Trend Assessment: Gabon faces bleak economic outlook as investors leave

Introduction

The central African country of Gabon was plunged into a political crisis last August after presidential elections which the runner-up, Jean Ping, refused to recognise as legitimate. On 28 February, President Ali Bongo Ondimba, whose dynasty has run Gabon since the 1960s, announced the start of a three-week national dialogue to seek a political agreement to the impasse. ...

Situation Report: Angola enters a new era with an old guard

Angola’s long-sitting president steps down, but power remains within his family and immediate entourage of political cronies.

Africa’s second-longest serving president, José Eduardo dos Santos of Angola, confirmed in early February that he would not seek another term in office at the next legislative elections in August; the winning party nominates the ...

Situation Report: Ghana — New government, old debt

  Ghana has a new government since early January, but old demons are likely to spook investors and increase political risk in the longer term.

Case Study: Reviving South Sudan’s ailing oil sector

South Sudan wants to double its oil output in the next financial year. International oil companies are ready to move in but they want to know if their operations will be secure.

Investors want to resume operations

In December 2016, the South Sudanese government announced it intended to double its oil output ...

Global implications of the Odebrecht corruption scandal

A guilty plea in New York by a Brazilian engineering firm has far-reaching political and economic implications.