Country Report
South Africa’s growth outlook is held back by low investor confidence and structural weaknesses in areas such as infrastructure, labour and competition. Neither of these are likely to be addressed in the current financial and political climate.
Country Report
Tanzania’s economy is performing well, despite challenges arising from a weak currency. The recent presidential victory of Magufuli, a candidate with strong anti-corruption credentials bodes well for the business environment.
Special Dutch version
While there will be a devaluation of the Chinese renminbi, the dollar will also become stronger more generally in 2016, due in part to the Fed’s interest rate increases. The ECB is more likely to do the opposite, which will weaken the euro/dollar currency pair further still. Slightly higher capital market rates can be expected though.
Special Dutch version
Global growth holds up in 2016, but does not accelerate. With the US poised to hike interest rates, the rest of the world waits anxiously. Normalization of monetary policy poses economic risks, but so does keeping it too loose for too long.
Country Report
Low copper prices and lower copper production have pulled the trade balance in negative territory and increased the budget deficit. This combined with a sharp depreciation of the kwacha has increased public debt.
