Seven years since Uganda’s oil discovery and production has still not commenced. A two year deadlock, orchestrated by the Ugandan government’s resolve to have a refinery before production gets underway, as opposed to oil producing companies’ demand for a pipeline, partly explains the hold up. Continue reading
As China’s influence on the global and African economies grows, so does the desire to internationalise the Yuan. The competition to host a Yuan clearing house among the Asian economy’s trading partners has grown stronger. There is little or no surprise that the RMB has moved up to 13th in the list of world payment currencies from 20th as of January 2012. Trade remains a fundamental driver of this influence as shown by the volume of her exports and imports in 2012 estimated at USD 2.0 trillion and USD 1.8 trillion respectively. While the EU and US remain the top importers of Chinese products, economic conditions and competition are forcing China to grow its trade ties with emerging economies as well as Africa. Continue reading
In the wake of declining growth prospects for the Chinese economy, could the resilient African continent support the economic boom has spanned over a decade? Continue reading
Midway the 2012/13 financial year, the festive season has been a clear reflection of the kind of year 2012 has been for the Ugandan economy with a Christmas characterised by vendors, open shops and unusual activity on the outskirts of Kampala and in Mbarara. Continue reading
East Africa is no doubt one of the fastest growing regions on the continent, with a GDP growth rate for the bloc averaging 6.3 per cent, compared to 4.9 per cent for the continent as of 2010. Even with the tough economic times, the economies still grew at 3.2 per cent, 4.4 per cent, 6.4 per cent and 8.6 per cent respectively for Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda, according to IMF.
Finance and Investment - East Africa 