Africa Economics Update Positive medium-term outlook despite risks The ongoing unrest in South Africa’s mining sector has led many to question the medium-term economic outlook for sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), but we still believe the region has huge growth potential. In... 13th September 2012 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update No quick fix for South Africa's mining sector The structural problems in South Africa’s mining sector have been brought starkly into focus by the ongoing bout of labour unrest. Although it is difficult to predict to how events will pan out from... 10th September 2012 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Egypt’s rates on hold, although easing could come soon While Egypt’s central bank kept rates on hold today, the government’s progress towards securing a deal with the IMF means that the easing cycle could start sooner rather than later. 6th September 2012 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Focus South Africa set to remain a regional underperformer Recent events in South Africa’s mining sector, while tragic, are also symptomatic of wider economic problems that are likely to mean the country falls short of achieving its significant growth... 6th September 2012 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Will the rebound in the platinum price be sustained? South African labour disputes have caused platinum prices to rebound. We think that weak demand will cause prices to fall back by around 10% before the end of this year. However, recent events have... 29th August 2012 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Focus A deal with the IMF will mark a turning point for Egypt The visit of Christine Lagarde to Egypt today is perhaps the clearest signal yet that the country is close to signing a deal with the IMF. If this materialises before the end of the year (as the... 22nd August 2012 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update The tide could be turning in Egypt’s favour Reports that Christine Lagarde will visit Egypt next week and that the country may seek more funds from the IMF than had been initially thought are positive developments. This follows the news that... 16th August 2012 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Egyptian president fighting for civilian rule In a surprising move, the Egyptian President decided to sack the country’s two top-ranking generals and cancelled an earlier declaration by the military council that gave it wide legislative powers... 13th August 2012 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Data Response Egypt Consumer Prices (Jul.) Egyptian inflation fell to a six-year low in July as price pressures in virtually all the components of the consumer price basket eased. 9th August 2012 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Egypt: devaluation back on investors’ agenda Today’s data from the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) showing that foreign currency reserves fell in July serve as a reminder that devaluation of the pound remains a real and likely prospect. 7th August 2012 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update IMF approves funding for Morocco and Jordan The decision by the IMF to approve funding for Morocco and Jordan will reduce the risks of a balance of payments crisis in the immediate term. But both economies remain fragile. While Morocco is... 6th August 2012 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Egypt’s new cabinet unlikely to herald radical shift in policy The much-anticipated announcement of the new Egyptian cabinet was a bit of a damp squib. Admittedly, the technocratic nature of the new administration has calmed fears of an Islamist-dominated... 2nd August 2012 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Egypt’s rates on hold as balance of payments troubles persist The decision by Egypt’s Central Bank (CBE) to keep interest rates on hold was unsurprising. Although the economy is weak and inflationary pressures subdued, political instability will keep pressure on... 26th July 2012 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Egypt’s new Prime Minister won’t ease market fears The surprising appointment of Dr. Hisham Kandil as Egypt’s new Prime Minister is unlikely to calm nerves in the financial markets. For a start, he lacks the economic credentials that some were hoping... 24th July 2012 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Egypt: economy could make or break the new president’s tenure The election of Dr. Mohamed Mursi as Egypt’s first democratically-elected president last month represented a significant step in the country’s transition. But as we expected, tensions between the new... 11th July 2012 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Data Response Egypt Consumer Prices (Jun.) Egyptian inflation fell to a nine-month low in June on the back of weaker food inflation. Nonetheless, this is unlikely to pave the way for looser monetary policy – at least until the political... 10th July 2012 · 1 min read
