The Week Ahead

Benin foiled a coup attempt, prompting regional military support and emergency action from ECOWAS and the AU. At the same time, tensions escalated between Nigeria and the Alliance for Sahel States over an unapproved Nigerian military landing in Burkina Faso. What impact could these twin crises have on West Africa’s security cooperation? A US congressional delegation met with NSA Nuhu Ribadu in Abu...

Nigeria declared a security emergency, began expanding its armed forces, approved 20,000 new police recruits, and moved security officers from VIP protection to conflict areas, all before the defence minister resigned abruptly. What should Nigeria do next in 2026 to strengthen its security progress? TotalEnergies sold its 12.5% stake in OML 118, Shell and Nigerian Agip acquired portions, petrol pr...

Just days after the elections and a day before the results were due to be announced, a coup took place in Guinea-Bissau. Is democracy on the way out in West Africa? The Central Bank of Nigeria held rates and stopped new state loans after large unrecovered debts, pushing private-led credit. Can private banks fill the financing gap for key sectors? South Africa and the EU agreed on local mineral pro...

A Brigadier General of the Nigerian Army, Musa Uba, was captured and murdered by ISWAP terrorists following an ambush in Borno State. On the same day, 25 school girls were kidnapped in Kebbi State, and the next day, three people were killed in an attack on a church in Kwara State, an attack that was live-streamed. What the heck is happening in Nigeria?  Nigeria has dropped its plan to introduce a...

Governor Charles Soludo of APGA won re-election in Anambra, defeating APC’s Nicholas Ukachukwu in all 21 LGAs despite reports of vote buying, BVAS glitches, and low turnout. Can this victory inspire stronger electoral reforms in the Southeast? The governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, has cancelled the land rights for the new Museum of West Africa in Benin City, following a fracas on the museum...

The U.S. and Nigeria are experiencing diplomatic tensions after President Trump threatened possible military action over religious violence. Where is this going? Nigeria has approved a 15% import duty on petrol and diesel to encourage local refining, which may lead to increased fuel prices. Critics argue that it primarily benefits the Dangote refinery. Will this policy truly boost local refining,...

On Frank Talk with Daniel Odeyemi on Rave FM Ogbomoso, SBM analyst, Confidence McHarry, debates Sheikh Ahmad Gumi on whether there is indeed a Christian genocide in Nigeria… Support the show

Last week, SBM Intel published its quarterly Jollof Index. The index told a tale of two economies. In Nigeria, food prices dipped slightly despite long-term issues, while in Ghana, despite some stability, food prices rose slightly, especially in the Northern region. What is happening there? Ghana’s producer inflation fell sharply to 3.2% in September 2025 from 30.5% a year earlier, showing reduced...

Reports of an alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu have caused public outrage. The Defence Headquarters denied the claims, saying there was no coup plan or related arrests. Is there a danger of a coup? What do such stories mean for Nigeria's economy? Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa plan to raise ₦50 billion and form a joint electricity market to boost power supply. How will this collabor...

At least 22 people have been killed since unrest began in Madagascar, culminating in the military seizing power after the president fled. The AU has suspended the country. Will this coup bring stability or worsen the country’s political crisis? Authorities in the Ivory Coast arrested 237 people during a banned protest a few weeks before the October 25 election. Opposition leaders were barred from...

Oba Ewuare II of Benin rejected the introduction of the Iyaloja title in Edo markets, insisting that the palace-recognised Iyeki remains the traditional market leader and that the Iyaloja concept is foreign to Benin culture. Could this reflect growing friction between tradition and modern political influence? The AfDB approved a $500 million loan to support Nigeria’s fiscal and power reforms, whil...

Ghana has signed a $256 million debt restructuring deal with the UK, while the IMF begins its fifth review of the country’s bailout, which could unlock more funds. Will this boost be enough to strengthen Ghana’s economic recovery? A gold mine collapse in Zamfara killed at least 13 miners, with officials blaming heavy rains and unsafe illegal mining. Can stronger regulation truly stop unsafe mining...

Nigeria’s economy grew by 4.23% in the second quarter signaling cautious optimism as the country navigates structural reforms. Can this growth be sustained in the coming quarters? The Central Bank of Nigeria has cut its benchmark interest rate to 27%, aiming to stimulate borrowing, investment, and overall economic activity. Will this rate cut strike the right balance between boosting growth and co...

Nigeria's government has announced a six-month suspension on the export of shea nuts in a bid to encourage local value addition and stimulate domestic processing. How will this ban reshape the balance between exporters and local processors in the short term? The recent increase in the price of compressed natural gas is straining households and transport operators across Nigeria. Once seen as...

SBM Intelligence's annual report on kidnapping in Nigeria shows that while the number of victims is down almost 50% from 2024, the amounts paid as ransoms have more than doubled. Are kidnappers becoming more efficient? Nigeria and Brazil have signed an air service agreement to enable direct flights and boost economic cooperation. How can both countries ensure this partnership delivers lasting...

Nigeria’s national security adviser has announced the arrest of two insurgent leaders, Mahmud Muhammad Usman of Ansaru and Mahmud al-Nigeri of the Mahmuda group. In a separate development, the Nigerian Army has approved a major redeployment of senior officers to boost the fight against insurgency. Could these moves signal a turning point in Nigeria’s security strategy?  The US has approved a sale...

Nigeria’s non-oil exports rose 19.6% to $3.23 billion in H1 2025 from $2.7 billion a year earlier. Export volumes reached 4.04 million metric tons, with cocoa products making up 35% of the value. Could this momentum signal a lasting shift in Nigeria’s economic structure? Vice President Kashim Shettima announced that President Bola Tinubu has directed the planting of 100 million oil palm trees nati...

Tensions are rising as Ghana has reportedly asked undocumented Nigerians to leave the country. Authorities cite immigration violations and overstays, triggering concern among affected communities. Nigeria’s government is engaging diplomatically to resolve the issue. Could this strain Ghana-Nigeria relations or lead to a wider regional fallout? Ghana’s central bank has slashed its interest rate by...

Fresh fighting has erupted in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo, despite a recent peace deal. M23 rebels clashed with pro-government Wazalendo militias (NDC-Renové), capturing two villages. What steps can be taken to resolve the dispute and prevent further violence in North Kivu? In Lagos, the Bariga Local Council Development Area has renamed Charly Boy Bus Stop to Baddo Bus Stop, in honour...

Earlier in the week, SBM Intelligence published the Jollof Index, our quarterly report on food inflation in Nigeria and Ghana. The cost of cooking a pot of Jollof Rice has skyrocketed. In Ghana, it rose to GH₵420; in Nigeria, it's up 153% since 2023, now ₦27,528. How are people dealing with the rising cost of food in both countries? Ghana’s oil and gas sector is gaining momentum as Eni, Tullo...

Nigeria's former president, Muhammadu Buhari, died in London at the age of 82 after a long illness. We reflect on Buhari's leadership and his legacy. The US is deporting migrants, and wants African countries to take people from other countries. Some countries, including Nigeria, have pushed back. As a result, the US has placed visa restrictions on countries that did not cooperate with it...

There’s a fuel price battle happening in Nigeria. Dangote Refinery cut its petrol price to ₦820 per litre, pushing other marketers like MRS Oil and NNPC to drop their prices too. This means petrol prices now vary in different places. Is the current fuel price competition good news for Nigerians, or just a temporary fix in a broken system? Nigeria's Naira is no longer moving up and down with o...

Deadly protests happened in Kenya and Togo. In Kenya, 16 people were killed during demonstrations against the government. In Togo, seven people died during protests over economic problems. How can African governments keep peace during protests without using deadly force? President Bola Tinubu has signed four new tax laws. One significant change is that only the new Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) wi...

The DRC and Rwanda have signed a provisional peace deal to ease conflict in eastern DRC. At the same time, the DRC extended its cobalt export ban to manage oversupply and support prices. Can this peace deal help reduce conflict and support economic recovery in the DRC? Nigerian security forces have made progress in fighting insecurity—killing 6,260 terrorists, arresting over 14,000 criminals, and...

Gunmen killed scores of people in Yelwata, Benue State. The killings are causing mass displacement and threatening food security, especially since most victims are farmers. What steps should the government take to prevent further attacks and protect vulnerable farming communities in Benue State? China has announced that it will eliminate import taxes on goods from all 53 African countries with whi...