The Editorial Team |

It Looks Like Deja Vu for South Africa’s Fast-Starting Rand

JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) – As if January’s potential record gain isn’t enough, the rand may be in for a positive February as well if history is any guide. Seasonal data show that South Africa’s currency has strengthened against the dollar in February in seven of the past 10 years. Optimism about local political developments and a global risk-on mood spurred the rand to back-to-back monthly gains in January and February last year, and the same factors have…

Goldman Sees Egypt Tolerance for Volatility Driving Pound Swings

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CAIRO (Capital Markets in Africa) – Egypt’s abolition of a repatriation mechanism for foreign investors won’t necessarily bring about more volatility in the pound, according to Goldman Sachs Group Inc. The majority of fund flows in the local bond market over the past two years were already taking place outside the repatriation mechanism, which guaranteed foreign-exchange availability for overseas investors, Goldman said in a report. Even then, the pound remained stable, it said. Any fluctuation would…

How ‘Defeated’ Islamic State Prepares for Resurgence: QuickTake

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LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – In announcing his plan to withdraw American forces from Syria, President Donald Trump said the U.S. had achieved its purpose there because it had “defeated” Islamic State, the most destructive Islamist militant organization the world has seen. Certainly the group has been subdued in Iraq and Syria by an array of forces, including the U.S. military. But Islamic State has not been finished off. Remnants continue to fight in…

Ghana Seen Facing Discipline Test as IMF Bailout Nears End

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ACCRA (Capital Markets in Africa) – Ghana will reap the rewards of higher investor confidence and lower borrowing costs if it can stick to sound financial policies without the supervision of the International Monetary Fund, the lender said. West Africa’s second-largest economy faces a test to maintain economic gains and fiscal discipline after its almost $1 billion bailout program with the IMF ends in April. Authorities are aware of the potential gains of staying the…

Eurotunnel Says It’s Ready for Worst-Case, Hard Brexit Scenario

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LONDON (Capital Markets in Africa) – Eurotunnel, the operator of the tunnel under the Channel that links the U.K. to Europe, says it stands ready for a hard Brexit. With the vote Tuesday in the U.K. parliament raising the possibility of Britain crashing out of the European Union on March 29, companies like Getlink, Eurotunnel’s parent, are beginning to pull out their plans for the most extreme outcome. “Eurotunnel has been actively preparing for all…

Whatever Happens to Brexit, Here’s the Damage to Britain So Far

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LONDON (Capital Markets in Africa) – Britain’s vote to leave the European Union has already come at a cost regardless of where Brexit goes from here. Some of the damage is tangible, such as jobs, investment and capital; some of it less so, like international clout and talent. Prime Minister Theresa May is aiming to renegotiate the most contentious part of her separation deal with the European Union after it was rejected by Parliament. Officials in Brussels have already warned they won’t even consider her demands….

Tanzania Lawmakers Approve Controversial Political Parties Law

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DAR ES SALAAM (Capital Markets in Africa) – Tanzanian legislators adopted controversial amendments to a new law that rights groups and the opposition warn will criminalize dissent and give the registrar of political parties unmerited powers to supervise the activities of political parties. “Parliament has passed the amendments to the Political Parties Act that will bring more openness to political parties and strengthen the country’s democracy,” the government’s spokesman, Hassan Abbasi, said on Twitter. The…

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