The Editorial Team |

First Quantum Asks Zambian Attorney General to Block Charges

LUZAKA (Capital Markets in Africa) – First Quantum Minerals Ltd. has asked Zambia’s attorney general to block criminal proceedings that may be brought against its directors by the state-controlled mining-investment company. The copper producer, based in Vancouver, said it’s been “reliably informed” that ZCCM Investments Holdings Plc is considering charging its directors, Matt Pascall, operations director at First Quantum, said in a letter to the attorney general, a copy of which was sent to Bloomberg and confirmed by…

Nigeria Seeks $5.2 Billion From World Bank for Electricity

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LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – Nigeria is seeking $5.2 billion from the World Bank to expand electricity generation and help the economy recover from its first contraction in 25 years. The bank’s private-sector lending arm, the International Finance Corporation, may invest about $1.3 billion in power projects and electricity distribution companies. Its political risk insurer, the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, could provide equity and debt of $1.4 billion for gas and solar power programs, according to Power, Works, and…

Stress Sign: Black Market’s Cheaper Than Official Naira Rate

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LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – Nigeria’s new currency market is showing just how severe the country’s dollar shortage is. The naira is falling to levels weaker than the black-market rate in a foreign-exchange window set up for international investors and hedge funds last month. It’s a sign of how dysfunctional currency markets have become in Africa’s largest economy as officials enforce multiple exchange rates and trading and import restrictions. Funds including Chicago-based Frontaura Capital, South Africa’s Allan…

IMF Sees `Subdued’ Growth Outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa

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LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – Sub-Saharan Africa’s economic growth outlook is “subdued” as the region’s oil producers delay policy adjustments needed to trigger and sustain expansion momentum, the International Monetary Fund said. The area’s gross domestic product will probably expand 2.6 percent this year from 1.4 percent in 2016, the IMF said in an emailed copy of its Regional Economic Outlook. The modest recovery from the worst performance in more than two decades last year will…

Morocco’s Attijariwafa Plans Africa Expansions This Year

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RABAT (Capital Markets in Africa) – Attijariwafa Bank, Morocco’s biggest lender, is planning to complete expansions in East and West Africa this year as it focuses on consolidating its new acquisitions to spur growth. The Casablanca-based bank aims to finalize a deal to buy Rwanda’s Cie Generale de Banque, known as Cogebanque, start commercial banking operations in Chad and apply for a banking license in Ghana in 2017, General Manager Ismail Douiri said in an interview in…

AfDB Plans $1.1 Billion Loans, Grants to Drought-Hit Countries

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South Sudan (Capital Markets in Africa) – The African Development Bank is considering providing $1.1 billion of loans and grants to countries affected by drought and famine. The funding will be discussed at a meeting of the Abidjan, Ivory Coast-based lender’s board on Wednesday, Gabriel Negatu, the bank’s head for East Africa, said in an interview in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. The money will be provided to war-torn South Sudan, where a famine was declared in February, as well…

If Bond Market Could Decide, Egypt Would Be Set for Upgrade

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CAIRO (Capital Markets in Africa) – With its finances in tatters, a credit upgrade was out of the question for Egypt before it secured an IMF loan agreement. Fast-forward six months, and it’s already won promotion in the bond market. Egypt’s dollar bonds have sprung back this year, driving its borrowing costs to the lowest level since 2015. That has lifted the market perception of Egyptian risk above that of some ratings assessors. The nation’s…

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