Features

NEW YORK (Capital Markets in Africa) – President Donald Trump is poised to sign a deal with China on Wednesday that leaves significant tariffs in place and for the first time would punish Beijing if it fails to deliver on pledges related to its currency, intellectual property, and the trade balance. But the question set to dog Trump the moment the ink dries is whether the pact will rewire the relationship between the world’s biggest…

JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) – Prosus NV hasn’t lost its appetite for food delivery, even after the e-commerce giant was defeated in a grueling $8 billion bidding war for U.K. firm Just Eat Plc. Takeaway.com NV last week declared victory in the battle for Just Eat, saying investors holding 80.4% of the shares had formally backed its all-stock bid and rejected a cash offer from Prosus. But the Naspers Ltd.- the controlled company has alternative targets…

JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) – Woolworths Holdings Ltd. appointed Roy Bagattini from Levi Strauss & Co. as chief executive officer to replace Ian Moir, who will step down after nine years at the helm of the South African retailer. Bagattini, 56, will start next month, the Cape Town-based company said in a statement on Tuesday. He is the head of the Americas region of the U.S. jeans maker, where he has worked since 2013. Before that, the South African held senior roles…

JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) – Two people were killed Monday as protesters clashed with security forces across the West African nation during demonstrations against proposed changes to Guinea’s constitution that may allow President Alpha Conde to extend his 10-year rule. Conde, 81, is likely to try to stay in power after his second — and legally last — term ends in October. Last month, he unveiled a proposed new constitution that’s to replace a 2010 version…

NAIROBI(Capital Markets in Africa) – Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta made changes to his cabinet that include the dismissal of a key member considered an ally of his estranged deputy while placating his voter base by announcing a raft of economic policy changes. Kenyatta dropped Agriculture Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri, who is said to side with Deputy President William Ruto. He confirmed Ukur Yatani as Treasury Secretary, effectively sacking former finance chief Henry Rotich, who is facing graft charges in court. Ruto’s…

TRIPOLI (Capital Markets in Africa) – Talks to end Libya’s civil war broke down after the commander leading the assault on the capital rejected a proposed truce agreement, throwing open the door to a possible renewal of fighting and deeper foreign intervention. The president of Turkey, which had co-sponsored the talks along with Russia, delivered a menacing message to military leader Khalifa Haftar, who left Moscow before dawn on Tuesday without signing the deal. President Recep…

NEW YORK (Capital Markets in Africa) – Donald Trump’s impeachment trial is expected to begin next week, but the president has yet to settle on either his defense strategy or the team that will represent him in the Senate. Trump has sent conflicting signals about key aspects of the Senate trial, including how long it should last and whether witnesses should testify. He is still considering whether to make additions to his defense team, which…