Spain Shows Strong Will to Boost Partnership with Ethiopia

Spain Shows Strong Will to Boost Partnership with Ethiopia

Tips Cantik dan Sehat

5:02:00 PM

0 komentar

Strengthening Ties: Spain and Ethiopia Deepen Collaboration

Addis Ababa, October 8, 2025 — The Spanish ambassador to Ethiopia has reaffirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening diplomatic, developmental, and economic ties with Ethiopia. During an exclusive interview, Ambassador Guillermo López Mac-Lellan emphasized the growing momentum in bilateral relations and Spain’s strategic interest in expanding cooperation across various sectors.

Spain is looking to build a more comprehensive partnership with Ethiopia, one that supports long-term development, according to the ambassador. He highlighted that these efforts are aligned with Ethiopia’s national priorities and Spain’s global development agenda.

Expanding Cooperation Across Sectors

The ambassador noted that Spain is actively working with Ethiopia in areas such as climate change mitigation, resilience-building, and broader sustainable development. These initiatives aim to create a more resilient and sustainable future for both nations.

In addition to environmental efforts, the ambassador emphasized the importance of political, economic, and social cooperation between the two countries. He pointed out that Spain is committed to fostering inclusive development through various programs and initiatives.

Focus on Gender Equality

A particular emphasis was placed on gender equality. The ambassador stated that empowering Ethiopian women is essential for achieving inclusive development. “Many Ethiopian women are now empowered to take on leadership roles and contribute meaningfully to the country’s development journey,” he said. Spain is proud to support initiatives that foster women’s active participation in economic and social spheres.

Health Sector Collaboration

In the health sector, Spain is collaborating with Ethiopia by providing tangible support through the supply of medical equipment and offering professional training programs. These programs aim to build local healthcare capacity. According to the ambassador, this cooperation will be expanded to regions to further strengthen the health system and improve access to essential services.

Supporting Refugees and Host Communities

The ambassador also mentioned Spain’s involvement in projects designed to improve the quality of life for both refugees and host communities in Ethiopia. These include initiatives to expand access to clean water, promote solar energy, and enhance basic social services. Such efforts reflect Spain’s commitment to humanitarian aid and sustainable development.

Multilateral and Bilateral Cooperation

Spain is determined to strengthen both bilateral and multilateral cooperation with Ethiopia. This includes working closely with international organizations and other stakeholders to address shared challenges and opportunities.

Through these collaborative efforts, Spain and Ethiopia are building a stronger foundation for mutual growth and development. The continued engagement between the two nations reflects a shared vision for a more prosperous and sustainable future.

Tinubu Approves $4 Trillion Bond to Clear GenCos Debts

Tinubu Approves $4 Trillion Bond to Clear GenCos Debts

Tips Cantik dan Sehat

5:01:00 PM

0 komentar

Nigeria's Power Sector Reforms: A New Era of Stability and Growth

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken a significant step towards stabilizing Nigeria’s electricity market by approving a ₦4 trillion bond aimed at clearing verified debts owed to power generation companies (GenCos) and gas suppliers. This move is part of broader efforts under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda to restore confidence in the sector and ensure its long-term sustainability.

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, revealed this development during the Expert Forum on ‘Uninterrupted Power: The Industrial Imperative’ organized by the Nigeria Economic Summit Group. At the event, he outlined the ongoing reforms designed to make the power sector more commercially viable and efficient.

According to Adelabu, the bond approval is a key component of a financial stabilisation plan that addresses legacy liabilities which have hindered investment and liquidity across the electricity value chain. He explained:

“To stabilise the market, Mr President has approved a N4tn bond to clear verified GenCo and gas supply debts. Alongside this, a targeted subsidy framework is being developed to protect vulnerable households and ensure a sustainable path toward full commercialisation and a viable industry.”

This initiative is expected to provide much-needed relief to GenCos and gas suppliers, whose unpaid invoices have long constrained generation capacity and operational efficiency. The government’s approach includes not only debt clearance but also a comprehensive strategy to reposition the sector for “sustainability, efficiency, and growth.”

Key Components of the Power Sector Reform

The reform strategy spans several critical areas:

• Legislation and Policy Reform: Updating laws and regulations to create a more conducive environment for investment and operation.
• Infrastructure Development: Expanding generation and transmission capacity to meet growing demand.
• Energy Transition: Encouraging the adoption of cleaner energy sources and technologies.
• Local Content Expansion: Promoting the use of locally produced goods and services within the sector.

Adelabu also highlighted the positive impact of recent tariff policy reforms. These reforms have enabled cost-reflective tariffs for select consumers, leading to improved supply reliability and reduced energy costs for industries. As a result, sector revenue has seen a substantial increase.

“Industry revenue has increased by 70 per cent to N1.7tn in 2024 compared to the previous year, and the revenue is expected to exceed N2tn for 2025.”

Infrastructure Development Initiatives

In addition to financial measures, the government is investing heavily in infrastructure to support the power sector’s growth. One of the flagship projects is the Presidential Power Initiative, which aims to expand generation and transmission capacity across the country.

Under Phase Zero of the initiative, transmission capacity and grid stability have been enhanced, with over 700 megawatts of additional transmission capacity already achieved.

In Phase One, contracts have been signed with major international players such as Siemens Energy, CMEC, Elswedy Electric, and Power China. Financing arrangements are currently underway to support implementation. Phase One is planned to add 7,000 MW of operational capacity to the grid.

Parallel to these efforts, the government is also focusing on expanding generation capacity through the rehabilitation of existing National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP) plants, which are expected to unlock about 345 MW. Additionally, the successful integration of the 700 MW Zungeru Hydropower Plant into the grid marks a significant milestone in the sector’s development.

Moving Forward

Adelabu urged participants at the forum to support the Federal Government’s ongoing reforms, expressing optimism that collaboration with the private sector and development partners will accelerate Nigeria’s journey toward a stable, reliable, and industrially competitive power sector.

He emphasized that the government remains committed to ensuring a stable electricity market while continuing to invest in infrastructure and policy reforms that will drive long-term growth and sustainability.

Nigeria Tackles Fertilizer Costs to Boost Food Security

Nigeria Tackles Fertilizer Costs to Boost Food Security

Tips Cantik dan Sehat

5:01:00 PM

0 komentar

Government Initiates High-Level Engagement to Stabilise Fertiliser Prices

In a renewed effort to stabilise fertiliser prices and ensure food security, the Federal Government has initiated high-level engagements with stakeholders in the urea and fertilizer value chain. These discussions aim to address challenges related to gas supply and pricing, which are key drivers of fertilizer production in Nigeria.

Dr. Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), revealed this initiative after convening a meeting in Abuja with major industry players. Participants included the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Dangote Fertilizer, Indorama, Notore Chemical Industries, and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.

According to the Minister, the meeting was held in line with the mandate of the National Economic Council (NEC) to find lasting solutions to fertilizer supply bottlenecks and price volatility affecting Nigeria’s agricultural productivity.

“Our discussions focused on gas supply and pricing, which form the backbone of fertilizer production,” Ekpo said.

“This engagement is vital to ensuring stable and affordable fertilizer for our farmers, sustaining agricultural productivity, and strengthening food security across the nation.”

He explained that aligning Nigeria’s gas sector with its agricultural priorities is a strategic step towards achieving the country’s broader economic goals under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Gas is central not only to energy generation but also to agricultural development,” the Minister stated. “By fostering synergy between the gas and fertilizer sectors, we are driving sustainable growth and prosperity for Nigeria.”

Addressing Key Challenges

Ekpo noted that the high cost of fertilizer remains a major concern for both government and farmers, particularly as global disruptions continue to affect input prices and logistics.

He said the meeting provided an opportunity to review the current pricing framework for gas supplied to fertilizer plants and to explore more sustainable mechanisms for local production.

“We are working closely with all stakeholders to address issues of affordability and accessibility,” he said. “The goal is to create a pricing structure that supports fertilizer producers without burdening farmers or compromising food production.”

Representatives of major fertilizer producers, including Dangote Fertilizer, Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals, and Notore Chemical Industries, expressed support for the government’s efforts to create a more predictable operating environment.

Strengthening Collaboration

The Minister assured stakeholders that government agencies, particularly the NMDPRA and the Ministries of Petroleum and Agriculture, will intensify collaboration to ensure seamless gas allocation and efficient distribution of fertilizer ahead of the next planting season.

“We must get it right,” Ekpo stressed. “Fertilizer is the foundation of agricultural productivity, and gas is the foundation of fertilizer. By solving the gas challenge, we are strengthening the entire food production value chain.”

He reaffirmed the government’s determination to sustain dialogue with the private sector and promote policy coherence across the gas, energy, and agriculture sectors.

“This administration remains committed to delivering tangible results that will translate to lower production costs, enhanced food security, and improved livelihoods for Nigerian farmers,” he concluded.

Key Outcomes of the Meeting

• Focus on Gas Supply and Pricing: The primary objective of the meeting was to address the critical issue of gas supply and pricing, which directly impacts fertilizer production.
• Stakeholder Involvement: Major industry players were actively involved, ensuring that diverse perspectives were considered in the discussions.
• Policy Coherence: The government emphasized the need for coordinated policies across the gas, energy, and agriculture sectors to achieve long-term stability.
• Support from Industry Players: Representatives from leading fertilizer companies expressed their support for the government's initiatives, indicating a shared commitment to addressing the challenges.
• Future Planning: The discussions laid the groundwork for future collaborations, aiming to enhance efficiency and reduce costs in the fertilizer sector.