WHAT TO WATCH NEXT WEEK in Africa’s business.
Monday December 5
- Mauritius central bank rate decision. Six of 11 analysts in a Reuters poll forecast no change at 5.5 percent. Five expect a 25 basis-point cut. (1200 GMT)
Tuesday December 6
- Uganda central bank rate decision. Some analysts think the central bank might refrain from further tightening above 23 percent this month, especially since inflation slowed in November.
- South Africa November business confidence index. It dipped for the fourth month in a row to 97.5 in October, weighed down in part by a volatile exchange rate. (0930 GMT)
- Mauritius inflation figures for November due. Headline annual average inflation rose to 6.4 percent in October.
Wednesday December 7
- Namibia rate decision. Bank rate kept on hold at 6.0 percent in August to try to prop up sluggish growth.
- South Africa foreign exchange reserves data. Reserve Bank has accumulated reserves to over $50 billion. (0600 GMT)
- South Africa October retail sales data. Growth accelerated to 8.3 percent year-on-year in September, but some analysts are unsure growth is sustainable. (1100 GMT)
- African Barrick Gold shares due to start trading on the Tanzanian bourse on Dec. 7, Tanzania wants international mining companies to list on the local exchange.
Thursday December 8
- South African Reserve Bank releases third quarter bulletin that has trade, current account and spending data. Current account deficit rose to 3.3 percent in second quarter. (0800 GMT)
- South Africa manufacturing output data for October. Factory production grew 7.7 percent year-on-year in volume terms in September. (1100 GMT)
Friday December 9
- Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe’s ZANU-PF party holds annual conference in Bulawayo. Congress is expected to confirm him as presidential candidate for elections which may happen next year.
Source: Reuters Africa newsletter
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