Africa
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…
New fintech innovation hub goes live in South Africa
Hub will accommodate regulatory advice unit as well as sandbox and accelerator facilities
World Bank says sub-Saharan Africa destined for first recession in 25 years
Growth could fall as low as -5.1% as largest economies struggle with Covid-19 repercussions
Amplifying the soundwaves: the evolution of social media communications
Central banks’ social media usage is on the rise, but their choice of platform is shifting more and more towards the visual
Sarb consults on Covid-19 regulatory easing
Central bank mulls lowering Pillar 2A capital requirements
Sarb to buy government bonds
South African central bank also broadens refinancing operations to boost liquidity
Book notes: The art of economic catch-up, by Keun Lee
Rather than merely catch-up, the book offers countries advice in making a sea change in their economic statuses
How could the coronavirus affect the world economy?
Central banks may lack firepower, while public health readiness differs sharply between countries
Ghana’s Addison on banking reform, innovation and the future of the eco
The Bank of Ghana governor speaks about the next steps in banking reform and why West Africa may need more time to start using a common currency
Georgieva backs Antoinette Sayeh as IMF deputy managing director
Liberian economist formerly headed up fund’s Africa department
UAE, Bahrain and Nambia team up to tackle money laundering
Common framework will help nations share and analyse AML/CFT data
Central bank of the year: Bank of Ghana
The African central bank has carried out extensive reform of Ghana’s banking sector
Lesotho cuts interest rates to 6.25%
Central bank reduces rates and lowers reserves target on back of weaker domestic outlook
South Africa’s financial regulators urged to adopt tiered licensing regime
New regime would help lower the barriers for fintechs, working group says
Angola’s central bank establishes inflation expectation indicators
Central bank issues new surveys to gather information on prices following exchange rate liberalisation
Bank of Ghana payments overhaul to focus on fintech
Central bank will ensure regulation is fintech-friendly, while promoting adoption through new licensing regime
2019: The year in review
The past year was marked by a persistent weakening of the global economy, and some radical financial innovations
Ghana launches push to turn banking sector green
New sustainable principles address seven areas of social and environmental issues in a growing banking sector
Nigerian central bank levies $1.3 billion on banks
Banks were fined over the failure to increase lending to 60% of deposits, say local sources
Mauritius to roll out forward-looking policy framework
New monetary policy operating framework will look to smooth the yield curve and improve communication with external stakeholders
Elsie Addo Awadzi on turning around Ghana’s banking system
The Bank of Ghana led a multi-pronged effort to rescue or resolve several banks and hundreds of smaller firms
Bank of Zambia cuts rates as food crisis mounts
Zambian central bank calls for better government policy as drought causes a sharp rise in food prices
Zimbabwe reverses policy stance, slashing rates to 35%
Monthly inflation continues uptick, but central bank’s MPC halves policy rate following review
Central banks report sharp improvement in data governance
Progress comes as many central banks complete projects to improve governance