Also in the news...
Prove your English language abilities with a secure English language test (SELT)
For visa or citizenship applications, you may need to prove your knowledge of English by passing a secure English language test (SELT).
UK and Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership arrangement
The Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP) sets out the UK and Nigeria’s priorities for future discussion and cooperation.
Export to the UK: guidance for African businesses
Find out about UK markets and sectors, trade agreements, UK import regulations and taxes, and support for African businesses from the UK government.
Guidance Start exporting to Africa
Find out about market opportunities, trade partnership agreements, support from the UK government, and export regulations and taxes in African countries.
Guidance Start investing in African businesses
Find out about investment opportunities and support from the UK government. Learn how to manage risk, invest ethically, and access guidance on African countries.
Dollar dives as Powell hints at pause in rate hikes.
It was a topsy-turvy end of the week for the greenback as it rallied on a strong Non-Farm Payrolls release before being sold off on the back of dovish comments from Fed Chairman, Jay Powell.
The monthly jobs report showed an increase in employment for the month of 312k, its highest number since the 313k shown in March’s report. Wage growth also beat forecast with a monthly uptick of 0.4% reported however countering these good numbers was an unexpected increase in the level of unemployment which went from 3.7% to 3.9%. The dollar reacted positively to the numbers with the greenback gaining around half a cent against the pound and the euro. The gains were quickly unwound though as Fed Chairman, Jay Powell issued a dovish message on the path of 2019 interest rate hikes saying the central bank would be “patient” with further tightening of monetary policy. The comments came at the American Economic Associations annual meeting in Atlanta where Powell was joined by his predecessors, Janet Yellen and Ben Bernanke to discuss the state of the economy. EUR/USD pushed back up through 1.14 on the news with USD/JPY coming close to falling below 108. Stock markets in the States also rallied on the news having been hammered over recent months on the back of Trumps trade offensive.