By Adedapo Adesanya

Brent crude hit $65.47 per barrel on Tuesday after it appreciated by 2.5 per cent or $1.60 as the prospect of disruptions to Iranian crude exports overshadowed possible increased supply from Venezuela.

In the same vein, the US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude settled at $61.15 a barrel after climbing $1.65 or about 2.8 per cent during the session.

The oil market is looking at some developments in members of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Iran and Venezuela as well as talks on Russia’s war in Ukraine and US interest in taking control of Greenland.

Iran is facing its biggest anti-government demonstrations in years which have lasted for more than two weeks.

The country autocratic government has cracked down on protesters with about 2,000 people killed and thousands more arrested.

The development has drawn a warning from US President Donald Trump of possible military action. The American President said on Monday that any country that does business with Iran would be subjected to a tariff rate of 25 per cent on any business conducted with the United States.

China, the world’s largest oil importer, is the biggest customer for Iranian crude. Others include United Arab Emirates (UAE), Turkey, Iraq, and the European Union (EU).

Reuters reported that there is a possibility of tighter supplies ahead after four Greek-managed oil tankers were struck by unidentified drones on Tuesday. The tankers were in the Black Sea on the way to load oil at the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) terminal off the Russian coast.

Drone attacks at or near the CPC terminal have intensified in recent weeks and have affected the loading and departure schedules of Kazakhstan’s crude cargoes.

Kazakhstan’s oil output fell sharply at the end of November and early December after damage at the CPC export terminal disrupted flows.

Markets are also grappling with concern over additional crude supply hitting the market with a resumption in Venezuelan exports.

After the ousting of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, President Trump said last week that the South American producer is set to hand over to the US as much as 50 million barrels of oil subject to Western sanctions.

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

Low-income earners and other retail investors willing to lock in their funds in government securities have been given another opportunity to purchase the FGN savings bonds.

The Debt Management Office (DMO), which sells the debt instrument on behalf of the Nigerian government, is calling for subscription for the January exercise.

It is the first for 2026 and according to the agency’s programme, the retail bonds would be sold in the first week of each of the months of this year.

The organisation is offering the bonds in two tenors of two years and three years, with the former being sold at a coupon of 14.396 per cent per annum and the latter at 14.396 per cent annum.

Subscription for the exercise opened on Monday, January 12, 2026, and will close on Friday, January 16, 2026, a circular from the DMO confirmed.

Business Post reports that interest on the bonds would be paid to bondholders every quarter till maturity.

Investors can purchase the retail bonds at a unit price of N1,000 subject to a minimum subscription of N5,000 and in multiples of N1,000 thereafter, subject to a maximum of N50 million.

The bonds are backed by the full faith and credit of the Federal Government of Nigeria and charged upon the general assets of Nigeria

They qualify as securities in which trustees can invest under the Trustee Investment Act. They also qualify as government securities within the meaning of Company Income Tax Act (CITA) and Personal Income Tax Act (PITA) for exemption for pension funds, amongst other investors.

The bonds further qualify as a liquid asset for liquidity ratio calculation for banks.

After they are sold to investors, they would be listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited to allow for trades for early exit if the holder intends to liquidate before maturity.

Money sitting in limbo doesn’t do anyone any good. That’s the simple truth driving South Africa’s big change toward faster digital payment systems. When funds take days to clear, people can’t spend them, businesses can’t reinvest them, and the whole economy slows down while everyone waits.

Because of this, payment speed has become one of the most important factors in how South Africans choose which platforms to trust with their money.

The reality is, South Africa sits at an interesting crossroads. Better financial infrastructure than most African countries, yet millions of people still don’t have decent access to traditional banking. That creates tension and opportunity simultaneously.

And this is why digital payments are changing faster than predictions suggested. When someone can receive money in minutes instead of days, everything changes. They spend sooner. They save smarter. And they actually trust the platforms handling their cash.

Why Payment Speed Matters So Much

Here’s the thing about payout speed. It signals reliability in ways that marketing never can. When a platform pays you fast, you believe it actually has money and knows what it’s doing. Slow payouts make people nervous. They start wondering if something went wrong or if the company is struggling financially.

This pattern shows up everywhere you look. Retail e-commerce sites have figured out that processing refunds quickly reduces complaints and keeps customers coming back. Mobile money services compete hard on transaction speed. The online gaming sector has caught on, and especially online casinos that rely heavily on trust.

The fastest payout casinos in South Africa have built strong user bases specifically because they process withdrawals fast, rather than making people wait around for days. When real money is on the line, nobody wants to wait.

Mobile Payments Changed Everything

Mobile payments in South Africa have absolutely exploded over the last few years. Statista reckons the digital payments market will keep growing substantially through 2028. Smartphones have basically become the bank for millions of South Africans who used to deal entirely in cash or stash money with informal savings groups.

This shift is way bigger than most people realise. Mobile platforms process transactions almost instantly. Traditional banks often made people wait for things to clear. Mobile money cuts through most of that.

Someone selling vegetables at a street market can get paid, confirm the money arrived, and use those funds for their next purchase within minutes. That kind of speed keeps money circulating and stimulates activity at the ground level.

Fintech Companies Are Pushing Hard

South African fintech startups have figured out that speed wins customers. Digital lending platforms now disburse loans within hours of approval. Gig economy payment systems have moved toward instant payouts for drivers and delivery workers who genuinely cannot afford to wait until the end of the month.

Every sector that touches consumer finance has felt the pressure to get faster.

This competition works out well for regular users. When platforms have to compete on speed, they invest in better technology. They streamline their verification processes. They partner with payment processors that can actually move money quickly.

The result is an environment where slow payouts increasingly signal that something is outdated or unreliable.

Government Benefits and Remittances

The South African government has been testing faster ways to get social grants and benefits to people. The fact is, digital payment infrastructure has made public fund distribution way more efficient across several African countries.

When grants hit accounts instantly instead of making people physically collect them, recipients save time, and honestly, they’re safer too.

Cross-border remittances are another area where speed makes a huge difference. South Africa has loads of migrant workers who send money home to their families regularly. Traditional remittance channels used to take days and hit you with hefty fees.

Digital alternatives now offer same-day transfers at much lower costs. That efficiency means more money actually reaches the families who need it instead of getting eaten up by fees and delays.

The Psychology Behind Quick Payments

There’s something deeper going on with fast payouts beyond just convenience. Speed builds trust in ways people don’t always consciously recognise. When you get paid quickly, you feel confident that the platform is legitimate and financially stable.

Delays create doubt. You start questioning whether something went wrong or whether the company might be in trouble.

This trust compounds over time. Users who experience fast, reliable payouts become loyal customers. They recommend platforms to their friends. They deposit larger amounts because they know withdrawing won’t be a nightmare.

Platforms that master payout speed build user bases that competitors find very hard to steal.

What Happens Next

The direction seems pretty clear. Payment speed across all sectors of South Africa’s digital economy will keep getting faster. Infrastructure investments from fintech companies and government institutions should reduce friction even more.

As more South Africans get smartphones and access to mobile banking, demand for instant transactions will only grow.

The platforms that succeed will be the ones treating payout speed as essential rather than optional. Whether they’re processing e-commerce refunds, gig worker payments, or gaming withdrawals, the operators that move money fastest will capture the market. South Africa is proving that speed is how users measure whether a platform deserves their trust.