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

Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq futures climb as Wall Street braces for jobs report

US stock futures edged higher Tuesday night as investors braced for the long-awaited January employment report after the Dow hit a third straight day of record closes.

Futures linked to the S&P 500 (ES=F) climbed 0.2%, while Nasdaq 100 futures (NQ=F) added 0.2%. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures (YM=F) rose roughly 0.1%.

Investors are focused on the "Super Bowl of jobs reports": the January nonfarm payrolls report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The report is scheduled for release after being postponed by last month’s partial government shutdown. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg estimate a median gain of about 68,000 jobs while the unemployment rate is expected to hold at 4.4%.

By Rian Howlett

Full story at Yahoo News

The End Of Petroleum Imports Regime In Nigeria

Nigeria is entering a decisive new phase in its energy history. For more than three decades, the country survived on the unstable foundation of imported petroleum products, an arrangement that left the economy exposed to global price shocks, foreign exchange scarcity, and volatile geopolitical risks far beyond Nigeria’s control.

Today, that long-standing import regime is being fundamentally redefined by the emergence of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, the world’s largest single-train refining facility.

The debate surrounding this transition has become increasingly loud, but the core facts remain straightforward: importation is inherently unstable, local refining is strategically superior, and Nigeria finally has the capacity to meet its own demand.

By Dan D. Kunle

Full story at Leadership

South Africa's student accommodation crisis: high demand meets limited beds

Universities in South Africa receive significantly more accommodation applications than available on-campus bed spaces each year, thereby reflecting national demand pressures and strong academic needs.

For the 2026 academic year, the University of Johannesburg says it received close to 100,000 (99 472) student accommodation applications while its current on-campus bed capacity stands at 7 015 beds.

“As at 04 February 2026, a total of 6 312 students had been accepted for residence accommodation. By the end of the registration period, the University anticipates accommodating the full capacity of 7 015 students, in line with available on-campus beds,” says Dr Nell Ledwaba, senior director for Student Affairs at the University of Johannesburg.

By Given Majola

Full story at IOL

Nigeria: IMF Ranks Nigeria Among 10 Top Contributors to Global GDP Growth

Balance of power is changing, says Elon Musk.

A new report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has listed 10 countries, including India and Nigeria, among the top contributors to global economic growth for 2026.

This is consistent with the world's richest man, Elon Musk, declaring yesterday that "the balance of power is changing."

While the IMF data placed Nigeria at number six with a projected 1.5 per cent real GDP growth, India was ranked ahead of the United States of America as number two, with 17 per cent growth.

Full story at Pulse NG

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Interest rates unchanged despite inflation outlook improving

The South African Reserve Bank has kept the prime lending rate at 10.25%, with two members favouring a 0.25 percentage point cut and four preferring a hold.

Lesetja Kganyago, Governor of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), said that the backdrop to the decision was that the risks to the inflation outlook were balanced.

Ahead of the announcement, there were hopes that the rates would come down to help boost economic growth.

By Nicola Mawson

Full story at IOL