A New Dawn for Zimbabwe?
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Watch our interview: A highlight of The Annual Debate 2018, Alex Russel, Editor of the FT Weekend interviews the Honorable SB Moyo, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Zimbabwe.
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The Path to Inclusion is Mobile: An Interview with Ibukun Awosika
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It may be a slow process, but financial inclusion in Africa is improving. Given the barriers formal banking faces on the Continent, including practical issues such as dispersed populations, and regional variations in infrastructure, it is unsurprising that this is not an issue which will be resolved overnight. We spoke to Ibukun Awosika to find out more on First Bank Nigeria's actions on financial inclusion, her thoughts on improving access to banking services – plus the impact of mobile in Africa.
Read MoreA Continent 'Poised for Growth': Olam on diversifying Africa's Industrialisation
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As industrialisation continues to be held as the crucial step towards economic development in Africa, much energy has been poured into the potential for the Continent's manufacturing and heavy industry sectors. The conversation about Africa's industrialisation, however, cannot exclude a crucial driver of its economy – the agricultural sector.
Read MoreAfrica's Road to Industry: An Interview with Geoffrey White
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The effect of limited road connections is estimated to add 40% to transport costs in Africa's costal nations – and 60% to landlocked ones. With the rate of population growth and urbanisation outpacing other nations worldwide, the necessity for infrastructure to support African development is vital.
Read MoreAfrica as a Work in Progress: An Interview with Zemedeneh Negatu
/With a planned oil refinery project worth $4bn, Fairfax's recent investments have drawn them to East Africa, with an ambitious infrastructure investment looking to provide Ethiopia and it's neighbours with 120,000 barrels of crude oil a day. Through financing as private equity and venture capital, the fund has created a profile of investments across manufacturing, agriculture and infrastructure - including co-investing in Hello-Cash, leading mobile payment platform. By refusing to shy away from the challenges posed by investing in Africa, the fund has focused on high-performing sub-Saharan nations and now enjoys a portfolio of companies employing more than 1,600 people - projected to reach 6,000 by 2020.
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