Global Scans · Economy · Weekly Summary

DRIVER: The global economy still faces serious headwinds and political uncertainty potentially balanced by the enormous promise of technological advancements in many fields. Read on to get a solid handle on the opportunities and risks you and your organization may likely face and set your sails accordingly.

• [New] As geopolitical shocks continue to disrupt global fertilizer markets, AMW 2026 will provide a timely platform for stakeholders to explore how Africa can leverage its vast phosphate resources to strengthen fertilizer supply security. African Mining Week 2025
• [New] The next decade will see the rise of the A2A economy, where a company's sales agent interacts directly with a customer's procurement agent. Klover.ai - Klover.ai
• [New] The IMF flagged global risks, including geopolitical tensions and the conflict in West Asia, as potential counterforces through commodities, inflation expectations, and broader financial conditions. Multibagg AI
• [New] Broader generative AI software spending could reach $175 B to $250 B by 2027, with software engineering alone accounting for 20-45% of generative AI's total annual economic value. Preuve AI
• [New] Generative AI could generate $4.4 trillion in annual economic value globally. TechStoriess.com
• [New] Generative AI could generate $4.4 trillion in annual economic value. TechStoriess.com
• [New] Generative AI alone could contribute $4.4 trillion to the global economy annually. TechStoriess.com
• [New] Economists raised their estimates for US inflation and said they expect only one Federal Reserve interest-rate cut in 2026 amid elevated energy costs sparked by the Iran war. financialpost
• [New] Demand destruction has already begun in gas markets, while fertilizer shortages will impact food production and prices for much of the rest of the year and beyond. financialpost
• [New] The trajectory of the Italian economy this year will depend on the duration and scale of the conflict in Iran and the extent of damage to energy infrastructure. Intesa Sanpaolo Group
• [New] As BRICS marks two decades in 2026, India has a unique opportunity to steer the discussions towards pragmatic, development-focused outcomes that reflect the priorities of emerging and developing economies. orfonline.org
• [New] The more immediate impact is likely to be higher global costs from rising fuel, fertiliser and packaging prices, rather than direct supply disruptions. ST
• [New] For 2027, the IMF expects Brazil's economy to expand by 2%, a downward revision of 0.3 percentage points from its January forecast. valorinternational
• [New] The war involving the United States and Israel against Iran is benefiting Brazil and other energy-exporting countries in the Western Hemisphere through higher global prices, but it will also push up inflation. valorinternational
• [New] A more constructive approach to economic disruption would shift away from broad tariffs and protectionism, which tend to raise consumer prices and erode the competitiveness of US manufacturing by increasing input costs. HubbardOBrienEconomics.com Blog
• [New] Given fears that President Trump's war with Iran are not showing signs of drawing to a close, oil prices have remained more than 50% higher than what they were in February 2026. City AM
• [New] US inflation is expected to tick back up to about 2.7% in 2026, with tariffs playing a noticeable role as importers pass more costs to consumers. KuCoin
• [New] AI could contribute $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030 (more than the combined output of China and India today). Medium
• [New] The International Monetary Fund has revised upward its forecast for Brazil's economic growth this year, as the war in the Middle East is expected to have a slightly positive net effect. valorinternational

Last updated: 28 April 2026