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We Reduced Our Stake in Dangote Refinery to Invest in CNG – NNPC

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The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has provided clarification regarding the reduction of its stake in the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, confirming that its interest was scaled down from an initial 20% to 7.2%.

This decision, according to NNPC’s spokesperson Femi Soneye, was motivated by the company’s strategic shift towards investing in compressed natural gas (CNG) as a cleaner, more cost-effective energy source.

The initial acquisition of the 20% stake in the Dangote Refinery was a significant move by NNPC in September 2021, costing the company $2.76 billion. However, on July 14, 2024, Africa’s richest man and owner of the refinery, Aliko Dangote, announced the reduction of NNPC’s stake to 7.2%. This downsizing was not solely a financial maneuver; it was also tied to NNPC’s inability to meet its crude oil supply obligations to the refinery, a commitment that was integral to maintaining its 20% equity in the project.

Soneye, while speaking on the Brekete Family program, elaborated on the rationale behind the shift.

“The reason for reducing our stake in Dangote refinery is because we wanted to invest in CNG. We observed that CNG is very cheap and all over the world, people are investing in clean and cheaper alternative energy,” he said.

He pointed out that CNG is not only an environmentally friendly option but also a cost-effective one for Nigerians.

“If Nigerians use CNG, it will be cost-effective for them. That is why the NNPC is building different CNG stations everywhere. We understand that with N10,000, Nigerians can fill their cars and use it for two weeks,” Soneye explained.

He indicated that the NNPC’s decision to invest heavily in CNG aligns with its broader strategic objectives, particularly in light of the challenges in fulfilling its crude oil supply obligations to the Dangote Refinery. The shift towards CNG is seen as a more viable and sustainable option, given the current state of Nigeria’s energy sector.

Regarding the ongoing speculation and allegations of sabotage surrounding the Dangote Refinery, Soneye was quick to dismiss such claims. Soneye assured that the NNPC remains committed to the success of the refinery, stating, “We want all Nigerians to know that the NNPC does not have any issue with the Dangote Refinery. We are part of the owners of the Dangote refinery, and we don’t want it to collapse.”

He emphasized that the investment of billions of naira by NNPC into the refinery reflects its vested interest in the project’s success.

“As of today, we have a 7.2 percent stake in the refinery. So, why would we want to sabotage such a company?” Soneye questioned.

The NNPC spokesperson also addressed the perceived dispute between the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Dangote Refinery. He clarified that the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) does not grant NNPC the authority to halt operations at the Dangote Refinery.

“Mr. Farouk Ahmed is the head of Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum regulatory authorities. They have power over all refineries. Anything that has to do with the distribution of petrol, they are in charge. In fact, they are superior to the NNPC in that sector. We don’t have anything to do with them,” Soneye clarified, distancing NNPC from the regulatory tussle.

The tension between NMDPRA and Dangote Refinery escalated on July 18, when Farouk Ahmed, the CEO of NMDPRA, criticized the quality of products from local refineries, including Dangote’s, comparing them unfavorably to imported ones. Ahmed also claimed that Dangote had requested a suspension of all petroleum product importation, directing oil marketers to source their supplies from his refinery. Dangote, however, denied these allegations, further fueling the ongoing controversy.

However, Soneye’s claim that the reduction in NNPC’s stake in Dangote’s Refinery is due to the decision to shift towards CNG investment, has been laughed at by many, especially energy experts who had earlier decried the NNPC’s inability to fulfill its crude oil obligation to the refinery.

Balance Between Governance and Permissionless Nature in Blockchain

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Decentralization has become a buzzword in the world of technology, especially with the rise of blockchain technology. At its core, decentralization is about the distribution of power away from a central authority. This concept has been applied to various systems, including blockchain networks, which are designed to operate without a central governing body. Two critical factors that play a pivotal role in the success and efficiency of decentralized systems are governance and permissionless participation.

Governance refers to the mechanisms, processes, and relationships that control and direct the operations of a network. In a decentralized context, governance is crucial because it determines how decisions are made, how rules are set and enforced, and how the system adapts to new challenges and opportunities. The governance model of a decentralized system must be robust enough to handle conflicts, ensure compliance with regulations, and maintain the integrity of the network.

Bitcoin, created by the mysterious figure Satoshi Nakamoto, is the original permissionless blockchain. It allows anyone to transact and participate in the network’s consensus process. Ethereum, conceived by Vitalik Buterin, extends this concept to include smart contracts, enabling a vast array of decentralized applications (dApps) to be built on its platform.

Other notable examples include Litecoin, an early Bitcoin spinoff that offers faster transaction times; Cardano, which aims to provide a more secure and scalable infrastructure; and Polkadot, designed to enable different blockchains to interoperate. These platforms embody the permissionless model, providing open, decentralized networks where innovation can flourish without centralized control.

A study by the Federal Reserve on the governance of permissionless blockchain networks highlights the importance of stakeholders such as developers, nodes, and users in the governance process. These stakeholders have different roles and influence within the network, and their interaction and collaboration are essential for the network’s functionality and evolution. The study also emphasizes the need for research into the governance of permissionless networks, particularly in how they establish rules, respond to market competition, and handle strategic decisions.

Permissionless systems are those that allow anyone to participate without requiring authorization from a central authority. This openness is a defining characteristic of many blockchain networks, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. Permissionless participation fosters innovation and inclusivity, as it enables a diverse group of participants to contribute to the network’s development and security.

However, permissionless systems also face challenges, especially in terms of governance. Without a central authority, it can be difficult to coordinate changes and manage the network effectively. A paper from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam proposes a decentralized fair governance model for permissionless blockchain systems, suggesting that power should be fairly distributed among all participants to achieve true decentralization.

Finding the right balance between effective governance and maintaining a permissionless nature is one of the biggest challenges for decentralized systems. While permissionless systems promote decentralization, they also require a certain level of governance to ensure that the network operates smoothly and securely. This balance is critical for the long-term sustainability and success of decentralized networks.

Governance and permissionless participation are two critical factors that determine the effectiveness of decentralized systems. As these technologies continue to evolve, it will be important to develop governance models that can accommodate the unique challenges of permissionless networks while still promoting the principles of decentralization.

Top 3 Altcoins to Watch: Unexpected AI Altcoin Set to Lead the 2024 Bull Run With 10,000x Potential?!

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With the crypto market constantly evolving, a trio of altcoins is catching the spotlight. Among them, an unexpected AI-driven coin is emerging as a potential leader for 2024, promising massive gains. This article delves into which altcoins show promise and could be primed for significant growth, capturing the attention of savvy investors.

CYBRO Presale Advances as Demand for AI-based Tokens Surges

The CYBRO presale has rapidly advanced to its fifth stage, amassing over $1.6 million. This AI-based yield aggregator offers users the potential to enhance their earnings within the Blast ecosystem, delivering unparalleled rewards for staking ETH and stablecoins. Smart investors see great potential in $CYBRO tokens as the Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the hottest trend in crypto nowadays,

Benefits for CYBRO Token Holders:

  • Competitive staking rewards
  • Access to airdrops
  • Reduced trading and lending fees
  • A robust insurance program within the platform

Industry experts forecast a potential return on investment of 1200%, with CYBRO tokens currently available at a presale price of just $0.03 each. This technologically advanced initiative has already garnered attention from prominent crypto whales and influencers, reflecting strong market confidence and interest..

With only 21% of the total token supply allocated for the presale and approximately 80 million tokens already sold, now is an opportune moment to secure a position in this innovative project, which holds significant potential to become a major player in the cryptocurrency space.

>>Join CYBRO and aim for future returns up to 1200%<<

Solana’s Potential Bull Run: 2025 and Beyond

Solana is a fast blockchain platform that competes with Ethereum and Cardano, offering a great base for apps. Its coin, SOL, is crucial for transactions and rewarding participants. The value of SOL is clear as it supports its ecosystem without complicated features. Investors might consider SOL because of its strong network and developer interest. The benefits include quicker transactions and wide project access on Solana’s network. By 2025, SOL could reach $377.70, a substantial increase from current levels. Looking at 2030, prices might rise to $443.70. This suggests potential growth beyond current investments with a chance for several times return in the future.

Dogecoin: What Makes This Coin a Potential Future Star?

Dogecoin started as a joke in 2013, featuring a Shiba Inu meme as its symbol. Unlike Bitcoin, Dogecoin has no limit on supply, adding 10,000 new coins every minute. It gained fame in 2021, reaching a $50 billion market cap, thanks to social media and Elon Musk. You might consider investing in Dogecoin because its active community and viral appeal create interest. The coin’s price could rise significantly. Predictions suggest a high of $0.45 by 2025 and potentially $1.10 by 2029. The power of media and community backing could play a big role in these gains. However, it’s always important to make investment choices that align with your own financial goals.

Conclusion

SOL and DOGE have shown promise, but they hold less short-term potential. CYBRO, a cutting-edge DeFi platform, is the standout in the current bull run. It offers unique AI-powered yield aggregation on the Blast blockchain. Investors can benefit from lucrative staking rewards, exclusive airdrops, and cashback on purchases. CYBRO ensures seamless deposits and withdrawals, providing a superior user experience. Its emphasis on transparency, compliance, and quality has attracted significant interest from crypto whales and influencers. CYBRO represents a significant opportunity for maximizing earnings and stands out among the competition.

Site: https://cybro.io
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Cybro_io
Discord: https://discord.gg/xFMGDQPhrB
Telegram: https://t.me/cybro_io

Tekedia Capital Congratulates Periculum on UNDP Recognition

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Join me to congratulate Periculum, a Tekedia Capital portfolio company, for a recognition by the United Nations Development Programme, for creating technology “solutions addressing critical development challenges aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).” Periculum builds AI and data-driven solutions for underserved markets.

At Tekedia Capital, our mission is to invent the Next Africa through entrepreneurial capitalism where companies create forces of products and services, to overcome frictions in the market.  Invent the Next Africa with Tekedia Capital here.

Nigeria’s Fiscal Deficit Dropped by 29% in Q1 2024

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Nigeria’s fiscal deficit has seen a notable reduction as of the first quarter of 2024, decreasing by 29% from N3.96 trillion in the same period of 2023 to N2.83 trillion.

According to data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the country’s revenue in the first quarter of 2024 increased to N1.76 trillion, up from N1.32 trillion in the same period of 2023. Expenditure for the same period stood at N1.53 trillion, reflecting an ongoing struggle to balance the budget.

The reduction of the deficit comes as a reprieve against Nigeria’s growing ordeal of budget deficits, a reality that profoundly impacts the government’s ability to implement policies effectively. However, while a positive development, the deficit reduction still reflects a broader issue of revenue shortfalls relative to the country’s ambitious spending plans.

A fiscal deficit occurs when a government’s expenditures surpass its revenues, forcing it to borrow to cover the shortfall. This situation has become a recurring theme in Nigeria’s financial management, where the government often finds itself running multiple budgets concurrently.

Currently, Nigeria is juggling four budgets simultaneously due to the accumulation of deficits over the years. This multi-budget scenario creates a complex environment where financial resources are stretched thin, leading to delays and inefficiencies in policy implementation.

In a bid to bridge the fiscal gap, the Nigerian government introduced a 50% windfall tax on banks’ foreign-currency revaluation profits in 2023. This tax, which was later increased to 70% by the Senate, is intended to generate additional revenue for infrastructure and other critical spending.

While this measure provides a temporary boost to the government’s coffers, analysts warn that it is not a sustainable long-term solution to the deficit problem.

“The purpose of the windfall tax on banks is to support the budget. Given this, there will be an extra source of income to the government for the given period and in effect reduce the budget deficit,” said Emeson Kelvin, a Lagos-based finance analyst. He further noted, however, that “bank FX gains in the 2023 full year should not be seen as an extra source of income for the federal government of Nigeria.”

Tobi Ehinmosan, a macroeconomic and fixed-income analyst at FBNQuest Merchant Bank, also weighed in on the issue, stating that it is not certain how much the Federal Government will gain from the banks’ realized foreign exchange gains.

“The potential revenue from banks will not meet the country’s rising expenditure plans,” Ehinmosan said.

The FBN Quest analysts, in a daily morning note entitled, ‘A lower fiscal deficit in Q1 ’24,’ which was released on August 1, said: “Improved crude oil production, efficiency in tax revenue mobilization, and the 70% windfall tax on banks’ forex revaluation gains could potentially boost the Federal Government of Nigeria’s revenue purse. We anticipate an expansion of FGN’s expenditure profile due to the recent increase in workers’ wages and elevated debt servicing costs resulting from the government’s reliance on borrowings to finance its budget deficit because of revenue underperformance. As such, we expect the FGN’s fiscal operations to remain in deficit in subsequent quarters.”

The fiscal deficit issue is compounded by broader economic challenges. Since President Bola Tinubu’s removal of petrol subsidies in May 2023, the country has faced soaring fuel prices and a depreciating currency. The Central Bank’s decision to merge all segments of the FX market into the Investors and Exporters window and reintroduce the willing buyer, willing seller model has added to the economic volatility.

An Accelerated Stabilization and Advancement Plan draft report presented by Finance Minister Wale Edun indicates that Nigeria may spend up to N5.4 trillion on petrol subsidies in 2024, up from N3.6 trillion in 2023.

“At current rates, expenditure on fuel subsidy is projected to reach N5.4 trillion by the end of 2024. This compares unfavorably with N3.6 trillion in 2023 and N2.0 trillion in 2022,” the report said.

Although Bayo Onanuga, the president’s special adviser on information and strategy, dismissed the viral document, describing it as unofficial and merely a policy proposal still under review at the highest levels, the projection underscores the immense fiscal pressures facing the government, as it attempts to balance the need for subsidies with the imperative of reducing the deficit.

Analysts note that while the recent reduction in the deficit is a good sign, the broader challenges of managing multiple budgets, rising debt, and economic instability continue to hinder effective policy implementation. These continue to strain the government’s capacity to execute its programs and policies as intended.