{"id":3779,"date":"2023-06-23T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-06-23T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging.azafinance.com\/2023\/06\/23\/ghanaian-economy-shows-signs-of-recovery-and-south-africa-inflation-figures-improve\/"},"modified":"2023-06-23T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2023-06-23T00:00:00","slug":"ghanaian-economy-shows-signs-of-recovery-and-south-africa-inflation-figures-improve","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/azafinance.com\/ghanaian-economy-shows-signs-of-recovery-and-south-africa-inflation-figures-improve\/","title":{"rendered":"Ghanaian Economy Shows Signs Of Recovery And South Africa Inflation Figures Improve","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"infogram-embed\" data-id=\"1p9zn99lq5q00xt7kpvv5g6rzzb3lymqj30?live \" data-type=\"interactive\"><\/div><script>!function(e,t,s,i){var n=\"InfogramEmbeds\",o=e.getElementsByTagName(\"script\"),d=o[0],r=\/^http:\/.test(e.location)?\"http:\":\"https:\";if(\/^\\\/{2}\/.test(i)&&(i=r+i),window[n]&&window[n].initialized)window[n].process&&window[n].process();else if(!e.getElementById(s)){var a=e.createElement(\"script\");a.async=1,a.id=s,a.src=i,d.parentNode.insertBefore(a,d)}}(document,0,\"infogram-async\",\"\/\/e.infogram.com\/js\/dist\/embed-loader-min.js\");<\/script>\n<h4><b>Nigerian Naira (\u20a6)\u00a0<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Compiled by Ikenga Kalu<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The naira depreciated marginally from USD\/NGN 767 to USD\/NGN 769 over the course of the week as demand gradually outstrips supply. Just a few weeks after officially removing the much-debated subsidy on gasoline, the federal government announced a planned 40% hike in the electricity tariff to kick off from July 01, 2023. The electricity tariff, which is priced off the official USD\/NGN rate, became necessary for an upward review following the unification of the various official CBN FX windows and the consequent depreciation of the currency. The increase in the prices of both fuel and power are highly likely to push inflation further upwards in the coming months as Nigerians face higher prices of goods and services. We expect the naira to fall further against the U.S. Dollar as a result.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Further reading:\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/nairametrics.com\/2023\/06\/19\/unified-fx-rates-electricity-tariffs-to-rise-by-25-in-december-experts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Nairametrics &#8211; Unified FX Rates: Electricity tariffs to rise by 25% in December<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h4><b>Ghanaian Cedi (GH\u00a2)<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Compiled by Sakina Seidu<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Ghanaian cedi appreciated slightly from USD\/GHS 11.83 to 11.82 over the last week, buoyed by positive news from the\u00a0 IMF report released on the Ghanaian economy after the agency\u2019s recent visit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In efforts to boost the cedi\u2019s value, a reform strategy has been put in place to help improve the economy with a focus on expenditure controls, revenue growth, and improved revenue collection by the electricity and energy sector. Feelers in the market hinted towards a decline in retail demand in the retail FX segment as clients adopted a wait and see approach in expectation of a rate drop on the back of renewed confidence in the economy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In the coming weeks, with expectation of a hike in U.S. dollar interest rates for the month of July, the USD\/GHS rate may continue to appreciate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Further reading:\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imf.org\/en\/News\/Articles\/2023\/06\/15\/pr23214-ghana-imf-staff-concludes-visit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">IMF \u2014 IMF staff concludes visit to Ghana<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thebftonline.com\/2023\/06\/20\/imf-deal-ofori-atta-talks-up-urgent-reforms\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">B&#038;FT \u2014 IMF deal: Ofori-Atta talks up urgent reforms<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ca.style.yahoo.com\/ghana-economy-expands-4-2-113205669.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Yahoo \u2014 Ghana economy expands<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/myjoyonline.com\/pressure-on-cedi-to-continue-depreciated-0-85-to-dollar-last-week\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Myjoyonline \u2014 Pressure on cedi to continue<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h4><b>South African Rand (R)\u00a0<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Compiled by Alex Barmuta<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The South African rand closed off last week at USD\/ZAR 18.1567. The new week saw the rand give back some of those gains, as it eased back to the USD\/ZAR 18.40 levels as of Wednesday afternoon. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A firmer dollar can be seen as a factor towards the dampening of the recent USD\/ZAR downtrend. The U.S. dollar showed some gains after U.S. housing data was released, indicating housing market could be heading towards a recovery.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Data released<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">on Wednesday showed that inflation data for May (year-on-year) eased to 6.3% &#8211; down from 6.8% last month and under the initial estimates of 6.5%. There has also been a reduction in loadshedding, allowing local businesses to experience fewer disruptions compared to earlier this year. \u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Considering the firmer dollar, we do not expect the rand to break below the USD\/ZAR 18.00 level, and likely to continue trading in the USD\/ZAR 18.20-18.50 range. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Further reading:\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasdaq.com\/articles\/south-african-rand-stocks-weaken-as-us-dollar-firms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Nasdaq &#8211; South African rand, stocks weaken as US dollar firms<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h4><b>Egyptian Pound (EGP)<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Compiled by Mitchell Diedrick<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Egyptian pound remained stable over the past week and traded at USD\/EGP 30.89 on Wednesday after closing last week at USD\/EGP 30.90. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A minimum wage has been announced in the country of $97 per month for private sector workers and will be introduced from July 2023. The announcement follows several months of persistently high inflation, with annual urban inflation above 32% in May 2023 and no signs of further devaluation in the pound after several devaluations last year.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In the week ahead, we expect interest rates to remain on hold and for the pound to continue the present trend of trading around the USD\/EGP 30.90 level.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Further reading:\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newarab.com\/news\/egypt-raise-private-sector-minimum-wage-97-month\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The New Arab \u2013 Egypt to raise minimum wage for private sector to $97 per month<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h4><b>Kenyan Shilling (KSh)<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Compiled by Terry Karanja<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Kenyan shilling traded between USD\/KES 139.36 &#8211; 140.360 this week from USD\/KES 139.11\/139.80 the previous week, a new high for the year. The increasing USD\/KES rate is likely due to the mismatch between U.S. dollar supply and demand across Kenya.\u00a0 In other news, the European Union and Kenya are set to announce a trade deal which will give Kenya tariff-free access to the European Union, its biggest export market (such as agricultural products such as tea, coffee, cut flowers, peas, and beans). This will also attract investment and financing in the medium to long term from the European Union. We expect the shilling to remain under slight pressure due to the demand for U.S. dollars from the manufacturing and energy sectors.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Further reading:\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/eu-trade-deal-kenya-opens-its-market-to-european-goods\/a-65978273\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">DW.com &#8211; EU trade deal: Kenya opens its market to European goods<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h4><b>Ugandan Shilling (USh)<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Compiled by Yadhav Panday<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This Wednesday, June 21st, USD\/UGX traded at 3,701.00, up 0.16% from last Friday. In the previous four weeks, USD\/UGX increased by 0.64%. Uganda&#8217;s economy could be drastically affected as the country&#8217;s public debt and interest payments to creditors continue to rise, which further limits spending on the most productive sectors.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Looking ahead, we expect the USD\/UGX to rise in the coming weeks among possible reactions by the World Bank to the passage of the 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Act.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Further reading:\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.monitor.co.ug\/uganda\/business\/finance\/uganda-walks-a-tightrope-as-public-debt-soars--4275480\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Monitor &#8211; Uganda walks a tightrope as public debts soars<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h4><b>Tanzanian Shilling (TSh)<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Compiled by Kristin Van Helsdingen<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">USD\/TZS remained stable this past week, with the average daily rate remaining in a narrow range between 2,387 and 2,389. Currently, the Tanzanian shilling seems to have weakened against the U.S. dollar and is trading at 2,395 at the time of writing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">On Tuesday, June 20, 2023, the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) warned local businesses against transacting in U.S. dollars. The BoT reminded the public that the Tanzanian shilling is the only currency that should be used, and all pricing should be made in terms of shillings. This law is in order to give the BoT more control over its forex pricing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This week, the Tanzanian government is said to be debating the proposed budget for the next fiscal year. This will continue until next Tuesday, and thereafter, the members of parliament will be able to vote for or against the proposed budget.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As the BoT keeps a keen watch on the USD\/TZS currency pair, we expect the Tanzanian shilling to remain relatively stable with a slight dip. USD\/TZS is expected to be trading around the USD\/TZS 2,390 level.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Further reading:\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/tanzania\/all-news\/tanzanias-central-bank-bans-dollar-payments\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">AFRICA PRESS \u2013 Tanzania\u2019s Central Bank bans dollar payments<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/tanzania\/all-news\/budget-debate-kicks-off-today\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">AFRICA PRESS \u2013 Budget debate kicks off today<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h4><b>West African CFA Franc Region (XOF)\u00a0<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Compiled by Jean C\u00e9dric Nando KOUA<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Of note this week is that the cost of bank credit has risen sharply in the XOF region. Between March 2022 and March 2023, the cost rose from 6.28% to 6.75%, mainly due to the numerous increases in the central bank&#8217;s key interest rate in order to reduce inflation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Cash loans and home loans are the most affected, with percentage point rises of 1.2 and 0.17, respectively, taking rates to 6.73% and 6.75%, respectively.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Further reading:\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sikafinance.com\/marches\/hausse-du-cout-du-credit-bancaire-dans-l-umoa-les-emprunteurs-face-a-des-taux-en-hausse_41331\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sika finance \u2013 Rising cost of bank credit in the WAMU: Borrowers face rising rates<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h4><b>Central African CFA Franc Region (XAF)<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Compiled by Jean C\u00e9dric Nando KOUA<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Cameroon has signed a XAF 10 billion financing agreement with the African Development Bank.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This financing should be used for the implementation of the public finance governance support project. The objective of this project is to further improve the collection and securing of tax revenue, limit budgetary risks by intensifying controls and systematizing audits, and to fight against corruption.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The implementation of such a project should enable Cameroon to improve its public finance management.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Further reading:\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sikafinance.com\/marches\/cameroun-10-milliards-fcfa-de-la-bad-pour-ameliorer-la-gestion-des-finances-publiques_41308\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sika finance \u2013 Cameroon: CFA 10 billion from the AfDB to improve public finance management<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><em>Issued by AZA Finance, this Newsletter is produced as a service to our clients. It is prepared by our dealing professionals and is based on their understanding and interpretation of market events. AZA Finance cannot be held responsible for any losses of whatever nature sustained as a result of action taken based on comments contained in this publication.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Nigerian Naira (\u20a6)\u00a0 Compiled by Ikenga Kalu The naira depreciated marginally from USD\/NGN 767 to USD\/NGN 769 over the course of the week as demand gradually outstrips supply. Just a few weeks after officially removing the much-debated subsidy on gasoline, the federal government announced a planned 40% hike in the electricity tariff to kick off [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"author":1,"featured_media":3780,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[22,23,24,25,26,27,185,29,30,31,32,298,34,33,303,305],"class_list":["post-3779","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fx-insights","tag-africa-foreign-exchange","tag-cairo","tag-cfa-franc","tag-dollars","tag-egypt","tag-egyptian-pound","tag-foreign-exchange","tag-fx","tag-fx-insights","tag-ghana","tag-ghana-cedi","tag-kenyan-shilling-rate","tag-naira","tag-rand-rate","tag-tanzanian-shilling-rate","tag-ugandan-shilling-rate"],"acf":[],"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"link","format":"url"}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/azafinance.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3779","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/azafinance.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/azafinance.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/azafinance.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/azafinance.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3779"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/azafinance.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3779\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/azafinance.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3780"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/azafinance.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3779"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/azafinance.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3779"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/azafinance.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3779"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}