A Closer Look at How Global Markets and African Bonds Danced During COVID-19

Have you ever thought about how the COVID-19 pandemic affected African economies? Researchers used a real cool method called wavelet multiscale coherence to check how global markets and African bonds were connected during the time of the coronavirus outbreak. This study was done from January 2019 until March 2023. The results showed that global markets and African bonds were closely linked. This was especially true for markets where investors were cautious. African bonds got affected by this caution. The study found that the Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index (VIX), which looks at the tension in the markets, was the big boss when it came to affecting African bonds compared to stuff like Bitcoin and the Goldman Sachs Commodity Index.Interestingly, this connection between global markets and African bonds changed over time and across different countries. The study found that global markets led Africa's bond markets. This means when global markets shook, African bonds shook. But it's not all bad news. Investors can use this information to balance their portfolios and keep risk in check. Policymakers can also use this info to make plans to keep their countries safe from economic troubles.