Finance | - Part 183

Nigeria’s bank ratings placed on CreditWatch negative

Standard & Poor’s placed the ‘BB-‘ long-term issuer credit rating on Access Bank, First Bank of Nigeria, Guaranty Trust Bank, Stanbic IBTC Bank and Zenith Bank on CreditWatch with negative implications, following similar action on Nigeria’s sovereign ratings. It expected the Nigerian banking sector to face difficulties in 2015. Also, it said that low global oil prices, the pressure on the Nigerian naira, the upcoming presidential elections and the regulatory changes are raising credit risks,…

Egypt’s Banks to benefit from improved environment

Posted on by The Editorial Team

Business Monitor International anticipated the Egyptian banking sector to benefit from the continuous improvements in domestic economic activity and political conditions. It said that reforms to the fuel subsidy system, in addition to lower global oil prices, would improve the fiscal outlook and reduce the financing needs of the government, which would encourage lending to the private sector. Further, it indicated that banks in Egypt have subscribed excessively to high-yielding government debt instruments to support…

Mining for liquidity in Africa’s stock exchanges

Posted on by The Editorial Team

Improvements in political and macroeconomic stability, policy certainty and legal systems in many African countries, as well as Africa’s growing middle class and rise in consumption, continue to raise the bar on foreign interest in Africa as an investment destination – as GDP growth (as a whole) averages at six percent for three consecutive years*. Yet, Africa hasn’t reached its potential share of investment in extractive service. In fact, the UNCTAD has revealed that although…

BOAD is raising XOF115 billion to support the 2014-2015 cotton season in Benin

Posted on by The Editorial Team

COTONOU, Benin, February 20, 2015/ — For the third consecutive year, the West African Development Bank (BOAD) (http://www.boad.org) in its capacity as Arranger, is raising funds to support the cotton season in Benin. The Agreement relating thereto was signed by and between Mr. Christian Adovelande, President of BOAD and the Managing Director of the Office national de soutien des revenus agricoles (National office for farm income support) (Borrower) and the Managers of local banks involved…

What significant non-mining infrastructure projects are underway in Africa?

Posted on by The Editorial Team

A well-worn argument postulates that infrastructure spending in Africa is focused on resources due to many countries remaining very dependent on the export of minerals and hydrocarbons. But this is no longer the case. GDP per capita levels in many African countries have climbed past the critical US$1,000 level – enabling consumers to purchase more than just the basics. Urbanization has also been an important factor to contend with: Africa had 22 cities with more than…

Ethiopia sets sights on building new airport, beyond Addis Ababa expansion project

Posted on by The Editorial Team

A major infrastructure project in Ethiopia designed to expand the capacity for handling passengers passing through the capital’s airport is on course for completion in 2018, but moves are already under way to build an additional airport. Bole International Airport, on the edge of Addis Ababa, will be able to triple the number of passengers it handles from the current level of around seven million annually when the expansion project is completed, Ethiopian Airports enterprise…

Africa’s Net capital inflows at $23bn in 2014

Posted on by The Editorial Team

The United Nations estimated net capital inflows to African economies at $23.3bn in 2014, relative to net outflows of $24.2bn in 2013. Net flows to the region fluctuated significantly since 2005 as they reached $26bn in 2005, $109bn in 2006, $11.2bn in 2007, $52.1bn in 2008, $30.2bn in 2009, – $1.2bn in 2010, $20.9bn in 2011 and $60.8bn in 2012. Net private capital inflows to the region accounted for 13.6% of total net private inflows…

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