By Wale Gbadebo
As African economies continue to evolve, notable disparities persist in the strength of national currencies, particularly in exchange rate value.
Latest data for March 2026 identifies the ten strongest African currencies, underscoring levels of economic stability, trade influence, and the impact of monetary policies across the respective countries.

1. Tunisia – 2.93 Tunisian Dinar
   The Tunisian Dinar ranks as Africa’s strongest currency in 2026, underpinned by the country’s relatively stable economy and solid trade position in North Africa.
2. Libya – 6.38 Libyan Dinar
   The Libyan Dinar remains the country’s official currency and is widely used despite years of economic strain linked to prolonged instability.
3. Morocco – 9.34 Moroccan Dirham
   The Moroccan Dirham reflects a stable economy supported by tourism, agriculture, and phosphate exports.
4. Ghana – 10.95 Ghanaian Cedi
   Ghana’s Cedi plays a central role in West Africa’s economy, driven by the country’s strong export base in gold and cocoa.
5. Botswana – 13.78 Botswana Pula
   The Pula—meaning “rain” in Setswana—symbolises wealth and stability in Botswana’s diamond-backed economy.
6. Seychelles – 14.35 Seychellois Rupee
   The Seychellois Rupee is sustained by the island nation’s tourism-driven economy, a key pillar of its revenue base.
7. Eritrea – 15.00 Eritrean Nakfa
   Introduced in 1997, the Eritrean Nakfa reflects the country’s efforts to maintain monetary independence.
8. South Africa – 17.09 South African Rand
   The South African Rand remains a dominant currency in southern Africa, playing a pivotal role in regional trade and commerce.
9. Swaziland – 17.16 Swazi Lilangeni
   The Lilangeni, pegged to the South African Rand, serves as Eswatini’s official currency and underscores regional monetary cooperation.
10. Lesotho – 17.17 Lesotho Lot
    The Lesotho Lot, also linked to the Rand, circulates alongside it and supports the country’s domestic trade and monetary system.
    Source: The Nation

From Felix Umande, Makurdi

The Benue State House of Assembly has taken a decisive action to address the Nigerian Air Force’s alleged atrocities in Ugondo and Mbaivur communities by summoning the Commissioner of Lands and Director of Lands to provide it with relevant documents related to all land allocations to military formations in the state.

The move followed a motion by Hon. Douglas Akya, representing Makurdi South State Constituency on Tuesday during plenary, who highlighted the intimidation, harassment, and land grabbing by the Air Force.

The House further called on the Nigerian Air Force and Nigerian Army to immediately cease all forms of intimidation and harassment allegedly being carried out by their personnel against the host communities.

The House also mandated its Standing Committees on Lands, Surveys and Solid Minerals and Local Government, Security and Chieftaincy Affairs to investigate the matter and report back within two weeks.

During the plenary, the Benue State House also passed into law the Benue State security and trust fund bill into law.
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‎The bill which seeks the establishment of the Benue State Security Trust Fund to create a pool of funds for the acquisition and deployment of security equipment to end security challenges in the State was passed after scaling through a third reading during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt Hon. Berger Alfred Emberga.
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‎ Part of the funds, according to the bill, shall be reserved for the training and retraining of security personnel to enable them to contend with the current security needs of the state.
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‎The Honourable Speaker directed the clerk of the House, Dr. Bem Faasema Mela, to make clean copies of the bills for the governor’s assent.
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Speaker Rt Honourable Berger Alfred Emberga emphasized the importance of addressing insecurity and existential threats in Benue State hence the bills were passed unanimously by members.

By Felix Umande, Makurdi

A weird, shocking and deplorable display of politics has reportedly marred the planned mass burial of 13 victims of brutal attacks by Fulani armed herdsmen in Turan community, Jato-Aka in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.

The burial, scheduled for March 12, 2026, could not take because a group of men, allegedly sent by the Executive Chairman of Kwande Local Government Council, Hon. Vitalis Terhile Neji, locked up the mortuary where the corpses were deposited and kidnapped the mortician.

Mourners and sympathizers, including Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo from Plateau State and Alex Babir from the United States, had gathered at the mortuary to witness the burial, but were denied access to the corpses.

The bereaved families, who had traveled from various parts of Nigeria and abroad to bid farewell to their loved ones, were left stranded and distraught.

“This is a sad day for our community,” said Chief Fabian Yaga, coordinator of the planned mass burial. “A group of men, allegedly sent by the council chairman, stopped the digging of graves and locked up the mortuary, leaving us in 13 bodies being left unclaimed. We had already made arrangements for the burial, and people had traveled from far and near to pay their last respects. This is a tragedy that has happened.”

Another resident, Bemgba Numve, a relative of one of the victims, echoed Yaga’s sentiments. “My brother was killed in the attack, and we planned to bury all 13 of them today. Everybody is here for the burial, and people also came from outside to witness the burial, but we could not retrieve the bodies of our loved ones from the mortuary. It is a nightmare.”

The incident has thrown the bereaved families into further anguish, for being unable to access the mortuary to collect their loved ones’ remains.”

Efforts to contact the council chairman to ascertain what is happening were unsuccessful fueling outrage and the call for accountability.

The disruption of the burial plans has added a new layer of complexity to the situation, with many questioning the motives behind the council chairman’s actions.

As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the people of Turan and the bereaved families deserve answers and justice.

The government must intervene to resolve the crisis and ensure that those responsible for the attack and the disruption of the burial arrangements are brought to justice.