SA raised

Absa has raised its 2021 economic growth forecast for South Africa to 3.8percent, from 3.1percent previously, but warned that the recovery from Covid- 19 will be long and protracted with real GDP only returning to pre- pandemic levels in 2023.

Ramaphosa defends

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is appearing before the Zondo Commission on Wednesday, has defended the ANC’s policy of deployment of its members into the public service, which he says is an important part of implementing the ruling party’s mandate.

Mozambican mishap

Mozambique’s economy faces multiple challenges, including a growing insurgency against the government and recurring extreme weather events, ratings agency S& P Global says in a research report. S& P said militant attacks in Mozambique’s north eastern province of Cabo Delgado posed a “significant threat” to production facilities there.

US warns

The United States Consulate General in Nigeria has warned citizens of an increase in general crime in the West African country’s capital, Lagos, amid an ongoing security crisis in the country. In a statement, the Consulate General said there has been a rise in reports of robberies and smash- and- grabs on the roads by armed men on both Ikoyi and Victoria Island.

Uganda complains

Uganda has told the International Court of Justice ( ICJ) that the more than $ 13bn in reparations sought by the Democratic Republic of Congo ( DRC) for Kampala’s role in conflicts in its Ituri province could ruin its economy. “The DRC’s claims are dangerously disproportionate,” Uganda’s attorneygeneral, William Byaruhanga, told the UN court,

India threatened

Deaths have surged in India due to a second wave of the coronavirus, forcing funeral service providers and hospitals in Delhi to build makeshift funeral pyres in car parks. According to the World Health Organization ( WHO), India has recorded 17,636,307 Covid- 19 cases and more than 197,894 lives have been lost.

EU ratifies

The European Parliament on Wednesday overwhelmingly ratified the EU’s post- Brexit trade deal with Britain, but promised to keep a close eye on London with crosschannel tensions still high. The vote approved the bare bones trade deal with the bloc’s third- biggest trading partner that was sealed on Christmas Eve after nine months of tough negotiations.

UN coaches

While Mozambique and Guinea Bissau have yet to ratify the African Union’s AfCFTA, the United Nations wants to coach Portuguese- speaking African countries on the free trade agreement.