African Markets - Factors to watch on January 23

GLOBAL MARKETS

Stocks made tepid gains in early Asian trading on Friday ahead of the Bank of Japan's latest policy meeting, at which it is widely expected to keep rates on hold.MKTS/GLOB nL4N3YO01E

WORLD OIL PRICES

Oil prices rebounded on Friday after U.S. President Donald Trump renewed threats against major Middle Eastern producer Iran, raising concerns of military action that could disrupt supplies.O/R nL4N3YO036

EMERGING MARKETS

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AFRICA STOCKS

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SOUTH AFRICA MARKETS

The South African rand was hovering around its strongest against the dollar for three years, as geopolitical tensions and safe-haven demand eased after U.S. President Donald Trump backed down from new tariff threats and ruled out the use of force to obtain Greenland.nL1N3YN0J5

BENIN BOND

Benin issued $500 million in seven-year Islamic bonds or sukuks, the West African nation's government said in a statement on Thursday.nL1N3YN1AK

GUINEA-BISSAU HEALTH

A Trump-administration-funded study into the effects of hepatitis B vaccines on newborns in Guinea-Bissau has not been cancelled but will undergo further ethical review, African health officials said on Thursday, the latest twist in a tug-of-war over the research.nL6N3YN129

WEST AFRICA OIL

West African crude oil differentials held steady on Thursday, as market participants awaited results of Indian buy tenders.nL6N3YN163

MOZAMBIQUE FLOODS

Mozambique authorities on Thursday reported 13 deaths from severe floods over the past two weeks, though the figure is expected to rise sharply, with aid workers saying they expect more bodies to be found as waters recede.nL8N3YN1EO

MALI MINING

Mali's military leader has created a new ministerial-level role to oversee the mining sector, strengthening the presidency's direct oversight of the critical gold industry, and appointed a former Barrick Mining ABX.TO executive to fill it.nL8N3YN0VD

NIGERIA HUNGER

Nearly 35 million Nigerians are at risk of hunger this year, including 3 million children facing severe malnutrition, the United Nations said on Thursday, following the collapse of global aid budgets.nL8N3YN11I

UGANDA POLITICS

Detained Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye is in a "worrying" health condition after falling sick, his wife Winnie Byanyima told Reuters, citing symptoms including high temperature, stomach pain, dehydration and inability to walk.nL8N3YN0VK

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