Trade Talks to Eclipse All as Emerging-Market Bulls Take a Hit

Trade Talks to Eclipse All as Emerging-Market Bulls Take a Hit

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – The looming U.S.-China trade talks may be set to reveal how complacent traders have been about the dispute just as the rally in emerging markets loses steam. Last week’s sudden retreat came as representatives from the world’s two biggest economies prepared to discuss the standoff, with President Donald Trump saying he wouldn’t meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping before a 90-day truce ends March 1. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and…

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Nigeria’s President Warns Corruption May Threaten Elections

Nigeria’s President Warns Corruption May Threaten Elections

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) -Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari, who is seeking another four-year term in elections due to take place in six days, said the country’s anti-graft agency has raised concern over laundered money being used to buy votes. The fight against corruption is being hindered by vested interests and “lawyers table endless objections to obstruct court proceedings, whilst their clients hope it lasts until a ‘friendly’ president is voted into office,” the former dictator…

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Ivorian Leader Sees Growth Averaging as Much as 8% Through 2023

Ivorian Leader Sees Growth Averaging as Much as 8% Through 2023

NAIROBI (Capital Markets in Africa) – Ivory Coast’s growth rate is expected to average as much as 8 percent over the next five years, President Alassane Ouattara said in an interview with Radio Francaise Internationale. The economy is expected to expand 8 percent this year, one of the fastest growth rates in the world, with inflation projected at 1 percent, the budget deficit at 3-4 percent of gross domestic product and public debt less than 40 percent…

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EIB Plans to Ramp Up Kenya Funding If State Red Tape Eases

EIB Plans to Ramp Up Kenya Funding If State Red Tape Eases

NAIROBI (Capital Markets in Africa) – The European Investment Bank plans to double its funding for infrastructure development in Kenya this year if government bureaucracy in approving projects eases. The Luxembourg-based lender targets to disburse 200 million euros ($227 million) of loans, half of which will be available for the Kenya Ports Authority to refurbish berths at East Africa’s busiest sea-port in Mombasa county, Catherine Collin, the bank’s East Africa representative, said Thursday in an…

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Egypt Dangles Incentives to Attract More Oil and Gas Investors

Egypt Dangles Incentives to Attract More Oil and Gas Investors

CAIRO (Capital Markets in Africa) – Egypt is finalizing details of a new type of oil and gas contract to attract even more foreign investment than the $10 billion already coming into its energy industry this year. The contract will provide investors with incentives to explore for fossil fuels in undeveloped areas, Egypt’s oil minister Tarek El-Molla said in an interview. He didn’t provide details of the changes to the contract. “We’re improving the cost-recovery process to…

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Eskom Deepens South Africa Power Cuts as Moody’s Flags Risk

Eskom Deepens South Africa Power Cuts as Moody’s Flags Risk

JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) – South Africa’s debt-laden power utility raced to stabilize the grid by resorting to the most intense supply cuts in four years while Moody’s Investors Service warned a plan to fix it fell short. Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd. implemented so-called stage 4 rotational power cuts from 1 p.m. That involves taking 4,000 megawatts of demand out of the system to prevent its complete collapse. The reductions come as Moody’s Investors Service…

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Wall of Male Prejudice Stifles Women’s Rise in Nigerian Politics

Wall of Male Prejudice Stifles Women’s Rise in Nigerian Politics

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – When Bolanle Aliyu decided to run for governor of Oyo State in southwestern Nigeria, even her husband was initially reluctant to support her. Aliyu knew it was going to be tough once she entered the boisterous and sometimes violent world of Nigerian politics. She’d have to figure out how to fund her campaign and deal with corrupt party officials demanding bribes for everything from nomination forms to ensuring her…

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