Africa has undergone significant changes since the turn of the century thanks to structural and policy reforms, promises to unlock the continent’s economic fortunes and higher levels of foreign investment. As a result of that, Africa has witnessed significant economic expansion, rising foreign direct investment (FDI) levels, and major improvements in a number of social indicators from schooling to…
Strolling through Bonifacio Global City on a sunny Saturday, it is easy to spot the groups of smiley teenagers self-learning slick K-Pop dance moves in the shadows of gilded skyscrapers and leafy parks. This joyful scene in a privileged enclave of Metro Manila is replicated every weekend across the sprawling cities of South-east Asia, as teens continue to ride the seemingly unstoppable “Korean Wave”.…
En Español The region faces a new opportunity to strengthen trade In the face of a rising US dollar and a global trend towards protectionism that affects some of the globe’s globe's major economic powers, the leading markets of Latin America find themselves with an opportunity to work on enhancing regional trade. Some regional markets have done better than others in the mission to diversify…
While world trade is in the midst of a turbulent period – with US-China relations continuing to deteriorate, the UK disengaging from the EU, and currencies in emerging markets like Turkey and Argentina in turmoil – many countries are seeking to strengthen or foster new relations with Africa. Between early July and the end of August France’s President Emmanuel Macron, Germany’s Chancellor Angela…
All eyes were understandably on Vienna at the end of June, and the gathering of oil ministers from the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Their decision to increase output was endorsed by the non-OPEC producers who signed up to the original cuts 18 months ago. Oil prices are a thorny issue for the Gulf economies as their diversification strategies accelerate. On…
As the rhetoric from the US White House swerves from combative to compromise and back again, uncertainty in the global trading environment is creating potential pitfalls for emerging markets the world over. In the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), which counts China as its largest trading partner, member states watch with trepidation as President Donald Trump ramps up threats of levies…
En Español Largely thanks to the recovering prices of some key commodities, the region recorded a positive first quarter in 2018, with the IMF forecasting Latin America and the Caribbean’s GDP growth for the year to reach 2%. Currency volatility remains among the primary challenges, however, offsetting some gains. The economy is thus centre stage in countries headed to the polls this year, potentially…
With the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) now firmly enshrined in the Chinese Communist Party constitution, it is safe to assume that this flagship project of President Xi Jinping will continue long after the country’s most powerful leader since Chairman Mao Zedong officially steps down, whether that happens in 2023 or not. If the execution matches the rhetoric of China’s leadership, this…
En Español The last quarter of 2017 surprised even the most optimistic observers. However, the positive performance of that period does not preclude a sense of uncertainty for 2018, a year that will likely prove decisive for the region. Funnily enough, a number of factors made us think exactly the same one year ago. From the outset 2017 was going to be a challenging year, ushering in as…
So much has happened over the past decade in the African markets we cover: Ghana discovered oil, Nigeria re-based its economy, Kenya developed mobile money, Côte d’Ivoire recovered from a civil war, Egypt underwent a peaceful revolution, and Morocco created an aeronautics industry. State assets were privatised, dictators were ousted, and new cities were built. Of course, there have been plenty…
