Vol 51 No 21 | WORLD BANKINTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUNDAFRICA Caught in the currency battles 22nd October 2010 The main protagonists in the current currency skirmishes are the United States and China but developing economies are caught in the crossfire as governments talk of competitive devaluation...
Vol 51 No 20 | AFRICABANKS The IMF asks the 5 billion euro question 8th October 2010 Fund officials in Washington want more reforms at Central Africa's regional bank after uncovering billions of dollars of unauthorised dealings Central African finance ministers will face more awkward questions about fraud at their central bank, the Banque des états de l'Afrique centrale, at the annual meeting of the...
Vol 51 No 20 | AFRICAGOVERNANCE Buy now, vote later 8th October 2010 Island states with small populations are among the best run; many of the bigger countries are getting richer but more oppressive The latest Index of African Governance from the Mo Ibrahim Foundation does not explain whether African economies are doing better in spite of or because of more authoritarian,...
Vol 51 No 19 | TRADEAFRICA The bonus culture 24th September 2010 Payments by oil and mineral companies to ensure that governments sign on the dotted line are not always what they seem New or renewed deals to explore for or produce minerals must be licensed by governments. When deals are signed, companies expect to hand over a bonus or other...
Vol 51 No 16 | ECONOMYAFRICA Roaring to go 6th August 2010 As demand soars for Africa's oil, gas and minerals, its governments must find ways to strengthen their bargaining power Optimism about Africa's economies is in fashion, as commodity prices stay high thanks to demand from Asia and Western investors seek outlets for capital that they find no...
Vol 51 No 16 | ECONOMYAFRICA The numbers are looking up 6th August 2010 After peaking at US$72 billion in 2008, foreign investment in Africa fell to $59 bn. in 2009 but is now growing again and could exceed the $80 bn....
Vol 51 No 15 | FRANCEAFRICA Forgotten promises 23rd July 2010 In 2007, a just-elected President Sarkozy promised to remake France’s Africa policies but strategic political and economic interests still prevail On 14 July, troops from 13 African countries marched down the Champs-Elysées in the annual Bastille Day parade, while elderly sub- Saharan veterans of the French colonial army...
Vol 51 No 14 | FRANCEAFRICA The falling euro drags down the CFA franc 9th July 2010 A relic of France’s African economic empire, the CFA zone must cope with the impact of Western Europe’s monetary disarray The continuing crisis of the rich world’s financial system has thrown off balance the main surviving element of France’s African empire, the franc of the Communauté financière d’Afrique....
Vol 51 No 14 | FRANCEAFRICA How the CFA Franc zone works 9th July 2010 The initials CFA once stood for the Communauté française d’Afrique, later changing to Communauté financière d’Afrique. The name is a colonial legacy and considerable monetary powers are still...
Vol 51 No 14 | FRANCEAFRICA Realpolitik and resignations 9th July 2010 The resignation of Alain Joyandet, secretary of state for cooperation, will reinforce the grip of the Elysée Palace on France’s Africa policy. Joyandet, who was forced out after...