Middle Eastern and African market data, analysis and forecasts from Business Monitor International, the trusted source for business information and intelligence on global emerging markets.
Middle East & Africa Monitor provides political risk analysis, economic forecasts and business information for trade & industry across the Middle Eastern and African economies of the East Med, The Gulf, North Africa, Southern Africa, East & Central Africa and West Africa. Middle East & Africa Monitor is available as six printed, regional, monthly newsletters. Subscribers also receive password access to a searchable 24-month archive of Middle East & Africa Monitor articles and data online plus the ability to download PDFs of current and back issues of Middle East & Africa Monitor.
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Economy / Sudan
We have made a slight upward revision to our balance of payments projections for Sudan, based on indications that the trade deficit was less deep than we previously estimated in 2012, resulting in less ground to make up in 2013. However, the current account deficit remains deep in negative territory, and remains a risk to Sudan's economic stability.
2013-05-23Economy / Tanzania
A member of parliament from the opposition Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo was arrested along with 60 other people in late May in connection with disturbances which rocked the central...
2013-05-23Economy / Uganda
BMI View: Due to continued growth in imports, we expect the current account deficit to remain in the red. We are forecasting a deficit of 9.8% of GDP in 2013.
2013-05-23Economy / Israel
The construction of around 300 new Jewish settler homes in Beit El in the occupied West Bank was approved by Israel in May. The move is expected to raise tensions as the US works on restarting peace talks with the Palestinians. The announcement came a few days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was said to have unofficially ordered a freeze on new plans and tenders...
2013-05-24Economy / Syria
Syrian Prime Minister Wael al-Halqi survived a car bomb attack in the capital Damascus that was targeted at his convoy in April. The blast in the western Mazzeh district killed a number...
2013-05-24Economy / Syria
According to official data, consumer price inflation (CPI) increased 49.5% y-o-y in November 2012. Given ongoing political violence, international trade sanctions and the recent devaluation...
2013-05-24Economy / Morocco
BMI View: Morocco's foreign currency reserves stood at MAD137.5bn (US$16.1bn) at the end of April, according to latest data from the Moroccan Central Bank. While down by 9.0% from the same period of 2012, this remains sufficient to cover between four and five months of import needs. We maintain our view that Morocco will be able to avoid a devaluation of the dirham over the medium...
2013-05-23Economy / Morocco
Istiqlal, Morocco's second-largest political party, withdrew from the ruling coalition on May 11, leaving Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane with a minority in parliament. Under the...
2013-05-23Economy / Libya
Two French guards were injured after an apparent car bomb exploded outside the French embassy in the Libyan capital Tripoli on April 23, causing serious damage. The embassy's...
2013-04-29Economy / Namibia
Largely on the back of ongoing government spending expansion under the Targeted Intervention Programme for Employment and Economic Growth, we believe that real GDP expansion will pick up slightly in 2013, to 4.3%, compared to an estimated 4.1% in 2012.
2013-05-24Economy / South Africa
South Africa's National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has submitted a proposal to the country's Chamber of Mines (CoM) about the revision of wages and conditions of employment of gold...
2013-05-24Economy / Madagascar
BMI View: We are forecasting a moderate rebound in economic growth to 3.7% in 2013 on the back of renewed donor support and low base effects. That said, a precarious political picture...
2013-05-24Economy / Yemen
According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), oil production in Yemen averaged 156,000 barrels per day (b/d) in 2012, a 40.0% decline from the pre-crisis level of 260,000b/d in 2010. Although output has stabilised in recent months at between 150,000-160,000 barrels per day, ongoing infrastructure sabotages will continue to make Yemen a high risk operating environment....
2013-05-24Economy / Iraq
A series of bomb attacks throughout Iraq have killed more than 70 people and wounded several others in mid-May. Political risks in Iraq have increased significantly in recent weeks....
2013-05-24Economy / Yemen
Ahmed Ali Saleh, commander of the Republican Guard and son of former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, was removed from his post by Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi in April. Saleh...
2013-05-24Economy / Cote d'Ivoire
BMI View: Despite rapid import growth due to surging fixed capital investment, Côte d'Ivoire's current account deficit will remain contained over the coming years. Buoyant export growth and a wave of foreign investment is supporting a deficit that we predict will be worth 3.2% of GDP in 2013.
2013-05-24Economy / Cameroon
Cameroon's budget deficit will narrow slightly in 2013, based in part on the expansion of the oil sector and associated revenues. Nevertheless, due to high government spending, the...
2013-05-24Economy / Cameroon
Following an order from Cameroon's minister of communications, local officials in the northwestern city of Bamenda shut down Foundation Radio, a private station, in retaliation for...
2013-05-24
