Africa
IMF paper assesses welfare effects of monetary integration
Paper considers welfare effect of monetary union in Africa; finds significant benefits due to policy credibility and macroeconomic stability
IMF paper analyses situation in Togo
Researchers evaluate public investment surges, growth and debt sustainability in Togo; find very large increase in public investment would have positive macroeconomic effects in the long-run
African central bankers embrace a new world order
Africa’s central bankers are adopting new approaches to managing their reserves as trade with Brics rises and the influence of developed nations wanes
Sub-Saharan Africa regional FSB group discusses challenges faced
FSB regional group discusses 'particular' challenges facing Sub-Saharan Africa; growing complexity of banking systems and cross-border spillover effects are causing concern
FSB Regional Consultative Group meetings continue
Middle East and North Africa consultative group is latest regional FSB body to meet; discussed financial vulnerabilities of the region
Video: National Bank of Angola’s David Carvalho on reserves allocations to Brics
Angolan central bank looks to invest in Brazilian, Chinese and African debt as it reassesses its reserves guidelines in light of the eurozone debt crisis and persistently low US Treasury yields
NALM Africa 2011: Beware the risk 'numbers' say African central bankers
African central bank risk chiefs say reserves managers need to beware the numbers produced by complicated risk management software systems and rely more on their own qualitative judgement
Soft-dollar pegs not optimal in Sub-Saharan Africa: IMF paper
Fund study says soft peg to dollar increases macroeconomic instability in Sub-Sahara African countries
Fitch reports bright future for Sub-Saharan Africa
Rating agency investigations says outlook for the region is brighter than it has been for decades
Stronger property rights can help alleviate poverty: IMF paper
Fund study says stronger property rights can lead to greater financial deepening in sub-Saharan countries
OECD and South Africa to set up first African sovereign debt management centre
New centre will train African government officials in managing sovereign debt and set up a government debt database for the region
Uganda’s Kasekende on benefits of African cooperation
Bank of Uganda deputy governor Louis Kasekende says stronger cooperation in African region will enable countries to exploit growth opportunities
Interview: Mahamudu Bawumia
Former Bank of Ghana deputy governor discusses the economic and monetary policy challenges facing Ghana and Africa
Financial sector deepening crucial for Africa: ex-Ghana deputy
Former Bank of Ghana deputy governor Mahamudu Bawumia says bringing financial services to rural populations is key
IMF: East African countries have divergent financial barriers
Fund study finds more advanced members of East African Community have lower financial barriers than others
Microfinance not a silver bullet for Africa: Nigeria, Ghana governors
Nigerian governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and Ghanaian chief Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur say credit issuance is constrained by factors other than just access; requires deeper change
IMF: Sub-Saharan banks are cost efficient
Fund study on Sub-Saharan Africa finds banks in the region are cost efficient, but can do better if regulation is improved
Kenya: Bank Supervision Annual Report 2009
Kenya’s Supervision Annual Report 2009 shows the banking sector in Kenya grew by 14% despite global slump
IMF: Larger long-term credit facilities needed in WAEMU
IMF study shows more investment in longer term projects in West African Union countries will enhance returns
Ndung’u calls for new reforms in MFI scheme
Kenyan governor Ndung’u draws up plans to enhance MFI’s incorporation
How Africa’s bond markets can continue to progress
The impressive growth of debt markets in sub-Saharan Africa is a credit to the region’s authorities. But more can be done, writes Paul-Harry Aithnard, the group head of research at Ecobank
Middle East and North Africa’s trade below potential
International Monetary Fund looks at trade constraints in the region
Africa mostly sheltered from remittances drop
International Monetary Fund looks at the impact of the global economic crisis on African GDP via the remittance channel
Oman signs up to new FX, payments system
Central Bank of Oman’s move represents part of a broader trend by emerging-market central banks to refine operational systems