insert_link Business / Economics 22 April 2024 Morning Biz News: MortgageMarket Expands Horizons: Launches Operations in Namibia, Spearheading Accessible Home Loans Beyond South Africa MortgageMarket, a pioneering online home-loan marketplace platform based in South Africa, has embarked on an ambitious expansion strategy by launching operations in Namibia. Founded in 2019 by Tim Akinnusi, a seasoned banking executive, the platform has revolutionized the process of securing financing for property acquisitions, catering to the needs of customers, property developers, and estate agents alike. The move into Namibia marks a significant milestone for MortgageMarket, as it extends […] todayApril 22, 2024 18
insert_link Africa Kenya’s shilling is gaining value, but don’t expect it to last – expert By Odongo Kodongo, University of the Witwatersrand Shortly after Kenya’s 2022 elections, the shilling depreciated rapidly against the US dollar – the country’s main currency for international transactions – fuelling a wave of political discontent. More than a year later, the Central Bank of Kenya, taking its cue from the International Monetary Fund, said that the run on the shilling was a market correction for a […] todayApril 17, 2024 7
insert_link Business / Economics Saudi Arabia pledges support to Pakistan The Pakistan foreign office on Monday announced that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have reiterated their dedication to accelerate an investment package worth $5 billion previously discussed. This reaffirmation came one day after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Separately, the Diplomat reports that in the recent discussions, Riyadh might have encouraged Pakistan to regain financial stability by entering into an arrangement with the International […] todayApril 9, 2024 28
insert_link World IMF delegation visits Pakistan for economic reform talks An International Monetary Fund delegation will review a $3 billion bailout arrangement with Pakistan's new government this week. Islamabad says it wants to negotiate an 'extensive and extended' economic bailout package with the IMF to ensure macroeconomic stability. todayMarch 13, 2024 17
insert_link Namibia Greylisting is not a Death Sentence By Josef Kefas Sheehama It's crucial to remember that greylisting does not have to define Namibia's economy, even though it frequently makes people feel more anxious. Namibia can continue engaging in Anti-money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT). Namibia needs to make improvements to meet Financial Action Task Force (FATF) requirements in the areas of matter of concern. Our policymakers need to work together with FATF and get […] todayFebruary 27, 2024 20
insert_link Videos IMF urges vigilance on monetary policy https://youtu.be/UG1rZkT_FsQ The IMF is urging vigilance on monetary policy globally and says the job is not yet done when it comes to keeping inflation in check despite some weakening in key economies, a spokesperson for the Fund said Thursday (February 22) in Washington, DC. “Broadly speaking, because inflation has been coming down, but it's not yet at target or close enough to target our line, or our view remains the […] todayFebruary 23, 2024 10
insert_link Africa Ghana’s new vehicle tax aims to tackle pollution – expert unpacks how it’ll work and suggests reforms By Theophilus Acheampong, University of Aberdeen Ghana has introduced an annual carbon levy on vehicles and industrial emissions. It’s only the third African country to introduce an explicit carbon tax, after South Africa and Mauritius. The tax is intended to address harm associated with vehicle emissions. But it has prompted a pushback from various citizens, civic and consumer groups. The Conversation Africa’s Godfred Akoto Boafo spoke […] todayFebruary 16, 2024 14
insert_link Business / Economics IMF World Economic Outlook Update https://youtu.be/DB9yEOgE1Iw The IMF sees a runway to a ‘soft landing’ for global growth Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, head of the Fund’s Research Department said at the launch of the World Economic Outlook (WEO) Tuesday (January 30) in Johannesburg, South Africa. “The global economy continues to display remarkable resilience with inflation declining steadily and growth holding up. The chance of a soft landing as increased. But the pace of expansion remains slow and […] todayJanuary 31, 2024 17
Africa IMF tracking shows that no African state has sought comprehensive debt relief in over a year indicating a trend of growing fiscal hygiene across the region By Seth Onyango, via bird story agency Countries in Africa are showing signs of improving fiscal management, as they navigate through a cascading set of global shocks that exacerbated their debt vulnerabilities. Remarkably, no state has sought comprehensive debt relief since Ghana’s request over a year ago, signalling a trend of growing fiscal discipline across the region. The improvement bucks the trend of recent years, given that […] todayJanuary 25, 2024 7
