Category: Finance and Economics

Introduction While the political and security-related challenges in West Africa have risen recently, the political turmoil that unfolded in Niger in July 2023 has raised more significant attention and concern globally. Niger’s strategic location at the intersection of North, West, and Central Africa (Figure 1), its mineral resources and its vast land of 1,267,000 km² …

Introduction On 28th August 2023, a Bloomberg article reported that energy subsidies in Saudi Arabia amounted to US$7,000 per capita on energy subsidies – the highest among the Group of 20 Economies The portrayal of energy subsidies in Saudi Arabia needs to be put in perspective. This blog examines the subsidy issue more comprehensively and …

On 24 August 2023, during a summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, BRICS announced the admission of six new members. The BRICS summit came at a time when countries all over the world are trying to deal with a changing geopolitical landscape that challenges the dominance of the West. Seeking more political and economic influence in …

Introduction Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are vital in promoting economic growth, accounting for 90% of businesses, providing 60 to 70% of employment, and contributing 50% of the world’s GDP (World Bank). They are the backbone of societies worldwide, supporting livelihoods, especially among the working poor, women, youth, and vulnerable groups. With the proper support, …

Introduction Egypt has a growing population of more than 100 million, an increase of more than 7 million since the 2017 census. With this population growth, the country faces significant development challenges as its large and growing population is unbanked and underserved in financial services. Hence, Egypt exerts more efforts to promote and deliver affordable …

We cannot afford to keep stumbling from one crisis to the next — Angela Merkel (2009)   The title of this article is the title of a speech delivered in the wake of the Global Financial Crisis of 2008 by former European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet. Although his call was made 14 years ago, it seems as relevant today …

Introduction The surge in inflation that followed the recovery from the 2020 global recession has prompted monetary tightening in several advanced economies (AEs) and emerging market and developing economies (EMDEs), which exacerbates the challenges of sustainable development financing. Against this backdrop, debt situations in developing countries have continued deteriorating over the past decade. More than …

Introduction The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank on 8-10 March 2023 has triggered deep financial turmoil in the US and prompted financial and monetary authorities to intervene to swiftly avert a contagion. SVB specialized in providing finance and banking services to venture-backed start-ups, most of which are technology firms. It was …

Introduction The global economy and the international financial system have been rattled by crises of varying sources since the start of the new millennium – from the bursting of the dot-com bubble in the early 2000s to the 2007-2009 global financial crisis. Over the past couple of years, the effects of the devastating COVID-19 pandemic, …

Introduction BRIC is an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, and China that was coined in 2001 by Jim O’Neill, the then Chief Economist of Goldman Sachs, to reflect the combined growing influence of these four countries in the contemporary global economic disposition as they are projected to attain absolute group dominance in the global economy …