Private equity fund invests in three Ecobank subsidiaries Published by Staff Writer on 4 August 2010 The Ecobank Group has announced that it has reached an agreement with Advanced Finance & Investment Group for an investment of US$14 million in three of its subsidiaries.
Banking on Kenya’s women Published by Dinfin Mulupi on 2 August 2010 When a group of ambitious professional women set up the Kenya Women Finance Trust in 1981, they had no idea that it would one day grow into a financial services giant.
Portuguese lender eyeing Mozambique’s Moza Banco Published by Staff Writer on 29 July 2010 Banco Espirito Santo SA, Portugal’s largest publicly traded bank by market value, has signed a memorandum of understanding to acquire a 25% stake in Mozambique’s Moza Banco SA.
Second round of bank consolidation draws near in Nigeria Published by Imara Africa Securities team on 28 July 2010 As expected, the passing into law of the AMCON Bill in Nigeria, as well as the advent of the reporting season, has seen Nigeria’s All Share Index rally somewhat over the past few days.
Absa’s bid to acquire Namibian bank rejected Published by Staff Writer on 7 July 2010 The Bank of Namibia, the country’s central bank, has rejected South Africa-based Absa Group’s application to acquire a majority stake in Bank Windhoek.
Africa’s top microfinance stock pick? Published by Imara Africa Securities team on 29 June 2010 Imara Africa Securities believes that operating in the continent’s microfinance industry can be sustainably profitable, if the business is managed correctly
Possible Chinese investment in Nigerian bank? Published by Staff Writer on 24 June 2010 A Chinese bank might soon make an equity investment in Nigeria’s First Bank.
Mobile products transforming Kenya’s banking sector Published by Dinfin Mulupi on 21 June 2010 With the launch of Safaricom and Equity Bank’s M-Kesho product, mobile banking in Kenya has taken another giant leap forward.
Standard Bank Group to provide sharia banking in Tanzania Published by Staff Writer on 17 June 2010 Stanbic Bank, a member of the Standard Bank Group (SBG), has launched sharia banking products in Tanzania.
New margin trading rules for Nigeria Published by Staff Writer on 15 June 2010 Nigeria’s Financial Services Regulation Coordinating Committee has issued new rules with regards to margin trading.
New mobile banking product launched Published by Dinfin Mulupi on 15 June 2010 A new mobile banking product, targeting rural areas, has been launched in Kenya.
Barclays committed to South African subsidiary Published by Staff Writer on 14 June 2010 Barclays Plc chief executive officer, John Varley, said the United Kingdom-based bank is committed to its South Africa subsidiary, Absa Group Ltd, which it bought for $4.48 billion in 2005.
Merrill Lynch SA receives boost for African expansion Published by Staff Writer on 11 June 2010 Bank of America is planning to make a large capital injection into its subsidiary Merrill Lynch South Africa.
Fortune favours the brave (and patient) Published by Jaco Maritz on 22 May 2010 The Imara Group is one of the pioneers in Africa’s investment banking and asset management space. The group invests in numerous stock exchanges across the continent. Jaco Maritz spoke to John Legat, chief executive officer of Imara Asset Management.