The real estate projects in Dubai get ever bigger and more extravagant. But an investigation into corruption and concerns over liquidity are threatening the market’s image. Will Rankin and Julian Evans report.

Ansher Holding has expanded from its roots as the first western-style investment bank in Uzbekistan, to become a multinational player, with offices in Singapore, UK, Switzerland, UAE and elsewhere, and a diversified pool of product offerings. The chairman of the board of directors of Ansher Holding, Anvar Rasulev, tells us about the company’s plans.

Mohammad El-Erian is co-CEO of Pimco, the largest bond investor in the world. A former deputy director of the IMF, and world expert on emerging markets, El-Erian here writes exclusively for emeafinance on why a reformed IMF has a critical role to play in saving the global economy from its present crisis.

Kazakhstan’s beleaguered banking sector is getting back on its feet, thanks to increased activity by state banks, and growing levels of FDI, report Shayla Walmsley and Julian Evans.

Egypt’s reformist government is grappling with the dilemma of fighting inflation while cutting a growing deficit. However, in the capital markets, Egyptian companies are expanding and becoming MENA regional champions. Julian Evans reports from Cairo.

As Egypt's government faces food riots and discontent on the street, foreign investors keep on coming.

For decades Libya was a ‘pariah’ state, shunned by the international community. In 2004 the doors were flung open and foreign investors were enticed in, promises were made, contracts signed, hopes raised. Four years on however it appears that inertia and backtracking by the Gaddafi administration has set in. Was it all too good to be true after all, asks Nicholas Noe.

As disruptive technology becomes more widespread, ever more Africans are embracing mobile banking services. According to Dr Edward George of Ecobank, we will soon reach a tipping point of mass adoption.  

Bank of Sharjah is marketing a new US dollar bond, and the issuer will likely have to field tricky questions on one of its major shareholders after Standard & Poor’s slashed the Emirate of Sharjah’s rating by two notches at the end of January.

Barclays to refocus on its core retail business.

As Sberbank announces a new strategy to take it through to 2018, vice-president Denis Bugrov tells EMEA Finance about the role its CEE/CIS businesses outside of Russia will play.

Ratings agency acts on political turmoil and likely economic repercussions.