Features

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – The U.S. almost doubled its pledge for the financial support of a West African force that began deploying last year to fight a surge in Islamist militant attacks. Assistance to the force that’s known as G5 Sahel will now total $111 million, from an initial pledge of $60 million made in October 2017, Samantha Reho, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Africa Command in Stuttgart, Germany, said Friday in an emailed response…

JOHANNEBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) – Sanlam Ltd. will issue new shares to black shareholders through its black empowerment partner as it seeks to win more business from state-owned companies in South Africa. The Cape Town-based insurer will issue 11.35 million shares, or 5 percent of its ordinary share capital, and grant a 2 billion rand ($136.6 million) facility to Ubuntu-Botho Investments or its subsidiaries to help it invest in some Sanlam units. Ubuntu-Botho is a…

SOUTH SUDAN (Capital Markets in Africa) – South Sudanese President Salva Kiir apologized to his people for a half-decade of civil war as the African nation’s main rebel leader echoed his commitment to a new peace deal. Insurgent chief Riek Machar temporarily returned to the capital on Wednesday to take part in peace celebrations — his first visit to Juba since being forced to flee more than two years ago. It comes as cease-fire violations and delays cast doubt…

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – Turkey’s first deep-sea drilling ship, flanked by Turkish war vessels, set sail Tuesday looking for natural gas and oil in contested waters of the Mediterranean, a launch liable to exacerbate longstanding tensions with Greece. The Fatih, named after the conqueror of Constantinople, or modern-day Istanbul, will operate some 60 nautical miles off the Turkish coast in or around the disputed area. The Eastern Mediterranean has become a gas hot…

Driving New Growth Momentum in Africa, the Islamic finance industry in Africa is fast gaining the attention of key stakeholders including central banks & regulatory authorities, as well as the leading international Islamic financial institutions and investors seeking to tap into high-growth opportunities on the continent October 2018, DJIBOUTI: The footprint of Islamic banking in Africa is set to expand further as the continent seeks to deliver on the economic and strategic opportunities provided by…