Asian market hit a worst week starting the 2016 trading. Global market also slipped following the turbulence in China.
Africa
South African House Prices to Decline in 2016, According to Retail Bank
South African retail bank said the country's house price will decline in this year. Fitch Ratings also remarked South African residential property and mortgage markets outlook to weaken further facing microeconomic challenge.
Drought leaves SA farmers owing $7.5 bln to banks
The debt burden of South African farmers reached to over Rand 125 billion ($7.5 billion). The total debt of farmers was up 14 percent in 2015 to Rand117 billion. Economists alert that the prevailing slump in commodities markets, tighter monetary, fiscal policy, drought conditions and drop in value of Rand will trigger higher than expected inflation rate.
African startups commence 2016 with $10mln investment
Technology startups in Africa may get $10 million funding in early 2016 as Silvertree Capital sees the rosy picture. Silvertree Internet Holdings is keen on scaling technology and commerce companies and has already invested $5 million in business building operations and acquisitions. South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya are favored the most among African countries.
Lower oil prices to check inflation in Kenya
The Kenyan government is hoping to control inflation rate with the support from lower oil prices. Lower oil prices are supporting the Kenya's economy as the growth rate is expected to be six percent in 2016 from 4.5 percent in 2015. Inflation rate breached the government's target band of 2.5 percent to 7.5 percent as it reached to eight percent.
Latest News
China seeks to disarm North Korea nuclear weapon. Beijing has initiated dialogue with South Korea after North Korean conducted its fourth nuclear test on Wednesday.
Vietnam issued second warning for China for landing two airplane on the artificial island in disputed Fiery Cross Reef.
Falling in line with the economists' forecast, the inflation rate in South Africa rose to 4.8 percent in November, registering its highest since July 2015. Consumer prices marginally rose 0.1 percent during the month. South Africa's currency Rand fell against US dollar, euro and pound. The currency depreciation is likely to be a major risk to the inflation outlook.
China shows support to its long-time ally, Africa, by providing the continent funding support worth $60 billion.
South African largest media company, Naspers increases its U.S exposure. The company that has operated in 130 countries is ready to expand its service worldwide
Petra Diamond Ltd and Ekapa Minerals Pty have acquired De Beers oldest diamond mine in Kimberley. UK's Petra Diamond Ltd partners with South African's Ekapa Minerals Pty to buy the oldest mines of De Beers in South Africa.
Morocco will build the largest concentrated solar power in the world at Ouarzazate city. The project, alongside with hydro and wind, will help provide nearly half of Morocco's electricity requirement by 2020.
The massive expansion of fiber optic broadband (FOB) in Johannesburg and other up markets in South Africa is paving the way for video on demand (VoD) services. Many companies with offers of internet video streaming services are making a beeline to explore the untapped market in the most developed economy in African continent. It's learnt that US major in streaming video services is also entering the market.
South African insurance major MMI Holdings Ltd suffered drop of 9.8 percent in its profit for the year ending June following the market volatility, economy slowdown and inflation rise. Cape Town-based MMI Holdings is the third largest insurance company in South Africa. The company's net income eased from rand 3.3 billion to rand 2.98billion. Earnings per share (EPS) dropped 11 percent to rand 1.81.
