Economic Policy

The News and Events category publishes the latest News and Events relating to International Economic Law relating to Africa and the Global South. Every week, Afronomicslaw.org receive the News and Events in their e-mail accounts. The News and Events published every week include conferences, major developments in the field of International Economic Law in Africa at the national, sub-regional and regional levels as well as relevant case law. News and Events with a Global South focus are also often included.

In December 2024, Angola stealthily entered into a US$1 billion one-year derivative contract known as a ‘total return swap’ with JP Morgan Securities Plc (“JPM”). The transaction was concluded at a time when Angola’s public debt was approaching 60% of GDP, intensifying scrutiny of non-traditional financing instruments that can generate hidden or contingent liabilities. Uniquely, this agreement unfolded without the usual spectacle of a traditional sovereign financing deal. There was no bond roadshow, no parliamentary debate, and scarcely any press fanfare following the event. This absence of public process meant that neither parliamentary scrutiny nor advance disclosure of potential contingent liabilities accompanied the transaction.

Recent disclosures under the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) have been critical in exposing these discrepancies by comparing national export data with international trade statistics. These findings have reframed gold smuggling as a systemic governance and fiscal challenge and have prompted renewed policy attention on curbing IFFs, strengthening traceability, and improving revenue capture in Cameroon’s gold sector. This update examines how EITI-exposed discrepancies in Cameroon’s gold export data have brought illicit financial flows into sharp focus, triggered government enforcement measures, and highlighted the role of global trading hubs, particularly the UAE, in facilitating revenue losses from Africa’s extractive sectors.

On 24 October 2025, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) removed South Africa from its grey list of “Jurisdictions under Increased Monitoring,” marking the end of 32 months of enhanced scrutiny. This delisting marks a significant milestone in South Africa's efforts to strengthen its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CFT) framework. Still, it also signals the start of a new phase that will require sustained commitment to financial integrity.

The CUSLJ accepts submissions in the form of articles, comments, and notes. Examples of suitable topics include but are not limited to trade and economic policy, environmental collaboration, border security and immigration, legal and regulatory frameworks, and defense and security.