Special Reports

Role of Central Banks in the Era of Climate Change: Lessons for COMESA Member Central Banks

As climate shocks become more frequent, they are having serious macroeconomic consequences, not only affecting the short to medium term horizon that monetary policy focuses on but also the long term, that is outside the influence of monetary policy. This paper presents compelling reasons for central banks to act and respond to climate change.

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Exchange Rate Regimes in the COMESA Region: Implications for Macroeconomic and External Stability

This report analyzes the performance of various exchange rate regimes in force in the region in the context of the stability of the currency and ultimately price stability—the key primary objective of any one exchange rate regime.

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The Role of the Interbank Market in Inflation Targeting Regimes: Lessons for COMESA Central Banks

The interbank market exists to enable banks to address (insure against) unanticipated liquidity shocks to be able to honour their labilities as they fall due, but also invest in relatively illiquid assets with potentially higher returns and improve risk management within the banking system.

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AI and Big Data Implication for Central Banking in COMESA region

Artificial intelligence (AI) is evolving rapidly, and it is promising to reshape human interactions in a very profound way. This repot explores how developments in AI are likely to impact Central Banking

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OPERATIONAL ISSUES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF INFLATION TARGETING MONETARY POLICY FRAMEWORK

The rapid penetration and subsequent adoption of FinTech or the “internet of things”, the accompanying preferences for electronic payments systems (digital wallet, micro-credit, mobile money and credit and saving services, and micro-insurance services using mobile phones) over cash coupled with structural shift in economic conditions of economies has revolutionized the financial ecosystem in developed and developing countries alike.

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MONETARY TIGHTENING CYCLE AND IT’S IMPLICATION ON THE ECONOMIES OF THE COMESA REGION

The world economy is undergoing a period characterized by multiple overlapping global risks that are making policymaking and investment decisions very challenging.

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WHY LARGER DEPENDENCE ON FOREIGN AID YET ONLY SMALL DETECTABLE GROWTH EFFECTS IN LOW-INCOME COUNTRIES

Low Income Countries (LICs), since their respective independences, have hugely depended on foreign aid to plug their fiscal gaps.

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CLIMATE RELATED RISKS TO THE FINANCIAL SECTOR

The objective of this paper is to present an introductory note on the risks that climate change pose to the financial industry.

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REDUCING THE COST OF TRANSFER OF REMITTANCE REMAINS A CRITICAL POLICY ISSUE FOR AFRICA

Remittances flows are a significant, stable, and resilient source of income to many households in Africa. Reducing the cost of sending money from the diaspora is therefore important in enhancing the role of remittances.

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TRACKING THE RESOLUTION OF NON-TARIFF BARRIERS IN COMESA THROUGH THE TRIPARTITE ONLINE NTBs MECHANISM

The focus of this policy paper was to review the Online NTBs Mechanism and determine how it fared over 2004-2020…..

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BOOST TO REGIONAL INTEGRATION AS TRIPARTITE FTA BECKONS

COMESA-EAC-SADC poised to join the world of international trade as a Tripartite Free Trade area (TFTA).

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FACILITATIVE ROLE OF CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATION IN GLOBAL HEALTH CRISES

COVID-19 has been the most devastating global health crisis of the 21st Century, with the administration of vaccines being one of Africa’s largest immunization drives to date.

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FISCAL POLICY FOR INCLUSIVE GROWTH

In recent years, inequality has risen in many developing countries despite rapid economic growth in some of them.

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Climate Action and Inclusive Growth

The objective of this paper is to provide an introductory note on how to make climate change more inclusive and sustainable. The first part of the paper presents science of climate change.

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The COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite Free Trade Area is Ideal for Strengthening African Continental Integration

This paper explores why the COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite Free Trade Area is Ideal for Strengthening African Continental Integration

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Policy Options for COMESA MS Amidst Multiple Shocks

This article examines the multiple shocks the world is currently experiencing and proposes several policy options for the COMESA region

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The Role of Financial Technology (FINTECH) in Changing Financial Industry and Increasing Efficiency in the Economy

This paper provides insights on how Fintech changed financial industry and made the wider economy efficient.

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Keeping the AfCFTA on Track

The AfCFTA is right on track notwithstanding disquiet on the pace of implementation

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Customs Digitalization and Deepening Intra-COMESA Trade

This policy brief provides insights into how increasing the use of Information, Communication & Technology (ICT) by customs administrations could affect intra-COMESA Trade.

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Export Potentials of Intra-COMESA Trade: Reaping the Benefits of COMESA Integration

The paper analyses the trade potential in COMESA, by indicating the products with the highest potential for export into the COMESA, the opportunities that exist to exploit the potential and factors hindering intra-regional trade in COMESA.

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Gender Disaggregated Data for Small-Scale Cross Border Trade for Zambia

The data is on five border posts along key corridors, to assist in piloting upgrades and trade facilitation measures that can be replicated elsewhere in the COMESA region and beyond.

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Brexit and COMESA -What Next Post Brexit

The article explores the COMESA-UK ties after Brexit

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Why COMESA Trade in Services Should be Cushioned From the Impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic

This article provides an anecdote of the role of services in reducing the effects and mitigation measures of the COVID-19 in the COMESA region

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Progress and Challenges of the COMESA Monetary Integration Program

This paper analyzes the progress that has being made in COMESA Monetary Integration programme and identify challenges that are faced and provides the generic roadmap for achieving monetary union

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AfCFTA: A Stimulant to Intra- COMESA Trade

February 26, 2021: This paper explores how the AfCFTA will resolve some of the challenges associated with multiple and overlapping membership in COMESA

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Financial Inclusion and COVID-19 in COMESA Region

February 26, 2021: This paper examines the financial inclusion landscape in COMESA region , and analyses how it has been affected or aided in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic.

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Capital Market Solutions that Help Mobilise Financing for SMEs

February 19, 2021: This paper presents capital market solutions that help mobilise financing for SMES, discusses preconditions and challenges for establishing them, and makes recommendations which will enable the sector to fully reap the benefits of a more diversified sources of funding.

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Socio-Economic Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from COMESA Region

This report presents insights into the COVID-19 impacts on key macroeconomic indicators, trade and trade related issues and aspects of social and organizational culture in COMESA Member States

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Potential Constraints for Public-Private- Partnership in Africa

The report presents the potential constraints for Public-Private- Partnership (PPPs) and makes recommendations which will contribute for the success of this model in Africa.

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Implication of COVID-19 Pandemic on Debt for Sub-Saharan African Countries

The number of countries vulnerable to debt distress has increased significantly reflecting, among others, the effect of exogenous shocks and loose fiscal policies. This paper provides a debt situation analysis just before Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on debt for Sub Saharan Africa

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Fiscal Policy Responses Limit COVID 19’s Economic Damage

The objective of this paper is to take stock of fiscal policy measures that have been introduced to date in response to COVID-19 crisis and make recommendations on how governments can raise revenues once the economic and health crisis has passed.

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How COMESA Can Mitigate Negative Effects of Covid-19 Pandemic on Trade

This article provides an exposition of potential trade effects and mitigation measures of the COVID-19 in COMESA. The COMESA Free Trade Area (FTA), which was launched in 2000 has experienced a tremendous growth as evidenced by..

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UNCONVENTIONAL MONETARY POLICY TOOLS DEPLOYED TO ADDRESS THE SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACT OF COVID-19

The objective of this paper is to present the Unconventional Monetary Policy Tools (UMPTs) introduced by developed, emerging and African countries after the aftermath of COVID-19 and recommendations

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Economic Impact of Covid-19 on Micro,Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Africa and Policy Options for Mitigation

Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) play a crucial role for economic development of African countries.

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The Role of Trade Finance in Promoting Trade:The Implications of COVID 19 on Trade Finance in Africa

The objective of this paper is to examine the role of trade finance for promoting trade in Africa.

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Adoption of ICT is Critical in Post Covid-19 Trade Facilitation Programmes in COMESA

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as a pandemic on 11 March 2020. The pandemic is now a global public health crisis and has infected people in almost every country

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Global Value Chain as a Vehicle for Development in Africa

Implication of COVID 19 in the Future of Global Value Chain This paper presents the prospects of the value chain for Africa’s development and the implication of Covid-19 in the future of global value chain…

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Macroeconomic Impacts of COVID 19 in Sub-Saharan- Africa.

This paper assesses the macroeconomic impacts of COVID 19 in Sub Saharan Africa and provides recommendations to face the pandemic crisis in the continent

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Climate-Resilient Green Economy Implementation and Best Practices on Climate Action in Ethiopia

The Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia initiated the Climate-Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) initiative in 2011 to protect the country from the…

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Diaspora Remittances Critical for COVID-19 Recovery

This article espouses the contribution of diaspora remittances to the regional economies and the critical role these resources will play in the post COVID -19 recovery. However, regional countries have to undertake reforms to secure these…

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Potential Impact of COVID-19 in the COMESA Health Sector

This paper seeks to analyses the possible impact of COVID-19 on the health sector in the COMESA region. The brief utilizes the four WHO pillars of health delivery which include, service delivery, health workforce, access to essential equipment and medication and adequate resources.

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