Low-income countries that sought to spend more on health care during the pandemic have been hit with ratings downgrades, while others avoided borrowing entirely.
Karl Schmedders, International Institute for Management Development (IMD); Jung Park, International Institute for Management Development (IMD) et Robert Earle, University of Zurich
Starting to feel a little more optimistic? Look away now.
The alarm being raised by multilateral financial institutions about rising government debt across Africa is exaggerated. The real problem is that African governments pay way over the odds for debt.
Since the first “climate awareness bond” was issued in 2007, the green-bond market has flourished. But how can investors judge their risk and effectiveness?
In announcing free higher education, South African President Jacob Zuma, lobbed a populist hot potato at the ANC elective conference but it’s ordinary people whose fingers will be burnt.
South Africa needs to start thinking about life after President Jacob Zuma. Given the damage that he’s done, serious thought should be given to forming a government of national unity.
The focus will now be on how the social democratic and left-leaning members of South Africa’s cabinet – the “constitutionalists” – will respond to the reshuffle.
The BRICS bloc of states have resolved to establish an alternative credit rating agency to counter western dominance in the financial markets. Will it work?
The costs to South Africa of maintaining the ownership of a national airline are proving to be unbearably expensive. It’s time to let the struggling carrier go.
South Africa has narrowly escaped a downgrade of the rating of its sovereign bonds, but government has its work cut out as it seeks to restore investor confidence and lift economic growth.
Pessimists aren’t asking if the glass in South Africa is half full. They want to know if there’s anything in the glass. The answer is a pleasant surprise.