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• We expect that Namibia’s current account deficit will narrow from 13.0% of GDP in 2022 to 12.5% in 2023 as the import bill declines more sharply than export receipts.
• We see the deficit remaining stable at 12.5% of GDP in 2024, as a further improvement in the trade balance is offset by rising services imports related to oil and gas

The Latest: On December 26 2023, the Algeria-based pharmaceutical company, Saidal Group, declared that it will initiate the production of insulin, including pen forms, for human application. The production kickoff is targeted for June 2024. This move is expected to curtail Algeria's reliance on foreign insulin supplies, potentially causing shifts

The Latest: On December 22 2023, Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) announced plans to acquire Karuna Therapeutics, a central nervous system (CNS) company that specialises in developing therapeutics for psychiatric and neurological disorders, including schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) psychosis. The deal is worth a total of USD14bn.

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• Javier Milei’s victory in Argentina’s presidential election will result in an increasing role of private sector in healthcare, worsening health inequality.
• Health reforms in Argentina under President Milei include eliminating price restrictions on some medicines, which may limit affordability.
• Milei’s proposed public spending cuts

The Latest: On December 18 2023, Nigeria's National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) introduced the 'NAFDAC Green Book', in a move to combat the issue of counterfeit drugs and protect public health. This database lists 6,432 pharmaceutical products approved for sale. The 'Green Book', accessible through an Android app

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• Electric vehicle (EV) adoption in the North American region is expected to advance throughout our 2024-2032 forecast period. However, challenges in meeting the local content requirements stipulated by the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) will pose challenges to short-term growth.
• While we anticipate strong EV sales growth in both

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• Completion of Ghana’s Agenda 111 Hospital Projects is unlikely ahead of the country’s general elections in December 2024.
• Growing investment in hospital infrastructure in Ghana will facilitate the country’s vision to advance universal health coverage.
• We anticipate an increase in demand for consumables, hospital furniture and

Latest Development: Blackstone is set to acquire an 80% majority stake in Sony Payment Services (SPSV), a subsidiary of Sony Bank, aimed at expanding its foothold in Japan's e-money market.

Blackstone's acquisition of SPSV positions the firm to exploit Japan's mature fintech market, where reputation, along with service expansion and innovation

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• The strong drive to reduce transport emissions will support medium-term electric vehicle (EV) adoption in New Zealand and Australia's commercial and passenger sectors.
• The electrification of public transport, along with the private sector's dedication to reducing supply chain emissions and using its purchasing power, is set to