China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), launched with ambitious global economic goals in 2013, now stands at a crossroads. Since 2013, China has poured over $1 trillion into the BRI, positioning it as a central pillar of engagement with emerging markets like Africa, Asia, and Latin America. However, concerns surrounding the initiative’s impact, especially in Africa, have prompted China to reassess its engagement on the continent. Reports of non-performing loans and financial distress among recipient countries have prompted Chinese policymakers to adopt a more cautious investment strategy, shifting away from solely state-backed loans. Subsequently, China is transitioning from infrastructure loans to fostering Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), a strategy that could potentially alleviate Africa's debt burden while diversifying China's regional involvement. This shift towards PPPs could redefine China-Africa economic relations, moving beyond the "debt-trap diplomacy" narrative.

Money laundering (ML) and terrorist financing (TF) have long cast a shadow over the global financial landscape. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a global watchdog against ML and TF, actively develops and advocates for policies that protect the integrity of the international financial system. The FATF achieves this by persuading countries to implement its recommended strategies, which may mean policy reforms, as seen in Kenya’s recent implementation of new policies in key sectors. However, the FATF's approach has not been without controversy, as accusations of disproportionate targeting raise questions about the fairness and efficacy of the global financial system.

AI has proven to be a powerful data synthesizer, churning through information at lightning speed. However, this brilliance has limitations. It lacks the human touch, and the ability to grasp context, build trust, and navigate the nuances of emotion. Where AI stumbles, humans excel, finding optimal solutions within the intricate dance of human interaction. But the landscape is shifting already. Big firms are building their AI to marry the speed of AI’s abilities with their consultant's experience. This raises certain questions: for boutique consultants, is open generative AI a friend (enabling faster delivery) or foe (weakening analytical capabilities)? What qualities will set human consultants apart in this AI-infused future? Botho’s Gulf Lead, Naam Chakravarty, delves deep into this here.