Finance & Economics - page 8

U.S. Household Debt Hits Record $18.6 Trillion as Economic Pressures Shift
News

U.S. Household Debt Hits Record $18.6 Trillion as Economic Pressures Shift

U.S. household debt climbed to a record high in Q3 2025, underscoring a critical turning point for consumer finances and offering key signals for economists assessing the strength of today’s market.

APAC Insurers Shift Toward External Asset Management as Private Markets Expand, CWAN Survey Finds
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APAC Insurers Shift Toward External Asset Management as Private Markets Expand, CWAN Survey Finds

A new Clearwater Analytics survey shows 67% of APAC insurers plan to increase their use of external asset managers as private markets grow and technology reshapes investment operations.

Côte d’Ivoire Joins Arab Africa Trade Bridges Program to Strengthen Regional Trade and Investment Integration
News

Côte d’Ivoire Joins Arab Africa Trade Bridges Program to Strengthen Regional Trade and Investment Integration

Côte d’Ivoire’s new membership in the Arab Africa Trade Bridges (AATB) Program supports deeper economic cooperation across high-growth Arab and African trade corridors, where intra-regional commerce continues to expand steadily.

New Report Warns of a Growing Financial Crime Where Criminal Networks “Launder” Wildlife to Disguise Illicit Profits
News

New Report Warns of a Growing Financial Crime Where Criminal Networks “Launder” Wildlife to Disguise Illicit Profits

A new RUSI report reveals that wildlife laundering has become a sophisticated financial crime used by criminal networks to mask illegal profits through seemingly legitimate businesses.

Moldova’s State Aid Scheme Opens Strong Opportunities for Foreign Strategic Investors
News

Moldova’s State Aid Scheme Opens Strong Opportunities for Foreign Strategic Investors

Invest Moldova welcomes foreign investors seeking a competitive edge, unveiling a State Aid Scheme that delivers substantial financial incentives and positions Moldova as one of the most attractive strategic manufacturing hubs in the European neighbourhood.

Sierra Leone Secures Major Boost as Baomahun Gold Project Locks In $330M Financing
News

Sierra Leone Secures Major Boost as Baomahun Gold Project Locks In $330M Financing

A landmark $330 million financing package for Sierra Leone Baomahun Gold Project signals one of the country’s most significant steps yet toward unlocking the full economic potential of its gold industry.

Nigeria: African Development Bank Group Provides $500 Million Loan to Support Economic Governance and Energy Transition
News

Nigeria: African Development Bank Group Provides $500 Million Loan to Support Economic Governance and Energy Transition

The African Development Bank Group has approved a $500 million loan to Nigeria to finance the second phase of its Economic Governance and Energy Transition Support Programme, aimed at accelerating energy sector reforms, improving fiscal management, and fostering an investment-friendly environment across the Federation.

African Development Fund Approves Additional 28 Million Dollars to Strengthen Benin Private Sector Growth
News

African Development Fund Approves Additional 28 Million Dollars to Strengthen Benin Private Sector Growth

A new round of financing from the African Development Fund aims to accelerate private sector development, enhance economic zones, and reinforce climate and governance reforms as Benin advances toward stronger, more diversified economic growth.

Singapore Launches First Fully-Insured Physical Gold Fund, Democratizing Gold Ownership for Retail Investors
News

Singapore Launches First Fully-Insured Physical Gold Fund, Democratizing Gold Ownership for Retail Investors

A new gold fund backed by physical bullion and vaulted in Singapore is set to redefine access to precious-metal investments, offering retail investors institutional-grade gold exposure with unprecedented ease.

AI-Powered Portfolio Tools Set to Transform Wealth Management as Wealth Pools Surge
News

AI-Powered Portfolio Tools Set to Transform Wealth Management as Wealth Pools Surge

With the wealth management industry in Asia projected to reach $363 trillion by 2026, AI-driven portfolio tools are emerging as a defining factor for firms aiming to capture the coming wave of growth.

Africa Finance Corporation Secures US$75 Million BADEA Credit Line to Accelerate Continental Infrastructure Growth
News

Africa Finance Corporation Secures US$75 Million BADEA Credit Line to Accelerate Continental Infrastructure Growth

AFC strengthens its long-term development capacity through a new US$75 million facility from BADEA, reinforcing a strategic partnership aimed at advancing transformational infrastructure across Africa.

BlackRock and AccessFintech Partner to Modernize Post-Trade Connectivity
News

BlackRock and AccessFintech Partner to Modernize Post-Trade Connectivity

BlackRock has teamed up with AccessFintech to enhance post-trade connectivity and streamline operations across global capital markets.

Sierra Leone Joins ICIEC as 51st Member, Enhancing Trade and Investment Opportunities in West Africa
News

Sierra Leone Joins ICIEC as 51st Member, Enhancing Trade and Investment Opportunities in West Africa

The Republic of Sierra Leone has joined ICIEC as its 51st member, opening new avenues for Shariah-compliant insurance and investment solutions to boost trade and attract foreign investment in West Africa.

Morgan Stanley Eyes 2026 as a “Roll‑Forward” Year: U.S. Stocks Poised to Lead Amid Moderate Global Growth
News

Morgan Stanley Eyes 2026 as a “Roll‑Forward” Year: U.S. Stocks Poised to Lead Amid Moderate Global Growth

As we edge toward 2026, Morgan Stanley is signaling cautious optimism: moderate global growth paired with easing inflation and strategic AI-driven investments could make next year a quiet but meaningful win for risk assets. With the S&P 500 potentially climbing 14% and global GDP forecast at 3.2%, investors get the chance to leverage structural trends […]

African Development Bank Brings Stock Exchanges Together to Rethink the Continent’s Financial Future
News

African Development Bank Brings Stock Exchanges Together to Rethink the Continent’s Financial Future

The African Development Bank Group has opened a two-day meeting in Abidjan with more than 50 representatives from major African stock exchanges, regional banks, and development finance institutions.

AfDB Approves $310M for FirstRand to Expand Lending to MSMEs and Women Entrepreneurs in South Africa
News

AfDB Approves $310M for FirstRand to Expand Lending to MSMEs and Women Entrepreneurs in South Africa

In South Africa and across developing markets, MSMEs face a financing shortfall equivalent to nearly 19% of GDP, representing some $5.7 trillion in unmet need globally. This is why targeted support, like AfDB’s $310 million financing for FirstRand Bank earmarked for MSMEs and women-led businesses, is so critical:

Finance & Economics