Ruble Surges Against Greenback, Ethiopian Birr Exchange Rate Gap Widens; Kiyosaki: The ‘End Is Here’ for Fake Money — Week in Review

Rumors of expanding war, massive inflation destroying people’s purchasing power, and widespread volatility in the world of fiat currencies shaped the news this past week, with similarly dynamic developments in the world of cryptocurrency. Rich Dad Poor Dad author Robert Kiyosaki says the “end is here” for fake money. This and more just below in … Read more

Report: Gap Between Ethiopian Currency’s Official and Parallel Market Exchange Rate Grows to New Record

The Ethiopian birr currency’s parallel exchange rate against the U.S. dollar recently dropped to a low of 92 birrs per dollar, a report has said. The report added that following this latest plunge, the gap between the birr’s official and parallel market exchange rates has widened to a record high. Resumption of Fighting Between Ethiopian … Read more

Lebanon Inflation Rate Surges to 211%, Economist Steve Hanke Recommends a Currency Board

As political leaders in crisis-hit Lebanon bicker over positions in the yet-to-be-formed government, the country’s runaway inflation rate surged to 211% in May 2022, new data has shown. Economist Steve Hanke insists that a currency board is a solution to Lebanon’s currency woes. Black Market in Fuel Driving Inflation The inflation rate in crisis-torn Lebanon … Read more

No Plans to Make US Dollar Sole Currency, Zimbabwean Finance Minister Calls Idea ‘Suicidal’

The Zimbabwean Finance Minister, Mthuli Ncube, recently told business leaders that he is not planning to make the U.S. dollar the country’s sole currency again. Government Focused on Strengthening Local Currency Instead of entertaining those calling for the dollarization of the Zimbabwean economy, Ncube suggested his ministry is in fact focused on defending the value … Read more

Nigerian Currency Plunges to New Low of 570 — 10% of Value Lost in Under 30 Days

The Nigerian currency, the naira, plunged to a new all-time low of N570 for every dollar on September 16, 2021. This new exchange rate means since August 17, the naira has now lost about a tenth of its value on the foreign currency black market. Naira Overvalued In spite of this plunge, which has been … Read more

Nigerian Central Bank Stops Forex Sales to Bureaus de Change — Operators Accused of Feeding Black Market

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recently announced the abrupt end to sales and outsourcing of foreign exchange to Bureau de Change (BDC) operators after accusing them of failing to stick to their core mandate. Instead of providing forex to retail users, BDCs are believed to be supplying the scarce resource to so-called “illegal” dealers. … Read more

Forex Shortages Force Nigerian Corporates to Turn to Parallel Market

Nigeria’s ongoing shortage of foreign exchange is forcing corporates and businesses to source this resource on the parallel market, a former official with the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has said. According to Muda Yusuf, who is the previous director-general at LCCI, these shortages stem from the foreign exchange market liquidity constraints that … Read more

New World Bank Report: Nigeria’s Exchange Rate Policies Fueling Inflation, Affecting Food Prices

Nigeria’s use of multiple exchange rates regimes may have contributed to a rise in the country’s inflation rate, the latest World Bank report has said. In addition, the report says ongoing restrictions on the use and movement of foreign exchange are “further pushing up prices of food and agricultural inputs like fertilizer.” Misaligned Exchange Rates … Read more

IMF Representative of Nigeria Calls for Caution Over the Use of Cryptocurrencies

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) resident representative for Nigeria, Ari Aisen recently discussed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) directive that targets crypto entities. In remarks made during a special virtual press briefing, Aisen repeats some of the CBN’s claims that cryptocurrencies were being used “for illegal transactions such as money laundering and drug trafficking.” … Read more