Blessing Ernest

‍Nigeria has reduced its benchmark interest rate by 50 basis points, bringing the Monetary Policy Rate down from 27 per cent to 26.5 per cent at the 304th meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee held on 24 February 2026. The decision was announced by the Central Bank of Nigeria following its policy deliberations. The move follows an earlier reduction in September 2025, when the Committee cut the rate to 27 per cent after an extended period of tightening.

Global politics is becoming increasingly combustible. The recent Doha Forum offered a survey of the world’s most persistent fractures—and tentative avenues for stitching them together. From the promises of artificial intelligence to the perils of Middle Eastern fragmentation, the conversations revealed both the limits of international diplomacy and the surprising capacity of small states, philanthropists, and emerging economies to shape the global agenda.

This week, Luanda becomes the centre of Africa-Europe dialogue as leaders from the African Union and European Union meet with a clear focus on shaping investment flows and partnerships for the coming decade. Unlike previous summits, which often produced statements and declarations, this gathering is expected to prioritise concrete discussions around energy, infrastructure, climate finance, and digital corridors, signalling a shift toward deal-making and strategic collaboration.