The Editorial Team |

Opportunity | The Commodity That No One Knows About But Everybody Wants to Buy

LAGOS, Nigeria, Capital Markets in Africa: The world’s mines and steel plants got so devalued during the commodity slump that some were just given away by owners struggling to cut losses or debt. But there’s at least one metal that’s been attracting a lot of attention. Niobium — named for a Greek goddess who became a symbol of the tragic mourning mother — is used to produce stronger, lighter steel for industrial pipes and aircraft parts. It is mined in…

Nigeria’s Currency Chaos Deepens as Bets on Devaluation Rise

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LAGOS, Nigeria, Capital Markets in Africa: As investors increasingly bet the bottom will drop out of the naira and the vice president hints at a devaluation, the man who calls the shots – President Muhammadu Buhari, who has resisted letting the currency weaken since coming to power a year ago, likening it to “murder” — has kept quiet. “I won’t believe it until I see presidential ownership of it,” Alan Cameron, an economist at Exotix Partners…

South African Rand Slumps as Gordhan Breaks Silence on Talk of Arrest, Firing

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Johannesburg, South Africa, Capital Markets in Africa: The rand slumped as much as 2 percent against the dollar and bonds fell as concern intensified around the role of South African Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, who broke his silence over reports that he may be arrested and dismissed. The rand was 1.7 percent lower at 15.8106 by 12:26 p.m. in Johannesburg, the weakest since March 15 on a closing basis and the worst performance among 31 major and developing…

Gloves Off in South Africa Power Struggle as Gordhan Fights Back

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Johannesburg, South Africa, Capital Markets in Africa: A power struggle between South African President Jacob Zuma and Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan over control of the National Treasury is approaching a tipping point, unnerving investors and weighing on the rand. Gordhan, 67, on Tuesday accused government officials of conspiring to harass him and his family and described allegations that he had spied on taxpayers when he ran the national revenue service as “malicious rumors” that were “manufactured for other motives.”…

Investment | Ivory Coast Attracts $15.4 Billion in Pledges, Twice Its Budget

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Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Capital Markets in Africa: Ivory Coast received more than $15 billion in pledges from donors and lenders to fund its five-year development plan, almost double the amount it sought at a Paris meeting that showcased the world’s top cocoa grower as an investors’ favorite in Africa. The West African nation wanted to secure at least 4,425 billion CFA francs ($8.8 billion) in pledges to fund part of a $60 billion investment plan…

Goldman Upgrades Commodity Outlook on Constrained Oil Supplies

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LAGOS, Nigeria, Capital Markets in Africa: Goldman Sachs Group Inc. upgraded its outlook for commodities for the next three months because of disruptions to oil supply, while staying bearish on industrial metals and gold. Supply constraints should support oil prices, but “physical re-balancing” is incomplete and Goldman remains neutral on commodities for the next 12 months, it said in a report e-mailed Wednesday. The bank is recommending investors buy oil and gas assets in equities and…

Mozambique Says Can’t Pay $178 Million Debt Interest This Month

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Maputo, Mozambique, Capital Markets in Africa: Cash-strapped Mozambique won’t be able to honor a debt-interest repayment of $178 million that is due next week for a loan to a state-run company, Finance Minister Adriano Afonso Maleiane told lawmakers. The nation holds total public debt of $11.64 billion, of which $9.85 billion is owed to foreign investors, he said Wednesday in the capital, Maputo. Mozambique Asset Management, whose payment is due on May 23, is negotiating with lenders…

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