Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | On Sept.21 Old Mutual Investment Group launched the first-ever dollar unit fund in Uganda, a move aimed to diversify and add to the quality of the investment opportunities on the market. The account was launched with an effective 5% annual interest rate, compared to the …
Read More »World Bank action could affect other financial institutions
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | There is concern that the suspension by the World Bank of new loans to Uganda could influence other development finance institutions to take similar actions. If that happens, the country could be forced to take drastic measures and options to avoid the possible impact. …
Read More »Dollar relief for the global south
The Fed’s dramatic interest-rate hikes have had dire implications for debt sustainability in the developing world COMMENT | HIPPOLYTE FOFACK | The US Federal Reserve’s decision to raise interest rates by 475 basis points over the course of 12 months, in a bid to curb inflation, was bound to be …
Read More »U.S. dollar strengthens amid optimism over U.S. debt ceiling talks
New York, US | Xinhua | The U.S. dollar firmed up in late trading on Wednesday as U.S. leaders expressed optimism over debt limit negotiations. The dollar index, which measures the greenback against six major peers, increased 0.31 percent at 102.8819 in late trading. In late New York trading, the …
Read More »Japan’s Nikkei extends gains on hopes for retailers amid concerns over U.S. economic woes
Tokyo, Japan | Xinhua | Japan’s benchmark Nikkei stock index rose for a fifth straight day on Thursday as hopes for the domestic retail sector lifted the market mood, although financial stocks dragged on continued concerns over a U.S. recession. The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average gained 74.27 points, or 0.26 …
Read More »South Sudan blames currency woes on Uganda, US
Juba, South Sudan | THE INDEPENDENT | When the hackers seized the website of the central bank of South Sudan late last week, it was the reason that the hijackers gave that raised more concern about the country’s economy than the attack itself. The hackers, calling themselves “Anonymous South Sudan” …
Read More »Yuan challenge of dollar dominance welcome – BOU
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Bank of Uganda had downplayed talk of negative effects on the global economies in light of the developments around the US dollar and the renminbi, the Chinese currency. Talk of a possible US dollar collapse has dominated international headlines, with some terming it imminent, …
Read More »U.S. dollar skids amid declining Treasury yields, weak data
New York, USA | Xinhua | The U.S. dollar fell broadly against its major rivals in late trading on Friday. The dollar index, which measures the greenback against six major peers, dropped 0.67 percent to 103.7153. In late New York trading, the euro rose to 1.0682 U.S. dollars from 1.0611 dollars in …
Read More »Can Africa reduce the impact of the US dollar on its emerging markets?
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Reducing reliance on the US dollar necessitates satisfying financing requirements in local currency and enhancing local financial institutions Whenever I meet clients and investors, the one discussion I always end up having, regardless of market conditions, is on currency markets. There are often strong views …
Read More »Kenyan shilling hits lowest level amid U.S. dollar shortage crisis
Nairobi, Kenya | Xinhua | The Kenyan shilling hit the lowest level ever against the U.S. dollar this week as the East African nation grapples with a dollar shortage crisis, the Central Bank of Kenya said in its update of the financial markets released Friday. The shilling traded at an average of …
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