Eurobond issuance from sub-Saharan Africa is still dwarfed by that from elsewhere in the world. But more and more African sovereigns are tapping the market as investors clamour for exposure to the rapidly growing region, where local bond markets are also developing quickly.
Africa
Latest articles from Nigeria
Tough year looms for Nigeria's rejuvenated banks
March 1, 2013Analysts are predicting a strong showing from Nigeria’s banks as they announce their 2012 results, perhaps demonstrating once and for all that they are over their 2009 crisis. They cannot rest on their laurels, however, as 2013 could be far tougher for them.
Nigeria's central bank governor looks to finish the job he started
March 1, 2013Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Nigeria’s central bank governor, says critics of his tight monetary policy forget how unstable the country’s financial system was just three years ago. He also tells The Banker that he will not stand for a second term, saying the job he was tasked with is almost done.
Africa needn’t be scared of bond investors
February 25, 2013Africa's upturn in fortunes in the past few years shows the advantages of having an open economy.
Renaissance Capital investment bank head seeks emerging market niche
August 1, 2012After leading Morgan Stanley’s equities business outside the Americas, John Hyman is working to position Renaissance Capital as a focused player in a number of very different markets across emerging Europe and Africa.
Nigeria targets building Africa’s dominant IFC
June 1, 2012Given the size of its economy and the rapid pace at which it is growing, Nigeria has a good chance of establishing an international financial centre to rival Johannesburg – Africa's only IFC. The west African country is already close to creating the legal framework necessary, but overcoming the negative perceptions of many international banks will prove a tricky obstacle to overcome.
Nigeria's First Bank faces fresh competition
May 1, 2012Competition among Nigeria’s biggest banks will become even fiercer in the coming few years thanks to the creation of two new top-tier lenders in the wake of the country’s financial crisis. But the head of First Bank, the largest lender in Nigeria, is undaunted by the emergence of these rivals.
African banks seek expansion beyond home markets
May 1, 2012African banks are increasingly looking outside of their domestic markets, and many of the continent's biggest lenders are now active in multiple countries, buoyed by greater access to vast unbanked populations and a more stable political environment.
Missed opportunity at the World Bank
April 23, 2012The appointment of a US academic to head the world Bank instead of Nigeria's Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala shows how out of touch the institution is.
Nigeria's $1000bn stock market ambition
April 2, 2012Nigeria’s capital markets have yet to recover fully after crashing in 2008. But thanks to extensive reforms by its regulators and a strengthening of investor sentiment amid rapid economic growth, the country's stock exchange is expected to take off in the next few years, and some bankers think its capitalisation can reach $1000bn by as soon as 2016.