Author: Olu Anisere
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.
South African Rand Rallies Against Dollar, Euro, Sterling The South African Rand strengthened against its major currencies as easing Middle East tensions triggered low-dollar demand in the forex market. ZAR surged to R16.38 per dollar, R19.25 per euro, and R22.27 per pound, First National Bank (FNB) said in a morning brief. FX analysts stated that the South African local currency gained on renewed hopes of a peace agreement between the United States and Iran. A significant number of emerging market currencies have broadly returned to pre-war levels, the bank said as gold gained attention in the commodity market. Gold held…
With investor sentiment remaining in doubt, crude oil prices climbed again after a sharp daily slowdown, reflecting persistent uncertainties about the supply outlook.
Ghana’s Private Sector Growth Slows in April Ghana’s private sector growth slowed in April, according to the Purchasing Manager Index (PMI) report released by S&P Global on Wednesday. The report indicates new orders continued to rise in Ghana’s private sector in April, but the rate of expansion slowed, and business activity fell amid renewed increases in input costs and output prices. Nonetheless, companies continued to expand their staffing levels and purchasing activity, while remaining confident of increases in output over the coming year. The S&P Global Ghana Purchasing Managers’ Index posted 50.3 in April, down from 51.4 in March but…
MicroStrategy Eyes Bitcoin Sale to Pay Dividends For years, Michael Saylor said the same thing over and over, Strategy would never sell its Bitcoin. Not for any reason. Not under any pressure. The company would buy, hold, and keep holding forever. That position crumbled on Tuesday. Saylor, the executive chairman of Strategy, the company formerly known as MicroStrategy and widely regarded as the most aggressive corporate Bitcoin buyer in history, publicly admitted that the firm is now considering selling a portion of its enormous Bitcoin stockpile. The reason is not a loss of faith in the digital currency. It is…
South African Rand Gains as Gold Rises, Oil Prices Ease The South African Rand rallied against the US dollar, the euro, the British pound, and the Japanese yen on Wednesday as easing Middle East tensions drove gold prices higher. The rand has strengthened against major crosses this morning, trading at R16.53 per dollar, R19.38 per euro, and R22.42 per pound, First National Bank (FNB) said in a brief. ZAR gain was supported by improved risk sentiment following US President Donald Trump’s comments flagging “great progress” in talks with Iran, which boosted hopes for a peace deal and reduced geopolitical tensions.…
Oil prices declined on Wednesday amid growing optimism over a final agreement between the US and Iran. Brent crude traded at $108.66 per barrel, down around 1.16% from the previous close of $109.87.
Nigeria’s largest banks delivered a mixed but ultimately reassuring set of financial results in 2025, with balance sheet expansion and revenue growth offset by a sharp, policy-driven hit to profitability.
Bitcoin (BTCUSD) has extended its rally, with the price up about 2% to $81,483.36 on Wednesday, slightly outpacing the broader market, which rose 0.91%.
XRP Price Approaches $1.44 in Fresh Breakout, Beats Bitcoin Gain XRP is approaching $1.44 in early trading, with positive signals suggesting the uptrend will continue, outpacing Bitcoin’s 0.69% gain. The price surge was primarily driven by a technical breakout above the key $1.40 resistance level. The move was supported by incremental positive sentiment from the XRP Las Vegas 2026 conference, which highlighted the token’s expanding utility in payments and DeFi. XRP broke above the $1.40 level, which had acted as both recent resistance and the upper boundary of a consolidation pattern. This breakout is confirmed by price holding above the…
Brazil Bans Stablecoins From International Money Transfers Brazil has made one of the boldest crypto moves in Latin American history. The country’s central bank has banned payment companies from using stablecoins and other cryptocurrencies to move money across international borders, and the rule hits one of the world’s fastest-growing crypto markets right where it hurts most. The decision came through Resolution 561, published on April 30. Starting October 1 this year, any company operating inside Brazil’s regulated electronic foreign exchange system, known as eFX , will no longer be allowed to use digital currencies to settle payments with overseas partners.…