Features | - Part 195

Top-Performing Arab Economy Balks at Currency Float on Egypt

CAIRO (Capital Markets in Africa) – In five decades of importing steel wires, Zahar Benmoussa’s company never worried about currency risks — until Morocco announced plans to float the dirham. “For the first time in our history, we started to hedge” in the currency market, said Benmoussa, managing director at Casablanca-based Grillages Marocains. Across Morocco, fears of a weaker dirham triggered a rush for dollars and euros, causing a $3 billion drop in its reserves in…

Angola’s President Dos Santos to Retain Hold on Power After Retiring

Posted on by The Editorial Team

LUADAN (Capital Markets in Africa) – Jose Eduardo dos Santos is set to maintain control from behind the scenes when he steps down as Angola’s president next month after almost four decades in office. Dos Santos will until at least 2018 still be leader of the Movement for the Liberation of Angola, or MPLA, the party that has ruled the southern African nation since its independence from Portugal in 1975. And, this month the government pushed a law…

A day in the life of a working woman

Posted on by The Editorial Team

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – A man’s work is from sun to sun, but a woman’s work is never done. Joe Song’s study of Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals that prime-age employed women are working longer hours during the week and spending more time caring for family (children, aging parents, and pets) on weekends. Women appear to be taking better care of themselves – sleeping, exercising and learning more – while spending less time…

Etisalat Nigeria Owners Said to Face Write-offs After Default

Posted on by The Editorial Team

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – Lenders who took over Etisalat Nigeria last month after the wireless carrier defaulted on $1.2 billion in debt are being advised to take a writedown to ensure a planned sale of the company is successful, according to people familiar with the matter. Whether to write down the asset has emerged as a sticking point between the owners, who include Nigerian lenders Access Bank Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and Zenith Bank Plc, and investments…

Ghana Seeks to Rein In Runaway Spending With New Legislation

Posted on by The Editorial Team

ACCRA (Capital Markets in Africa) – Ghana wants to put an end to chronic overspending by making it illegal to propose or implement a budget where the deficit is larger than 5 percent of gross domestic product, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta said. The West African nation’s government will this year ask lawmakers to amend the Public Financial Management Act to limit the budget deficit from 2018, Ofori-Atta said by phone on Thursday. The Finance Ministry will ensure…

President Mugabe’s Party Is Said to Consider Early Zimbabwe Elections

Posted on by The Editorial Team

HARARE (Capital Markets in Africa ) -Zimbabwe’s ruling party is considering calling elections early next year out of concern that President Robert Mugabe’s health is worsening and disputes among his supporters could galvanize opposition efforts to form an alliance, three officials familiar with the government’s plans said. While general elections must be held constitutionally by Aug. 21 in 2018, the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front’s chances of maintaining its more than three-decade grip on power will…

World’s Biggest Tax Bill Is Latest Woe for Africa Gold Miner

Posted on by The Editorial Team

DAR ES SALAAM (Capital Markets in Africa) – It was supposed to mark a fresh start for the African business of the world’s biggest gold producer. In November 2014, African Barrick Gold Plc would get a new name and new management to distance itself from a troublesome past and disputes with local politicians. Less than three years later, things are worse than ever. Acacia Mining Plc, renamed after a local tree with pom-pom blossoms and…

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