Absa’s Ramos Sees Confidence Returning to South African Economy

Absa’s Ramos Sees Confidence Returning to South African Economy

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – Absa Group Ltd. Chief Executive Officer Maria Ramos is betting that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is on the right track with rebuilding the continent’s most-industrialized economy. Almost a year since taking over from his corruption-tainted predecessor, Ramaphosa started commissions of inquiry to determine how graft became so entrenched and to prevent it in future. He also set in motion plans to reinvigorate economic growth through an investment conference that raised billions in…

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Goldman Cheers as Rand Heads for Best-Ever Start to a Year

Goldman Cheers as Rand Heads for Best-Ever Start to a Year

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – The rand’s flying start to 2019 may be just the beginning, according to Goldman Sachs Group Inc. The South African currency is heading for its biggest January gain against the dollar since Bloomberg started compiling the data in 1999. And with expected volatility near an eight-month low, traders are discounting local stumbling blocks in coming months, including a budget speech, ratings review and election. The rand has been buoyed by a more dovish Federal Reserve…

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Macron: Egypt’s Human Rights Abuses Threaten Country’s Stability

Macron: Egypt’s Human Rights Abuses Threaten Country’s Stability

CAIRO (Capital Markets in Africa) – French President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday that Egypt’s stability is threatened by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi’s crackdown against political opponents, and that he’ll seek a “balance” by denouncing abuses while not cutting off dialogue. On the first day of a three-day visit to Egypt, Macron said El-Sisi’s regime has become more repressive than under the government of Hosni Mubarak that was overthrown in 2011. “I believe in both stability and respect for sovereignty, but…

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What to Watch in Commodities: Big Oil, Venezuela, Gold, Glencore

What to Watch in Commodities: Big Oil, Venezuela, Gold, Glencore

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa~) – Investors face a week packed with market-moving events: earnings season brings results from Big Oil; the U.S. and China resume trade talks; and the Federal Reserve embarks on a new era of openness. On top of that, iron ore investors are absorbing the impact of a second deadly mine disaster for Vale SA, and the U.S. just lifted sanctions on United Co. Rusal. Among companies reporting, Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Exxon Mobil…

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Civilians Trapped as Cameroon Army Battles Separatists

Civilians Trapped as Cameroon Army Battles Separatists

YAOUNDE (Capital Markets in Africa) – Cyprain fled his home when separatist fighters in Cameroon’s Northwest region threatened to kill him after he served government soldiers at his roadside bar. He’s one of a growing number of civilians trapped between the army and roaming gangs of English-speaking insurgents fighting to break away from the majority-Francophone nation. The conflict has decimated the local economy in the conflict zone, and according to the United Nations, left hundreds…

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Desperation Erodes Fear: Protesters Brave Zimbabwe Crackdown

Desperation Erodes Fear: Protesters Brave Zimbabwe Crackdown

HARARE (Capital Markets in Africa) – In four decades of independence, Zimbabwe’s rulers have been able to deploy the security forces to crush protests even as the southern African nation sank deeper into economic crisis. Judging from the latest bout of unrest, that may no longer be true. Crowds showed little fear as they poured onto the streets of the capital, Harare, and other major cities when the main labor federation called a three-day stay-away…

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Nigeria’s Opposition Leader Says Buhari Breaching Constitution

Nigeria’s Opposition Leader Says Buhari Breaching Constitution

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – Nigeria’s main opposition candidate in next month’s elections, Atiku Abubakar, said President Muhammadu Buhari breached the constitution by suspending the nation’s top judge last week. “I want to note the universal condemnation of this unlawful act by all Nigerians, as well as the international community,” Abubakar, 72, said at a press conference Monday in Abuja, the capital. “How we react to this challenge in the following days will determine the fate of…

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