GBN

Lagos, May 6, 2026 – Sovereign credit strength across Africa is concentrated within a relatively small group of issuers. The differences are shaped less by economic size and more by the interaction between institutional quality, fiscal discipline, economic structure, and external resilience. While several Sovereigns remain within or close to investment-grade territory, the real differentiation comes down to how consistently countries translate policy credibility into macroeconomic stability over time. At the upper end of this spectrum, Botswana continues to stand out as one of Africa’s most resilient sovereign credits. The …

Washington, May 6, 2026 – U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he would briefly pause an operation to help escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, citing “great progress” toward a comprehensive agreement with Iran. Hours earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had outlined the effort that began on Monday to escort stranded tankers out of the ‌Gulf. The strait has been virtually shut since the conflict began, blocking some 20% of world oil supplies and igniting a global energy crisis. “We have mutually agreed that, while the …

Singapore, May 6, 2026 – Oil prices fell for a second day on Wednesday on expectations bottled-up supply from the key Middle East producing region could resume ​flowing after U.S. President Donald Trump indicated a possible peace deal may be reached to ‌end the war with Iran. Brent crude futures fell $1.69, or 1.5%, to $108.18 a barrel as of 0640 GMT, after dropping 4% in the previous session. U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures eased $1.67, or 1.6%, to $100.60, after settling down 3.9% the day before. On Tuesday, ​Trump unexpectedly …

Abuja, May 5, 2026 – Two of Nigeria’s most prominent opposition figures have switched parties in a dramatic political realignment ahead of next year’s presidential election. Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, who finished third and fourth respectively in the 2023 presidential race, have both joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), raising the prospect of a joint ticket to challenge President Bola Tinubu. They were previously in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), along with former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who came second in the last election. While this could be seen as …

Tehran, May 4, 2026 – Iran warned the United States on Monday not to approach or enter the Strait of Hormuz as the American military launches a new effort to “guide” stranded ships through the critical waterway.  President Donald Trump announced that starting Monday morning the U.S. military would help free ships that have been “locked up” and unable to transit the key trade route amid the maritime standoff between Tehran and Washington. It’s the latest bid to break Iran’s stranglehold over the strait, which has left global shipping at an …

Abuja, May 4, 2026 – At least 130 Nigerians have registered for voluntary evacuation from South Africa. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, disclosed this in a situation report posted on her X handle on Sunday. She said that those who had registered for the voluntary evacuation would be be evacuated through an arrangement being planned by her ministry. “At least 130 applicants have duly registered for the exercise with our mission,” she said. The minister said the evacuation arrangement was part of diplomatic and security measures being coordinated …

Washington, May 4, 2026 – President Donald Trump has said that the US will help guide stranded vessels out of the Strait of Hormuz from Monday. “For the good of Iran, the Middle East, and the United States, we have told these Countries that we will guide their Ships safely out of these restricted Waterways,” he wrote on social media, without specifying which countries would receive assistance. Trump said any interference in the process, which he called “Project Freedom”, will “have to be dealt with forcefully”. Iran has severely limited …

Singapore, May 4, 2026 – Oil prices eased on Monday after President ‌Donald Trump said the United States would begin an effort to assist ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, but the lack of a U.S.-Iran peace deal kept the market supported above $100. Brent crude futures fell ​6 cents, or 0.1%, to $108.11 a barrel by 0400 GMT after settling ​down $2.23 on Friday. U.S. West Texas Intermediate was at $101.50 a barrel, ⁠down 44 cents, or 0.4%, following a $3.13 loss on Friday. “The broader market remains ​tightly …

London, May 3, 2026 – Ukrainian drones are flying deep into Russia to strike oil facilities, sending up plumes of smoke that can be seen from space and bringing toxic rain to tourist destinations on the Black Sea. The attacks are aimed at slashing Moscow’s oil exports, a key source of funding for its grinding invasion of Ukraine. But the economic impact is so far unclear, as the rise in oil prices from the Iran war, and a related easing of U.S sanctions, have helped replenish the Kremlin’s coffers. Still, the …

Washington, May 3, 2026 – The tankers have been arriving from all over the world in unprecedented numbers. After loading up in Alaska and along the US Gulf Coast, they head back out to sea — to Japan, Thailand and even as far as Australia. All told, over the past nine weeks, more than 250 million barrels of crude from oil wells and storage tanks across the US have been shipped overseas. That’s made the country, once again, the No. 1 exporter of crude, overtaking Saudi Arabia, and turned it …