FX in Focus

Key Takeaways:

• Intraregional trading relationships developed to manage COVID supply chain challenges and geopolitical disruption are positioning African countries for growth
• Rising interest rates make imports more expensive; efforts to reducing reliance on the euro and the US dollar
• Regional trade and currency unions spur more local producing and trade
• Increased digitalization offers access to financial infrastructure, and even more important: education for young and growing population
• Liberalization in monetary policies as some tensions ease
• Leaning toward democracy; new leaders educated abroad returning to Africa
• New investment from corporates in the region - taking a chance on the promise of growth

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The opinions expressed on FX in Focus are those of the speakers only, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Corpay Inc.

Key Takeaways:

• High dollar debt and increases in interest rates have slowed FDI
• Cultural cohesion amid different stages of development across the region
• Digitalization changes everything: financial inclusion, innovation; education—particularly for the younger generations
• Regional geography means climate issues are more strongly felt, spurring innovation in climate tech and other technologies
• Tech innovation is booming--and differently in different countries: fintech; climate tech, manufacturing tech, ecommerce

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The opinions expressed on FX in Focus are those of the speakers only, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Corpay Inc.

Key Takeaways:

• Political polarization and new leadership policy changes can exacerbate systemic challenges
• Monetary policies differ by country leadership; new leaders taking different approaches
• Proximity to the US and Canada as trading partners offers competitive advantage
• High exposure to the US dollar, dollar-denominated debt and rising inflation can hamper development
• New technologies, new discoveries, new policies spark growth and changing dynamics

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The opinions expressed on FX in Focus are those of the speakers only, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Corpay Inc.

Note: The opinions expressed on FX in Focus News & Views are those of the speakers only, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Corpay or FLEETCOR Technologies Inc.

Note: The opinions expressed on FX in Focus News & Views are those of the speakers only, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Corpay or FLEETCOR Technologies Inc.