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 3.0% last week, closing at FCFA580.7/$, as the US dollar weakened. The dollar’s decline followed US President Donald Trump’s escalation of trade tensions, with his proposal for a 50% tariff on European Union imports starting June 1. Concerns over the sustainability of US fiscal policy added further pressure, with Moody’s downgrading the US credit rating to Aa1, citing an unsustainable debt load with no signs of improvement. In the near term, elevated US interest rates and ongoing trade uncertainty will shape the XAF’s performance.
- Industrial Zone: The Kribi Industrial Zone is rapidly establishing itself as a major investment hub, with nearly FCFA400 billion ($691.6 million) committed between 2018 and 2025. This investment spans cocoa processing,
