I have really enjoyed these courses. The topic is so relevant to the news of the day. We need to make the time to understand what is going on so as not to be taken in by "fear mongering" or flashy headlines which only give part of the story.

Gayle Allard is my top favourite lecturer so far. It was a great pleasure to attend all three courses in this Specialisation. This is the kind of knowledge and skills one won't find in books and even many universities. So, 5 stars from me, 10/10 points and 100% recommended. I'll stay tuned for the forthcoming online courses from IE Business School. Thank you all again!

Phenomenal course. Gayle allard was a magnificent teacher. She was more like a guide. The way she broke complicated issues in basic supply demand equations and explained them, really good job. I was amazed by her skills.

The course is very good and the instructor has explained things nicely. Only the second specialisation of trade and immigration could have been more rigorous. A big thanks for the instructor.

Great course. Practical and easy to follow for non-economist. The instructor is great, the material is great, the lengths are perfect. Totally recommend the three courses.

Professor Gayle Allard is the best! She makes complex economic concepts. theories, and even computations easy to understand. This is the best specialization in coursera.

It is a good ,informative and detailed course.Very helpful to those interested in Economies of countries

It helped me a lot to understand different economies of the world.

Thanks a lot.

Peer graded assignments are a problem

Business Opportunities in Somalia’s Globalized Economy Untapped Consumer Market Somalia has a young population (~70% under 30) with growing demand for telecom, fintech, and consumer goods. Mobile money (e.g., Hormuud Telecom) thrives due to limited banking infrastructure. Strategic Geographic Position Ports (Berbera, Mogadishu, Kismayo) offer trade potential under partnerships (e.g., DP World’s Berbera Port expansion). Diaspora remittances (~23% of GDP) fuel local consumption and investment. Post-Conflict Reconstruction Infrastructure (energy, roads, housing) needs rebuilding—opportunities for construction firms and foreign aid contractors. Agriculture & Fisheries Somalia has fertile land and one of Africa’s longest coastlines—potential for exports if piracy and regulation improve. Key Risks & Challenges Weak FX Reserves & External Shocks FX reserves likely cover <1 month of imports (vs. 3+ months recommended), making Somalia vulnerable to currency crises. Reliance on imports (food, fuel) exposes businesses to global price swings. Political & Security Instability Al-Shabaab insurgency disrupts supply chains and deters FDI. Clan-based governance complicates regulatory enforcement. Informal Economy & Corruption ~60% of GDP is informal, limiting tax revenue and access to credit. High corruption risk (ranked 180/180 in Transparency International’s CPI). Net Migration: Brain Drain Negative net migration rate (–1.3 migrants/1,000 population in 2024, per UN estimates)—skilled labor exits, hindering growth. Strategic Recommendations for Investors Short-term: Partner with local firms (e.g., telecom, logistics) to navigate bureaucracy. Long-term: Bet on port infrastructure, renewable energy (solar), and agribusiness—IF security improves. Risk Mitigation: Use diaspora networks for market insights; insure against political violence. Bottom Line: Somalia offers high-reward opportunities in select sectors but remains one of the world’s riskiest markets. Success depends on security improvements and regional stability (e.g., Ethiopia’s Berbera Port deal). Would you like a comparison with another frontier market (e.g., Bangladesh, Rwanda)? Or deeper sector-specific analysis

Having taken this Specialization program expanded my horizons in regard to economics. This field has always been a weak point but this course helped me to understand how policies have been applied t not only during crisis periods but also during surplus. Thank you so much Professor for your amazing skills. I appreciate that your speech is absolutely friendly and has a great approach.

thank you Prof. Gayle Allard for your insightful knowledge and expertise......I have learnt a lot from this course......

Excellent Learning experience

Highly knowledgable and resourceful instructor

Good palnning of the course

Tricky Assignments

Excellent course delivery and content. Worth every minute, especially during these confusing COVID-19 times.

A very simple course with great practical applications! Just what we need!

Gayle Allard is the best! so delighted to have taken this course :)

If you want to get more Practical and more Real Data this For you

Great lectures to understand economy with country scale.

Enjoyed the course and learned a lot about Macroeconomy

De los mejores MOOC que he completado. Felicidades