Policy & Government
China Central Bank Announces New Relief Measures for SMEs to Kickstart Economy, Contain Impact of COVID-19 Outbreak
The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) announced a slew of new measures designed to ease access to financing and loan terms for small businesses in a bid to kickstart a flagging economy being battered by a viral outbreak.
27 Feb 2020
Additional State Support for Eskom Unlikely for Now, But Available if Needed
Measures to support the ailing South African state-owned utility introduced throughout the past year should prove sufficient as the government moves to break up the company into three separate entities, ING predicts, amid reports of new closure threats at its largest operational power plant.
26 Feb 2020
Coronavirus Could Weigh on Nigeria’s Ability to Secure Crucial Loans from China, Protect Fiscal Revenues – SBM
The coronavirus outbreak currently plaguing global markets may harm Nigeria’s ability to secure Chinese loans needed to fund the 2020 budget, while also weighing on trade and oil revenues, according to a research note from SBM Intelligence.
25 Feb 2020
Kenya Bankers Association Questions Efficacy of Rate Cuts
Following a recent meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) in January, the Central Bank Rate was cut for the second time since November 2019 from 8.5% to 8.25%. A recent note from the Kenya Bankers Association Centre for Research on Financial Markets and Policy has questioned whether this will be able to boost credit growth.
24 Feb 2020
Conducive Macro Backdrop Bolstered Rwanda’s Financial Sector in 2019 – Central Bank
Rwanda’s financial sector enjoyed healthy growth throughout 2019, whilst key metrics indicate that the banks remain well capitalised and non-performing loans (NPLs) are continuing to fall, according to a recent note from the Financial Stability Committee at the National Bank of Rwanda.
21 Feb 2020
Brazil Delays Administrative Reforms Again, According to Local Press
An administrative reform package that was to be sent to Brazil’s lower house yesterday has been delayed, according to a report in local press, an ominous sign for more ambitious reforms due to be introduced.
21 Feb 2020
IMF Warns Argentina Bond Holders That Haircuts May be "Unavoidable"
The Fund held a series of “productive” meetings with Argentine officials in Buenos Aires, commending the overall efforts to restore growth and reduce poverty, but signalled that write-offs will be inevitable.
20 Feb 2020
Kenya Announces Plans to Streamline Building Approval Processes
Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Housing & Urban Development, Charles Hinga, announced plans this week to harmonise building fees and approval processes for buildings throughout the country. The move is intended to cut costs for developers, spur the growth of affordable housing, and stimulate investor participation in the sector.
20 Feb 2020
Turkey Delays Structural Reforms in Favour of Credit Fuelled Recovery – Chatham House
Despite a strong recovery since the economic crisis of 2018, Turkey is not out of the woods yet. Binging on cheap credit may have pulled the economy out of recession for now, stimulating key sectors and driving consumption, but it leaves the lira vulnerable, according to a recent report by Fadi Hakura, Turkey Specialist and Manager of the Turkey Project at Chatham House.
20 Feb 2020
Russian Government Reshuffle Spreads to MinFin as Another Key Minister Set to Leave
Storchak, a veteran of the finance ministry is expected to resign in coming days, according to state media reports.
18 Feb 2020