Africa stands at a defining moment where frontier technologies and deeper regional integration could recalibrate its economic future, the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) has said.

The position was contained in a statement issued yesterday by ECA’s Communication Section.

Speaking at the Fourth Session of the Committee on Private Sector Development, ECA Executive Secretary, Claver Gatete, underscored the theme, “Leveraging frontier technologies and innovation to advance regional integration for sustainable growth.”

Gatete commended the outgoing Chair of the Bureau, Mamadjam Dinis Djalo of Guinea-Bissau, for steering the Committee through a critical phase in its development work.

He noted that Africa faces a world marked by rapid technological change, geopolitical tensions, constrained finances and intensifying climate impacts — factors that are deepening vulnerabilities and widening inequalities across the continent.

Yet, he stressed, Africa retains distinct competitive advantages, including the world’s youngest population, vast renewable energy potential, fast-growing digital ecosystems and a continental market of 1.4 billion people under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

“Integration and innovation must move in tandem,” he said. “Individually, each has limits; together, they can position Africa as a global economic shaper rather than a follower.”

Gatete pointed to transformative innovations already emerging across the continent, from mobile money and drone-powered medical deliveries to digital agriculture and generative AI — technologies he said could collectively boost productivity and unlock more than US$220 billion annually.

He argued that technology thrives on scale, while scale depends on integration, making the AfCFTA essential for harmonised regulations, investment incentives and market opportunities that can support innovation.

Conversely, he noted, innovation strengthens integration. The rise of cross-border instant payment systems, which expanded by nearly 40 per cent between 2019 and 2023, has lowered transaction costs and linked African markets more seamlessly.

The ECA chief outlined three priorities: expanding digital and physical cross-border infrastructure; empowering the private sector — particularly young people and women; and harmonising regulatory regimes to fully activate the continent’s trade potential.

He said African countries have already begun to deploy frontier technologies, undertake policy reforms and build systems geared toward a more resilient and globally competitive continent.

Gatete reaffirmed ECA’s commitment to supporting member states with data-driven policy advice, technical assistance and partnerships involving the African Union, regional blocs, the private sector and development agencies.

He urged delegates to convert discussions into measurable action and share country experiences that can shape Africa’s inclusive, innovative and integrated economic future.

A philanthropist, Chief Bibopere Ajube, says the rising unemployment in the country will consume the nation if able individuals fail to support government.

Ajube said this at a youth summit to commemorate the 13th anniversary of the Gallery Security Services Ltd. (GSSL) on Wednesday in Agadagba-Obon, Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Ajube, the founder of GSSL, said he had taken it upon himself to invest in humanity and society in order to bring positive impacts.

According to him, all well-to-do people should invest in their respective localities to address unemployment, which has been a major cause of social vices and criminalities.

“Our coming to this world is to impact our environment. Whatever God gives me is for my people, not only me and my family.

“That is why we are doing this, and we are not going to be tired. If we don’t find a solution to unemployment, the problem will consume us,” he said.

Ajube, a community leader, said the creation of GSSL was to address insecurity, especially in the coastal areas of the Niger Delta.

“The conventional security agencies are just to assist us. You know that it’s left for us in coastal areas to do the work. Let us all see security as a personal responsibility.

“That is the only way we can have peace in our communities. I will never leave you people alone. I am ready to serve you till I am old and die,” he said.
Earlier at a news conference, the General Manager of GSSL, Mr Anthony Onyeisue, said 1200 youths would be empowered during the summit.

Onyeisue said the society would be difficult to control if there was a chunk of unemployed youths.

‎”We believe here in GSSL also that one of the ways we can actually reduce crime across this country is to create valuable jobs for our youth population so that they can also contribute to the society,” he said.

According to him, the security outfit has secured lives and property in the coastal communities of the state and beyond.

“It has also contributed remarkably to the socio-economic well-being of the jurisdiction that it serves.

“GSSL has consistently exhibited amiable courage and professionalism in combating sea piracy, oil thefts, pipeline vandalism, and other criminal activities.

“The company’s highly trained, dedicated, and motivated personnel have continued to complement the efforts of government security agencies in providing security services to communities.

“GSSL, through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), continues to rekindle the hope of individuals in need of healthcare by providing them access to free medical services.

“The free health services include surgical operations, comprehensive health investigations, and drug administration.

“Also, hundreds of households, men and women inclusively, have directly benefited from cash support and non-interest loan initiatives,reflecting the compassion, generosity, and leadership of its founder, Senior High Chief Bibopere Ajube,” he stated.

The summit was tagged “Strengthening Waterways Security and Community Safety by Tackling Illegal Bunkering, Sea Piracy, Kidnapping, Cultism and Drug Abuse”.

Lectures were given on bunkering, sea piracy, drug abuse, youth vulnerability, cultism, and youth violence.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it arrested over 16,304 drug suspects and seized 4.5 million kilograms of illicit substances between January and October.

The NDLEA Chairman, retired, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa disclosed this at the 7th Security and Emergency Management Awards and Lecture (SAEMA) on Wednesday in Abuja.

Marwa said that, as an agency mandated to curb illicit drug problems, the NDLEA under his leadership had responded to the challenge by pursuing a two-pronged strategy.

According to him, the first aspect of the strategy is Supply Reduction, which entails closing down the supply pipelines of illicit drugs.

“We do this through intelligence-led operations, interdictions, and international collaborations.

“By these means, we have intercepted tons of narcotics, dismantled cartels, and prosecuted offenders.

“From our borders to our airports and seaports, our officers remain resolute and execute their job without fear or favour. “Gratifyingly, we are getting good results.

“In the first 10 months of this year alone, we have recorded over 16,304 arrests and have successfully prosecuted and secured the conviction of about 3,000 drug offenders with hundreds of cases ongoing in court.

“In the same vein, we have seized 4.5 million kilograms of illicit substances.

“We go the extra mile deep into the forests to locate cannabis plantations and destroy them.

“In these operations, we have destroyed 612.2864 hectares of cannabis farms within the same 10-month period,”he said.

Speaking further, Marwa said that the second aspect of the agency’s strategy was the Demand Reduction, which entailed ensuring a near-zero demand for illicit drugs by users.

The NDLEA boss said that the agency’s demand reduction activities were built around the recognition that enforcement alone was insufficient to effectively curb the instances of drug abuse.

He said that people must be made aware of the dangers of using these illicit substances, and persuaded not to experiment with them no matter the circumstance.

He added that those who were already users needed to be cured of their dependence and weaned off the substances.

“To this end, we launched a social advocacy campaign, the War Against Drug Abuse, which we often refer to as WADA.

“This comprehensive, grassroots-driven initiative is designed to awaken every citizen, family, and institution to their role in the collective effort to stamp out the ills of illicit drugs in our society,”he said.

Marwa said that through WADA, the agency had entered schools, markets, places of worship, traditional institutions and communities to spread the message that drug abuse was not a private vice but a national menace.

He said “in 2025 alone, we have criss-crossed this country and reached nooks and crannies with our public awareness campaign.

“We have conducted over 3,765 WADA activities comprising public lectures, sensitisation visits and other engagements.

“Till today, officers of our 36 state commands, 14 zonal commands and 10 strategic commands engage in weekly WADA activities,”

The NDLEA boss named the other part of the demand reduction strategy as treatment, rehabilitation, and reintegration of drug users.

He added that they were very important activities that must balance the agency’s offensive effort.

According to him, to simplify its importance, I usually reference the law of demand and supply. Where there is no demand, there will not be supply.

“If we wake up tomorrow and no one is demanding cocaine or cannabis, the market will dry up and the suppliers will be out of business.

“But that cannot happen unless you treat those who have become dependent on the substances and need their fix regularly,”he added.

According to Marwa, the agency runs 30 rehabilitation centres across the country, offering medical treatment, counselling, and reintegration support for those struggling with addiction.

He said that NDLEA was expanding these facilities and partnering with state governments, NGOs, and international allies to ensure that recovery was possible and accessible

He thanked the event organisers for choosing NDLEA to host the year 2025 ceremony.

They included the Image Merchants Promotion Limited,(IMPR), the Centre for Crisis Communication,(CCC) the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, (CISLAC) and the International Emergency Management Society(TIMES).

He also commended them for the honour they continued to bestow on institutions and individuals working tirelessly to safeguard Nigeria.

More than 3,000 small business operators in Rivers State have so far benefitted from the ₦4 billion single-digit loan scheme jointly funded by the Bank of Industry (BoI) and the Rivers State Government, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Warisenibo Joe Johnson, has said.

Johnson, who spoke when the Rivers State chapter of the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) paid him a courtesy visit in his office on Wednesday, said the intervention—managed through the Rivers State Microfinance Agency—forms a key component of Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s development agenda.

He said the governor’s 37-page blueprint prioritises the re-industrialisation of the Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout, once home to major firms such as Michelin, Rivers Vegetable Oil Company (RIVOC) and Crocodile Machetes, but which suffered decline due to years of economic downturn.

According to him, the administration is working to restore the area’s industrial vibrancy, stimulate business growth, create jobs for young people, expand opportunities in technology and skills acquisition, and boost the state’s internally generated revenue.

Earlier, Rivers NASME chairman, Elder Dogda Sakpege, described the association—founded in 1996—as a consistent advocate for the development and sustainability of small and medium-scale enterprises nationwide.
“We want to partner with your ministry to improve the fortunes of small businesses in Rivers State,” he said.