Zimbabwe’s economy is on the verge of recession, with low consumer demand and a liquidity crunch putting its businesses under plenty of strain. Against this backdrop, finance minister Patrick Chinamasa tells Paul Wallace how he has started to rebuild its ties with multilateral lenders in a bid to access new credit. 

PTA Bank, one of Africa’s main development banks, was in crisis at the turn of the millennium. But it has since turned itself around and boosted its capital base, meaning that its chief executive is confident in saying that it is finally able to fulfil its role of fostering regional trade in eastern and southern Africa.

South Africa’s central bank governor Gill Marcus faces the tricky task of curbing inflationary pressures while trying not to damage the country’s weak economy. Whether or not she succeeds will depend to a large extent on factors outside her control.

The Deals of the Year winners from Africa.

Regional integration, a painstakingly slow process across most of Africa, has started to gain momentum in east Africa, removing some obstacles for investors.

Egypt’s banks were well insulated from the global financial crisis, but with continuing political instability since the overthrow of former president Hosni Mubarak, many are wondering just how long the country's banks can outpace its slowing economy. 

Angola’s impressive post-war development continues apace. But as oil production stagnates, the government is under greater pressure than ever to diversify the economy and create jobs.