African Markets - Factors to watch on March 5

The following company announcements, scheduled economic indicators, debt and currency market

moves and political events may affect African markets on Thursday.

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EVENTS:

*Ivory Coast president speaks about constitutional reforms

GLOBAL MARKETS

Asian shares rallied for a fourth straight session on

Thursday as U.S. markets swung sharply higher and another

dose of central bank stimulus offered some salve for the

global economic outlook. MKTS/GLOB

WORLD OIL PRICES

Oil prices rose more than 1% on Thursday, recouping losses

from the previous day on a smaller-than-expected rise in

crude oil inventories in the United States, although the

gains were capped by uncertainties over cuts by major oil

producers. O/R

EMERGING MARKETS

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STOCKS

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SOUTH AFRICA MARKETS

South Africa's rand firmed on Wednesday, finding relief in a

surprise rate cut by the U.S. central bank after a sharp

selloff triggered by data showing the economy is in

recession. OIL

Nigeria will issue a sovereign guarantee to back the bulk of

a gas pipeline that is a core part of the government's

energy strategy, Finance Minister Zainab Ahmed said on

Wednesday. MARKETS

Kenya's shilling KES= weakened to its lowest level in

three months on Tuesday after the central bank said it will

buy $100 million from commercial banks every month between

March and June to boost its reserves. SECURITY

Kenya has accused Somalia of violating its territorial

integrity and demanded it cease such breaches in an

escalating feud that Washington says is undermining the

fight against Islamist militant group al

Shabaab. AIRLINES CORONAVIRUS

Coronavirus disruption could cost African airlines $40

million in revenue this year, a global industry body said on

Wednesday, a potentially devastating hit to often struggling

airlines counting on lucrative Chinese routes to fund

expansion. JUDICIARY

A Ugandan court sent an independent filmmaker to jail on

Wednesday after he was accused of singing subversive songs

while producing a documentary about a pop star seeking to

unseat the long-serving president, his attorney

said. RAILWAY

Zambia has signed a contract of more than $824 million with

a subsidiary of China Railway Construction Corporation to

upgrade a rail line, the company said on

Wednesday. CORONAVIRUS

Senegalese authorities reported two new cases of coronavirus

on Wednesday, bringing the total to four since the first

case was confirmed there on Monday. the latest precious metals report click on GOL/

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