Africa’s central banks have amassed huge foreign reserves over the last decade, but they typically invest the majority of them in low-yielding developed world assets. They should look to put them to work in Africa instead.
Latest articles from Analysis & Opinion
Colombia constructs the framework for a resilient economy
September 3, 2012A combination of responsible fiscal control, economic diversification and social inclusion make for a resilient economy. While Colombia has made significant strides towards achieving such equilibrium there is still headway to be made, with issues such as the country's stubbornly high unemployment rate, social inequality, and the threat from narcotraffickers still to be tackled.
The IMF must reform or run the risk of irrelevance
September 3, 2012Within the IMF, some members are more equal than others. Only when fast-growing development economies such as the BRICS nations are fairly represented in its decision-making processes can it be described as a truly multilateral organisation.
Finansbank progresses under NBG's control
September 3, 2012The National Bank of Greece's acquisition of Turkey's Finansbank in 2006 faced much scepticism but the Turkish bank's chief believes that despite the countries' previous hostile relationship and Greece's recent debt crisis, it was a move that has paid off.
New Zealand learns from the sidelines of the crisis
September 3, 2012New Zealand may have fared relatively well during the global financial crisis, but the difficult economic climate, combined with specific market failures, has served to raise some serious questions among policy-makers, banks and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand itself.
Facebook and banking... friends at last?
September 3, 2012Is Facebook banking finally here? Commonwealth Bank of Australia and India's ICICI Bank seem to think so, and the social media site's decision to drop its credit system shows it is moving in the right direction.
Building on Asia's economic success
September 3, 2012Asia has been a bastion of growth during the global financial crisis, but there are a number of key issues that must be addressed if the region is to continue being a major contributor to global economic growth.
Putting securitisation back on the road
August 27, 2012The troubled past of some securitisation products is making the comeback of this financial tool in Europe slow and fragile, but unless a bridge can be built from the current situation to an active securitisation market, the hopes for any growth in the continent will dim dramatically. Maybe the new Prime Collateralised Securities label can be that bridge.
Moving Lebanon from stability to growth
August 27, 2012Having protected the country's economic stability throughout a period of intense economic and political turmoil, the Lebanese central bank is now tasked with boosting job creation and lowering the country's growing budget deficit.
The self-inflicted weight of financial regulation risks crushing New York's star status
August 27, 2012New York's Department for Financial Services' recent intervention in Standard Chartered's affairs in Iran were intended to show the city's might as a financial centre. However, this action may well have the opposite effect to that which was desired, and play directly into China's hands.