The Week Ahead

Nigeria Customs' revenue rose by 28.85%, while the NNPC's revenue fell by 13%. What do these contrasting performances mean for Nigeria's economy? Meanwhile, Nigeria has opened a new lithium processing plant to add value to its mineral resources and support industrialisation. How can Nigeria maximise the benefits of its critical minerals? Is there a geopolitical angle to this? Finall...

Credit to Nigeria's government has increased sharply as the country seeks a new Eurobond. Will increased borrowing strengthen Nigeria's economy or deepen its debt challenges? The Dangote Refinery has attracted nearly $2 billion through its IPO and secured additional crude supplies from the UAE. Will these developments cement Dangote Refinery's position as a key player in Africa&apos...

More African countries are using the Chinese yuan for trade with China, deepening China's economic influence on the continent. Should Africa rely less on the US dollar? Ivory Coast has announced a new oil discovery that could boost its economy, attract investment, and create jobs. Can oil wealth truly benefit ordinary citizens? Nigeria's Senate has voted for state policing following a Bi...

Benin’s new President, Romuald Wadagni, has commenced a subregional tour to strengthen diplomatic relations, promote economic cooperation, and address regional security challenges. What should be his top priority during this tour? Nigeria has intensified its fight against terrorism, securing 150 terrorism-related convictions and sentencing four people to death for their role in the 2022 Owo church...

This week, we focus on SBM Intelligence's latest report, Nigeria 2027: How the Country May Vote – Voter Sentiment Tracker, Wave 1 Analysis. The report provides an early snapshot of voter sentiment ahead of the 2027 elections, revealing widespread dissatisfaction with the country's direction, strong support for political change, and significant regional differences in voter preferences. I...

Teachers across Nigeria are protesting rising school kidnappings, demanding stronger protection for students and staff as insecurity continues to disrupt learning. Will measures put in place by the government be enough to make schools safe again?  Nigeria’s private sector has warned against further compulsory wage increases, saying many businesses are already struggling with high costs despite the...

Last Friday, Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye fired Ousmanne Sonko, the Prime Minister and longtime ally. Despite the dismissal, Sonko remains influential after being elected speaker of parliament. Could this political split affect Senegal’s stability and democratic progress? Nigeria's drug enforcement agency seized a $363 million meth lab hidden in a forest in Ogun State, marking on...

The World Health Organization has declared that an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is under control. However, Rwanda has tightened border measures as a precaution. How should countries balance health security with trade and movement during outbreak responses? Cocoa farmers in Côte d’Ivoire are protesting over payments, while a farmers’ group is also demanding an audit of the...

With critics accusing the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi of being a French operation, could the summit mark a turning point in how Africa positions itself in the global economy and unlock stronger partnerships for sustainable growth? Nigeria’s stock market has surpassed ₦160 trillion in value. What is driving this renewed momentum in Nigeria’s stock market, and can the surge in investor confiden...

SBM published the Jollof Index last week, which showed that it now costs 43% of Nigeria's national minimum wage. Given what has been happening globally, especially with rising energy prices, what will increased economic pressure mean for Nigerians?  Nigeria says 130 citizens want to be evacuated after recent attacks on Nigerians in the country. South Africa's ambassador was summoned, sig...

Can Taiwo Oyedele deliver the fiscal reforms needed to strengthen investor confidence and drive economic growth in Nigeria? A recent rainstorm has caused another setback to the national power grid, worsening electricity disruptions. What urgent steps can Nigeria take to strengthen infrastructure and disaster preparedness against worsening climate-related disruptions? Ivory Coast has recorded over...

The US has withdrawn non-essential staff from Abuja due to security concerns. Will this signal deeper diplomatic concern or lead to stronger security assurances from the government? In Borno State, an airstrike killed civilians. Nigeria's military has defended the operation. Can the authorities balance security operations with civilian protection and trust? Ghana has denied reports of plans t...

The Palm Sunday attacks in Jos killed at least 28 people, and this week, attacks in other locations, including in Niger State, have killed up to 60 people. Will increased security interventions be enough to restore calm and prevent further violence? Afreximbank has launched a $10 billion support facility while successfully raising an additional $2 billion to strengthen trade and economic resilienc...

President Tinubu led the charge to strengthen ties with the United Kingdom through a historic visit. How will this deal balance improved trade efficiency with concerns about reliance on UK-linked funding terms? The Central Bank of Nigeria has tightened BVN and remittance rules while banks raised ₦4.61 trillion. How will these measures impact financial inclusion and customer access to banking servi...

Fuel prices in Nigeria have fluctuated sharply due to global oil market volatility. How will these global shocks continue to affect Nigeria’s domestic fuel prices and inflation?  Nigeria’s ports recorded strong growth in 2025, with cargo throughput rising by 24.8% to 129.3 million metric tonnes. What does this growth mean for Nigeria’s position as a regional trade hub? Kenya Pipeline Company’s ove...

The Dangote Refinery raised petrol prices by 13% as global oil and gas prices surged amid escalating Middle East tensions and fears over disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. How might rising global energy prices and Nigeria’s domestic reforms reshape the country’s oil revenue outlook? At least 25 civilians and three soldiers were killed in coordinated insurgent attacks in Adamawa, and then on Wedn...

The CBN's MPC reduced the benchmark interest rate by 50 basis points while retaining key reserve and liquidity ratios. Will this rate cut significantly boost lending and economic growth in Nigeria? Foreign investment in Nigeria’s manufacturing sector dropped sharply in 2025, even though total capital inflows into the country increased significantly, raising concerns about the strength of loca...

Nigeria’s Communications Minister, Bosun Tijani, says the government will assess MTN's $2.2 billion acquisition of a majority stake in IHS to ensure it aligns with the country's telecoms priorities. What does this review mean for Nigeria’s telecom sector? The United States has intensified scrutiny over security and illegal mining, with a bill in the House of Representatives proposing san...

After public uproar, Nigeria's Senate amended the Electoral Act to allow (but not mandate) electronic transmission of results. Does this revision protect electoral transparency?  Nigeria plans to sell selected state-owned assets from 2026 to reduce its ₦25 trillion budget deficit, attract private capital, and support broader economic reforms. Will this asset sale strategy deliver long-term ec...

This week, SBM Intelligence published a report on Nigeria's new tax laws . We polled people around the country and have found that more than two in three do not trust the government to utilise any extra money judiciously. What can the government do to bridge this trust deficit and prevent the kind of protests we saw in Ghana and Kenya?  Next, Nigeria will issue a power-sector bond to settle l...

This week, Nigeria’s foreign policy and economic diplomacy took centre stage as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu began a state visit to Türkiye. With Türkiye emerging as a strategic partner for African economies, the big question is: Will the agreements reached translate into real economic value for Nigeria, or remain diplomatic symbolism? The United Nations has issued a warning that over 35 million Ni...

On Tuesday, Canada's Prime Minister, Mark Carney, gave a robust speech to the World Economic Forum at Davos, where he essentially declared the end of the post-World War 2 international order. Now that it is out in the open, is Africa ready for the rupture? Nigeria has signed a long-awaited MoU with Abu Dhabi Ports Group to collaborate on port development. Could this partnership finally unlock...

The U.S. House of Representatives has overwhelmingly approved a three-year extension of AGOA. As the bill moves to the Senate, attention is turning to eligibility conditions, with South Africa facing closer scrutiny over its continued participation. Will the AGOA extension translate into real industrial growth for African economies, or will stricter eligibility reviews limit its impact? Ghana has...

America gave Nigeria a Christmas present, lobbing some bombs at Sokoto State. Then they kidnapped the President of Venezuela. What is happening with the United States? China's top diplomat, Wang Yi's has started another Africa tour. Simultaneously, Botswana is courting Russian investment. In Somalia, protests erupted against Israel's recognition of Somaliland. How are African countr...

In this final episode of 2025, we discuss the events that have starkly defined Africa's critical crossroads.  Geopolitically, the continent faces more stringent "America First" policies and the historic rupture of three Sahel states' exit from ECOWAS, fuelling a regional security crisis. Simultaneously, major flashpoints persist, from civil war in Sudan to rebel control in the...