South 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.

PTA 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.

Investors in Nigeria were shocked when central bank governor Lamido Sanusi was suspended in February. His likely successor, Godwin Emefiele, is a very different character, but he will be keen to prove he is no less independent.

The controversy that has dogged pan-African lender Ecobank in the last nine months has shaken it to its core. Last month Thierry Tanoh, its chief executive, was forced to stand down in what was the latest and, Ecobank shareholders will hope, possibly the last in a series of events that has dented the institution’s credibility.

Mozambique’s banking sector has grown rapidly in recently years, on the back of the country’s resources boom, and neither the country's large current account deficit or political tensions seem likely to scupper its health.

Angola’s impressive post-war development continues apace. But as oil production stagnates, the government is under greater pressure than ever to diversify the economy and create jobs. 

Egypt’s banks were well insulated from the global financial crisis, but with continuing political instability since the overthrow of former president Hosni Mubarak, many are wondering just how long the country's banks can outpace its slowing economy.