Africa Chart Pack Looking beyond the politics Attention this month has focused on political stories in Kenya, South Africa, and Angola. We will continue to cover these issues in other publications. While economic data released over the past month... 24th October 2017 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update South Africa: Markets mispricing interest rate moves Market expectations towards South African interest rates have shifted markedly in recent weeks. While a rate cut next month is no-longer likely, we think that the markets have moved too far, and are... 20th October 2017 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update South Africa: Growth remained robust in Q3 New activity data suggest that South Africa’s long-suffering economy experienced comparatively robust growth in mid-Q3. Today’s figures support our markedly above-consensus growth forecasts. 18th October 2017 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update South Africa: Economy remained strong in Q3 After bouncing back in Q2, the latest activity data suggest that South Africa’s economy remained strong in mid-Q3. This supports our above-consensus growth forecasts for the country. 12th October 2017 · 1 min read
Africa Chart Pack A Multispeed Recovery GDP figures released this month showed that the economic fortunes of Africa’s largest economies diverged in Q2. South Africa’s economy rebounded after a brief recession at the turn of the year. While... 27th September 2017 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update South African loosening cycle put on hold The South African Reserve Bank has paused its loosening cycle, but we expect that it will cut rates at its November meeting, by which time inflation will have eased further. 21st September 2017 · 1 min read
Africa Data Response South Africa CPI (Aug.) Inflation in South Africa was weaker than expected in August, which supports our view that the South African Reserve Bank will cut its key policy rate from 6.75% to 6.50% at its meeting tomorrow. 20th September 2017 · 1 min read
Africa Data Response South Africa Current Account (Q2) South Africa’s current account deficit was wider than expected in Q2, at 2.4% of GDP, but the big picture is that it has narrowed significantly over the past 18 months. The slightly wider shortfall is... 14th September 2017 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update South Africa: Growth slips at start of Q3 July activity data suggest that South Africa’s economy weakened at the start of Q3. But GDP still grew by about 1.5% q/q saar at the start of Q3, supporting our above-consensus growth forecasts. 13th September 2017 · 1 min read
Africa Data Response South Africa Manufacturing & Mining Output (July) South African mining data for July were weaker than expected but, taken together with the manufacturing figures also released today, it looks like the economy may have strengthened a little at the... 7th September 2017 · 1 min read
Metals Data Response South Africa’s Mine Production (Jul.) The weak July data for South Africa’s PGM mine output add to evidence that the market is tightening. We expect output to remain soft in the remainder of the year. 7th September 2017 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update Q2 GDP: South Africa rebounds, Nigeria limps out of recession Africa’s two largest economies returned to growth in Q2. But while South African growth rebounded, things in Nigeria remained very weak, causing us to downgrade our 2017 growth forecast to 1.2%. 5th September 2017 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update Nigeria & South Africa: Key economies bounced back in Q2 GDP figures due out Tuesday will probably show that the Nigerian & South African economies returned to growth in Q2. Indeed, we think that both countries will perform better than most expect this year... 4th September 2017 · 1 min read
Africa Data Response South Africa Manufacturing PMI (Aug.) South Africa’s manufacturing PMI remained extremely weak last month. And while the survey has tended to overstate downturns in recent years, it may suggest that the economy softened in Q3. 1st September 2017 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update African markets continue to pick up August was another strong month for African markets as key equity indices gained. Fears that politics would knock markets off course proved ill-founded. 30th August 2017 · 1 min read
Africa Chart Pack Africa: Politics grabs headlines as key economies strengthen Attention this month focused on unfolding political dramas in Africa’s key economies. The president of South Africa narrowly saw off another no-confidence vote, Kenya’s president was re-elected in a... 24th August 2017 · 1 min read