BrandMatters Magazine

11/11/2025

Canada Unveils Budget 2025: A Plan to Build Canada Strong with Buy Canadian Policy

Blessing Umebali

In response to the changing global trading system and uncertainty for Canadians, Prime Minister Mark Carney outlined Budget 2025, a comprehensive plan to transform Canada’s economy and strengthen its industrial base. Central to this strategy is the Buy Canadian Policy, which aims to use more Canadian materials, products, technologies, and services to build a stronger Canada.

“We will build Canadian and buy Canadian. We will be our own best customer, creating new orders, more business, and new careers in our industries across the country,” emphasized Prime Minister Carney.

The government has allocated nearly $186 million in new funding to fully implement the Buy Canadian Policy, including $98.2 million over five years and $9.8 million ongoing to Public Services and Procurement Canada.

The Buy Canadian Policy will extend to infrastructure spending and other federal funding streams, ensuring that up to $70 billion in additional public investment supports Canadian-made products and services. This move is expected to create Canadian careers, use Canadian resources, and benefit Canadian communities.

Canada
Canada
To support small and medium-sized businesses, the government will launch the Small and Medium Business Procurement Program with $79.9 million in funding over five years. This program will provide specialized support for Canadian SMEs trying to break into the federal market, improving competition for federal contracts and strengthening local supply chains.

“Our new Buy Canadian Policy is about supporting Canadian businesses, including our SMEs, securing good jobs, and driving prosperity across the country as we move from reliance to resilience,” said Minister of Finance and National Revenue, François-Philippe Champagne.

See also Nestlé Announces Dairy Demonstration Farm, Invests Over ₦1.8 Billion in Dairy Development
The Buy Canadian Policy will apply to major projects, including the Major Projects Office, Build Canada Homes initiative, Defence Investment Agency, and the Build Communities Strong Fund. These initiatives aim to fast-track transformative energy, trade, and transportation projects, supercharge housing construction, scale up Canada’s industrial base, and revitalize community infrastructure.

“Budget 2025 makes a clear commitment to Canadian businesses and workers. The new Buy Canadian policy will give businesses, including small and medium-sized companies, opportunities to compete for major projects, grow, and create good jobs across the country,” said Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement, Joël Lightbound.

With Budget 2025, the Canadian government aims to enable $1 trillion in investments over the next five years, building a stronger, more self-sufficient economy that benefits Canadians first.

Canada Unveils Budget 2025: A Plan to Build Canada Strong with Buy Canadian Policy. Prime Minister Mark Carney outlined Budget 2025, a comprehensive plan to

09/26/2024

Access Bank Satisfies Legal Requirements on Acquisition of BancABC Tanzania

Company to Now Operate as Access Bank Tanzania Limited

Dar-es-salaam Tanzania – September 26, 2024: Access Bank PLC (“Access Bank”) has successfully satisfied all legal and regulatory requirements to complete its acquisition of African Banking Corporation (Tanzania) Limited (“BancABC Tanzania” or “BancABC”). With the acquisition now finalised, the entity in Tanzania will operate under the name Access Bank Tanzania Limited, further consolidating Access Bank’s presence in the East African region.

This milestone also builds on Access Bank’s recent acquisition of the consumer, private, and business banking operations of Standard Chartered Bank Tanzania. The newly formed Access Bank Tanzania will leverage its inherent strength and that of its parent company, Access Bank Plc, to offer a comprehensive suite of financial solutions aimed at fostering economic growth in Tanzania.

Access Bank Satisfies Legal Requirements on Acquisition of BancABC Tanzania Company to Now Operate as Access Bank Tanzania Limited Dar-es-salaam Tanzania – September 26, 2024: Access Bank PLC (“Access Bank”) has successfully satisfied all legal and regulatory requirements to complete its acqui...

09/25/2024

Food security: BUA Foods to boost pasta production capacity by 400,000MTpa

…Signs Agreement with Food Equipment Manufacturers

In line with its strategic roadmap, and unwavering commitment towards contributing to food security in Nigeria, BUA Foods Plc has announced a planned significant expansion of its pasta production facility after signing an agreement with FAVA (Italy), one of the world’s leading pasta equipment manufacturing companies.

The new project, which serves as one of several efforts aimed at mitigating food supply challenges in the country, will result in the addition of nine (9) lines of long cut pasta (6,000 kgs/hr) thereby increasing the company’s annual production capacity by 400,000Tonnes to 900,000MTpa, making it one of the leading pasta producers in Africa.

Food security: BUA Foods to boost pasta production capacity by 400,000MTpa …Signs Agreement with Food Equipment Manufacturers In line with its strategic roadmap, and unwavering commitment towards contributing to food security in Nigeria, BUA Foods Plc has announced a planned significant expansion ...

09/23/2024

All is set for the 2024 edition of MediaConsortium Conference and Awards (MCCA) 2.0, taking place on Thursday, September 26, 2024, at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Alausa, Ikeja. This year’s event will focus on the theme: “Meeting Brands/Consumers’ Needs in a Challenging Economy.”

The conference will feature a keynote lecture by Yinka Adebayo, Group Executive Director at Omnicom Media Group, WECA, a leading figure in the media industry known for his insightful perspectives and innovative approach to media management. His address will provide valuable insights into how brands can effectively navigate the complexities of the current economic landscape and meet evolving consumer expectations.

Organisers Set for MediaConsortium Conference and Awards 2.0 All is set for the 2024 edition of MediaConsortium Conference and Awards (MCCA) 2.0, taking place on Thursday, September 26, 2024, at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Alausa, Ikeja. This year’s event will focus on the theme: ....

09/23/2024

The inaugural edition of the Nigerian Fintech Festival, the biggest fintech festival in Nigeria, sponsored by FirstBank, West Africa premier financial institution and financial inclusion services provider is set to take place in Lagos on September 26, 2024.

The Nigerian Fintech Festival 2024 will host over 1000 industry stakeholders within the fintech and financial service sector, with the aim to foster collaboration and partnership required to deepen digital payments and unlock value to drive sustainable growth for the business ecosystem in Nigeria.

The inaugural edition of the Nigerian Fintech Festival, the biggest fintech festival in Nigeria, sponsored by FirstBank, West Africa premier financial institution and financial inclusion services provider is set to take place in Lagos on September 26, 2024. The Nigerian Fintech Festival 2024 will ho...

09/03/2024

Zenith Bank Plc has announced its audited results for the half-year ended 30 June 2024, recording an impressive triple-digit growth of 117% in gross earnings from N967.3 billion reported in H1 2023 to N2.1 trillion in H1 2024. This superior performance has been achieved even as the Nigerian banking industry navigates a challenging macro environment.

ZENITH BANK WINS INVESTOR CONFIDENCE IN THE ONGOING RIGHTS ISSUE AND PUBLIC OFFER WITH N1.00 INTERIM DIVIDEND AS PBT HITS N727 BILLION IN H1 2024 Zenith Bank Plc has announced its audited results for the half-year ended 30 June 2024, recording an impressive triple-digit growth of 117% in gross earni...

07/15/2024

FirstBank Brand Campaign ‘Giant In You’: A Testament of 130 Years of Nurturing Growth And Uplifting Communities.

FirstBank, Nigeria ‘s oldest service brand and Africa’s leading financial Institution, established since 1894 has unveiled its astounding campaign ‘Giant In You’, thematic brand campaign not only to commemorate the bank’s 130 years of nurturing growth and uplifting communities but to also communicate its stirring commitment and positive impacts in empowering its customers, employees, business partners and stakeholders to unleash their full potentials.

The captivating experience was held over the weekend at Ebony Life Cinema, Victoria Island as the ‘Giant In You’ brand campaign goes live today, Monday 15, July, 2024. It’s all about striding into the future and the bank is saying “come take giant strides with us and watch your business scale.”

FirstBank Brand Campaign ‘Giant In You’: A Testament of 130 Years of Nurturing Growth And Uplifting Communities. FirstBank, Nigeria ‘s oldest service brand and Africa’s leading financial Institution, established since 1894 has unveiled its astounding campaign ‘Giant In You’, thematic bra...

07/13/2024

Ogun Governor to Declare Open 51st AAAN AGM/Congress

The Governor of Ogun State, Prince Adedapo Abiodun, will declare open the 51st Annual General Meeting (AGM)/Congress of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), scheduled to hold at the June 12 Cultural Centre. Abeokuta and Park-Inn by Radisson, Abeokuta, from July 18 to July 20. Also expected to be in attendance is the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi.

The AGM/Congress, which has as its theme: Breaking the Mold-Creativity and National Development, will also witness the election of a new executive committee that will direct the affairs of the association for the next two years

According to the President of the Association, Mr. Steve Babaeko, the event will begin on 18 July with courtesy visits to the Alake of Egbaland, HRH Oba Adedotun Gbadebo Aremu 111 and the Osile of Oke-Ona, HRH Oba Adedapo Tejuosho.

Ogun Governor to Declare Open 51st AAAN AGM/Congress The Governor of Ogun State, Prince Adedapo Abiodun, will declare open the 51st Annual General Meeting (AGM)/Congress of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), scheduled to hold at the June 12 Cultural Centre. Abeokuta and Park-...

07/11/2024

Access Holdings’ N351 Billion Rights Issue Opens for Subscription

Access Holdings Plc (‘the Group’), one of Africa’s leading financial services groups, has announced the commencement of its N351 billion Rights Issue (‘the Offer’).

A subset of the Group’s Capital Raising Programme aiming to generate up to US$1.5 billion (One Billion, Five Hundred Million United States Dollars), the Rights Issue is designed to strengthen the Group’s financial footing and support ongoing working capital needs, including organic growth funding for its banking and non-banking subsidiaries.

07/09/2024

FIRSTBANK SPONSORS “THE NOBLE WARRIOR” PLAY, A 90TH BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE TO WOLE SOYINKA

9 July 2024 – FirstBank, West Africa premier financial institution and financial inclusion services provider has announced its sponsorship of the Lagos command performance of Eni Ogun – The Noble Warrior, a theatrical performance in honour of Professor Wole Soyinka as part of the lineup of activities celebrating the 90th birthday of the global literary giant and National Icon.

The Noble Warrior – Eni Ogun, produced by Cash Onadele and directed by Oriade Adefila will be performed at the Muson Centre on Saturday 20th July 2024 at 6:00pm.

This is another significant stride in the Bank’s First@art initiative conceived with the key objective of supporting the value chain of Nigerian arts and cultural development for the growth and development of the nation’s creative economy. It is also in recognition of the contributions and achievements of Prof. Wole Soyinka, Africa’s first Nobel Laureate.

FIRSTBANK SPONSORS “THE NOBLE WARRIOR” PLAY, A 90TH BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE TO WOLE SOYINKA 9 July 2024 – FirstBank, West Africa premier financial institution and financial inclusion services provider has announced its sponsorship of the Lagos command performance of Eni Ogun – The Noble Warrior, a ...

07/09/2024

ZENITH BANK CLINCHES BEST COMMERCIAL BANK IN NIGERIA, RETAINS BEST CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AWARD AT WORLD FINANCE 2024 AWARDS

Zenith Bank Plc has emerged as the Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria in the World Finance Banking Awards 2024, retaining the award for a fourth consecutive year. The bank was also named as Best Corporate Governance, Nigeria for the third year running in the World Finance Corporate Governance Awards 2024.

The awards, which were published in the Summer 2024 Issue of the World Finance Magazine, are in recognition of the bank’s robust financial performance, superior customer service, sustainability initiatives and corporate governance practices.

ZENITH BANK CLINCHES BEST COMMERCIAL BANK IN NIGERIA, RETAINS BEST CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AWARD AT WORLD FINANCE 2024 AWARDS Zenith Bank Plc has emerged as the Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria in the World Finance Banking Awards 2024, retaining the award for a fourth consecutive year. The bank was also n...

07/09/2024

ACT Foundation Opens Applications for Changemakers Innovation Challenge 2024.

Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation has announced the opening of applications for the 2024 Changemakers Innovation Challenge. Themed The theme for this year’s Changemakers Innovation Challenge is “Driving Change With Digital Innovation,” this initiative seeks to empower community non-profit organisations and social enterprises that utilise technological advancements to create grassroots impact and enhance the lives of individuals and communities.

As technology continues to transform the global landscape, it offers unprecedented opportunities for real-time services and improved quality of life. In Africa, the social sector is increasingly adopting digital innovations to address developmental challenges and improve community well-being.

ACT Foundation Opens Applications for Changemakers Innovation Challenge 2024. Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation has announced the opening of applications for the 2024 Changemakers Innovation Challenge. Themed The theme for this year’s Changemakers Innovation Challenge is “Driving Change W...