The development of capital markets in Ethiopia is now steaming ahead. The most recent development is the issuing of three directives for public consultation by the Ethiopian Capital Markets Authority (ECMA) that will pave the road for implementing the capital markets proclamation enacted in 2021. This will create major opportunities for the banking sector in that country.

Zambia’s first-ever Capital Markets Master Plan sets out a roadmap for the country’s regulators, government and market stakeholders in ensuring that Zambia’s capital markets play a full and meaningful role in the country’s journey to middle-income status. 

We feel for the financial regulators in Africa, trying to define their approach to Environment, Social, Governance (ESG) risk management. They face many challenges: low understanding and awareness of ESG; limited capacity and resources; and a confusion of global working groups, frameworks, metrics, and guidelines - most which are not flexible enough to adapt to the local, developing context.

As Ethiopia looks forward and strives to unlock its potential, Genesis Analytics is eager and committed to take the journey alongside the country. Our colleagues in the Financial Services Strategy - Richard Ketley, Ndodzo Mawela, Christian Tesfaye GebreMariam and Nahom Shiferaw - highlight four developments that point to a more stable and improved business environment for the country.

Africa is currently home to more than 1 billion people, approximately half of whom will be under 25 years old by 2050. There is potential for this ‘youth bulge’ to become a demographic dividend, but if Africa’s persistent youth unemployment is not addressed, the youth bulge may lead to a demographic bomb.

2023 has started at a frantic pace, and it’s going to be another year of tipping points. Here are five trends our Shared Value and Impact team expect this year.

The World Bank estimates that about 2.4 billion women of working age are not afforded equal opportunities in markets, with 178 countries maintaining legal barriers that prevent women from fully engaging in economic opportunities. Statistics such as this indicate that it is not enough to focus on macro objectives; we must understand how growth, trade and investment relate to broader development outcomes.

The payment news article that caught our eye this month was the announcement that Nigeria – through its Central Bank, the National Interbank Settlement System and the Bankers Committee – intends to launch a domestic card scheme in 2023. Nigeria already has a private domestic card in Verve by Interswitch, which is partly owned by Visa Inc. Several others have been attempted by ValuCard, eTranzact and 3Line.

2022 seems to have divided the world into East and West once more. But, argues Genesis CEO Stephan Malherbe, a different division is much more important to our future. This is the Young World, some four billion people in total, that has youth on its side, but also an impressive runway for future productivit

The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) issued a directive in April 2021 that required the country’s commercial banks to increase their minimum paid-up capital. The Ethiopian banking sector comprises more than 20 banks, which collectively boast ETB 199 billion in capital. The devil is in the details as two public banks dominate the market, while half of the country’s banks have yet to meet the requirement.

Mastercard recently commissioned a study in 24 countries that revealed that consumers are becoming more concerned about the environment and are changing their views on consumption and CO2 impact. In particular, 85% of adults are willing to do something on their own to help solve environmental problems.

COP27, the “African COP” was held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, from 6 to 18 November. The conference held a mirror to the world on progress against climate change. For Africa, the results were bittersweet.