Features

JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) — Former South African President Jacob Zuma’s trial on corruption, money laundering, and racketeering charges that date back to the 1990s will begin on May 17, after the courts rejected his repeated applications to have the case dismissed. The case against the 78-year-old resumed briefly in the High Court in the eastern town of Pietermaritzburg on Tuesday, where the trial date was set. A successful conviction would be a boon…

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) — Anglo American Plc’s South African iron ore unit said it plans to spend 3.6 billion rands ($246 million) to extend the life of its giant Sishen open pit operation to 2040 through the use of new technology. The sprawling Sishen operation in South Africa’s Northern Cape province would continue to mine for the next two decades as the company improves efficiency and deploys new technology through its high-density media…

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) — President Joe Biden urged U.S. allies to uphold democracy in his first major speech to an international audience on Friday, warning that the world faces an “inflection point” in history that could result in a tilt toward autocracy. “We are in the midst of a fundamental debate about the future direction of our world,” Biden said in remarks delivered remotely to the Munich Security Conference. “Between those who argue…

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) — The African Union has secured 300 million doses of Russia’s Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine. The shots will be available for 12 months starting in May, the AU said in a statement on Friday. Finance has been arranged for countries that want to purchase the vaccine. The deal adds to the 270 million doses the AU has arranged to get from Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer Inc. and AstraZeneca Plc. “African…

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) — Apple Inc. launched its first iPhones with 5G wireless speeds a few months ago. Now it’s looking to start work on sixth-generation cellular connectivity, or 6G, indicating it wants to be a leader in the technology rather than relying on other companies. The Cupertino, California-based company this week posted job ads seeking wireless system research engineers for current and next-generation networks. The listings are for positions at Apple’s offices…

NEW YORK (Capital Markets in Africa) — President Joe Biden’s proposed immigration overhaul will be introduced in Congress on Thursday, kicking off what will likely be one of his most difficult legislative challenges. The legislation, known as the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021, hews closely to the outline that Biden sent to Congress on his first day in office. The proposal includes an eight-year path to citizenship for most of the roughly 11 million immigrants…

JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) — Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine, CanSino Biologics Inc.’s shot, and other Covid-19 immunizations relying on a cold virus that’s backfired in the past should show they don’t make people more vulnerable to HIV infection before gaining approval in South Africa, the head of a local vaccine company said. Sputnik V, CanSino’s injection, and another vaccine in development from ImmunitiBio Inc. use a harmless cold germ called adenovirus type-5 to carry…