U.S. Eases Venezuela Oil Sanctions to Boost American Investment After Maduro Ouster 
BOJ Policymakers Warn Weak Yen Could Fuel Inflation Risks and Delay Rate Action 
JPMorgan Lifts Gold Price Forecast to $6,300 by End-2026 on Strong Central Bank and Investor Demand 
China Factory Activity Slips in January as Weak Demand Weighs on Growth Outlook 
OCBC Raises Gold Price Forecast to $5,600 as Structural Demand and Uncertainty Persist 
U.S.–Venezuela Relations Show Signs of Thaw as Top Envoy Visits Caracas 
Morgan Stanley Raises KOSPI Target to 5,200 on Strong Earnings and Reform Momentum 
U.S. Government Faces Brief Shutdown as Congress Delays Funding Deal 
Asian Currencies Hold Firm as Dollar Rebounds on Fed Chair Nomination Hopes 
Asian Markets Slide as Silver Volatility, Earnings Season, and Central Bank Meetings Rattle Investors 
FxWirePro- Major Crypto levels and bias summary 
Philippines Manufacturing PMI Hits Nine-Month High Despite Weak Confidence Outlook 
In post 2008 crisis world, along with emerging markets, African economies rose to prominence as many economists considered the region as next destination, though to present high level of economic expansion and growth.
However, that dream has stalled for now as African economies face three critical challenges
- Threat of terrorism - Though terrorism is a global threat, it is acute in Africa. Given the countries' lack of funds and capability governments are not in a great positions to tackle Islamic State offshoots and organization like Boko Haram.
- Weakness in China - African economies over the past couple of years has been benefactor of inflows from China and large scale imports to China. Further weakness in Chinese economy means further trouble for African counterparts.
- Lower oil price - Many large African economies such as Nigeria, Congo, Gabon, Angola are exporter of crude, which generates about 60-90% of the government revenue. Longer the lower oil price, larger is the threat to African economies.
