Large financial institutions from the Gulf are increasingly buying stakes in local banks in west Africa to tap into the region's sizeable Muslim population.
Africa
Latest articles from Africa
Making full use of a renewed investor interest in African markets
January 6, 2011New-found political stability is setting the stage for global investor interest in many African countries, and Standard Bank's debt capital markets team is leading the way. Writer Edward Russell-Walling
Central Bank Governor of the Year 2011
December 23, 2010In the 18 months that he has been in office, Lamido Sanusi has salvaged a crumbling financial sector, taken on Nigeria's powerful and corrupt bank managers and initiated reforms that have put Africa's most promising market back on the map for investors.
Algeria puts up more barriers to foreign banks
November 24, 2010Algeria's mid-year budget has further restricted the activities of foreign banks and businesses in the country, while shoring up regulations for domestic banks. Writer Richard Nield
Barclays lays a marker in Africa
November 24, 2010Barclays is not in Africa to make a quick buck, but to develop a long-standing relationship with a continent it has not lavished with quite the attention that it deserves, according to Barclays Retail CEO Antony Jenkins.
Freedom pass
August 30, 2010Recent laws passed in Libya are aimed at removing the obstacles of previous legislations, allowing local businesses to compete and operate internationally, and bringing the economy into the modern age. Stephen Timewell reports.
Open for business
August 30, 2010The reform of Libya's stock market to make it more accessible to both foreign and domestic investors is widely expected to usher in a new era for a country whose economy was previously dogged by sanctions. Stephen Timewell reports.
Steady road to reform
August 30, 2010Libyan banks withstood the worst of the global financial crisis and the country's banking sector is forging ahead with its planned expansion, reports Stephen Timewell.
Farhat Bengdara
August 30, 2010The governor of the Central Bank of Libya tells Stephen Timewell how a major overhaul of the national bank is playing a critical role in driving government plans to improve the efficiency of Libya's economy and promote the private sector.
Libya eyes a world stage
August 30, 2010Having emerged relatively unscathed from the global downturn, Libya is working hard to attract foreign investors, promote tourism and diversify its economy. Stephen Timewell reports.