In April 2024, Zimbabwe introduced a new gold-backed currency, the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG or ZWG), hoping to stabilize the country’s economy and reign in rampant inflation. The government touted it as a bold move to restore public confidence in the local currency, which had suffered through decades of hyperinflation, devaluation, and dependence on the US […]
Kenya’s economic growth slowed to a two-year low in the second quarter (Q2) of 2024, registering a 4.6% expansion compared to 5.6% during the same period in 2023, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS). This marked a decline from the 5% growth recorded in the first quarter of 2024, reflecting the increasing […]
Background and Recent Developments The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has expanded its Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) blacklist by adding two Chinese companies: a steel manufacturer and an artificial sweetener producer. These firms have been accused of participating in forced labor practices involving Uyghur Muslims and other minority groups in China’s Xinjiang […]
South Sudan is facing profound macroeconomic challenges amid a deteriorating political and security landscape. These challenges are compounded by the ongoing conflict in neighboring Sudan, recurrent flooding, and the country’s heavy reliance on oil revenues. As the country struggles with economic instability, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is assessing the readiness of the South Sudanese […]
Major stakeholders of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), led by Western nations, are urging Kenya to request an IMF assessment to address issues of corruption and governance as the country seeks to unlock crucial financial support. According to sources, disbursement of approximately $600 million under Kenya’s IMF Extended Credit Facility program has been stalled, primarily […]
In a significant move to strengthen global critical mineral supply chains, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Washington on October 1, 2024. This collaboration marks a crucial step in the U.S. strategy to secure essential minerals, reducing dependency on single-country dominance—namely […]
In a significant turn of events, Ghana is set to witness a three-day protest against illegal mining activities, a pressing issue that has stirred public outcry over environmental degradation, and the controversial detention of 54 activists. These protests, set to commence on Thursday, will culminate in a vigil on Saturday. Organized by various civil society […]
In a significant overhaul of Kenya’s healthcare insurance system, the government has announced that Kenyans currently relying on the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) will need to re-register under the new Social Health Authority (SHA). This comes as the government aims to raise KSh 148 billion annually through deductions to support the newly established Social […]
U.S. ports along the East and Gulf Coasts are on the brink of closure as dockworkers prepare to strike, a scenario that hasn’t occurred since 1977. Tens of thousands of port workers, represented by the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), which represents port operators and shipping companies, have reached […]
In Nigeria, commercial banks are facing mounting pressure as they continue to withhold cash from customers, exacerbating an already tense situation of cash scarcity across the country. While banks claim the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has failed to provide sufficient cash, the CBN maintains that the banks are hoarding funds. The stalemate has left […]
Kenya's inflation rate edged lower to 4.5% year-on-year in November 2025, down from 4.6% in October, marking the 29th consecutive...
The euro zone's annual inflation rate edged higher to 2.2% in November 2025, according to flash estimates published by Eurostat...
South Africa's economy maintained its upward trajectory in the third quarter of 2025, expanding by 0.5% quarter-on-quarter, according to data...
The International Finance Corporation and the Kenya Investment Authority have entered into a strategic collaboration that establishes a comprehensive framework...
