As some South Africans go up in arms against African nationals living in that country, the energy is being felt on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, Africa’s largest stock exchange.
Here Is All You Need To Know
- MTN Group Ltd., Africa’s largest mobile phone operator, fell as much as 2%, after the company closed its offices in Nigeria following attacks on its premises in three cities.
- Shoprite Holdings Ltd., Africa ’s largest food retailer, dropped after its stores were attacked in Lagos.
- The benchmark South African index was 0.2% higher as of 2:27 p.m. after climbing as much as 0.7%. The MSCI Emerging Marketz Index rose 1.5%.
“It’s exactly the reason why local retailers and stocks like MTN who have African exposure are losing ground today,” said Henre Herselman, a derivatives trader at Johannesburg-based Anchor Private Clients, which oversees 38 billion rand ($2.6 billion) for clients.
“I have seen several announcements from companies stating they have closed shops out of a fear a retaliation.”
Muhammadu Buhari✔@MBuhari I am sending a Special Envoy to President Ramaphosa to share our deep concern about the security of Nigerian lives and property in South Africa, and to ensure that the South African Government is doing everything within its power in this regard.
Attacks broke out in Johannesburg, South Africa on Sunday and saw the destruction of more than 50 shops and business premises mainly owned by Africans from countries in the rest of the continent. Cars and properties were torched and widespread looting took place. The violence against African nationals may be a reaction to extra competition for jobs and services in Africa’s most-industrialized economy.
”From footage I’ve seen, it most definitely will hit Shoprite hard because it goes beyond lost sales, but also cost of repairs and restoring the damage,” said Nolwandle Mthombeni, an analyst at Mergence Investment Managers in Cape Town. “I don’t think this is a permanent deterrent from expanding into rest of continent, but it does mean any short term plans may be pushed out till the attacks are well in the rear-view.”
Source: Bloomberg
Charles Rapulu Udoh
Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based Lawyer with special focus on Business Law, Intellectual Property Rights, Entertainment and Technology Law. He is also an award-winning writer. Working for notable organizations so far has exposed him to some of industry best practices in business, finance strategies, law, dispute resolution, and data analytics both in Nigeria and across the world.