Kenya to Lower Growth Forecast as Drought Cuts Food Output

Kenya to Lower Growth Forecast as Drought Cuts Food Output

NAIROBI (Capital Markets in Africa) – Kenya will cut its growth forecast to reflect the impact of a drought that slashed agricultural output in East Africa’s biggest economy and left the country short of its staple food, Treasury Secretary Henry Rotich said. Economic growth will probably be 5.7 percent this year, compared with an earlier estimate of 5.9 percent to 6 percent, Rotich, 48, said in an interview Wednesday at his office in the capital, Nairobi. The…

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Moody’s: Egypt’s IMF program to support fiscal and external position, reform pace may slip

Moody’s: Egypt’s IMF program to support fiscal and external position, reform pace may slip

CAIRO (Capital Markets in Africa) – While Egypt’s IMF program will support gradual improvements to the country’s fiscal and external position, its social and economic costs risk slowing the pace of fiscal reform momentum, Moody’s Investors Service said in a report today. The report, “Government of Egypt – IMF Program Supports Gradual Fiscal, External Improvements”, is now available on www.moodys.com. Moody’s subscribers can access this report via the link at the end of this press…

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South Africa’s Escape From Junk Seen Short-Lived Without GDP Pickup

South Africa’s Escape From Junk Seen Short-Lived Without GDP Pickup

JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) – South Africa’s chances of repeating its escape from a junk credit rating in 2017 are in the balance as focus intensifies on tepid economic growth and simmering political tensions. S&P Global Ratings kept its assessment of the nation’s foreign-currency debt at one level above non-investment grade on Dec. 2. S&P’s affirmation followed a similar move by Fitch Ratings Ltd., while Moody’s Investors Service rates the debt one level higher. The reprieve may…

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World Bank cuts Uganda’s GDP forecast, citing South Sudan

World Bank cuts Uganda’s GDP forecast, citing South Sudan

KAMPALA (Reuters) – The World Bank cut its 2016/2017 growth forecast for Uganda on Thursday to 5.5 percent from 5.9 percent, citing the impact of South Sudan’s conflict on its exports and sluggish investments due to slower economic activity globally.  South Sudan is one of Uganda’s major export markets but roads between the two countries have been unsafe since an eruption of violence in South Sudan in July. “The current economic forecast … is ……

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IMF Keeps Rwanda’s Growth at 6.9%, Sees Cautious Monetary Policy

IMF Keeps Rwanda’s Growth at 6.9%, Sees Cautious Monetary Policy

Kigali, Rwanda, Capital Markets in Africa — International Monetary Fund stated that Rwanda’s economic performance in 2015 remained robust, with GDP growth of 6.9 percent. Growth in 2015 was buoyed by strong construction and services activity, with agriculture and manufacturing also performing well. Consumer price inflation remained contained, averaging 2.5 percent for the year, though it increased in the second half of 2015 due to higher food prices and administrative price increases. In February 2016,…

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South Africa’s GDP grew by a modest 1.3% in 2015

South Africa’s GDP grew by a modest 1.3% in 2015

Johannesburg, South Africa, Capital Markets in Africa — In the final quarter of 2015, South Africa GDP rose by a very modest 0.6%q/q, annualised (seasonally adjusted). This compares with growth of 0.7%q/q in Q3 2015, 1.3%q/q in Q2 and 2.2%q/q in the first quarter of 2015. The latest GDP performance was slightly below market expectations, which was for growth of 0.9%q/q (STANLIB 0.9%q/q). Over the past year to Q4 2015, SA GDP rose by a…

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Uganda’s 2015/2016 Fiscal Year GDP Forecast slashes to 5% from 5.8% — IMF

Uganda’s 2015/2016 Fiscal Year GDP Forecast slashes to 5% from 5.8% — IMF

KAMPALA, Uganda, Capital Markets in Africa — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) revised Uganda’s growth forecast for the 2015/16 (July-June) fiscal year to 5 percent from the 5.8 percent it predicted in May, according to the press statement released by the IMF on November 18 2015. The Fund attributed the cut in GDP to the global and regional challenges, compounded by election-related uncertainties, the shilling depreciated sharply, driving an increase in inflation (annual core inflation…

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