The World Bank on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, cut the growth forecast for Sub-Saharan Africa for 2026 in a report, saying the fallout from the Iran war was stalling the region’s recovery.
The lender now expects growth of 4.1 per cent in 2026, unchanged from 2025 but down from the 4.4 per cent the World Bank forecast in October.
The bank said numbers were revised down since the war in the Middle East broke out in late February, pushing up fuel and fertiliser costs and threatening investment flows while heavy debt burdens already were a drag on growth.
Andrew Dabalen, World Bank chief economist for Africa
The warning came as Washington and Tehran agreed to a two-week ceasefire, though the U.S. Energy Information Administration cautioned on Tuesday that fuel prices could continue to rise for months even after a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, through which about one-fifth of global oil shipments pass.
Andrew Dabalen, World Bank chief economist for Africa, said the downgrade reflected a much tougher external environment than policymakers had expected in 2025.
“Since then, we have had the Middle East war that is ongoing, and both energy and fertilizer prices have risen sharply,” he said during a news briefing, adding the length and scale of the disruption was as yet uncertain.
At the same time, uncertainty was growing around investment from Gulf countries, which have become major investors in Africa, especially in East Africa, in sectors including mining, renewable energy, real estate and ICT.
Remittance flows could also come under pressure if prolonged conflict weakens labour demand in the Middle East, where many African migrants work.
The shock is landing as many governments have little room to respond. Dabalen said debt-servicing costs had doubled from 9 per cent of revenues in 2017 to about 18 per cent in 2025, while about half of African countries were either at high risk of or already in debt distress.
“There is very little scope actually for these countries to deal with this crisis because they just don’t have a lot of fiscal space,’’ he said.
Data for eastern and southern Africa showed the strain was concentrated in oil-importing and financially vulnerable economies with limited policy room, including Burundi, Malawi, Ethiopia, Kenya and Mozambique.
Kenya could face a sharp inflation shock under severe scenarios, while Ethiopia had about 750,000 workers in Saudi Arabia alone.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals has stated that the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) remains unchanged, amid concerns over potential volatility in the downstream market.
A source at the company confirmed that its pricing structure remains intact, with the gantry price at N1,200 per litre and the coastal price at N1,153 per litre.
Dangote Refinery
“We are maintaining our existing price and have not implemented any new pricing for our customers,” the source said.
The source added that the refinery remains focused on ensuring the steady availability of refined petroleum products across Nigeria and the wider African market, reinforcing its role in supporting supply stability.
Environmental campaign group, 350.org, has lauded the announcement of a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran as a first step, which it says raises concerns over its fragility and limited scope, and leaves the risk of persistently high fossil fuel prices.
According to the organisation, “Fossilflation” – or inflation caused by volatile and rising prices of oil and gas – is still likely to continue, due to the fragility of the ceasefire arrangement and extensively damaged fossil fuel infrastructure. 350.org said that governments must use this opportunity to double down on efforts to protect people from oil and price shocks and accelerate the shift away from fossil fuels.
Oil reserve
The campaigners calculated that price spikes due to the Iran war have cost consumers and businesses an additional $104.2–$111.6 billion in the first month of the war alone. They called on governments to tax the windfall profits of fossil fuel companies and to use revenues to directly support consumers and ramp up the deployment of renewable energy.
Andreas Sieber, 350.org Head of Political Strategy, said: “Even if the Strait of Hormuz reopens and the ceasefire holds, oil and gas prices will stay above pre-war levels and consumers will pay. Volatility remains high, and supply will stay tight due to infrastructure damage and inventory rebuilding. LNG markets are still exposed, with few alternatives to Hormuz.
“This will deepen energy poverty, hunger and inequality. Protecting people means prioritising resilience and affordability now. The ceasefire must become permanent and extend across the whole region. This is not a temporary shock but a structural crisis. The only lasting answer is to replace volatile fossil fuels with homegrown, affordable renewable energy.”
Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) have donated an Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) system and a Body Plethysmograph to the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital (LUTH), enabling one of Nigeria’s foremost health institutions to provide advanced diagnostics in pulmonary or respiratory care.
The EBUS system will enable doctors to perform real-time guided biopsies and accurately stage lung cancer – an essential step in determining treatment options and timelines. The Body Plethysmograph facilitates better diagnosis of asthma, restrictive lung diseases and related ailments.
L-R: Director Administration, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Ms Omolola Fakeye; Deputy Chaiman, Medical Advisory Committee, LUTH, Prof. Babawale T. Bello; Manager, External Relations, NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), Edith Bunmi-Lawson and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo), Abubakar Ahmed during the donation at University of Lagos Teaching Hospital (LUTH)
“This is more than a donation – it is a shift,” said SNEPCo Managing Director, Ronald Adams, at the ceremony, in a speech read by Abubakar Ahmed, General Manager, Communications.
“It is a shift from constrained diagnostics to evidence-based, technology-enabled respiratory care. It empowers clinicians to practice medicine at the full height of their training and builds institutional capacity that will shape Nigeria’s healthcare landscape for generations,” added Adams.
In a speech, Chief Upstream Investment Officer, NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), Olanrewaju Igandan, represented by Deputy Manager, External Relations, Edith Bunmi-Lawson, said: “This initiative reflects our belief that sustainable national development goes beyond energy production. It is about improving lives, building resilient institutions and investing in systems that endure.”
The Chief Medical Director, Professor Wasiu Lanre Adeyemo, who was represented by Deputy Chaiman, Medical Advisory Committee of LUTH, Prof. Babawale, described the donation “as a landmark event that provides access to highly specialised Pulmonology care in the public healthcare sector in Nigeria.”
He added: “This donation not only makes advanced Pulmonology care available but also makes it more affordable and convenient to access for Nigerians. We are extremely grateful for your generosity, foresightedness, commitment and trust in our hospital and its Management.”
In addition to boosting respiratory care, the donation will also enable LUTH to become a Pulmonology centre of excellence where patients can access world-class care and trainees in the field can acquire skills, even as the hospital actively participates in Pulmonology research.
The donation is part of a wide range of social investments by SNEPCo/NNPC and co-venturers in education, health and human capital development.
The bright surgical lights at the Cataract Surgery Unit extension in Central Hospital, Kwale in Delta State, beamed brighter as Vcare for Development Foundation (VCDF)’s team restored vision to patients. This marked the start of free cataract surgeries conducted by VCDF’s eye surgery team.
The 2024 Nigeria National Eye Health Survey highlights that cataracts cause 44% of blindness cases in Nigeria, where over 1.1 million people live with vision impairment. In Delta State, untreated cataracts affect more than 25,000 residents.
A patient undergoing free cataract surgery by VCDF’s team
In response, Vcare for Development Foundation (VCDF) partnered with the Delta State Ministry of Health and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to commence surgeries at the Cataract Surgery Unit (CSU) under the Sustainable Primary Eye Care Services (SPECS) Programme. The SPECS – Cataract Surgery Unit is fully supported by Sterling Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO).
Leading to cataract surgeries done, training on primary care service delivery was done to strengthen health workers’ capacity and public health system. It is noteworthy that 87 health workers were trained and 2,447 people were screened during 62 screening camps held in Delta State.
On February 26, 2026, VCDF successfully conducted its first cataract surgeries at Central Hospital Kwale, serving beneficiaries from Ndokwa East and Ndokwa West communities of Delta State.
The SPECS-CSU surgery process is well organized. VCDF’s health team conducts patient screenings in the communities and transports them to the CSU, where certified ophthalmologists conduct pre-operative assessments and perform free cataract surgeries. After surgery, patients receive medications and protective eye shields. Follow-up visits are arranged for all patients to ensure optimal recovery and care.
The outreach for cataract surgeries has attracted large participation from both young and elderly residents seeking eye screenings, treatment, and surgical care services in Delta. Key participants highlight the real impact on the community.
High Chief Godwin Ifeanyi Edema, a senior community Chief from Utagba-Ogbe Kingdom in Kwale, shared: ‘‘VCDF has brought specialized eye care directly to our people. The impact is immediate and life changing. ’’
Emeke Odigili, a beneficiary, shared: “I had almost lost hope of seeing clearly again. Today, I had free cataract surgery. I am grateful to VCDF.”
Dr. Ernest Ogbedo, an Ophthalmologist at VCDF’s SPECS-CSU, added: “Cataract remains one of the leading causes of avoidable blindness, and timely surgery can completely restore vision. To date, the team has conducted 113 successful surgeries in Delta State.’’
Philip Ukemezia, VCDF’s Programmes Manager, said: “Today marks a major milestone for VCDF as we restore sight and dignity to residents of nine LGAs of Akwa Ibom, and Delta. VCDF has leveraged SEEPCO’s corporate social responsibility efforts to screen 11,858 and over 1,070 successful cataract and pterygium surgeries. VCDF has plans to provide free eye surgery services in neighboring LGAs and states.
The commencement of free cataract surgeries by VCDF’s team in Delta reaffirms the foundation’s commitment to delivering accessible, high-quality, and sustainable eye health services in Nigeria.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has commenced export of its new crude grade – Cawthorne, marking a significant milestone in the company’s drive to increase Nigeria’s crude oil production and expand its portfolio of globally competitive export streams.
Cawthorne blend crude, the latest addition to Nigeria’s basket of crude grades, has an API gravity of 36.4, placing it firmly within the light, sweet category – comparable to Bonny Light, and highly valued in the global market for its superior petrol and diesel yields.
NNPC Ltd confirms that on Sunday, April 5, 2026, the Cawthorne blend crude, which was loaded on an MT Eburones vessel, headed to The Netherlands, and unto the global market.
Bayp Ojulari, Group CEO of the NNPC
The maiden 950,000 barrels cargo was exported via the Cawthorne Floating Storage and Offloading (FSO) vessel. Strategically located offshore Bonny, Rivers State, the FSO enhances crude evacuation from OML 18 and strengthens Nigeria’s export reliability, operational efficiency, and overall energy security.
The introduction of Cawthorne to the international market underscores NNPC Ltd’s deliberate strategy to unlock value from its asset base, deepen market competitiveness, and support the Presidential mandate of scaling crude oil production to three million barrels per day and gas output to 12 billion cubic feet per day by 2030.
The launch of the Cawthorne grade builds on recent additions such as Nembe and Utapate, reflecting a sustained and structured approach by NNPC Ltd to optimise production, expand market offerings, and reinforce Nigeria’s position in the global crude oil market.
Commenting on the development, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s policy direction and sector reforms and the tremendous collaboration shown by OML 18 partners, the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and other stakeholders towards achieving the milestone.
Stressing that NNPC Ltd is focused on deepening partnerships, strengthening operational discipline and deploying innovative solutions to ensure sustainable growth and energy security for the nation, Ojulari also reaffirmed the Company’s commitment to disciplined execution and value delivery.
“This milestone reflects the direction we have set for NNPC Limited—one anchored on execution, partnership, and value creation. We are moving decisively from resource potential to resource monetisation, ensuring that every asset delivers measurable commercial outcomes.
“The successful export of the Cawthorne crude grade is not an isolated achievement; it is part of a broader, deliberate strategy to grow production, deepen market relevance, and strengthen Nigeria’s position as a reliable global energy supplier. We remain firmly focused on delivering sustainable growth in line with national objectives and global market expectations,” he added.
NNPC Limited says it will continue to leverage innovation, strategic partnerships, and operational discipline to unlock the full value of Nigeria’s hydrocarbon resources while ensuring Nigeria’s long-term energy security and economic growth.
Environmental activists have adopted humour as a strategic tool to confront Nigeria’s growing ecological crisis.
The activists insisted that traditional advocacy approaches are no longer sufficient to spur meaningful action.
The Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) spearheaded the initiative by organising a one-day eco-comedy show on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in Benin.
Nnimmo Bassey, Executive Director, HOMEF (left), presenting a dummy cheque to Cynthia Bright
At the event, stakeholders highlighted the power of humour to engage the public, simplify complex environmental issues, and sustain advocacy efforts.
The Executive Director of HOMEF, Nnimmo Bassey, said the initiative was in response to rising frustration among citizens and environmental campaigners over slow progress.
“The environmental challenges in Nigeria are so many and so severe that people are getting tired of merely complaining.
“Even those campaigning for environmental justice are beginning to wonder if change is possible,” he said.
Bassey explained that HOMEF deliberately introduced eco-comedy to reshape environmental conversations and attract attention in new ways.
“Eco-comedy is not just about making people laugh. When people laugh about an issue, they also reflect on it. It becomes a tool for awareness and action,” he said.
He added that humour could help bridge the gap between advocacy and policy response.
“Sometimes, it is difficult to know whether government is listening. But humour can capture attention and make people see what they would normally ignore,” he said.
Bassey also cautioned against trivialising serious environmental concerns, including debates around genetically modified organisms.
“These are issues of life. They affect us in many dimensions and should not be treated casually,” he said.
Also speaking, Mariann Bassey-Olsson of the Environmental Rights Action said activists now rely on humour to cope with the pressures of sustained advocacy.
“We are laughing on purpose because if we don’t, this work will overwhelm us.
“The issues we deal with are heavy, and without joy, the movement cannot survive,” she said.
She described eco-comedy as both a communication and survival tool.
“Humour allows us to tell the truth, expose injustice, and remain human in the struggle. “One good joke can achieve what a 40-page report cannot,” she said.
Bassey-Olsson warned that losing morale could weaken advocacy movements.
“If we lose our joy, we risk losing the movement.
“Laughter helps us reconnect and keep going,” she added.
The event also featured an eco-comedy short film competition, where Cynthia Bright emerged winner and received a N250,000 prize.
Participants said integrating creativity into advocacy could boost public engagement and help drive meaningful action on environmental issues.
Eight countries forming the core of the OPEC+ group of oil producers have voiced concern over Iran’s attacks on energy infrastructure as oil shortages persist amid the war in the Middle East.
“Restoring damaged energy assets to full capacity is both costly and takes a long time, thereby affecting overall supply availability,” the countries said in a joint statement after an online meeting.
They also highlighted the “critical importance of safeguarding international maritime routes to ensure the uninterrupted flow of energy” – a reference to the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively blocked in reaction to U.S.-Israeli attacks
OPEC
The group – consisting of Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman – said they would increase oil production in May by 206,000 barrels per day.
Given the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20 per cent of global oil trade passes, the move is more symbolic than practical, as the oil market faces a supply problem rather than a production shortage.
Much of the available oil supply is currently going to Asia, namely China, Japan and South Korea, according to Carsten Fritsch, an analyst at Germany’s Commerzbank.
“Asia is currently sucking everything up like a vacuum cleaner,” he said.
U.S. President Donald Trump has urged countries facing shortages to source oil from the United States.
However, the impact of this on global prices remains uncertain, as they are determined by global supply, which has been restricted due to the war.
According to figures from the International Energy Agency in March, countries in the Gulf region have reduced their daily oil production by at least 10 million barrels, or nearly 10 per cent of global demand, citing limited storage capacity for oil that cannot pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Kaduna State Government, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment, has flagged off the distribution of clean cooking stoves to residents to promote environmental sustainability and improve public health.
Abubakar Buba, Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in Kaduna, the state capital, said the initiative was aimed at addressing climate change and environmental degradation in the state.
According to him, the adoption of clean cooking stoves will reduce deforestation, indoor air pollution and carbon emissions associated with traditional cooking methods.
Distribution of clean cooking stoves to Kaduna residents
Represented by Ahmed Abdullahi, Director, Administration and Finance in the ministry, Buba said the programme aligned with the environmental sustainability agenda of Gov. Uba Sani.
He described the initiative as a major step toward climate resilience, environmental protection and sustainable livelihood in the state.
“We appreciate the Federal Ministry of Environment for this gesture, which will address environmental and public health challenges linked to unsafe cooking practices,” he said.
Abdurrahman Bashir, Director, Climate Change Department, Federal Ministry of Environment, said the campaign was part of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation.
Bashir noted that traditional cooking methods contribute significantly to indoor air pollution and deforestation.
He added that the National Clean Cooking Policy aims to expand access to clean energy by 2030.
He said the campaign would sensitise communities, build capacity and promote safer cooking practices.
Bashir urged the beneficiaries to adopt and maintain the stoves properly.
Some of the beneficiaries described the initiative as a relief that would improve their health and reduce household expenses.
Nafisatu Bello said the stoves would eliminate exposure to harmful smoke and reduce cooking costs.
“I no longer have to worry about inhaling smoke while cooking. It will improve my health and save time and money,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Esther Anthony said that the initiative had empowered women to adopt safer cooking practices and protect the environment.
“We have learned the dangers of smoke inhalation and the need to reduce carbon emissions.
“We are grateful to the Federal and state governments for this support,” she said.
Stakeholders in the environmental sector have explored the potential of a new Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) initiative in Nigeria.
The stakeholders said this at the Inclusive Environment Nigeria Workshop organised by the University of Derby, Renevlyn Development Initiative and the Environmental Defenders Network on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in Lagos.
The initiative aims to address long-standing issues of community exclusion and environmental injustice in development projects across the country.
Executive Director of Renevlyn Development Initiative, Mr. Philip Jakpor, moderating the session
It is anchored on findings from a 12-month research led by Dr Eghosa Ekhator of the University of Derby and other scholars.
The 2023 research adopted co-production principles through extensive engagement with communities and key stakeholders.
The outcome is the Inclusive Environments (Environmental Justice) Framework designed to promote equitable environmental decision-making.
Speaking at the workshop, Ekhator said the framework provides a structured approach for inclusive and accountable environmental governance.
He said the tool draws from equality impact assessment models but tailored for environmental sustainability challenges.
Ekhator added that the framework is flexible and can be adapted to different national and institutional contexts, including Nigeria.
The Executive Director of Renevlyn Development Initiative, Mr. Philip Jakpor, who moderated the hybrid workshop, said the failure to involve communities in decision-making around development projects remains a “sore point” nationwide.
Jakpor noted that although EIAs are legally required for projects with significant environmental impact – such as oil and gas exploration, mining, and large-scale construction – implementation in Nigeria is often flawed.
“Community people are supposed to be part and parcel of the process. Their views should inform whether a project goes forward or not.
“Where projects must proceed despite concerns, safeguards should be agreed upon with the communities,” Jakpor said.
He, however, lamented that in practice, communities are largely sidelined.
“What we see in Nigeria is limited or no community involvement in EIA processes and a total lack of transparency by project implementers. In many cases, the so-called EIA reports cannot even be found,” he said.
Jakpor cited several examples across the country – from the Niger Delta to northern mining regions – where communities claim projects were imposed on them without consultation.
“The process is treated as a mere formality. Companies only inform communities instead of engaging them as stakeholders whose views matter,” he added.
He stressed that the exclusion of communities makes it difficult for them to seek justice when their environmental rights are violated, noting that companies are rarely penalised for breaching EIA requirements.
“These gaps are largely responsible for the environmental degradation we see across the country,” Jakpor said.
Also speaking, an Ogoni environmental activist, Chief Eric Dooh, decried what he described as a long-standing conspiracy between government authorities and oil companies, which has left host communities to bear the brunt of environmental damage.
Dooh said there was little or no consultation with communities before the commencement of oil exploration activities in Ogoniland.
“There were no discussions with the people who own the environment. What we saw was a high-level arrangement between the government and companies, without considering the impact on communities,” he said.
Dooh recounted his personal journey in environmental advocacy, which began after taking over from his father, who had initiated legal battles against oil companies over environmental pollution.
“My father had taken Shell to court several times. When he became too weak, I took over the struggle. It has not been easy – seeking justice in Nigeria is very difficult,” he said.
He noted that decades of oil exploration have devastated the local economy, which once thrived on fishing and farming.
“That environment sustained us before – it supported fishing and farming. Today, it is destroyed. We have lost so much,” he lamented.
The activist called for a more inclusive approach to resource management, urging the government and companies to actively involve communities in decision-making processes.
“If development must continue, then communities must be carried along. They should be involved in project planning, empowerment programmes, and environmental management.
That is the only way to ensure peace and sustainability,” he said.
The workshop brought together policymakers, academics, community representatives and civil society organisations.
Participants called for stronger collaboration among government, civil society and host communities.
They stressed that development must not marginalise vulnerable populations but ensure equitable outcomes.
