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 nationwide, alongside plans for an oil palm processing plant in Ondo State, to boost agriculture and diversify Nigeria’s economy. Could this scale of investment make Nigeria a major global player in palm oil production? And will local farmers be equipped to benefit from the opportunities it creates?

The U.S. is looking for ways to stop deadly attacks on Christians in Africa. Recent violence includes 49 killed in the DRC and 27 in Nigeria, with militants forcing people to flee their homes. Over 150,000 have died in the last decade. Survivors say they are told to convert or be killed. Will global action help end the killings? Or is this just local politics at play?

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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 100 basis points to 29%, the biggest cut on record, as inflation drops to 23.1%. The move is meant to boost economic growth, with more cuts likely if inflation stays within target. Can this rate cut spark growth without risking inflation?

Ghana has raised the cocoa producer price by 63% for the 2025/2026 season to GH₵3,228.75 per 64kg bag. COCOBOD says the hike aligns with global prices and aims to support farmers amid rising production costs. Will this price hike meaningfully improve farmer livelihoods?

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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 of rapper Olamide. The move sparked controversy, with human rights lawyer Femi Falana criticising it as unconstitutional and lacking public consultation. Legal expert Monday Ubani added that the change promotes ethnic bias and threatens Lagos’s diverse and inclusive identity. Should public landmarks be renamed without community input, and how can cities like Lagos balance cultural recognition with inclusivity?

Peter Obi has accused President Tinubu’s government of giving false economic reports to make things seem better than they are. He says the real situation, rising hunger, poverty, and joblessness,s is being hidden with fake numbers on inflation and GDP. How can the government be more open and truthful about the state of the economy?

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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, Tullow Oil, and Kosmos Energy advance major projects to boost production and enhance energy security. How will these developments impact Ghana’s domestic energy supply and economy in the long term?

President Paul Biya of Cameroon has reshuffled the military, promoting several high-ranking officers in possibly a move to consolidate support ahead of the presidential elections. Could this military reshuffle influence the fairness and outcome of Cameroon’s upcoming presidential election?

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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. Both Nigeria and Ghana now face visa limits. How should African countries respond?

Meanwhile, five African leaders recently met with Donald Trump at a White House lunch. Could it lead to real investment and stronger partnerships between the US and Africa?

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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 oil prices like it used to. Now, the Naira depends more on investor confidence than oil prices. Experts think the Naira will stay around ₦1,556 per dollar by the end of the year.  Is Nigeria finally reducing its dependence on oil for real?

Nigerian banks are now allowing people to use their Naira debit cards for international spending again. The move shows that access to foreign exchange is improving and helps people trust the system more. Is this a sign that Nigeria’s forex situation is finally getting better?

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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) will collect federal taxes. How will centralising tax collection under the NRS impact efficiency and transparency in Nigeria’s tax system?

Governor Fubara and Minister Wike agreed to work together after President Tinubu's intervention in Rivers State. How does this deal affect democracy and party politics in Rivers State?

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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 rescuing 5,300 kidnap victims in two years. Despite these efforts, attacks. Why have these security efforts not led to the elimination of Nigeria’s major security challenges?

Nigeria’s electoral commission, INEC, has received 110 requests from groups seeking to become political parties ahead of the 2027 elections. How might the growing number of aspiring political parties impact Nigeria’s 2027 elections?

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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 which it maintains diplomatic relations, building on a 2023 agreement that removed tariffs for 33 poorer African nations. How can African countries make the most of China’s decision to remove import taxes?

Ghana’s economy grew by 5.3% in the first quarter of 2025, indicating a sign of recovery. However, despite this progress, Ghana loses billions of dollars each year from gold smuggling, with a report showing that over $11 billion worth of gold has gone missing in just five years. How can Ghana stop gold smuggling and protect its economy?

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On our first story for today, Nigeria’s Debt Office raised ₦2.2 trillion from its ₦300 billion Sukuk offer, showing strong investor interest with a 735% oversubscription. At the same time, the Central Bank is lowering interest rates. 

Meanwhile, a $5 billion oil-backed loan deal with Saudi Aramco has stalled due to falling oil prices and Nigeria’s low oil production. 

What do these mean for Nigeria’s future borrowing strategy and economic stability?

Finally, Russia is strengthening its ties with African countries, mainly in security and trade. Its new group, the “Africa Corps,” has replaced Wagner in Mali, helping fight Islamist militants. Some progress has been made, but threats from groups like ISIS still remain. How will Russia’s growing presence affect the region in the long run?

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