South Africa
Moody’s reaffirmed Johannesburg’s Ba3 rating, citing stronger cash flow and debt management. The rand (USDZAR=X) held near R17.90 as bond yields narrowed; Brent (CL=F) at $88 added mild inflation risk but investors welcomed sub-sovereign fiscal stability.
Mozambique
Mozambique and Algeria are negotiating trade and investment deals under AfCFTA to diversify beyond coal and gas. The metical (MZNUSD=X) stays near 63.4 per USD as officials project US$250 million in ventures. Brent crude (CL=F) near $88 keeps transport costs elevated.
Mauritius
Mauritius markets opened steady as the rupee (USD/MUR 46.12) held firm, supported by strong reserves and tourism inflows. Oil (CL=F) prices and DXY strength added mild pressure, but Treasury yields stayed stable near 3.6%, underscoring macro resilience.
Malawi
Malawi’s new workforce app Antchito lets SMEs manage payrolls and compliance digitally. As the kwacha (MWKUSD=X) weakens near 1,760 per USD, digital tools offer transparency and cost savings in a largely informal labor market under 9.8% inflation.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe has lifted its maize-import ban, reopening trade with South Africa as drought slashes harvests. Maize futures (ZACMaize) rose 1.2% and the rand (USDZAR=X) held near R17.86, signaling renewed cross-border demand and regional food-security coordination.
South Sudan
Falling aid cuts USD inflows and weakens South Sudan’s real economy. DXY lifts import costs; CL=F drives fuel expenses. Investors should focus on short-term, essential goods and logistics exposure until grants and security stabilise.
Mozambique
Banco de Moçambique launched World Savings Week to raise the national savings rate above 15% of GDP. With the metical (MZNUSD=X) steady near 63.5 and oil (CL=F) at $88, officials hope digital deposit growth strengthens household resilience and funding stability.
Namibia
Namibia’s $10 billion Hyphen hydrogen project faces reassessment as financing costs rise and timelines slip. The Namibian dollar (NADUSD=X) tracks the rand, while high oil (CL=F) prices strain input economics, forcing policymakers to recalibrate green-energy ambitions.
Tanzania
Tanzania’s sugar producers plan higher recovery and regional exports to stabilise prices and reduce import bills. CL=F steers freight costs and DXY frames buyers’ strength. Watch mill recovery, stock ratios, and cross-border quotas for proof of competitiveness.
Sudan
Sudan’s conflict leaves its economy paralysed and capital sidelined. DXY raises import costs; CL=F drives freight and fuel. Investors hold liquidity, not assets, awaiting enforceable peace and verifiable improvement in trade and fiscal indicators.
Burundi
Burundi’s exchange upgrades to LSEG systems to cut settlement risk and boost transparency. Sustained reform depends on listings, data access, and governance. DXY drives FX vendor costs; CL=F shapes power opex and exchange reliability.
Kenya
Kenya floats a KSh200 bn SWF to stabilise shocks and signal fiscal discipline. Credibility needs hard rules on inflows/outflows, audited reporting and currency-risk limits. DXY and CL=F will frame external pressures as the framework takes shape.