Africa
Covid-19: a watershed moment for China’s BRI?
China faces a delicate balancing act when it comes to forgiving and restructuring Belt and Road Initiative debt while preserving the soundness of its financial institutions
BEAC to buy securities to support countries grappling with Covid-19
Bank of Central African States will purchase up to $830 million in secondary market
Sarb cuts rates as unemployment breaches 30%
Central bank says emerging markets will struggle as lockdown measures ease
Kenya’s central bank looks to regulate digital lenders
Legislation before government could help central bank control high lending rates on digital products
Mena region leans on exchange rates to weather pandemic
IMF says central banks in the region have intervened in the market more than any other region
Cash issuance in Botswana balloons 18% in 2019
Annual report shows banknote issuance growth for all denominations, despite rise in electronic payments
Bank of Mauritius extends Covid-19 support measures
Central bank extends loan support programme and increases foreign exchange funding
Malawi’s new president dismisses governor
Former World Bank official will take over central bank as country faces uncertain outlook
Angola to issue its first polymer banknotes
Governor says new banknote series will improve security and durability, and cut costs
World Bank strengthens presence in Africa
Second vice-president appointed to region to help “align resources with priorities”
Zimbabwe increases interest rates as inflation soars
Central bank raises interest rates to 35%
Mobile payments banned in Zimbabwe
Central bank suspends mobile payment platforms following government circular
Namibia’s central bank cuts rates to record low
Central bank acts to preserve link to South African currency as it reintroduces lockdown measures
Trends in reserve management: 2020 survey results
Covid-19 expected to dent the risk appetite of central bank portfolio managers; socially responsible investing gains ground
Sarb introduces collateral substitution for repos
New framework designed to give banks more flexibility in managing collateral
Mauritian central bank to use $2 billion of reserves to fund firms
Central bank will also issue debt instruments to give government $1.5 billion in new funding
Nigeria slashes rates by 100bp
Central bank thinks stimulus package can still prevent the economy from entering recession
Sarb carries out fourth consecutive rate cut
Sarb says banks can apply for looser prudential requirements on “case-by-case” basis as it cuts rates to record lows
Bank of Mauritius pushed to tap reserves for business lending
Mauritius’ prime minister thinks the central bank should fund businesses direct from its reserves – but at what cost?
Morocco’s central bank prohibits bank dividend payments
Central bank tells financial institutions to ensure they are able to keep funding businesses in need
The IFF China Report 2020: Regional and multilateral co-operation
The Belt and Road Initiative has expanded to corners of the globe never thought possible; investment in Latin America, Africa and the Caribbean has strengthened free trade and fostered positive development. But there is still work to be done to ensure a…
Private sector banker appointed Bank of Namibia chief
President acknowledges long-standing deputy might have felt “passed over” for role
The Belt and Road Initiative 2020 Survey – A more sustainable road to growth?
The third annual Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) survey reveals that central banks view BRI investment as sustainable compared with other forms of external debt, particularly given it is often proportionally less significant. Despite growing global trade…