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 When Money Moves, So Do the Rules: Lessons for African Entrepreneurs. By: Chidike Edmond Ojuyenum In today’s Africa, business success is as much about navigating the financial ecosystem as it is about selling a great product. Recent reports, from the IFC’s work on MSME finance to Transparency International’s survey on corruption, paint a clear picture: access to funding, trust, and regulation are deeply intertwined. For small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), financing remains a major hurdle. Banks and financial institutions often see MSMEs as high-risk, while entrepreneurs face complex requirements that stifle growth. The gap isn’t just about money—it’s about trust, credit history, and navigating bureaucracies. At the same time, transparency—or the lack of it—can make or break business environments. Corruption still bleeds billions from African economies, creating hidden costs for honest businesses and deterring both local and foreign investment. Policy shifts can also chang...

Tinubu’s New Tax Laws: What Do They Mean for You and Nigeria? By [Chidike Edmond Ojuyenum] On June 26, 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed four big tax reform bills into law. You might have heard about it on the news — but what does it really mean for you, your wallet, and the country? President Tinubu called it “the way forward for our country’s prosperity.” But let’s bring it down from government speeches to everyday life. So, What Are These New Tax Laws? The new laws are: Nigeria Tax Act (NTA), 2025 – Combines many old tax laws into one clear rulebook. Easier for businesses and citizens to know what to pay. Nigeria Tax Administration Act (NTAA), 2025 – Sets a single, modern system for tax administration nationwide. Less confusion, fewer overlaps. Nigeria Revenue Service Act (NRSA), 2025 – Replaces the old FIRS with a stronger, more independent Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS). They’ll be better equipped to collect taxes fairly and efficiently. Joint Revenue Bo...

"Why African Entrepreneurs Struggle to Access Loans and Grants"  By  Chidike Edmond Chidike Edmond Ojuyenum Founder & CEO, Nova Gate Limited  When people ask me why entrepreneurs in Africa struggle to access loans and grants, I don't just hear a question — I relive a story. My story. Our story. In 2022, I stood before a panel of investors at a business reality show. I was hopeful, dressed for success, and armed with a vision I believed in. But what met me was not applause or critique — it was silence. Cold, confusing silence. Not because my idea lacked potential. But because I didn't know their language — the language of pitch decks, business models, and scalable metrics. I hadn't been taught. And they didn't bother to translate. Later, I applied for a ₦3 million SME loan. Again, I believed I was ready. But I had no guide. No mentor. No knowledge of the paperwork maze ahead of me. I failed — not for lack of vision, but for lack of access. And that's th...