In the first episode of the year, we talked about emerging markets in 2025, exploring key trends and investment opportunities. With sources curated by Ana Paula Picasso and analysis/voices from Google's NotebookLM, we examined accelerating digital transformation in Southeast Asia, Africa, and India, and the crucial role of sustainability and green investments in driving growth, citing examples from India, Brazil, and Africa. We also analyzed the impact of evolving geopolitics and trade patterns, including the US-China dynamic and its effect on global supply chains. Ana Paula Picasso will be ba ..read more

In this episode, we explore India’s Semiconductor Surge: Driving Force of “Make in India”, highlighting the country’s ambition to become a global manufacturing leader through semiconductor growth and the strategic U.S.-India Semiconductor Supply Chain and Innovation Partnership. We also revisit India’s Golden Decade Has Already Begun, an interview with Ian Herbison, CEO of Speyside group discussing India’s evolving role in the global supply chain and the shift away from China ..read more

In this episode, powered by Google’s NotebookLM AI Tool, we dive into how Showmax has overtaken Netflix in Africa by focusing on local content, language diversity, and flexible payment options. We also explore Africa's booming music streaming industry, where platforms like Boomplay and Spotify are reshaping the music scene despite challenges like piracy and data costs. Want to learn more? Check out the full articles: Africa Prefers Showmax: Subscription Numbers Surpass Netflix Digital Beats of Africa: How Music Streaming is Transforming the Continent ..read more

In this episode, I’m doing something completely different. I invited two AI voices from Google’s new NotebookLM tool to join me for a conversation about one of my latest articles—how Chinese automaker BYD is investing in Brazil’s electric vehicle market! We dive into why a country famous for its ethanol cars is now a battleground for the EV revolution, and how BYD’s strategy to build local (instead of importing pricey models like Tesla) could be a game-changer. You can read the full article here. Follow me on X @a_picasso Let’s keep Emerging Markets Today ad-free: Help us by donating any ..read more

In the meantime, visit emergingmarkets.today Let’s keep Emerging Markets Today ad-free: Help us by donating any amount via Ko-fi⁠ ⁠https://ko-fi.com/apicasso⁠⁠. Follow us on Twitter⁠ ⁠⁠@todayemerging⁠⁠⁠  ..read more

This is the last encore episode of 2023! In the face of the possible border dispute between Venezuela and Guyana, I decided to repost the episode I recorded with Steven Jasmin, the Managing Director of SC3. Stephen has been deeply involved in Guyana since 2017 and has some fascinating insights about this rapidly growing nation. Here are some key takeaways from our conversation: Guyana's Transformation: Since the discovery of oil in 2015, Guyana has been on a remarkable journey of growth. It's projected to have a real GDP growth rate of 4346%. The Qatar of South America: Steven believ ..read more

Another encore from one of my favorite episodes! We talked about the little known country of Suriname. Our guest, Monique Pool, founder and director of the Green Heritage Fund Suriname, shares her insights and experiences with her journey into the wildlife conservation. Here are my three biggest takeaways from the episode: Urbanization is having a significant impact on Suriname's wildlife, particularly the sloths. Monique and her team are working tirelessly to save these animals and their habitats. The Green Heritage Fund Suriname is exploring innovative funding models, such as tree sponso ..read more

This is an encore episode! In 2021, I had the pleasure of interviewing Vinh Ho, an American entrepreneur and host of the podcast "Focus Asia Pacific". We talked about Vietnam's economic growth and its emergence as a rising star in Southeast Asia. Here are some key takeaways from our conversation: Vietnam's Tech-Savvy Youth: Vinh shared his admiration for the young generation in Vietnam. Their tech-savviness is driving the country's startup ecosystem and the rise of mobile payments. Opportunities Amidst Chaos: Vinh believes that where there is chaos, there is potential for improvement and bette ..read more

This episode is an encore! The year was 2021, in the middle of the Covid pandemic and I interviewed Carlos Kazuo Missao, and he was the director of the GFT Group in Brazil. This episode captured all the changes the fintech sector was going through (and still is). Here's a sneak peek of what we discussed: The Brazilian Fintech Landscape: Brazil is a hotbed for entrepreneurs and interconnected individuals, making it an exciting environment for fintech. The pandemic has even accelerated digital transformation in the financial market, leading to the success of challenger banks and digital wallets ..read more

This is an encore episode! Last year, I had the pleasure of chatting Ian Herbison, the CEO of the Speyside Group. We had a very insightful conversation about India's potential in the emerging markets, and I'm excited to share some key takeaways with you. India's Golden Decade: Ian and I discussed the buzz around India's golden decade, highlighting the country's growing domestic market and its increasing importance in global supply chains. With a large consumer base and a growing middle class, India is attracting foreign investment and playing a key role in the diversification of supply ..read more