While M&A has been slow so far in the EMEA region, one area where it’s beginning to show signs of life is in the telecoms sector.

The South African government’s US$100bn infrastructure investment programme is seen as crucial to help the economy pull out of its first recession in nearly two decades. But who will finance it? Shannon Manders reports.

Iraq’s government is trying to persuade western banks and companies to put billions into the country’s battered economy. The opportunities are great, but so are the risks, reports Julian Evans.

Despite a drastic decline in lending, banks managed to structure some ground-breaking deals in 2008.

Although the credit crunch has made it harder to get western financing for infrastructure deals, EMEA governments are coming up with resourceful ways of getting deals done, writes Julian Evans.

Infrastructure was, until recently, the ‘Great Hope’ of the EMEA region. Governments from Almaty to Abuja were pinning their hopes on PPP (public private partnerships) programmes to stimulate economic growth and take their countries to the next level of development.

Both the state and private banks in Nigeria are increasingly looking for international capital, writes Kevin Godier. But will they find it?

A key event looming in 2009 is Nigeria’s planned launch of an international bond, testifying to the government’s belief that the credit strength of the sovereign will override global market nerves, and allow Nigeria to follow in the wake of other recent emerging market issuers such as Mexico and Turkey.

The credit crunch, fuelled by illiquid markets and general fear across the finance industry, has had its impact on the EMEA region. But pessimism does not blanket the entire market as emeafinance discovered when it questioned some of EMEA’s leading buy side investors. On the contrary, the slowdown has provided time to evaluate deals and countries. Some governments are addressing fiscal imbalances and where necessary, high inflation.

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

Mozambique is creeping back onto investors’ radar scanners, as commercial financing trickles grow steadier, writes Kevin Godier.

Following Brexit, the UK may need to sever ties with the European Investment Bank (EIB). But what will that mean for businesses that currently receive essential EIB financing?

Off-grid power and captive energy projects are taking up some of the slack as big infrastructure deals stall, says Standard Bank.

EMEA Finance interview the renowned economist; Jeffrey Sachs.