Moves by Kuwait's central bank to sharpen regulation, improve liquidity and encourage greater take-up of fintech have nurtured the development of the country's Islamic finance sector. 

Nigeria's oldest financial institution, FirstBank, may have notched up a century and a quarter, but its workforce and ideas are both young, CEO Adesola Adeduntan tells The Banker.

Consolidation is hitting banks operating within the GCC, creating regional 'mega-banks'. However, the appetite for M&A in the rest of the Middle East remains stilted.

The merger of Access Bank and Diamond Bank in Nigeria represents a landmark for a number of reasons, not least because the deal was market driven and not forced through by the central bank. 

The heightened M&A activity in sub-Saharan Africa is garnering enthusiasm over the potential creation of a leaner, fitter and more adaptable banking sector across the region. 

In The Banker's first Top Islamic GCC Banks ranking, a healthy picture emerges, with asset growth and profitability impressive by any standards. James King assesses what the industry is getting right.

From their enviably stable position, the UAE’s banks are in a strong position to face anything 2019 can throw at them, even the market turbulence caused by impending mergers and rising interest rates. James King reports.

The UAE’s reform timetable is providing the country with some breathing space in addressing problems with a declining real estate market and stagnant job creation rates. James King reports. 

With Gulf states now less dominant in the energy markets, they have been forced to restructure their economies away from oil dependence and public sector largesse. However, many countries in the region seem to be dragging their heels on their reforms, as James King reports.

Islamic banks are doing well, especially in frontier states, with GCC dominance being challenged by previously underserved regions such as Africa and Asia.