Author: Olu Anisere

Olu Anisere is a financial and economic journalist at MarketForces Africa, specialising in African macroeconomic policy, international finance, energy markets, and continental development.He covers major multilateral institutions, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), providing readers with frontline reporting on policies shaping Africa's economic trajectory.Olu has reported extensively on Nigeria's fiscal and monetary policy landscape, including CBN interest rate decisions, Nigeria's bond market, FX inflows, and the country's engagement with global financial institutions.His coverage spans IMF and World Bank Spring and Annual Meetings, African Ministers of Finance conferences, and high-level economic forums where Africa's development agenda is set.His reporting captures perspectives from Africa's most influential economic voices, including Tony Elumelu, senior IMF officials, and CBN leadership, bringing institutional insight and policy depth to MarketForces Africa's readers.Olu also covers Inside Africa — tracking economic, investment, and development stories from across the continent. Olu Anisere is based in Lagos, Nigeria.

Yuan Weakens 7.1982 Pips Against Dollar The central parity rate of the Chinese currency renminbi, or the Yuan, weakened 72 pips to 7.1982 against the dollar on Wednesday. This is according to the China Foreign Exchange Trade System. In China, the central parity rate of the Yuan against the dollar is based on a weighted average of prices offered by market makers before the opening of the interbank market each business day. The Yuan is also allowed to rise or fall by two percent from the central parity rate each trading day in the spot foreign exchange market of the…

Read More

FG Cancels Foreign Training for Nigerian Scholars The Minister of Education, Dr Mauruf Alausa, says the Federal Government has, henceforth, cancelled foreign trainings for scholars. Alausa, who said this at the opening ceremony of a three-day conference organised by the British Council on Tuesday in Abuja, said that scholars would now be trained within Nigeria. The theme of the conference is “Building Sustainable and Relevant Tertiary Institutions and Systems in Africa”. The minister said that the Federal Government would be spending substantial money on building simulation lab, as well as building and developing the country’s universities. “We have just decided…

Read More

Kaduna Seals 5 Banks, Business Premises Over N1.7bn Debt The Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) on Tuesday sealed five banks and other business premises within the Kaduna metropolis for a ‘Land Use Charge (LUC) debt’ of N1.7 billion It has also sealed the prominent Hamdala Hotel for a N115 million debt on LUC. The banks and other businesses sealed were Keystone Bank Plc, Unity Bank, FCMB, Zenith Bank, Bank of Agriculture (BOA), as well as Chicken Republic, all located along Yakubu Gowon Way. Others were: Forte Oil, New Nigeria Development Company, GT Bank parking lot and A.G. Leventis building.…

Read More

Global Uncertainties Suppress Investment in Africa – UNDP The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), says global uncertainty over wars can lead to diminished investments critical for Africa’s growth. Dr Raymond Gilpin, the Chief Economist and Head of Strategy, Analysis, and Research Team, Regional Bureau for Africa, UNDP said this at the closing of the 2024 African Economic Conference (AEC) in Gaborone, Botswana. The 2024 AEC was co-hosted by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the UNDP in collaboration with the Botswana government. The conference, which commenced on Nov. 23, ended on Nov. 25. “The…

Read More

Africa’s Progress on SDGs Faces Mounting Challenges—ASDR report The African Sustainable Development Report (ASDR) 2024 restates that progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2063 has continued to mount challenges. The ASDR 2024 report was unveiled on the sidelines of the African Economic Conference in Gaborone, Botswana. The report was jointly produced by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the African Union. The report was presented by Dr Oyebanke Abejirin, Officer-in-Charge, Development Planning, Macroeconomics, Finance, and Governance Division of ECA. Abejirin quoted the report…

Read More

Sell Pressures on FBNH, ACCESS, Zenith Drive Intraday Loss on NGX The equities market is currently trading negative as investors began to take profit from banking names. The banking index was the sole loser on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) last week as negative investor sentiment in some Tier-1 banks persisted. Demand for some Tier-2 lenders also waned following Moody’s report that predicted merger and acquisition deals for Tier-2 lenders who are known names. At midday, the NGX All Share Index trended negatively, reflecting a loss of -0.09% for Alpha Morgan Capital Limited. Stockbrokers said this bearish trend is due to…

Read More

UBA Series: Experts Say Innovation, Passion Key to Building Successful Businesses Building businesses that stand the test of time requires a blend of innovation, unwavering focus, and passion. This was the key takeaway from the latest edition of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Business Series, hosted on Thursday, With the theme: “Profit with Purpose, Business Continuity,” the event which was held at the Tony Elumelu Amphitheatre, UBA House, Marina, Lagos, brought together top industry leaders and entrepreneurs who shared actionable insights and strategies for ensuring business resilience and sustainability in today’s dynamic economic environment. Founder, Terra Kulture, Bolanle Austen-Peters,…

Read More