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Tokyo, April 16, 2026 – Oil prices fell in early trade on Thursday as hopes for easing U.S.-Iran tensions, following reports that Iran could allow ships to pass through around ​the Strait of Hormuz, outweighed concerns over ongoing supply disruptions. Brent crude futures dropped ‌44 cents, or 0.5%, to $94.49 a barrel at 0021 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures was down 70 cents, or 0.8%, at $90.59 a barrel. The White House expressed optimism on Wednesday about reaching a deal to end the war with Iran, while also …

Lagos, April 16, 2026 -Fidelity Bank Plc has extended its its recently lauched “Give Her Power” initiative to Ogun State, empowering 100 women with vocational tools designed to strengthen their economic independence and boost household income. The outreach is part of the Bank’s nationwide rollout of the initiative, which was unveiled earlier in March during the signing of strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with partner organisations to commemorate the 2026 International Women’s Day. The event, which held at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta, featured the distribution of 50 …

Washington, April 14, 2026 – The International Monetary Fund cut its growth outlook on Tuesday due to Iran war-driven energy price spikes and supply disruptions and warned that the global economy would teeter on ​the brink of recession if the conflict worsens and oil stays above $100 per barrel through 2027. With massive uncertainty over the Middle East conflict gripping finance officials gathering for IMF and World Bank spring meetings in Washington, ‌the IMF presented three growth scenarios: weaker, worse and severe, depending on how the war unfolds. The World …

Lagos, April 14, 2026 – As the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) recapitaliSation exercise came to an end March 31, 2026, most banks operating in the country rose to the challenge and met the requirement ahead of time. However, Fidelity Bank’s proactive approach paid off, and it continued to demonstrate its commitment to growth and innovation. In a remarkable display of investor confidence, Fidelity Bank opened and concluded a private placement in just one day on December 31, 2025. Leading institutions, including AFREXIM Bank and its subsidiaries, invested in the bank, …

London, April 14, 2026 – Oil prices fell on ​Tuesday as signs of possible talks to end the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran eased supply risks ‌stemming from the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Brent futures edged 62 cents lower, or around 0.6%, to $98.74 at 0828 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell $2.30, or 2.3%, to $96.78. Both benchmarks rose in the previous session, with Brent climbing more than 4% ​and WTI nearly 3%, after the U.S. military began a blockade  of Iran’s ports. Oil prices …

Islamabad/Washington/Dubai, April 15, 2026 – Negotiating teams from the U.S. and Iran could return to Islamabad this ​week to resume talks to end the war, sources told Reuters on Tuesday, after the collapse of weekend negotiations prompted Washington to impose a blockade on Iranian ports. While ‌the U.S. blockade drew angry rhetoric from Tehran, signs that diplomatic engagement might continue helped calm oil markets, pushing benchmark prices below $100 on Tuesday. The highest-level talks between the two adversaries since the 1979 Islamic Revolution ended in the Pakistani capital without a breakthrough …

Lagos, April 13, 2026 – The Nigeria Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has ordered the immediate freeze of assets of the 13 individuals and capital market entities linked to terrorism financing. This follows the blacklisting of 10 individuals and three entities on the Nigeria Sanctions List by the Nigeria Sanctions Committee. The commission gave the order in a directive tittled ‘Commission’s sweeping compliance directive issued to capital market operators’, issued on Monday. It said the step was essential after the 10 individuals and three entities were designated and blacklisted on the Nigeria Sanctions List …

Lagos, April 13, 2026 – Aliko Dangote plans to offer shares in his oil-refining company on multiple African stock exchanges, according to the head of the Nairobi Securities Exchange Plc. Dangote has appointed Stanbic IBTC Capital Ltd., Vetiva Advisory Services Ltd. and FirstCap Ltd. to advise on the IPO for Dangote Petroleum and Petrchemicals Fze, FirstCap Chief Executive Officer Ukandu Ukandu, said by email. “The plan is to structure a pan-African IPO,” Frank Mwiti, CEO of the Nairobi exchange said after a meeting last week between the heads of African exchanges and billionaire Dangote …

Beijing, April 13, 2026 – China said a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz would go against the international community’s interests and urged calm and restraint by all ‌sides. The U.S. military said it will begin a blockade of all maritime traffic ‌entering and exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas on Monday, after the failure of weekend talks in Islamabad aimed at ​ending the Iran war. Before the war, most Iranian oil exports were shipped to China, the top global importer of crude. The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz …

London, April 13, 2026 – – European crude oil prices climbed to a record high near $150 a barrel on Monday as the U.S. plan to blockade ​the Strait of Hormuz added to concern about ​tight supplies. The price of Brent crude futures ⁠for June delivery rose 6% to more than $100 a barrel as ​the U.S. Navy prepared to block ships to and ​from Iran via the Strait of Hormuz in a move that could restrict Iranian oil exports after Washington and Tehran failed to reach ​a deal to …