Surge

Hope Resurfaces in Bay and Bakool Regions In a landmark moment for the communities of Bay and Bakool regions, roads that had been blocked by Al-Shabaab since 2012 have recently reopened following a pivotal agreement reached between local elders and the militant group. This development marks a turning point for many who have endured hardships for over a decade. Can you imagine living in constant fear of basic interactions, confined to treacherous off-road routes just to obtain essential goods? Before the…

Recent data reveals that the US economy saw an unexpected contraction in the first quarter of the year. This decline can largely be attributed to a significant increase in imports, as both businesses and consumers prepared for the rollout of President Donald Trump's extensive tariffs. According to the US Commerce Department, the nation's gross domestic product (GDP) decreased at an annual rate of 0.3% in the first quarter, following a growth rate of 2.4% in the closing months of 2024. This news came as a shock, coming in…

MTN Nigeria's Robust Q1 2025 Performance In an impressive display of resilience and strategic maneuvering, MTN Nigeria reported a staggering revenue of N1 trillion for the first quarter of 2025. This achievement signifies a remarkable 40.5% increase year-on-year, a substantial leap from the N752.9 billion recorded in Q1 2024. One can't help but wonder: What does this surge mean for the broader telecommunications landscape in Nigeria? The driving force behind this robust performance can primarily…

Zimbabwe's Central Bank Resumes Gold Coin Issuance In a noteworthy development, Zimbabwe's central bank has made the decision to reinstate the issuance of gold coins, a program that had been temporarily halted for a period of ten months. This revival is not just a procedural footnote; it’s a strategic maneuver aimed at stabilizing the local currency, the Zimbabwean Gold (ZiG), which is currently grappling with significant challenges stemming from policy missteps. The financial landscape in Zimbabwe is particularly…

As the sun set over South Africa, signaling the start of the Easter weekend, the nation’s police forces prepared for an ambitious initiative aimed at curtailing a range of criminal activities. The focus shifted to illegal mining, drug trafficking, and the challenges posed by undocumented foreign nationals. This relentless pursuit of justice unfolded across various provinces, showcasing the law enforcement community’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding public safety. Throughout the weekend, law enforcement officers…

Alarm bells are ringing louder than ever as the United Nations draws attention to the alarming surge of child rape incidents in the Congo, merely within the year's first two months. It's a heart-wrenching reality that UNICEF underscores—the tender and innocent, even the youngest among them, are not spared. This brutal narrative is not isolated; it's etched into reality, with sexual violence becoming a hauntingly regular occurrence. Local organizations, immersed in the firestorm of sexual violence, reveal that an…

Expanding Horizons: First National Bank's Strategic Growth in Africa As the world watches, Africa is blossoming into a hub of economic opportunities, with many eyes drawn to its burgeoning affluent demographic. In the midst of this transformation, a subsidiary of South Africa’s financial powerhouse, FirstRand Ltd., is keenly setting its gaze on Ghana. But what prompts a bank to venture into another country's market? The answer lies in the undeniable growth of Africa's affluent…

Today, shares across Asia and Europe saw a notable surge, and the frantic bond sell-off appears to have stabilized following a surprise announcement from U.S. President Donald Trump. The President indicated that he would temporarily lower the hefty tariffs he had recently imposed on numerous countries. However, the overnight rally in U.S. stocks and the dollar lost some of its momentum as tensions escalated between the U.S. and China, leaving investors baffled by the administration's inconsistent approach to tariffs. As…

In a troubling revelation, Amnesty International's recent report highlights that in 2024, the number of executions worldwide surged to its highest level in nearly a decade. This sobering news arrives at a time when several African countries, notably the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria, are contemplating the reintroduction of capital punishment—a move that stirs deep fears among human rights advocates. Imagine a landscape that has gradually tilted toward hope—a world where progress in human rights was not just a…

Navigating the Undulating Terrain of Nigeria's Oil Market Last week marked a significant shift in global oil prices, as crude oil saw its value tumble to depths not seen since 2021. Was it former President Trump's imposing import tariffs that sparked this? Perhaps it was the unexpected increase in oil supply by OPEC+ that sent ripples through the market, slicing a hefty $10 from global benchmarks per barrel. And suddenly, by Friday, the crude oil prices had plummeted to $65 a barrel. For many, this…