African countries are being held back by a lack of integration across the continent. Some say it is time to redraw the map by breaking down borders and deepening regional blocs, which will enable free trade to flourish. 

Egypt’s banks faced the most trying of conditions early this year with the overthrow of president Hosni Mubarak and the subsequent economic collapse. But Hisham Ezz Al-Arab, head of the Commercial International Bank says that businesses should thrive in a more open political system.

African banks may be small, but they are among the world’s most profitable, as our survey of the lenders pushing for places in the Top 1000 World Banks shows. 

Mozambique’s economy is booming and unlikely to slow down anytime soon. But the majority of the growth is down to its abundant natural resources, which has not trickled down to the bulk of the population. The government is now focusing on boosting the rest of the economy.

Ghana’s banks have benefited from a booming economy over the past 18 months, but they may have to start adapting to lower interest rates by expanding their capital markets services and offering more sophisticated products – or risk being bought out in a wave of consolidation.

The discovery of oil has turned Ghana into one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. Ghana knows it has plenty to do to ensure the commodity remains a blessing but the early signs are good.

Ghana’s finance minister, Kwabena Duffuor, is focusing on maintaining the economy’s momentum. He is also at the forefront of efforts to ensure the country’s recently discovered oil riches are not squandered.

Ghana is making plenty of effort to diversify its economy. But cocoa, gold and oil will have the biggest impact on the economy in the coming years, so for now the country is reaping the benefits of high global prices for these commodities.