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.

Afreximbank Records 30% Rise in Net Income for First Half 2026 The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and its subsidiaries (the Group) recorded a 30 per cent increase in net income to 534.7 million dollars in the first half of 2026. The bank disclosed this in a statement issued by Vincent Musumba, Communications and Events Manager, Afreximbank, on Wednesday, on its financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2026. Musumba said the performance reflected the resilience of its business model and its continued support for trade and economic development across Africa and the Caribbean. According to the statement, total…

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Equities Market Extends Losses, Sheds N137bn The Nigerian equities market extended its bearish run on Monday, with market capitalisation shedding N137 billion amid profit-taking in banking and insurance stocks. Market capitalisation declined from N154.533 trillion at the previous close to N154.396 trillion, representing a loss of N137 billion. Similarly, the All-Share Index (ASI) fell by 265.99 points, or 0.11 per cent, from 239,351.16 to 239,085.17. Consequently, the market’s Year to Date return declined to 53.64 per cent, while market breadth remained negative. A total of 32 stocks recorded losses, compared with 18 gainers. International Energy Insurance led the gainers’ chart…

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Iran Blacklists 45 Tankers Over Strait of Hormuz Transit Rules Iran says it has blacklisted 45 tankers for allegedly violating its rules governing transit through the Strait of Hormuz and warned that action would be taken against vessels involved in cargo transfers with them. According to a post on X by the Persian Gulf Strait Authority, a newly established body responsible for managing the strategic waterway, the affected vessels could face fines, detention and cargo confiscation. The authority said the blacklist included very large crude carriers, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) tankers, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) carriers and clean-product vessels, among…

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Fidelity Bank Declines, Equities Analysts Set Target Price Fidelity Bank Plc’s share price declined by about 7% to N20 as investors trimmed their holdings ahead of the first-half 2026 earnings release. In the first half of 2026, Fidelity Bank Plc delivered an unimpressive earnings performance, with profit declining by 18.25% year-on-year to N74.471 billion from N91.101 billion in the comparable period. Fidelit Bank’s share price depreciation suggests weak investor sentiment and a lack of pre-earnings bets, underscored by uncertainties in the Q2 2026 earnings outlook.  Trading data revealed that the tier-2 Nigerian lender experienced significant transaction volume and value last…

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