Whiplash

The Week Ahead

#News #pSBM Intelligences #Nigeria #West Africa #Africa #Politics #Geopolitics #Economics #Socioeconomics #Intelligence #Research

39:50

The truth is out West! We’re hopping on the ET Highway and venturing to the most notorious alien hot spots, including Roswell’s infamous crash site, Area 51’s eerie perimeter, and a mysterious desert watchtower. Join us as journalist Laura Krantz, host of the podcast Wild Thing , beams up to share stories from the front lines of UFO reporting—from strange sightings and quirky festivals to a mailbox where people leave letters to extraterrestrials. Maybe you’ll even decide for yourself: Is Earth a tourist stop for spaceships? UFO hot spots you’ll encounter in this episode: - UFO Watchtower (near Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado) - Roswell, New Mexico - Area 51, Nevada - Extraterrestrial Highway (aka State Route 375), Nevada - Little A’Le’Inn, ET Highway, Nevada - E.T. Fresh Jerky, ET Highway, Nevada - Alien Research Center, ET Highway, Nevada - The Black Mailbox, ET Highway, Nevada Via Podcast is a production of AAA Mountain West Group .…

рік тому 32:15

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We start with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Nigeria, the first by an Indian PM in 17 years. With over $27 billion in Indian investments in Nigeria, what is the potential to expand trade and cooperation? Will this historic visit deepen Nigeria-India ties?
Next, Nigeria’s economic woes are mounting. Manufacturers report ₦1.24 trillion in unsold inventory, a 357.6% spike from last year, while cable TV provider Multichoice lost 243,000 subscribers due to rising costs. How can businesses cope?
Finally, Mozambique faces unrest over disputed elections, leading to deadly protests and a closed border with South Africa. Could the violence spill over and affect regional stability?

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Whiplash

The Week Ahead

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MP3•Головна епізоду

Support the show

54 епізодів

#News #pSBM Intelligences #Nigeria #West Africa #Africa #Politics #Geopolitics #Economics #Socioeconomics #Intelligence #Research

Усі епізоди

The Week Ahead

1
Tough choices 36:23

6 днів тому36:23

36:23

Today is Biafra Memorial Day, which for a lot of Igbo people is a day that remembers the brutality of Nigeria's civil war that ended 55 years ago. Earlier in the week, SBM Intel published a report on the impact of secessionist sit-at-home protests that have been affecting Southeast Nigeria since 2021. Our study found that the protest action has cost the region at least $4.8 billion in lost revenue. How has it come to this? Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has requested that the National Assembly approve over $21.5 billion in foreign loans for Nigeria’s 2025–2026 budget. These loans will cover approximately 60% of the 2025 budget and are intended to create jobs, address budget gaps, and drive reforms. Is borrowing this much a good idea for Nigeria’s future? Niger has expelled some Chinese oil workers over rule violations and is pushing for greater control of its resources, while in Guinea, the military government cancelled 129 unused mineral permits, claiming it wants to attract new investors. Meanwhile, the EU is investing €40 million to upgrade the Douala–N’Djamena trade route for better regional trade, and Togo launched a $1.6 million credit line for women entrepreneurs. Experts say deeper reforms are still needed. Are these moves signs of stronger governance or just short-term fixes in West and Central Africa? Support the show…

The Week Ahead

1
High fidelity 26:46

13 днів тому26:46

26:46

France-Algeria relations have worsened following mutual diplomatic expulsions. At the same time, al-Qaeda affiliate JNIM claimed to have killed 200 soldiers in a major attack on a military base in northern Burkina Faso. What steps can be taken to restore diplomatic ties and improve regional security? Nigeria's Senate is considering a bill to create a single agency for managing assets recovered from crime, replacing the current system involving 18 agencies. How might a centralised asset management agency impact the fight against corruption in Nigeria? According to the National Bureau of Statistics, food inflation in Benue State spiked to 51.8% year-on-year in April 2025, more than doubling from 23.3% in March. What factors are driving the sharp rise in food inflation in Benue, and what policy responses are needed to address it? Support the show…

The Week Ahead

1
Dissonance 33:12

20 днів тому33:12

33:12

More than 52 million people in West and Central Africa are projected to face food insecurity during the June–August season, driven by conflict, climate shocks, and rising food inflation. The World Food Programme warns that nearly 3 million people could face emergency hunger. How can governments and multilaterals prepare for escalating food crises in fragile regions? Nigeria's Labour Party has indefinitely suspended Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti and five others for alleged anti-party behaviour. What impact could these suspensions have on the Labour Party’s reputation and internal unity? Islamist militants attacked the Nigerian Army in Marte, Borno State, killing at least five soldiers. The fallen were mostly junior soldiers, mourned by colleagues. What additional measures can be taken to enhance defence and intelligence in vulnerable regions like Borno? Support the show…

The Week Ahead

1
Strategic retreats 30:32

27 днів тому30:32

30:32

This week, it was reported that the Trump administration plans to slash $555 million in funding for the African Development Bank’s main development fund as part of sweeping cuts to foreign aid. What does the future hold for the AfDB? Renaissance Energy halted oil shipments through the Okordia-Rumuekpe pipeline in Rivers State due to a suspected sabotage-induced spill. What are the long-term implications of oil spills and major investments on Nigeria’s environmental and energy future? MTN Nigeria reported a 134% profit surge in Q1 2025, thanks to tariff hikes. Simultaneously, Nigerian banks raised SMS alert fees by 50%, as the country's retail sector is shrinking, shown by the rise of neighbourhood malls at the expense of the larger ones. Will the rising costs push more Nigerians towards ever more informal means of survival? Support the show…

The Week Ahead

1
Counting the staggering cost 25:15

5 weeks тому25:15

25:15

Ghana has temporarily agreed with Gold Fields to continue mining while awaiting parliamentary approval. At the same time, Atlantic Lithium is pleading for tax relief amid falling global prices. Meanwhile, the country’s oil production continues to drop, with output declining for the fifth year. What steps can Ghana take to manage its natural resources better and attract sustainable investment? In Nigeria, the ECWA Church is currently negotiating the release of 50 more captives and has expressed concern over increasing violence targeting Christian communities, having spent hundreds of millions of naira on ransoms. How can religious communities and the government work together to address rising insecurity and targeted violence? And finally, a Nigerian court has upheld the three-year jail sentence of Professor Peter Ogban, the Ákwá Ibom State returning officer, for rigging election results in favour of politician Godswill Akpabio during the 2019 elections by adding 5,000 fake votes to Mr Akpabio's count. What happens to the beneficiary of the fraud? Support the show…

The Week Ahead

1
A spot of bother 39:26

6 weeks тому39:26

39:26

A leaked memo from the U.S. State Department indicates that the Trump administration is weighing reducing America's diplomatic presence in Africa as part of its broader effort to slash government spending. How could a smaller U.S. presence affect diplomatic ties and development efforts across Africa? Nigeria has taken a significant step toward regional economic integration by submitting its tariff schedule to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Why is this coming now, five years after the country ratified the AfCFTA? SBM Intelligence’s latest Jollof Rice Index, titled “Staple Under Stress,” reveals a sharp rise in food costs. In Nigeria, the price of cooking one pot of jollof rice surged from ₦21,300 in September 2024 to ₦25,486 by March 2025—an increase of nearly 20%, while in Ghana it went up 79% in the same six-month period. With staple foods becoming less affordable, how will families and policymakers respond to the growing pressure of food inflation? Support the show…

The Week Ahead

1
Façade 29:15

8 weeks тому29:15

29:15

France and Algeria have restored ties after months of tension over France’s support for Morocco’s Western Sahara plan. Meanwhile, Algeria banned Mali flights after shooting down a drone. Could Algeria’s renewed friendship with France worsen its relations with Sahel neighbours? At least 52 people were killed in recent attacks on six villages in Nigeria's Plateau State. In Kebbi State, 16 vigilantes were killed by terrorists. In Borno State, Governor Zulum raised concerns over a surge in Boko Haram attacks. Can Nigeria effectively contain the growing insecurity across multiple regions? Finally, the Edo Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has dismissed the PDP’s challenge against the APC’s victory in the September 2024 election, ruling that the PDP failed to prove claims of over-voting and legal violations. Do the repeated dismissals of petitions signal stronger confidence in the electoral process or highlight challenges in proving election irregularities? Support the show…

The Week Ahead

1
Uneven ground 25:18

9 weeks тому25:18

25:18

President Bola Tinubu has appointed a new board for the NNPC, intending to increase oil sector investments and raise production to 2 million barrels. How effective will the new board be in achieving these ambitious targets? Meanwhile, seven opposition states are suing President Tinubu over his suspension of elected officials in Rivers State, claiming it violates the Nigerian Constitution. What impact could this legal challenge have on Tinubu’s governance? In geopolitics, Niger’s junta has quit a regional force fighting armed Islamist groups in West Africa’s Sahel area. Will the departure of the Nigeriens hinder the fight against militant jihadism in the Lake Chad basin? Support the show…

The Week Ahead

1
No chill 27:29

10 weeks тому27:29

27:29

Some Nigerian leaders have argued that Western-style democracy does not work well in Africa. Former President Obasanjo called for a new system. How can Nigeria create a democratic system that aligns with its cultural and political realities? Fulani herder-farmer violence in Nigeria has escalated into a nationwide security threat. A new report by SBM Intelligence examines this conflict and highlights the need for urgent action to prevent catastrophic consequences for national stability, food security, and democracy. Nigeria’s debt is set to exceed ₦155 trillion by 2025. UNCTAD warns that rising debt limits spending on key sectors like education and healthcare, urging reforms for sustainable growth. How can Nigeria manage its debt without sacrificing essential public services? Support the show…

The Week Ahead

1
Rumbles 26:16

11 weeks тому26:16

26:16

The US expelled South Africa’s ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool. This rare diplomatic action intensified tensions between the two nations. How might this expulsion impact US-South Africa relations moving forward? Rwanda has severed diplomatic ties with Belgium, accusing it of undermining the country amid the conflict between the DRC and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels. How could this diplomatic rift affect Rwanda’s international standing? In Nigeria, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the oil-rich Rivers State and suspended the state governor, Sim Fubara. What are the possible legal and political ramifications of Tinubu's action? Support the show…

The Week Ahead

1
Lights out 21:40

12 weeks тому21:40

21:40

NNPC first announced that had stopped supplying crude to local refineries, including Dangote, then announced that it was renegotiating with Dangote. How will this affect fuel prices and Nigeria’s economy in the coming months? The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria opposes a new law that significantly increases financial charges on businesses. What impact will this law have on Nigeria’s business environment? Ghana’s President John Mahama is working to ease trade barriers with Mali and strengthen Burkina Faso ties. How will these efforts improve economic growth in West Africa? Support the show…

The Week Ahead

1
Fragile gains 20:34

13 weeks тому20:34

20:34

According to our report "Price of Everything", despite rising food prices and living costs, Nigerians continue to spend on streaming and cable TV. Internet use is also increasing despite a 50% hike in data prices. Without action to stabilise the economy and boost food production, inflation will keep hurting households. How can both food and digital services become more affordable? Ousted Speaker Mudashiru Obasa has been reinstated at the Lagos State House of Assembly. What does this turmoil mean for governance in Lagos? President Tinubu signed a ₦54.99 trillion budget for 2025—nearly double the previous year’s. How will this budget affect Nigeria’s economy? Support the show…

The Week Ahead

1
Bridges to nowhere 27:39

14 weeks тому27:39

27:39

Thousands of Nigerians who fled to Chad due to the Boko Haram insurgency have started returning to Maiduguri, Borno State. What challenges might these returnees face as they reintegrate into their communities? Nigeria is preparing to conduct its first national population and housing census since 2006, incorporating biometric and digital technology. How can Nigeria ensure the credibility and accuracy of its upcoming census? A South African court dismissed claims of a "white genocide," saying they are false and not backed by crime data, contradicting statements by Donald Trump and Elon Musk. What's next? Support the show…

The Week Ahead

1
Who pays the price? 29:18

15 weeks тому29:18

29:18

Nigeria’s inflation rate fell to 24.48% in January 2025 from 34.8% in December after the government updated how it measures inflation, reducing the impact of food prices in the calculation and adjusting the weights for housing and transport. How will this new inflation calculation affect the cost of living? Lawmakers moved four tax bills forward despite disagreements. The general VAT rate will rise to 15% by 2030, but some essential goods will be tax-free. How will the VAT increase impact businesses and consumers? Sudan’s minister thanked Russia for blocking a UN intervention. Fighting continues, with over 28,000 deaths and millions displaced. The army rejected a ceasefire and accused the EU of helping its rivals. Famine is worsening in Darfur. What can be done to help people affected by the war? Support the show…

The Week Ahead

1
Gifts that keep on taking 22:10

16 weeks тому22:10