Egypt’s Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif explains how reforms are shaking up the country, from customs and tax to the public sector.
The problem with technocrats in government is that they often lack the ability to communicate with the people. That is certainly not true of Egyptian prime minister Ahmed Nazif.

Kwadwo Baah Wiredu faces significant challenges to implement so-called ‘second generation’ reforms.

Anyang Nyong’o is credited with behind-the-scenes manoeuvring to get ministers to support reform plans.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala seizes every opportunity to enthusiastically sell Nigeria’s reform story.

Successive presidents’ willingness to retain Trevor Manuel allowed time for harsh policies to bear fruit.

Donald Kaberuka’s supporters argue he is the ideal bridge between English and French-speaking Africa.

The policymakers of the African continent face some of the toughest challenges in the world today. James Eedes lists the eight most noteworthy figures who have worked to stabilise, reform and improve their respective economies.
UK chancellor Gordon Brown has emerged as champion of Africa’s cause, arguing for a better dispensation for the continent. UK prime minister Tony Blair is getting in on the act. And ageing rocker Bono of the band U2 is also a campaigner. In all this, it’s easy to overlook the fact that even with debt relief, more aid and fairer trade, Africans themselves have to implement the right policies, justify often tough measures to uneasy electorates and resist fierce opposition from reluctant or corrupt elites. It is a job requiring leadership, tenacity and political nous.

Linah Mohohlo, governor of the Bank of Botswana, talks to Karina Robinson about fighting Aids and watching South Africa .

Nigeria’s finance minister is campaigning hard for debt relief for the country and finding plenty of sympathy but little action so far.James Eades reports.
Nigeria’s finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, is on the road to convince the country’s creditors to forgive its debts. Two months into the year hailed by many as the year of Africa, the timing arguably could not be better. But she is finding that a sympathetic hearing does not necessarily equate with actual debt relief.

Merger moves in Morocco and the promise of privatisation in Algeria give hope for a more vibrant banking sector in the Maghreb region, writes Jon Marks.