In the spring of 1997, Thailand spent billions in defending its currency (the Thai Baht) against speculative attacks, finally capitulating and devaluing the Baht in July 1997. This triggered moves throughout the region to defend currencies against speculators. Ultimately, these efforts were not successful and many countries abandoned the effort […]
Investing during a global recession: How to position your finances during and after the COVID-19 crisis
Investing during periods of uncertainty can be more complicated than investing during almost any other phase of the business cycle, particularly from a behavioural / emotional perspective. It can be especially painful for investors who already had a sizable portfolio at the peak of the cycle, and who may have […]
The Great Lockdown – Life After the Pandemic
The Coronavirus continues to spread across the globe, bringing with it fear and uncertainty, as well as high and rising human costs. With almost 2.7 million confirmed cases as at Thursday, 23rdApril, the impact of the pandemic on economic activities has started to take its toll. The extent of the […]
Declining Crude Oil Prices and the Nigerian Naira
With entire industries across the country currently shut down due to the Coronavirus, one source which had continued to generate the much-needed cash and foreign exchange for the Nigerian government was the sale of crude oil, albeit at lower prices. This week, prices declined even further, causing Nigeria’s Bonny Light […]
Armed robbery in broad daylight: a government of the people and by the people, literally
In an address by Nigeria’s president, Muhammadu Buhari, on April 13th, he communicated the decision to extend the lockdown in Lagos, Ogun and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, for another period of two weeks, due to the Coronavirus. He also stated that pallative measures had been approved and delivered to […]
Between a rock and a hard place – hunger or the Coronavirus?
With over 1.4 million cases and 82 thousand deaths, as at 7th April 2020, the Coronavirus pandemic has sent shock waves across the world and shows no signs of stopping soon. Projections and estimates about the extent of the outbreak are a dime a dozen, but one thing that most […]
Nigeria becomes Africa’s biggest economy…again. Should we be impressed?
The news about Nigeria overtaking South Africa to become Africa’s biggest economy, as the latter slipped into its second recession in as many years, was celebrated like a major achievement by a lot of people. This would not be the first time that the West African Nation would lay claim […]