The Markets

CAIRO (Capital Markets in Africa) – The world’s best carry trade is proving resilient, especially now that a pause in Egypt’s easing cycle keeps its interest rates elevated. The Egyptian pound is delivering another strong performance this year following a record appreciation in 2019. That’s enticing traders who borrow in currencies where rates are low and invest in the assets of countries where they are high to turn to Egypt. Even with inflation well below the central…

NAIROBI (Capital Markets in Africa) – Kenya will rely on domestic borrowing to fund budget deficits in a new debt-management strategy to reduce the fiscal risks arising from a binge on Eurobonds and syndicated loans. Treasury officials of East Africa’s biggest economy are targeting domestic borrowing at 72% of the total in the next three fiscal years, according to a medium-term debt-management strategy presented to lawmakers on Thursday. That compares with a previous three-year target…

GABORONE (Capital Markets in Africa) – Botswana plans to conclude negotiations with De Beers on a diamond sales agreement by the end of April to replace the current 10-year deal that expires in January. The government wants to see more gems cut and polished within the borders of the world’s second-biggest biggest diamond producer, creating jobs and boosting the state coffers, according to Lefoko Moagi, the minister of mineral resources, green technology, and energy security….

JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) – The challenges to South Africa’s credit outlook was highlighted by President Cyril Ramaphosa’s state-of-the-nation address, Fitch Ratings said. While Ramaphosa promised progress in his speech on Thursday, he offered only partial detail on key policy areas, including stabilizing the electricity sector, improving public finances, accelerating economic growth and land reform, the rating company said in an emailed statement on Friday. Ramaphosa announced changes to the nation’s electricity industry to…

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – Sibanye Gold Ltd. said it swung to an annual profit last year, bringing the company another step closer to resuming dividend payouts. Sibanye is among South African producers benefiting from a rally in platinum, palladium and rhodium prices and a weaker South African rand that lowers costs for producers. Chief Executive Officer Neal Froneman said last month Sibanye may declare its first dividend in three years in August. The world’s largest platinum miner expects…

JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) – Gabon may issue another Eurobond before the end of the year as it looks for ways to lower the cost of its debt. OPEC’s second-smallest oil producer issued Africa’s first Eurobond of 2020 last month. The government will monitor how the market performs in six months and then assess its needs, Finance Minister Jean-Marie Ogandaga said by phone from the capital, Libreville. Gabon went to the market asking for…

NEW YORK (Capital Markets in Africa) – As currency-trading heads from investment firms and banks convene in Miami this week, a few themes may dominate: The potential for new technology to lower costs, the impact of the coronavirus and U.S. elections. In a sign of the changing landscape as the TradeTech FX conference kicks off, a pre-summit survey showed investors view trading with liquidity providers other than banks as a key goal. Meanwhile, companies that…