The South African rand gained on Wednesday after China's manufacturing activity expanded at its fastest pace since April 2012, fuelling risk-on appetite globally.
KENYA MARKETS
Kenya's shilling lost ground on Wednesday, under pressure from dollar demand from all sectors of the economy particularly energy importers, traders said.
FRANCE AFRICA
Emmanuel Macron landed in Gabon on Wednesday, the first stop of an Africa tour that will also take the French President to Angola, Congo Republic and Democratic Republic of Congo.
SOUTH SUDAN DEBT
The International Monetary Fund said on Wednesday it approved about $114.8 million in emergency funding support for South Sudan, where millions are facing food insecurity.
WEST AFRICA CENTRAL BANK
West Africa's Central Bank, BCEAO, will raise its main lending rate by 25 basis points to 3.00% from March 16 to bring inflation within its target range, it said on Wednesday.
CONGO SECURITY
The United Nations' top official in Democratic Republic of Congo has sought to rally local support for the agency's troubled peacekeeping mission to the country, touring its conflict-hit eastern provinces for the first time in months.
BOTSWANA MINING
Botswana expects output from its mining sector to be flat this year, as the diamond industry loses its sparkle due to a contraction in consumer spending and weaker demand for diamond jewellery, a finance ministry official said on Wednesday.
NIGERIA ELECTION
Nigeria's new president-elect, Bola Tinubu, defended the election he just won as credible on Wednesday but Peter Obi, one of his main opponents, planned to challenge the result in court, according to Obi's running mate.
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