Our Scans · (LF.8) Decent Work and Growth · Weekly Summary

• [New] Global demand for carbon removal could reach significant levels by 2050, highlighting immense growth potential. Market Data Forecast
• [New] By connecting global expertise with local business communities, the Digital Commerce Labs will create a scalable education model that can be replicated across markets to help entrepreneurs translate digital knowledge into real-world growth opportunities. Newsroom | TikTok
• [New] UK GDP growth is expected to slow to 0.7% in 2026, down from 1.3% in 2025, as pressures from a fresh energy price shock push up inflation, weigh on spending and delay interest rate cuts. KPMG
• [New] We project 19% order growth for Marine and Energy, essentially entirely driven by a large data center power plant order in the US in Q4. Inderes
• [New] AI-dominated services could see rapid growth, potentially reaching valuations of 500 billion to a trillion dollars. Crypto Briefing
• [New] Asia Pacific is projected to overtake the US as the largest fintech region by 2032, driven by China, India, and high-growth economies across Southeast Asia. TechBullion
• [New] Cloud deployment is expected to see the fastest growth rate of about 23% between 2026 and 2033, as businesses continue migrating from traditional on-premises setups to cloud-centric infrastructures. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Annual industry sales in 2026 will reach $1.55 T, although real sales growth is expected to remain relatively modest at 1.3%, and the total number of employees will grow by 100K to reach 15.8 M. / USA NRA
• [New] The US economy is expected to grow above its potential pace in 2026, with an average annual growth rate of +2.7%, a yearly improvement (+2.2% in 2025). economic-research.bnpparibas.com
• [New] The World Bank has approved a USD 500 million concessional loan to support Nigeria's agriculture sector through the Nigeria Sustainable Agricultural Value-Chains for Growth project, running from 2026 to 2032. SEWF
• [New] 26.8K people work as graders and sorters, while the number of jobs is projected to go down by 5.4% in the next few years. Digital Journal
• [New] We expect PG&E to invest more than $14 billion annually on average in 2026-30, leading to at least 9% annual earnings growth, one of the highest growth rates among US utilities. Morningstar, Inc.
• [New] Looking ahead, lithium-ion battery demand is forecast to rise at a 14% compound annual growth rate over the next decade, with lithium demand itself increasing by roughly 12% a year. Investing News Network (INN)
• [New] S&P 500 companies are expected to report double-digit earnings growth for a sixth consecutive quarter in Q1 2026, with FactSet's blended estimate at 13.2% year-over-year as of early April. Crestwood Advisors
• [New] Generative AI and smart automation could add between $2.6 trillion and $4.4 trillion to the global economy each year, mostly by making knowledge work more productive. The AI Journal
• [New] By 2028, AI agents will make at least 15% of daily work decisions on their own, up from less than 1% in 2024. The AI Journal
• [New] Asia Pacific is expected to register the fastest growth, propelled by rapid digitalization, large-scale cloud adoption, and expanding IT services sectors in countries like India, China, and Japan. ReAnIn
• [New] The increased use of technology, a decrease in the cost of batteries, and an expansion in the availability of charging stations will continue to drive growth across the world. Precedence Research
• [New] Public and private sector entities will work in concert to accelerate the restarting of nuclear power plants whose safety has been confirmed by the Nuclear Regulation Authority. Prime Minister's Office of Japan
• [New] From the silent intelligence-gathering of cyber espionage to the disruptive power of offensive cyber attacks, from the relentless work of cyber defence to the mind-bending possibilities of AI-driven autonomous warfare, America's digital strategy is comprehensive, adaptive, and constantly evolving. LetDigitalFly
• [New] Higher energy prices will lift inflation in 2026 while dampening real incomes and consumption, resulting in a softer growth profile than previously expected. First Business Bank
• [New] On balance, Eurozone growth in 2026 is now expected to be modest, with rising stagflation risks. First Business Bank
• [New] Even a short-lived conflict could shave ~0.4 percentage points off EU growth next year, while a more protracted disruption could reduce growth by up to 0.6 percentage points in both 2026 and 2027, relative to earlier forecasts. First Business Bank

Last updated: 13 April 2026