Islamic finance has established solid roots in the Gulf states, Malaysia and Indonesia and is set for a roll-out to the world’s 1.6 billion Muslims, with all the challenges that this entails.
Against a backdrop of change at the top of both the World Bank and the IMF, Jane Monahan reports on how the two institutions are responding to changing demands in a global economy and their efforts to remain relevant.
EU trade commissioner Peter Mandelson is fighting for a breakthrough in the Doha Round of trade negotiations.
What is taken as gospel truth in European and American business circles, namely the infallibility of the western model, is far from accepted in the rest of the world. Brian Caplen explains why the dissenters exist and why their influence seems to be growing.
Not only are there moves afoot to review the regional imbalances in the IMF’s and World Bank’s funding programmes but also calls to review the way the institutions’ leaders are chosen.
With 84% of money in circulation outside the banking system, banks have little impact on Nigeria’s population, providing few consumer retail services and virtually no consumer lending.
Nigerian banks are improving their corporate and investment banking capabilities but there is still some way to go, writes Stuart Theobald.
In the post-consolidation era, stronger capitalisation of the banks will result in stiffer competition. Stuart Theobald sizes up the players, old and new.
Bigger banks need skilled staff as well as good governance and regulation in the tougher competitive environment. James Eedes reports on the challenges.
Nigeria’s domestic banks share regional ambitions, which could be facilitated by regional integration. But they are making little headway and the political forces for union are moving at a snail’s pace, says Stuart Theobald.
Nigeria suffers from severely underdeveloped capital markets, which must grow and deepen if its financial market as a whole is to become more efficient and banks are to thrive.
James Eedes examines how the younger, more dynamic banks line up competitively against their well-established, but antiquated, peers and finds much talk but a lack of clear strategy.
Only a handful of foreign banks have a presence in Nigeria but as the its economy grows rapidly, more international banks are considering the opportunities the country offers.
Nigerian banks are ignoring small businesses and, without a formal microlending industry, the prospects of this changing are bleak. Stuart Theobald reports.
Central bank governor Charles Soludo has overseen a massive consolidation of the banking sector but that is only the start of his reform plan, says James Eedes.
The overhaul of the banking system is the latest reform milestone crossed by the Obasanjo government. Although many challenges lie ahead, the momentum of reform is gathering pace, promising long-lasting transformation, writes James Eedes.
Flat tax is unpalatable to governments of established economies but its adoption by emerging countries could spark a rethink.
With demographic change and globalisation presenting fresh challenges, Rodrigo de Rato explains how the 60-year-old International Monetary Fund is adapting itself to new paradigms.
When a company decides to make an acquisition, it may not be a planned event. However, finance directors need not be caught short of funding, says Sophie Roell.