The African Island That Stamped Out the Virus Now Needs Tourists

The African Island That Stamped Out the Virus Now Needs Tourists

PORT LOUIS(Bloomberg) — Mauritius was the first African country to get the coronavirus under control. Now its challenge is how to let the tourists that are its economic lifeblood back in. The Indian Ocean island’s success in quelling the outbreak is unique in Africa and comes as the disease is spreading across the continent, with countries from Kenya to South Africa battling a surge in cases since movement restrictions were eased. Mauritius is one of…

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Zimbabwean President, Deputy Clash as Economy Tension Grows

Zimbabwean President, Deputy Clash as Economy Tension Grows

HARARE (Capital Markets in Africa) — Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa accused his deputy of plotting against him in a heated exchange, highlighting a rift between the nation’s two most powerful men as the economy implodes. At a meeting of the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front’s politburo last week, Mnangagwa shouted at Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, according to two people familiar with the situation. They asked not to be identified because the quarrel hasn’t been publicly…

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Africa’s Largest Wireless Carrier MTN to Sell Middle East Units

Africa’s Largest Wireless Carrier MTN to Sell Middle East Units

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) — MTN Group Ltd. plans to exit the Middle East as Africa’s biggest wireless carrier changes focus to its home continent. The Middle East “environment is becoming increasingly complex and it contributes less to the group’s earnings,” Chief Executive Officer Rob Shuter said on a call with reporters Thursday. The disposals will be done in a phased manner, with its three consolidated subsidiaries in Yemen, Afghanistan and Syria earmarked to be sold…

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US Fed Is Headed for a Clash With Hedge Funds, Other Shadow Banks

US Fed Is Headed for a Clash With Hedge Funds, Other Shadow Banks

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) — The Federal Reserve and other central banks are heading for a collision with shadow lenders — the firms with a sinister nickname that are increasingly dominating global finance. Even as policymakers struggle to reopen their economies in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, they’ve launched a review of what went wrong with markets in March, when a worldwide dash for cash by investors nearly crashed the financial system and…

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Rebound Hangs in Balance for Emerging Markets as Headwinds Grow

Rebound Hangs in Balance for Emerging Markets as Headwinds Grow

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) — Emerging-market stocks and currencies are within touching distance of erasing their pandemic-fueled losses of 2020. Too bad the virus is still running riot, economies are shrinking and central banks are getting low on firepower. In fact, the backdrop is so grim that investors may soon start to take the view that prices are starting to defy gravity. After falling more than 30% by March, developing-nation stocks as measured by…

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Angola Eurobonds Fall Most in Three Weeks on IMF Lending Concern

Angola Eurobonds Fall Most in Three Weeks on IMF Lending Concern

LUANDA (Capital Markets in Africa) — Angola’s Eurobonds fell the most in three weeks as a postponed International Monetary Fund meeting raised concern that the southern African nation may face obstacles to obtaining a bigger loan from the institution. The IMF executive board meeting, which had been scheduled for Thursday, was delayed to give the fund more time to work with Angolan authorities, a spokesperson for the Washington-based organization said, without providing more details. The…

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S&P Holds DR Congo Rating at CCC+, Lowers Outlook to Stable

S&P Holds DR Congo Rating at CCC+, Lowers Outlook to Stable

DR CONGO (Capital Markets in Africa) — S&P Global Ratings held Democratic Republic of Congo’s long-term foreign-currency debt rating at CCC+ and lowered its outlook to stable from positive amid the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. Emergency foreign assistance should help balance out the worst effects of the virus on Congo’s economy, which could rebound if copper and cobalt demand and production increase as expected, the ratings agency said Friday on its website. “DRC’s economic…

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