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FAQs about The Week Ahead:How many episodes does The Week Ahead have?The podcast currently has 81 episodes available.
July 13, 2024A mixed bagFirst, we consider Nigeria's debt burden, which has ballooned to a staggering ₦121 trillion, raising concerns about the country's ability to service its loans and invest in vital areas. Next, we look at a potential source of conflict in West Africa. Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have left ECOWAS and formed the AES. Alliance of Sahelian States. Finally, is climate change dealing with Nigeria? Heavy rains have caused flooding across several states, displacing residents and disrupting businesses. The government warns that even more areas could be impacted, raising fears of a wider crisis.Support the show...more39minPlay
July 06, 2024MinecraftGovernors from Nigeria's southern region are advocating for state-by-state negotiations for the new minimum wage based on individual financial capabilities. What are the implications of this move on the ongoing debate surrounding worker compensation.Next, we examine the cost of a healthy diet, which has surged by 32% in just a few months, making it increasingly challenging for families to afford nutritious food.Lastly, ECOWAS is contemplating a substantial investment of up to $2.6 billion annually to establish a 5,000-strong security force to combat terrorism. Will this solve the insecurity issues in the region?Support the show...more38minPlay
June 29, 2024Spanner in the worksNigeria's oil production has declined by 30,000 barrels per day. What factors are driving this reduction, and how might it affect the country's economy and its standing in the global oil market?Next, Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, is seeking an out-of-court settlement in his ongoing legal battle. How could this influence political and social tensions in Nigeria?Finally, Kenya is facing significant controversy over its finance bill. How will the bill's rejection impact Kenya's economy, public services, citizens and Africa in general?Support the show...more36minPlay
June 22, 2024Break OutNigeria has just sealed a groundbreaking $3.5 billion agreement with Afreximbank. What does this mean for Nigeria's textile industry and the adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles? Next, clashes between supporters of Rivers's Governor Sim Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, have escalated. What's fueling these tensions? Finally, in Ghana power outages have hit hard. The West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited plays a crucial role in supplying natural gas to Ghana, Togo, and Benin. But why the disruption from Nigeria? Support the show...more27minPlay
June 15, 2024Two roads diverged in a yellow woodIn today's episode, Nigeria's state governors are sounding the alarm over a proposed ₦60,000 minimum wage, calling it unsustainable. We'll examine why these governors believe the wage hike is economically untenable.Next, we'll focus on the controversy surrounding Nigeria's "cost-of-collection" approach to funding government-owned enterprises. The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Customs are receiving higher allocations than many states, sparking criticism and calls for reform. Finally, we delve into the escalating conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Eastern DRC is once again a battleground, with multiple rebel groups, including the ADF, clashing with government forces. Support the show...more28minPlay
June 08, 2024High wire actIn this week's episode, we turn our attention to Sudan's forgotten conflict. Next, we examine a troubling report from Nigeria's Southeast region, where the Eastern Security Network (ESN) is said to have launched an attack on soldiers. Who is the ESN, and what are the ideological splits within the group? How does this internal conflict exacerbate the already volatile security situation? Lastly, we shift our focus to Nigeria's economy. The country's Senate has recently halted the public hearing on the proposed amendments to the Central Bank of Nigeria Act. We'll explore the key concerns raised by the public and experts, including a contentious proposal to create a "Coordinating Committee for Monetary and Fiscal Policies."Support the show...more22minPlay
June 01, 2024...we hail theeIn a week where we got an old-new anthem, Nigeria’s GDP has taken a hit. Despite showing higher growth than the same period last year, Nigeria's GDP growth has dipped compared to the previous quarter. What’s behind this fluctuation? We’ll also explore the factors that could influence Nigeria's economic performance in the coming months and pinpoint where the government might need to focus its economic policies to stabilise and boost growth.Next, we turn to Nigeria's film industry. Nollywood’s box office revenue soared by 46% year-on-year in Q1 of 2024. What’s driving this impressive growth? While revenues are up, admissions have dipped—what challenges could this pose for Nollywood's long-term sustainability? And with local Nollywood productions capturing a larger market share than Hollywood, what does this say about Nigerian audiences' preferences?Finally, we look at the early results of the pivotal South African elections. What are the critical economic challenges, such as high unemployment and frequent blackouts, that the country faces? With the election on the horizon, what are the key issues at stake, and how could the results shape South Africa’s future domestically and internationally?Support the show...more43minPlay
May 26, 2024QuagmireConflicting reports emerged about Nigeria's Federal Government's financial status in the first quarter of 2024. We will examine what a massive budget deficit means for an already inflation-burdened country. Then, Nigeria's Central Bank has raised interest rates yet again. We'll look at the motivations behind this decision and its potential ripple effects on the economy.Finally, we move to look at Chad where Mahamat Deby has been declared the winner of the recent elections, solidifying his power grab. What could be the geopolitical effects of this move?Support the show...more14minPlay
May 18, 2024Feeling the heatOne of Nigeria's most reliable businesses, Okomu Oil Palm Plc, is facing a crisis. Recent attacks by criminal gangs have left three employees dead, raising questions about investor safety and government intervention. We explore the complexities of this situation and ask: what are the broader implications of these brazen threats on the immediate community and the country at large?Next, the Nigerian fiscal policy committee has proposed sweeping Value Added Tax (VAT) reforms aimed at simplifying the tax system and protecting vulnerable populations. Part of the reforms proposed is the simplification of the VAT system by consolidating state-level consumption taxes, allowing input VAT credits for businesses, and exempting basic necessities from VAT. Will these changes truly impact small businesses and lower-income segments?Finally, in Ghana, inflation rates are showing a mixed picture, with declines in food prices contrasting with increases in non-food items. Data coming out of Ghana highlights a slight decrease in the overall inflation rate while food prices dipped, leading to the overall decline in the inflation rate, same cannot be said for non-food items. What factors are driving these trends, and how are they affecting everyday Ghanaians' purchasing power?Support the show...more21minPlay
May 11, 2024Rising TideThis week Nigeria's central bank asked banks in the country to charge a 0.5% cyber-security level on most transactions. Still on hitting the pockets of Nigerians, Ikeja Electric announced a reduction of its electricity tariff. Finally, we discuss what is happening in Togo as President Faure Gnassingbe looks to consolidate power for life. What is the future of democracy in that country?Support the show...more40minPlay
FAQs about The Week Ahead:How many episodes does The Week Ahead have?The podcast currently has 81 episodes available.