The following company announcements, scheduled economic indicators, debt and currency market moves and political events may affect African markets on Thursday.

EVENTS: KENYA - The central bank governor holds a news briefing at about 0800 GMT to explain policymakers' Wednesday decision to hold rates.

RWANDA - French President Emmanuel Macron visits Kigali to boost frayed ties.

SOMALIA - Political leaders unveil details of a deal hammered to enable holding of delayed national elections.

GLOBAL MARKETS Asian shares retreated from two-week highs on Thursday and China started on the backfoot on fears central banks were closer to considering winding back their emergency stimulus while the dollar held at a one-week top. 

WORLD OIL PRICES Oil prices fell on Thursday but stayed within the tight range they have been in all week, as optimism on the summer driving season in the United States and Europe offset concerns about demand in India and a potential supply increase from Iran. 

SOUTH AFRICA MARKETS The South African rand raced to its firmest in 27 months on Wednesday aided by the dovish stance taken by the U.S. Federal Reserve in the face of fears of rising inflation.

NIGERIA MARKETS Nigeria's naira fell on the black market on Wednesday after the central bank adopted a weaker currency rate as the country's official rate, traders said on Wednesday. 

KENYA MARKETS The Kenyan shilling inched up against the dollar on Wednesday and traders said they were focusing on the central bank's decision on interest rates later in the day. 

KENYA RATES Kenya's central bank held its main lending rate at 7.0% on Wednesday, saying inflation was expected to remain within the target range. 

MALI CRISIS Mali's interim president and prime minister resigned on Wednesday, two days after they were arrested by the military, an aide to the vice president said, deepening a political crisis and potentially setting up a standoff with international powers. 

IVORY COAST COCOA A fifth of cocoa purchases by multinational companies in Ivory Coast must be fulfilled by local firms in an effort to improve competition in the world's largest cocoa-exporting economy, according to a government decree on Wednesday. 

CONGO VOLCANO An earthquake in Goma, a city in Democratic Republic of Congo near the border with Rwanda, is delaying exports of tin ore from mineral-rich North Kivu province, two sources with direct knowledge told Reuters on Wednesday. 

 

((Compiled by Nairobi Newsroom)) ((Email: nairobi.newsroom@thomsonreuters.com; tel: ++254 20 499 1232))