Just days after the elections and a day before the results were due to be announced, a coup took place in Guinea-Bissau. Is democracy on the way out in West Africa?The Central Bank of Nigeria held rates and stopped new state loans after...

A Brigadier General of the Nigerian Army, Musa Uba, was captured and murdered by ISWAP terrorists following an ambush in Borno State. On the same day, 25 school girls were kidnapped in Kebbi State, and the next day, three people were killed in ...

Governor Charles Soludo of APGA won re-election in Anambra, defeating APC’s Nicholas Ukachukwu in all 21 LGAs despite reports of vote buying, BVAS glitches, and low turnout. Can this victory inspire stronger electoral reforms in the Southeast?<...

The U.S. and Nigeria are experiencing diplomatic tensions after President Trump threatened possible military action over religious violence. Where is this going?Nigeria has approved a 15% import duty on petrol and diesel to encourage lo...

On Frank Talk with Daniel Odeyemi on Rave FM Ogbomoso, SBM analyst, Confidence McHarry, debates Sheikh Ahmad Gumi on whether there is indeed a Christian genocide in Nigeria…

Last week, SBM Intel published its quarterly Jollof Index. The index told a tale of two economies. In Nigeria, food prices dipped slightly despite long-term issues, while in Ghana, despite some stability, food prices rose slightly, especially i...

Reports of an alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu have caused public outrage. The Defence Headquarters denied the claims, saying there was no coup plan or related arrests. Is there a danger of a coup? What do such stories mean for N...

At least 22 people have been killed since unrest began in Madagascar, culminating in the military seizing power after the president fled. The AU has suspended the country. Will this coup bring stability or worsen the country’s political crisis?...

Oba Ewuare II of Benin rejected the introduction of the Iyaloja title in Edo markets, insisting that the palace-recognised Iyeki remains the traditional market leader and that the Iyaloja concept is foreign to Benin culture. Could this reflect ...

Ghana has signed a $256 million debt restructuring deal with the UK, while the IMF begins its fifth review of the country’s bailout, which could unlock more funds. Will this boost be enough to strengthen Ghana’s economic recovery?A gold...

Nigeria’s economy grew by 4.23% in the second quarter signaling cautious optimism as the country navigates structural reforms. Can this growth be sustained in the coming quarters?The Central Bank of Nigeria has cut its benchmark interes...

Nigeria's government has announced a six-month suspension on the export of shea nuts in a bid to encourage local value addition and stimulate domestic processing. How will this ban reshape the balance between exporters and local processors in t...

SBM Intelligence's annual report on kidnapping in Nigeria shows that while the number of victims is down almost 50% from 2024, the amounts paid as ransoms have more than doubled. Are kidnappers becoming more efficient?Nigeria and Brazil...

Nigeria’s national security adviser has announced the arrest of two insurgent leaders, Mahmud Muhammad Usman of Ansaru and Mahmud al-Nigeri of the Mahmuda group. In a separate development, the Nigerian Army has approved a major redeployment of ...

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 Ni...

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...

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 ...

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...

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 cou...

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 cur...

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 ...

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 econ...

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 pr...

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. <...

Today is Biafra Memorial Day, which for a lot of Igbo people is a day that remembers the brutality of Nigeria's civil war that ended 55 years ago. Earlier in the week, SBM Intel