Manufacturing/Industry

Tokyo, May 27, 2025 – The U.S. government may hold some of U.S. Steel’s shares as part of a deal to allow Japan’s Nippon Steel to acquire the American steelmaker, Kyodo reported on Tuesday. The Japanese news agency said an idea had been floated for the U.S. government to hold a so-called “golden share” which would give Washington the power to veto important management matters. Kyodo did not cite any sources for the information. Nippon Steel declined to comment on the report and the White House could not be immediately reached …

Abuja, May 19, 2025 – Yu Dunhai, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, says China is planning to establish electric vehicle factories in Nigeria. He said this during a courtesy visit to Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development in Abuja at the weekend. Segun Tomori, the Special Assistant to the Minister, disclosed this in a statement. Yu Dunhai said the establishment of the factories would further enhance trade cooperation between the two countries. He described Nigeria as a great country blessed with tremendous natural resources, adding that China had always placed …

Abuja, May 6, 2025 – The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) created 90,160 jobs in the first quarter of 2025. The agency disclosed this in its 2025 first quarter performance report released in Abuja on Tuesday. It said it also supported more than 116,000 entrepreneurs with training, access to finance and markets as well as work tools. It attributed the achievement to the empowerment programmes and strategic partnerships in the MSME sector. SMEDAN also said it worked with organisations like Google and Wema Bank to train …

Lagos, May 5, 2025 – Aliko Dangote, the Chief Executive of Dangote Group, is to build a sugar refinery in Ghana. He announced the plan in a post on Linkedin, saying the company would be located in Kwame-Danso in Bono Region of Ghana. Dangote said the company would help to reduce Ghana’s sugar bill estimated at $162 million and boost local agro-industrial capacity. “We’re thrilled to announce the launch of a major agro-industrial project in Kwame-Danso, Bono Region: Dangote Sugar Refinery,” he said. Dangote described he venture as a new …

Washington, May 1, 2025 – Layoffs announced by U.S. employers dropped in April, but companies remained resistant to boost hiring amid an uncertain economic outlook because of tariffs. Global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas said on Thursday that planned job cuts fell 62% to 105,441 last month.  Layoffs were, however, 63% higher compared to last year and April’s tally was the highest for the month in five years. “Generally, companies are citing the economy and new technology,” said Andrew Challenger, senior vice president at Challenger, Gray & Christmas. “Employers …

Abeokuta, May 1, 2025 – Dapo Abiodun, the Ogun State Governor, says the the state the biggest cotton and polyester factory in the world will soon be established in the state. The governor disclosed this on while receiving Mrs Oluwatoyin Madein, a former Accountant General of the Federation, and members of the Iperu Development Association in his office on Wednesday. He said the factory to be established in the special Agro Processing Zone of the state, would be the biggest cotton and polyester factory in the world. “In the next …

Seattle, April 1, 2025 – Boeing slowed production of 737 MAX airplanes to 31 per month from 38 due to delays related to fitting wing systems, the Air Current reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the progress of the planemaker’s factory in Renton, Washington. The factory had briefly reached a production rate of 38 planes in February but pulled back to 31 after unfinished assembly tasks in wing systems installation spiked sharply, according to the report on the aviation news website. The issue persisted through March and Boeing was …