Airtel Africa has recorded a strong performance on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), emerging as one of the most resilient large-cap stocks following a 10 per cent weekly gain that strengthened investor confidence in the telecommunications giant.

The company closed the trading week at N3,655.70 per share, rising from N3,323.40, making it one of the key drivers of market performance during a period marked by selective trading and cautious investor sentiment.

The performance reflects renewed confidence in the fundamentals of Airtel Africa Plc, supported by its diversified revenue base, strong regional presence, and long-term growth strategy across multiple African markets.

Market analysts say the telecoms firm continues to attract investors seeking stable, high-quality equities capable of delivering consistent returns amid macroeconomic uncertainty.

Unlike speculative gainers in the same trading period, Airtel Africa’s upward movement was driven largely by expectations of sustained earnings growth, foreign currency-linked revenues, and its dominant position in Africa’s telecommunications sector.

The company operates in 14 countries across sub-Saharan Africa, offering mobile voice, data, and mobile money services to more than 156 million customers, positioning it as a key player in the continent’s digital economy.

Investor interest has also been boosted by the company’s continued investments in network expansion, digital infrastructure, enterprise solutions, and financial inclusion services, all of which are seen as critical to Africa’s growing digital transformation.

These strategic initiatives have helped reinforce Airtel Africa’s reputation as a stabilising force on the NGX, particularly at a time when investors are becoming more selective in capital allocation.

Beyond its stock performance, the company’s broader impact on connectivity and digital access continues to shape economic activity across the region, supporting businesses, governments, and individuals through improved communication and mobile financial services.

Airtel Africa’s latest market performance underscores confidence in its long-term outlook and its ability to sustain shareholder value creation.

The company’s Nigerian arm, Airtel Nigeria, remains a key driver of its regional operations, offering telecommunications and mobile money services to millions of subscribers.

Overall, the strong showing on the NGX reflects growing recognition of Airtel Africa’s role in driving digital inclusion, innovation, and connectivity across the continent.

Dangote Industries Limited has once again cemented its dominance in Africa’s corporate landscape after being named Africa’s Most Admired Brand for the eighth consecutive year in the latest Brand Africa 100 rankings.

The announcement was made at the 16th edition of the Brand Africa 100: Africa’s Best Brands awards ceremony held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where the conglomerate also retained its position as Africa’s Most Admired Industrial Brand and was ranked among the leading African brands contributing to a better continent.

The ranking was based on a 2026 survey conducted across 30 African countries, covering more than 85 per cent of the continent’s population and economic output. The survey measured consumer perception, brand influence, and relevance across multiple sectors.

In the aided recall category, Dangote Industries Limited emerged as the most admired African brand, ahead of MTN and Vodacom. It also placed second in spontaneous brand recall among African brands, trailing only MTN.

Brand Africa attributed the strong performance to Dangote’s widespread presence across key sectors of the African economy, including cement, fertiliser, petrochemicals, energy, sugar, salt, packaging, and logistics.

The survey further ranked the company second among brands recognised for making a positive contribution to society, people, and the environment.

Despite the progress of African-owned brands, the report noted that they still account for only 15 per cent of the continent’s top 100 most admired brands, highlighting the continued dominance of global brands in African markets.

Speaking on the findings, Brand Africa founder and chairman, Thebe Ikalafeng, called for greater support for African brands to strengthen industrial growth and economic development across the continent.

“With African brands accounting for only 15 per cent of the top 100, it is clear that we must deliberately support and celebrate local champions like Dangote who showcase African industrial capability on the global stage,” he said.

The latest recognition adds to a growing list of accolades for Dangote Industries, which has previously been inducted into the Brand Africa Hall of Fame for sustained brand leadership.

In addition, Anthony Chiejina was named among Africa’s 100 Most Influential Chief Marketing Officers in the inaugural Africa CMO 100 list.

The president of the group, Aliko Dangote, also received a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his contributions to industrialisation, manufacturing expansion, and private-sector development across Africa.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has cautioned governments against the use of broad subsidies, price controls, and tax cuts as tools to address rising food and energy prices, warning that such measures could worsen inflation, strain public finances, and deepen global supply challenges.

In a May report titled “Responding to the Energy and Food Price Shock: Getting the Policy Details Right,” the Fund said policymakers face a difficult balance between protecting households and maintaining fiscal stability.

“When global energy prices spike, governments face an unenviable dilemma: shield people and businesses while straining already reduced room in public budgets or let prices rise for everyone and risk social and political backlash,” the IMF stated.

No One-Size-Fits-All Solution

The IMF noted that there is no universal response to food and energy price shocks, as countries differ in fiscal capacity, market structure, import dependence, and social protection systems.

However, it stressed that governments should allow domestic prices to reflect global market conditions, while providing targeted support to vulnerable households.

“Fiscal measures have a role to play, but they need to be temporary, targeted, timely, and tailored,” the report said.

The Fund described the current situation as a negative supply shock, where rising prices reduce purchasing power while also slowing economic activity.

Warning on Broad Subsidies and Price Controls

The IMF strongly discouraged the use of blanket subsidies, fuel tax cuts, and price caps, arguing that they are often inefficient and financially unsustainable.

According to the report, such interventions tend to benefit higher-income households more than poorer ones while distorting market signals and worsening shortages.

“Energy tax cuts, price caps, or general subsidies mute the important signals from prices, usually benefit higher-income households more, and are hard to phase out,” it said.

The Fund warned that these policies can quickly escalate fiscal costs and increase pressure on global prices by boosting demand artificially.

It added that full price freezes should be avoided except in rare and highly specific circumstances.

Targeted Support Recommended

Instead of broad interventions, the IMF recommended targeted cash transfers as the most effective way to protect vulnerable households.

It noted that lower-income families typically spend a larger share of their income on food and energy and are therefore more exposed to price shocks.

“Protecting them is important to preserving social cohesion and avoiding a surge in poverty,” the report said.

Where social safety nets are weak, the IMF suggested temporary expansion of welfare programmes or one-off support payments.

For businesses, the Fund recommended short-term liquidity support such as credit facilities, tax deferrals, or government-guaranteed loans, rather than direct subsidies.

Risks for Developing Economies

The IMF warned that emerging and developing economies face greater challenges due to weaker safety nets, higher debt burdens, and limited fiscal space.

It also noted that policy decisions in wealthier countries can have global spillover effects.

“When larger or richer countries suppress domestic price signals, global demand rises, international prices increase, and shortages worsen, hurting poorer importing countries the most,” it said.

Policy Direction

The Fund urged governments to adopt a disciplined and phased approach, prioritising targeted interventions before considering broader measures.

It stressed that well-designed policies can help economies adjust to shocks without creating long-term distortions or undermining fiscal sustainability.

“The key question is not whether to act, but how to act effectively,” the IMF concluded.