Niger is seeking greater cooperation with US investors in its petroleum sector, according to the 19 August media briefing, as the country looks to attract new capital and partnerships into an industry that has become increasingly important to public finances. The investment push comes against the backdrop of rapidly rising petroleum revenues. Petroleum Minister Hamadou Tini said in June that direct oil revenues paid into Niger’s Treasury rose from 224 billion CFA francs in 2024 to 453.8 billion CFA francs in 2025, more than doubling in a year. He also put cumulative investment in the sector since 2008 by the partnership comprising the Nigerien state, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) and SOPAMIN at US$8.34 billion. Tini has also said the government is revising its hydrocarbons code and preparing a new production-sharing contract model to strengthen the state’s negotiating position and increase the economic returns Niger receives from petroleum operations.

Bilma authorities rally security forces following attack in Siguidine

Security has returned to the forefront in the remote Bilma area following an attack at Siguidine, with the prefect of Bilma rallying security forces in response, according to the 19 August briefing. The attached briefing does not provide the casualties, perpetrators, timing or statements from the prefect, and those specific details could not be independently established from accessible reporting. The incident nevertheless comes against a longer pattern of insecurity around Siguidine and the wider Bilma department. In 2024, residents of Bilma publicly condemned several security incidents in the area, including an attack on the Siguidine security post on 4 May 2024. Their declaration also referred to the sabotage of oil-pipeline infrastructure in the Tesker area on 16 June 2024 and the 21 June 2024 abduction of Bilma prefect Amadou Torda and members of his delegation. The population subsequently demanded the immediate and unconditional release of those abducted. Siguidine also lies within an economically important part of Niger. The locality is among communities covered by a social-responsibility assessment linked to the Bilma and Agadem R567 petroleum blocks, underlining how insecurity in the area intersects with the country’s energy and development interests.

Red meat reaches 4,000 CFA francs per kilogram in Niamey as food costs bite

The price of red meat in Niamey has climbed from 2,500 CFA francs to 4,000 CFA francs per kilogram, according to figures highlighted by Niger’s statistics institute in the 19 August media briefing. The increase adds to signs of pressure in the meat market seen earlier in 2026. During Ramadan, the Nigerien Press Agency reported that meat and powdered milk were among products experiencing particularly sharp price increases. Maman Nouri, an association leader quoted by the agency, said beef with bone was selling for approximately 2,700 to 3,000 CFA francs per kilogram, while meat from smaller ruminants was fetching 4,000 to 5,000 CFA francs. Ahead of Ramadan, Commerce Minister Abdoulaye Seydou visited markets and wholesalers to assess stocks of major consumer goods and limit inflationary pressure. Traders had pledged either to freeze prices or reduce them in some cases. Niger had also prohibited exports of live livestock as part of efforts to preserve domestic herds, after previously introducing restrictions involving cereals. The latest figure of 4,000 CFA francs therefore puts meat prices firmly at the centre of household cost-of-living concerns in the capital.

More than 4,100 candidates begin Niger’s 2026 state BTS examinations

A total of 4,115 candidates, including 1,789 girls, are due to sit Niger’s 2026 state Brevet de Technicien Supérieur , or BTS, examinations across the country, according to the media briefing. The examinations are administered through the Office du Baccalauréat, des Équivalences et des Examens et Concours du Supérieur (OBEECS), which has confirmed that convocations for the 2026 state BTS examinations are available to candidates. OBEECS Director-General Professor Alhou Bassirou has stressed that the strict procedures surrounding examinations such as the BTS are intended to protect “transparency, merit and excellence.” He has also called on candidates to prepare seriously and urged everyone involved in administering national examinations to respect professional ethics and their responsibilities. With girls accounting for about 43% of the candidates reported in the briefing, the examination session also provides a snapshot of female participation in Niger’s higher technical and professional education system.

Niger Digital Day reaches Maradi with nationwide push to equip young people for the digital economy

Maradi is hosting the latest stage of the Niger Digital Day 2026 caravan , part of a nationwide initiative designed to strengthen the practical digital skills and employability of young Nigeriens. The media briefing identifies the launch of the Maradi stage as one of the country’s notable developments on 19 August. The 2026 programme runs from 13 August to 10 September and aims to reach more than 800 young people across all eight regions of Niger. Maradi’s activities are scheduled for 18–19 August at Espace Américain, before the caravan moves to Zinder, Tahoua, Agadez, Diffa, Dosso and Tillabéri. Training goes beyond basic computer literacy. The programme covers generative artificial intelligence and web development, including ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini; prompt engineering; HTML, CSS and JavaScript; and no-code platforms. It also includes advanced AI and technology entrepreneurship, cyber hygiene and data protection, ethical content creation and storytelling, mobile money and digital finance, and a STEM programme for children aged 8 to 15. The initiative is considerably larger than its previous edition. Digital Niger says that in 2025, more than 15 people involved in the programme travelled through six regions and reached more than 300 young people. The 2026 edition expands the caravan to every region of the country, with a target of more than 800 participants.

Political analyst Gustavo Pedraza has warned that the erosion of public confidence is beginning to undermine President Rodrigo Paz’s administration. In response to an Ipsos Ciesmori survey, Pedraza attributed the decline in support to unmet expectations and argued that the deterioration could deepen unless the government changes how it manages the state. His conclusion was blunt: “If the same thing continues to be done, the result will be the same.” Political scientist Carlos Cordero separately said the survey should be treated as an alert for the government, particularly given the level of rejection recorded in El Alto. He linked the disapproval directly to public perceptions of the economy, repeated fuel-supply problems and dissatisfaction with the president’s overall management. The falling approval comes after months of political and economic turmoil. Paz entered office in November 2025, promising market-oriented reform and an end to fuel shortages, but subsidy cuts, price increases, allegations of contaminated fuel and protests weakened the early optimism surrounding his government. By May 2026, widespread blockades and clashes had exposed deep divisions between the administration and Indigenous, labour and rural organisations that had expected greater inclusion.

Civic leader alleges profiteering from fuel resale and smuggling

Stello Cochamanidis, president of the Pro Santa Cruz Civic Committee, has accused unnamed actors of profiting from the resale and smuggling of fuel while Bolivia continues to suffer from shortages. He declared: “Someone is profiting from the resale of fuel, from the smuggling of fuel.” Cochamanidis said the most immediate problem was the absence of diesel, stating plainly: “We do not have diesel.” He accused the central government of lacking the political will to resolve the shortage and stressed that responsibility for national security and fuel control ultimately rests with the central authorities. The consequences are already spreading through the productive economy. Cochamanidis warned that the diesel shortage had disrupted the end of the agricultural harvest and interfered with the collection of sorghum used for animal feed. His accusations follow earlier investigations into the alleged theft, adulteration and cross-border diversion of fuel imported through Chile, with Bolivian authorities examining supply chains involving Chile, Argentina and Paraguay.

Government and governors agree to begin the 50/50 model in 2027

President Rodrigo Paz and Bolivia’s nine departmental governors have signed a 13-point agreement in Sucre to begin implementing the government’s proposed 50/50 model from 2027. The agreement is intended to redistribute tax revenue, responsibilities and decision-making power between the central government and Bolivia’s regions. The agreement was signed at the Casa de la Libertad and establishes a technical route for gradually dismantling the country’s highly centralised fiscal structure. A special law will be submitted to the Plurinational Legislative Assembly to provide the legal framework for implementation, while the first changes are expected to be reflected in the 2027 General State Budget. La Paz Governor Luis Revilla called the meeting “historic” and said the future law would establish a progressive rather than immediate application of the 50/50 system. Santa Cruz Governor Juan Pablo Velasco said departments that currently receive no share of national tax co-participation would begin receiving funds gradually from 2027.

Sucre agreement rests on debt relief, revenue sharing and transferred responsibilities

The 50/50 agreement is built around three central pillars : financial relief for departmental governments, a new distribution of national revenue, and the transfer of responsibilities and tax powers. The objective is not simply to move money from the centre to the regions, but to align funding with the public services and duties that governors are expected to perform. The financial-relief component is intended to address debts and fiscal pressures affecting regional governments. The revenue-sharing element would bring departmental administrations into the national tax co-participation system, while the competencies component would clarify which level of government is responsible for specific services and how those services will be financed. Governors described the deal as a first step towards ending a model in which the central government controls most public revenue while regional governments carry substantial responsibilities for health, infrastructure and development. However, implementation remains dependent on legislation, technical negotiations and inclusion in the 2027 budget, meaning the political agreement must still be converted into enforceable rules.

Pork producers warn prices could rise to Bs40 as diesel shortages cut production

Bolivian pig farmers have warned that pork could rise to 40 bolivianos per kilogramme because agreements with the state energy company YPFB have not resolved fuel distribution problems at service stations. Producers said the shortage is disrupting transport, feed deliveries and the movement of animals and meat to markets. The warning follows reports that the lack of diesel had already reduced pork production by approximately 20 per cent. Henry Chávez, manager of the Santa Cruz departmental pig farmers’ association Adepor, said the industry previously produced about 100,000 pigs per month, but output had fallen because feed could not be transported normally to farms. The risk extends beyond meat prices. Sorghum and maize are central to animal feed, so interruptions in harvesting and transport raise farmers’ costs throughout the supply chain. Producers argue that official agreements are insufficient unless diesel is physically available at filling stations. Without a reliable supply, they expect reduced production and higher retail prices to continue affecting Bolivian households.

The United States and the European Union have, however, provided billions of dollars in military and economic aid, including advanced air defence systems and artillery. Aid debates in Western capitals continue to shape Kyiv’s battlefield capacity.

Russia, meanwhile, faces sweeping economic sanctions targeting its banking, energy and defence sectors. While sanctions have strained parts of the economy, Moscow has redirected trade and increased domestic arms production.

Despite a call for a ceasefire, Ukraine insists on full territorial restoration and security guarantees, while Russia maintains claims over annexed regions. The United Nations continues to call for a negotiated settlement, but no ceasefire agreement has been reached.

In all of these, the humanitarian toll remains severe, with millions displaced and infrastructure heavily damaged. The conflict continues to affect global food and energy markets .

Watch the full video above as voices from the Global South dish out what's next for both parties to save themselves and avert the deadly cost.

Other expensive countries include Cameroon, where broadband costs hover around $57 to $58 per month, largely driven by major network providers like MTN.

Kenya and South Africa follow at about $48, while Morocco averages $35 and Nigeria about $22, with names like Maroc Telecom and Spectranet leading the charge.

The high cost of internet services in Africa is mostly attributed to several interlinked factors, including weak infrastructure, limited competition among service providers, and heavy reliance on imported bandwidth.

This challenge, some analysts believe, could be subdued by Elon Musk's Starlink's presence in Africa.

"Due to Africa’s geographical size and the still weak terrestrial infrastructure, the company could play a prominent role in providing last-mile access to communities across the continent," Diplo states in its Status of Internet Access and Connectivity in Africa report .

Unlike continents with dense fibre-optic networks, much of Africa relies on satellite connectivity and undersea cables , both costly to build and maintain.

In countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, and Malawi, local internet service providers (ISPs) must pay high wholesale prices to access international bandwidth, costs that are inevitably passed down to consumers.

Monopolistic tendencies within certain markets also prevent healthy competition. In other words, in many countries, just a handful of major network providers in Africa control the market , keeping prices high and competition low.

In comparison to the West, people in Switzerland pay about $68 with Swisscom; Australians $52 with OC Broadband. Germany’s average is $36, Canada’s $58, and the UK sits around $39, all for much faster, more reliable connections.

Additionally, the World Population Review reports that "Residents of the United Arab Emirates pay the highest average internet cost at $98.84 per month worldwide, followed by nearby Qatar at $92.04 monthly. There’s a substantial drop to third place, Oman, where people spend an average of $76.99 per month on the internet. Honduras takes fourth place ($72.28), followed by Saudi Arabia ($70.75). The United States sits in sixth place at $67.57 per month. Of the ten most expensive nations, half are located in the Middle East."