Africa
Central bank of the year: Bank of Ghana
The African central bank has carried out extensive reform of Ghana’s banking sector
Lesotho cuts interest rates to 6.25%
Central bank reduces rates and lowers reserves target on back of weaker domestic outlook
South Africa’s financial regulators urged to adopt tiered licensing regime
New regime would help lower the barriers for fintechs, working group says
Angola’s central bank establishes inflation expectation indicators
Central bank issues new surveys to gather information on prices following exchange rate liberalisation
Bank of Ghana payments overhaul to focus on fintech
Central bank will ensure regulation is fintech-friendly, while promoting adoption through new licensing regime
2019: The year in review
The past year was marked by a persistent weakening of the global economy, and some radical financial innovations
Ghana launches push to turn banking sector green
New sustainable principles address seven areas of social and environmental issues in a growing banking sector
Nigerian central bank levies $1.3 billion on banks
Banks were fined over the failure to increase lending to 60% of deposits, say local sources
Mauritius to roll out forward-looking policy framework
New monetary policy operating framework will look to smooth the yield curve and improve communication with external stakeholders
Elsie Addo Awadzi on turning around Ghana’s banking system
The Bank of Ghana led a multi-pronged effort to rescue or resolve several banks and hundreds of smaller firms
Bank of Zambia cuts rates as food crisis mounts
Zambian central bank calls for better government policy as drought causes a sharp rise in food prices
Zimbabwe reverses policy stance, slashing rates to 35%
Monthly inflation continues uptick, but central bank’s MPC halves policy rate following review
Central banks report sharp improvement in data governance
Progress comes as many central banks complete projects to improve governance
Rwanda central bank spearheading cashless movement
Central bank reports e-payments have increased to 34.6% of GDP, but says there is still work to be done
Angola abandons currency trading band
Central bank floats currency in a bid to alleviate foreign exchange shortage, after IMF raises concerns
Africa faces debt crisis, Banque de France governor warns
G20 nations must act fast to tackle rising African debt, François Villeroy de Galhau tells IMF meeting
30 years of central banking
Central banks face credibility tests on a number of fronts
World Bank official says blockchain could cut settlement times
Official says first blockchain bond shows the technology's potential
African governors discuss concerns over rising debt
Central bankers stress need for African cooperation in face of weakening global economy
Angola follows African trend of holding rates in surprise decision
Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt and Ghana have all held rates this month
Bankers join Liberian central bank board after Senate U-turn
Lawmakers reverse decision and accept candidates in secret session as concerns mount
IMF supports Cabo Verde’s reforms with new programme
IMF supports monetary policy reform and says the central bank must improve supervision and comms
Free trade agreement to boost growth in Africa – IMF research
Smaller economies are more likely to benefit from more open trade conditions in the continent
The calm before the storm – The climate change 2019 survey
As climate-related risks to the financial sector become increasingly understood, central banks are demonstrating their willingness to develop capabilities to analyse the impact and modify their policies. A new survey indicates a watershed for central…