This week brings a remarkable contradiction: while geopolitical tensions escalate in the Caribbean, a quiet revolution is unfolding at COP30. The Global South isn't waiting for permission anymore. At TBS, we track these shifts by pulling from both mainstream outlets and news sources across the Global South itself—because the stories that shape our world deserve to be told by the voices living them. We're here to champion those narratives and connect the dots you won't find elsewhere.
Here’s your weekly intelligence brief for a connected world.
Warm wishes,
Deepa
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What Matters This Week
US Escalates Pressure on Venezuela Amid Regional Alarm: The US has intensified its military presence in the Caribbean, deploying an aircraft carrier strike group and 15,000 troops, ostensibly to combat drug trafficking. This move, dubbed the "Donroe Doctrine," has drawn sharp criticism from Latin American leaders, with Mexico's President Sheinbaum rejecting intervention and Colombia suspending intelligence sharing. Venezuela's Maduro has put forces on high alert, warning against a "forever war," while Ecuadorians rejected a referendum to host a US military base. Why it matters: The escalating US posture raises fears of potential military action and significant regional destabilization, challenging sovereignty across the hemisphere. (More)
Bangladesh Ex-PM Hasina Sentenced to Death, Straining India Ties: Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been sentenced to death in absentia for crimes against humanity related to a 2024 crackdown on student protests that killed up to 1,400 people. Currently exiled in India, her conviction has intensified diplomatic tensions, with Bangladesh demanding her extradition under an existing treaty. Be smart: India is unlikely to comply, viewing the case as politically motivated, which could further strain relations and impact upcoming elections in Bangladesh. (More)
Global South Leads Push for Fossil Fuel Phase-Out Roadmap at COP30: Over 80 nations, including many from the Global South, are demanding a roadmap for phasing out fossil fuels at the COP30 climate summit in Brazil, despite opposition from petrostates. Discussions also highlight the disproportionate impact of climate change on women and indigenous communities, with calls for dedicated funding and land rights recognition. A proposal for private jet taxes to fund climate adaptation is also gaining traction. Why it matters: The conference is a critical juncture for global climate policy, with developing nations asserting stronger leadership in shaping future action. (More)
Tech & Innovation
Rural Kenya Drives E-commerce Growth: Rural Kenya now accounts for 60% of Jumia's online orders, signaling significant e-commerce penetration and supporting over 50,000 livelihoods. (More)
Ghana Approves "Dig Once" Policy for Fiber Infrastructure: Ghana's Cabinet approved a policy to integrate fiber-optic ducts into all new road construction, aiming to reduce broadband deployment costs and accelerate 5G rollout. (More)
South Korea and UAE Forge AI and Defense Alliance: The two nations signed a "100-year alliance" declaration, including significant cooperation in AI, defense, and nuclear energy, with potential investments exceeding $35 billion. (More)
Business & Finance
Tanzania to Ban Raw Mineral Exports and Launch Sovereign Wealth Fund: President Samia Suluhu Hassan announced a sweeping five-year reform agenda that includes stopping raw ore exports to enforce domestic processing and establishing a Sovereign Wealth Fund to manage mineral earnings. Be smart: The strategy explicitly targets "critical minerals" essential to global technology supply chains, aiming to position Tanzania as the primary processing hub for East and Central Africa by 2030. (More)
Indonesia Confirms Talks on Potential Grab-GoTo Merger: The Indonesian government has confirmed that discussions regarding a merger between Southeast Asian tech giants Grab and GoTo are taking place as part of a broader regulatory review involving the new investment agency, Danantara. Why it matters: A consolidation of the region's two largest super-apps would fundamentally alter the competitive landscape of Southeast Asia's digital economy, although GoTo management emphasizes that no formal decision has been reached. (More)
Saudi Arabia Pledges $1 Trillion Investment in U.S. Economy: The Kingdom signed a defense and investment agreement with the US, planning to invest up to $1 trillion across technology, energy, infrastructure, and AI sectors. (More)
Kenya Launches $1.3 Billion Northern Corridor Road Expansion: Construction begins November 28 on the Rironi-Naivasha-Mau Summit dualing project, a $1.3 billion upgrade by China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) to enhance regional connectivity. (More)
Politics & Policy Watch
China Signals New Reform Push in Economic Heartland: President Xi Jinping called for deepening reform and opening-up in Guangdong province to build an internationally competitive modern industrial system, prioritizing sci-tech and industrial innovation. (More)
Haiti Launches 2026 Roadmap for Reparations from France: Haiti's National Committee for Restitution and Reparations established a formal 2026 action plan to pursue its demand for restitution from France for the 19th-century "double ransom" indemnity. (More)
Honduras Faces 'Rupture of Constitutional Order,' Jurists Warn: A technical analysis by 17 Honduran jurists concludes the country is experiencing a "material rupture of the constitutional order" due to congressional paralysis and the instrumentalization of the Public Ministry. (More)
🔎 Global South Lens
Global South countries have taken a central role in COP30. While most delegations have been quietly murmuring their dissatisfaction of the Trump administration, the Climate Minister of small island state Tuvalu, Maina Vakafua Talia, openly criticised the US for withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement.
As the U.S. administration reverses climate commitments and Europe hesitates, a massive "role reversal" is underway: the Global South is rapidly decarbonizing, fueled by a quarter-trillion dollars of Chinese investment.
What happened: China has effectively deployed a "Green Marshall Plan," exporting affordable solar, wind, and EV technology to emerging markets. The impact is tangible and immediate as this NYT article explains, “Countries like Brazil, India and Vietnam are rapidly expanding solar and wind power. Poorer countries like Ethiopia and Nepal are leapfrogging over gasoline-burning cars to battery-powered ones. Nigeria, a petrostate, plans to build its first solar-panel manufacturing plant. Morocco is creating a battery hub to supply European automakers. Santiago, the capital of Chile, has electrified more than half of its bus fleet in recent years.”
Why You Should Care: This marks a decisive geopolitical pivot. Developing nations are no longer waiting for Western aid; they are leveraging Chinese tech to achieve energy independence and "leapfrog" fossil fuel development. By underwriting this transition, Beijing is cementing itself as the indispensable partner for the world's fastest-growing economies.
Currency Tracker
India's Inflation Plummets to Record Low: India's retail inflation hit an unprecedented 0.25% in October 2025, the lowest since the CPI series began in 2013, driven by falling food prices and GST rationalization. (More)
Nigeria Launches Ambitious Economic Plan: Nigeria introduced the Disinflation and Growth Acceleration Strategy (DGAS) to coordinate fiscal and monetary policies, targeting over 7% GDP growth and single-digit inflation within two years. Foreign reserves surpassed $46 billion on November 14, 2025, the highest level since 2018. (More)
Zimbabwe Eyes Single-Digit Inflation by 2026: The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe projects annual inflation will drop from 32.7% to under 10% by January 2026, citing strict money supply controls and backing for the ZiG currency. Be smart: Independent economists argue the stabilizing trend is largely driven by the economy’s heavy reliance on the US dollar rather than widespread adoption of the local unit. (More)
Opportunity Board
Indonesia's New Capital Opens Tenders for Major Housing Projects: The Nusantara Capital City (IKN) Authority launched tenders for two public-private partnership (KPBU) housing projects, totaling approximately $330 million, for civil servants, with submissions due by January 8, 2026. (More) :
Guyana Seeks Proposals for $300 Million Ammonia/Urea Plant: The Government of Guyana is inviting proposals for the design, engineering, construction, and operation of a $300 million ammonia/urea plant at Wales, West Bank Demerara, under a public-private partnership, with a submission deadline of January 22, 2026. (More)
Argentina to Privatize National Freight Railway: Argentina's government is preparing to launch public auctions for rolling stock and tenders for concessions of railway tracks, properties, and workshops as part of the privatization of Belgrano Cargas y Logística S.A., with investments estimated up to $3 billion. (More)
Visas & Immigration
China Launches New K Visa to Attract Global Tech Talent: China introduced a new K visa program designed to attract young professionals & grads in science and technology, offering simplified procedures without a local employer or invitation. The bottom line: This initiative aims to compete with the US in luring skilled foreign workers, contrasting with recent US policy changes. (More)
Iran Suspends Visa-Free Entry for Indian Nationals: Effective November 22, Iran suspended visa-free entry for Indian citizens holding ordinary passports due to a surge in human trafficking and kidnapping cases linked to fake job offers. Be smart: Indian travelers will now require a visa for entry or transit through Iran, with authorities urging vigilance against fraudulent schemes. (More)
Argentina Eases Visa Rules for Indian Travelers: Argentina now allows Indian nationals holding a valid U.S. visa to enter the country visa-free for tourism or short-term purposes, eliminating the need for a consular visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (AVE). Why it matters: This move aims to boost tourism and simplify travel for a growing segment of Indian travelers. (More)
Read, Watch, Listen
📚 Read: 30 Million Ghanaians Are Fools, 17 Sane by Kingsley K. Antwi. This blistering debut novel is a political satire and memoir through the eyes of a disillusioned pharmacist in Accra. (More)
📺 Watch: The Woman Who Poked The Leopard, directed by Patience Nitumwesiga. An award-winning Ugandan documentary bringing an intimate portrait of activist Stella Nyanzi as she challenges the country's regime while navigating the complexities of motherhood and exile. (More)
🎧 Listen: Ebuka Obi-Uchendu’s fresh podcast, MENtality with Ebuka, dissects modern Nigerian masculinity, featuring unfiltered conversations with cultural heavyweights like Banky W and Seun Kuti about money, emotions, and identity. (More)
Smart Reads
Nestle accused of ‘putting the health of babies at risk for profit’ by adding sugar to babyfood in Africa. (More)
Ethiopian women gain full land ownership rights under a new law, transforming economic independence. (More)
Years after protests, a new wave of Muslim civil society in India has emerged, creating grassroots networks for education and healing. (More)
Kenya's reliance on mobile money raises urgent questions about how daily digital trails are shaping a new landscape of surveillance. (More)
