Business
Senate Permits Only Dangote, Other Refiners to Import Fuel Under New PIB
If the new provision on fuel imports inserted by the Senate in the Petroleum Industry Bill is adopted by the House of Representatives and the President, only active refinery licence holders will be allowed to import petroleum products into the country when the bill becomes a law.
Companies holding refining licences in the country include Dangote Oil Refinery Company, Waltersmith Refining & Petrochemical Company Limited, OPAC Refineries, Niger Delta Petroleum Resources, BUA Refinery & Petrochemicals as well as Edo Refinery and Petrochemical Company Limited.
The PUNCH had exclusively reported on February 28 that Dangote Group had suggested for inclusion in the PIB a provision that the licence to import petroleum products should be assigned only to companies with active refining licences, saying this would encourage investment in local refining.
Currently, all companies duly registered under the Corporate Affairs Commission as providers of goods and services in the downstream sector of the Nigerian oil and gas industry are eligible to apply for petroleum products importation permit, subject to having access to appropriate storage facilities which could be owned or leased from third parties, according to the Department of Petroleum Resources.
A new provision (subsection (8) of section 317) introduced by the Senate into the PIB said the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority shall apply the backward integration policy in the downstream petroleum sector to encourage investment in local refining.
It said, “To support this, licence to import any product shortfalls shall be assigned only to companies with active local refining licences. Import volume to be allocated between participants based on their respective production in the preceding quarter.
“Such import to be done under NNPC Limited Direct Sale/Direct Purchase scheme. To safeguard the health of Nigerians, imported petroleum products shall conform to the Afri-5 specification (50ppm sulphur) as per the ECOWAS declaration of February 2020 on adoption of the Afri-Fuels Roadmap.”
Under the DSDP scheme, which was introduced by the NNPC in 2016, selected companies are allocated crude supplies in exchange for the delivery of an equal value of petrol and other refined products to the corporation.
The Senate and House of Representatives, according to copies of the passed bills seen by our correspondent, said in section 317 that from the effective date of the bill, the government, on behalf of the federation, may request the services of NNPC Limited as supplier of last resort to ensure adequate supply and distribution of Premium Motor Spirit for a period not exceeding six months.
“All associated costs shall be for the account of the federation,” they added.
Subsection (1) of section 205 provides that “subject to the provisions of this Section, wholesale and retail prices of petroleum products shall be based on unrestricted free-market pricing conditions.
The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, had last Tuesday named a seven-member committee to harmonise the different versions of the PIB recently passed by both chambers of the National Assembly, after which it would be sent to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, for his assent.
The Punch
The Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria has maintained the benchmark interest rate at 27 per cent, extending its pause on monetary tightening.
The CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, announced the decision on Tuesday at the end of the committee’s 303rd meeting in Abuja.
Cardoso said, “The Committee decided by a majority vote to maintain the monetary policy stance,” indicating that members were not yet convinced that current economic conditions warranted another reduction.
The move follows the 50-basis-point cut implemented in September 2025, the only rate reduction since the tightening cycle began under the current CBN leadership.
It also marks the fourth consecutive hold this year.
The MPC had raised rates six times in 2024 amid surging inflation and currency pressures.
The Punch
Access Bank Plc, Nigeria’s largest retail bank, is set to unveil DettyFusion, an innovative all-in-one digital platform designed to help Nigerians at home and in the diaspora seamlessly discover, plan, and enjoy entertainment events during the upcoming Christmas and New Year festive season.
Billed as the first-of-its-kind entertainment aggregator in the country, DettyFusion will serve as a centralized hub where users can explore event calendars, purchase tickets, access exclusive discounts, participate in curated festive experiences, and make safe, seamless payments throughout the holiday period.
Speaking on the forthcoming launch, Access Bank’s Head of Mobility, Ishmael Nwokocha, said the platform was inspired by the bank’s commitment to enhancing customer experience during the highly anticipated Detty December season.
“Every December, Nigerians look forward to moments that bring joy, connection, and unforgettable experiences. The launch of DettyFusion will create a single gateway that makes it easier, safer, and more convenient for customers to enjoy the thrills of Detty December,” Nwokocha stated.
He added that the platform reflects Access Bank’s drive to deliver innovative lifestyle solutions that extend beyond traditional banking services. “DettyFusion brings together key features that meet the needs of today’s digitally active and experience-driven audience,” he said.
With this initiative, Access Bank continues to reinforce its position as a leading lifestyle enabler, supporting Nigeria’s creative sector while empowering customers to enjoy top-tier entertainment during the festive season.
With DettyFusion, Detty December just got smarter, more convenient, and even more rewarding.
Across Africa, women are fast becoming the heartbeat of economic transformation. From bustling open-air markets to high-tech boardrooms, women-led enterprises are redefining what is possible for the continent’s future.
Whether as market traders expanding their reach through digital platforms, tech founders scaling innovations across borders, or artisans turning local crafts into global brands, women’s contributions are now central to Africa’s economic resurgence.
Even as they break new ground, many still face formidable barriers. Access to finance, mentorship, business education, and supportive networks remains limited. Structural issues such as weak property rights, gender bias, and inadequate legal protections often hinder women from securing loans or expanding their businesses.
Consequently, many women-owned ventures remain small, informal, and vulnerable to economic shocks.
Recognising both the promise and the obstacles, Access Bank has positioned itself at the forefront of empowering women across the continent. Recently named Africa’s Best Financier for Female Entrepreneurs by the EMEA Finance Awards, the Bank has earned global recognition for its commitment to inclusion, innovation, and sustainable impact.
At the centre of this effort is the W Initiative, one of Africa’s most comprehensive women-focused banking programmes. Unlike conventional banking, it combines finance with mentorship, training, and community support, acknowledging that true empowerment requires more than access to capital. The initiative meets women wherever they are on their entrepreneurial journey, from start-ups to growing enterprises and corporate leadership.
The W Power Loan offers affordable credit with flexible terms, enabling women to invest in expansion, inventory, or technology. The W Academy provides leadership and business training on financial literacy, marketing, and regulatory compliance, while the W Community connects women to peers, mentors, and role models across industries.
Importantly, these offerings extend beyond urban centres. From microloans sustaining traders in rural markets to leadership programmes developing female executives in multinational firms, Access Bank’s approach is deliberately inclusive. By partnering NGOs, business associations, and government agencies, it reaches women in underserved communities, ensuring participation in Africa’s economic rise.
The results are evident. Thousands of women have accessed credit, training, and networks through the Bank’s initiatives, enabling them to launch and scale businesses, create jobs, and uplift their communities. The ripple effects are far-reaching: increased household income, improved family wellbeing, and greater economic resilience. Women who once faced daunting barriers now serve as role models and change-makers, inspiring others to follow their path.
Studies show that when women thrive, societies prosper. The World Bank and African Development Bank note that empowering women fuels GDP growth, improves health outcomes, and enhances social stability. By directly addressing structural gaps in access to finance and information, Access Bank helps to unlock this transformative potential.
Apart from supporting entrepreneurs, Access Bank promotes gender inclusion within its own organisation. Its leadership pipeline identifies and advances talented women, while mentorship and wellness programmes help female professionals thrive. The Bank also uses public platforms, from conferences to policy dialogues, to share success stories and advocate for gender diversity across sectors.
The EMEA Finance recognition thus goes beyond trophies and titles; it affirms that profitability and purpose can coexist. For Access Bank, supporting women’s advancement is smart economics. By embedding inclusion into its DNA, the Bank is shaping a financial ecosystem that views women as equal partners in progress.
Access Bank’s influence also extends into advocacy. Through forums, roundtables, and research collaborations, the Bank engages policymakers, civil society, and business leaders to identify and dismantle barriers facing women entrepreneurs. Its campaigns amplify women’s voices, spotlighting their achievements and driving conversations around inclusive growth.
