South Africa slowdown, SARB, no word from Buhari

Data published this week showed continued weakness in South Africa’s economy at the start of the year which, coming alongside soft inflation, may bring interest rate cuts onto the table sooner than we currently anticipate. Elsewhere, the lack of public statements from Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari since his re-election adds to the evidence that he will stick to the unorthodox economic policymaking that marked his first term.