Features

Franchise opportunities – Africa’s economy will grow faster than any other continent’s over the next five years and flexible working is a huge part of that future International Workplace Group (IWG plc) this month announced the expansion of the first flexible office space franchise opportunity in Africa. The company is currently seeking driven multi-brand franchise operators, landlords, private equity firms and high net-worth individuals to seize the opportunity to buy into the lucrative flexible working…

NEW YORK (Capital Markets in AfricaA) – Oil prices will rise over the next few months as global inventories shrink, before declining in 2020 as trade-war induced demand woes return to haunt the market, according to UBS AG. The Swiss bank sees Brent crude climbing to $65 a barrel in three months, around 8% higher than current levels, it said in a note by analysts including Giovanni Staunovo. However, the global benchmark will drop to $63 in six…

HARARE (Capital Markets in Africa) – Zimbabwe’s rulers are finding that two decades of economic mismanagement and brutal repression have led them into a trap from which there’s little chance of escape. If they implement the political and democratic reforms needed to win the financial support the economy needs from international donors, they’re likely to lose the next election. If they don’t, their people, propelled by the extreme hardship brought about by austerity measures imposed…

NEW YORK (Capital Markets in Africa) – President Donald Trump said he can cut taxes by indexing capital gains to inflation without congressional approval, a move the White House has been considering for months that would largely benefit the wealthy. “We’ve been talking about indexing for a long time,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Tuesday. “And many people like indexing and it could be done very simply. It could be done directly by me.”…

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – China touted common ground with U.S. allies Japan and South Korea as their top diplomats met in Beijing for their first such three-way talks since 2016. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the North Asian countries pledged Wednesday to work together to support free trade and maintain regional growth. They reaffirmed their commitment to creating a free-trade zone between them and complete negotiations by the end of the year on the…

LONDON (Capital Markets in Africa) – The European Union poured cold water on Boris Johnson’s attempt to renegotiate the Brexit deal, saying the so-called backstop to prevent a hard Irish border — which the British prime minister wants scrapped — was a vital part of the divorce agreement. It means that with just over two months to go until Johnson has said the U.K. will leave the bloc “do or die,” the two sides are completely deadlocked — with Britain…