Unity Is Nigeria Opposition’s Key Hurdle in Defeating Buhari

Unity Is Nigeria Opposition’s Key Hurdle in Defeating Buhari

LAGOS(Capital Markets in Africa) – The floodgates have opened. At least 12 challengers are bidding to defeat Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari in February’s elections, but their sheer number will strain the opposition’s ability to unite behind a single candidate to stand a chance of winning. With the president of Africa’s biggest oil producer facing discontent over security crises and an anemic economy, top candidates including Senate President Bukola Saraki, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Kano state Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso are defectors…

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Ghana on Hook for China Deal If Bauxite Pay Is Insufficient

Ghana on Hook for China Deal If Bauxite Pay Is Insufficient

ACCRA(Capital Markets in Africa) – Ghana will have to use alternative sources to pay back China’s Sinohydro Corp. for $2 billion in infrastructure if the revenue from an earmarked bauxite project is insufficient to meet installments. Sinohydro agreed to a deal with the West African nation in May to build bridges, roads, hospitals and housing as part of the government of President Nana Akufo-Addo’s plans to lift economic growth. In return, Ghana undertook to repay the…

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Seven EM Countries at Risk of Exchange-Rate Crisis, Nomura Says

Seven EM Countries at Risk of Exchange-Rate Crisis, Nomura Says

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – Seven emerging economies at risk of an exchange-rate crisis are Sri Lanka, South Africa, Argentina, Pakistan, Egypt, Turkey and Ukraine, according to a new analysis by Nomura Holdings Inc. With five of the seven already in a currency crisis or a program run by the International Monetary Fund, that leaves South Africa and Pakistan as the standouts. At the same time, the eight countries with the lowest risk of…

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Banker at African Lender’s U.K. Unit Said to Be Arrested in 2017

Banker at African Lender’s U.K. Unit Said to Be Arrested in 2017

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – The former head of the London unit of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc was arrested last year as part of a bribery probe, according to four people with knowledge of the case, solving a mystery hinted at by U.K. prosecutors this week. Maurice Phido was detained by police in May 2017, the people said, who asked not to be identified because his name isn’t public. Phido was released on bail after…

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ANC Labor Ally Sees No Need to Amend South Africa Land Rules

ANC Labor Ally Sees No Need to Amend South Africa Land Rules

JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) – The South African ruling party’s labour partner sees no need to amend the country’s constitution to make it easier to expropriate land without compensation. The Congress of South African Trade Unions, which is the country’s biggest labor federation and is part of the African National Congress-led ruling alliance, said the constitution already enables the state to tackle land reform, restitution and redistribution, and changes were unnecessary. The clause that…

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Tokio Buys Stake in South African Insurer Hollard to Expand

Tokio Buys Stake in South African Insurer Hollard to Expand

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – Japanese insurer Tokio Marine Holdings Inc. agreed to buy a minority stake in South Africa’s Hollard Insurance Co Ltd. to help both companies expand through Africa. Tokio Marine will pay 5 billion rand ($327 million) for a 22.5 percent shareholding in Johannesburg-base Hollard, one of sub-Saharan Africa’s largest providers of property and casualty insurance. The deal will enable Tokio to gain a foothold in markets such as South Africa and…

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The Latest Hip African Coffee? Nespresso Says It’s Zimbabwe Brew

The Latest Hip African Coffee? Nespresso Says It’s Zimbabwe Brew

HARARE (Capital Markets in Africa) – As single-origin beans from nations like Ethiopia and Kenya gain in popularity, Nespresso is poised to add Zimbabwe to the list of trendy African coffees. The unit of Nestle SA plans to start selling limited-edition Zimbabwe capsules in May in 15 countries including the U.S. and the U.K., according to Chief Executive Officer Jean-Marc Duvoisin. Nespresso has been working with non-profit partner TechnoServe since 2017 to revive the southern African nation’s struggling…

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