Proposed VAT increase: fiscal necessity or economic catastrophe?
Instead of hiking VAT, the government could fix its tax collection problems, improve state resource management, and stimulate the economy to boost revenue.
GDP
Rethinking inflation: SARB’s governor on achieving lower rates without sacrificing growth
Having reached the target of 4.5% with ‘little or no cost’, Lesetja Kganyago argues that South Africa can achieve permanently lower inflation and interest rates.
How the two-pot system may impact household income and inflation
Economists assess the possible impact of the reforms on household consumption, real fixed investment, inflation, government debt, and GDP growth.
Here’s how much SA institutions’ offshore allocations have grown
The SA Reserve Bank is concerned about the liquidity of the country’s financial markets and institutional investors’ exposure to government bonds.
Despite risk upgrade, South Africa faces commercial risk red zone
South Africa received a positive risk rating upgrade recently, but according to Allianz Trade’s Country Risk Atlas, the country still faces increased commercial risk due to temporary disruptions in demand.
South Africa faces economic headwinds as Fitch rating reflects concerns
Fitch’s recent affirmation of the country’s BB- rating underscores concerns about weak GDP growth, power shortages, faltering logistics, and a rising government debt-to-GDP ratio.
Political messaging, juggling spending demands, and the outlook for SA bonds
Jeff Schultz, senior economist at BNP Paribas South Africa, provides the following perspective on the Budget. He discusses: What the ANC hopes the Budget will achieve politically. The outlook for government revenue and […]
Nigeria – GDP nearly doubles following rebasing
Nigeria now has the largest economy on the continent following the release of much-anticipated preliminary rebased GDP statistics. The previous base year of 1990 has become outdated due to changes in the structure […]
Namibia – IMF concludes Article IV consultation
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded its 2013 Article IV consultation with Namibia on 29 January 2014. The Fund staff’s appraisal acknowledged that Namibia managed to make significant progress in relation to the […]
Nigeria – Real GDP growth rises in Q3
Nigeria’s real GDP growth improved in the third quarter on the back of higher oil production as well as an increase in non-oil GDP growth. Real GDP at factor cost expanded by 6.81% […]
