Daily coverage from across the country, written for the expat community
Ecuador's EMBI country risk indicator closed at 409 points on April 17 — the lowest level since October 2014. The reading reflects higher oil prices, an IMF $400M disbursement, and a growth forecast upgraded from 1.8% to 2.5% for 2026. Here's what it means for cost of living and investment.
Ecuador's government takes formal possession of the country's largest hydroelectric project today, ending a decade of refused acceptance over 17,661 documented fissures. China's PowerChina takes over operation and maintenance at $46M/year for 25 years. Here's what the deal contains and what it means for the country's power supply.
Ecuador's social security pension system has more than doubled its retiree count since 2016 — to 840,456 — while contributing affiliates have stayed flat at 3.54 million. Pension spending hits $7.55 billion in 2026, contributions cover only $3.44 billion. The IESS is requesting $3.05 billion from the government and pulling $1.41 billion from reserves. Here's what's actually happening to Ecuador's pension system.
President Noboa ratified the SECA trade agreement with South Korea via Decreto Ejecutivo 359 on April 15, two days after the Asamblea approved it 83 votes. The deal eliminates tariffs on 98.9% of Ecuadorian exports to a 51-million-consumer market. Shrimp goes to 0% immediately. Bananas phase out over five years. Here's what's in it.
President Noboa presented Q1 2026 economic results in a national broadcast. Sales hit $63.2 billion (vs $57.7B Q1 2025). Country risk dropped from 1,908 bps a year ago to 416 today. Public investment jumped from $42M to $533M YoY. Here's what the government is claiming and what to actually take from it.
Ecuador's strategic Mazar reservoir is sitting at ~2,137 m.s.n.m. — about 61% of stored energy capacity, and 23–28 meters above the same period in 2024. Energy Minister Inés Manzano declared "tenemos agua." Hydroelectric is currently delivering 72.3% of national output. Here's the supply-side picture as the heat wave continues.
Starting June 1, 2026, Ecuador's tax authority requires VAT declarations to be filed and paid in a single transaction. Partial payments — even with credit notes — invalidate the declaration. If you run a business, rental property, or freelance income through SRI, this is a meaningful workflow change. Here's what's required.
Bilateral trade between Ecuador and Colombia fell 44% year-over-year in February 2026, the first month of the tariff war — to just $124.9 million. Ecuadorian imports from Colombia dropped 66%. Exports fell 20%. Pharma imports collapsed 34%, industrial chemicals 48%, and Rumichaca's transport hub has ground to a halt.
The Banco Central del Ecuador raised its 2026 GDP growth projection to 2.5%, up 0.7 points from its September forecast. Inflation is expected at 1.8%, private credit to grow 10%, and the external account to post a $6.4 billion surplus. 2025 closed at 3.7% growth — so momentum is slowing.
Ecuador's tax authority SRI reported $267.2 billion in reported sales for 2025, a 9% increase over 2024, alongside $21.5 billion in tax collection (+6.8%). The online portal pulled in 167 million visits and 3.5 million access-credential transactions. Mobile service brigades jumped 226%.
Peak demand on the Ecuadorian electrical grid hit 5,333 MW on April 10 — roughly 20% above normal, and enough to trigger rolling blackouts across Guayaquil, Daule, and Samborondón. The Ministry of Environment and Energy suspended all scheduled grid maintenance on April 14 to free up capacity. Here's what's happening and what to expect.
The National Assembly approved Ecuador's trade agreement with South Korea on April 14, a 23-chapter deal that could boost Ecuadorian exports by roughly $367 million over five years. 98.8% of Ecuador's exportable goods enter South Korea at zero tariff immediately under the agreement. Shrimp is the headline beneficiary. The deal still needs presidential ratification.
