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Nigerian fuel traders are navigating a challenging landscape filled with unmet expectations. Despite proclamations made six months ago that the state-owned Port Harcourt and Warri refineries were ready for operation, traders still find themselves struggling to secure gasoline from these facilities. It raises an important question: How long can a nation, rich in resources, rely on aging infrastructure? This situation has led traders to maintain their dependence on imports and the privately-owned $20 billion Dangote…

Indonesia’s recent announcement to raise its export tax on crude palm oil (CPO) from 7.5% to 10% is stirring ripples across global markets. While this change is significant for many countries worldwide, the ramifications are particularly acute for Africa, which heavily relies on palm oil imports from Southeast Asia. For many African nations, the news of this new levy, set to take effect on May 17, 2025, poses a troubling scenario: heightened import costs. It’s a reality that can significantly affect local economies and…

Heartbreaking Reality for Children in Somalia: A Call for Action Mogadishu (AX) – Imagine a world where your child’s survival hinges on access to basic nutrition. For at least 55,000 children in Somalia, this dire situation is poised to worsen by June. The ongoing cuts to international aid are forcing Save the Children to shutter more than a quarter of its health and nutrition facilities across the nation. As the largest non-governmental provider of health and nutrition services for children in Somalia, Save the…

In the latest Poverty and Equity Brief released by the World Bank in April 2025, the situation in Nigeria paints a rather grim picture: an alarming 41.3% of its urban population lives in poverty, with rural communities bearing an even heavier burden. The factors contributing to this crisis are multifaceted, encompassing economic stagnation, rampant inflation, and widespread insecurity that have collectively stifled growth in recent years. To fully grasp the gravity of this situation, consider that 30.9% of Nigerians were…

Recent research has revealed a startling statistic: pedestrians and cyclists face a 44% higher risk of fatality when struck by an SUV or similarly sized vehicle compared to a traditional car. Alarmingly, this figure escalates to 82% for children, according to the analysis from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) in collaboration with Imperial College London. This extensive study examined over 680,000 road collisions recorded over the past 35 years. By comparing injury severity among pedestrians and…

The Harrowing Struggles of Laqaanley Village The plight of those in Laqaanley village is a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by communities in drought-stricken areas. Farhiyo, a local resident, shared her experience, revealing the agonizing process of seeking credit from shopkeepers for the food her family desperately needs. Speaking candidly with Radio Ergo, she described a scene fraught with desperation. “The problem is worse for humans than for livestock. We have debts…

Spotify, the music streaming giant, has recently announced plans to increase its monthly subscription fees in various countries, particularly across Europe and Latin America. This move, as reported by The Financial Times, appears to be a calculated strategy aimed at boosting revenues in the face of a slowing growth rate in the musical landscape. But what does that mean for subscribers and the market at large? Intriguingly, the prospect of these price adjustments seems to resonate positively with investors. Following the…

On April 14, we marked a haunting eleven years since the tragic abduction of 276 schoolgirls from Chibok by the extremist group Boko Haram in 2014. This incident did not merely shed light on the depths of human depravity but also highlighted the alarming systemic inadequacies in Nigeria's governance and security frameworks. Why, in a nation rich with resources and talent, do we continue to witness such harrowing events? Despite widespread condemnation and the fervent #BringBackOurGirls campaign, a staggering 90 of those…

African nations currently find themselves at a pivotal juncture, navigating complex geopolitical waters following China's recent declaration of intent to retaliate against any country that signs trade agreements with the United States “at the expense of China's interests.” This stern warning signals a possible shift in China's global economic diplomacy—a development that could have profound implications for Africa. The implications of this warning are not trivial; they arise amid the backdrop of a deepening…

Tunisia: A Narrative of Political Turmoil In recent developments that have reverberated through the socio-political landscape of Tunisia, opposition leaders, business figures, and legal professionals have come under the dire scrutiny of the legal system, enduring sentences that range from 13 to an astonishing 66 years in prison. Accusations of conspiracy lie at the heart of these rulings, raising significant questions about justice and governance in the North African nation. According to a report by Reuters,…