China's zero-tariff policy seen boosting China-South Africa agricultural trade

China's decision to implement zero-tariff treatment on 100% of tariff lines for imports from African countries with which it has diplomatic relations is expected to create new opportunities for agricultural trade between South Africa and China, a government official said.

Speaking to Xinhua on the sidelines of the ongoing International Poultry and Livestock Exhibition Africa (IPLEX), Vuyiswa Ramokgopa, Gauteng's member of the Executive Council for Agriculture and Rural Development, said the policy could help expand Africa's agricultural exports to the Chinese market.

"We welcome China's announcement to implement zero-tariff treatment on 100% of tariff lines for imports. This decision presents a significant opportunity for Africa, and for South Africa in particular, to expand exports and unlock new growth in key sectors such as agriculture," Ramokgopa said.

By Xinhua

Full story at IOL

Customs Generates N2bn Revenue, Urges Nigerians to Embrace Legitimate Trade

Nigeria Customs Service(NCS), Kwara Area Command yesterday said that, it has generated a total revenue of N2.52 billion in the past two months in the state.

The acting Area Command, Mr. Najeem Ogundeyi made the disclosure in Ilorin, the state capital during the media press briefing on the activities of the Command in the past two months in the state.

According to him, “It is barely two months since our last press briefing, during which we highlighted the significant successes recorded through our robust anti-smuggling operations across the Command’s area of responsibility.”

By Hammed Shittu

Full story at Thisday Live

Britain is biggest loser from Trump’s new tariffs

The deal Sir Keir Starmer and Donald Trump struck
last year gave British exporters an advantage over other countries -
Chris J Ratcliffe/EPA/Shutterstock

Britain is facing the biggest increase in US tariffs under Donald Trump’s sweeping new levies.

An analysis by Global Trade Alert, a monitoring service, found that the UK faces an effective 2.1 percentage point increase in its tariff bill as a result of Mr Trump’s new 15pc global baseline.

While it may sound small, it is the largest increase among the US’s top 20 trading partners.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said exports faced an additional cost of between £2bn and £3bn after the president raised tariffs on all imports from 10pc to 15pc on Saturday.

By Tom Haynes

Full story at Yahoo News

'It will not be automatic or immediate': Companies brace for a messy tariff refund process

President Donald Trump during a press conference at the
White House on February 20 to discuss the Supreme Court's
ruling against a major part of his tariffs.
 (Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images) ·
MANDEL NGAN via Getty Images

Friday's landmark Supreme Court ruling struck down President Trump's blanket tariffs but left open a key question around whether companies that already paid the duties will be able to get refunds.

The court’s majority opinion was silent on that top-of-mind issue for companies, while President Trump signaled that he wouldn't give tariff refunds willingly.

"I guess it has to get litigated for the next two years," the president said as he declined to respond directly to a question of whether he would honor refunds for companies that file for them.

By Ben Werschkul

Full story at Yahoo News

Inflation plunges as reforms anchor naira stability

Nigeria’s sharp inflation decline signals reform gains, as monetary tightening, stronger reserves, and improved forex management reinforce naira stability and restore investor confidence, JUSTICE OKAMGBA writes.

Nigeria’s inflation rate has fallen sharply from 27.61 per cent in January 2024 to 15.10 per cent in January 2026, reflecting the combined impact of monetary easing and structural reforms introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The moderation in price growth has coincided with improved foreign exchange stability, a rebound in foreign reserves to $46.8bn, and a steadier naira. As the Monetary Policy Committee prepares to meet on February 23 and 24, expectations are high that policymakers will maintain their focus on macroeconomic stability to accelerate the disinflation process, boost FX inflows, and strengthen the domestic currency.

By Justice Okamgba

Full story at Pulse NG

Dear Mr President, this is what South Africans want to hear in your SONA speech

As South Africa prepares for President Cyril Ramaphosa’s next address State of the Nation Address, and the red-carpet parade, IOL compiled a list of pressing issues he should address.

A year ago, the President stood in Parliament and sketched a vision of structural renewal, many of which had been achieved. Here's what else we want to see:

The “water load shedding” plan 

The 2025 promise of a “National Water Agency” was a start, but the pipes are still bursting.

Full story at IOL

By Nicola Mawson

What will upcoming inflation figures mean for interest rates in the UK?

(PA Graphics)

Inflation is expected to have fallen back to its lowest level for nearly a year in Wednesday’s official figures for January, in a boost to interest rate cut hopes.

Most economists are forecasting Office for National Statistics (ONS) data to show Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation fell back sharply to 3% in January from 3.4% in December, according to Pantheon Macroeconomics.

This would be the lowest level since March 2025.

By Holly Williams
Full story at Yahoo News