Africa’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.

Sim Tshabalala, the recently appointed co-chief executive of South Africa’s Standard Bank, tells Paul Wallace about his plans to grow in Africa and connect the region to the world’s investors. He also explains why replacing Jacko Maree with joint CEOs was the right decision. 

In 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.

Emerging market bond investors, having enjoyed good returns for several years, were jolted in May when the chairman of the US Federal Reserve hinted that the days of quantitative easing were numbered, sparking a mass sell-off of their assets. Was it a temporary blip, or is the emerging market party finally over?

Africa 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.

Ghana’s banking industry is buoyant, benefiting handsomely from huge leaps in the country’s economic growth. But with fears the economy is overheating and competition for business fierce, what is the longer-term outlook for Ghana's banks?

Morocco’s government has managed to steer the country clear of political and economic turbulence. But, as its minister of finance and the economy explains, tough choices need to be taken to keep the country firmly on the path to growth.

Mauritian banks have navigated the country’s economic slowdown well by growing their local loan books as well as their overseas operations. And the latter have been boosted by Africa’s economic buoyancy, which bankers say Mauritius should exploit to become a hub for investments into the continent.

HSBC China has expanded rapidly since being established in 2007. Its chief executive and deputy chairman, Helen Wong, says it wants to retain its position as the largest foreign lender in China, and boost its ties with Bank of Communications, in which HSBC has a large stake. She insists, too, that the outlook for the country's economy is rosy.