Absa AFMI index shows reform helps in hard times
Two out of three African countries have not improved or slipped backwards in their ratings among the 29 countries scored in the 2025 edition of the Absa Africa Financial Markets Index (AFMI), now in its ninth year. However, 10 out of 29 countries increased their overall scores, a slowdown from 2024 when 23 countries increased […]
Clear progress for Africa’s financial markets
Jeff Gable, Chief Economist, and Anthony Kirui, Head of Global Markets Ex.SA, at Absa CIB explain why recent strong progress in Africa’s financial market development is likely to lead to improved access to financing in future. The global economy has faced an uphill battle since 2020, dealing with persistent shocks from geopolitical tensions, the lingering […]
Securities Africa – thanks for supporting charity trading day
Securities Africa held its annual Charity Trading Day on 9 November. The broker-dealer teamed up with Child Welfare SA and 100% of all revenue and commissions went to the charity.
New directions for giant CDC: targets poor with $3.1 bn
Giant UK development finance institution the CDC Group has announced a new business plan. Changes include direct investing rather than via funds, and focusing only on low and lower-middle income countries in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
Africa climbs as attractive private equity destination, survey
Africa is soaring in its attractiveness to global private equity investors. Over the next 2 years, nearly 30% of global LPs plan to expand PE investments in sub-Saharan Africa (including South Africa) and nearly another 10% plan to start investing. This puts Africa is ahead of markets such as Turkey, the Middle East and North Africa region, Russia/CIS, and Central and Eastern Europe.
2 African stock exchanges among world ESG leaders
Two African stock exchanges are among leaders in requesting companies to report on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues. South Africa’s JSE Ltd this year became the first exchange in the world to require listed companies to move towards integrated reporting which includes ESG reports along with profit figures. The Egyptian Exchange, Brazil, China, Indonesia and Malaysia are other exchanges discussing with the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment initiative through its sustainable stock exchanges dialogue.