By Samuel Shay

When Samuel Shay speaks about Africa’s industrial future within the India Middle East Europe Corridor, he describes a transformation that is already beginning to take shape. Shay, known for his work across the Middle East and Africa as an economic strategist and a senior advisor to the Abraham Accords framework, argues that IMEC is more than a trade route. It is a structural engine capable of turning Africa into one of the most dynamic manufacturing regions of the coming decades.

In recent months, Shay has travelled through East Africa, the Gulf, and Europe, presenting a unified message. Africa, he insists, can no longer be positioned at the margins of global production. The continent has the people, the geography, and the resources to become a central manufacturing pillar that connects directly into IMEC supply chains. According to him, the opportunity is historic. For the first time, Africa has access to a stable, predictable, and world class logistical network that links its industrial zones to India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, and Europe.

During a briefing he held with regional partners, Shay outlined the logic behind this shift. Industrial development follows infrastructure, he said. When transport becomes reliable and costs fall, production follows. IMEC shortens routes, reduces risk, and creates new commercial confidence. This opens the door for multinational companies to relocate manufacturing processes to Africa, where the workforce is young, the markets are expanding, and governments are increasingly committed to reform.

Shay points to East African ports such as Mombasa, Lamu, Dar es Salaam, and Djibouti as natural gateways for Africa’s industrial integration. These ports already serve as the continent’s maritime link to the Gulf. Under IMEC, they can evolve into hubs for processed goods and finished products. Africa should not export raw materials anymore, Shay told partners in one of his discussions. It should export value.

In his analysis, three forces converge to support Africa’s rise as a manufacturing center. First is India. With its growing industrial and technological power, India is seeking new production bases that can serve global markets. Africa’s proximity and labor capacity give it a clear advantage. Shay has held several meetings with Indian business leaders who see Africa as a natural partner for joint ventures in automotive components, electronics, textiles, food processing, and pharmaceuticals. They told him that the predictability of IMEC is the missing link. Once this predictability is secured, investment becomes far easier.

Second is the Gulf. Shay maintains long standing working relationships with senior officials in Riyadh and Abu Dhabi. The Gulf states are repositioning themselves as global logistics powers and are investing heavily in renewable energy and industrial diversification. Their capital, combined with Africa’s labor and land, can create a chain of industrial zones linked by IMEC’s transport, digital, and energy routes. Shay often emphasizes that the Gulf is ready to finance large scale industrial clusters in Africa, particularly those connected to green hydrogen, solar components, fertilizers, and agro processing.

Third is North Africa. Countries like Morocco, Egypt, and Tunisia already possess industrial capabilities. Shay believes that connecting these northern hubs with East and West Africa through IMEC linked industrial corridors can create a continental network of production. Egypt, in particular, has the potential to become a dual anchor, serving both African and Mediterranean markets. Shay has been working with Egyptian partners on the concept of Red Sea and Sinai based industrial zones designed specifically for IMEC trade routes.

Training and human development are core to Shay’s vision. Africa’s young population is its greatest asset, he said in a recent conversation. Industrial zones must include professional academies, technological training centers, and partnerships with Indian and Israeli companies capable of delivering advanced skills. Shay argues that without investing in people, infrastructure alone cannot produce growth. But with the right training, Africa can build a generation of industrial workers capable of competing globally.

Digital connectivity is another pillar of Shay’s plan. IMEC will rely on advanced fiber optic networks, and African industrial zones connected to these systems will benefit from real time logistics data, smart manufacturing tools, and transparent digital supply chains. According to Shay, this connectivity is essential. It allows African manufacturers to meet the strict standards of European and Asian markets and to integrate seamlessly into multinational procurement systems.

Shay also stresses the social impact of industrial development. Manufacturing creates stable employment and generates an ecosystem of local service providers. In his discussions with African leaders, he repeatedly highlighted that IMEC oriented industrial zones can strengthen communities by providing long term income, advancing education, and supporting socially inclusive economic growth.

Environmental sustainability is part of the strategy. Africa’s potential in solar and wind energy gives it an advantage in producing low carbon goods. Shay believes that IMEC will amplify this potential by creating pathways for green energy exports and clean manufacturing. He argues that Europe’s environmental regulations will become an opportunity instead of a barrier if African industrial zones adopt renewable energy at scale.

In his overarching vision, Shay sees Africa emerging as a fourth pillar in the global economic network that IMEC is creating. India brings technology and scale. The Gulf brings capital and energy. Europe brings markets and standards. Africa brings population, land, and future growth potential. Together, these regions form a new economic architecture that he believes will define the next era of trade and development.

Samuel Shay’s message is consistent and clear. Africa is not a peripheral market. It is a central participant in the future that IMEC is building. Through industrial zones, education, and strategic partnerships, the continent can claim its place as a manufacturing power connected to India, the Middle East, and Europe. IMEC is not just a corridor for goods. It is a corridor for Africa’s rise.

From Adeko Ukpa

Qietur Limited, a financial-technology and data-driven company, located in Abuja on Tuesday, officially signed a significant offtake agreement with the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) to undertake the development of over 3000 residential housing estates for NASENI staff across Nigeria.

The landmark partnership, hinged under a mortgage-backed owner-occupier scheme in collaboration with Family Homes Fund Limited is aimed at addressing the housing deficit while improving access to affordable housing across locations in Abuja, Kano, Minna, Enugu and Nnewi.

The Chief Executive Officer, Qietur Limited, Dr. Abiola Oyedotun, during the official signing of agreement with NASENI in Abuja said this  partnership reflects a critical milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to improve the living standards of its workforce while simultaneously contributing to economic growth through infrastructure development.

One of the new housing estates will be located on unencumbered land in Jibi, Behind Mopol Barracks, Dei-Dei, along Kubwa Expressway in Abuja, and will cater for staff interested in affordable homeownership.

Dr. Oyedotun, who expressed optimism about this partnership stated further that, “This agreement represents a bold step toward bridging the housing gap in Nigeria. With the support of NASENI and Family Homes Fund, we are going beyond developing homes, we want to create sustainable communities that will contribute to the socio-economic well-being of our people. This initiative will provide NASENI staff with the opportunity to own homes and improve their quality of life, while also boosting the construction sector and communities in the area.”

“The comprehensive housing plan will feature state-of-the-art designs and modern infrastructure, focusing on energy efficiency, environmental sustainability, and community-based services such as marketplaces, resorts and green areas”. Dr. Oyedotun assured.

In her response, NASENI’s Coordinating Director, Planning and Business Development, Dr. Mrs. Nonyem Onyechi stressed that this partnership with Qietur Limited attests NASENI’s commitment to the welfare of its staff and our belief in innovative, forward-thinking solutions to Nigeria’s housing challenges.

Mrs. Onyechi said, “these housing estates will offer our staff the stability they deserve, allowing them to contribute more effectively to the agency’s mission of driving technological development in Nigeria.

“The Offtake Agreement aligns with NASENI’s strategic vision of fostering industrial and technological growth by ensuring that its staff are well-supported and have access to essential living resources. The mortgage-backed scheme will ensure affordability and ease of access for staff across different income levels.

“This project is expected to boost local economies, create job opportunities in construction and related sectors, and provide a model for public-private partnerships in Nigeria’s housing sector”. Mrs. Onyechi said.

From Adeko Ukpa, Abuja

The Rotary Club of Abuja Jabi Lakeside, on Sunday, organised a one day Business Expo in Abuja to showcase the businesses and products of its members.

The event took place at the Grand Cubana Hotel Hall and was declared opened by the District Governor of Rotary International District 9127, Rotarian Mike Nwanoshiri, represented by Assistant District Governor, Rotarian Emeka Iroegbunam.

On display at the exhibition were clothing materials, confectioneries, power  inverters, security gadgets, food and beverages, insurance, jewelries and fashion.

In his remarks before declaring the business expo opened, the Assistant Governor of Rotary District 9127, Rotarian Iroegbunam, commended the Club, popularly known as the Lakers, for their innovativeness and zeal to ensure progress for the business of their members while giving back to the society.

He said: “I can see that we have an array of things from beauty, fast moving goods, aesthetics, electronics, travel, logistics to home food, environmentally safe electricity and so on.

“I mean, such an array of merchandise and services here today and I think we are so proud of what we are doing.

“Let me express my personal pride to be associated with the Lakers. This is really so wonderful.

“All I want is for us to be able to do what is important. The exhibitors have come here today waiting for us to patronise them, and we need to do that.”

In his welcome remarks, the President of the Rotary Club of Abuja Jabi Lakeside, Rotarian Amobi Ogum, said the event was organised to showcase the businesses and services being rendered by its members as part of the club’s membership retention and new club development month.

Ogum said: “Part of what we want to achieve is to ensure that Rotary is not just about giving to the community, but we also want to showcase what our members do so people can patronise them. You can’t give what you don’t have.”

He said the success of the business expo, which is the club’s maiden edition, would  determine how often such events would be held going forward.

He said: “Our hope is that by the time we are done with this, we will see whether it’s something we can be doing once every month or once every quarter. But we must find a way of making sure that people sell their businesses and that’s why we are here.”

He said the exhibitors were 80 per cent Rotarians and a few businesses “who want to identify with our causes who decided to come and also exhibit.”

He said Club has put in place mechanisms to ensure that the products on display which were worth over N100million were offered to members of the public at discounted rates as a way of giving back to the society.

He said: “We are looking to ensure that people get discounts for what they buy. If you get in, there are some properties that are going for sale and they’ve offered as much as 30 per cent discount. It’s our own way of giving back to the society, the buying public and the selling public.”

He called on Nigerians to always make sure that those around them are happy by doing whatever little they can to ameliorate their hardships.

“Always give back to the community. Whenever you think things are getting hard for you, there are lots of people you are better off than.

“So by sharing a meal, sharing a drink, sharing whatever you can, always make sure the community around you are happy,” Ogum said.