Nigeria lowers 2016 forecast, expects economy to shrink 1.3 pct

Nigeria lowers 2016 forecast, expects economy to shrink 1.3 pct

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – Nigeria’s economy is likely to shrink 1.3 percent in 2016, the National Bureau of Statistics executive said on Wednesday, a sharp downward revision of its estimates he said was prompted by sharp falls in the naira after dollar peg was dropped. The NBS had predicted the Nigerian economy to grow 3.8 percent in 2016, but low oil prices have hammered the OPEC member’s government income and the naira, and recession…

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Nigeria’s Bad Loans Soar as Banks Battle Slumping Economy

Nigeria’s Bad Loans Soar as Banks Battle Slumping Economy

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – Bad loans in Nigeria’s banking system soared to more than double the limit set by the regulator as the industry struggles with an economic downturn. The ratio of non-performing loans to total credit rose to 11.7 percent at the end of June from 5.3 percent at the end of 2015, the Abuja-based Central Bank of Nigeria, which requires banks to keep the measure below 5 percent, said in a report…

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IMF Cuts 2017 GDP Growth Outlook for Africa’s Largest Economies

IMF Cuts 2017 GDP Growth Outlook for Africa’s Largest Economies

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – The International Monetary Fund has cut its 2017 economic growth forecasts for Africa’s two largest economies as low commodity prices,  policy uncertainty and weak investor confidence weigh on output.  Gross domestic product in South Africa will probably expand 0.8 percent next year, compared with the 1 percent forecast in July, the Washington-based lender said in its World Economic Outlook Report Tuesday. Nigeria’s economy will contract 1.7 percent this year and expand 0.6 percent…

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OPEC Crude Output Rises to Record as Nigeria, Libya Boost Supply

OPEC Crude Output Rises to Record as Nigeria, Libya Boost Supply

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – OPEC crude production rose to a record in September, according to a Bloomberg survey, driven by returning output from Libya and Nigeria, members who will likely be exempt from last week’s deal to cut supply. Overall production from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries increased by 170,000 barrels a day from the previous month to 33.75 million barrels a day, the survey of analysts, oil companies and ship-tracking data showed. Nigeria…

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Africa’s Biggest Food Retailer Doubles CEO’s Pay After Bonus

Africa’s Biggest Food Retailer Doubles CEO’s Pay After Bonus

JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) – Shoprite Holdings Ltd. doubled Chief Executive Officer Whitey Basson’s pay last fiscal year to 100.1 million rand ($7.4 million), thanks to a bonus from Africa’s largest food retailer for beating a profit-growth target. Basson’s remuneration included 49.7 million rand in basic pay for the 12 months through June, in line with the previous year, and a 50 million rand one-time performance-related bonus, the Cape Town-based company said in its annual report….

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Oil Trade Gives Clearest Sign Yet Nigeria’s Forcados to Return

Oil Trade Gives Clearest Sign Yet Nigeria’s Forcados to Return

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – The oil market gave the clearest sign yet that Nigeria’s Forcados crude is about to flow again for the first time in eight months, after Royal Dutch Shell Plc was among companies said to have purchased the grade halted by militant attacks in February. Axion Energy Argentina SA, Pampa Energia SA, and Shell, operator of the Forcados export terminal, together bought about 1 million barrels of the grade for delivery to refineries…

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Early Signs of OPEC Supply After Algiers Deal Show Saudi Dilemma

Early Signs of OPEC Supply After Algiers Deal Show Saudi Dilemma

ALGIERS (Capital Markets in Africa) – Just days after OPEC agreed the framework for its first production cut in eight years, initial estimates of the group’s output this month show the potential bind faced by its most powerful member. While Saudi Arabia lowered output this month — following the typical seasonal shift as local consumption sags at the end of summer — the group’s overall output remained steady as Nigeria and Libya restored disrupted supplies and Iran continued its…

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