Financial groups eye Africa’s growing middle class Published by Imara Africa Securities team on 22 March 2011 “Africa’s financial services industry may continue to grow at an average annual rate of 15% to 2020, outpacing gross domestic product growth.”
Kenya’s first Islamic insurance firm looking to overcome challenges Published by Regina Ekiru on 10 March 2011 Takaful Insurance of Africa is the first fully Shariah-compliant insurance company to be registered in Kenya. Regina Ekiru speaks to chief executive Hassan Bashir.
Seeing opportunity in Mauritania’s challenging business environment Published by Jaco Maritz on 10 March 2011 Mauritania is one of the world’s toughest business environments. Private equity group ECP, however, chose to rather focus on the North African country’s potential.
Nigerian banks “one of the best prospective investment areas in the world” Published by Mishnah Seth on 22 January 2011 The Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) was created to stabilise the banking sector following the special audit in 2009. Investec’s Mishnah Seth believes it will boost the country’s banking sector.
Why South Africa could be an attractive base for foreign private equity funds Published by J-P Fourie on 19 January 2011 Recent changes in legislation are paving the way for South Africa to serve as the hub for private equity funds looking to invest in the African continent.
Malawian insurer to benefit from Sanlam’s expertise Published by Claude Harding on 11 January 2011 South African financial services group Sanlam is to buy a 49% stake in Malawi’s NICO Life Insurance Company Limited.
South Africa’s FirstRand unveils Africa growth strategy Published by Claude Harding on 11 December 2010 South African financial services group FirstRand recently outlined a growth strategy with a strong focus on the rest of the African continent.
Silk Invest sees opportunities in Africa’s food industry Published by Jaco Maritz on 5 December 2010 Silk Invest recently announced it is planning to launch a private equity fund to invest in African food-related industries. How we made it in Africa interviews Silk Invest’s CEO Zin Bekkali
Lack of crucial building blocks continue to stifle bank credit growth Published by Imara Africa Securities team on 2 December 2010 Borrowing costs in some of Sub-Saharan Africa’s biggest economies have barely budged even after central banks slashed interest rates.
PTA Bank raises $300 million Eurobond Published by Staff Writer on 10 November 2010 The Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank (commonly known as PTA Bank), Standard Bank (the parent bank of CfC Stanbic) and HSBC have raised Ksh24 billion (US$ 300 million) through issuance of a Eurobond.
Mobile banking moving beyond just providing transactional services Published by Imara Africa Securities team on 15 October 2010 The wires reported yesterday that Safaricom, Kenya’s biggest mobile network operator, is looking to expand the marketing of mobile phone-based banking services.
Kenyan banking sector still has plenty of room for growth Published by Imara Africa Securities team on 8 October 2010 Reuters last week reported that Kenyan banks are set for consolidation to meet a deadline to boost minimum core capital and cut costs in a lower interest rate environment.
Sanlam to start operations in Malawi and Mozambique Published by Staff Writer on 6 October 2010 South African financial services group, Sanlam, is planning to launch operations in Malawi and Mozambique within the next 18 months.
Running a thriving money transfer business from Somalia Published by Jaco Maritz on 5 October 2010 Somalia, a country that has over the years mostly made headlines for violent civil unrest and piracy, is an unlikely birthplace for one of Africa’s largest money transfer companies.
