistics to improve the monitoring of macroeconomic convergence criteria for regional integration.

The meeting focused on a number of key strategic issues. Steering Committee members were pleased with progress made at the Center on reporting the results of its technical assistance and training activities, dissemination of technical assistance reports, and efforts at improved budgeting, outreach and donor coordination. There was extensive discussion of the IMF’s plans to implement the recommendations of the mid-term external evaluation of the Center, including steps to further improve monitoring and reporting of results, efficiency, the effectiveness of training and RTAC governance. The meeting also extended the current Phase of East AFRITAC operations to April 2015 and discussed preparations for the next Phase (IV), including emerging capacity building topics that could be covered, process, timing, and financial sustainability aspects.

East AFRITAC, located in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, is one of nine regional IMF technical assistance centers around the world and serves Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. It provides capacity-building assistance in core areas of expertise of the International Monetary Fund such as: revenue administration; public financial management; macro-fiscal analysis; financial sector regulation; monetary policy and operations; and economic and financial statistics. Its Steering Committee, composed of the member countries, the IMF and representatives of the donors, oversees and provides guidance on the Center’s operations.

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Shell Pledges Support for Nigeria’s Energy Journey

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Shell reiterates commitment to lower CO2 emissions in Nigeria

Shell will continue to support Nigeria in its efforts to build a secure energy future through investments and efficient delivery of its businesses in Nigeria.

“We continue to invest in Nigeria’s future through our projects, our people, and our enduring confidence in the potential of this nation,” General Manager, Development and Subsurface Shell Nigeria Deepwater, Kun Jiang said today while delivering the sponsor’s remarks at the 49th edition of the Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition of the Society of Petroleum Engineers in Lagos.

Kun highlighted current investments in Bonga North, HI and the advancement of Bonga Southwest as testimonies of Shell’s confidence in Nigeria’s deepwater future. The confidence was further reiterated with the recent launch of a US$3 billion contract financing programme by Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), which will help Nigerian contractors build capability, create value, and accelerate project delivery.

Shell is a major sponsor of the conference as part of a longstanding support for a professional body which has contributed to the development of the oil and gas industry. Discussing the theme of the conference; “Thriving in the Evolving Global Energy Landscape: Collaborative Growth and Resilience,” Kun said Nigeria had a lot of opportunities despite geopolitical tensions that threaten global supply chains and market volatility and shifting energy dynamics.

“With a population exceeding 240 million people, abundant natural resources, world-class talent, and growing domestic energy needs, Nigeria has all the ingredients to become one of the world’s most attractive energy investment destination,” she pointed out. “But potential alone does not create prosperity. Potential must be converted into progress. Resources must be transformed into value. Opportunity must be matched by action.”

ALSO READ: Eterna Posts N5.88bn Profit for H1

Nigeria must continue to attract capital, strengthen the business environment, embrace technology to unlock potentials if it will thrive in the global evolving energy landscape. She added: “The future will belong to countries and industries that combine resilience with innovation, ambition with collaboration and investment with execution excellence. Nigeria has the resources. Nigeria has the talent. Nigeria has the opportunity. What is required now is the collective determination to seize it.”

Shell is mounting an exhibition at the SPE conference with SNEPCo’s Senior Production Geologist Abidemi Belgore taking industry leaders and regulators round the stand.

Key areas of interest include technological breakthroughs that have enhanced output at Bonga and facilitated the execution of the Bonga North project. Also highlighted on the stand is the full range of Shell businesses in Nigeria from deepwater oil production and integrated gas to renewables and power solutions as well as social investments across the country.

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Naira Gains Strength, Appreciates to N1,408/$ in Parallel Market

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Naira To Dollar Exchanges At N464.67

The Nigerian naira recorded further gains against the United States dollar on Monday, appreciating to N1,408 per dollar in the parallel market, compared to N1,415/$ recorded at the close of trading last weekend.

The local currency also strengthened in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), where it appreciated to N1,365 per dollar, up from N1,368/$ at the end of last week.

According to data released by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the indicative exchange rate improved by N3, reflecting sustained appreciation of the naira in the official market.

ALSO READ: Unstable Naira Makes ₦1m Salary Worthless — NLC

The latest gains also narrowed the gap between the parallel and official exchange rates to N43 per dollar, down from N47 per dollar recorded on Friday, indicating a gradual convergence between both markets.

Meanwhile, activity in the official foreign exchange market increased significantly, with interbank turnover surging by 132.3 per cent to N137.05 million, compared to N58.99 million recorded last weekend.

The improved performance of the naira across both markets comes amid continued efforts by monetary authorities to stabilise the foreign exchange market and enhance liquidity.

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Pinnacle Convenes 2026 Vendors’ Forum

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With a view to improving operational efficiency, safety, compliance and service delivery across its operations, Pinnacle Oil & Gas Limited has reaffirmed commitment to building stronger relationships with its vendors.

The company made the commitment at its 2026 Vendors’ Forum held in Lagos under the theme, “Partnering for Operational Excellence,” with the sub-theme, “Strengthening Partnerships Through Compliance, Safety, Performance and Innovation.”

The forum brought together more than 100 existing and prospective vendors as well as key stakeholders, both physically and virtually, to strengthen collaboration and align suppliers with the company’s operational standards and growth strategy.

Speaking at the event, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Pinnacle Oil & Gas, Adenike Labinjo, described vendors as strategic partners whose commitment to quality, innovation, safety and compliance is critical to the company’s success.

She said as Pinnacle continues to expand its operations, it has become increasingly important for the company and its vendors to share a common understanding of expectations, responsibilities and performance standards.

Labinjo stressed that safety, regulatory compliance and ethical business practices remain non-negotiable in all engagements with suppliers.

She noted that stronger collaboration with vendors would help the company deliver greater value to customers and other stakeholders while supporting sustainable business growth.

The forum featured technical presentations by senior executives from the company’s Procurement, Engineering, Compliance, Finance, Legal, Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), and Sales and Marketing departments.

Participants received guidance on Pinnacle’s procurement procedures, vendor onboarding and prequalification processes, Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements, tax invoicing, payment processes, contractual obligations, technical specifications, contractor responsibilities, supplier performance expectations and Service Level Agreements.

The company also unveiled improvements to its Purchase Order (PO) process aimed at improving efficiency, transparency and ease of doing business with vendors.

A major highlight of the event was an interactive question-and-answer session where vendors engaged directly with the company’s leadership on procurement procedures, compliance requirements, project execution, HSE standards and areas for continuous improvement.

According to Pinnacle, the session reinforced its commitment to transparency, open communication and stronger collaboration with suppliers.

ALSO READ: Eterna Posts N5.88bn Profit for H1

The company also recognised outstanding vendors whose contributions have supported its operational performance over the past year. Five companies received Certificates of Recognition for exceptional service delivery, innovation and partnership.

The award recipients were Great Grace Enterprise for Outstanding Delivery Performance, Cevets Nigeria Limited for Excellence in Project Delivery, Ceezik Projekts for Outstanding Quality, Diadco Nigeria Limited for Outstanding Responsiveness, and Sephill Innovative Solutions Limited for Best Commercial Value.

On the significance of the forum, Head of Procurement and Administration, Oluseyi Ogunfowora, said the initiative reflects Pinnacle’s determination to build stronger partnerships through transparency, collaboration and shared accountability.

She explained that the procurement function coordinates the requirements of Engineering, Operations, Marine, Compliance, Legal, Finance, HSE and other business units to ensure a fair, efficient and transparent procurement process.

Ogunfowora urged vendors to submit complete and compliant documentation, communicate proactively and seek clarification whenever necessary.

“The success of our business depends on the strength of our partnerships,” she said. “When vendors clearly understand our expectations and we work together with transparency, compliance and open communication, we create a high-performing vendor ecosystem that benefits everyone.”

She added that the 2026 Vendors’ Forum forms part of Pinnacle’s broader strategy to strengthen supplier engagement, improve operational efficiency and reinforce a culture of compliance, safety, innovation and continuous improvement throughout its value chain.

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