The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa), the brainchild of Industrialist, philanthropist and founder of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, has gifted a US$3m development initiative to Niger Republic from its ASR Africa Fund for Social Development & Renewal.

The donation, which would be channeled towards interventions in the areas of health, education, or social development that the government of Niger Republic will identify for implementation, was announced when President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger Republic hosted the Chairman of BUA Group and ASR Africa, Abdul Samad Rabiu, at the State House in Niamey over the weekend, a statement by the group said.

Speaking at the reception hosted in his honour, Rabiu thanked President Bazoum of Niger Republic for the warmth, hospitality, and honour accorded him in Niamey, announcing that his private philanthropy, ASR Africa, had selected Niger Republic as a recipient of the US$3m 2022 National Development Grant.

Responding, President Bazoum thanked the BUA Group chairman for the gesture, stressing the importance of pan-African cooperation in various areas from business to infrastructure development, social development and economy.

Partnerships in business and development such as this, he continued, are critical in building an economically prosperous Africa for the future. President Bazoum later hosted a state dinner in honour of Abdul Samad Rabiu which was attended by the Nigerien Prime Minister and other senior members of Government.