Facebook X-twitter Icon-instagram-1

SPORTS

Burkina Faso, Mali And Niger Enter Race to Host AFCON 2032

By Blaze 91.5 FM    |    July 22, 2026    |    3 min read

Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, has stated that the naira must remain market-driven and competitive rather than being artificially supported. Flexicore Severe Joint Pain? Do This The Moment You Wake Up Learn more This comes as the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the CBN kept interest rates unchanged and reaffirmed their commitment to bringing inflation into single digits despite mounting geopolitical risks. Cardoso’s remarks came after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had said last month that the naira remains significantly undervalued despite recent gains against the United States dollar across official and parallel foreign exchange markets. In its assessment of Nigeria’s economy, the Washington-based lender said the naira is trading about 25.6 per cent below its value based on the country’s economic fundamentals, even after recording a notable recovery following sweeping foreign exchange reforms introduced by the Federal Government. Defending the CBN’s exchange-rate reforms, Cardoso, while fielding questions from newsmen after the end of the MPC meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, said the apex bank remained committed to a transparent, liquid foreign exchange market driven by willing buyers and willing sellers. “Our view is one of continuing on the path that we have embarked on, and that is to ensure that we have a market that is transparent, that is liquid, and one that has willing buyer, willing seller. “At the present level, the country does need a competitive currency. The naira’s value has to be determined by economic fundamentals, including stronger oil and non-oil exports, increased foreign direct investment, improved domestic productivity and lower import dependence. “We are very comfortable at the central bank that we have a fully functional market, a market that is open, that is transparent, a market that sometimes you find that on a daily basis, the amount of turnover is in excess of $1 billion and a market that is responding to the positive things that we are doing as a central bank”, Cardoso explained. Briefing newsmen on the outcome of the MPC meeting, Cardoso said that the committee left the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) at 26.5 per cent, while retaining the asymmetric corridor around the benchmark rate at +50/-450 basis points. He added that the committee also maintained the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) at 45 per cent for deposit money banks and 16 per cent for merchant banks, retained the 75 per cent CRR on non-Treasury Single Account public sector deposits and left the liquidity ratio unchanged at 30 per cent. “The decision came as the committee weighed signs of easing domestic inflation against growing uncertainty from renewed hostilities in the Middle East, which it said could fuel higher global energy prices and feed into domestic inflation”, Cardoso said. Citing a modest easing in inflation as one reason for holding policy steady, the CBN Governor said that headline inflation slowed marginally to 15.91 per cent in June from 15.93 per cent in May, ending three consecutive months of increases. He also noted that core inflation also moderated to 15.92 per cent from 16.82 per cent, helped largely by exchange-rate stability, although food inflation accelerated to 17.52 per cent because of supply constraints in key food-producing areas and elevated transportation costs.

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have formally declared their intention to jointly host the 2032 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON.

The three West African nations submitted a joint expression of interest to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which has acknowledged receipt as part of the initial phase of the bidding process.

The joint proposal was presented following a meeting between representatives of the three football federations and CAF President Patrice Motsepe in the United States during the closing stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

CAF has yet to announce a timeline for selecting the host nation for the 2032 tournament or reveal the full list of countries competing for the hosting rights.

Blaze 91.5 FM

LISTEN LIVE
BLAZE FM 91.5FM

The Rhythm of the People

LATEST NEWS

The Rhythm of the People

Blaze 91.5 FM is an independent, commercial radio station broadcasting from Oraifite, Anambra State to the South-East and beyond.

Quick Links

Information

Contact Us

  • 0803 601 9387
    0703 571 6864
  • blaze915fmofficial@gmail.com
  • Radio House, Nwazota Road, Irefi, Oraifite,
    Ekwusigo L.G.A, Anambra State

© Blaze 91.5 FM. All Rights Reserved.

19 Hours Daily (5:00AM – -12:00 MIDNIGHT)

Site designed by Tmr Concept