By Rafiq Raji, PhD
Twitter: @DrRafiqRaji, @macroafrica

Global Markets

• Asian shares tumble as global recovery hopes falter
• MSCI Asia ex-Japan -1.32%; Nikkei -0.74%
• US Fed officials call for more fiscal support
• Gold near 2-mth lows on strong greenback

Oil Markets

• Oil falls on fuel demand growth concerns as coronavirus lingers
• Brent down 0.7% at $41.49 a barrel (0217GMT)
• WTI down 0.9% at $39.57

Precious metals

• Gold falls to over 2-mth low on stronger dollar
• Spot gold down 0.3% at $1,858.08/oz. (0049GMT)
• US gold futures down 0.3% at $1,862.30/oz.

Grains

• Soybeans, corn hit 1-wk low as US harvest advances
• Soybean futures down 1.2% at $10.02-3/4 a bushel (0305GMT)
• Corn down 0.9% at $3.65-1/4 a bushel
• Wheat down 1.1% at $5.42-3/4 a bushel

Key African events or data releases today
[Posts & comments at my Twitter handles @DrRafiqRaji, @macroafrica]

• South Africa marks Heritage Day; Ramaphosa to speak
• Ghana’s president & NPP flagbearer Akufo-Addo tours Western North region
• Ghana NDC flagbearer Mahama speaks on electoral process thus far
• Nigeria’s Buhari commissions key SGR line in oil-rich region
• Bank of Ghana meets on rates; decision on 28 Sep [fcst. 14.5%, prev. 14.5%]
• Ghana’s EC displays new voters register; 18-25 Sep
• 75^th session of UN General Assembly (15-30 Sep); speeches & engagements by African leaders
• South Africa state capture inquiry continues
• Covid-19 updates by authorities across the continent

Key African events or data releases yesterday & early a.m today

• CAR MPs vote to keep Dec. 27 election on track
• Nigeria pop star Yemi Alade wants to hleop women in new UN role
• Ivory Coast to free opposition leader’s allies in pre-vote peace gesture, spokesman says
• Nigeria auction bonds at lower yields after surprise rate cut
• West Africa bloc may lift Mali sanctions soon, says envoy
• Gambia opposition laments failure of bid to curb term limits
• Eastern Libya forces say they killed militant group leader
• Somalia president names newcomer Roble premier as elections loom
• Nigeria gas tanker explosion kills at least 28
• Three Egypt policeman, four militants killed in prison break attempt
• Kenya’s Maasai gather for once-in-a-decade ceremony to turn warriors into elders
• Gambia MPs reject retroactive bill curbing term limits as unlawful
• Mali risks “economic paralysis” from post-coup embargo – trade group
• Egypt orchestra for visually-impaired women resumes concerts amid coronavirus
• Sudan discusses Arab-Israel peace & terrorism list with US – statement
• First tanker to load crude at Libya’s Hariga port since January
• Mozambique asks EU for help in tackling insurgency
• Tanker to enter Libya’s Hariga port, load 1 million barrels of oil
• Nigeria’s Buhari to send long-awaited oil reform bill to Senate – sources
• Kenya harnesses fly larvae’s appetite to process food waste
• China’s BGI wins 1.5 mln coronavirus test kit order from Ethiopia
• South Africa set for wave of equity fundraising as banks shun risk

N.B. Full stories of above headlines are available on Reuters