The Stears Weekly Macroeconomic Report highlights the macroeconomic trends and policy shifts shaping the African investment landscape, helping you make informed decisions in dynamic markets.
Country Updates
Cameroon
- Foreign Exchange: The Central African CFA Franc (XAF) appreciated by 0.1% last week, closing at FCFA602/$, driven by optimism around the Euro following Germany's approval of borrowing rule reforms and a €500 billion fund to revitalise its infrastructure and economy. While US tariff uncertainties are expected to support the Euro and ease pressure on the XAF, a wider eurozone-US interest rate differential favouring the US could weigh on the XAF in the near term. On March 19, 2025, the Federal Reserve maintained interest rates between 4.25% and 4.5%, signalling no urgency for cuts despite plans for reductions later this year.
- Agriculture Support Programs: Proparco, a subsidiary of the French Development Agency (AFD), and Investors & Partners (I&P) have introduced the €4 million (~ $4.3 million)
