Africa Business News

The South African supermarket chain Pick n Pay plans to open its first store in Nigeria.
Pick n Pay's Nigeria venture will be a partnership with A G Leventis, a group with investments in West Africa ranging from agricultural equipment to property management.
The South African supermarket chain believes it can overcome problems that have hit competitors, like currency devaluations and logistical challenges, as well as barriers to repatriating profits.
Pick n Pay's strategy in Nigeria will focus on opening small neighbourhood stores, whereas other foreign retailers have established flagship stores in large shopping centres.

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A class action legal case has been launched against a subsidiary of the mining firm Anglo-American over an abandoned lead mine in Zambia.
Lawyers representing a group of women and children say more than 100,000 people may have been poisoned by toxins from the site in Kabwe.
Anglo-American said no claim had yet been served against it, but insisted any legal action would be vigorously defended.
The firm pointed out that the mine was owned for more than 20 years before its closure by the Zambian government.

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This episode is sponsored by
· Afrolit Podcast: Hosted by Ekua PM, Afrolit shares the stories of multi-faceted Africans one episode at a time. https://open.spotify.com/show/2nJxiiYRyfMQlDEXXpzlZS?si=mmgODX3NQ-yfQvR0JRH-WA

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The African Union has strongly condemned the violence against anti-police brutality protesters in Nigeria.
The Chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki, urged both political and social actors to respect human rights and the rule of law.
He hailed the disbandment of the hated Special Anti-Robbery Squad (Sars) and encouraged investigations to ensure perpetrators of acts of violence are held to account.
The regional bloc, Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), called for dialogue between the Nigerian government and the protesters.
Ecowas urged both parties to exercise restraint as protests continue.

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This episode is sponsored by
· Afrolit Podcast: Hosted by Ekua PM, Afrolit shares the stories of multi-faceted Africans one episode at a time. https://open.spotify.com/show/2nJxiiYRyfMQlDEXXpzlZS?si=mmgODX3NQ-yfQvR0JRH-WA

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The United Nations’ Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has called for an end to police brutality in Nigeria, condemning violent clashes that claimed multiple lives and caused many injuries.
The Secretary-General in a communiqué by his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric said he has been following recent developments in Nigeria and has called for an end to police brutality and abuses.
Mr Guterres condemned the shooting of protesters on Tuesday at Lekki in Lagos which resulted in multiple deaths and caused many injuries.
He expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.

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This episode is sponsored by
· Afrolit Podcast: Hosted by Ekua PM, Afrolit shares the stories of multi-faceted Africans one episode at a time. https://open.spotify.com/show/2nJxiiYRyfMQlDEXXpzlZS?si=mmgODX3NQ-yfQvR0JRH-WA

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British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab on Wednesday said that he was deeply concerned by the recent violence in Nigeria and reports of civilian deaths, and called for an end to the violence.
He said in a statement that the Nigerian government must urgently investigate reports of brutality at the hands of the security forces and hold those responsible to account.
The shooting drew widespread international condemnation, with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet saying reports suggested it could have been premeditated.


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This episode is sponsored by
· Afrolit Podcast: Hosted by Ekua PM, Afrolit shares the stories of multi-faceted Africans one episode at a time. https://open.spotify.com/show/2nJxiiYRyfMQlDEXXpzlZS?si=mmgODX3NQ-yfQvR0JRH-WA

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The stock market lost N113 billion on Wednesday as investors’ appetite, which has been high for days became dampened due to the tensed security situation in the country.
Investors however reduced their demand for equities yesterday as they reacted to the prevailing security situation after some #EndSARS protesters at Lekki Tollgate, Lagos were shot by the military on Tuesday.
The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index declined by 0.75 per cent from 28.665.82 to 28,449.49, while market capitalisation shed N113 billion from N14.983 trillion to N14.870 trillion.

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This episode is sponsored by
· Afrolit Podcast: Hosted by Ekua PM, Afrolit shares the stories of multi-faceted Africans one episode at a time. https://open.spotify.com/show/2nJxiiYRyfMQlDEXXpzlZS?si=mmgODX3NQ-yfQvR0JRH-WA

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The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, has ordered the withdrawal of all police officers attached to all very important personalities in the country with immediate effect.
He ordered the withdrawal of policemen attached to VIPs, with the exception of those attached to government houses, the Senate President and the Speaker House of Representatives.
He stated that any protect personnel found escorting or guarding any VIP with or without a firearm is deemed to be deployed by the commander and the commander will be sanctioned.

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This episode is sponsored by
· Afrolit Podcast: Hosted by Ekua PM, Afrolit shares the stories of multi-faceted Africans one episode at a time. https://open.spotify.com/show/2nJxiiYRyfMQlDEXXpzlZS?si=mmgODX3NQ-yfQvR0JRH-WA

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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has urged the Nigerian Government to conduct a speedy investigation in the shooting that occurred at the Lekki Toll Gate area of Lagos State.
The body in a statement on Wednesday expressed its condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives during the protests and also wished the injured speedy recovery.
ECOWAS added that while it recognises the right of citizens to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and protests, it wishes that those rights be exercised in a non-violent manner.

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Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has sent a petition to Mrs Fatou Bensouda, Prosecutor, International Criminal Court urging her to promptly investigate reports that Nigerian authorities and military used to intimidate, harass, attack and kill #EndSARS peaceful protesters in several parts of Nigeria, including Abuja, Lagos, Edo, Osun, Plateau, and Kano states.
SERAP urged Mrs Bensouda to push for those suspected to be responsible for these crimes to be tried by the ICC.
SERAP said the repeated attacks on peaceful protesters suggest the misuse of the military and security agents by the Nigerian authorities.

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This episode is sponsored by
· Afrolit Podcast: Hosted by Ekua PM, Afrolit shares the stories of multi-faceted Africans one episode at a time. https://open.spotify.com/show/2nJxiiYRyfMQlDEXXpzlZS?si=mmgODX3NQ-yfQvR0JRH-WA

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The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has confirmed 37 new cases of coronavirus in the country. This brings the total number of COVID-19 infections recorded in the country so far to 61,667.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control in a tweet showed that the 37 new cases are reported from 9 states.
FCT had eight cases, Lagos had seven cases, Taraba and Rivers had five cases each, Adamawa had four cases, Kaduna had three cases, Anambra and Osun had two cases each while Ogun had one case.
A total of 56,880 persons have recovered from the virus while the death toll now stands at 1125

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This episode is sponsored by
· Afrolit Podcast: Hosted by Ekua PM, Afrolit shares the stories of multi-faceted Africans one episode at a time. https://open.spotify.com/show/2nJxiiYRyfMQlDEXXpzlZS?si=mmgODX3NQ-yfQvR0JRH-WA

Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/newscast-africa/support