Pesa Pata: Kenya’s next big innovation? Published by Dinfin Mulupi on 20 June 2012 Kenyans can now access quick loans from their nearest kiosk thanks to a new product called Pesa Pata.
Meet the Boss: Liban Abdi Egal, chairman, First Somali Bank Published by Dinfin Mulupi on 20 June 2012 Liban Abdi Egal, chairman of First Somali Bank, answers our questions.
Opening a bank in Somalia? Not a crazy idea, says businessman Published by Dinfin Mulupi on 18 June 2012 Years of war has taken Somalia off the map as a business destination. But with calm returning to the country, a group of investors has identified an opportunity for a bank.
SA’s competitive advantage diminishing as the continent develops Published by Hugo Scott-Gall on 13 June 2012 An in-depth interview with Standard Bank’s Sim Tshabalala.
Does the ability to do mobile money transfers equal financial inclusion? Published by Jaco Maritz on 10 May 2012 Africa’s mobile money industry has seen a flurry of activity since the launch of Kenya’s M-Pesa platform in 2007.
How Standard Bank is tapping into Africa’s SME market Published by Jaco Maritz on 13 March 2012 Standard Bank has introduced an innovative risk assessment solution that allows it to lend to Africa’s small and informal businesses.
Would you invest in Chad? Published by Jaco Maritz on 2 March 2012 Chad is not a country usually on the radar of most investors. However, if Arnold Ekpe, CEO of Ecobank, is to be believed, business people might just find some good opportunities in the country.
Inefficiencies in banking sector holding back Africa’s growth Published by Imara Africa Securities team on 29 February 2012 A vibrant, competitive and efficient financial sector that reaches the majority of an economy’s population is a cornerstone of sustained high levels of economic growth and development.
New mobile money product for Congo, as competition heats up across Africa Published by Jaco Maritz on 21 February 2012 Patrick Ngabonziza, CEO of MobiCash, has contact numbers in eight African countries listed on his email signature – evidence of the firm’s growing footprint.
Why Africa’s SMEs need development finance institutions Published by Staff Writer on 17 February 2012 Development finance institutions are crucial for the development of small- and medium-scale businesses across Africa.
Visa and MasterCard targeting East African market Published by Claude Harding on 14 February 2012 The world’s two major payments companies, Visa and MasterCard, are both growing their respective footprints in the East African region.
S&P revises the outlook on Nigeria’s top three banks to positive Published by Imara Africa Securities team on 9 January 2012 Last week, Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (S&P) revised its outlook on Nigeria’s three largest banks – GT Bank, First Bank of Nigeria and Zenith Bank – to ‘positive’ from ‘stable’.
Kenyan banks move to cushion borrowers and avert loan defaults Published by Imara Africa Securities team on 15 December 2011 Earlier this week, the Kenya Bankers’ Association released a statement detailing a set of initiatives designed to avert possible bank loan defaults on the back of spiking interest rates.
‘Go it alone’ a major bottleneck for Africa, says Equity Bank boss Published by Regina Ekiru on 10 December 2011 Equity Bank chief executive James Mwangi has criticised entrepreneurs for taking an individualistic approach to business, describing it as “a major bottleneck in Africa”.