Sector Intelligence in Action
From currency transitions in Eastern Europe to infrastructure shocks in North Africa, our analysts are immersed in the world’s most consequential developments. We track the moving parts, decode the political undercurrents and deliver the kind of clarity that decision-makers need when the stakes are high, and the headlines are shifting.
Below are three recent regional developments that illustrate the complexity – and the opportunity – at the heart of our work.
Bulgaria: Eurozone Ambitions Amid Political and Economic Headwinds
Bulgaria’s path toward eurozone membership has been marked by shifting deadlines, persistent inflation and a turbulent political scene. While the government continues to push for accession, meeting the necessary criteria has proven elusive – particularly as inflation remains above target and caretaker governments cycle through power. Far-right protests, parliamentary gridlock and repeated snap elections have added further unpredictability to the process, leaving domestic and international stakeholders watching each new development closely.
Sudan: Conflict Unravels Oil Infrastructure and Regional Stability
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has fractured the country’s political landscape and severely damaged its vital oil infrastructure. Key export pipelines have been ruptured, and control over pumping stations and terminals has shifted between rival factions, causing oil exports to plummet and depriving both Sudan and South Sudan of critical revenue. The resulting economic fallout has rippled across the region, underscoring how quickly operational realities can change when instability escalates and infrastructure becomes a casualty of conflict.
Italy’s Energy Transition: Between Ambition and Dependency
Italy’s push toward a greener energy mix is gaining momentum, with renewables on the rise and fossil-fuel-based electricity generation dropping sharply in early 2024. Yet, beneath the surface, the country’s reliance on natural gas—now primarily sourced from Algeria—remains a defining feature of its energy strategy. Political debates over the pace of the transition, the reintroduction of nuclear power, and the government’s vision of Italy as a Mediterranean “gas hub” have created a policy landscape marked by opportunity and uncertainty. For energy sector stakeholders, the challenge lies in navigating regulatory shifts, local resistance to new projects, and balancing between climate targets and energy security.