Africa

Within Sub-Saharan Africa, mobile money providers have waived or reduced transaction fees while governments are encouraging digital payments as a strategy to wean off person-to-person contact.

African banks delivered some of the world’s highest returns on equity last year, but current factors make a repeat performance unlikely.

Financial services is fueling expansion, but fiscal woes and terrorism are keeping foreign investors at bay.

As the number of physical banks in Africa diminishes, can existing institutions keep up with rising demand and the challenge of digital banking?

African nations are doing away with a relic of the colonial era.

Brexit is a loss for Europe but it could turn into a win for Africa.

Gabon is cleaning its fiscal house, and hopes to prove it can be more than just an oil producer.

Mauritius is betting that political stability and free-market reforms will vault it into the ranks of high-income nations. But first, it needs more foreign investment.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is defying expectations, bringing peace, and reviving Ethiopia's economy.

Some African nations may face a debt crisis if their economic growth stagnates.

A revolution overthrew the country's dictator, clearing the way for political and economic reform.

Nigeria's central bank is trying to get the private sector moving.

An outsider takes over in Tunisia.

Helios Towers' IPO paves the way for expanding and upgrading its services in Africa where demand is growing rapidly.

Telecoms and local start-ups are bringing digital banking to underserved areas of the continent, often in partnership with traditional banks. But working together isn’t always easy.  

South Africa and Egypt are the biggest contributors to this year’s list—but their prospects are diverging.  

Africa has been waiting for the US to launch a new wave of investment. But is Washington willing to help?

From Cape Town to Cairo, digital banking is the buzzword as incumbents and newcomers vie for a young, tech-savvy population.  

Phillipine Mtikitiki, general manager of the East & Central Africa Franchise for Coca-Cola and president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Kenya, talks about Africa’s “infinite promise” and investment from the US and China.

The regional economy is expanding, but a global slowdown and a continuing infrastructure deficit stand in the way of faster growth.