African Finance in the 21st Century

African Finance in the 21st Century
Author: Marc Quintyn
Publisher: INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND
Total Pages: 352
Release: 2010-01-14
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN:

Financial sector development in sub-Saharan Africa continues to lag behind the rest of the world, despite some recent positive achievements. There is a growing consensus that financial development fosters economic growth, so why has more not been done to spur financial advancement in Africa? This book is one of the few that tackles the debate of financial development in Africa head on. It stems from the proceedings of a high-level conference organized by the IMF Institute with contributions by experts from official agencies in Africa, international financial institutions, the private sector, and academia. The book begins by presenting the reader with compelling theoretical perspectives on the determinants of financial growth, empirical analyses of the impediments to financial growth and overviews of developments in individual sectors. It discusses policy issues related to financial sector stability, regulation and supervision. The final part investigates how specific measures can create room for financial growth, even when the broader institutional framework remains weak. Case studies demonstrate how individual countries have tried to stimulate financial development, or how specific measures, such as the establishment of credit reporting systems, can generate a positive impact on financial growth. Everyone interested or involved in deepening finance in Africa will find information and inspiration in this insightfull collection of papers.

How to Make the 21st Century the Century of African Economic Rebirth

How to Make the 21st Century the Century of African Economic Rebirth
Author: Ashford Chea
Publisher: LAP Lambert Academic Publishing
Total Pages: 284
Release: 2012-04
Genre: Africa
ISBN: 9783846590423

The book is divided in two parts. The first analyzes macro-issues and government policies. It begins with analyzing the effects of the global financial crisis of 2008 on Sub-Saharan African economies. It also looks at global private capital flows for development finance in Sub-Saharan Africa with focus on best performing economies. This is followed by a review of the sources of global private capital and implications for Sub-Saharan Africa. Moreover, the financial sector and capital account liberalization in economic development in Sub-Saharan Africa are discussed. Finally, strategies to market Sub-Saharan African economies and create wealth are outlined. The Second section of the book focuses on micro-issues such as individuals and firms and their role in economic development. It starts with an analysis of self-management and personal leadership of highly effective people and implications for political and business leaders in Sub-Saharan Africa. Also discussed are the role of conflict in organizations, exemplary leaders in organizations, firm innovations, and the process of entrepreneurial opportunity-identification with implications for Sub-Saharan African businesses.

Mind. Money. Matter

Mind. Money. Matter
Author: Emeke Iweriebor
Publisher: Pageturner, Press and Media
Total Pages: 254
Release: 2020-08-06
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 9781649082329

This is a short but remarkable text by the most unusual of bankers - one who is not obsessed with short-term return in financial services but who understands the magic of value creation in the real economy, and the imperative of transformation through industrialization and manufacturing. Emeke E. Iweriebor does not need lengthy chapters to make powerful points, share great knowledge, and distill wisdom. Like some grand music composers, he uses many variations on the single aria of integration to discuss the subtle ethics and the economics of togetherness. After exploring the main theme from various angles with different textures and harmonies, he brings back the original aria and gives it a unique feel from the first reading. The book is a well-informed report card, a travel diary, a seductive kaleidoscope, and a thoughtful meditation which will be of interest to a very large audience.

Financing Africa

Financing Africa
Author: Samuel Munzele Maimbo
Publisher: World Bank Publications
Total Pages: 325
Release: 2011-09-07
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 0821387979

Financing Africa takes stock of Africa's financial systems in light of recent changes in the global financial system --including the greater risk aversion of international investors, a shift in economic and financial powers towards emerging markets and the regulatory reform debate - and the increasing role of technology. Using a wider and more detailed array of data than previous publications, we observe a trend towards financial deepening, more stability and more inclusion leading up to the crisis; serious challenges, however, continue, including limited access to financial services, focus on short-term contracts and hidden fragility, related to weak regulatory frameworks, undue government interference and governance deficiencies. Our policy analysis therefore focuses on (i) expanding outreach, (ii) fostering long-term finance and (iii) improving regulation and supervision. We identify the positive role of innovation and competition, a stronger focus on non-traditional financial service providers, and more emphasis on demand-side constraints as priority areas for policy actions. Specifically, competition from new players outside the banking system, including telecomm companies can increase outreach with technological innovation that changes the economics of retail finance. Moving beyond national stock exchanges that are not sustainable in most African countries towards regional solutions and over-the-counter trades can help foster long-term finance, as can addressing governance challenges in contractual savings institutions, including life insurance companies and pension funds. Finally, there is a need to look beyond supply-side constraints towards users of financial services, focusing more on financial literacy of households and firms, but also consumer protection. In formulating policy messages, we carefully distinguish between different country groupings, differentiating -- among others -- between low- and middle-income and small and larger economies, with a special focus on resource-based economies and post-conflict countries. This book reaches out to both policy makers concerned about a more inclusive and effective financial system and other stakeholders, including practitioners and development partners. With this book we aim to contribute to the on-going financial sector debate on Africa, with the ultimate goal of faster economic development and poverty reduction.

Investing in Africa

Investing in Africa
Author: Justin F. Beckett
Publisher: Wiley
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2000-09-06
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9780471379515

"What a great economic tour of Africa! Provides a top-down understanding of Africa's financial opportunities and a bottoms-up view for investing." - William T. Comfort, Chairman, Citibank Venture Capital, Ltd. "Long overdue! Finally, we have a comprehensive and insightful view of the stock of the stock market investment opportunities in Africa. Yes, 'Tarzan does not live here anymore!' and this book explores the ultimate emerging market with the potential for outstanding investment returns. The book is well organized and gives readers a complete picture of not only all the stock markets in Africa, but also the economic and political background of this exciting area. Case studies and investment examples provide the reader with a realistic view of investing in Africa." - Mark Mobius, President, Templeton Emerging Markets Fund Vastly promising financial opportunities await savvy investors in twenty-first-century Africa. After decades of successful returns for U.S. multinationals from Coca-Cola to Citigroup to Microsoft to McDonald's. Africa has evolved as the birthplace of more new stock markets than any other part of the world. This authoritative guide provides institutional and sophisticated individual investors with a complete, insider's view of the markets, and: * Debunks common misconceptions about Africa and explains why it is the ultimate emerging market * Explains the driving force behind the African economy * Pinpoints available investment vehicles and resources * Weighs the potential risks and rewards for U.S. investors Written by two experts in the field, Investing in Africa contains information on everything from the least known investment opportunities to the world's most recent top performing stock markets--all found within this rapidly evolving, richly promising continent.

Financial Sector Development in Africa

Financial Sector Development in Africa
Author: Thorsten Beck
Publisher: World Bank Publications
Total Pages: 255
Release: 2012-11-27
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 0821396285

This edited volume contains eight studies of financial sector challenges in Africa that served as background studies for Financing Africa: Through the Crisis and Beyond. One of the major challenges for African financial systems is to expand financial services to a larger share of the population. The chapters in this area cover microfinance in Africa, the role of technology, reforms of payment infrastructure, and financing agriculture. Two chapters cover challenges in increasing long-term finance; one covers housing finance and the other the role of sovereign wealth fund. The book also contains a detailed discussion of bank regulation and supervision, especially in light of the current regulatory reforms in Europe and North America. The final chapter provides a political economy perspective, discussing the conditions for activist government policies in the financial sector.

Financial Sector Development in African Countries

Financial Sector Development in African Countries
Author: Omotunde E. G. Johnson
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 149
Release: 2020-01-10
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 3030329380

This Palgrave Pivot begins with a broad focus on financial sector development as a whole, highlighting areas such as the money market, payment system, and the capital market, as well as issues such as regulatory strategy, capacity building of financial firms and service providers, and financial inclusion. In the area of foreign exchange market policies, the book argues that African countries should aim for social efficiency of the markets, which would include soundness of their foreign exchange systems, from an economic growth perspective, and fairness from an income distributional perspective. Finally, in recognition of the fact that some African countries desire financial systems that are strong enough to be international centers of finance, the policy-making implications of that ambition are discussed. This book will be of interest to scholars and students in development economics, finance, and money and banking, as well as policy-makers and practitioners. Further, international organisations and independent research organisations interested in economic development in general or financial system development issues will also find this book of value.

Financing Africa's Cities

Financing Africa's Cities
Author: Thierry Paulais
Publisher: World Bank Publications
Total Pages: 378
Release: 2012-07-05
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 0821389483

This volume addresses the issues of financing urban growth of the African continent -- which has the highest urban growth rate on the planet -- in the next decades. Considerable investment will be needed to sustain this level of growth and to clear up accumulated backlogs. At the same time, decentralization has resulted in increased responsibilities for local government; but in most cases, institutional reforms were carried out without the transfer of a sufficient level of resources, and local capacities in governance and project management are weak. Which mechanisms will finance these extensive needs, and how will African local governments meet these needs? Specifics on how to finance African cities have not been studied. The actual scale of this market has not been fully grasped. A systemic approach to this market is difficult because of its diversity (country size; institutional context; characteristics of urban network; availability of capital market, currency, etc.) and a lack of data. Donors’ assistance methods in the sector are disparate, marked by disputes between different schools of thought; special-purpose vehicles created by donors operate according to a variety of methods and with wide-ranging and sparsely disseminated results. What is the best way to transform these systems, often antiquated in many respects, into modern financing systems that facilitate access to domestic markets, mobilize local savings and reinforce local government autonomy? There is no single answer to this question in regard to such a variety of institutional and economic contexts. The main objective of the study is to clarify the debates and to enlighten the choices of African decision-makers at local and national level.

Economic Development in the Twenty-first Century

Economic Development in the Twenty-first Century
Author: Matthew Kofi Ocran
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 424
Release: 2019-04-27
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 3030107701

This book uses lessons from history to help African countries take charge of their own economic development agenda. History is an important part of Africa’s economic development narrative, and Ocran investigates how the development outcomes between Africa and Western Europe became so divergent when in the early medieval period average income levels and economic development in the two regions differed only marginally. The sixteenth century marked a turning point, with the emergence of Western European mercantilism and capitalism and their associated exploitation of other countries. In understanding Africa’s economic development, it is crucial to recognise that Africa has not always been poor. Examining 400 years of enslavement and colonisation, this book takes us to present day Africa and economic issues affecting the continent. With selected case studies from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore to South Korea and China, Ocran proposes ways to break out of the economic development quandary Africa currently faces.