Consumers are feeling pain at the pump and demanding solutions. Some politicians are pushing gasoline tax waivers – but that means less money to fix roads, and often not much economic relief.
Energy prices, unemployment, inflation – it’s all looking a bit 1978. And that’s without COVID.
Nigeria’s economy is struggling to recover from fluctuating oil price, inflation and impact of COVID-19 pandemic.
Photo by Pius Utomi Ekpei/AFP via Getty Images
To non-economists, the World Bank ranking Nigeria fifth on the list of its top ten debtor countries is alarming. A deeper analysis shows there is no cause for concern.
The predictions were for a massive downturn in state finances because of COVID-19 … but the predictions were wrong.
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Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s appointment as the first woman and the first African director general of the World Trade Organisation is a win for women globally.
This week South Africa’s finance minister Tito Mboweni will deliver the country’s medium term budget review.
Photo by Jeffrey Abrahams/Gallo Images via Getty Images
We find low taxes on the rich bring economies little benefit. This suggests there is a strong economic case for raising taxes on the rich to help repair public finances following the pandemic.
Jonathan Barrett, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
With their different but equally conservative income tax policies, both Labour and National ask voters to consider their own appetite for risk.
A member of the Nigerian Health Task Force fumigates a building in Abuja, Nigeria, as the city struggles to curb the spread of coronavirus.
COVID-19 Photo by Kola Sulaimon/AFP via Getty Images
Whether measures announced by Gigaba will stave off a downgrade of South Africa’s local currency debt by one remaining rating remains to be seen.
Without improved state government policies to alleviate stressed industries and communities, Queenslanders’ income and wealth will suffer.
Dave Hunt/AAP
The Queensland government pays a higher interest rate than Queensland mortgage holders. Plans for both urban and rural rejuvenation need to start with fixing government finances.
The government will change the way debt is reported.
Dan Himbrechts/AAP
Africa is facing an annual financing gap for water infrastructure of around $45bn to meet the needs of its citizens. Where is the money going to come from?
Controversy dogs South Africa’s nuclear energy plans.
Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters
South Africa’s Parliamentary Budget Office had 10 months to prepare its findings about the cost of a nuclear programme. Its final report was little more than a summary of other institutions’ work.
Philip Murphy, School of Advanced Study, University of London
Royal finances have come under close scrutiny in recent days after the Public Accounts Committee told the royal household it must earn more and spend less – a bit like the rest of the country in an era…