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Global growth to slow to 2.8% from 3.3% in 2025 — IMF warns

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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has sharply downgraded its global growth forecast, projecting the world economy to expand by just 2.8% in 2025, a significant drop from the 3.3% forecast made in January.

This update is contained in the published IMF’s April 2025 World Economic Outlook (WEO), which cites escalating trade tensions with the United States announcing a wave of new tariffs with trading partners responding with their own countermeasures, creating ripple effects across global supply chains and investor sentiment.

It also cites mounting policy uncertainty as the main culprits behind the slowdown.

“Since the release of the January 2025 WEO Update, a series of new tariff measures by the United States and countermeasures by its trading partners have been announced and implemented, ending up in near-universal US tariffs on April 2 and bringing effective tariff rates to levels not seen in a century.

“This on its own is a major negative shock to growth. The unpredictability with which these measures have been unfolding also has a negative impact on economic activity and the outlook and, at the same time, makes it more difficult than usual to make assumptions that would constitute a basis for an internally consistent and timely set of projections.

“Given the complexity and fluidity of the current moment, this report presents a “reference forecast” based on information available as of April 4, 2025 (including the April 2 tariffs and initial responses), in lieu of the usual baseline. This is complemented with a range of global growth forecasts, primarily under different trade policy assumptions.

“The swift escalation of trade tensions and extremely high levels of policy uncertainty are expected to have a significant impact on global economic activity. Under the reference forecast that incorporates information as of April 4, global growth is projected to drop to 2.8 percent in 2025 and 3 percent in 2026—down from 3.3 percent for both years in the January 2025 WEO Update, corresponding to a cumulative downgrade of 0.8 percentage point, and much below the historical (2000–19) average of 3.7 percent,” part of the report read.

In advanced economies, growth is now expected to slow to 1.4% in 2025, with the U.S. economy seeing a notable downgrade—now projected at 1.8%, nearly a full percentage point below previous estimates.
In emerging market and developing economies, growth is expected to slow down to 3.7 percent in 2025 and 3.9 percent in 2026, with significant downgrades for countries affected most by recent trade measures, such as China. Global headline inflation is expected to decline at a pace that is slightly slower than what was expected in January, reaching 4.3 percent in 2025 and 3.6 percent in 2026, with notable upward revisions for advanced economies and slight downward revisions for emerging market and developing economies in 2025.

The IMF flagged intensifying downside risks, warning that a deeper trade war, rising financial instability, and fragile policy buffers could worsen the economic landscape. Vulnerable emerging markets could face capital flight, currency pressures, and increasing debt burdens.

The Fund also noted that a reversal or de-escalation of current trade policies could offer a reprieve and potentially revive global growth.

“Intensifying downside risks dominate the outlook. Ratcheting up a trade war, along with even more elevated trade policy uncertainty, could further reduce near- and long-term growth, while eroded policy buffers weaken resilience to future shocks. Divergent and rapidly shifting policy stances or deteriorating sentiment could trigger additional repricing of assets beyond what took place after the announcement of sweeping US tariffs on April 2 and sharp adjustments in foreign exchange rates and capital flows, especially for economies already facing debt distress.

“Broader financial instability may ensue, including damage to the international monetary system. Demographic shifts and a shrinking foreign labor force may curb potential growth and threaten fiscal sustainability. The lingering effects of the recent cost-of-living crisis, coupled with depleted policy space and dim medium-term growth prospects, could reignite social unrest. The resilience shown by many large emerging market economies may be tested as servicing high debt levels becomes more challenging in unfavorable global financial conditions.

“More limited international development assistance may increase the pressure on low-income countries, pushing them deeper into debt or necessitating significant fiscal adjustments, with immediate consequences for growth and living standards. On the upside, a deescalation from current tariff rates and new agreements providing clarity and stability in trade policies could lift global growth,” it added.
The report calls for coordinated policy action, urging nations to work together to restore predictability in trade, strengthen debt sustainability, and address long-term structural challenges like demographic shifts and migration.

Source: Citi Newsroom

Banking and Finance

Weakening U.S. Dollar Boosts Ghana Cedi Amid Forex Pressures – Bank of Ghana

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The Bank of Ghana says the recent decline in the value of the U.S. dollar has played a major role in supporting the Ghana Cedi, helping to steady the local currency despite continued challenges in the foreign exchange market.

 

According to the Central Bank, the U.S. dollar index fell by about 8 percent between January and August 2025. This was largely due to a slowdown in the American labour market and growing expectations that the U.S. Federal Reserve would begin cutting interest rates.

 

In its September 2025 Monetary Policy Report, the Bank explained that the weaker dollar, along with the increasing global use of alternative currencies like the Chinese Yuan for trade and commodity payments, contributed to the strengthening of several emerging market currencies — including Ghana’s cedi.

 

However, the local currency still faced headwinds during the period, mainly from high import demand and reduced foreign exchange supply. These challenges were linked to issues in the Gold-for-Forex programme and a dip in remittance inflows.

 

Despite these pressures, the Cedi recorded notable gains — appreciating by 28.95 percent against the U.S. dollar, 19.49 percent against the British pound, and 14.08 percent against the euro on a year-to-date basis. This marks a sharp turnaround from the significant losses seen during the same period in 2024.

 

The Bank of Ghana noted that the Cedi’s short-term stability will rely on maintaining high gold prices, improving forex liquidity through new directives to mining companies, and ensuring continued fiscal discipline.

 

Additionally, positive investor confidence from the recent IMF programme reviews and shifts in U.S. monetary policy are expected to further influence the Cedi’s outlook in the coming months.

 

 

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KGL Group Chairman, Alex Apau Dadey Honored with Forbes Best of Africa Corporate Leadership & Innovation Award

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Alex Apau Dadey, the distinguished Executive Chairman of KGL Group, has been celebrated with the prestigious Forbes Best of Africa Corporate Leadership and Innovation Award at a high-profile Leadership and Philanthropy Forum held at the House of Lords in London.

 

The award was formally presented by Mark A. Furlong, President of Custom Solutions Media for Forbes Media, who commended Mr. Dadey’s exceptional achievements in steering KGL Group to remarkable technological heights.

Presenting the honor, Mr. Furlong stated:

“On behalf of the Forbes Best of Africa Award Committee, it is my honor to present to you the Forbes Best of Africa Corporate Leadership & Innovation Award.”

 

The official citation praised Mr. Dadey’s transformative leadership:

 

“As Executive Chairman of KGL Group, you have successfully led the company’s expansion into digital solutions, fintech, and technology-driven platforms that have revolutionized Ghana’s lottery and gaming industry while fostering financial inclusion. Under your stewardship, KGL Group has risen to become a leading African corporate brand, exemplifying innovation, social impact, and sustainable business practices.”

 

Receiving the award alongside his wife and children, Mr. Dadey expressed heartfelt appreciation:

 

“I am truly humbled by this recognition. My sincere gratitude goes to the Forbes team for this honor, and to the extraordinary team at KGL Group, including our Board, Management, and Staff, whose dedication has made this possible. I want to encourage all Africans in the diaspora to return home and contribute their knowledge to building the continent. After living in London for over 20 years, I made the decision to return to Ghana to serve and create impact. Ten years on, I am proud to have built one of Ghana’s most successful technology-driven businesses, and I am honored that Forbes recognizes this journey.”

 

The Forbes Best of Africa Awards celebrate visionary business leaders who are building globally competitive enterprises while making significant contributions to Africa’s economic and social development.

Other distinguished honorees included:

 

• Dr. Olasupo Olusi, Managing Director and CEO of Nigeria’s Bank of Industry (BOI), the country’s oldest and largest development finance institution

• Prince Nnamdi Ekeh, Group CEO of Konga, renowned for advancing e-commerce, digital infrastructure, and payments across emerging markets.

 

CSR Dominance of KGL Group in Ghana:

 

Apart from leading KGL Group to become the leading corporate brand in Africa, Mr. Alex Dadey has also achieved significantly in the areas of Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) and Corporate Social Investment(CSI) projects in Ghana including sponsoring the Ghana Black Stars to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, construction of multimillion-dollar ultra-modern Mental Health Facility in the Ashanti Region in partnership with the King of Ashanti Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, free supply of incubators to various hospitals in Ghana, GHS 3 million annually to support Stabilization Fund of NLA, GHS 2 million annually to support NLA Good Causes Foundation, Scholarships to several orphans & destitute children, sponsorship packages for various charity organizations across Ghana and Africa, and currently steps are being taken by KGL Group to partner Ghana Medical Trust Fund(also known as MahamaCares), a landmark initiative of President John Mahama aimed at providing financial assistance to individuals living with chronic diseases across Ghana. The Mahamacares seeks to cover the cost of care and medication for Non-communicable diseases not currently included under the National Health Insurance Scheme(NHIS), as well as invest in health infrastructure, medical equipment, specialist training, and research to enhance access to quality healthcare delivery in Ghana.

 

Indeed, Mr. Alex Dadey deserves to be celebrated as a Statesman and successful entrepreneur who uphold service to God, Country, and Humanity, and Forbes Media is proud to be associated with the brand of KGL Group and Mr. Alex Apau Dadey.

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Samsung Ordered to Pay $445.5 Million for Infringing Wireless Technology Patents

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A federal jury in Marshall, Texas, has ordered Samsung Electronics to pay nearly $445.5 million in damages to Collision Communications after finding the tech giant guilty of infringing on multiple wireless communication patents.

 

The jury determined that Samsung’s Galaxy smartphones, laptops, and other wireless-enabled devices violated four patents owned by Collision Communications, which are related to 4G, 5G, and Wi-Fi communication standards.

 

This ruling adds to a series of multi-million-dollar patent infringement verdicts against Samsung in the same Texas court in recent years.

 

Collision Communications, based in Peterborough, New Hampshire, filed the lawsuit in 2023, alleging that Samsung used its patented technology—originally developed through research by defense contractor BAE Systems—to enhance wireless network efficiency. BAE Systems, however, is not involved in the case.

 

Samsung has denied the allegations, arguing that the patents in question are invalid. Representatives from both companies have yet to issue public comments following the verdict.

Source: Reuters

 

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