Moody’s downgrades Tunisia’s rating to B1, maintains negative outlook

Moody’s downgrades Tunisia’s rating to B1, maintains negative outlook

TUNIS (Capital Markets in Africa) – Moody’s Investors Service has today downgraded the long-term issuer rating of the government of Tunisia to B1 from Ba3 and maintained the negative outlook. Moody’s has also downgraded the foreign currency debt rating of the Central Bank of Tunisia to B1 from Ba3 and maintained the negative outlook, in addition to downgrading the shelf/MTN rating to (P)B1 from (P)Ba3. The Government of Tunisia is legally responsible for the payments…

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Less Predictable South Africa Policy May See Moody’s Rating Cut

Less Predictable South Africa Policy May See Moody’s Rating Cut

Johannesburg (Capital Markets in Africa) – South Africa’s credit rating may be cut to junk if its policies become “even less predictable” or shift in a way that could undermine the economy, Moody’s Investors Service said. Policy uncertainty and political turmoil have increased in the last two months as the nation’s anti-graft ombudsman instructed lawmakers to change the central bank’s mandate, the mines minister published new regulations that the industry says undermine investment and President Jacob Zuma’s…

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Moody’s Downgrades Namibia’s rating to Ba1, maintains negative outlook

Moody’s Downgrades Namibia’s rating to Ba1, maintains negative outlook

WINDHOEK (Capital Markets in Africa) – Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”) has today downgraded Namibia’s long-term senior unsecured bond and issuer ratings to Ba1 from Baa3 and maintained the negative outlook. The key factors for downgrading the rating are: Erosion of Namibia’s fiscal strength due to sizeable fiscal imbalances and an increasing debt burden Limited institutional capacity to manage shocks and address long-term structural fiscal rigidities Risk of renewed government liquidity pressures in the coming years…

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Egypt Inflation Rate Surges to Record After Subsidy Cuts

Egypt Inflation Rate Surges to Record After Subsidy Cuts

CAIRO (Capital Markets in Africa) – Egypt’s urban annual inflation rate accelerated in July to its highest level in decades, fuelled by a new round of subsidy cuts ordered under the government’s economic reform program. Annual consumer prices in urban areas climbed 33 percent, up from 29.8 percent in June, according to the state-run CAPMAS statistics agency. The month-on-month rate accelerated to 3.2 percent from 0.8 percent in June. Fuel and electricity price increases went into effect at…

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Ethiopia’s credit profile balances high growth and low debt costs against range of challenges

Ethiopia’s credit profile balances high growth and low debt costs against range of challenges

ADDIS ABABA (Capital Markets in Africa) – Ethiopia’s B1 rating and stable outlook reflects its strengths, including high growth levels and low debt-servicing costs, set against challenges such as high inflation, low per capita income, low foreign exchange reserves and a weak institutional framework, Moody’s Investors Service says in an annual report today. The report, “Government of Ethiopia – B1 Stable, Annual Credit Analysis”, is now available on www.moodys.com. Moody’s subscribers can access this report…

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South Africa’s Inflation Rate Falls to a 19-Month Low in June

South Africa’s Inflation Rate Falls to a 19-Month Low in June

JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) – South Africa’s inflation rate fell to its lowest in 19 months in June, creating room for the central bank to shift toward looser monetary policy. Inflation slowed to 5.1 percent from 5.4 percent in May, Pretoria-based Statistics South Africa said Wednesday in a report on its website. That’s the lowest rate since November 2015. The median of 21 economists’ estimates compiled by Bloomberg was for 5.2 percent. Prices increased 0.2 percent in…

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Ghana Oil Boon Not Enough to Plug Budget Hole as Prices Drop

Ghana Oil Boon Not Enough to Plug Budget Hole as Prices Drop

ACCRA (Capital Markets in Africa) – A surge in Ghana’s oil output this year may do little to ease the West African nation’s fiscal strains as crude prices are lower than what it budgeted, eroding the gains from extra production. This year’s average Brent crude price of $52 a barrel is below the $56 forecast in the budget, which could complicate the state’s plans to narrow the fiscal deficit. Output is set to climb by more than…

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