Over the past decade, the word ‘potential’ has become synonymous with Nigeria, as the resource-rich nation’s progress has been stymied by political and economic instability. Much progress has been made on both fronts, and under new president Umaru Yar’Adua Nigeria looks set to deliver on its promise. Charlie Corbett reports.

China has been driving global growth but now faces mounting domestic problems and a deteriorating global economy. Can China’s economic miracle stay the course? Geraldine Lambe reports.

The consumer credit market has been growing but a slowing economy and lax processes have taken their toll on some players, says Kala Rao.

CEO of Halyk Bank and former governor of Kazakhstan’s central bank, Grigori Marchenko tells Karina Robinson why the Federal Reserve got it wrong.

The Tan brothers, Nestor and Lorenzo, are helping to reshape the Philippines’ banking industry. Ian Gill reports on how their international expertise is helping to break the shackles of traditional financial empires.

China Construction Bank is the third largest bank in China and the 14th largest in the world. Stephen Timewell talks to chairman Guo Shuqing about his overseas ambitions and strategy.

BMI assesses the ramifications if China’s growth slows, and Deutsche Bank identifies a funding gap in microfinance.

Improved education and better living standards mean employees are returning to India, transforming the country’s outsourced financial services. Brian Caplen reports on how the industry has adapted.

Kosit Panpiemras, Thailand’s deputy prime minister, tells Brian Caplen that trade and investment policies must be transformed to achieve greater integration into Asean.

Xiao Gang, chairman of Bank of China, talks to Stephen Timewell about the bank’s domestic and international strategy for the coming year.