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.

Oil Prices Dip as Iran Allows Ships Through Strait of Hormuz

Oil and Gas

Oil Prices Dip as Iran Allows Ships Through Strait of Hormuz Brent crude oil traded at $107.68 per barrel in international markets on Friday, down 1.8% from the previous close, following a week of sharp volatility driven by escalating tensions in the Middle East. Oil prices declined as Iran allowed a small but growing number of commercial ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, according to ship-tracking data. The number of transits was “nearly double” the numbers seen in recent days, according to maritime intelligence company Windward. After rising to as high as $119.13 on Thursday, Brent closed the…

Read More

Quant Gains 8% on Robinhood Listing Announcement

News

Quant Gains 8% on Robinhood Listing Announcement Quant (QNTUSD) gained 8% to $80 in early trading on Friday, significantly outpacing the broader market, which is up just over 1%. Quant is gaining attention for its technical resilience and enterprise progress while the broader market stumbles. Following a hawkish Federal Reserve meeting that sparked a broad crypto selloff, Quant was a notable outlier. While the total market cap fell 1.5% and Bitcoin dropped below $70,000, QNT was listed among the top gainers for the day The move is primarily driven by a major retail exchange listing, which has improved access and…

Read More

Naira Rises to N1,344 Per Dollar in Regulated FX Market

News

The naira showed remarkable strength, appreciating by 0.99% to close at ₦1,344.42 per dollar in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM). This upward trend reflects a positive shift in currency sentiment within the regulated market, with foreign payments slowing relative to US dollar volume.

Read More

VFD Group Shrinks by 10% after Rights Issue

Analysis

VFD Group Shrinks by 10% after Rights Issue VFD Group Plc lost 10% of its market value on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) on Monday, following the regulator’s approval of its recent rights issue.  Trading data from the local bourse showed that the investment company’s share price declined to N11.25, as 5.727 million units of the company’s shares outstanding, valued at N69.231 million, were exchanged in an open transaction. This widened VFD price movement, with the stock trading about 41% below its 52-week high. VFD Group dropped while financial stocks recorded significant positioning. Trading data over the last 7 days indicates…

Read More