Nigeria Senator Says Work on 2017 Budget Stalled by Police Raid

Nigeria Senator Says Work on 2017 Budget Stalled by Police Raid

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – A Nigerian lawmaker said work on passing the overdue 2017 budget stalled after police raided his house last week and took away key papers. The police denied confiscating any budget-related document. “The police truncated work on the 2017 budget by the invasion of my house,” Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Danjuma Goje told reporters Wednesday in the capital, Abuja. “I don’t know if the police are now working on the…

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Ivory Coast Said to Plan $1 Billion Eurobond Sale by End of July

Ivory Coast Said to Plan $1 Billion Eurobond Sale by End of July

ABIDJAN (Capital Markets in Africa) – Ivory Coast plans to sell at least $1 billion in Eurobonds by the end of July to raise funds for infrastructure projects, the country’s first issuance of international debt since 2015, according to two people with knowledge of the plans. The government is negotiating to sell bonds with 10-year maturity and the sale will probably happen in June or July, according to the people, who asked not to be…

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Ivory Coast slashes budget on low cocoa prices, President Says

Ivory Coast slashes budget on low cocoa prices, President Says

ABIDJAN (Capital Markets in Africa) – Ivory Coast has cut planned spending for 2017 by 10 percent due to a sharp drop in world prices of cocoa, its leading export, President Alassane Ouattara said, according to Thursday’s edition of national newspaper Le Patriote. The move is a major concession by a government that has prided itself on its stewardship of the West African country – the world’s biggest cocoa exporter – during its recovery from…

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Ghana’s 2017 Budget: Hope of A New Dawn, Or Illusion?

Ghana’s 2017 Budget: Hope of A New Dawn, Or Illusion?

ACCRA (Capital Markets in Africa) – Ghana’s 2017 budget statement outlined an ambitious first step towards transforming the structure of the economy. The budget, christened: “Sowing the Seeds for Growth and jobs” is grounded within the framework of the Ghana Shared Growth and Development Agenda II (GSGDA II) and within the context of the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) with the IMF.  The budget targets accelerated and inclusive growth through a modernized agriculture sector, private sector-led…

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Preview of South Africa’s Budget Speech 2017

Preview of South Africa’s Budget Speech 2017

JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) – The upcoming Budget will be a critical one given there is no more room for the upward revision of deficit targets as seen over the last few years. As a result of the current slow growth environment, the tax increases and expenditure cuts set in October’s Medium-term Budget have to be adhered to if Treasury is to deliver a positive Budget. This is according to Senior Economist, Johann Els,…

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South Africa’s 2017 Budget Analysis: A tough and taxing year ahead – STANLIB

South Africa’s 2017 Budget Analysis: A tough and taxing year ahead – STANLIB

Johannesburg (Capital Markets in Africa) – The South African Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan, delivered a tough budget for 2017/2018, highlighting the need for significant tax increases, especially on wealthier individuals, while at the same time endeavouring to contain government expenditure.  Although the government’s fiscal parameters are expected to remain largely under-control over the coming year, there is a lack of new initiatives to meaningfully stimulate the economic growth of the country. Under these circumstances,…

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