Waning Support in Nigeria’s North Poses Vote Risk for Buhari

Waning Support in Nigeria’s North Poses Vote Risk for Buhari

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election bid is facing a growing challenge as members of his party defect to the opposition and support diminishes in a key region that’s stood by him politically for 15 years: the north. Home to about 40 percent of the West African nation’s voters, Nigeria’s North East and North West regions have long been Buhari’s bedrock — he carried them in three failed bids for the…

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Mali’s President, Ex-Finance Minister to Contest Runoff Vote

Mali’s President, Ex-Finance Minister to Contest Runoff Vote

BAMAKO (Capital Markets in Africa) – Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and a former finance minister will contest a runoff vote in the country’s presidential elections after no candidate secured a majority in the first round. Keita secured 41.4 percent of ballots cast in the July 29 election and his main opponent, Soumaila Cisse, obtained 17.8 percent, the Ministry of Territorial Administration said in a statement on Thursday. Turnout was 43 percent of the more than 8 million…

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South African Banks Set to Show How Malaise Is Gripping Economy

South African Banks Set to Show How Malaise Is Gripping Economy

JOHANNSBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) – South African banks face another wasted year for earnings growth as the euphoria that greeted Cyril Ramaphosa’s ascendancy to the presidency fades with the reality of the challenges facing the economy. The country’s largest lenders start reporting first-half results from next week against the backdrop of tax hikes, record gasoline prices, stubbornly high unemployment and an economy that is showing little sign of recovering after shrinking in the first quarter. While banks have…

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Ghana Merges Five Failed Lenders in $1.2 Billion Bank Rescue

Ghana Merges Five Failed Lenders in $1.2 Billion Bank Rescue

ACCRA (Capital Markets in Africa) – Ghana’s banking regulator said it created a new lender through a merger of five insolvent banks as the country issued 5.8 billion cedis ($1.2 billion) in bonds to clear their debt. Bank of Ghana revoked the licenses of Unibank Ghana Ltd., Royal Bank Ltd., Beige Bank Ltd., Sovereign Bank Ltd. and Construction Bank Ltd., GovernorErnest Addison told reporters Wednesday in the capital, Accra. The lenders were among the smallest of Ghana’s…

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World’s Priciest Precious Metal Set to Blossom as Shortage Looms

World’s Priciest Precious Metal Set to Blossom as Shortage Looms

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – The world’s most expensive precious metal is set to get even pricier as a mining retreat in South Africa threatens a supply shortage. Rhodium — a byproduct of platinum mining that’s used in the chemical sector and by the auto industry in catalytic converters — has more than trebled in value since the start of 2017. The silver-white element, named after the Greek word for rose, could go even…

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Oil Minister in OPEC’s Newest Member Denies Graft Allegations

Oil Minister in OPEC’s Newest Member Denies Graft Allegations

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – The Republic of Congo’s oil minister denied allegations he embezzled state funds, as the government clamps down on corruption to secure International Monetary Fund aid. National Commission for the Fight Against Corruption Chairman Lamyr Nguele said Hydrocarbons Minister Jean-Marc Thystere-Tchicaya is suspected of being involved in the disappearance of at least $2.73 million between 2015 and 2017. The funds were intended for use in a building project in the…

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Congo’s Katumbi Abandons Plan to Fly Home as He Faces Arrest

Congo’s Katumbi Abandons Plan to Fly Home as He Faces Arrest

KINSHASA (Capital Markets in Africa) – Democratic Republic of Congo opposition leader Moise Katumbiabandoned plans to fly back to the country and will instead attempt to enter by land after the government said a warrant for his arrest had been issued. Katumbi, 53, is trying to return to the central African nation after two years in exile to register as a candidate in presidential elections scheduled for Dec. 23. He was convicted in absentia in 2016…

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