Africa News
Fortune Crypto author: Nigerian government may 'regret its unjustified decision' to detain former U.S. federal agent
Jeff John Roberts, author of the Fortune Crypto newsletter, stated that pressure from U.S. officials over the detention of Tigran Gambaryan may be causing Nigerian officials to regret arresting him. Roberts shared his statement in the June 24 edition of the newsletter, which focused on Gambaryan, a former U.S. federal agent and current Binance employee.
By Globe Banner | Jun 25, 2024
Binance CEO: Employee detained in Nigeria 'is a true professional of the highest integrity'
Richard Teng, the CEO of Binance, stated that the company is making efforts to secure the release of Tigran Gambaryan, Binance's head of financial crime compliance, who has been detained by the Nigerian government since February 26. Teng shared this information during a June 17 episode of the Bankless podcast.
By Globe Banner | Jun 21, 2024
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Former U.S. federal agents ask State Department to intervene in "inhumane" captivity of U.S. citizen in Nigeria
By Globe Banner | Jun 11, 2024
One hundred and eight former U.S. federal agents and prosecutors have called on Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the U.S. State Department to secure the release of Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance employee and former U.S. government agent, who is being held on "false charges" by the Nigerian government. The group shared its statement in a June 6 letter addressed to Blinken.
U.S. lawmakers ask Biden to assist former federal agent held 'hostage' in Nigeria
By Globe Banner | Jun 11, 2024
Sixteen members of Congress have called on President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens to intervene in the case of Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance employee and former U.S. federal agent currently detained in Nigeria. The lawmakers issued their statement in a June 4 letter posted on X by Eleanor Terrett.
Former DOJ official: U.S. 'should immediately cease the transfer of forfeited funds to Nigeria' until detained US citizen is released
By Globe Banner | Jun 6, 2024
Andrew Adams, a partner at the New York office of Steptoe & Johnson LLP and a former acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the National Security Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ), said if the DOJ stops sharing forfeited funds with Nigeria, it can express its "objection to Nigeria’s abuse of its police power" and encourage the release of Tigran Gambaryan, a former U.S. federal agent who has been detained by the Nigerian government since February 26. Adams shared his statement in a May 29 opinion piece.
Author: U.S. citizen detained in Nigeria is being 'denied proper medical treatment for malaria'
By Globe Banner | Jun 5, 2024
Andy Greenberg, author of "Tracers in the Dark," stated that Tigran Gambaryan, a former prominent cryptocurrency crime investigator for the U.S. federal government detained by the Nigerian Government since February, is not receiving adequate medical treatment for malaria. Greenberg shared his statement in a May 31 post about Gambaryan, who is currently the head of financial crime compliance for the cryptocurrency exchange Binance.
Podcast host on US citizen detained in Nigeria: 'they won't even give him medical care'
By Globe Banner | May 30, 2024
Matty Ice, host of The Runway Podcast, stated that Tigran Gambaryan, a former IRS Special Agent and current Binance employee, is not receiving sufficient medical treatment despite fainting in court and reportedly suffering from malaria. Ice shared his statement in a May 27 post about Gambaryan, who has been detained in Nigeria since February 26.
Nigerian politician: 'there is an undeniable decline in our judicial system'
By Globe Banner | May 23, 2024
Peter Obi, the former governor of Anambra State in Nigeria, has expressed concern over the decline of Nigeria's judicial system. He warns that this deterioration threatens stability, human rights, and institutional integrity. Obi communicated these concerns in a post dated May 15, which detailed his keynote address at Godfrey Okoye University in Enugu.
Binance CEO: Nigerian government's detention of employee sets 'a dangerous new precedent for all companies worldwide'
By Globe Banner | May 13, 2024
Binance CEO, Richard Teng, has stated that the Nigerian government's invitation to Binance's Head of Financial Crime Compliance, Tigran Gambaryan, for policy meetings only to later detain him, has set a "dangerous new precedent" for all members of the global business community. Teng made this statement in a post on May 7 about Gambaryan, who has been held in Nigeria since February 26.
IMF announces discussions with Sierra Leone on new credit facility
By Globe Banner | Apr 23, 2024
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reported that it held discussions with Sierra Leonean authorities regarding a new arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF). The focus of these talks was to gain an understanding of the authorities' development objectives and identify necessary reforms to achieve macroeconomic stability and ensure debt sustainability.
IMF announces agreement with Central African Republic
By Globe Banner | Apr 23, 2024
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has declared that it has reached a staff-level agreement with the Central African Republic on the second review of the Extended Credit Facility (ECF). This agreement sets the stage for the impending approval of the second review of the ECF-supported program by the IMF Executive Board, provided certain economic policy conditions are met.
Binance: Employee detained in Nigeria 'is a strict law enforcement professional and is not part of Binance management'
By Globe Banner | Apr 5, 2024
Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has stated that Tigran Gambaryan, the head of the company's financial crime compliance team, should not be "held responsible while current discussions are ongoing between Binance and Nigerian government officials." This statement was shared in an April 3 post on the company's website.
IMF announces completion of reviews and augmentation for Egypt's Extended Fund Facility arrangement
By Globe Banner | Mar 30, 2024
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has confirmed the completion of the first and second reviews of the Extended Fund Facility arrangement for Egypt. The IMF Executive Board approved an increase of the original program by approximately US$5 billion (SDR 3.76 billion).
Chamber of Digital Commerce urges U.S. government to act on behalf of American businessman detained in Nigeria
By Globe Banner | Mar 25, 2024
The Chamber of Digital Commerce has issued an urgent appeal in a blog post titled "Urgent Call to Action: American Citizen and Crypto Sector Worker Kidnapped by Nigerian Government". The Chamber is urging President Biden to "employ every diplomatic measure to ensure" the immediate release of Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan. According to the Chamber's post, Gambaryan was invited to Nigeria under "false pretenses" and was subsequently detained without being charged with any offense.
Binance discontinues Nigerian naira services, two employees detained in Abuja
By Globe Banner | Mar 6, 2024
Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, has announced its decision to discontinue services involving the Nigerian naira (NGN). This move comes in the wake of a crackdown by the Nigerian government on crypto companies, which included the detention of two Binance executives who were visiting to meet with government officials.
TerraPay and Diamond Trust Bank Uganda join forces to improve financial inclusion and accessibility to credit
By Globe Banner | Feb 22, 2024
Diamond Trust Bank Uganda (DTBU) and TerraPay, a global cross-border payments network company, have recently entered into a strategic partnership to enable account deposits from any location worldwide. The partnership, announced in a news release on February 22, aims to narrow the financial inclusion gap and enhance monetary processes, including credit access for individuals in Uganda.
IMF approves US$100 million and concludes 2023 consultation with The Gambia
By Globe Banner | Jan 17, 2024
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revealed that its executive board has approved a 36-month arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF), totalling SDR 74.64 million (approximately US$100 million). Concurrently, the board concluded the 2023 Article IV consultation with The Gambia.
International Monetary Fund announces new Extended Credit Facility Arrangement for Somalia
By Globe Banner | Dec 19, 2023
Somalia reached a significant milestone last week with the completion of its involvement in the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. This achievement also marked the conclusion of a three-year Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement. Following this, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board has approved a new three-year ECF for Somalia this week.
$4.5 billion in debt relief for Somalia announced by World Bank, International Monetary Fund
By Globe Banner | Dec 13, 2023
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank have announced a significant debt relief for Somalia, following the country's successful completion of the latest phase in the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. According to an IMF news release, between 2018 and 2023, Somalia managed to reduce its external debt from 64% to under 6% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Binance Charity Tech Scholarship recipient: 'Crypto is life-changing'
By Globe Banner | Dec 8, 2023
Angela, a beneficiary of the Binance Charity Tech Scholarship, shared her experience with cryptocurrency in a video posted on X. After participating in the Scholars Program, she secured employment with a financial technology (fintech) company. The Scholars Program is an initiative of the philanthropic wing of the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange.