Author: Marketforces Africa

Emerging Market Sovereigns’ Use of Total Return Swaps Raises Risks Total return swaps (TRS) have been used in a small but growing number of sovereign transactions as a source of external financing in emerging markets, but while they can offer liquidity benefits, they also raise transparency and structural risk concerns, Fitch Ratings says in a new report. The report noted that total return swaps can provide sovereigns hard-currency liquidity and funding flexibility, but limited disclosure weakens transparency and oversight. In these structures, the report said sovereigns transfer bonds to a counterparty in exchange for hard-currency financing, functioning in practice as…

The US dollar climbed to its highest level in a year on Thursday after the Federal Reserve

In today’s volatile economic climate, saving money is no longer just a prudent habit—it is a strategic necessity.  The constantly rising cost of living, inflationary pressures, and currency fluctuations have redefined what it means to be financially secure. The difference now lies not in whether people save, but in how they save.

The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) has rejected the proposed N100,000 national minimum wage, describing it as inadequate and incapable of addressing prevailing economic realities facing Nigerian workers.

The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) says businesses across the country are yet to fully experience the expected benefits of the Federal Government’s ongoing economic reforms.

Solana (SOLUSD) climbed 1.01% to $82.94, slightly outperforming a modestly rising broader market, primarily driven by relative strength amid capital rotation and steady institutional interest.

Africa’s growth story over the past two decades is real, but it is not yet transformative. Across the continent, GDP has risen on the back of more workers, more capital and a commodity super-cycle, rather than through genuine gains in productivity and innovation.

Ghana Ratings Affirmed At ‘B-/B’; Outlook Remains Stable -S&P S&P Global Ratings has affirmed its ‘B-/B’ long- and short-term foreign and local currency sovereign credit ratings on Ghana, with a stable outlook. The global ratings agency also affirmed its ‘B-‘ transfer and convertibility assessment on Ghana, according to details from the latest update. In the rating note, S&P said the stable outlook balances the potential for stronger balance-of-payments performance and improvements in Ghana’s fiscal outcomes as a result of ongoing fiscal reforms, against still-high debt service costs, reform implementation risks, and Ghana’s sensitivity to terms of trade, such as gold,…

Dangote Refinery Cautions Stakeholders on IPO Speculation Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has noted with concern the recent circulation of unauthorised information across various media and social platforms regarding a potential Initial Public Offering (IPO). DPRP further notes that several online platforms and unofficial sources have published unverified, and in some instances inaccurate, information relating to a potential offering. Such reports do not originate from DPRP and should be treated with caution. Dangote said all official updates regarding any potential transaction will be communicated strictly through DPRP’s formal public disclosures and announcements issued by its appointed advisers, in line with…

With a slight decline in the overnight lending rate, excess liquidity in the banking system increased to nearly N9 trillion as financial institutions continue to park funds at the Apex Bank Standing Deposit Facility (SDF).