The RSE announced the partnership through a press release issued on January 26.

The MoU outlines several areas of cooperation, including knowledge exchange, staff training, market development programmes, and the exploration of opportunities for cross-listings and new financial products. 

According to the RSE, this partnership is expected to enhance both markets and establish new connections between Africa and the Caribbean.

The RSE was incorporated on October 7, 2005. It was demutualised from the start as a company limited by shares and officially launched on 31st January 2011.

RSE Chief Executive Officer Pierre Celestin Rwabukumba commented on the significance of the agreement, stating, “This partnership is about more than documents and meetings; it is about sharing experience, growing together, and opening new doors for businesses, investors, and market professionals in both regions.”

JSE Chief Executive Officer Livingston Morrison also said, “We are excited to begin this relationship with the Rwanda Stock Exchange. By learning from each other and sharing best practices, we believe we can create meaningful opportunities for our markets, our listed companies, and our wider financial communities.”

The JSE, founded in 1968, is one of the largest stock exchanges in the Caribbean, with over 70 companies listed in its main market securities. 

Currency losses push up the price of imported essentials from food and fuel to fertiliser, denting living standards.

Nigeria's naira has fallen by over 30% in 2025, following a Central Bank decision to float the currency and remove fuel subsidies, moves that spiked inflation and the cost of living. Today, it trades at approximately ₦1,500 per dollar.

The Malawian kwacha has collapsed by nearly 40% over the past year, reaching around MWK 1,700/USD, deepening economic hardship in an agriculture-dependent, import-reliant economy. Malawians now face fertiliser costs that are five to seven times higher than just two years ago, a disaster for farming communities already stretched by economic and climatic shocks. The African Exponent

Other currencies like the Rwandan franc and Congolese franc have depreciated by approximately 19% and 17% , respectively, driven by struggles in export capacity, political instability, and import dependence.

Meanwhile, the South African rand remains volatile, recently flirting with multi-month lows around ZAR 19.40/USD. Although linked to bleeding investor sentiment, the rand has not collapsed entirely, thanks to gold prices and occasional policy support.

What’s causing the crisis?

Many African nations owe large sums in USD. As local currencies lose value, servicing that debt becomes exponentially more expensive, leaving little flexibility for governments already contending with rising inflation and budget shortfalls.

Several economies export largely raw materials but then import finished goods, often priced in dollars at significantly higher costs. That imbalance puts extreme pressure on currencies, especially when global demand softens.

In times of global uncertainty, whether due to rising U.S. interest rates, geopolitical shifts, or local political instability, investors withdraw funds. This capital flight quickly drains local currency reserves and triggers sharp depreciation.

Many central banks also do not have enough dollar reserves to cushion their currencies during market stress. Without this buffer, even modest shocks can cascade into deeper crises.

Some central banks have responded with sharp interest rate hikes (e.g., in Nigeria, Angola, Egypt), while others, like Kenya or South Africa, have taken a more cautious approach. The inconsistent policy responses can further unsettle markets

Beyond the economics, the crisis has social ramifications: disillusionment is rising, and protest movements are gaining traction as youth struggle to find employment in a shrinking economy

Can the dollar’s grip be weakened?

Some countries are exploring alternatives to dollar-dominated trade. For example, Kenya has started using a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) to enable intra-African trade in local currencies, an initiative aimed at reducing dependence on foreign exchange.

The African Development Bank also projects further currency declines in 2025 across 21 nations, while noting that a few like Kenya, Morocco, and the CFA franc zone may see modest appreciation.

While depreciation might eventually benefit exporters, it is causing harm to wages, prices, and household security today. Efforts to de-dollarize trade and finance are promising, but current momentum shows most economies remain tethered to U.S. monetary moves for better or worse.

"There's a lot of untouched potential in our trade relationship, and therefore, this agreement comes at the right time because the new agreement will open new markets," she said during the joint press conference with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.

The EU president asserted that after 10 long years of talking with Indonesia, this is the best deal for both Europeans and Indonesians.

“After 10 years of negotiations, we have made a breakthrough. This new trade agreement will open up great opportunities for both our people ,” she added.

President Subianto, who represents over 280 million Indonesians, also shared that “For Indonesia, CEPA is not only about trade; it is about fairness, respect, and building a strong future together. The agreement must support our efforts to grow our industries, create jobs, and strengthen our sustainable development goals." 

The trade agreement comes just a day after US President Donald Trump announced 30% tariffs on EU exports, which will start on August 1. 

In Sarawak, Chung Hua Primary School Boards Association president Datuk Jonathan Chai urged all schools to install Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to better respond to emergencies. At a safety seminar attended by over 180 teachers, Chai emphasised that educators must also be protectors, highlighting the importance of CPR and AED training. The event, organised with the Malaysian Red Cross, aimed to equip teachers with vital life-saving skills, The Borneo Post reported.

Southeast Asia seeks joint tariff talks with Trump

Southeast Asian nations will present a united front to address U.S. tariffs and other challenges, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said at the ASEAN summit. Anwar, this year’s ASEAN chair, is pushing for a joint meeting with President Trump to discuss tariff impacts, which range from 10% to 49% across member states. ASEAN has formed a task force to coordinate responses, while some members pursue bilateral talks. Anwar also highlighted Tuesday’s historic meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and the Gulf Cooperation Council, aimed at boosting regional cooperation. Leaders will unveil a 20-year plan for deeper integration. However, tensions remain with China over the South China Sea, with Philippine President Marcos Jr. urging a binding code of conduct. Anwar warned that the rules-based international order is under threat from arbitrary actions.

China's premier urges stronger trade ties with Malaysia

Chinese Premier Li Qiang urged deeper trade and investment ties with Malaysia during a meeting with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, according to Xinhua. Visiting Kuala Lumpur for the ASEAN-GCC-China summit, Li emphasised defending multilateral trade and cooperation amid rising protectionism. Li’s call follows recent regional visits by Chinese leaders as Beijing looks to strengthen ties beyond the U.S. amid ongoing tariff tensions. He pledged closer economic collaboration with Malaysia and ASEAN-GCC nations to tackle global challenges.

Vietnam to export renewable energy to Malaysia, Singapore

At the 46th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Vietnam signed a tripartite agreement with Malaysia and Singapore to export clean electricity, marking the first step toward cross-border renewable energy trade. Witnessed by Prime Ministers Pham Minh Chinh, Anwar Ibrahim, and Lawrence Wong, the deal supports ASEAN’s vision of a regional power grid. Malaysia’s MY Energy Consortium (TNB and Petronas) will partner with Vietnam’s PTSC and Singapore’s Sembcorp to harness Vietnam’s offshore wind energy for export. The deal aligns with Vietnam’s Power Development Plan 8, which targets up to 10 GW of renewable energy exports by 2035. Vietnam has over 470 GW of offshore wind potential within 200 km of its coast.

Malaysia PM hails key progress on Myanmar at ASEAN Summit

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Monday praised "significant" steps to engage Myanmar’s warring sides, as ASEAN leaders gathered in Kuala Lumpur to address the ongoing conflict and U.S. trade threats. Myanmar has faced turmoil since a 2021 military coup sparked a nationwide rebellion, displacing over 3.5 million people. As ASEAN chair, Anwar has led renewed peace efforts, including recent meetings with junta chief Min Aung Hlaing and Myanmar’s shadow government. He emphasised that while progress remains fragile, “even a fragile bridge is better than a widening gulf.”

The bridge is a key component of Tanzania’s Trunk Road T4, a strategic highway corridor that links the country to neighbouring Uganda , Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It is expected to significantly enhance regional integration by facilitating faster and more efficient movement of goods and people.

In support of the project, the Tanzanian government is also developing complementary road infrastructure, including the 54.5-kilometre Sengerema–Nyehunge and the 32-kilometre Kamanga–Sengerema roads. These routes aim to improve regional accessibility and strengthen supply chains within Tanzania’s Lake Zone.

The bridge will officially be inaugurated on June 19, 2025, by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, according to Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, who called the project “a proud moment for the nation.”

Minister for Works Abdallah Ulega hailed the bridge as a “transformational milestone,” highlighting its role in reducing dependence on ferry transport between Kigongo and Busisi and unlocking new economic opportunities.

"The JP Magufuli Bridge is a testament to our nation's ability to mobilise internal resources for transformative development," said Ulega. "It will ease movement between Kigongo and Busisi, reduce reliance on ferry transport, and unlock economic potential across the Lake Zone," he said.

Built at a cost of $270 million, the JP Magufuli Bridge is a cornerstone of Tanzania’s broader development strategy.

Bilel Sahnoun, Director General of the Tunis Stock Exchange, explained that the event showcased the mechanics of carbon trading. “Today, we witnessed the sale of 2,600 tons of carbon credits generated by a company in Malaysia and purchased by a Saudi company. This experience provided a practical illustration of how these markets function,” Sahnoun said.

Carbon credits are generated by entities that reduce or offset CO₂ emissions through certified projects. These credits can then be sold to other companies looking to offset their emissions, particularly those without the means to reduce emissions directly. “This system enables polluting companies to support mitigation projects elsewhere, contributing to global decarbonization efforts,” Sahnoun noted.

While no Tunisian companies were involved in the simulated transaction, the event was a step in introducing carbon market mechanisms to the country. Sahnoun indicated that the exercise could inspire future initiatives in Tunisia’s environmental finance sector.

Commenting on the broader economic context, Sahnoun also addressed global trade tensions. “The ongoing trade war remains unpredictable. Its outcome is unclear, but it is already affecting purchasing power, especially in Asia and North America , due to rising tariffs,” he said.

Looking ahead, he predicted a shift in global value chains. “We are likely to see a reconfiguration of trade dynamics, leading to a new global balance in business and commerce,” he concluded.

“If you have to protect the economy , you're not winning. You're in defence. The U.S. is afraid of China because China is so productive, low-cost, hyper competitive,” Sachs said.

The remarks come amid a renewed Trump-led campaign for the White House, during which he has doubled down on his “America First” trade agenda. Trump has frequently claimed that the U.S. is “winning” against foreign competitors, particularly China, through tariffs and reshoring initiatives.

But Sachs dismisses this as superficial showmanship, arguing that the numbers and the global demand for Chinese goods tell a different story.

Sachs also took aim at U.S. claims that China suffers from “overcapacity,” a term used by American officials to describe what they view as China producing more than global markets can absorb. In contributing to the debate, Sachs stated, “That just means America has undercapacity. That’s all it means. The world needs what China can produce, and it wants it.”

“Trump is a good showman. He's filled with bluster,” Sachs added. “He says, ‘I'm a winner, we’re a winner,’ but what does it really mean when you have to win by imposing barriers against China?”

Meanwhile, Trump has hinted at a possible softening of his trade war stance with China, stating that the steep tariffs currently in place, some exceeding 145%, “will come down substantially, but it won’t be zero.”