West Africa

Current Market Conditions and Silver's Performance in 2024 In 2024, silver prices jumped by an impressive 18%, outpacing gold's more modest growth. What fueled this surge? Mainly, it was a mix of inflationary pressures and heightened industrial demand, particularly from the renewable energy sector. Unlike gold, which is traditionally seen as a safe-haven asset, silver holds a dual role—it serves both as an investment asset and as an industrial metal. This duality provides silver with a unique advantage in volatile…

Mogadishu: In an exciting leap towards digital transformation, the Somalia Payment Switch (SPS) has unveiled the nation's inaugural Instant Payment System, enriched with QR payment functionality and steered by BPC's cutting-edge SmartVista platform, a top-tier entity in the realm of payment solutions. This initiative, fervently driven by the Central Bank of Somalia (CBS), signifies a robust stride towards not only modernizing Somalia's financial landscape but also fostering broader inclusivity and economic fortitude.…

Mogadishu (AX) — It was an emotional scene at Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport on Monday. The air was filled with a mix of relief, joy, and introspection as 145 Somali citizens arrived back home. For nearly a year, each of these individuals had been detained under dire conditions in Libya. Their return marks yet another chapter in the ongoing collaboration between the Somali government and international partners striving to dismantle the perilous networks that trap migrants in North Africa. The recently…

In a world where the cost of travel can sometimes feel like an insurmountable barrier, the release of Skytrax's latest ranking for the world's best low-cost airlines in 2024 comes as a breath of fresh air. It celebrates those carriers that manage to strike the elusive balance between affordability and customer satisfaction, a feat many have attempted but few truly master. Leading the charge, once more, is Malaysia's very own AirAsia. This airline has consistently set the standard in the budget travel category,…

A delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has recently arrived in Liberia, aiming to mediate a protracted conflict among lawmakers surrounding the potential removal of Speaker Fonati Koffa. This mission follows a previous attempt by ECOWAS that yielded minimal progress, leaving many to ponder: can diplomacy still prevail in such a charged political landscape? The current delegation is set to engage with a variety of stakeholders, including President Joseph Boakai and members of the National…

Over the past decades, the landscape of governance in Africa has been a subject of intense debate and scrutiny. The wave of independence that swept across the continent in the 1960s heralded a new era of self-rule. Yet, even as countless nations embraced democratic ideals, the journey has been anything but straightforward. While some African countries have steadfastly committed to democracy, others have circled back to a governance style reminiscent of Africa's early days of autonomy. But why does this oscillation occur?…

Security Forces Target Al-Shabaab's Financial Stronghold in Berdaale Security forces in Berdaale have recently made significant progress in their ongoing efforts to destabilize Al-Shabaab's entrenched influence in the region. A key figure in the militant group's financial network, known as Qaddiid, was targeted in a meticulously planned operation aimed at disrupting the group's ability to fund its activities. His coercion tactics, which included harassing villagers into making payments under threats of violence, had long…

On a notable Sunday, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi welcomed Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh to Cairo, sparking a crucial dialogue on regional security, the nuanced challenges in Somalia, the fragile state of Sudan, and the delicate balance of Red Sea security. This pivotal meeting came against a backdrop filled with concern over Ethiopia's persistent aspirations for sea access, a country that remains landlocked yet ambitiously forward-thinking. The discussions were graced by the esteemed presence of…

Can a shift in a pricing strategy ripple through an entire nation, creating both fear and opportunity? The recent cessation of the Naira-for-Crude initiative seems to suggest so. With every decision echoing through vast networks, the Nigerian oil market finds itself at a crossroads. How did we reach this point? The Naira-for-Crude initiative symbolized an era where domestic refineries, including the prominent Dangote Refinery, enjoyed the privilege of purchasing crude oil using local…

In the tapestry of African politics, we see remarkable stories of individuals who step bravely into uncharted realms, grounds previously dominated by patriarchal legacies. Lucia Witbooi's recent appointment as Namibia's Vice President writes a new chapter in this evolving saga. She joins the ranks of formidable female leaders, following figures like Ghana’s Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, who took office in a similar groundbreaking manner earlier this year. Traditionally, the political…