Ecobank’s reputation took a battering last year as it became mired in a well-publicised corporate governance crisis. Its new chief executive, Albert Essien, has restored some calm, and he tells Paul Wallace how he hopes to make the kind of returns that will entice more international investors to buy its stock.
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Mozambique CBG strives for financial sophistication
August 1, 2014Central bank governor Ernesto Gove is bullish about Mozambique’s economic prospects, but acknowledges that the banking sector and capital markets need to be developed for the country to truly benefit from its energy boom.
CBG focuses on keeping Rwanda steady
August 1, 2014Rwanda’s macroeconomic performance over the past decade has been impressive, and the central bank governor says that developing the country’s bond markets is crucial to ensuring that remains the case.
Moldova CBG hitting the inflation target
July 1, 2014Since taking office as governor of the National Bank of Moldova in 2009, Dorin Drăguţanu has implemented the country’s first inflation-targeting policy, has seen interest rates on loans and deposits decline and has welcomed amendments to the law on financial institutions. He speaks to The Banker about challenges surrounding transparency in the banking sector and economic implications of the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
Trinidad and Tobago CBG takes the inclusive approach
July 1, 2014The governor of Trinidad and Tobago's central bank, Jwala Rambarran, has overseen a hectic period in which the country has considerably tightened its supervision procedures, sought to clarify the role of its international finance centre and developed its capital markets. He tells Silvia Pavoni how improving financial inclusion is his next priority.
Finance minister looks to patch up Zimbabwe
July 1, 2014Zimbabwe’s economy is on the verge of recession, with low consumer demand and a liquidity crunch putting its businesses under plenty of strain. Against this backdrop, finance minister Patrick Chinamasa tells Paul Wallace how he has started to rebuild its ties with multilateral lenders in a bid to access new credit.
PTA's change in fortune
May 23, 2014PTA Bank, one of Africa’s main development banks, was in crisis at the turn of the millennium. But it has since turned itself around and boosted its capital base, meaning that its chief executive is confident in saying that it is finally able to fulfil its role of fostering regional trade in eastern and southern Africa.
South African CBG toes a fine line
May 23, 2014South Africa’s central bank governor Gill Marcus faces the tricky task of curbing inflationary pressures while trying not to damage the country’s weak economy. Whether or not she succeeds will depend to a large extent on factors outside her control.
Angola's CBG reforms his way to stability
May 1, 2014Angola’s central bank has carried out a wave of reforms in recent years to improve its monetary policies and modernise the banking sector. And its governor, José de Lima Massano, says there is still more to come.
Nigeria’s bad bank: here to stay
April 1, 2014Amcon, Nigeria’s resolution vehicle set up after its 2009 financial crisis, has made a lot of progress restructuring the billions of dollars of loans it holds. But its chief executive Mustafa Chike-Obi says its work will get harder and argues against calls for it to be wound down quickly.