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As a journalist, I have witnessed the introduction of four changes to banknotes and coins in Nigeria since 1999. All - bar the fourth one - went relatively smoothly. The fourth - the recent redesign of the naira accompanied by cash withdrawal limits, has been chaotic and negatively impactful on Nigerian citizens. The Central Bank of Nigeria announced the changes in October 2022 and then introduced them in January 2023. This hasty implementation led to a cash scarcity that sparked violent protests across the country and litigations by state governments. Steve Onyeiwu unpacks five errors that marred the exercise - most of them could have been avoided.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has been in conflict for nearly three decades. The drivers of this violence are numerous, complex, and interconnected. The plight of the Banyamulenge - a minority ethnic group - illustrates this reality. The community largely lives in South Kivu, which is in the country’s restive eastern region. Its members have long been the target of rebels, neighbouring communities, and the government on claims that they are foreigners. Delphin R Ntanyoma explains why the Banyamulenge are facing persecution in a country they have called home since the 16th century.
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Stephen Onyeiwu, Allegheny College
There are at least five errors that marred the currency redesign policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria, most of which could have been avoided.
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Delphin R. Ntanyoma, International Institute of Social Studies
The Banyamulenge have been viewed as strangers in their own country – the violence targeting them revolves around this misconception.
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David Richard Walwyn, University of Pretoria
Nothing will save Eskom in its present configuration.
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Jan Hugo, University of Pretoria; Andy van den Dobbelsteen, Delft University of Technology; Chrisna du Plessis, University of Pretoria
Urban farms can work in developing countries if farmers and architects are aware of conditions that favour food production in built spaces.
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Cheikh Tidiane Wade, Université Assane Seck de Ziguinchor
La diaspora sénégalaise transfère 2 562 millions de dollars US de fonds par an, représentant 10,5 % du Produit intérieur brut du pays.
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From our international editions
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Vidhura S. Tennekoon, Indiana University
Lender face a lot of risks, but two of them – interest rate and liquidity –were the main drivers of the sudden and rapid failure of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank. That’s why more trouble may be ahead for the banking sector.
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Laurence Zwiebel, Vanderbilt University; Stephen Ferguson, Vanderbilt University
Researchers explore what happens when ants can’t properly use smell to detect friend from foe.
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Adam Hume, Boston University; Elke Mühlberger, Boston University; Judith Olejnik, Boston University
The Marburg virus, a close cousin of Ebola, currently has no approved treatments or vaccines to protect against it.
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Morgiane Noel, Trinity College Dublin
Why the UN Refugee Convention should be updated to protect climate migrants.
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