Global Scans · Government · Weekly Summary

• [New] Stakeholders - including banks, fintechs, and development partners - were invited to contribute to the draft strategy, which will guide Ghana's payment systems policy and investment landscape through to 2029. www.hoganlovells.com
• [New] The ECB Governing Council has confirmed that - assuming the EU co-legislators adopt the required Regulation during 2026 - a pilot phase could begin in mid 2027, with readiness for a possible first issuance by 2029. www.hoganlovells.com
• [New] Europe and North America will remain the largest overall spenders, with accelerated growth anticipated between 2028 and 2030, as regulatory clarity improves in Europe and potential policy shifts emerge in the US. Default
• [New] Government spending on Social Security and Medicare is projected to rise, and state and local governments will need to allocate more resources toward healthcare and pensions for retirees. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] Healthy GDP growth and falling interest rates will create plenty of opportunities for investors in 2025, but policy and geopolitical volatility means they should stay flexible and nimble. Macquarie
• [New] From Generative AI to Agentic AI and the Next Generation of AI shaping 2026, to transformative digital modernization, hear directly from federal government and Military leaders who are pushing boundaries, driving mission success, and rewriting what's possible in government technology. Eventbrite
• [New] NATO is contemplating a more pre-emptive policy toward Russia, potentially including pre-emptive strikes in response to hybrid threats. The DEFCON Warning System Shop
• [New] There is consensus among major financial institutions that China's economy will grow moderately in 2026, shaped by supportive policy measures and global pressures. South China Morning Post
• [New] The New South Wales Government has confirmed that more funding will be available to help organizations add electric vehicles to their fleets in 2026, with a renewed round of Kickstart grants on the way. Fleet EV News
• [New] President Donald Trump is expected to approve the expansion of IRS scrutiny of offshore crypto accounts - a policy that could boost investor interest in privacy-focused assets like Zcash. Pintu News
• [New] The federal government will assist Alberta in building and operating nuclear power plants, strengthening its electricity grid to power AI data centers, and building transmission lines to neighboring provinces. MarineLink
• [New] The Monetary Policy Committee of the National Bank of Kazakhstan has decided to keep the base rate unchanged at 18%, citing updated macroeconomic forecasts and a continued balance of inflationary risks. The Astana Times
• [New] OPEC + is signaling policy stability after halting planned output increases for early 2026. investing.com
• [New] If a new pipeline is the linchpin to new energy policy, its biggest risks are in disputes with British Columbia and the affected Indigenous nations. The Globe and Mail
• [New] Recent efforts for equity, such as Section 7 of the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act in Illinois, give greater opportunity for minority business ownership. Hazen Technologies Inc
• [New] Despite commissioning a study and the development of a business case for a first stage High Speed Rail link between Sydney and Newcastle, the Federal Government has made no funding provisions for the High Speed Rail Authority after the 2025-26 Budget. Region Canberra
• [New] Tech billionaires are gearing up to fight AI regulation by amassing multi-million dollar war chests ahead of the 2026 US midterm elections. MIT Technology Review
• [New] The government of Canada has announced its 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan as part of the federal government's 2025-2026 fiscal year budget. Fragomen - Immigration attorneys, solicitors, and consu
• [New] Last month, the Laos government announced that it would discontinue its crypto mining program and likely halt electricity supply to miners by the first quarter of 2026, following poor results. Deutsche Welle
• [New] The UK Government has committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by at least 68% by 2030 and is to end support for the fossil fuel sector overseas. https://www.reading.gov.uk
• [New] Innovative approaches such as the just transition initiative in Spain, based on comprehensive action plans and industrial policy support for territories negatively affected by the green transition, could be further explored within the EU. IDDRI

Last updated: 03 December 2025