Lebanon’s banking sector continues to be defined by strong capitalisation and ample liquidity. A loyal network of depositors and inflows of generous remittances from wealthy Lebanese residing abroad make a strong contribution to the sector’s resilience as well.

Egypt’s domestic capital markets have been experiencing something of a resurgence, particularly its stock exchange. Listings started to pick up last year when in May Arabian Cement Company (ACC) tested the market with a US$109mn IPO.

Last year saw the closing of the largest African-led transaction to take place in Central Africa. The leader of that deal, Ecobank Capital’s Mohamed El Fadel Kane, speaks to EMEA Finance about the deal and what’s in the pipeline for this year.

Being a signatory to the UN Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) has become a badge of honour for many pension funds and asset managers.

In June, EMEA Finance held a roundtable on environmental, social and governance (ESG) investment. Topics under discussion included the growing threat of ESG-related risk, how to turn knowledge into an investment tool, and what banks can learn from corporates.

Renewable energy resources do not just have the potential to meet Jordan’s electricity needs but, by 2050, they could provide more than 60 times the country’s energy consumption.

AFC and IDB - Building bridges

Kurdistan looks to issue, tests investor interest

IFIs back Egyptian gas projects; and Mozambique coal industry collapse.

Private equity in Dubai; Omani banks eyeing mergers; and AMF supports Jordan.

Moves and hires at African Development Bank, African Bank, StanChart and more.

Morocco’s strong economy, and weak capital markets