Africa: Sub Saharan Africa: Steady Growth Amid Fiscal Challenges

Africa: Sub Saharan Africa: Steady Growth Amid Fiscal Challenges

Increasing government revenue and better managing debt can help foster resilience and accelerate growth Over the past six months the realignment of global priorities and increasingly turbulent external conditions have continued to test sub-Saharan Africa. Yet the region’s economies are proving resilient. As our recent economic outlook for the region shows, economic growth is projected to hold…

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Africa: Tax-Free Entry Level Smartphones in Africa – a Policy Lever for Digital Inclusion or a Fiscal Tightrope?

Africa: Tax-Free Entry Level Smartphones in Africa – a Policy Lever for Digital Inclusion or a Fiscal Tightrope?

At the recent Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Kigali, a bold proposal took centre stage: African telecom operators and government leaders called for the removal of import duties and VAT on smartphones priced under $100. This clarion call came with the aim to accelerate internet access, digital skills, and participation in the digital economy for…

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Africa: Tax-Free Entry Level Smartphones in Africa – a Policy Lever for Digital Inclusion or a Fiscal Tightrope?

Africa: UN80 – Alternative Reform Pathways – Fiscal Prudence, Relocation Realities, & Underutilized Charter Mechanisms

Geneva — Recent proposals to relocate UN operations to lower-cost duty stations ignore demonstrable economic patterns. Empirical evidence suggests that establishing UN hubs often triggers localized inflation, negating projected savings. Case Study: UN Presence in Nairobi While city-wide inflation is driven by national policies, population growth, infrastructure deficits and global shocks, the UN significantly increased…

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Africa: Tax-Free Entry Level Smartphones in Africa – a Policy Lever for Digital Inclusion or a Fiscal Tightrope?

Africa: World Bank Approves $115 Million to Support Senegal’s Fiscal Reforms and Strengthen Public Financial Management

Washington — The World Bank has approved $115 million in concessional financing to support Senegal’s efforts to improve public debt sustainability, strengthen public financial management, and increase domestic resource mobilization. The financing, provided through the International Development Association (IDA), will help implement the government’s flagship reform program, the 2025-2029 Senegal Program for Transparency in Public…

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