Morocco’s Favourable Prospects with Strong Fundaments in 2017

RABAT (Capital Markets in Africa) – Prospects for Moroccan economy in 2017 are favourable with stronger economic growth on the one hand and, on the other, an on-going contraction in the twin deficits, which will help restore the long-term health of the country’s public finances and balance of payments. As far as the growth outlook is concerned, expectations of GDP growth in 2017 should once again highlight the economy’s sensitivity to the agricultural sector. In…

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South Africa’s Macroeconomic Prospects and Risks in 2017

South Africa’s Macroeconomic Prospects and Risks in 2017

JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) – The South African macroeconomic landscape is expected to gradually improve this year following the weak growth performance recorded last year. In essence, growth should lift, inflation should fall and policy rates should remain stable. This view is underpinned by several developments. Importantly we expect global growth to continue to rise gradually in the period ahead as the recent increase in commodity prices boost growth in commodity-exporting EMs, improved household…

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Egypt: Tides Are Changing, Or Is History Repeating Itself?

Egypt: Tides Are Changing, Or Is History Repeating Itself?

CAIRO (Capital Markets in Africa) – Egypt is flashing once again at the centre of emerging markets’ radar screen after a long recede, ever since the outbreak of the 2011 revolution and the years of political and economic instability that followed. The Government has just embarked upon long-awaited and badly needed structural reforms, including, but not limited to, a shift to a flexible exchange rate regime that aims to tackle the currency shortage and attract…

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AFRICA: TOP FIVE PREDICTIONS FOR 2017

AFRICA: TOP FIVE PREDICTIONS FOR 2017

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – At the start of 2017, the year ahead looks uncertain. This paper constitutes a brief look at NKC African Economics’ top five predictions for Africa for 2017. 1. President Trump will have a negligible impact  The word that appears, to sum up Donald Trump’s effect on the international economy, and other areas like security, is ‘uncertainty’. However, there has been some consistency in his views expressed during the campaign…

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Somalia’s GDP growth seen slowing to 2.5 pct in 2017 – IMF

Somalia’s GDP growth seen slowing to 2.5 pct in 2017 – IMF

KHARTOUM (Capital Markets in Africa) – Somalia’s economy is expected to slow sharply this year as a drought knocks production in farming, although the impact will be partially offset by a boost from construction and telecommunications, the International Monetary Fund said. In a statement late on Wednesday, the IMF projected the Horn of Africa nation’s gross domestic product would expand 2.5 percent this year down from estimated 3.4 percent in 2016. “The Somali economy is…

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Recession-hit Nigeria targets economy to grow at annual 7 percent by 2020

Recession-hit Nigeria targets economy to grow at annual 7 percent by 2020

ABUJA (Capital Markets in Africa) – Nigeria is targeting economic growth of at least 7 percent a year by 2020, the Ministry of Budget and National Planning said on Tuesday, a far cry from its current recession, the first in 25 years. Nigeria’s economy is heavily dependent on exports of crude oil and is undermined by decades of endemic corruption, It has been hobbled by low global oil prices that have slashed government revenues and…

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Kenya Election May Pose Risk to Economy, Raise Tension, IMF Says

Kenya Election May Pose Risk to Economy, Raise Tension, IMF Says

NAIROBI (Capital Markets in Africa) – Kenyan elections may hamper the government’s plans to reduce spending in line with requirements under an International Monetary Fund program, the Washington-based lender said. The vote in East Africa’s biggest economy that’s slated for Aug. 8 could “erode program ownership, delay fiscal consolidation plans, and potentially lead to heightened political instability,” the Washington-based lender said in a statement in its first review of the economy under a $1.5 billion precautionary loan arrangement….

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