Nigeria's $1 billion sovereign-wealth fund is set to start operating in the next few months, said the country's Finance minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in what would mark a crucial step to help the government finance the revamping of its ramshackle roads and power grids.

About 22 Japanese firms arrived Nigeria last week for exploratory talks towards possible investment in the country. BusinessWorld Intelligence can disclose that the visit will boost Nigeria's quest to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

Mining is such a key sector in the African economy that more than half its countries export some major mineral commodity, and for 13 of those countries, mineral exports account for at least half of export revenues.

The federal government has kicked off an industrial revolution that will strategically position and empower the nation's manufacturing sector as the key driver of economic growth through job creation and increased contribution to Gross Domestic Product.