<div id="readability-page-1"><div>The following company announcements, scheduled economic indicators, debt and currency market moves and political events may affect African markets on Thursday. - - - - -GLOBAL MARKETSAsia's runaway stock markets took a breather on Thursday as mixed earnings out of the tech sector stirred caution ahead of Apple's results, while the dollar looked shaky despite verbal support from both U.S. and European officials.WORLD OIL PRICESOil prices rose for a third day on Thursday on increasing concerns the U.S. may carry out a military attack on key Middle Eastern producer Iran that could disrupt supply from the region. EMERGING MARKETSFor the top emerging markets news, double click on AFRICA STOCKSFor the latest news on South African stocks, click on SOUTH AFRICA MARKETSThe South African rand slipped on Wednesday, as investors awaited interest rate decisions from the United States and Africa's most industrialised economy. AFRICA DEBT Debt issuance in the eight-member West African monetary union (UEMOA) is expected to rise 27.7% to 15.143 trillion CFA francs ($27.86 billion) in 2026, Arouna Sow, an official at regional debt agency UMOA-Titres, said on Wednesday. DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO MINING The leader of a Congolese rebel coalition that includes the M23 group said a deal between Kinshasa and Washington related to critical minerals in the war-hit region was deeply flawed and unconstitutional, casting doubt on its implementation. GHANA RATES Ghana's central bank slashed its main interest rate (GHCBIR=ECI) by 250 basis points to 15.50% - the lowest level in four years and below most economists' expectations, in a decision announced on Wednesday, as inflation remains under control. MOZAMBIQUE RATES Mozambique's central bank cut its policy rate by 25 basis points to 9.25% on Wednesday, its 13th cut in a row, but it said the end of its easing cycle was near because of risks including severe floods in the past few weeks. AFRICA BANKING Ratings agency Fitch downgraded Afreximbank to junk and withdrew future ratings - a final move in a relationship with the African lender that had become combative. ANGOLA LOANS The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) on Wednesday announced a $1.75 billion facility for Angola's national oil company Sonangol. NIGERIA OIL Nigeria is lowering entry costs to its latest oil licensing round and opening it up to independent oversight to ensure transparency, its oil regulator said, as Africa's biggest crude producer seeks to boost output and attract new investment. For the latest precious metals report click on For the latest base metals report click on For the latest crude oil report click on ((Compiled by Nairobi Newsroom)) ((Email: nairobi.newsroom@thomsonreuters.com))</div></div>

AFRI

The African markets are influenced by various factors on January 29, including global market trends, oil prices rising due to potential military actions in the Middle East, and mixed earnings in Asia. Key developments include Ghana's central bank cutting interest rates to 15.50%, Mozambique's rate cut to 9.25%, and a significant increase in debt issuance in West Africa. Additionally, Fitch downgraded Afreximbank to junk status, while Nigeria is lowering entry costs for its oil licensing round to attract investment.

African Markets - Factors to watch on Jan 29