Rupiah Banda, the new president of Zambia talks about his vision for transforming the southern African state's economy in the light of a severe economic downturn. Writer Charlie Corbett in Cape Town

The chief executive of South Africa's Standard Bank, Jacko Maree, talks about his international aspirations and how he is taking advantage of the relationship with Chinese state-owned banking giant ICBC to expand Standard Bank's global presence. Writer Charlie Corbett in Cape Town

Jacob Zuma, South Africa's new president
Some of the world's most powerful leaders and investors met in Cape Town last month for the World Economic Forum. They discussed the impact of the global downturn on Africa and how the continent could use it as an opportunity to build a platform for growth. Writer Charlie Corbett in Cape Town

Despite a global downturn, low oil prices and the weakness of the naira, the lure of a London base is still of vital importance to Nigerian banks wanting to establish an international presence. Nick Kochan reports

As the Central Bank of Nigeria celebrates 50 years of existence, banker Anthony RP Williams, who has worked in Africa and Nigeria for almost the same length of time, reflects on the country's past and his experiences with the central bank.

Despite problems in credit markets, financiers appear committed to supporting the many improvements required in Nigeria's infrastructure sector, write Kevin Godier and Jon Marks.

Headlines on the exploits of Niger Delta militants often drown out positive news from the industry, where major companies will bring a number of big new oil and gas schemes on stream in the next few years, writes Jon Marks.

The Nigerian government is coming under increasing pressure to bail out the country's ailing bank sector, but many claim that the banks are resilient enough to survive the crisis without state support, which could do more harm than good. Charlie Corbett reports from Lagos.