Having seen off threats from onshore regulators, the Cayman Islands is wary of the next onslaught. James Eedes reports.

Cameroon’s minister of economy and finance Polycarpe Abah Abah receives the Finance Minister of the Year 2006Africa award from The Banker’s economics editorJames Eedes. The presentation was made in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, during the annual meeting of the African Development Bank. (Photo: Augustin G. Zevounou)

Were it not for the genocide, Rwanda would barely register. Small, landlocked and poor, the country’s prospects have never been good. But in Kigali, James Eedes finds some cause for optimism.

Does Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni’s ballot victory in a contested election forebode a creeping reversal of Uganda’s progress or is he still the best man for the job? James Eedes reports.

James Eedes reports from Dar es Salaam on the factors fuelling Tanzania’s recent vigorous growth.

Kenya’s politics are as turbulent as ever. Despite this, the private sector, and banks in particular, are doing well. James Eedes reports from Nairobi.

China is chasing energy and mineral resources in Africa, attracting criticism for its apparent willingness to deal with ‘despotic’ regimes. James Eedes examines whether this deepening relationship will prove a saviour or curse for the continent.

Bigger banks need skilled staff as well as good governance and regulation in the tougher competitive environment. James Eedes reports on the challenges.

James Eedes examines how the younger, more dynamic banks line up competitively against their well-established, but antiquated, peers and finds much talk but a lack of clear strategy.

Central bank governor Charles Soludo has overseen a massive consolidation of the banking sector but that is only the start of his reform plan, says James Eedes.