The Week Ahead
SBM Intelligence's take on Nigeria and Africa brought to you every week.
Episodes
99 episodes
Everyone is running for something
Last Friday, Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye fired Ousmanne Sonko, the Prime Minister and longtime ally. Despite the dismissal, Sonko remains influential after being elected speaker of parliament. Could this political split affect Sen...
A bust alternator
The World Health Organization has declared that an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is under control. However, Rwanda has tightened border measures as a precaution. How should countries balance health security with trade a...
That’s a lot of appetite
With critics accusing the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi of being a French operation, could the summit mark a turning point in how Africa positions itself in the global economy and unlock stronger partnerships for sustainable growth?N...
Which strategy works?
SBM published the Jollof Index last week, which showed that it now costs 43% of Nigeria's national minimum wage. Given what has been happening globally, especially with rising energy prices, what will increased economic pressure mean for Nigeri...
Grounded
Can Taiwo Oyedele deliver the fiscal reforms needed to strengthen investor confidence and drive economic growth in Nigeria?A recent rainstorm has caused another setback to the national power grid, worsening electricity disruptions. What...
We love the numbers, just not the neighbourhood
The US has withdrawn non-essential staff from Abuja due to security concerns. Will this signal deeper diplomatic concern or lead to stronger security assurances from the government?In Borno State, an airstrike killed civilians. Nigeria'...
Earn like a street vendor, spend like a billionaire
The Palm Sunday attacks in Jos killed at least 28 people, and this week, attacks in other locations, including in Niger State, have killed up to 60 people. Will increased security interventions be enough to restore calm and prevent further ...
Coming with strings
President Tinubu led the charge to strengthen ties with the United Kingdom through a historic visit. How will this deal balance improved trade efficiency with concerns about reliance on UK-linked funding terms?The Central Bank of Nigeri...
The money is moving
Fuel prices in Nigeria have fluctuated sharply due to global oil market volatility. How will these global shocks continue to affect Nigeria’s domestic fuel prices and inflation? Nigeria’s ports recorded strong growth in 2025, with ...
Planning for the future
The Dangote Refinery raised petrol prices by 13% as global oil and gas prices surged amid escalating Middle East tensions and fears over disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. How might rising global energy prices and Nigeria’s domestic reforms r...
Everyone wants a piece
The CBN's MPC reduced the benchmark interest rate by 50 basis points while retaining key reserve and liquidity ratios. Will this rate cut significantly boost lending and economic growth in Nigeria?Foreign investment in Nigeria’s manufac...
The barrels might be empty
Nigeria’s Communications Minister, Bosun Tijani, says the government will assess MTN's $2.2 billion acquisition of a majority stake in IHS to ensure it aligns with the country's telecoms priorities. What does this review mean for Nigeria’s tele...
Everything must go
After public uproar, Nigeria's Senate amended the Electoral Act to allow (but not mandate) electronic transmission of results. Does this revision protect electoral transparency? Nigeria plans to sell selected state-owned assets fro...
Clarity, the rarest commodity
This week, SBM Intelligence published a report on Nigeria's new tax laws. We polled people around the country and have found that more than two in three do not trust the gover...
Not for the faint of heart
This week, Nigeria’s foreign policy and economic diplomacy took centre stage as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu began a state visit to Türkiye. With Türkiye emerging as a strategic partner for African economies, the big question is: Will the agreem...
Planning for tomorrow in today’s emergencies
On Tuesday, Canada's Prime Minister, Mark Carney, gave a robust speech to the World Economic Forum at Davos, where he essentially declared the end of the post-World War 2 international order. Now that it is out in the open, is Africa ready for ...
A temporary, arithmetical spike
The U.S. House of Representatives has overwhelmingly approved a three-year extension of AGOA. As the bill moves to the Senate, attention is turning to eligibility conditions, with South Africa facing closer scrutiny over its continued participa...
Headline-generating upheaval
America gave Nigeria a Christmas present, lobbing some bombs at Sokoto State. Then they kidnapped the President of Venezuela. What is happening with the United States?China's top diplomat, Wang Yi's has started another Africa tour. Simu...
At an inflexion point
In this final episode of 2025, we discuss the events that have starkly defined Africa's critical crossroads. Geopolitically, the continent faces more stringent "America First" policies and the historic rupture of three Sahel states'...
Finding a working power socket
Benin foiled a coup attempt, prompting regional military support and emergency action from ECOWAS and the AU. At the same time, tensions escalated between Nigeria and the Alliance for Sahel States over an unapproved Nigerian military landing in...
Netting clear
Nigeria declared a security emergency, began expanding its armed forces, approved 20,000 new police recruits, and moved security officers from VIP protection to conflict areas, all before the defence minister resigned abruptly. What should Nige...
Crunches hinder growth spurt
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 devastating downgrade
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 ...