Africa’s equity story looked unusually split by the close of Saturday, 2 May 2026. Tunis remained the continent’s standout listed market with the TUNINDEX up 19.39% in 2026, the BRVM stayed modestly positive at +1.7%, while Casablanca was still underwater at -1.39% year-to-date. At the same time, Johannesburg drew strength from firmer precious metals, Lagos surged on heavyweight energy and cement names, and Nairobi slipped as currency pressure and selective profit-taking capped risk appetite.
The macro backdrop mattered across all 7 exchanges. Brent crude ended at $108.17 a barrel, down 5.1% on the day and 0.1% on the week, after global headlines focused on the UAE’s exit from OPEC, a more bearish 2026 oil outlook, and shifting geopolitical expectations around the Iran war. Meanwhile, gold rose 0.3% to $4,629.9, silver jumped 3.3% to $75.95, and platinum gained 0.9% to $1,996.6. That combination supported mining-heavy South Africa more than consumer-led markets, while exchange-rate moves — from USD/TND down 0.35% to USD/KES up 0.72% — shaped local sector performance in very different ways.
Key figures
- TUNINDEX: 16,057.76, up 19.39% in 2026
- MASI: 18,583.53, down 1.39% in 2026
- BRVM Composite: 403.93, up 1.7% in 2026
- Brent crude: $108.17/bbl, down on the day