In the three years since Arunma Oteh was brought in to head Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission and tasked with rebuilding the country's capital markets, much progress has been made. But she still has plenty to do if she wants to fulfil her bold ambitions.
Nigeria’s small banks pack a punch
April 2, 2013Nigeria’s banking sector has become highly concentrated over the past 10 years, with the biggest five lenders now dominating market share. But executives at smaller firms are not worried. They insist that innovation and nimbleness, not to mention the huge scope for growth in Nigeria, will see them make up for their lack of size.
African debt markets come of age
March 1, 2013Eurobond issuance from sub-Saharan Africa is still dwarfed by that from elsewhere in the world. But more and more African sovereigns are tapping the market as investors clamour for exposure to the rapidly growing region, where local bond markets are also developing quickly.
Tough year looms for Nigeria's rejuvenated banks
March 1, 2013Analysts are predicting a strong showing from Nigeria’s banks as they announce their 2012 results, perhaps demonstrating once and for all that they are over their 2009 crisis. They cannot rest on their laurels, however, as 2013 could be far tougher for them.
Nigeria's central bank governor looks to finish the job he started
March 1, 2013Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Nigeria’s central bank governor, says critics of his tight monetary policy forget how unstable the country’s financial system was just three years ago. He also tells The Banker that he will not stand for a second term, saying the job he was tasked with is almost done.
Angola CBG looks to use oil wealth wisely
February 1, 2013The head of Angola’s central bank – The Banker’s central bank governor of the year for Africa – discusses the development of the oil-rich country’s rapidly growing financial sector and whether the government plans to open up to foreign portfolio investors.
Rwanda’s battle to keep aid flowing
January 2, 2013Rwanda’s government faces the prospect of aid being cut in the wake of allegations it supports militants across its border in the Democratic Republic of Congo. But finance minister John Rwangombwa is confident the country’s impressive economic progress in recent years will be sustained.
BEAC governor: Cemac countries must work together to thrive
January 2, 2013The central bank governor of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa says that the advantages of the CFA franc’s peg to the euro greatly outweigh the disadvantages, but he believes deeper integration among its six members is needed for them to realise their potential in the long term.
Banks’ capital management more important in new world
January 2, 2013New regulations and resolution and recovery regimes are forcing banks across the world to change their models and strategies. While much is still uncertain, it is clear that how they manage their capital levels and funding will be crucial to determining what business lines they can go into.
South Africa keeps African banking's top spots
January 2, 2013South Africa’s banks still dwarf those in the rest of Africa, but other countries are slowly gaining on their peer.