Research & Analysis
No clickbait, no filler. Just thorough analysis of markets, sectors, and investment themes that actually matter. Our team spends weeks on each piece so you can make decisions with real information.
8 min read
Nov 28, 2025
EM volatility scares a lot of investors off. Fair enough—watching your positions swing 5% in a day isn't fun. But the real question is: what's driving those moves? We break down the difference between noise and signal, and show you what indicators actually matter when assessing these markets.
8 min
Nov 28, 2025
When you look at emerging markets, the numbers can swing wildly. One week, everything looks promising; the next, investors are pulling back. But that volatility isn't just noise—it often signals real shifts happening beneath the surface.
10 min
Nov 25, 2025
Most portfolios lean heavily on stocks and bonds. There's nothing wrong with that—they're liquid, well-understood, and historically reliable. But real diversification means looking at asset classes that don't move in lockstep with traditional markets.
Sarah Nkosi
12 min
Nov 22, 2025
Africa's financial landscape doesn't make headlines as often as other regions, but significant changes are underway. New stock exchanges have launched in recent years. Regulatory frameworks are modernizing. Technology companies are building payment infrastructure.
David Van der Berg
7 min
Nov 18, 2025
Central bank decisions ripple through every corner of the economy. When interest rates rise, borrowing costs increase, corporate profits face pressure, and bond yields become more attractive. Understanding this cycle helps you position portfolios appropriately.
Kwame Asante
9 min
Nov 15, 2025
Blockchain became a buzzword a few years back, mostly tied to cryptocurrency speculation. But the underlying technology has practical applications that extend far beyond digital coins—supply chains, property records, voting systems, and financial settlements.
Sarah Nkosi
11 min
Nov 12, 2025
Environmental, social, and governance factors have moved from niche concern to mainstream investment consideration. But not all ESG investing is created equal. Some funds genuinely integrate these factors while others just slap an ESG label without substance.
David Van der Berg
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Suggest a Topic James
Mitchell
8 min read
Nov 28,
2025
When you look at emerging markets, the numbers can swing wildly. One week, everything looks promising; the next, investors are pulling back. But that volatility isn't just noise—it often signals real shifts happening beneath the surface. Experienced investors know that risk assessment in these environments requires patience and a willingness to dig deeper than headline figures.
Take currency fluctuations, for instance. A weak local currency might look alarming at first glance, but it can also mean export-driven companies become more competitive globally. The trick is understanding which volatility matters and which is just market jitters. Political changes, regulatory updates, and infrastructure development all play into this. It's not about avoiding risk entirely; it's about knowing what kind of risk you're taking on.
We've seen this pattern repeat across different regions. What looks like chaos from the outside can actually be opportunity for those willing to study the fundamentals. Markets don't reward panic—they reward preparation and perspective.
Sarah
Nkosi
10 min read
Nov 25,
2025
Most portfolios lean heavily on stocks and bonds. There's nothing wrong with that—they're liquid, well-understood, and historically reliable. But diversification means more than just spreading money across different companies or sectors. Real diversification involves looking at asset classes that don't move in lockstep with traditional markets.
Commodities, for example, behave differently. When inflation picks up, physical assets like gold or agricultural products can hold value in ways that equities don't. Infrastructure investments—think toll roads, energy grids, or water systems—offer steady cash flows tied to real-world usage rather than market sentiment. Real estate investment trusts give exposure to property markets without the hassle of direct ownership.
The point isn't to chase exotic investments for their own sake. It's about building a portfolio that can weather different economic conditions. When one asset class struggles, others might thrive. That balance doesn't happen by accident—it takes intentional allocation and regular rebalancing.
David Van der
Berg
12 min read
Nov 22,
2025
Africa's financial landscape doesn't make headlines as often as other regions, but significant changes are underway. New stock exchanges have launched in recent years. Regulatory frameworks are modernizing. Technology companies are building payment infrastructure that bypasses traditional banking altogether. For investors paying attention, these aren't minor footnotes—they're structural shifts.
Mobile money adoption across the continent has outpaced many Western markets. That creates opportunities in fintech, but also in sectors that benefit from increased financial inclusion—retail, logistics, consumer goods. As middle classes grow and urbanization continues, consumption patterns are changing. Companies that understand these shifts early tend to capture outsized returns.
Of course, challenges remain. Political instability, currency risk, and infrastructure gaps are real concerns. But writing off an entire continent means missing out on one of the world's fastest-growing economic regions. Smart investors aren't diving in blindly—they're doing homework, building local knowledge, and taking measured positions where fundamentals support growth.
James
Mitchell
7 min read
Nov 18,
2025
Central bank decisions ripple through every corner of the economy. When interest rates rise, borrowing costs increase, corporate profits face pressure, and bond yields become more attractive. When rates fall, the opposite happens. But these aren't just technical details for economists—they fundamentally shape investment returns over time.
Higher rates tend to favor savers and income-focused investors. Lower rates push people toward riskier assets in search of returns. Understanding this cycle helps you position portfolios appropriately. If you're holding long-duration bonds when rates rise sharply, you'll see values drop. If you're sitting in cash when rates are near zero, inflation eats away purchasing power.
The challenge is that rate environments don't change overnight, and central banks rarely telegraph every move. Building flexibility into your strategy—keeping some dry powder, maintaining exposure across different rate sensitivities—gives you options as conditions evolve. It's not about predicting the future perfectly; it's about being prepared for multiple scenarios.
Sarah
Nkosi
9 min read
Nov 15,
2025
Blockchain became a buzzword a few years back, mostly tied to cryptocurrency speculation. But the underlying technology has practical applications that extend far beyond digital coins. At its core, blockchain offers a way to create transparent, tamper-proof records without relying on a central authority. That has implications for supply chains, property records, voting systems, and financial settlements.
Some companies are using blockchain to track product origins, ensuring authenticity and ethical sourcing. Financial institutions are exploring faster, cheaper cross-border payment systems. Governments are testing digital identity solutions. These aren't pie-in-the-sky concepts—they're live projects with real funding and measurable outcomes.
Of course, not every blockchain project will succeed. Many will fade away as better solutions emerge or as traditional systems adapt. But dismissing the technology entirely because of past speculation would be shortsighted. The question isn't whether blockchain will matter—it's which specific use cases will deliver lasting value.
David Van der
Berg
11 min read
Nov 12,
2025
Environmental, social, and governance factors have moved from niche concern to mainstream investment consideration. But not all ESG investing is created equal. Some funds genuinely integrate these factors into their analysis, looking at how companies manage environmental risks, treat workers, and structure governance. Others slap an ESG label on portfolios without much substance behind it.
The real value in ESG comes from recognizing that these factors can affect long-term performance. A company with poor governance might face scandals that tank its stock. A manufacturer ignoring environmental regulations could face costly fines down the road. Strong labor practices can reduce turnover and boost productivity. These aren't just ethical considerations—they're business fundamentals.
Investors should look beyond marketing materials. What data are fund managers actually using? How do they define their criteria? Are there clear metrics, or just vague commitments? ESG done well adds rigor to investment decisions. ESG done poorly is just greenwashing with extra fees.