African Markets - Factors to watch on Feb 02

Kitco Media
By Reuters
Published:
Updated:
Reuters
Feb 2 (Reuters) - The following scheduled economic indicators, debt and currency market moves and political events may affect African markets on Thursday. - - - - - EVENTS: Malawi interest rate decision Africa CDC briefs media on health emergencies Senegal hosts finance summit for Africa infrastructure projects


GLOBAL MARKETS Asian stocks jumped on Thursday while the dollar eased after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said a "disinflationary" process was underway, boosting risk appetite and hope that the U.S. central bank will soon end its monetary tightening streak. WORLD OIL PRICES Oil prices rebounded on Thursday after tumbling in the previous session as a weaker dollar brought back some appetite for risk assets and the OPEC+ decision to roll over an output cut helped ease oversupply concerns. EMERGING MARKETS For the top emerging markets news, double click on AFRICA STOCKS For the latest news on South African stocks, click on SOUTH AFRICA MARKETS South Africa's rand strengthened against a weakened dollar on Wednesday as investors awaited the U.S. Federal Reserve's interest rate decision, which could signal the end of its tightening cycle. KENYA MARKETS Kenya's shilling KES= was slightly weaker on Wednesday, undermined by dollar demand from importers that traders expected to continue in the near term. AFRICA WORLD BANK The World Bank has signed an agreement with four West and Central African nations worth $311 million to fund renewable energy projects. SOUTH AFRICA SHOOTING
Three people were shot dead and another one died in a hospital after gunshots were fired in KwaMashu township, north of South Africa's Durban, police said on Wednesday. POPE AFRICA CONGO Pope Francis heard harrowing accounts from victims of conflict in Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday, including rape, amputation, forced cannibalism and sexual slavery, and he condemned the atrocities as war crimes. SOMALIA SECURITY Top leaders of Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya on Wednesday agreed to begin "search and destroy" operations to push al Shabaab militants out of neighbouring Somalia. CHAD ISRAEL Chadian President Mahamat Deby said he would inaugurate an embassy in Israel on Thursday that would build on bilateral relations that were established five years ago. For the latest precious metals report click on For the latest base metals report click on For the latest crude oil report click on

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