South Africa’s economy is in a tight spot, and it’s an election year. This meant that more attention than usual was paid to the country’s annual budget speech delivered by Finance Minister Tito Mboweni. There were spending cuts – including shrinking the public service by offering retirement packages - while on the spending side, money is being made available for the country’s struggling power utility Eskom. But, argues Seán Mfundza Muller, the jury’s still out on whether it will be enough to lift the economy out of the doldrums.

The race is on to find a new head of the World Bank ahead of the departure of Jim Yong Kim next month following his recent shock resignation. US President Donald Trump has signaled his determination to continue in the tradition of having an American lead the bank, with his recent nomination of US Treasury Undersecretary David Malpass. John Stremlau sets out why the appointment should be opposed, pointing out that thwarting the US’s ambitions might not be as long a shot as some people think.

Egypt President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has taken over the chairmanship of the African Union, a decision that’s caused consternation among activists who point out that he’s broken several of the organisation’s rules, including running a country that is facing a human rights crisis. Ashwanee Budoo and Frans Viljoen unpack why all al-Sisi's actions and statements while at the helm must be properly scrutinised.

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