The Bank of Industry (BOI) has launched a special intervention programme, Project Guaranteed Loans for Women (GLOW), valued at N10 billion, to support female entrepreneurs across Nigeria, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

The initiative aims to address the persistent financial inclusion gap faced by women in the country, providing them with the necessary capital to scale their businesses and contribute to economic development.

The bank’s Managing Director, Dr. Olasupo Olusi, announced the initiative on Thursday in Lagos, emphasizing that the funding is designed to empower women who are pivotal to Nigeria’s economic growth.

According to him, Nigeria leads the world in women’s entrepreneurial activity, with 23 million female entrepreneurs accounting for 41% of the country’s micro-businesses. However, access to finance remains a significant barrier for many of these women.

Dr. Olusi highlighted that despite the impressive number of women entrepreneurs in Nigeria, many struggle to access the funding needed to grow their businesses. He noted that BOI is committed to addressing this challenge through strategic initiatives like the GLOW Fund, which is part of the bank’s broader 2025-2027 strategy to prioritize gender-focused financial inclusion.

“Women entrepreneurs drive innovation, create jobs, and strengthen communities. However, financing remains one of their biggest challenges. Our goal today is to listen, simplify financing processes, and build a strong network that fosters sustainable growth,” Olusi stated.

The GLOW Fund, established in collaboration with the Women’s Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (WCCIMA), is designed to enhance access to capital for female entrepreneurs. The fund will provide low-interest loans, capacity-building programs, and mentorship opportunities to help women-led businesses thrive.

France has introduced tougher language proficiency standards for foreign residents and those applying for citizenship, prompting a wave of debate.

The change comes as part of a broader immigration reform bill that also includes stricter border controls and tougher deportation policies.

According to TravelBiz, the new rules will require foreign applicants to demonstrate language proficiency comparable to an 11- to 15-year-old French student.

Critics have raised concerns that the new requirements are so demanding that even native French speakers may struggle to meet the standards.

New language standards for applicants 

Previously, as cited by reports, foreign nationals applying for French residence permits only needed to sign an “integration contract” and commit to learning French. Under the new law, applicants must now pass a language proficiency test to show their ability to understand and communicate in French.

The test costs approximately €100 (£83.20), and applicants for long-term residence or citizenship will need to meet even higher fluency requirements.

Applicants will need to demonstrate skills in understanding both concrete and abstract topics in complex texts, communicate spontaneously, and express themselves clearly on a variety of subjects.

Concerns over the difficulty of the test 

Reports inform that an investigation by FranceInfo revealed that the new language requirements might be overly difficult. The news outlet conducted a test with ten native French speakers, including a literature student with five years of higher education.

Surprisingly, five participants failed the written part of the exam but passed the oral component. Two participants did not achieve the required score for French nationality.

These results have raised concerns that the test could be too challenging, potentially leading to many immigrants failing to meet the criteria. Critics also argue that the new language requirements might unfairly penalize long-term foreign residents who have lived and worked in France but lack advanced language skills.

Potential impact on foreign residents 

Reports indicate that the stricter language rules could result in around 60,000 foreign residents being denied permission to stay in France. Many long-term residents may find it difficult to meet the new language requirements, even though they have contributed to French society over the years.

Interior Minister, Bruno Retailleau defended the new rules, stating,

“If a foreign person has been legally resident in France for several years and is not able to speak French, it’s because they haven’t made the effort.”  

He argued that the changes would encourage greater integration and responsibility among foreign nationals.

Comparing France’s rules to other countries 

The director general of the French Office for Immigration and Integration, Didier Leschi, highlighted that the new language requirements align with similar immigration policies in neighboring countries like Germany. He explained that the system is intended to help immigrants integrate better into society and encourage a sense of responsibility.

“You have to have faith in people. They have three years to reach the minimum level and renew their residency permit,” Leschi added. 

What applicants need to know 

For those planning to apply for French residency or citizenship, preparing for the language test is crucial.

• Experts recommend starting language courses early, practicing both written and spoken French and familiarizing oneself with the test format.
• As the new regulations take effect, applicants are advised to stay informed about any changes to the policies and explore resources available to help with language learning.
• The implementation of these stricter language requirements will affect many foreign residents in France, making it more important than ever to ensure preparedness for the new tests.

Northern Ireland’s economy will need more than 5,000 additional workers each year to sustain growth, a recent report has found.

The findings highlight a potential skills gap, which could hinder economic development in the region.

According to BBC News, a report from Ulster University’s Economic Policy Centre outlines the future skills required by employers and the potential shortfall in the labour market.

According to the study, an estimated 8,000 new jobs will need to be created annually over the next decade to meet high-growth projections.

However, a shortage of 5,440 workers per year could restrict the region’s ability to achieve these goals. The report identifies the need for increased migrant labour to meet demand.

High-demand jobs and growing sectors 

The report indicates that high-value roles, such as those in  Data analytics, cyber security, and IT, will see the most significant growth.

• These positions, as stated, typically require higher qualifications and offer higher wages and productivity. The health sector is expected to experience the largest overall growth in employment due to increased government spending aimed at addressing the strain on the health service. Care workers and home carers, in particular, are forecast to see a rise of more than 4,000 jobs over the next decade.
• In contrast, retail employment is predicted to remain stable, with little growth expected due to factors like automation and the rise of online shopping.

Anna Dukelow, an economics student at Ulster University, explained that understanding employer demand influenced her decision on what to study. “Business was up there with the undersupplied so I thought I would go with one of the STEAM subjects,” Dukelow said. She noted that many of her friends had left, but she had decided to stay and build her career in Northern Ireland.

Fellow student Rachel Huddleston, 21, also emphasized the importance of balancing personal interests with market demand. “I think it’s just finding that balance between being good at what you’re doing, but also knowing what is out there and what opportunities there are,” Huddleston said.

Ageing population and the need for training 

Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald responded to the report, noting the challenges posed by Northern Ireland’s ageing population.

“The number of young people coming into the labour market isn’t enough to meet the increased demand for jobs,” she said.

Archibald stressed the importance of addressing the shortfall by supporting those facing barriers to work or training, as well as upskilling those already in employment. She also highlighted that Brexit had limited recruitment opportunities from the EU, making local solutions even more critical.

This report from Ulster University serves as a stark reminder that addressing workforce shortages in Northern Ireland is essential to the region’s economic success.