Ecobank has been hurt recently by several allegations concerning its corporate governance. But Thierry Tanoh, its chief executive, insists it has done nothing wrong. He also explains why the pan-African lender represents a unique investment opportunity.
Africa
Latest articles from Nigeria
Emerging markets look to SWFs for stability
October 1, 2013A new generation of sovereign wealth funds – from resource-rich economies in Africa and Latin America – has emerged over the past few years. While these new funds are still relatively small, their impact could be sizable if they enable their source countries to secure stable economic growth and mitigate future risks associated with the booms and busts of the commodity cycle.
Central banks drive Africa's recovery
October 1, 2013Africa’s underdeveloped economies and financial sectors have proved a barrier for central banks implementing monetary policy and prudential regulation. But recent years have seen significant progress, thanks in no small part to central banks’ growing independence from governments.
Sanusi delivers shock therapy to Nigerian banks
September 23, 2013The Central Bank of Nigeria shocked the market in July when it hiked cash reserve requirements for public sector deposits, a move it says is already paying off.
Africa’s companies turn to foreign exchanges
September 2, 2013In the past three years, international equity issuance from African companies has outpaced listings on the continent. This trend looks set to continue for the time being, thanks to the small size of most African exchanges and global investors’ increasing appetite for exposure to the continent.
Citi eyes African investment banking riches
August 1, 2013Africa might still account for only a small amount of investment banking activity globally, but the business it generates is only set to rise, according to Citi’s Miguel Azevedo. He talks to Paul Wallace about the continent’s exciting prospects and which sectors hold the most promise.
Standard Chartered pushes further into Africa
July 1, 2013Standard Chartered already has one of the largest African businesses among banks from outside the continent, but it still wants to increase its operations there substantially in the next few years. Diana Layfield, its chief executive for Africa, tells Paul Wallace how.
South Africans slump while the rest of Africa rises
July 1, 2013South Africa's lenders still dominate Africa's banking landscape, but their sluggish 2012 means that the rest are making up ground.
SEC chief continues Nigerian capital markets clean-up job
April 2, 2013In 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.