The Business Exchange: How Business Works

At the American Business Council, our key focus for World International Womens’ Month is to break the gender bias with positive visibility and focus. In this episode, the guest speakers share their success stories as leaders in the sectors they play in, how they found themselves in such fields (Tech, Energy, Insurance, Franchising, Healthcare), and the impact they make in society.

Here Margaret discusses with Hon (Dr) Ujam of Nina Jojer and Tolu Oyekan of BCG share the pillars of the economy that drove economic growth and looked at the best possible ways of evaluating infrastructural investments with impact on development. About the Speakers Dr. Chukwuemeka Ujam is a Nigerian politician, and was formerly the elected member of the House of Representatives representing Nkanu...

Here Margaret Olele of the American Business Council reviews and discusses the monumental events of 2021 with Nonso Obikili of the United Nations, and Gyude Moore of the Centre for Global Development. The discussions touch on the Nigerian Economy, Africa's relations with China, the US, and the EU, Energy poverty in Africa, COP26, COVID-19 variants (Omicron) and Government's reaction, US Democracy...

On this episode, Tejaswi - General Manager, Strategic Marketing and Business Development at Lagos Free Zone (LFZ) shares insights on the development, which is integrated with Lekki Deep Sea Port (first of its kind in Nigeria) and well-positioned to address the port challenges in Lagos. Lagos Free Zone developed by Tolaram, enhances the competitiveness of Nigeria as an investment destination and of...

Mira Mehta, CEO of Tomato Jos discusses with Maggie her milestones in investing in Nigeria, challenges, and the future of Tomato Jos.

The global animation market size was valued at US$ 354.7 billion in 2020. Since the creation of the Black Panther comic into a movie, we have seen a burgeoning of interests and investments into African Content. These facts make one curious to know how the Nigerian comic and animation industry taken hold of the global demand. Listen to Jide Martin, CEO and Founder of Comic Republic speak with us on...

One of the indicators that drive foreign investments is the perceived stability of the desired Country for investment and the current heated polity in Nigeria may have cast a shadow on investors' confidence in the country. Across the African Continent, various groups have sprung up due to economic, social, political, and environmental factors and have led to armed conflict. Listen to Maggie discus...

Since its presentation before the legislature in 2008, the Petroleum Industry Bill was passed into law on 16 August 2021. The Bill, now an Act, makes far reaching changes to the structure of Nigeria's energy industry. In this episode, we will be discussing the history of the PIA, a summary of its provisions, perceived challenges to its implementation, and its impact on the future of energy in Nige...

SME's face a myriad of challenges to their business development on a daily basis. These challenges include the insufficiency of infrastructure, policy, incentives, and most commonly all access to finance. In this week's podcast episode, Womoemi Diriyai, Country Head, Dun and Bradstreet Nigeria shed light on the cause of these challenges and what can be done to overcome them.

Maggie discusses with Sumbo Akintola of Aluko Oyebode and Moses Faya of API on the postal bill its implications to business, extrapolate reasons for the postal bill, and discuss the opportunities the public and private stakeholders need to leverage on.

Considering the importance of data in modern times and the heightened need for proper regulation, a Data Protection Bill was proposed to the National Assembly in 2020. Alongside this, a new NITDA Act has been proposed to the National Assembly and the Nigerian Government has tabled exclusivity from cross-data flow at the WTO. On this episode of the Business Exchange, Maggie discusses with Kasim Sod...

Isioma of Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors and Chinwe of Ohanele Law Firm discuss with Maggie the history of the Copyright bill and its impact on the entertainment industry. The guests also share the best possible ways to develop the capacity of Lawyers and avenues to support upcoming creatives in protecting their works.

In this episode, the Rita Amuchienwa of Intel discusses with Maggie on the critical digital infrastructure needed in Nigeria and Intel's plans to build capacity in Africa. Intel is one of the foremost innovative Semiconductor manufacturers in the world. Intel's innovation in cloud computing, data center, the Internet of Things, and PC solutions is powering the smart and connected digital world we...

In this episode, Vicky Akai the Director-General of Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry shares her thoughts with Maggie on the increasing role of Chambers of Commerce in driving advocacy and enabling environment for private sector. Interesting conversations on the role of data in advocacy as well as empowering and equipping Women-owned businesses in Nigeria ahead of the AFCFTA through market ac...

This episode highlights Ecosystem Restoration in recognition of the World Environment day celebrated on the 5th of June with the themes “Reimagine. Recreate. Restore.” Amaka Onyemelukwe, Director of Public Affairs, Communication and Sustainability shares what Coca-Cola does in ensuring its products do not impact the environment negatively, best practices on building sustainable ecosystems as well...

Maggie discusses with Amaka Anku of Eurasia Group on the Chinese incursion in Africa, the Security situation for Western Investors investing in Africa, US Government initiatives for Africa, and how best the US Government can be a partner to African Governments.

Maggie discusses with the Senior Government Relations Director for Sub-Saharan Africa at Procter and Gamble, Temitope Iluyemi on Building relationships in Business. She gives an overview of how US Corporations build relationships in the private and public sector without impinging on its core values but at the same time drive revenue growth indirectly and directly.

Here Maggie speaks with Funmi Omo the Managing Director of Enterprise Life Nigeria on the importance of the Insurance sector, highlights the opportunities in the sector and shares the products Enterprise Life Nigeria has for the working class in Nigeria which will in turn make Insurance as a lifystyle.

Here Alexander Muterko, the Project Manager at the International Centre for Migration Policy Development discusses with Maggie on what the ICMPD does around promoting innovative, comprehensive and sustainable migration policies. There have been several stories and reports that speak to Africans migrating and the loss of human capacity which is as a result of migration. The discussion will share in...

Maggie discusses with the MD of Comercio Limited Aderonke Adeyegbe, Nigeria’s leading indigenous cloud company. She shares what her organisation does to empower women into the tech space and her passion in empowering women into STEM. #HowBusinessWorks #HowWomenLeadersRole

Toyin Adegbite-Moore Executive Director of Africa Venture Philanthropy Alliance discusses with Maggie on ways AVPA supports Female-led SMEs in Nigeria and share insights on how women empowerment projects should be checked and tracked. AVPA is a Pan-African network for social investors who are interested in collaborating to increase the flow of capital into social investments across Africa and ensu...

On today's episode, Delia Asuzu of PwC Nigeria & Olaniyi Yusuf of Verraki Partners share updates and insights with Maggie on the 2020 Economic Impact survey of US companies in Nigeria. The survey highlights the impact US Companies make to the Nigerian Economy. The yearly survey is conducted by the American Business Council in partnership with PWC Nigeria, KPMG, Verraki Partners, and the US Embassy...

On todays episode of the Business Exchange, the CEO of the African Resource Centre for Nigeria shares her perspectives on supply chain management in Nigeria, opportunities for investments and what ARC has done to support the value chain in supply chain management. Azuka also shares ARC work with the Federal Government in Nigeria in building a sustainable national strategy for Supply Chain Manageme...

Margaret speaks with John Edokpolo of Microsoft and Josh Egba of USTDA on the current Data Protection Bill, its importance, best practices based on global standards and how businesses will adapt to this regulation.

Margaret speaks with the CEO of Alaro City Ojo Odunayo on how the real estate industry of Nigeria has faired in 2020 and what is next for the sector. Alaro City is a partnership between Rendeavour, Africa’s largest new city builder, and Lagos State Government. Alaro City is a mixed-income, city-scale development with industrial and logistics locations, complemented by offices, homes, schools, heal...