September 2026
48 articles
Ecuador Bolsters Thermoelectric Capacity Amid Dry Season and El Niño Concerns
Ecuador's National Electricity Operator Cenace reports an average thermoelectric generation of 875 MW between September 1 and September 23, 2026, contributing approximately 19% of national demand. This increase is partly due to two new generation barges, which began operation on September 21, 2026, adding 200 MW.
Ecuador's Country Risk Remains Below 500 Points Following J.P. Morgan's New EMBI Methodology Implementation
Ecuador has maintained a country risk score below 500 basic points since January 2026, attributed to a new calculation methodology for the EMBI by J.P. Morgan. This change, implemented in early September, has been applied to historical data, reflecting improved investor and lender optimism and enabling better financing conditions for the nation.
Ecuador and U.S. Forces Conduct Joint Operation, Dismantling Alleged CJNG-Linked Drug Trafficking Network
On the morning of September 24, troops from the U.S. Southern Command, DEA agents, and members of the National Police carried out their first joint operation in Ecuadorian territory. The operation focused on the provinces of Guayas, Los Ríos, and El Oro, leading to the dismantling of a drug trafficking organization with alleged ties to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
Ecuador's Oil Production Recovers, Government Seeks Private Investment for Sacha Field
Ecuador's average oil production reached 460,562 barrels per day from January to August 2026, marking an 8.1% recovery from the previous year's pipeline disruptions. The government is actively pursuing private investment for the Sacha oil field, with interest from UAE companies, following a previous unfinalized process in 2025.
Ecuador Records Lowest Annual Inflation in South America at 1.12% in August
Ecuador closed August with an annual inflation rate of 1.12%, positioning the country as having the lowest inflation in South America. This stability is seen by the Ministry of Economic and Productive Development as crucial for reducing uncertainty, facilitating financial planning for households and businesses, and fostering investment conditions.
Ecuador-South Korea SECA Agreement Poised to Boost Exports with Significant Tariff Reductions
The Strategic Economic Cooperation Agreement (SECA) between Ecuador and South Korea, signed in March 2025, is pending approval by South Korea's National Assembly. Once implemented, it will grant immediate 0% tariff access to 7,473 subheadings of Ecuadorian goods, including shrimp and textiles, into the Korean market.
IESS Plans Real Estate Sales to Address Financial Sustainability Crisis, Targeting $2 Billion in Liquidity
The Ecuadorian Social Security Institute (IESS) plans to sell 175 identified real estate properties, primarily in Guayas, Pichincha, Manabí, Santa Elena, and Azuay, to gain liquidity amid a financial sustainability crisis, particularly within its Pension Fund. President Daniel Noboa stated the sales could generate USD 2,000 million.
Ecuador's Non-Oil Exports Surge 25% in July 2026, Driven by Shrimp and Diversified Products
Ecuador's non-oil exports reached $2,914 million in July 2026, marking a 25% year-over-year increase from $2,330 million in July 2025. This growth was supported by a 19.2% rise in export volume and strong performance in both traditional and non-traditional sectors, with shrimp leading sales and China solidifying its position as the primary buyer.
Ecuador's Cocoa Sector Faces 2026 Challenges Amid Export Decline and El Niño Risk
Ecuador's cocoa sector is navigating a challenging 2026, marked by a smaller harvest, declining international prices, and the looming threat of intense El Niño rains. Export volumes decreased by 8.3% and value by 55% between January and July 2026 compared to the previous year.
Ecuador's Remittances Projected to Reach Historic High of $8.020 Million in 2026, Driving Household Consumption
The Central Bank of Ecuador projects remittances to reach a historic high of $8.020 million in 2026, representing an approximate 3.8% annual expansion. This figure is estimated to be about 5.90% of the gross domestic product and is expected to accelerate household consumption.
Ecuador's Oil Production Targets Face Lower Projections from Central Bank Amidst Shifting Price Outlook
Ecuador's Ministry of Energy aims for 500,000 barrels per day by December 2026, but the Central Bank of Ecuador projects a lower average of 463,013 bpd for 2027. Oil revenues increased significantly in 2026, while future price forecasts anticipate a market correction despite current high prices.
El Niño Strengthens Off Ecuador, Impacting Fisheries and Coastal Weather Patterns
El Niño continues to strengthen in the equatorial Pacific, with sea surface temperature anomalies reaching up to +4.5 °C off Ecuador and Peru. This phenomenon is already affecting fishing activity and has led to increased rainfall and river flows in the Litoral region, with further precipitation expected.
Ecuador's Confectionery Imports Surge in 2026, Shifting Supply Calendar Ahead of Holiday Season
Ecuador's confectionery imports reached $97.2 million between January and August 2026, a significant increase from $43.5 million in the same period of 2025. This surge is driven by anticipated year-end commercial activity, with businesses stocking up earlier than in previous years.
Ambiensa Opens New York Headquarters to Facilitate Property Acquisition for Ecuadorian Migrants
Real estate developer Ambiensa has officially opened its new headquarters in New York, United States. The office aims to provide direct service to Ecuadorian residents seeking to acquire property and consolidate assets in their home nation, offering a new direct credit modality and guidance on national housing programs.
Ecuador Implements Energy Measures Amid El Niño Threat and Long-Term Sustainability Goals
Ecuador's Ministry of Environment and Energy is coordinating with industries to manage energy supply during the El Niño phenomenon. High-voltage consumers are asked to voluntarily disconnect one day a week, while the government also plans to contract additional electricity generation barcazas.
Ecuador's Motorcycle Market Experiences Significant Growth, Driven by Utility and Local Assembly
New motorcycle sales in Ecuador increased by 20.2% between January and August 2026, reaching 211,479 units. This growth is attributed to motorcycles becoming essential tools for mobility and work, supported by local assembly and financing options.
Guayaquil Accelerates Flood Mitigation Plans Amid El Niño Forecasts, Faces Execution Challenges
The Municipality of Guayaquil is advancing its Pre-Winter and Shock Plans to mitigate potential flooding from the El Niño phenomenon, projecting water accumulation levels up to 2.80 meters in vulnerable areas. While efforts began earlier this year, execution rates for both plans remain low, with targets set for completion by December.
Ecuador's Logistics Sector Experiences Significant Growth Driven by Record Exports and Port Activity
Ecuador's logistics sector is expanding, supported by record exports in 2025 and continued trade growth in the current year. The national port system has seen a 60% increase in total cargo mobilized between 2015 and 2025, with land transport playing a crucial role in connecting production zones to international markets.
Quito Wildfires Persist in Casitagua and La Vicentina, Judicial Actions Initiated Against Suspects
Wildfires continue to affect Quito, particularly in the Casitagua hill and La Vicentina sector, with approximately 1,200 hectares consumed across the city this summer. Authorities have filed seven complaints, leading to four judicialized suspects, one of whom is in preventive detention.
Curipamba-El Domo Mining Project Advances Towards Targeted July 2027 Operation
The Curipamba-El Domo polymetallic project in Ecuador's central Sierra region is progressing, with commercial operations targeted for July 2027. Owned by Salazar Resources and Silvercorp Metals Inc., the open-pit mine has an estimated 11.5-year operational life and $283.7 million in initial capital costs.
Guayaquil Mayor Aquiles Alvarez's Three-Year Prison Sentence Ratified by Appeals Tribunal
The Guayas Court of Justice's Appeals Tribunal ratified a three-year prison sentence against Guayaquil's mayor, Aquiles Alvarez, for non-compliance with a legitimate order. This decision follows an August 3 conviction related to the removal of an electronic monitoring bracelet.
Central bank raised Ecuador's 2026 growth forecast to 2.7%
The September 2026 central-bank forecast and its separate scenario analysis for El Niño.
Ecuadorian Companies Grapple with 'Shadow AI' Risks Amidst Significant Data Protection Gaps
Artificial Intelligence adoption is widespread in Ecuadorian organizations, but a September 2026 GMS report indicates 66% of employees use AI daily, while 70% of workplaces have basic or flawed preparation. A third of workers use personal accounts for AI work, increasing data security risks.
Ecuador's Non-Traditional Industrialized Exports Surge to $3.03 Billion in First Seven Months of 2026
Ecuador's non-traditional industrialized exports reached $3.03 billion between January and July 2026, marking significant growth.
Ecuador Prepares for Intensified El Niño Rains as Government Mobilizes Resources and Guayaquil Records Historic Rainfall
Ecuador's Inamhi anticipates El Niño rains will intensify between November and December 2026, continuing into early 2027, following the official declaration on August 29. The government has activated a national red alert and secured over $15 million from the World Bank to acquire 73 units of heavy machinery for emergency response, with 64 units already delivered.
Ecuador's Competition Regulator Approves Dunkin' Donuts Asset Acquisition
The Superintendencia de Competencia Económica (SCE) has authorized Restaurantes Unidos Restaunsa S.A. to acquire the productive and operational assets of Donut House S.A., which operates the Dunkin' Donuts brand in Ecuador. The SCE's analysis concluded the transaction poses no significant risks to competition.
Ecuador's Cooperative Sector Shows Stability Amidst El Niño Concerns
Ecuador's largest savings and credit cooperatives have demonstrated improved performance in key indicators through July 2026, including a reduction in the delinquency rate. However, the sector faces potential challenges from the anticipated El Niño phenomenon and associated risks.
Guayaquil Motorcycle Registration Compliance at 25% for 2026
As of September 2026, 75% of Guayaquil's motorcycle fleet, totaling an estimated 231,799 units, remains unregistered. The Authority of Transit and Mobility (ATM) reports a current compliance level of 25% for motorcycle registration.
Ecuador Implements Temporary Curfew in Four Provinces
A temporary curfew will be in effect in Guayas, Manabí, Los Ríos, and El Oro from September 17 to September 30, 2026, restricting circulation daily between 00:00 and 05:00. The measure aims to intensify operations against organized crime.
Mabe Commits $35 Million to New Guayaquil Washing Plant
Mabe, a major appliance manufacturer, is investing $35 million in a new washing machine manufacturing plant in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Scheduled to begin operations in early 2027, this facility is projected to produce over 90,000 units annually for local and regional markets.
Cayambe Hospital Project Awarded Following Years of Announcements
President Daniel Noboa announced on September 10, 2026, that the new Cayambe Hospital project has been awarded, a development that follows over six years of prior announcements. The facility is projected to benefit more than 140,000 individuals.
El Niño 2026-2027: Anticipating Economic Impact on Ecuador's Productive Sector
Ecuador's productive sector faces potential significant economic impact from the strengthening El Niño phenomenon, with historical data from 1997-1998 showing 52.8% of national losses absorbed by businesses. Current forecasts indicate a high probability of a historic intensity event by late 2026, emphasizing the need for operational resilience.
Ecuador–Peru power link: two dated license announcements
Public 2023 and 2026 license announcements for the 500-kV power link, plus the IDB's implementation status.
ITT Equipment Failure Cut Output to About 15,000 Barrels a Day
An ITT processing-system failure interrupted production beginning September 6. The latest cited operating data precede today, so full restoration remains unverified.
Ecuador’s Banking Watchlist Identifies 74 Unauthorized Operators in 2026
September 9 reporting highlights 74 entries in the banking regulator’s 2026 unauthorized-entity registry. A check of the official list confirms the count.
Ecuador and Panama Set a Technical Path Toward a Partial-Scope Trade Agreement
Ecuador and Panama have signed terms of reference to begin negotiating a partial-scope economic complementarity agreement. The immediate commercial question is whether the technical agenda turns access to Panama’s logistics, services, and consumer market into enforceable terms.
Ecuador Labor Ministry Reports 9,327 Inspections in 2026
Ecuador’s labor ministry says it has carried out 9,327 inspections nationwide during 2026. A USD 9,640 sanction in La Troncal shows how IESS affiliation, disability-inclusion quotas, and cooperation with inspectors can combine into a maximum penalty.
Ecuador Gives Arcom a USD 888,000 Technology Package for Mining Oversight
The Ministry of Environment and Energy has delivered a technology package valued at approximately USD 888,000 to Ecuador’s mining regulator, Arcom. The equipment is intended to strengthen mapping, surveying, and territorial control, including in hard-to-reach mining areas.
Guayas Rice Growers Pull Planting Forward as Rain Risk Reprices the Crop Calendar
Rice producers in Guayas are changing planting calendars ahead of a possible increase in El Niño-linked rainfall. The move shifts the operating question from output alone to whether harvest timing can stay ahead of flooding exposure.
SRI Sets Quito Vehicle Exhibition Ahead of September Auction Window
The SRI will exhibit vehicles in northern Quito on September 4 before a September 17–18 public auction. The process creates a defined acquisition window, but the deposit, qualification, and settlement mechanics determine the real capital requirement.
Ecuador’s Proposed USD 240 Million Hospital Platform Is an Execution Test
Ecuador’s Ministry of Public Health is advancing a proposed USD 240 million interoperable health platform involving CNT and Italy’s Dedalus. The key business variables are procurement award, infrastructure delivery, phased rollout, and the October technical-operating target.
Paute Inflows Enter the Dry Season Below Historical Benchmarks
Ecuador entered the September 2026-March 2027 dry season with below-historical inflows across the Paute system. Mazar averaged 56 m³/s in August versus a historical 90 m³/s, while Paute basin flow averaged 94.8 m³/s against a historical 136.4 m³/s.
TPG Puts USD 50 Million Behind Cranes, Cold Chain, and Port Automation
Terminal Portuario de Guayaquil plans USD 50 million of 2026 investment, including two USD 22 million cranes, a refrigerated-container substation, electric vehicles, backup generators, and automation. TPG handled 736,141 TEUs last year, or 24% of Ecuador's national market according to company-cited shares.
SRI September Projection Window Reopens a Withholding Lever for Qualifying Employees
The SRI allows qualifying dependent employees earning more than USD 12,208 annually or USD 1,017.33 monthly to update personal-expense projections through September 30. The change can affect monthly income-tax withholding, but unsupported expenses may create a later payment difference.
CNE Adds Online Card Payments to the Electoral-Fine Collection Stack
Ecuador's National Electoral Council says electoral fines can now be paid online with Visa and Mastercard through cne.gob.ec. The change expands the collection stack ahead of the November 29, 2026 sectional and CPCCS elections while leaving bank and Facilito routes in place.
Petroecuador's August Output Missed Target Despite an 8% Year-to-Date Gain
Petroecuador averaged 365,704 barrels per day in August, below its 370,000-barrel projection. January-August output was 8% above the same 2025 period, but the comparison is distorted by the July 2025 collapse and remains below earlier benchmarks.
Ecuador's Sixth IMF Review Sets a Conditional $390 Million Financing Test
Ecuador's sixth IMF review is expected around September 15, 2026. A compliant review could release about $390 million, with $1.270 billion still pending under the $5 billion program, but the payment is not yet approved.
Ecuador shipped 247.08 million boxes of bananas through July 2026
Reported banana export volumes for January through July 2026, with source and time period made clear.