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
Central Africa
Foreign exchange
The Congolese Franc (CDF) appreciated significantly last week, gaining 6.3%, up from 3.3% previously, marking its strongest performance in 2025. This momentum was driven by several key economic factors, including central bank interventions in the foreign exchange market, sustained high global copper prices (which supported export revenues), and robust demand from commercial banks for the local currency. The upward trend is expected to continue as the Central Bank of Congo (BCC) increases its support for the forex market and local banks further build their domestic currency reserve positions. Meanwhile, the CFA franc (XAF) showed modest stability, gaining 0.3%, a trend attributed to the US dollar's weakness following domestic economic signals, which is expected to persist unless the US economy experiences a sharp rebound that bolsters
