The 2025 edition of the Doing Business in Nigeria Conference (DBNC) held at Landmark event centre, 26th April, 2025 further solidified its standing as a premier platform for impactful dialogue and cross-sector collaboration. Led by Linda Uneze, Managing Partner at Maurice Xandra Solutions, the conference brought together a dynamic mix of business, policy, and innovation leaders for a full day of insightful discussions, networking, and knowledge sharing. With hundreds of professionals, entrepreneurs, executives, and policymakers under one roof, the event provided an invaluable opportunity to explore key themes such as improving the ease of doing business in Nigeria, developing investment pipelines for startups, fostering international partnerships, and accelerating the digitization of local industries.
In her welcome remarks, Uneze emphasized that DBNC is far more than just a one-day event. She described it as an evolving ecosystem built to sustain dialogue, inspire innovation, and create lasting connections that can transform ideas into action. This vision set the tone for the day’s proceedings, which began with a registration breakfast sponsored by Mamador. Following this, a conference video and a warm introduction by the Master of Ceremony, Mrs. Tanwa Ashiru, officially kicked off the program. In her opening speech, Uneze stressed the importance of building an ecosystem focused on execution and collaboration, one that extends well beyond the event itself.
The first keynote session, titled “Business Reimagined: Embracing Opportunities in Uncertain Times,” was delivered by Mr. Fola Aiyesimoju, Group Managing Director of UAC of Nigeria Plc. Aiyesimoju offered valuable insights on leadership and resilience, providing attendees with a deeper understanding of how businesses can navigate the challenges of an ever-evolving market landscape. This was followed by a Q&A session, after which sponsors such as Stanbic, Arravo, Mojec, and UnoTelos addressed the audience, highlighting their support for the event and for Nigerian businesses at large.
A special address by Mrs. JoEllen Gorg, Acting U.S. Consul General in Lagos, focused on “The United States and Nigeria: Partners for Prosperity.” Her speech underscored the growing importance of bilateral collaboration between the two nations and the role of the private sector in driving economic growth. A product talk by MTN followed, along with a networking session sponsored by Guinness, which provided additional opportunities for attendees to engage and discuss potential collaborations.
One of the most engaging sessions of the day was the first panel discussion, “Accessing Finance in Challenging Times: Opportunities for Nigerian Businesses.” The panel featured prominent figures such as Catherine Uju Ifejika (Brittania-U), Adeniyi Adenubi (VFD Group), Jude Chiemeka (NGX), Adesuwa Okunbo Rhodes (Aruwa Capital), Dr. Inalegwu Adoga (Champion Breweries), and Katharina Link (Pulse Africa). Together, they explored innovative solutions for financing growth and navigating the complexities of Nigeria’s financial ecosystem, providing practical takeaways for attendees seeking to overcome financial challenges.
The first fireside chat, “Strategic Partnerships: How Nigerian Businesses Can Scale Globally,” saw Iyinoluwa Aboyeji of Future Africa engage in a candid conversation with Sophie Ejegi of Loatsad Promomedia. The discussion delved into the importance of strategic partnerships and the ways in which Nigerian businesses can leverage these alliances to scale globally. Following this, the second keynote session, delivered by Tonye Patrick Cole, Co-Founder of Sahara Group, focused on “Driving Business Innovation Amidst Complex Market Forces.” Cole’s address highlighted the importance of transformation and leadership in times of economic turbulence, offering attendees crucial insights into navigating complex market conditions.
The second panel session, “How Technology Helps Businesses Adapt and Thrive,” brought together thought leaders from the tech, telecom, and digital infrastructure sectors, including Ifeanyi Akosionu (Inq Digital), Guillaume Niarfeix (SPIE West Africa), Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka (MTN), Oluwaseyi Onanuga (Rand Merchant Bank), and Mark Igbinedion (Distinct.AI). The discussion centered on the transformative role of technology—particularly AI, digital infrastructure, and connectivity—in reshaping industries and providing businesses with the tools they need to adapt and grow in a rapidly evolving market.
Another highlight of the day was the second fireside chat, “Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs: The Founder’s Perspective,” in which Paul Onwuanibe (Landmark Group) and Dr. Austin Okpagu (Verto) shared their entrepreneurial journeys, offering valuable lessons on scaling businesses in Nigeria and across Africa. Their conversation provided aspiring entrepreneurs with actionable insights on overcoming challenges and achieving sustainable growth in competitive markets.
The afternoon segment included a series of sponsor goodwill messages, a raffle draw, a jazz performance, and a segment titled “This is Nigeria: Changing the Narrative for Businesses to Thrive.” The major highlight of the day was the DBNC Pitch Competition, where some of Nigeria’s most promising startups competed for recognition and support. The competition featured QiQi Farms, an agri-tech startup focused on addressing food insecurity and rural logistics through data and digital tools, as the winning pitch. The judging panel, which included Dr. Ayo Adegboye (CEO, Arravo), Stella Duru (Partner, Banwo & Ighodalo), and Njideka Jack (MTN Nigeria), praised the startup’s innovative approach to tackling pressing national challenges.
As the day drew to a close, attendees participated in prize presentations and a final raffle draw, followed by a closing remark from Dr. Amobi Oleka, Head of the DBNC Advisory Committee. The event concluded with a lively after-party, allowing guests to continue networking in a more informal and relaxed setting.
The success of DBNC 2025 was made possible through the support of key ecosystem partners, with MTN Nigeria serving as the headline sponsor. Other supporters included UnoTelos, Rand Merchant Bank, Verto, Mojec, Landmark, Guinness, Arravo, and many others, all of whom are committed to advancing enterprise development in Nigeria. Looking ahead, Uneze reaffirmed DBNC’s commitment to year-round engagement and collaboration. She noted that the goal of the conference has always been to transition from discussion to execution, and the vision is to build an ecosystem that supports stakeholders long after the conference ends. With DBNC 2025 setting a new standard for purposeful engagement and tangible outcomes, Maurice Xandra Solutions continues to solidify its role as a leading force in Nigeria’s business transformation journey.
