Economy

Official statistics are non-existent but local economists 'guesstimate' that inflation is now something like 4,000,000 % y-o-y. We have refrained from offering forecasts in the current... 2008-06-26

In view of the government's successful efforts to diversify sources of FDI away from China, coupled with its plans to create more special economic zones and increase 'economic diplomacy',... 2008-06-26

The 19 donor agencies supporting and financing the state budget have promised US$774.3mn for 2009, up from US$624.8mn promised the previous year, despite Sweden and Switzerland reducing... 2008-06-26

BMI View: The official interest rate in Botswana has been increased for the second time in a month. However, given that the country's inflation problem is exogenously-driven, it... 2008-06-25

BMI View: Our current interest rate forecast for end-2008 is consistent with the latest policy hike. If monthly inflation trends begin to show signs of further major acceleration... 2008-06-25

BMI View: Our core scenario is for a current account deficit to remain in place over the coming years, with a deficit of US$0.6bn (6.0% of GDP) forecast for 2008. However, if forthcoming... 2008-06-25

BMI View: Our core scenario is for a current account surplus of US$34.3bn (41.2% of GDP) in 2008 and US$25.5bn (23.2% of GDP) in 2009. However, ongoing activity in the diamond sector... 2008-06-25

We have revised up our 2008 end year inflation target to 8.5% from 7.0% on the back of accelerated wage increases in the public sector. We believe an appreciating currency and Bank... 2008-06-25

Due to increasing pressures on South Africa's current account balance (the deficit amounted to an estimated 9.0% of GDP in Q108) and ongoing volatility in international financial... 2008-06-25

Mauritius' government sees real GDP growth reaching 6.2% in the 2008/09 fiscal year, relatively close to the 5.9% and 6.1% we forecast for 2008 and 2009 respectively. Combined with... 2008-06-25