In Africa, where gender inequality remains a big problem, addressing gender-based socio-economic vulnerability should be a priority to enhance the resilience of women (and the society) as countries deal with the multitude of crises facing the world. Building on the work by the South African Institute of International Affairs which demonstrated that the lack of gender inclusivity was the biggest factor responsible for the high socio-economic vulnerabilities faced by African countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, this policy brief seeks to enhance the understanding of the intersectionality of gender and poverty and how it can contribute to socio-economic vulnerability especially during crises. It further proposes ways in which these vulnerabilities can be addressed through gender inclusive policies. To achieve these goals, the brief analyses the key factors that drive gender-based socio-economic vulnerabilities in countries across Africa and make recommendations on how these can be improved to minimize such vulnerabilities.

In the post-pandemic world, Africa has found itself with limited options to finance key development projects. A rapid rise in debt levels over the last decade has left African economies with little fiscal space to finance development. The financial outlook for Africa’s low-income resource-rich (LIRR) countries, which are characterized by the central role commodities play in their economies, is especially dim. Collectively, these countries have not had success converting their resource wealth into economic development apart from a China-driven commodity super cycle from 2002 to 2012.

This article was Frist Published at t20brasil

The global economy has experienced unprecedented challenges posed by the pandemic. Central to these enduring repercussions is the escalation of public debt, casting a shadow over the fiscal space of governments and their ability to make progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and address the growing impacts of climate change. It is thus urgent to reconsider debt restructuring strategies, the conditionalities associated with International Financial Institutions loans, and emerging fiscal frameworks for the developing world. In this policy brief, we develop four concrete proposals involving international financial institutions, which can function as avenues to tackle the challenges mentioned above: (a) alternative ways to define sustainability in international financial institutions debt analysis; (b) to promote debt-for-climate swaps; (c) support the implementation of green tax reforms; and (d) support government implementing non-regressive tax reforms.

This article was Frist Published at t20brasil

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) recent Transport Fares report, the average fare paid by commuters for bus travel within the city has decreased from N963.58 in June to N942.61 in July 2024, representing a 2.18% decrease MoM. However, year-on-year, it has declined by 29.46% from N1,336.29 in July 2023. Similarly, the average fare paid by commuters for intercity bus travel per drop rose to N7,117.17 in July from N7,029.23 in June 2024, representing a 0.35% increase. However, compared to July 2023, this fare has increased by 20.23%, from N5,919.19. Air transport fares have risen to N98,561.74 in July 2024, representing a 9.65% increase month on month. The average fare for motorbike (Okada) transportation increased by 1.22% to N483.49 in July 2024, from N477.49 in June 2024. On a year-over-year basis, this is down by 25.20% from N646.12 recorded in July 2023

The Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) survey report of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revealed that the composite PMI stood at 49.7 in July 2024, an improvement from 48.8 recorded in June 2024. The PMI measures a country's economic activity direction and extent. An index below 50.0 points indicates a contraction in business operations, while an index over 50.0 points indicates a growth in business activities. A 50.0 index denotes no change in the circumstances. The PMI value for July, which is below the critical threshold of 50.0, is the thirteenth consecutive contraction recorded by the CBN and signifies that business operations are still contracting, though at a slower pace compared to June. A sectoral disaggregation of the PMI shows that industry and agriculture recorded contractions of 48.3 and 49.7 respectively, while services recorded 50.3

The Nigeria Customs Service, in its monthly bulletin, reveals that, the Apapa Area command recorded a revenue collection of N1.023 trillion for the first half of 2024. This represents an increase of over 14% compared to the revenue collected in 2023. The increment might be linked with currency depreciation. The additional revenue comes at a crucial time for Nigeria's economy. Despite this positive development, the Nigeria Customs Service must strike a balance between revenue generation and trade facilitation. This is important because an excessive focus on revenue generation might incentivise behaviours that seek to maximise revenue while neglecting trade facilitation activities

According to the Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG)/Cooking Gas Price Watch of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the average retail price for refilling a 5kg cylinder of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Cooking Gas) fell by 6.10% month-on-month from N7,418.45 in May 2024 to N6,966.03 in June 2024. However, it rose by 71.23% year-on-year when compared to N4,068.26 in June 2023. Zonal analysis revealed that the South-West region had the highest average retail price for refilling a 5kg cylinder of cooking gas at N7,241.67, followed by the North-Central at N7,096.51, with the North-West having the lowest at N6,660.20. At the state level, Osun recorded the highest average price at N7,800.00, followed by Edo at N7,750.00 and Ebonyi at N7,590.79. Conversely, Yobe had the lowest price at N6,062.50, with Jigawa at N6,144.44 and Anambra at N6,338.75. The month-on-month decline in prices can be attributed to the ban by the federal government on the export of cooking gas which has increased the volume available in the domestic market. However, the year-on-year increase reflects low production to meet high domestic and foreign demands, and inflationary pressures which arise from multiple factors including high transportation costs, and currency depreciation

According to the Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG)/Cooking Gas Price Watch of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the average retail price for refilling a 5kg cylinder of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Cooking Gas) fell by 6.10% month-on-month from N7,418.45 in May 2024 to N6,966.03 in June 2024. However, it rose by 71.23% year-on-year when compared to N4,068.26 in June 2023. Zonal analysis revealed that the South-West region had the highest average retail price for refilling a 5kg cylinder of cooking gas at N7,241.67, followed by the North-Central at N7,096.51, with the North-West having the lowest at N6,660.20. At the state level, Osun recorded the highest average price at N7,800.00, followed by Edo at N7,750.00 and Ebonyi at N7,590.79. Conversely, Yobe had the lowest price at N6,062.50, with Jigawa at N6,144.44 and Anambra at N6,338.75. The month-on-month decline in prices can be attributed to the ban by the federal government on the export of cooking gas which has increased the volume available in the domestic market

In July 2024, the inflation rate (CPI) dropped to 33.40%, down from 34.19% in June 2024, marking a 0.8 percentage point decrease from the previous month. This decline also extended to food inflation, which fell to 39.53% from 40.87% recorded in June, indicating a 1.34 percentage point reduction. Urban inflation also saw a decrease, dropping to 35.77%, while rural inflation fell to 31.26%, representing month-on-month decreases of 0.87 and 1.83 percentage points, respectively. These trends highlight a broad-based easing of the inflationary pressures across the country’s different sectors and regions, providing a glimmer of relief after an extended period of rising prices.