Central Bank

Africa
Vista Bank bid for Byblos Bank Europe fails

The banking group founded by Simon Tiemtoré has suffered a setback in its European expansion strategy. Its takeover bid, although well advanced, was ultimately blocked by the board of directors of the Brussels-based institution it sought to acquire.

Inner Circle | Cameroon
The powerful Joël Monefong grows network in finance minister's orbit

Introduced into the upper echelons of power by Louis-Paul Motaze, the man at the helm of Innovendi Data Technologies has emerged as a discreet yet influential operator straddling Yaoundé and Kinshasa. He has become a pivotal figure in financing port infrastructure and logistics projects.

Palace Intrigues
Robert Beugré Mambé, Wale Edun, Faustin-Archange Touadéra

Intrigues big and small: every Thursday, Africa Intelligence takes a peek into the corridors of power in Africa and beyond.

Ivory CoastPrime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé gets ready to tie the knot

NigeriaFinance minister tipped to attend Paris anti-terror summit

Central African RepublicFranco-Ivorian banker Ibrahim Magassa invited to Touadéra's inauguration

Ethiopia
Foreign bank representative offices under scrutiny by National Bank

With the opening of the Ethiopian banking sector comes a greater supervision of the activities of these offices. Officially limited to non-financial commercial liaison missions, they play a key role in the parallel currency market.

Morocco
Led by Prince Moulay Rachid allies, NBI Ressources struggles to establish itself as a mining player

A newcomer to the extractive sector, NBI Ressources is launching copper and lead projects. To achieve this, it has constituted a board of directors made up of close associates of King Mohammed VI's younger brother, Prince Moulay Rachid.

Ethiopia
Addis Ababa steps up efforts to join the World Trade Organization

Ethiopian trade minister Kassahun Gofe will lead a delegation to Yaoundé, Cameroon, for the WTO's 14th Ministerial Conference. His teams are working to meet the demands of member states, including those of the United Kingdom.

Central Africa
BEAC changes tactics with mining and oil operators

With foreign exchange reserves dwindling, member states, in the midst of negotiations with the IMF, asked the central bank for progress on the issue of repatriating funds for the rehabilitation of mining and oil sites

West Africa
WAEMU's financial markets authority paralysed

The West African Economic and Monetary Union's capital‑markets regulator has been unable to convene its board.

Madagascar
Business delegation to travel to Paris in wake of Randrianirina's Paris visit

Three members of the GEM Malagasy employers' group will travel to Paris this month. Organised with French business group MEDEF International, the visit aims to produce a structured roadmap and promote numerous projects.

Tunisia
No calm after the storm as government secretary sacked

The Secretary General for Maritime Affairs has just been fired. This follows the damage caused by extreme weather that left five people dead and others missing in several tourist regions.