Washington
Washington is the capital city of the United States of America, located on the north bank of the Potomac River in the District of Columbia. The city has a population of about 700 000 within its boundaries, with the wider metropolitan area home to more than six-million people. Washington serves as the seat of the US federal government, housing the White House, Congress, the Supreme Court and the headquarters of numerous federal agencies and departments. The city is also home to major international financial institutions, including the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which play significant roles in global development finance and economic policy. Washington's economy is dominated by government activities, professional services, education and international organisations, with limited manufacturing or heavy industry. The city is a major centre for policy-making, diplomacy and international relations, hosting embassies and missions from nearly every country. Washington was established as the US capital in 1790 and formally founded in 1791, named after George Washington, the first US president. Its status as a global political and financial hub makes it a frequent dateline in coverage of international economic policy, multilateral lending and diplomatic developments affecting African and other emerging markets.
Washington Updates
US equipment, experts arrive at Kenya Ebola facility despite court order, protests
By: Reuters 4th June 2026 Around 20 flights carrying medical equipment and specialist staff have landed at a base in Kenya where the US government is continuing to build an... →
Daily Podcast – April 24, 2026
By: Thabi Shomolekae 24th April 2026 Making headlines: Opposition parties slams leadership instability following SAPS Commissioner’s suspension; Ramaphosa warns global inequality... →
Angola in talks for AfDB budget support, but oil shields worst of war fallout
By: Reuters 17th April 2026 Angola is seeking a budget support loan from the African Development Bank, its finance minister told Reuters, as the government pushes ahead to... →
Kganyago says war inflation risks are playing out 
By: Bloomberg 17th April 2026 Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago said the Iran war’s impact on oil prices has validated wariness over inflation, without giving a clear... →
Kganyago cites Zulu War to signal preemptive inflation move
By: Bloomberg 16th April 2026 South Africa’s central bank governor referenced an 1879 battle in the Anglo-Zulu war in his views on how to tackle the coming wave on inflation... →
Ramaphosa appoints Roelf Meyer as next ambassador to US
By: Reuters 14th April 2026 President Cyril Ramaphosa has chosen Roelf Meyer, a former chief government negotiator during talks to end white minority rule in the 1990s, to be... →
IMF, World Bank, IEA urge countries to stop hoarding energy supplies, imposing export controls
By: Reuters 14th April 2026 The International Monetary Fund, World Bank and International Energy Agency on Monday urged countries to avoid hoarding energy supplies and... →
Nigeria seeks IMF, World Bank support as Iran shock hits reforms
By: Reuters 13th April 2026 Nigeria will seek stronger international financial support at this week's IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings as the Iran war lifts fuel costs at home... →
World Bank chief sounds alarm about looming jobs crisis even after war ends
By: Reuters 13th April 2026 The Middle East war will dominate global finance officials' talks this week in Washington, but World Bank President Ajay Banga is sounding the... →
Daily Podcast – March 30, 2026
By: Halima Frost 30th March 2026 Making headlines: High Court dismisses Zuma, Mbeki's bid to recuse Justice Khampepe; SAIIA mourns the passing of Steven Gruzd; And, S Africa... →
