Latest articles from Africa

John Rwangombwa teaser

John Rwangombwa: Delivering Rwanda's digital-driven economy, where everyone is a winner

January 2, 2019

Rwandan central bank governor John Rwangombwa explains how the government's drive to achieve a cashless society will benefit all levels of society by expanding financial inclusivity, increasing tax revenues and boosting grassroots businesses.

Mixed results for Africa’s largest banking sectors

December 3, 2018

South Africa is the profit powerhouse among the Africa’s major banking sectors, with Nigeria close on its heels. However, both Kenya and Egypt saw profits fall in 2017. 

Simon Cooper teaser

CIB chief steers Standard Chartered into calmer waters

November 1, 2018

As measures to manage risk and credit quality pay off, Standard Chartered’s CIB chief, Simon Cooper, is in a bullish mood.

Challenges persist for Egyptian lenders

October 23, 2018

Since the revolution in 2011, the top Egyptian banks have been steadily strengthening their balance sheets. However, 2017 was not kind to the country’s two largest banks. 

BCI teaser

Mozambique's banks swim against the tide

October 1, 2018

Banks in Mozambique are finding ways to thrive amid a period of low economic growth. Peter Wise looks at how they are remaining profitable in such an environment.

Mozambique fossil fuels teaser

Mozambique’s economy awaits a gas-powered revival

October 1, 2018

While waiting for its liquid natural gas projects to start paying off, Mozambique continues to fight a budget deficit and political instability. Peter Wise reports.

Commercial Bankk of Ethiopia teaser

Kenyan neighbours spy opportunity in a liberalised Ethiopia

October 1, 2018

With the recent election of reformist prime minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, Ethiopia’s economy is set to liberalise after 27 years of state monopoly, opening up one of Africa’s fastest growing and underbanked markets to foreign investors. Charles Wachira reports.

Hisham Ezz Al-Arab teaser

CIB positions itself at forefront of banking's tech revolution

October 1, 2018

Egypt’s Commercial International Bank is one of the Middle East and north Africa region's star performers when it comes to returns on assets and capital. James King speaks to the bank's managing director, Hisham Ezz Al-Arab, to discover the secret behind its success.

Top five South African banks

September 25, 2018

South Africa’s top lenders strengthened their balance sheets in 2017, but are now entangled in a corruption inquiry. Joy Macknight reports.

BFA teaser

Angola banks maintain profitability amid hopes of speedier reforms

September 3, 2018

Angola knows it must diversify away from oil and is lucky to have alternative possibilities waiting in the wings. But it is slow going, say the country's banks.