Reuters Africa Business

By Ange Kasongo KINSHASHA, Dec 5 (Reuters) – Congo has set new conditions for cobalt exporters, according to a government circular reviewed by Reuters, potentially complicating a recently introduced quota system as the country seeks to keep a tight grip on the key battery mineral. The new conditions require miners, among other things, to pre-pay …

Exclusive-Congo sets new export conditions to keep tight grip on cobalt Read More »

JOHANNESBURG, Dec 5 (Reuters) – The South African rand was steady on Friday, maintaining its break below the 17.00 level as investors awaited a Moody’s rating review later in the day. At 1656 GMT the rand traded at 16.9650 against the dollar, little changed from Thursday’s closing level. Domestically-focused investors will keep a keen eye …

South African rand holds steady ahead of Moody’s rating review Read More »

By Chibuike Oguh and Amanda Cooper NEW YORK, Dec 5 (Reuters) – Global shares gained on Friday, after key U.S. economic data solidified investor expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut next week, a likelihood that weighed on the dollar and boosted gold. Wall Street stocks finished higher and notched a second straight week of …

Stocks higher, dollar set for second straight weekly loss as investors eye Fed cut Read More »

By Saqib Iqbal Ahmed NEW YORK, Dec 5 (Reuters) – The U.S. dollar slipped on Friday but held within recent ranges against major currencies as traders awaited next week’s Federal Reserve meeting, where policymakers are widely expected to cut interest rates. The dollar index, which measures the currency against six peers, was down 0.1% at …

Dollar slips as traders eye next week’s Fed meeting Read More »

By Scott DiSavino NEW YORK, Dec 5 (Reuters) – Oil prices edged up nearly 1% to a two-week high on Friday on increasing expectations the U.S. Federal Reserve will cut interest rates next week, which could boost economic growth and energy demand, as well as geopolitical uncertainty that could limit supplies from Russia and Venezuela. …

Oil climbs to 2-week high on Fed rate-cut signals, supply concerns Read More »

By Anait Miridzhanian and Marc Jones DAKAR/LONDON, Dec 5 (Reuters) – The United States’ development lender announced plans on Friday to take a stake in a new partnership to market Congo’s minerals which could give U.S. end users the right of first refusal on copper and cobalt supplies. The U.S. is in a fierce contest …

US follows up on Congo-Rwanda peace deal with plan to secure minerals Read More »

By Tarek Amara TUNIS, Dec 5 (Reuters) – Tunisia’s powerful UGTT union on Friday called a nationwide strike for January 21, the first since President Kais Saied seized sweeping powers, to protest at his escalating crackdown on critics and demand wage negotiations. The looming walkout could cripple key public sectors and strain a government already …

Tunisia’s main union calls nationwide strike as president’s crackdown escalates Read More »

By Chibuike Oguh and Amanda Cooper NEW YORK/LONDON, Dec 4 (Reuters) – Global shares and the dollar on Thursday were mostly higher as traders await a Fed interest rate cut. U.S. stocks finished mostly higher in a choppy trading session, with the benchmark S&P 500 and Nasdaq gaining while the Dow ended slightly lower. Consumer …

Global shares and dollar higher as markets eye Fed rate cuts Read More »

By Saqib Iqbal Ahmed NEW YORK, Dec 4 (Reuters) – The U.S. dollar edged up against a basket of currencies on Thursday but stayed close to the five-week low touched earlier in the session as investors braced for a Federal Reserve rate cut next week. Investors widely expect a rate cut when the Fed meets …

Dollar set to snap 9-day losing streak; yen near 2-1/2 week high Read More »