🎯Today's Emerging Markets Pulse
Updated 1h agoWhat's happening: Africa’s “registry gap” stalls business verification despite instant payments
Cross‑border payments across Africa now settle in seconds, yet confirming a counterpart’s legitimacy can take weeks. The slowdown is traced to fragmented, offline national registries and a lack of cross‑border data harmonisation, creating a “registry gap” that threatens the African Continental Free Trade Area. Recent FATF pressure has prompted South Africa and Nigeria to tighten ultimate beneficiary checks.
Also developing:
News•Feb 20, 2026
All Global Experiences Useful for Vietnam S International Financial Hub
Vietnam aims to build an international financial centre by drawing on global precedents such as Dubai’s DIFC, China’s Shenzhen and Hangzhou, and Kazakhstan’s AIFC. Experts stress that independent, long‑term regulation, niche specialization in digital and green finance, and adaptive legal frameworks are critical success factors. The country must first cultivate a deep domestic financial ecosystem anchored in its manufacturing strength before attracting foreign participants. Concentrating liquidity in a single exchange and creating liveable urban hubs will further ensure resilience and sustainable growth.
By Vietnam Investment Review (VIR)
News•Feb 20, 2026
Raised Ties Reaffirm Strategic Trust
Vietnam and the United Kingdom have upgraded their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership, the highest tier in Vietnam’s foreign‑policy framework. The deal follows Party General Secretary To Lam’s October visit to Britain and opens cooperation in politics, security, trade, education...
By Vietnam Investment Review (VIR)
News•Feb 20, 2026
India Sets ₹25,000 Crore Export Engine in Motion as Goyal Launches Plan
India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal launched the ₹25,060‑crore Export Promotion Mission (EPM), a six‑year programme designed to boost outbound shipments and simplify export processes. The initiative consolidates multiple support schemes into a single, digitally driven framework aimed at micro, small...
By The Economic Times (India) – Economy
News•Feb 20, 2026
Five Things to Know to Start Your Day
Nigeria's federal government ordered ministries to defer 70% of the 2025 capital budget to 2026, limiting new projects to prioritize existing ones amid weak revenues. The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission raided former Kaduna governor Nasir El‑Rufai’s Abuja home as he remains...
By BusinessDay (Nigeria)
News•Feb 20, 2026
Strong Manufacturing Growth Lifts Flash PMI to Three-Month High of 59.3 in Feb
India’s flash Composite PMI rose to 59.3 in February, its strongest level in three months, driven by a surge in manufacturing activity. Total new orders grew at the fastest pace since November, pushing output to a four‑month high, while services...
By The Hindu BusinessLine – Economy
News•Feb 20, 2026
Before the Ladder: Fixing Nigeria’s Broken Education Floor
Nigeria’s education system remains a fragile floor, with over 18 million children out of school and a majority of 10‑year‑olds unable to read basic texts. Public primary schools often lack essential infrastructure such as classrooms, furniture, sanitation, and reliable electricity, while...
By BusinessDay (Nigeria)
News•Feb 20, 2026
Adani Power Limited Enters Nuclear Segment as India Opens Sector
Adani Power Limited has created a wholly‑owned subsidiary, Adani Atomic Energy Limited, to enter India’s nuclear power generation market. The move follows the Indian government’s SHANTI Bill, which relaxes licensing and permits controlled private participation in nuclear projects. The new...
By bne IntelliNews
News•Feb 20, 2026
Africa Needs Patient Capital for the Long Term
Africa’s growth potential is hampered by a $350 billion SME financing gap and annual infrastructure needs of $130‑170 billion, far exceeding current investment. While the continent’s population tops 1.5 billion and GDP surpasses $3 trillion, capital flows remain fragmented and short‑term. The article argues...
By African Business
News•Feb 20, 2026
PENGASSAN Warns Tinubu’s Order on NNPC Revenues Could Lead to Job Losses
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) warned that President Bola Tinubu’s February 18 executive order, which channels oil and gas revenues directly into the federation account, undermines the financial autonomy granted to NNPC Limited under the...
By BusinessDay (Nigeria)
News•Feb 20, 2026
Samsung Electronics, KT Hit Record 6G Speeds in 7GHz Band
Samsung Electronics, Korean carrier KT and test‑equipment firm Keysight reported a record 3 Gbps downlink in the 7 GHz band, a core frequency earmarked for 6G. The speed was achieved using a prototype base station with massive MIMO architecture that transmitted eight...
By The Korea Herald – Business
News•Feb 20, 2026
Pax Silica Pact: India Plugs Into US Tech Alliance to Secure Chips, AI and Critical Minerals
India signed the Pax Silica Declaration at the India AI Impact Summit, formally joining the U.S.-led technology coalition that spans semiconductors, artificial intelligence and critical minerals. The pact reinforces a full‑stack supply‑chain partnership aimed at reducing reliance on hostile or coercive...
By The Economic Times (India) – Economy
News•Feb 20, 2026
Why Global Capital Is Looking at India Differently This Year
India’s economy is gaining traction through robust digital public infrastructure and maturing regulatory frameworks, positioning it as a distinct asset class for global investors. The latest Union Budget underscores this shift by offering a 20‑year tax holiday and a flat...
By The Economic Times (India) – RSS hub
News•Feb 20, 2026
US and Indonesia Agree to Cut Tariffs to 19% Under New Trade Deal
The United States and Indonesia have concluded a trade agreement that reduces U.S. tariffs on Indonesian goods to 19% from 32%. Indonesia will eliminate trade barriers on more than 99% of American exports across agriculture, healthcare, seafood, technology and automotive...
By bne IntelliNews
News•Feb 20, 2026
Pakistani PM Holds Talks with Rubio After Washington Summit
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Feb 19, focusing on cooperation in critical minerals, energy, counter‑terrorism and potential American investment. The discussion also highlighted Pakistan’s backing of President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan...
By bne IntelliNews
News•Feb 20, 2026
Indonesian Tycoon Mochtar Riady’s OUE REIT Seeks Buyers For Prime Singapore CBD Tower
OUE Commercial REIT, controlled by Indonesian tycoon Mochtar Riady, is seeking buyers for its flagship One Raffles Place tower in Singapore’s CBD. The sale, handled by CBRE and JLL, targets a reserve price of up to S$2.4 billion, roughly 24% above...
By Forbes – Business
Social•Feb 20, 2026
Busan Deal: US Sacrific
The impact of the "Busan" deal is now in the trade data -- the US clearly gave up a bit of tariff revenue (lowering the tariff on China) for a bit of supply chain peace, and the prospect of...
By Brad Setser
News•Feb 20, 2026
Infra Sector Outlook Cautious as Weak Q3 Performance Leads to 4% YoY Contraction: Nuvama Research
India's infrastructure sector posted a 4% year‑on‑year revenue contraction in Q3 FY26, driven by eroding order books, payment delays, prolonged monsoons and construction bans. Average EBITDA margin slipped 40 basis points to 10.1%, while adjusted PAT margin fell to 5.2%....
By The Economic Times (India) – Economy
News•Feb 20, 2026
US Pays About $160m Towards Nearly $4bn in UN Dues
The United States transferred roughly $160 million toward its nearly $4 billion UN arrears, a modest contribution amid a broader shortfall. Washington still owes about $2.196 billion for the UN’s regular budget and $1.8 billion for peacekeeping operations. President Trump, long critical of the...
By Al Jazeera – All News (includes Economy)
Social•Feb 20, 2026
IMF Estimates Chinese Yuan Undervalued by Roughly 19%
Just how undervalued is the Chinese yuan -- the IMF (via the Economist) just revised its estimate up to 19% (plus or minus 4%) 1/many https://t.co/IJ4Z1SmGIq
By Brad Setser
Social•Feb 20, 2026
Exclude Pharma and Gold to Reveal True US Trade Trend
I think the best way to look at the underlying trend in the US trade data is strip out pharmaceuticals and gold (both were heavily influenced by the threat of tariffs, even though none were imposed on either category) 1/ https://t.co/7l20zR7CTr
By Brad Setser
News•Feb 20, 2026
IMF Warns Venezuela’s Economy and Humanitarian Situation Is ‘Quite Fragile’
The IMF warned that Venezuela’s economy and humanitarian situation remain “quite fragile,” citing triple‑digit inflation, a sharply depreciating currency and public debt at roughly 180 percent of GDP. The country has seen massive emigration, with about 8 million people leaving since 2014,...
By Al Jazeera – All News (includes Economy)
Social•Feb 20, 2026
Strategic Partnership Shouldn't Just Be German Production in China
Hope the "strategic partnership" is more than allowing German companies to produce in China for the German (and European) market ...
By Brad Setser
News•Feb 20, 2026
Civil War-Torn Sudan Sits On Unexplored Mineral Riches Worth Billions
Sudan, despite a civil war that began in 2023, is courting foreign investors to develop its largely untapped mineral portfolio that includes gold, copper, uranium and rare‑earth elements. Gold production set a new record of 70 tonnes in 2025, generating...
By OilPrice.com – Main
News•Feb 19, 2026
Lynx Investment Advisory Buy $5 Million of Akre Focus ETF
Lynx Investment Advisory disclosed a new $5.73 million position in the Akre Focus ETF (AKRE) during Q4 2025, purchasing 87,467 shares. The holding accounts for 3.1 % of Lynx’s reportable assets under management, though it sits outside the firm’s top five holdings....
By Yahoo Finance – Top Financial News
Social•Feb 19, 2026
South Korea, Turkey, Thailand Lead YTD Market Gains
Best performing stock markets in the world (local currency) year-to-date. 1. S Korea +34.7% 2. Turkey +24.1% 3. Thailand +18.6% In Asia only Indonesia, India negative. Malaysia is up only 4.3%.
By Azharuddin | Azha Investing
Social•Feb 19, 2026
Armenia Faces Nuclear Dilemma, U.S. Aid Could Break Deadlock
Armenia's power is supplied by what is widely considered the least safe nuclear reactor on the planet, and it has no money to replace it. With Russia occupied in Ukraine, the country is desperately searching for a solution. On one end,...
By Peter Zeihan
Blog•Feb 19, 2026
BONUS In Brief: Vibes Out of Munich
The episode dissects the 62nd Munich Security Conference, highlighting Europe’s push for strategic autonomy, lingering reliance on the U.S., and a shared sense that the post‑World War II liberal order is eroding. Guests note France’s view that autonomy is a strategic...
By War on the Rocks
Social•Feb 19, 2026
Ethiopia’s 2024 Petrol Ban Saves $5B, Fuels
Ethiopia didn’t ban petrol cars in 2024 to hug trees: Importing oil was bleeding them dry - costing over $5b/ year in precious foreign exchange From close to zero before the 2024 ban, EV sales now make up over 60% of...
By Assaad Razzouk
News•Feb 19, 2026
World Briefs | Rwanda Hikes Lending Rate on Higher Inflation
Rwanda’s central bank raised its key lending rate by 50 basis points to 7.25% on Thursday, reacting to a jump in consumer price inflation to 8.9% year‑on‑year in January. The move aims to bring inflation back within the bank’s 2‑8%...
By BusinessLIVE (South Africa) – RSS hub
News•Feb 19, 2026
World Briefs | Nigeria’s Tinubu and Germany’s Merz Talk Security, Power Deal in Phone Call
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz discussed reviving a stalled electricity transmission project with Siemens and the purchase of used German helicopters, highlighting deeper security and power cooperation. France’s audit office warned that the country must shift...
By BusinessLIVE (South Africa) – RSS hub
News•Feb 19, 2026
Bank Indonesia Keeps Rates Steady, as Rupiah Weakness Threatens to Delay Easing
Bank Indonesia left its policy rate unchanged at 4.75% as the rupiah continued to weaken amid fiscal‑sustainability concerns and volatile investor sentiment. Moody’s downgraded Indonesia’s credit outlook to negative, reflecting uncertainty over policy direction and transparency. Real‑rate differentials with the...
By ING — THINK Economics
News•Feb 19, 2026
Philippines’ Central Bank Delivers Expected Rate Cut Paired with Uncertain Guidance
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas trimmed its policy rate by 25 basis points to 4.25%, matching market expectations. However, the central bank softened its forward guidance, dropping language that it was nearing the end of easing and emphasizing lingering confidence...
By ING — THINK Economics
Social•Feb 19, 2026
China Cuts US Treasury Holdings to Crisis Low
🚨Chinese officials had urged banks to limit purchases of US government bonds, and instructed those with high exposure to SELL their positions. Data shows China’s holdings of US Treasuries fell to $682.6 billion, the lowest since the Financial Crisis.👇 https://globalmarketsinvestor.beehiiv.com/p/is-the-us-dollar-gradually-losing-its-safe-haven-status
By Global Markets Investor (newsletter author)
Social•Feb 19, 2026
India's Exports Surge Despite Higher US Tariffs
From the World Bank’s Global Economic Prospects: Indian merchandise exports rose despite higher US tariffs. MODI’S ON A ROLL. https://t.co/yxKowcoHyv
By Steve Hanke
News•Feb 18, 2026
You Can Invest in SpaceX Before Its IPO — but Should You?
Investors can now gain exposure to SpaceX through private secondary markets, specialty ETFs and pooled funds, sidestepping the wait for a public listing. The rocket company is valued at roughly $1.25 trillion, making it one of the most coveted private assets....
By MarketWatch – Top Stories
Social•Feb 19, 2026
India's 6.5% Growth Beats China, Fastest Major Economy
As the World Bank notes, India is the fastest-growing major economy. India's growth rate of 6.5% is even outpacing China's. https://t.co/3S7a6Z6LbT
By Steve Hanke
Social•Feb 19, 2026
India Drives South Asia's 6‑7% Growth; Rest Lags
According to the World Bank, South Asia growth stays near 6-7%. Strip out India, and the region slows sharply. India is the growth story. https://t.co/Q8e7g9b1j3
By Steve Hanke
News•Feb 18, 2026
Five US Policy Shifts Could Reshape Financial Markets
The Trump administration is advancing five domestic policy initiatives that touch credit, housing, monetary policy, corporate governance, and digital‑asset regulation. Proposed credit reforms would tighten loan underwriting, while housing changes could modify the mortgage interest deduction. Monetary officials hint at...
By Project Syndicate — Economics
Social•Feb 19, 2026
North Korea's Inflation Soars to 74.6%, World’s Third Highest
#NKWatch🇰🇵: Today, I measure North Korea’s inflation at 74.6%/yr — that’s the THIRD HIGHEST IN THE WORLD. Kim’s rockets fly, but inflation is what’s truly SKYROCKETING. https://t.co/EbYJ0oBnAW
By Steve Hanke
Social•Feb 19, 2026
IMF: China's Export Growth Harms Its Trading Partners
The latest IMF analysis of China (The staff report/ Article IV) highlights that China's export driven growth has come at the expense of its trading partners. That is welcome, and very necessary message 1/many https://t.co/RTYAzRkFAv
By Brad Setser
News•Feb 18, 2026
Defence Giant BAE Hails Record Sales as Workers Remain on Strike
BAE Systems announced record 2025 results, with sales rising 10% to £30.7 billion and pre‑tax profit climbing to £2.6 billion. The company highlighted a historic order backlog as global defence budgets surge amid geopolitical tension. Meanwhile, Unite union members at the Lancashire...
By BBC News – Business
Social•Feb 19, 2026
Korean Reforms Spark Value Ups, Awaiting IBKR Access
I initially thought the Korean reforms would be ineffective. But on the ground, I’m seeing many companies come up with highly positive value up plans. And valuations remain a fraction of those in Japan. Once IBKR opens access, the focus...
By Michael Fritzell
Social•Feb 18, 2026
Retail Traders Set Record Demand on Citadel Platform
Citadel on flows, via Bbrg: Retail traders spent a record amount snapping up software shares on Citadel Securities’ platform, according to Scott Rubner, head of equity and equity derivatives strategy at the firm, which began tracking the data in 2017: “Net notional...
By MacroCharts
News•Feb 18, 2026
Europe Is Squandering Its Leverage Over China
Europe is losing bargaining power with China as the continent’s growth stalls while Beijing posts a record trade surplus. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s upcoming China visit underscores the urgency, with Germany’s 2025 GDP expanding only 0.2% versus a $1.19 trillion Chinese surplus....
By Project Syndicate — Economics
Social•Feb 18, 2026
Income Gaps Fuel Migration Across CARICOM Nations
Stark differences in income drive migration within CARICOM (and these are official data). More at today's Chartbook Top Links: https://t.co/DaCnHTI3Wj
By Adam Tooze
Social•Feb 18, 2026
India Navy Seizes Shadow Fleet, Triggering Domino Effect
India's navy has begun seizing shadow fleet tankers in its exclusive economic zone. As I've said in other videos covering the shadow fleet, once the first domino falls...the rest will quickly follow. #crudeoil #crude #india #geopolitics https://t.co/IVVPGp8cQ7
By Peter Zeihan
News•Feb 18, 2026
India Keen to Diversify Crude Oil, Coking Coal Sources; Eyes High-Quality US Supplies: Piyush Goyal
India’s commerce minister Piyush Goyal said New Delhi will diversify crude oil and coking‑coal supplies, targeting high‑quality U.S. coal to reduce reliance on a few geographies. He highlighted a $100 billion aircraft demand from the United States over the next five...
By ET EnergyWorld (The Economic Times)
Social•Feb 18, 2026
IEA Shifts Priorities to Security, Clean Energy, Affordability
IEA executive director Fatih Birol proposes focusing the agency's work in three areas during the next few years: 1) energy security -- "first and foremost" mission 2) new energy uptake (wind, solar, geothermal, nuclear) 3) afordability of energy "IEA 3.0" may well be...
By Javier Blas
News•Feb 18, 2026
Ground View: How Industry Leaders Are Shaping Pakistan’s Mining Future
The Pakistan Mineral Investment Forum (PMIF) will gather industry leaders in Islamabad to spotlight the country’s world‑class copper, gold, and critical mineral deposits, most notably the revived Reko Diq project. While the geology is undisputed, the article argues that mining...
By MINING.com
News•Feb 18, 2026
China Gives Lithuania Punishing Silent Treatment over Taiwan
In 2021 Lithuania permitted a Taiwanese representative office to use the name "Taiwan" rather than "Taipei," directly challenging Beijing's One‑China policy. China answered not with public sanctions but with a silent diplomatic freeze, withdrawing embassy staff and removing Lithuania from...
By Asia Times – Defense