South Africa Treasury Seeks Funding Plan to Boost Eskom’s Liquidity

South Africa Treasury Seeks Funding Plan to Boost Eskom’s Liquidity

JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) – South Africa’s Treasury is identifying ways to boost liquidity at the embattled state-owned power utility as its cash reserves slide due to below-target revenue. The National Treasury is concerned about Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd.’s “current financial position and has been working closely with the Department of Public Enterprises and Eskom to address the issues that are impacting the entity’s liquidity position,” the ministry said an emailed response to questions on…

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Zimbabwe Power Brokers: Key Figures in Battle to Succeed Mugabe

Zimbabwe Power Brokers: Key Figures in Battle to Succeed Mugabe

HARARE (Capital Markets in Africa) – The military takeover of Zimbabwe on Wednesday marked the climax of a week of confrontation between the military and President Robert Mugabe, the nonagenarian leader who’s led the southern African nation for almost four decades. Four key figures within Zimbabwe’s ruling party will determine how the battle to succeed him plays out: Emmerson Mnangagwa, 75, has been a close ally of Mugabe’s since 1974 when the two were leading members…

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Mugabe’s Era Is Ending as Zimbabwean Military Seizes Power

Mugabe’s Era Is Ending as Zimbabwean Military Seizes Power

HARARE (Capital Markets in Africa) – Zimbabwe’s military seized power and detained 93-year-old President Robert Mugabe in a struggle over the succession of the only leader the nation has ever known. Mugabe told President Jacob Zuma by phone that he’s being confined to his home and is fine, the South African presidency said in a statement. Zimbabwe Defense Forces spokesman Major-General Sibusiso Moyo said in a televised address that the military action wasn’t a coup and was aimed at…

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Swaziland Could Be Next to Sell a Eurobond

Swaziland Could Be Next to Sell a Eurobond

SWAZILAND (Capital Markets in Africa) – Another African country is considering selling dollar debt — but its international debt market debut may be hindered by its economy is too small. Swaziland is debating whether to issue a Eurobond and should decide by January or February, Bheki Bhembe, principal secretary at the Finance Ministry, said by phone Tuesday. The problem is that the country would probably need to raise a minimum of $500 million if it were…

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Matt Levine’s Money Stuff: Venezuelan Debt and Bitcoin Claims

Matt Levine’s Money Stuff: Venezuelan Debt and Bitcoin Claims

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – When a sovereign nation defaults on its debt, its creditors have two basic choices: Participate in the inevitable negotiations and accept restructured debt — probably with a substantial haircut — in exchange for their pre-default claims; or Hold out from the negotiations and engage in years of of time- and labour-intensive unpleasantness to try to enforce their original pre-default claims against the country. Most people usually go with option 1: Usually when…

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Bitcoin’s Roller-Coaster Ride Cuts $38 Billion Before Reversal

Bitcoin’s Roller-Coaster Ride Cuts $38 Billion Before Reversal

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – Bitcoin is proving that investing in digital currencies isn’t for the faint of heart. After plunging as much as 29 percent from a record high following the cancellation of a technology upgrade on Nov. 8, the largest cryptocurrency came roaring back in early trading Monday before fluctuating between gains and losses. “Crypto trading is not for the novice investor,” said John Spallanzani, chief macro strategist at GFI Securities LLC in New York….

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South Africa Tests Investor Appetite in Biggest Bond Auction Yet

South Africa Tests Investor Appetite in Biggest Bond Auction Yet

JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) – South Africa’s widening budget deficit is going to cost it. Just how much, the Treasury will find out when it holds its biggest auction yet of local-currency debt on Tuesday. Benchmark 10-year yields have climbed more than 60 basis points since Oct. 25, when Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba said the government will need to raise an additional 122 billion rand ($8.4 billion) of debt over the next three years to plug…

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