GOOD MORNING CHOP FAMILY!
It’s a high-stakes week on the world stage, with major shifts in global security and some fascinating breakthroughs in the business world. We’re tracking everything from the intensifying situation in the Middle East to a historic tech acquisition that’s shaking up the cloud. Let’s get right into the mix.
TRENDING TOPICS
The Middle East Crisis Escalates
Global attention is fixed on the escalating "Second Iran War." Today, the U.S. and Israel intensified airstrikes across Iran, targeting naval assets and internal security headquarters, while Iran retaliated with drone strikes as far as Dubai and Qatar.
With the Strait of Hormuz effectively blocked and oil prices flirting with the $200 mark, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has just agreed to a record release of strategic oil reserves. While President Trump suggested that “We Won,” but he doesn’t want to leave early. Have we seen this episode before?
African Proverb of the Day
"Knowledge is like a garden: if it is not cultivated, it cannot be harvested." (Guinea)
MARKET MOVES
BUSINESS
Nigeria Watches the Middle East
With tensions rising in the Middle East, Nigeria is taking a hard look at its oil market exposure. Because the global energy market is so interconnected, any hiccup in the Gulf can have a domino effect on Nigerian crude pricing and budget assumptions.
If Nigerian leadership were “smart” and that’s a big if … they would position themselves to fill the gaps in oil supply, and at a minimum, they could generate deals within the continent, but then again, we are talking about Nigeria.
Staying in Nigeria…
Nigeria’s Fabric Fixation
Data from the NBS shows that Nigeria’s textile imports skyrocketed to over 1.06 trillion Naira in 2025. It’s a staggering figure that highlights the gap between local demand and what’s actually being produced at home. Nigerians are some of the most fashionable people, and some of the most creative, so you would think that they could meet some of the demand by producing fabric locally, right?
FINANCE & MARKETS
Ghana’s Gold Rules Go Live
Despite some pushback from industry players, Ghana is moving ahead with its brand-new gold royalty regime. The regulator kicked things off this Tuesday, aiming to ensure the country gets a bigger slice of the pie from its most precious export.
They will essentially implement a new sliding scale. The new royalty regime replaces the current flat 5% rate. With the new system, gold miners will pay 12% when gold reaches $4,500 per ounce. Gold is currently trading above $5,000 per ounce.
This new policy has the likes of China, The U.S, and European nations crying foul, but that means that could be a lucrative move for the Ghanaians.
TECH
A First for the NSE
ALP REIT just made history on the Nairobi Securities Exchange. They raised $34.55 million in an oversubscribed offer, marking the NSE’s first-ever dollar-denominated security.
This is a huge win for the Kenyan tech and real estate sectors. REITs are a convenient way to invest in real estate without being overleveraged or having to be a landlord.
They are gaining momentum on the continent, and with the abilty for Africans home and abroad to invest in RIETS on local exchanges, it could mean more people will be enticed to invest in such investment vehicles.
⚡ Quick Bites ⚡
Google Closes Wiz Deal: It is official. Google has completed its record-breaking $32 billion acquisition of cloud security giant Wiz. This is the largest deal in Google's history and signals a massive shift toward AI-powered multicloud security.
Horn of Africa Friction: Tensions are unfortunately ticking up again between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Analysts are watching closely as diplomatic rhetoric sharpens over port access and border issues.
Midwest Tornadoes: Extreme weather has swept through the U.S. Midwest, with "supercell" thunderstorms and tornadoes causing fatalities in Indiana and extensive damage in Illinois.
🌍 What Else is Cooking? 🍳
The Robot Barista: A cafe in Seoul is trending because its entire staff consists of robotic arms that can latte-art your face onto a cappuccino in under 60 seconds.
Space Tourism: A startup just announced plans for a "luxury space balloon" that will take passengers to the edge of the atmosphere for dinner with a view.
Deep Sea Sounds: Scientists have released new recordings of "singing" icebergs in Antarctica. It sounds like a low-frequency orchestra and is helping researchers track glacial melts.
Dish of the Day 🥘
Irio
Since we were in Kenya to invest in some REITS, we also thought it would make sense to get some good grub, and Kenya has lots of good eats. This time we tried Irio. Originally a staple of the Kikuyu people, this hearty dish is a mash of potatoes, corn, and peas. We had it with some grilled beef and a big bottle of Tusker Lager. Winning!
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