Multilateral Afreximbank is set to become the latest African company to list in London, offering investors a rare chance to take on pan-African exposure, but the mixed performance of recent deals as well as difficult market conditions may make it a tough sale.

The Seychelles was the first country to issue a debt-for-nature swap to protect its marine environment; it was also the first to issue a blue bond, raising capital to finance sustainable marine and ocean-related projects. But can it overcome the teething problems and provide a model other island nations can follow?

The rhino impact bond has sparked excitement that financial tools can play a role in helping Africa conserve its wildlife. As the continent’s population level is set to rise quickly, Euromoney looks at the work being done to connect conservation with economic growth.

The Seychelles will need to tackle its drug problem head on if it wants to develop a thriving blue economy and pay back debt raised from the first ever blue bond.

Advocating ESG while investing in one of the world’s largest oil companies is an uneasy truth.

Applications to operate banks in Saudi Arabia show that consolidation has not shut the door to new entrants.

Saudi Arabia is pressing on with capital markets reform and its planned IPO of Aramco in spite of drone attacks on its oil facilities that briefly spooked markets. Virginia Furness reports from Riyadh.

In Africa, the more democratic a country is, the higher its Euromoney Country Risk score, but as the continent’s ECR grade stalls, African countries are diverging – politically and economically.

Automation and artificial intelligence are transforming the payments industry into one of the most dynamic sectors of transaction banking. But there are still many teething problems in an industry that has been catapulted onto centre stage.

It’s not long ago that Kurdistan was on the brink of accessing the international markets. Then came ISIS, strained relations with Iraq and the challenge of being shackled to a state from which the population wants independence. Is Kurdistan ready to approach world markets again?

For many international investors, Liberia isn’t relevant. It offers little in terms of natural resource, while global banks find doing business there too risky and its young and poor population offers little commercial opportunity. Can China help turn this around?

A properly functioning financial system has long eluded the country. As it moves on from Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s 20-year leadership, can the financial system finally overcome its many problems?

Israel has become one of the world’s most important fintech hubs, attracting millions in investment from some of the biggest global brands and venture capital funds. Can its start-up culture now evolve to grow large fintech businesses at home?

Bankers from across the Middle East gathered to attend the Euromoney Middle East Awards for Excellence dinner at Grosvenor House in Dubai on June 26.

Africa's best bank

There have been several ground-breaking sustainable finance deals in the last 12 months in Africa and one bank has been at the forefront of them: Standard Chartered.

Across the continent, the banking sector feared the consequences of the withdrawal of Barclays.

Continued investment in people, technology and partnerships to consolidate the bank’s cash and trade networks in sub-Saharan Africa make Citi Africa’s best bank for transaction services for the third year in a row under Peter Crawley, its treasury and trade solutions head, based in Johannesburg.

In a continent where the population is largely rural, there are many obstacles to financial inclusion. Mobile money and agency banking have provided solutions, especially in Kenya, where digital banking uptake has been impressive, so it is no surprise that Africa’s best digital bank is Kenya’s Equity Bank.

Société Générale’s deep commitment to supporting the communities it works in wins it the award as Africa’s best bank for corporate responsibility.

According to the World Bank, small and medium-sized enterprises account for approximately 95% of all registered firms in Africa – financing them is essential to regional growth.

Citi’s reach and knowledge of African markets combined with its international banking expertise and balance sheet make it Africa’s best bank for financing for the second year in a row.

Navigating Africa’s disparate markets successfully requires a trusted adviser. One institution that stands out in this regard is Chapel Hill Denham, Africa’s best bank for advisory for the second year in a row.

Algeria

Standard Bank, Africa’s largest bank, is also Africa’s best bank for wealth management. It generates tailored insights rather than standardized products. It also has a low relationship manager to client ratio of 1:99.

In recent years, the headlines have been dominated by stories about global banks pulling out of Africa to focus on their businesses back home.

The shine may have come off emerging markets in recent years, but for those willing to take the risk, there are still excellent opportunities.

When it comes to supporting the transition to a low carbon future across the Middle East, one bank is leading the way – HSBC, which wins the award this year for the Middle East’s best bank for sustainable finance.

A list of winners of Euromoney’s Middle East Awards for Excellence 2019, as well as detailed citations for all of the winners, is available here.

Long considered for this top award but never quite able to clinch the prize, EFG Hermes is this year’s best investment bank in the Middle East, owing to the spectacular transformation of its business.