Financial-services technology network Swift aims to open an office in Ghana this year, its CEO for Europe, the Middle East and Africa tells EMEA Finance.

Speaking at last week's Swift Business Forum in London, Alain Raes highlighted rapid growth in African economies and financial markets, which calls for Swift to develop a greater presence on the ground.

"If you want to start supporting mission-critical local-market infrastructures like payment processes, you need to start proposing the sort of local support that can react in a minute if something is happening," he says. "If we want to become more a part of domestic markets, it's likely we'll have to invest further in local resources and support."

Government raises US$400mn for national carrier refinancing and project financings.

Republic raises US$3.5bn in largest ever bond deal.

Ratings agency trims growth forecast for Gulf Cooperation Council.

Heads of the IMF, EBRD, AfDB and others meet to discuss encouraging long-term investment across regions.

Ratings agency says curbing the deficit is no longer enough to restore confidence.

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf lauds African potential while warning against complacency. 

She praises Africa's economic resilience, but emphasises the need to look beyond measures of consumption and production when judging economic development.

The outcome of the current model will always be the same - "unsustainable economic growth characterised by deep pockets of poverty." 

Experts call for policy rethink, but acknowledge economy’s fundamental strength.

Downward GDP revisions are countered slightly by lower consumer prices.

The deal is a dual tranche of 10- and 30-year bonds. The 2022 offering was ten times oversubscribed.

Funding comes as part of the bank's Economic Recovery and Inclusive Development Support Programme. 

Russian bank launches cloud-based lending in West African first.