Ecobank

West Africa
Société Générale's former executives set up own consulting bank

A handful of former senior African executives from the banking institution are preparing to officially launch a new structure called Tomasteed Alternative Credit Advisors.

Ghana
Sentuo refinery's struggle with Dubai-based trader

While trying to save money, the boss of the Chinese-Ghanaian refinery has had a string of setbacks with his crude oil supplier. Yet after signing an out-of-court agreement, Xu Ningquan can now supply the Ghanaian market with refined products.

The New Guard
Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence spotlights a new generation of movers and shakers in business and politics.

CongoOumar Semega, the ambitious oil trader

EthiopiaKal Kassa, the bitcoin prophet

KenyaAlamin Siwa Somo, the aspiring senator

Cameroon, Chad
Petroleum products distributor Tradex paralysed by long dispute

The Chadian subsidiary of Tradex, a major player in oil trading, has been immobilised after a 15-year legal dispute with the brokerage firms Velissa and Losange.

Ghana
Azumah Resources and Ibrahim Mahama's battle for Black Volta gold rumbles on

Australian miner Azumah lost faith in a deal to hand Ghana's Black Volta gold project to E&P, which is run by the president's brother. But Ibrahim Mahama is fighting back, touting a $100m lifeline from the ECOWAS investment bank unveiled with fanfare in Accra.

The New Guard
South Africa, Kenya, Cameroon

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence spotlights a new generation of movers and shakers in business and politics.

South AfricaSechaba Thole, SANPC's new finance man

KenyaPatrick Mbelle, backing youth and the maritime economy

CameroonMeinna Gwet, the woman behind Ecobank's major financing projects

Cape Verde
Ecobank puts pressure on Ponta Sino hotel complex

The British group Decameron New Horizons is scrambling to open a luxury hotel on the island of Sal. Meanwhile, the pan-African Ecobank, the project's main financier, is seeking to sell its debt to rival companies already well-established locally, without the developer's knowledge.

Ivory Coast
French ex-minister's African women initiative launches with key firms' backing

Former French minister Élisabeth Moreno will launch on 5 and 6 June the African Descendant Women Impact Network, an initiative backed by several French companies, including Engie and Sanofi.

Ivory Coast
Leading security firm Siga Sécurité entangled in legal battle

A main player in Ivory Coast's security sector, the company is caught up in a legal embroilment with its former French stakeholder.

Ethiopia
Central bank sounds out foreign investors before opening up sector

The National Bank of Ethiopia has sent out a first draft of its directive on the criteria for access to the Ethiopian banking market. But this long-awaited reform is now being met with some reservations.

Gabon
Algest Consulting discreetly advises government on debt

The consultancy's boss, Ivorian banker Ibrahim Magassa, has just finished reprofiling Gabon's debt. On 25 March, he also organised a meeting between the main regional bankers and President Oligui Nguema.

Gabon
Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema launches a vast reprofiling of public debt

The transitional president is preparing an exchange of debt securities to postpone this year's financial deadlines. The operation, worth more than FCFA 1,000bn, must be completed before the 12 April presidential election.

Chad
Mahamat Idriss Déby lobbies hard for his AU Commission candidate

The president is using all his diplomatic resources to try to secure the post of Commissioner for Economic Development at the African Union for his personal choice: Amine Idriss Adoum. He's aiming to rally the Central African states behind this sole candidate.

Inner circles | Congo, Ivory Coast
Banker Ibrahim Magassa dispenses financial advice from Abidjan to Brazzaville

At the comparatively young age of 44, the French-Ivorian banker has established himself as a leading adviser to indebted states, initially to Ivory Coast and then to Congo and Ghana. He can rely on a solid network of contacts in Paris, not least at the investment bank Rothschild.