The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited is waiting for technical assessments from two Chinese firms on Port Harcourt and Warri refineries before proceeding with plans for additional investment agreements.

The NNPC’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with our correspondent, following the company’s latest update on the proposed partnership.

The Chinese firms – Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited and Xinganchen (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Limited – have conducted about three months of detailed on-site assessments alongside NNPC’s technical teams.

In its response to questions from The PUNCH, the company said the technical report was being finalised after the assessment, which is expected to establish the work and technology required to make the refineries commercially competitive.

“The prospective partners have carried out approximately three months of detailed on-site assessment with their senior engineers, working alongside NNPC teams. The technical report is being finalised. The assessment is intended to establish what work and technology are needed for competitive operations,“ Odeh said.

The NNPC said it was pursuing a technical equity partnership model to restore the facilities to sustainable operations, stressing that rehabilitation work alone would not guarantee success.

“As the Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr Bayo Ojulari, has explained, successful rehabilitation requires financing, competent engineering and construction, and strong operating capability.

“Completing repairs alone is not enough; the facilities must also be able to operate reliably and profitably,” he noted.

The company said the next steps would involve completing the assessment report, receiving a detailed proposal from the prospective partners and agreeing on the technical and commercial terms.

“The next milestones are completion of the assessment report, a detailed partner proposal, and agreement on the technical and commercial terms. Definitive agreements, the necessary approvals and an investment decision would then provide the basis for a credible programme for completing work and restarting operations,” it stated.

However, the NNPC said it could not announce a restart date until the requirements had been settled.

“We cannot responsibly promise a restart date before these requirements are settled,” the company said, adding that the assessment was concrete progress but that Nigerians would ultimately judge the initiative by sustained production and reliable product supply.

“We cannot responsibly promise a restart date before these requirements are settled. The engineering assessment is concrete progress, but Nigerians will ultimately judge success by sustained production and reliable product supply. We will continue to communicate verified milestones as the process advances,“ Odeh stated.

The proposed partnership follows the memorandum of understanding signed by the NNPC and the two Chinese firms on 30 April, 2026. The agreement covers the completion of outstanding work, operation and maintenance of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, and the assessment of possible upgrades and expansion, including petrochemical opportunities.

The NNPC, however, clarified that the MoU was only a preliminary framework and not a final investment or operating agreement.

At a media parley on 29 September, Ojulari reaffirmed that the company would not proceed with further rehabilitation without a credible route to commercial viability.

The company said the proposed model was intended to bring in partners willing to invest and share responsibility for the refineries’ performance, rather than contractors whose involvement ends after payment for completed work.

“This is intended to protect public value and avoid repeating arrangements that did not deliver sustained results,” the NNPC stated.

It also clarified that work on the Kaduna refinery had not commenced under the partnership model, noting that the agreement with the Chinese firms covered only Port Harcourt and Warri.

On the impact of the proposed revival on petrol prices, the NNPC said more efficient domestic refining could strengthen supply, increase competition and reduce dependence on imported finished products.

“We understand why Nigerians are asking about our refineries as petrol prices put pressure on household budgets and businesses. Our priority is to restore reliable, commercially sustainable refining capacity while supporting practical relief for customers,“ Odeh noted.

Meanwhile, the NNPC said its retail petrol discount, introduced on 1 October, would continue until 31 October, 2026, as part of efforts to provide temporary relief to customers.

Source: punchng.com

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The International Monetary Fund has warned that rising prices of essential goods could worsen poverty and food insecurity in Nigeria despite improvements in the country’s macroeconomic stability and favourable external trade conditions.

The IMF disclosed this in its October 2026 World Economic Outlook report, titled ‘Resilience Under Strain, Urgent Choices’, published on Tuesday, highlighting the growing disconnect between improvements in economic indicators and the living conditions of vulnerable households.

“Nigeria is supported by improved macroeconomic stability and favourable terms-of-trade effects, though higher prices for essentials are expected to further aggravate poverty and food insecurity,” the Fund stated.

The assessment suggests that Nigeria’s recent economic stabilisation efforts have strengthened its economic outlook but have yet to eliminate the pressures facing households, particularly those struggling with the rising cost of food and other basic necessities.

According to the IMF, Nigeria is among the larger economies in sub-Saharan Africa benefiting from earlier stabilisation measures and economic reforms, although the region remains exposed to commodity price volatility, climate shocks and limited access to external financing.

The report projected that economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa would remain stable at 4.5 per cent in 2026, reflecting differences in policy implementation, fiscal capacity and exposure to global economic disruptions.

It stated, “Growth in sub-Saharan Africa is expected to remain stable at 4.5 per cent in 2026, though this masks some substantial divergence across countries.”

The IMF explained that while oil-importing and non-resource-intensive economies were facing greater pressure from rising energy and food prices, some larger economies were benefiting from earlier reforms and improved economic conditions.

Nigeria’s favourable terms-of-trade position provides some support to economic activity, particularly amid changes in international commodity prices.

However, the Fund’s assessment indicates that stronger macroeconomic fundamentals do not automatically translate into improved household welfare, especially when the cost of essential commodities continues to rise.

The report also identified declining official development assistance and limited participation in the global artificial intelligence investment boom as challenges facing several African economies.

The IMF’s country-specific projections showed that Nigeria’s economy is expected to expand by 4.2 per cent in 2026, compared with an estimated 4.0 per cent in 2025, before accelerating to 4.3 per cent in 2027.

The 2026 forecast represents an upward revision of 0.1 percentage point from the Fund’s April projection, while the 2027 estimate was also raised by 0.1 percentage point.

On inflation, the IMF projected that Nigeria’s average consumer price inflation would decline from 23.0 per cent in 2025 to 15.6 per cent in 2026 and 14.7 per cent in 2027.

The report also projected Nigeria’s current account surplus at 7.0 per cent of Gross Domestic Product in 2026, compared with 4.8 per cent in 2025, before moderating to 4.4 per cent in 2027.

These projections suggest a stronger external position in 2026, although the expected decline in the surplus next year points to a moderation in external balances.

The IMF further warned that persistent geopolitical tensions, higher food and energy prices and tighter global financing conditions could undermine economic growth, particularly in developing countries.

It stated, “Risks are skewed to the downside,” identifying a prolonged Middle East conflict and further disruptions to energy infrastructure as potential threats to global economic stability.

To cushion vulnerable households, the Fund recommended temporary and targeted financial support rather than broad measures that could undermine fiscal sustainability.

It said governments should “rely primarily on temporary, targeted income support for the most vulnerable,” while strengthening social protection systems to respond more effectively to future economic shocks.

PUNCH Online earlier reported that Nigeria recorded the world’s largest increase in the number of people living in multidimensional poverty, with an additional 17.9 million Nigerians falling into poverty between 2021 and 2024, according to the 2026 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index.

The report, published on Monday by the United Nations Development Programme and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative, showed that Nigeria experienced a reversal in poverty reduction after recording improvements between 2018 and 2021.

The findings placed Nigeria ahead of Afghanistan, which recorded an increase of 5.3 million poor people during its latest assessment period.

Source: punchng.com

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Indonesia has promised special privileges and incentives to Nigerian investors looking to set up businesses in Southeast Asia, including potential tax benefits and preferential treatment for investment-related processes.

A senior trade analyst with Indonesia’s trade promotion authorities, Iska Huberta Sinural, disclosed this on Tuesday, while addressing journalists from Nigeria in Jakarta ahead of the 41st Trade Expo Indonesia, saying the country was seeking to deepen its commercial relationship with Nigeria through increased trade, investment and business partnerships.

Sinural said Nigerian investors could explore opportunities in Indonesia, adding that investment-related incentives could include tax benefits and other forms of preferential treatment.

“There will be special treatment actually when you have to invest here. For the investment, we will give special or privilege. The visa for investors will be a bit different.

“The tax and also other things will be incentives,” she said.

According to Sinurat, Nigeria has consistently ranked among the leading countries whose buyers and visitors participate in the annual Indonesian trade exhibition, making it an important market for the country’s exporters.

She said Nigeria ranked fourth among buyers in 2022, third in 2024 and fourth in 2025, while its position among the top five buyers had been relatively consistent over the years.

“We have data on every time you come here to do some business and we also do some trade mission to your country,” she said.

The 41st Trade Expo, 2926, will Kickstart Wednesday October 14, till 18. The Trade Expo Indonesia is intended to bring together exporters, international buyers, investors and government representatives to facilitate commercial transactions and develop partnerships across multiple sectors.

Sinural speaking further, said, Indonesia was seeking to move beyond conventional buyer-seller transactions to establish longer-term partnerships, including investments by Nigerian businesses in Indonesian manufacturing, agriculture and other sectors.

“I mean, this is bilateral. It’s not always you buying from us, you can also invest in us. We also welcome you to introduce us to your product,” she said.

She argued that Nigerian investments in Indonesia could help businesses secure more reliable access to products, reduce the difficulties associated with shipping and build closer links with Indonesian manufacturers.

“The option of shipping, is a bit hard. So why don’t you invest here? And then it will be easy for us to get the products when you invest here,” she said.

Sinurat added that Indonesia could offer competitive labour and access to agricultural resources, while investors could explore opportunities to manufacture goods for the Nigerian market.

The trade analyst also encouraged Nigerian businesses to introduce locally produced food and beverages to Indonesian consumers, suggesting that product adaptation and cultural exchange could help Nigerian brands gain acceptance.

“For us to understand ourselves better, I guess one of the key points to explore is export things from Nigeria to Indonesia like food, beverages,” she said.

She added that Nigerian businesses could introduce speciality foods, coffee and beverages while adapting flavours, packaging and product sizes to Indonesian preferences.

Sinural said Indonesia was also interested in attracting Nigerian investors into sectors beyond merchandise trade, particularly where long-term partnerships could generate economic benefits for both countries.

Sinural said the 2026 Trade Expo Indonesia had exceeded its initial exhibitor target, with about 1,600 exhibitors registered against a target of 1,500.

She said the transaction target for this year’s exhibition was $17.5bn, compared with $16bn set for the previous edition.

She explained that the objective was not limited to increasing transaction values but also to attracting buyers from a wider range of countries, strengthening business networks and encouraging investment in Indonesia.

“It’s not only to have the transaction, but also to have a relationship and we also hope, in this condition, that more investments can be made during this trade expo in Indonesia,” she said.

Sinurat said the organisers were particularly interested in expanding participation from non-traditional markets in Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

She added that invitations had been extended to at least 30 countries as Indonesia sought to strengthen government-to-government engagement alongside business-to-business transactions.

“This year, actually, we sent an invitation to at least 30 countries. Because this year, we want to have a government G2G relationship,” she said.

The exhibition’s major sectors include food, beverages and agricultural products; manufacturing; industrial estates and services; fashion and handicrafts; and furniture and home décor.

On his part, the Export Enhancement Division representative of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Muhammad Alpvy, said there was considerable untapped potential in trade and investment between Indonesia and African countries, including Nigeria.

Alpvy, said Indonesia was seeking to expand exports beyond existing product categories and strengthen cooperation in food processing, agricultural commodities, furniture, manufacturing and renewable energy.

He said Nigerian businesses could explore opportunities in Indonesia while Indonesian companies could also establish manufacturing operations in Nigeria, creating a more sustainable commercial relationship.

According to him, trade between the two countries could expand significantly if the growing number of Nigerian visitors and business delegations translated into more concrete transactions and investment agreements.

Alpvy, estimated that Nigeria’s delegation to Indonesia had grown from between 100 and 150 participants in the previous year to about 250 in 2026, representing an increase of approximately 40 per cent based on the figures he cited.

He said the larger delegation presented an opportunity to expand transactions, although the actual value would depend on the products involved, the quantities purchased and the agreements concluded.

Alpvy, said Nigeria and Indonesia could also strengthen cooperation in palm oil, rubber products, healthcare manufacturing, agricultural processing and renewable energy.

He identified shipping costs and trade barriers as factors that could limit the expansion of bilateral commerce between Nigeria and Indonesia, adding that investment and local manufacturing arrangements could help businesses overcome some of the difficulties associated with direct exports.

“I believe some of the African countries already have this kind of trade agreements with Indonesia, but still ongoing,” he said.

Encouraging Nigeria to make its trade process less cumbersome while he stressed that tariffs and shipping costs were among the areas requiring further attention.

Alpvy, also highlighted opportunities in waste management and green energy, including the conversion of agricultural and animal waste into alternatives to coal.

He said Nigerian and Indonesian businesses had previously discussed cooperation in renewable energy and the establishment of factories, but further discussions were needed to determine the appropriate investment arrangements.

“First thing first about the investment is to make the format, how we can collaborate,” he said.

Alpvy, urged Nigerian investors to consider Indonesia as a destination for long-term business partnerships, while encouraging Indonesian companies to explore opportunities in Nigeria.

He said both countries stood to benefit from cooperation that went beyond seasonal trading and focused on sustained investment, local production and technology transfer.

Source: punchng.com

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