The past several years have been record-breaking ones UK biotech investment – but the UK needs to use its full financial firepower if it is to become a global leader.

FAB and Egypt are leading the way in a brisk start to the year after a relatively muted market last year.

Artificial intelligence is poised to become a significant part of the financial services, with almost all aspects of the sector likely to be touched by the emerging technology. 

Spain’s CaixaBank has made three high level staffing appointments, as the bank looks to “give more impetus and speed” to its payments and digital transformation strategies.

The European Union raised €5bn by tapping existing bonds in its first syndication of 2023, with a blowout deal using the borrower’s new approach to bond sales that consolidates all its programmes into one monolithic issuing entity. 

Despite challenging market conditions, the European asset management industry rode a wave of positive investor sentiment and substantial fund inflows over the past two years. Now things are becoming less predictable with increasing regulation and heightened macro-economic and geopolitical uncertainty.

With a record number of projects taking place from Scotland to Mallorca and across the Middle East, green hydrogen looks like a sensible option for energy transition. Little used at present, governments, developers and investors are beginning to bet big on the future promise of sustainably produced H2.

Only four African sovereigns have tapped the international bond markets this year, with borrowers forced to seek alternative means of raising capital. The prospect for issuance next year is likely to remain muted with investors turning increasingly selective. 

European renewable energy companies AMPYR Solar and Qair have tapped the private funding market for €443.7m, as the continent continues its push to net zero carbon output.

Fintech Nebix has launched in the Qatar Financial Centre, in the latest attempt to convince the tech-wary trade finance lenders to embrace a way of doing business that does not rely so heavily on pen and paper.

Thithi Kuhlase-Maseko will help drive CDC’s investment goals across the region, focusing on key areas such as energy and climate. 

The experienced banker, previously at BNY Mellon, will guide EDB’s growth as it expands its digital banking services and accommodates new client demands.