The Editorial Team |

Nigeria Signals Willingness to Agree on Oil Production Cap

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – Nigeria signalled its willingness to cap its oil production to support OPEC’s efforts to ease a global supply glut. The output limit would come into play when Nigeria can stably pump 1.8 million barrels a day, the country’s oil minister Emmanuel Kachikwu told reporters Wednesday in Abuja. That’s about 100,000 barrels more than it’s currently producing. The country’s output has recovered this year after militant attacks had damaged export pipelines and…

Years of Gridlock Face South Africa as Rules Paralyze Mining

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JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) – Executives from Sibanye Gold Ltd., South Africa’s biggest gold miner, were in Los Angeles in the final stages of a roadshow with U.S. bond fund managers last month when a bombshell hit from back home. The government had introduced shock new rules requiring local mines to be 30 percent black-owned in perpetuity, toughening existing requirements and implying hefty dilution for shareholders. South African stocks tumbled and bond yields rose that day. The…

Ghana Oil Boon Not Enough to Plug Budget Hole as Prices Drop

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ACCRA (Capital Markets in Africa) – A surge in Ghana’s oil output this year may do little to ease the West African nation’s fiscal strains as crude prices are lower than what it budgeted, eroding the gains from extra production. This year’s average Brent crude price of $52 a barrel is below the $56 forecast in the budget, which could complicate the state’s plans to narrow the fiscal deficit. Output is set to climb by more than…

Kenya Says Election Jitters Pose Risks to Growth Prospects

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NAIROBI (Capital Markets in Africa) – Political uncertainty surrounding Kenyan elections next month and a dry-up in banks’ lending to businesses and individuals could hurt the short-term growth prospects of East Africa’s biggest economy, according to the Treasury. The Aug. 8 elections may create uncertainty that could weaken foreign and local investor confidence, Treasury Principal Secretary Kamau Thugge said in a statement on the ministry’s website on Thursday. “The economy remains vulnerable to the shocks emanating from the…

U.S. Extends Sudan Sanctions Review Period by Three Months

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KHARTOUNM (Capital Markets in Africa) – The U.S. delayed by three months a decision on whether to permanently lift some sanctions imposed on Sudan, making the revocation dependent on the North African country sustaining progress in areas such as anti-terror cooperation. President Donald Trump’s executive order extends the six-month review period established by the Obama administration on Jan. 13, which detailed conditions Sudan must meet for certain sanctions to be revoked, the State Department said in…

President Buhari Due to Return to Nigeria Soon, Deputy Says

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LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari is recuperating and should be back in the country “very soon,” Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said a day after visiting him in the U.K. Osinbajo, who travelled to London Tuesday to meet Buhari, told reporters in the capital, Abuja, that they spoke for more than an hour. Buhari is “in very good spirits,” Osinbajo said. “He’s doing very well.” Buhari, 74, has been in the U.K. since May 7…

Blind’ Preparations Seen Stoking Risk of Kenyan Vote Unrest

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NAIROBI (Capital Markets in Africa) – Less than a month before Kenyans are due to go to the polls, electoral authorities are behind on everything from printing ballot papers to finalizing a voter list. That risks a disputed outcome and unrest a decade after post-election violence engulfed the East African nation. While the Independent Electoral & Boundaries Commission says the vote will take place Aug. 8, there has been a court appeal over the ballot…

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