African Markets - Factors to watch on Nov.19

NAIROBI, Nov 19 (Reuters) - 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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GLOBAL MARKETS
Asian shares eased from all-time highs on Thursday as widening COVID-19
restrictions in the United states weighed on Wall Street, while bonds
were underpinned by speculation the Federal Reserve would have to respond
with yet more easing. MKTS/GLOB

WORLD OIL PRICES
U.S. crude futures fell in early trade on Thursday, giving up some of
gains from the previous day as surging COVID-19 cases and widening
lockdowns raised fears over fuel demand, offsetting further upbeat
vaccine news. O/R

EMERGING MARKETS
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SOUTH AFRICA MARKETS
South Africa's rand eased on Wednesday on weak year-on-year retail sales
data for September even as global euphoria around a coronavirus vaccine
softened, making riskier currencies less attractive. MARKETS
The Nigerian bourse won approval from its members on Wednesday for a
stock market flotation that will turn the exchange into a publicly traded
company and position it as a gateway for foreign investment. PETROLEUM
Oil companies have asked security services to tighten surveillance as
violent anti-police brutality protests and the expected sacking of
hundreds of workers worsen desperation in the region, industry sources
told Reuters. MARKETS
Kenya's shilling KES= was little changed on Wednesday, and traders said
it was expected to ease due to a general increase in importer dollar
demand. DEBT
Kenya has changed its mind about a G20 coronavirus debt relief initiative
it declined to join earlier this year, and is now planning to defer
around $690 million in debt payments, its finance minister told Reuters
on Wednesday. POLITICS
Three people died and at least 34 were injured, including with gun shot
wounds, in protests that erupted after police arrested Ugandan
presidential candidate and pop star Bobi Wine on Wednesday, Ugandan
police and the Red Cross said. CONFLICT
Ethiopia predicted swift victory but northern rebels promised them "hell"
on Wednesday in a two-week war threatening the vast nation's unity and
further destabilising the Horn of Africa. DEBT
Zambia could have paid a coupon on one of its sovereign dollar bonds last
Friday, but chose not to do so due to the need to treat all creditors
equally, the copper producer's central bank governor said on
Wednesday. COCOA
Ghana's graded and sealed (G&S) cocoa arrivals stood at 116,141 tonnes as
of Oct. 29 since the start of this year's harvest on Oct. 1, down from
128,514 tonnes the previous season, figures from marketing board Cocobod
showed on Wednesday. COAST BONDS
Ivory Coast plans to raise 1.98 trillion CFA francs ($3.60 billion) in
bonds in 2021 on the regional and international markets to finance its
budget, a budget ministry document seen by Reuters showed on
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