Africa

Tunisia’s economic problems highlight the need for foreign direct investment to shore up its economy. 

After 37 years of autocratic rule under former President Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe has been left broke.  Rebuilding promises to be a long, costly and tough process.

Isaac Kamuta, group head, Cash Management & Client Services, Ecobank, spoke with Global Finance Editor Andrea Fiano regarding the bank's mission to facilitate cross-border payments within Africa and the evolution of banking technology and regulation in African countries.

Standard Bank's Head of  Global Trade, Vinod Madhavan talks with Global Finance Editor Andrea Fiano at Sibos 2017 about how volatility in Africa is easing up with the rise in global commodity prices leading to a lesser degree of risk for doing business in Africa.

Riad Salamé, governor of Lebanon’s central bank, discusses economic conditions for his country and the region in general, and how Lebanon benefits from its “strong, healthy and conservative banking sector.”

Tunisia’s economic problems high-light the need for foreign direct investment to shore up its economy. 

These are the ratings for central bank governors from the Middle East and Africa regions in 2017. 

Africa is emerging from last year’s slump, but slow growth of its largest economies is impeding recovery for many of its corporates.   

In the following pages we explore some of Africa’s contradictions. Eighty percent of Africans are unbanked; at the same time seven of the world’s fastest-growing economies are in this region.

African nations seek to scale the value ladder, moving beyond cheap labor and commodity exports. That takes steely commitment.  

The fintech sector is heating up across sub-Saharan Africa. Foreign investors are paying close attention and providing start-ups with the capital needed to get off the ground.  

Off-grid solar technology will be crucial to meet the energy needs of the 650 million Africans without reliable access to electric power.    

Infrastructure and economic development needs are challenging countries to provide jobs, as urban growth is poised to surge over the next decade.      

With major multinationals scaling back in Africa, regional players of all sizes are embracing the opportunities left behind.  

Priscillah Mabelane is the first black woman in history to head a multinational oil major.

Patrick Akinwuntan, group executive director of Ecobank Transnational, explains the bank’s plans to use mobile technology to vastly expand its customer base in the 33  African countries in which it operates

Sim Tshabalala, joint group chief executive of Standard Bank, explains how the continent’s biggest bank will benefit from Africa’s coming renewal.

New approach to funding fills gaps for African entrepreneurs with strong networks and solid track records.  

Global Finance Magazine’s 2017 rankings of the best banks in Africa. 

South Africa’s new minister of Finance, Malusi Gigaba, whose appointment brought on ratings agency downgrades, faces low confidence and slow growth.