Egypt Reaches Initial IMF Accord on $12 Billion Program

Egypt Reaches Initial IMF Accord on $12 Billion Program

CAIRO. Egypt, Capital Markets in Africa: Egypt reached an initial agreement with the International Monetary Fund over a $12 billion package designed to restore the confidence of foreign investors and ease a crippling dollar shortage hampering economic growth. The three-year agreement aims to “improve the functioning of the foreign exchange markets, bring down the budget deficit and government debt, and to raise growth and create jobs,” said Chris Jarvis, the IMF Egypt delegation head. He said the…

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Why Listing on a Public Exchange adds value for Business and Investors

Why Listing on a Public Exchange adds value for Business and Investors

LAGOS, Nigeria, Capital Markets in Africa: Africa has long been regarded as the ‘last frontier’ in terms of economic growth and investors have pinned their hopes on the latent potential of the continent. However, the tapering off of commodities prices following lower demand from China provides evidence that many countries have still been too dependent on oil and other commodities for export. The reliance on commodity-related growth and lack of restructuring in many economies have…

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Delivering Successful Infrastructure Projects through Public Private Partnerships

Delivering Successful Infrastructure Projects through Public Private Partnerships

LAGOS, Nigeria, Capital Markets in Africa: What are the challenges in implementing successful and sustainable infrastructure projects in Africa? Why do projects take so long to become a reality? Surely one of the biggest challenges for Government Authorities is the organization and administration of a framework that will reduce bottlenecks and facilitate project promoters to address risks appropriately, such that projects can proceed. Over the past ten years, more African countries have recognized the advantages…

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Kenya Banks Commit to Cutting Rates After Lawmakers Threaten Cap

Kenya Banks Commit to Cutting Rates After Lawmakers Threaten Cap

NAIROBI, Kenya, Capital Markets in Africa: Kenyan banks committed to lowering commercial lending rates after lawmakers proposed imposing a limit on how much interest lenders can charge. Lenders in East Africa’s biggest economy signed a memorandum that sets out measures to boost lending, including allocating 30 billion shillings ($295 million) to small- and medium-sized enterprises and women at concessionary rates, Lamin Manjang, chairman of the Kenya Bankers Association said Wednesday. Banks will also enhance their business…

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Kenya Must Curb Borrowing to Keep Debt Affordable, IMF Says

Kenya Must Curb Borrowing to Keep Debt Affordable, IMF Says

NAIROBI, Kenya, Capital Markets in Africa: At the rate Kenya is borrowing to fund its spending, the East African nation could accumulate more debt than it can afford to repay comfortably, according to the International Monetary Fund. While the nation’s current debt stock is sustainable at 49.8 percent of gross domestic product, the Treasury has at times struggled with cash management because of maturities coming in very close together, Armando Morales, the IMF’s resident representative in…

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Infrastructure | South Sudan Seeks $1.9 Billion Chinese Loan as Inflation Rockets

Infrastructure | South Sudan Seeks $1.9 Billion Chinese Loan as Inflation Rockets

South Sudan, Capital Markets in Africa: it’s seeking a $1.9 billion loan from China to develop its oilfields and roads, as the war-torn African country battles inflation that exceeded 660 percent last month. Foreign Minister Deng Alor Kuol requested the financial assistance during arecent visit to the Asian nation and the Export-Import Bank of China “is working on this loan,” ministry spokesman Mawien Makol Arik said Tuesday by phone from the capital, Juba. South Sudan has sub-Saharan Africa’s…

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Unlocking Regional Energy Infrastructure Development through Market Integration

Unlocking Regional Energy Infrastructure Development through Market Integration

LAGOS, Nigeria, Capital Markets in Africa: Regional energy infrastructure is a key enabler for regional energy markets. Africa has huge potential to grow its energy markets hence the need to develop robust regional energy infrastructure. To do this requires heavy investment in the production, transportation, and distribution of energy products to end users. Considering the existing high level of commitment by African countries and regional institutions, which have prioritized energy as a priority sector and…

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