Latest articles from Africa

Sterling Bank teaser

Nigeria edges closer to Islamic banking goal

December 1, 2017

Now that important issuance and regulation milestones have been passed, Nigeria is well placed to succeed in its aim to become Africa’s Islamic banking hub. Kit Gillet reports.

Segun Agbaje teaser

GTBank chief seeks to lead Nigeria in SMEs and digital

November 1, 2017

Guaranty Trust Bank chief executive officer and managing director Segun Agbaje tells James King about its expansion plans, with a focus on digital and SME business, and why he backs more relaxed monetary policy in Nigeria.

Amadou Gon Coulibaly teaser

Côte d’Ivoire prime minister looks to maintain peacetime profitability

October 2, 2017

Beset by civil war in recent times, Côte d’Ivoire has now emerged as one of Africa’s fastest growing economies. The country's prime minister and minister of budget and state portfolio, Amadou Gon Coulibaly, tells James King why Côte d’Ivoire can be relied upon in a political sense, and how he plans to maintain its levels of foreign investment.

Microinsurance teaser

African microinsurers plant seeds of hope to resist drought

September 1, 2017

Natural disasters continually stall the growth of the Africa's poorest communities. While building resilience is vital, solutions are often not cost-effective. Now microinsurers are using simple and advanced technology to establish a new market that helps mitigate losses. James King reports.

Soc Gen Africa teaser

Africa's last international banks make their stand

September 1, 2017

The rise of Africa’s home-grown financial players has led most international lenders to withdraw from the continent. However, Société Générale and Standard Chartered are not only staying put but marking territory for digital expansion. James King reports.

Christopher Low teaser

Letshego chief aims to lead race for African financial inclusion

August 1, 2017

Botswana-based Letshego is using years of experience to fulfil its aim of reaching sub-Saharan Africa's unbanked population, as group managing director Chris Low tells James King.

Jim Cowles teaser

Citi EMEA chief positions for seamless Brexit

July 3, 2017

Having established a Dublin headquarters, Citi's Europe, Middle East and Africa operations are well prepared for Brexit. And a strategic overhaul four years ago tightened up its risk management, leaving it leaner and safer, as the US bank's EMEA head, Jim Cowles, tells Stefanie Linhardt.

Banco National De Angola teaser

Angola's banks look to rise to the challenges

July 3, 2017

Diminishing oil receipts, a threat of consolidation, a looming Basel II compliance deadline, a loss of US dollar correspondent banking relationships, a shortage of foreign capital... The challenges facing Angola's banks are many, which makes the strong performances of some in the sector all the more impressive, writes James King.

Angola oil teaser

Angola struggles to cut oil ties

July 3, 2017

After contracting in 2016, the Angolan economy is expected to make a slight recovery in line with the improvement in oil prices. However, the government has been slow to deliver the diversification that could improve the country’s fortunes further. James King reports.

Serge Adjovi teaser

Benin designs a digital future

June 1, 2017

In December 2016, Benin announced its economic transformation plan, including 45 flagship projects addressing the major components of the west African country's economy. Six of the projects are specifically focused on constructing a digital economy. Serge Adjovi, director of Benin’s Digital Economy Agency, speaks to Joy Macknight about the laying the foundations for progress.