Absa Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB), a division of Absa Group, and Absolute Strategy Research Ltd (ASR), a globally respected independent macroeconomic research provider, are pleased to announce a new strategic partnership aimed at enhancing Absa's global research capabilities and expanding ASR's reach to key African markets.

Founded in 2006, ASR is consistently ranked as the top independent macroeconomic research provider by Institutional Investor and Extel. The firm is fully independent — it does not provide execution services, manage client money, or trade on its own account — ensuring that its insights remain impartial, considered, and research-led.

Peter McGahan, CEO at ASR, commented: "We are delighted to partner with Absa to bring our research to a wider audience across Africa. This relationship reflects our shared belief in the importance of objective, high-quality analysis to support our clients' long-term investment decisions."

This partnership provides Absa clients across South Africa and Africa with access to ASR's full suite of research and proprietary content. This includes access to leading analysis in economics, equity and FX strategy, investment strategy, asset allocation, multi-asset views, and climate macro strategy. Clients will also benefit from exclusive webinars, monthly teach-ins, and in-person engagements led by ASR founders and senior analysts, tailored to client-specific themes and priorities.
Quintus Kilbourn, Head of Equities at Absa CIB, added: "Our strategic partnership with Absolute Strategy Research marks a significant step forward in strengthening Absa CIB's global research capability. Through this collaboration, we not only enhance the quality of our in-house research product and client conversations but also reinforce Absa's commitment to providing African institutions and corporates with the same depth of global market intelligence typically reserved for clients of global banks."

In addition, Absa and ASR will collaborate on several co-branded thought leadership initiatives — including the Annual Absa Investor Survey and integration into ASR's established Asset Allocation Survey (Africa subset) — providing deeper insights into market sentiment and peer positioning. These insights will enable Absa and its clients to make more informed decisions within an increasingly complex global macro environment.

The partnership further enhances Absa's ability to provide robust, globally informed insights to corporate and institutional clients. As macroeconomic dynamics, geopolitical developments, and climate-related risks increasingly influence African markets, this collaboration ensures that Absa clients are better equipped to navigate global shifts with confidence.

For ASR, the relationship marks an important step in expanding its research distribution into high-potential African markets through a regionally embedded, trusted financial institution.

By combining ASR's independent global research with Absa's pan-African expertise, the partnership supports smarter, more strategic investment decisions and reinforces both firms' commitment to empowering clients with world-class intelligence.