Here is an I read a few weeks ago in the . I find it relevant to the current discourse about OLPC practicality. I am drawn to the ways in which some people have been able to circumvent the challenges posed by poor infrastructure and government red tapes. Here is my favorite quote in the article, "I'm very optimistic about what I'm seeing in many parts of the world, including India, China, Mexico, and Brazil, and Nigeria". Okay, I added Nigeria to the list. I hope you enjoy the article and also find it inspiring.
"These young entrepreneurs are trying to make their marks independent of what their fathers and grandfathers have done. These young people and their companies are growing fast and becoming relevant on the global scale," he says. While previous generations were often constricted by government red tape and low customer expectations, younger entrepreneurs who take their cue from the international business models they see online are more open to new ideas and are setting higher standards for their companies.
S piece on Government and Taxation is thought provoking. In an instant you can tell the piece was written by someone on the ground and not a blogger looking in from a faraway location. writes about the arbitrary decisions taken by State and Local government which create bottlenecks for investors in Nigeria. In addition to the taxes which she talked about, I do see how the possibility of a court case in the middle of an investment cycle can astronomically increase risk to investors. I am glad that the judiciary system is at least making an effort to protect the investors. Overall this is a well rounded piece that can be extended to different facets of our national polity. An attempt is madeat taking a swipe at the complicated challenges facing investors in Nigeria. This reaffirms my believe that without responsible institutions all economic growth and structural improvements will remain unsustainable in the long run. In Nigeria institutions are centered around individuals, it ought to be the other way around.
Sometimes the victim tries to fight back, as is the case with the 1004 redevelopment in Victoria Island. The developers got cash upfront for the project to the tune of N25 million per flat (some flats went for N27 million). I think the developers spent N7 billion acquiring the property from the Federal Government (about N7 million per flat). They will probably spend another N7 to N10 billion refurbishing each flat. The state government can do the math as well as anyone else and has decided that N8 billion is too much for the developers to book as profit. The state government as determined that planning permission was not granted for reconstruction of the estates, and has slapped the developers with N3.4 billion in fees and levies. The developers have taken the matter to court, and from what I have heard will probably win.
I was reading the Nigerian Guardian newspaper recently and saw a report on the development of a Free Trade Zone in Kano State. I noticed that the Federal Government was to pour in approximately N5 billion into the project and learned that an undisclosed investor had already pumped in millions of dollars to complete the project.
For those of you that are unfamiliar with the term Free Trade Zone ("FTZ" and also known as Free Zone ("FZ")), these zones are simply a designated area created to attract foreign investment and business by offering no taxes, relaxed labor rules, relaxed rules on imports and exports of goods. This tool was used by Dubai to transform itself from a desert rest stop for Bedouin nomads to an economic gateway to the Middle East.
It is from this perspective that I consider the possibilities of a Free Trade Zone in Kano. The free trade zone, called Panisau, is located on 230 hectares of land, has an 11 KVA generator, access roads, internal roads and other facilities. By making it easier for investors to 'set up shop', Kano will quite possibly improve its economy and create jobs and much needed cash flow. There are apparently many plans to rejuvenate Kano - a new dry port at Zawaciki, a multi-billion Singer market, the re-construction and expansion of the Lagos-Kano railroad and the possible rehabilitation of the Mallam Aminu Kano international airport.
Kano is also gearing up to become an arbiter of oil. A pipeline from the Delta region will soon be re-routed from Katsina to Kano. This pipeline will provide the state and a few other West African nations with energy. These new projects in combination with the Free Trade Zone could transform Kano into a gateway to not just Northern Nigeria, but to various north African countries.
As early as the 13th and 14th century, Kano was an economic center and controlled commerce in gold, leather, ivory, salt and unfortunately, slaves. In the modern era, it had a rich history as a producer of groundnuts but eventually witnessed an economic decline in the 1990s which led to an increase in poverty. This FTZ at Panisau could afford Kano an opportunity to re-achieve the economic success of its glory days and it could potentially be of great benefit to the citizens. We shall have to wait and see. By . Migrated from AltNigeria.
According to s MTN Group, Murray & Roberts Engineering Holdings, Standard Bank Group, Naspers, Guaranty Trust Bank, United Bank For Africa,Zenith Bank, Shutterstock Orascom Construction Industries, First Quantum Minerals, Ridge Mining. View the complete .
I have spent a couple of days thinking about this, I feel like this one will not leave me until I put up an entry about this issue. I would start by saying that I have made a conscious efforts to speak good about Nigeria. I felt that would balance the assault on home country by the foreign media. However right now, I am beginning to think the foreign media houses may just be right. I ask for your forgiveness in advance if this entry stoops to the level of an anti Nigeria rant. This brother is deeply frustrated with the political class in Nigeria. Unfortunately, I am not allowed to let out the details of the particular event, otherwise the college funds for my unborn children may be threatened. Oh yes Omodudu is a strategic activist. Back to the gist, a very fine project of mine was shot down by Nigeria politicking, for no reason other than, " this isn't how we do it round here'. It feels like one has to loose all of his self esteem in order get anything done in home country. Incentives and disincentives do not work in our country my brothers and sisters, and the biggest mistake you can make when dealing with this folks is to assume there is an ounce of "doing something for the public" in their heart. The higher you go the more glaring this attitude is. This is the second time this is happening and this brother is pissed off. Why we fold our hands and watch the robbery going beats me. My fear has always been that my people may squander the goodwill, presently being, extended to us by the rest of the world. Though my fear has not been confirmed 100%. I am interested in seeing how the mother ship will be turned around because in my opinion it is close to running aground. I am tired of answering the question, verbally or psychologically " What is in it for me? It better be big" At this juncture I hands off Naija stuff and focus on more rewarding enterprises. I feel like the prodigal son right now. Let sell Nigeria so that I can get my own share and walk away never to look back anymore. Off to the Embassy of Madagascar, this brother is seeking citizenship.
I was reading the Nigerian Guardian newspaper recently and saw a report on the development of a Free Trade Zone in Kano State. I noticed that the Federal Government was to pour in approximately N5 billion into the project and learned that an undisclosed investor had already pumped in millions of dollars to complete the project. 
