Category: INTERNATIONAL
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Kenya: Imports split sugar farmers as gates open
Sugarcane farmers from western Kenya have opposed a plan to have local millers import and re-brand the sweetener for sale to customers, terming the move a death blow to the industry. They said once millers engage in retail business, they would forget their core role of crushing cane. Kenya National Federation of Sugarcane Farmers deputy…
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East Africa: Treasury bill uptake in sharp rise after falling for weeks
Treasury bill subscription picked up last week as markets normalised after the elections, also indicating liquidity in the money markets has loosened. Investors offered the government a total of Sh34.8bn in the three tenors of Treasury bill — against a target of Sh24bn — of which the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) accepted Sh33.8bn. During…
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South African: New BRICS bank plans $1.5BN lending for projects
A New Development Bank (NDB) set up by the “BRICS” group of emerging economies plans to lend $1.5 billion to South Africa for infrastructure projects over the next eighteen months. The BRICS – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – agreed to create the infrastructure-focused lender in July 2014 as an alternative to the…
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South Africa rate cut likely in November
South Africa’s Reserve Bank is expected to cut interest rates again in November and possibly even September given the relatively tame inflation outlook, a Reuters poll found on Friday. The central bank unexpectedly cut its repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.75 percent for the first time in five years in July, taking advantage…
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South Africa’s business confidence climbs to 5-month high in July
South Africa’s business confidence climbed to its highest level in five months in July helped by a firmer currency, falling inflation and an increase in vehicle sales, a survey showed on Tuesday. The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (SACCI) monthly business confidence index (BCI) accelerated to 95.3 in July from 94.9 in June.…
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South Africa: Old Mutual to list not sell businesses in split
Anglo-South African financial services group Old Mutual (OML.L) aims to list two divisions rather than sell them as it pursues a plan to split into four parts by the end of next year. Old Mutual, which said last year it is breaking up because regulatory change made its disparate businesses too complex to run, posted…
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South Africa: BRICS New Development Bank confirms appointment of representatives
The BRICS New Development Bank (NDB) has confirmed that Mr Dondo Mogajane, Director-General of the National Treasury has been appointed as the new Director representing South Africa. This follows the expiration of Mr Tito Mboweni’s term of service as Director of the NDB in early July. Mr Tito Mboweni commenced his term as South Africa’s…
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Nigeria: Zenith Bank makes provision on 30% of its 9mobile loan: executive
Nigeria’s Zenith Bank has made a provision on 30 percent of its loan to 9mobile, the country’s fourth largest telecoms group formerly known as Etisalat Nigeria, the bank’s chief executive said on Monday. “We have taken about 30 percent as a provision which we believe is very prudent as the company is undergoing restructuring ……
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Kenya: Insurers see profit after peaceful poll
Insurers that covered risks arising from political violence are expected to make underwriting profits from those policies in the wake of the largely peaceful General Election. There has been minimal damage to property and business disruption following last week’s elections compared to the violence seen in the aftermath of the 2007 polls. Companies spread across…
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Dar calls off Kenya trade row meeting
Tanzanian officials have put off a meeting intended to iron out outstanding trade disputes with Kenya amid concerns Dar es Salaam was maintaining a hardline stance in the spat. Representatives of the two countries, including officials from cross-border trade agencies, were expected to meet from tomorrow in Tanzania, according to an agreement reached on August…