BEHIND · Sponge Media

Behind the stories shaping Africa’s markets, power, and future.

[BEHIND · Sponge Media @Behind_series]

Nigeria already has manufacturers.

So why isn't manufacturing in Nigeria the obvious choice?

If a business can import a finished product more cheaply than making it here, what exactly has to change?

Energy? Infrastructure? Finance? Transport? Policy?

Or is there a bigger question?

What would Nigeria have to fix to make manufacturing the obvious choice?

[BEHIND · Sponge Media @Behind_series]

You Cross This Bridge. But Do You Know Its Secret? #shorts #hiddeninplai... https://t.co/EJK0HPAoJX

[BEHIND · Sponge Media @Behind_series]

Nigeria's banking liquidity slumped by ₦3.86tn.

Sounds like ₦3.86tn disappeared.

But it didn't

The CBN's OMO sales absorbed cash from the banking system, moving it from readily available liquidity into financial instruments

So the better question is

Where did the money go?

[BEHIND · Sponge Media @Behind_series]

What do groundnut pyramids have to do with Dangote’s refinery?

At first glance?

Nothing.

Look closer.

There’s a story hiding in plain sight.

Groundnut pyramids → global energy. #HiddeninPlainsight #Dangote

[BEHIND · Sponge Media @Behind_series]

Nigeria's FX market recorded $3.39bn in turnover in the week ended Sept. 11.

But don't read that as $3.39bn flowing into Nigeria.

$2.96bn = spot trades, settled now.
$430m = derivatives, agreed now, settled later.

Turnover measures trading activity, not money received.

[BEHIND · Sponge Media @Behind_series]

Should you buy Dangote Refinery shares? Many are asking this question, but are there other questions you should be asking. #QuestionBehindtheQuestion
#TheBehindSeries
#DangoteIPO

[BEHIND · Sponge Media @Behind_series]

Nigeria says it will no longer tolerate the mistreatment of its citizens abroad.

South Africa can enforce its immigration laws.

But where does lawful enforcement end and humiliation or violence begin?

Nigeria says it wants dialogue, not confrontation.

[BEHIND · Sponge Media @Behind_series]

Nigeria just got better economic signals.

Moody’s improved its outlook, while FTSE Russell is moving Nigeria toward Frontier Market status.

But ratings didn’t change and this won’t mean cheaper food or higher incomes tomorrow.

So what changed?

#Nigeria #Economy #Markets

[BEHIND · Sponge Media @Behind_series]

Dangote is producing petrol.

So why did Nigeria import an average of *19.7m litres a day in July?*

And if imported petrol can be blended with locally produced petrol, how do you know what's actually in the tank?

That's the story behind the headline.

#Nigeria #Petrol #Dangote

[BEHIND · Sponge Media @Behind_series]

That looks like an ordinary mud wall.

It isn't.

The ancient Kano city walls were built to defend the city and control entry.

Centuries later, parts of them remain.

The infrastructure of a city can tell you its history.

Hidden In Plain Sight.

#Kano #Nigeria #AfricanHistory

[BEHIND · Sponge Media @Behind_series]

Is Nigeria safe?

Maybe that's not the question you actually want answered.

Where are you going?
Who are you meeting?
What are you doing there?

Sometimes the most useful answer starts with asking a better question.

The Question Behind The Question.

#TheBehindSeries

[BEHIND · Sponge Media @Behind_series]

Nigeria can produce 60–65m tonnes of cement a year.

We consume roughly 25–30m.

We're a net exporter.

Yet cement prices keep rising.

So why?

What's really happening behind Nigeria's cement prices?

#Nigeria #Cement #Economy #BehindtheHeadline

[BEHIND · Sponge Media @Behind_series]

Nearly 3M cars recalled over door handles? 🚗⚡

China cited 2,975,910 vehicles over emergency access concerns, requiring mechanical door releases in new cars from 2027 (GB 48001-2026).

Can you open yours without power?

#BehindTheHeadline #CarSafety #EV #TechNews #Automotive

[BEHIND · Sponge Media @Behind_series]

You drive on this every day. You've never looked at it.

The Third Mainland Bridge: 11.8km, spans up to 60m, piles driven 36–54m into the lagoon bed.

Length per the Institution of Civil Engineers.