Tracking African financial markets, commodity flows, and investment signals — every week.

Latest market data

The archive

Analysis

Everything this desk has published, newest first.

Office building of the Financial Markets Dealers Association in Lagos behind a gated fence
Currencies & Forex

Nigeria FX Demand Hits $18.34bn in Q2 2026, Its Highest Since 2011

Nigeria FX demand rose to $18.34bn in Q2 2026, its highest since 2011, as financial services outflows doubled imports and CBN dollar sales fell to $418m.

4 min read

CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso speaking into a microphone at a conference, with a Market Pulse Africa headline band about Nigeria-China trade payments
Currencies & Forex

Nigeria-China Payments: CBN's Cardoso Takes Settlement Talks to Beijing

Nigeria-China payments are on the CBN's agenda as Governor Cardoso plans Beijing talks on settlement, fintech and trade finance with the People's Bank of China.

4 min read

Crowded open-air market street in Lagos with traders carrying goods on their heads, above a navy band with the Market Pulse Africa logo
Macro & Economy

Nigeria Inflation Falls to 14.63%, Its Lowest Since 2025, but Living Costs Still Bite

Nigeria inflation eased to 14.63% in September, the lowest since 2025, yet food inflation stayed near 19.6% and households say prices are still too high.

3 min read

An oil derrick silhouetted against an orange sunset sky, beside a rising candlestick price chart.
Commodities

Brent at $110: Which African Economies Gain and Which Lose

Brent at $110 splits Africa in two. Nigeria and Angola gain export revenue while Kenya, Ghana and South Africa face higher fuel bills and inflation.

4 min read

Market Pulse Africa cover card for the De Beers bid article, showing the headline and logo over a dark navy panel with a cut diamond.
Investment Signals

Richemont in talks to join consortium's $1 billion bid for De Beers

Richemont, controlled by Johann Rupert, is in advanced talks to join a consortium bidding for De Beers, valued at about $1 billion. Here is what has been reported, what is unconfirmed, and why Botswana matters.

3 min read

Market Pulse Africa cover card for the fiat-to-crypto article, showing the headline and logo over a dark navy panel with a digital currency symbol.
Macro & Economy

The fiat-to-crypto pipeline: How public funds bypass Nigeria’s financial safeguards

Public funds are allegedly moving through banks, fintechs and private firms into crypto wallets. Here is what the EFCC has said, what is still unknown, and where Nigeria's safeguards are weakest.

5 min read

World in Brief cover card for the news roundup, showing the headline and logo over a dark navy panel with a world map.
Weekly Pulse

WORLD IN BRIEF: Maduro denies torture charges, German airport seizes 92 reptiles, South Africa phases out support for imported vehicle kits

Maduro denies new US torture charges, Cologne customs seize 92 reptiles from a traveler's luggage, and South Africa moves to end support for imported vehicle kit assembly.

3 min read

Market Pulse Africa cover card for the NGX rebound article, showing the headline and logo over a dark navy panel with a rising line chart.
Investment Signals

NGX rebounds, investors recover N103.9 billion as oil, banking stocks rise

The NGX All-Share Index rose 0.065 percent on October 14, adding N103.9 billion in market value. Here is what drove the session, from oil and gas to banks, and what to watch next.

4 min read

Market Pulse Africa cover card for the NNPC IPO article, showing the headline and logo over a dark panel with an oil refinery silhouette.
Investment Signals

NNPC advances IPO plans, addresses governance, financial reporting gaps

NNPC has finished a baseline IPO readiness assessment and is closing gaps in reporting and governance. Here is what has been confirmed, what has not, and what investors should watch.

4 min read

Market Pulse Africa cover card for the mining productivity article, showing the headline and logo over a dark panel with a mining haul truck.
Commodities

Mining productivity stalls despite advances in automation and AI, says McKinsey

McKinsey says mining productivity stalled in 2025 despite more automation and AI. Here is what the Global Materials Perspective 2026 found, why the gains are uneven, and what it means for miners and investors.

5 min read

World in Brief cover card for the news roundup, showing the headline and logo over a dark navy panel with a world map.
Weekly Pulse

WORLD IN BRIEF: US inflation rises, Ukrainian drones hit Russia's largest data centre, Liberia offers 29 offshore oil blocks

US inflation rose to 3.7 percent in September, Ukrainian drones hit Russia's largest data centre, and Liberia opened a 29-block offshore oil licensing round.

3 min read

Nairobi's skyline of office towers rising above green tree cover on a sunny day.
Macro & Economy

World Bank raises Sub-Saharan Africa's 2026 growth forecast to 4.3%

The World Bank now expects Sub-Saharan Africa to grow 4.3% in 2026, with upgrades for Nigeria, Angola, Ethiopia and Zambia. But inflation is rising and debt costs still bite.

3 min read