2050 Investors — Economic and markets megatrends, ahead of 2050’s global sustainability targets

This episode was first aired on 29/01/2025

How did the banking system evolve from a simple bench—the very origin of the word “bank”—into the sophisticated institutions that drive the global economy?

Banks are more than just institutions. With over 4,000 years of history, they have played a pivotal role in powering industrial revolutions, transforming dreams into reality, and adapting to the evolving needs of clients across generations. From economic booms to busts, they have stood the test of time, channeling funding like the lifeblood of the economy and serving as critical cogs in the machinery of society. Banks have turned the alchemy of compound interest—Einstein’s “8th wonder of the world”—into a driving force behind economic growth.

In this episode of 2050 Investors, Kokou Agbo-Bloua dives into the essential role of banks and the foundations of the global banking system. Through his analysis, he explores the power of compound interest, the history of banking and the evolution of business models and regulatory frameworks. Highlighting their role as financial intermediaries, Kokou unpacks how they contribute to societal and economic progress through fractional reserve banking.

Later in the episode, Kokou interviews Slawomir Krupa, as the bank marks its 160th anniversary. Slawomir reflects on how Societe Generale has remained true to its original mission of combining innovation with strength in its business model. He discusses the bank’s focus on sustainability and responsibility, emphasizing its vital role in financing the economy, supporting transformational projects, and offering strategic advice to clients to drive these developments. He also shares insights on how climate change and AI are driving institutions to reinvent themselves.

This episode is a compelling exploration of the past, present, and future of banking, offering fresh insights into how this age-old institution continues to influence our lives and economies.

About this show
Welcome to 2050 Investors, your monthly guide to understanding the intricate connections between finance, globalisation, and ESG.
 
Join host Kokou Agbo-Bloua, Head of Economics, Cross-Asset & Quant Research at Societe Generale, for an exploration of the economic and market megatrends shaping the present and future, and how these trends might influence our progress to meeting 2050’s challenging global sustainability targets.
 
If you like 2050 Investors, please leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your support will help us spread the word and reach new audiences. If you’re seeking a brief and entertaining overview of market-related topics and their business and societal implications, subscribe now to stay informed!
 
Previous episodes of 2050 Investors have explored ESG, climate change, AI, greenflation, globalization, plastic pollution, food, healthcare, biodiversity and more.
 
Credits
Presenter & Writer: Kokou Agbo-Bloua
Producers & Editors: Jovaney Ashman, Jennifer Krumm, Louis Trouslard
Sound Director: La Vilaine, Pierre-Emmanuel Lurton.
Music: Cézame Music Agency
Graphic Design: Cédric Cazaly
 
Whilst the following podcast discusses the financial markets, it does not recommend any particular investment decision. If you are unsure of the merits of any investment decision, please seek professional advice.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Artificial intelligence may appear weightless, but its backbone is built on vast, energy-hungry data centers. In this episode, host Kokou Agbo-Bloua explores how these facilities—from corporate server farms to hyperscale sites—have become the brain of the AI boom. Kokou dissects the dual demands of AI: training massive models and running inference, and how these processes are fundamentally reshaping global energy and water consumption, while fuelling a trillion-dollar investment race.

Later, Sikander Rashid, Global Head of AI Infrastructure at Brookfield Asset Management, joins to discuss how investors are navigating soaring demand for computational power amid the global race towards Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). He shares his insights on how balancing carbon mitigation with capacity expansion could reshape global capital flows and addresses the age-old question: are we in an AI boom or a bubble?

Tune in now to uncover the hidden infrastructure behind AI—and what it means for the future of technology, finance, and the planet.

Credits
Presenter & Writer: Kokou Agbo-Bloua
Producers & Editors: Jovaney Ashman, Jennifer Krumm, Louis Trouslard
Sound Director: La Vilaine, Pierre-Emmanuel Lurton.
Music: Cézame Music Agency
Graphic Design: Cédric Cazaly

Whilst the following podcast discusses the financial markets, it does not recommend any particular investment decision. If you are unsure of the merits of any investment decision, please seek professional advice. 

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

$25 trillion! This is the sum injected into the economy by Governments and Central Banks to protect a significant portion of the global economy during the Covid crisis. Where does this funding come from, and what are the impacts of such government spending? Is this strategy sustainable in the long term? These are important questions to consider, particularly since we are in a year where half of the world's population is heading to the polls and many candidates are advocating for a 'whatever it takes' approach.

Even if we are near full employment, witnessing rising wages, have defeated the Coronavirus, and have inflation levels gradually approaching central bank objectives, let us not overlook the consequences of this approach. The massive government spending to save lives, known as 'whatever it takes,' is not without costs. As the saying goes, there‘s no such thing as a free lunch! The result? Endemic sovereign debt and budget deficits – a metaphorical portrayal of 'original sin.'

In this episode of 2050 Investors, Kokou Agbo-Bloua will delve into sovereign debt sustainability and explore how governments can balance their finances amid high-interest rates while meeting the demands of voters. Joining the discussion is Anatoli Annenkov, Societe Generale's Senior Economist for Europe, who will analyse the relationship between public debt and central banks. He will explain how central banks can help stabilize sovereign debt crises and shed light on the importance of their independence.

Credits
Presenter & Writer: Kokou Agbo-Bloua. Producers & Editors: Jovaney Ashman, Jennifer Krumm, Louis Trouslard.
Sound Director: La Vilaine, Pierre-Emmanuel Lurton. Music: Cézame Music Agency. Graphic Design: Cédric Cazaly.
This episode is a reworked replay based on its original version. (link to the original version)

Whilst the following podcast discusses the financial markets, it does not recommend any particular investment decision. If you are unsure of the merits of any investment decision, please seek professional advice. 

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Stablecoins, once a niche segment of the cryptocurrency market, are rapidly emerging as a vital bridge between the digital innovation of decentralised finance (DeFi) and traditional finance (TradFi). Backed by real-world assets and powered by blockchain technology, they mark a new phase in the evolution of money: from Gold (Money 1.0) to the trust-based fiat system (Money 2.0) and now to a new era of Money 3.0. Each stage has fundamentally transformed how societies store, transfer, and multiply economic energy.

In this episode of 2050 Investors, Kokou Agbo-Bloua, Head of Economics, Cross-Asset & Quant Research at Societe Generale, explores the rise of stablecoins and their role in the wider crypto ecosystem of DeFi and blockchain. He examines how these innovations challenge traditional banking systems and central banks, and whether they can truly become the ultimate store of value in a digital age.

Joining the discussion: Joseph Lubin, co-founder of Ethereum and CEO of ConsenSys, shares how stablecoins could reshape banking, the future of payment, the role of trust in digital money, and the convergence of blockchain with artificial intelligence.

This episode offers a thought-provoking journey into the heart of the crypto revolution, questioning whether ‘Billy Crypto’ is still an outsider in Currency Canyon, or already part of the system.

Credits
Presenter & Writer: Kokou Agbo-Bloua. Producers & Editors: Jovaney Ashman, Jennifer Krumm, Vincent Nickelsen, Louis Trouslard.
Sound Director: La Vilaine, Pierre-Emmanuel Lurton. Music: Cézame Music Agency. Graphic Design: Cédric Cazaly.

Whilst the following podcast discusses the financial markets, it does not recommend any particular investment decision. If you are unsure of the merits of any investment decision, please seek professional advice. 

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

What is the future of international trade? After Brexit, the War in Ukraine, and the Covid-19 pandemic, are we at the beginning of the end of globalisation? Will a future Phileas Fogg be more incentivized to stay at home and circle the world in the metaverse in 80 seconds?

While globalization has fueled economic growth, lifted millions out of poverty, and facilitated unprecedented access to consumer goods and information, it also carries a dark underbelly. Kokou Agbo-Bloua explores the repercussions of global trade, from job displacement to environmental degradation and social inequality.

Through engaging dialogue and historical anecdotes, he reflects on the principles of comparative advantage and economies of scale that underpin international trade, while considering the carbon footprint of our interconnected world.

Join the investigation into the future of trade, from reshoring initiatives to carbon border adjustment taxes, and their potential to mitigate environmental impact and promote sustainability.

Gain insights from experts like Tim de Knegt, Treasurer and Strategic Finance Manager at the Port of Rotterdam, Europe's largest seaport. Tim and Kokou explore strategies for decarbonizing international trade, particularly in the shipping industry, discussing methods such as emissions capture, electrification, and fuel substitution. They also examine the potential impact of initiatives like the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism on trade decarbonization and profitability for businesses.

Ultimately, this podcast invites listeners to contemplate the role of international trade in addressing global challenges and fostering cooperation across borders. As John Donne aptly said, "No man is an island," underscoring the interconnectedness of our world and the imperative for collaborative action in shaping its future.

About this show
Welcome to 2050 Investors your monthly guide to understanding the intricate connections between finance, globalisation, and ESG.
Join host Kokou Agbo-Bloua, Head of Economics, Cross-Asset & Quant Research at Societe Generale, for an investigation of the economic and market megatrends shaping the present and future, and how these trends might influence our progress to meeting 2050’s challenging global sustainability targets.

In each episode, Kokou deep dives into the events impacting the economy, financial markets, the planet, and society. Through a magical blend of personal anecdotes, in-depth research and narratives overlaid with music, sound effects, and pop culture references.

Kokou also interviews industry-leading experts, personalities, entrepreneurs and even Nobel prize winners! You will learn from the best on a wide range of subjects on current affairs, market shifts, and economic developments.

If you like 2050 Investors, please leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. If you’re seeking a brief and entertaining overview of market-related topics, subscribe now to stay informed!

Credits
Presenter & Writer: Kokou Agbo-Bloua. Producers & Editors: Jovaney Ashman, Jennifer Krumm, Louis Trouslard.
Sound Director: La Vilaine, Pierre-Emmanuel Lurton. Music: Cézame Music Agency. Graphic Design: Cédric Cazaly.
This episode is a reworked replay based on its original version. (link to the original version)

Whilst the following podcast discusses the financial markets, it does not recommend any particular investment decision. If you are unsure of the merits of any investment decision, please seek professional advice. 

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.