IMF says plans to meet new Ghana government over aid programme

IMF says plans to meet new Ghana government over aid programme

ACCRA (Capital Markets in Africa) – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) plans to visit Ghana to hear the new government’s plans for implementing the country’s $918 million aid deal, the Fund said on Thursday. President Nana Akufo-Addo was sworn in on Saturday pledging to cut taxes, spend on development and boost annual growth to double digits as he seeks to return Ghana to its place as one of Africa’s most dynamic economies. He also inherits a…

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South Africa’s rand jumps to 2-month high, stocks flat

South Africa’s rand jumps to 2-month high, stocks flat

JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) – South Africa’s rand gained more than two percent on Thursday to hit its strongest level in two months as the dollar plunged on concerns over U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s economic strategy. Stocks were flat overall but luxury goods group Richemont gained 6 percent to reach a 10-month high after posting stronger than expected sales. By 1501 GMT the rand had gained 2.2 percent to 13.4475 per dollar, following most currencies…

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Nigeria Central Bank Won’t Devalue Naira, Traders’ Union Says

Nigeria Central Bank Won’t Devalue Naira, Traders’ Union Says

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – The Central Bank of Nigeria has no plans to devalue the naira, the head of a money changers’ body said after meeting policy makers. Officials are “not looking at devaluation” as rising oil prices boost reserves, according to the Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria. The naira was little changed at 315.34 per dollar on Thursday, while Brent crude traded above $56 per barrel. “They assure us that people have…

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Emerging-Market Currencies Climb as Lira Rebounds From Lows

Emerging-Market Currencies Climb as Lira Rebounds From Lows

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – Emerging-market currencies rose the most in 10 months as the Turkish lira’s rebounded from record lows on speculation the central bank will take steps to support it. The MSCI Emerging Market Currency Index surged by the strongest pace since March and a similar gauge of stocks is on track to erase losses recorded after Donald Trump’s election in November. The U.S. President-elect news conference on Wednesday failed to support fiscal expansion…

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China Pledges $40 Billion towards Nigerian infrastructure projects

China Pledges $40 Billion towards Nigerian infrastructure projects

 LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – Nigeria ordered Taiwan to move its trade mission from the capital, Abuja, to the commercial hub, Lagos, following a visit by the Chinese foreign minister during which his government pledged to invest $40 billion in infrastructure in Africa’s most populous country. Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyeama announced the move Wednesday after meeting with Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, China’s official Xinhua News Agency said. China has said it will invest $40…

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Hate Speech in Social Media Targeted by Kenya Before August Vote

Hate Speech in Social Media Targeted by Kenya Before August Vote

NAIROBI (Capital Markets in Africa) – Kenya’s communication authority said it increased monitoring of social media in a bid to combat hate speech before the East African nation holds presidential elections in August. Authorities have spent 1.1 billion shillings ($10.6 million) since 2015 to monitor broadcasters and last year paid an additional 1 billion to examine social-media output, Chairman Ngene Gituku told reporters Thursday in the capital, Nairobi. “We are working with other government agencies…

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Sub-Saharan Africa 2017 Growth to accelerate by 2.9 Percent, World Bank Says

Sub-Saharan Africa 2017 Growth to accelerate by 2.9 Percent, World Bank Says

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa is estimated to have decelerated to 1.5 percent in 2016, the lowest level in over two decades, as commodity exporters adjust to low commodity prices. Regional GDP per capita contracted by 1.1 percent. South Africa and oil exporters account for most of the slowdown, while activity in non-resource intensive countries—agricultural exporters and commodity importers—generally remained robust. Commodity prices are expected to stabilize, but stay well…

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