South Africa and Angola endure despite low commodity prices, but currency problems hit Nigeria. James King reports.
Latest articles from James King
Top 1000 World Banks - Qatar National Bank takes lead in Middle East
July 3, 2017Qatar National Bank claims the Middle East top spot, while lenders from Jordan and Lebanon also perform strongly. James King reports.
Bank of Mauritius governor takes long-term view on reforms
May 2, 2017For the past two years, Mauritius’s central bank has fostered measures to fortify the country's banking sector, which accounts for 12% of its GDP. While reforms are paying off, challenges such as offshore business risk persist and need to be managed, as central bank governor Rameswurlall Basant Roi tells James King.
SAMA vice-governor looks to add value to the Saudi economy
May 2, 2017Saudi Arabia's economy has been flat over the past few years, largely due to the slump in oil prices. However, as the vice-governor of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority, Abdulaziz Saleh Al-Furaih, tells James King, the banking sector is performing well, bolstered by newcomers adding value to the country.
Mauritian banks think beyond home comforts
May 2, 2017Careful cost management and diversification have yielded solid profits for Mauritius’s banks. And with the government now focusing on SMEs, many banks are now developing their services for this sector while also expanding their footprint abroad. James King reports.
Stock Exchange of Mauritius CEO looks to lead the way in Africa
May 2, 2017The Stock Exchange of Mauritius is aiming to attract outside interest by launching a new index that lists international companies, and will soon host the first African Development Bank exchange-traded fund, CEO Sunil Benimadhu tells James King.
Mauritius sets out stall to become go-to southern IFC
May 2, 2017Despite its major business partner India renegotiating a tax agreement, and mutterings of tax haven status, Mauritius has thrived as a regional financial centre. Now it is positioning itself as the southern hemisphere’s IFC of preference. James King reports.
Kuwait stands on the brink of reform
April 3, 2017Kuwait enjoys a stable economy and respectable GDP, but as government attempts to transform the country into a regional hub for commerce and finance begin to affect its citizens, will opposition parties derail planned reforms? James King reports.
Kuwaiti banks plot steady course for success
April 3, 2017Kuwaiti banks are using their strong capital and liquidity position to expand in project financing and consumer banking. James King reports.
Kuwait nears Islamic finance hub status
April 3, 2017As Kuwait’s Islamic banks outperform their conventional peers, the country looks well on its way to becoming a financial hub for sharia-compliant financial services. James King reports.