Now Mugabe is gone, one of the poorest nations in southern Africa can see the first signs of interest from international investors, but a chaotic currency regime, heavily indebted economy and looming elections are turning initial euphoria into cautious optimism.

South Africa’s new deputy finance minister took a tough stance on corruption under former president Jacob Zuma – now Mondli Gungubele talks to Euromoney about the embarrassing Zuma years and the Ramaphosa government’s plans to turn the economy around.

Malaysia’s election, while politically invigorating, spells economic uncertainty and opens wounds for banks.

The new presidents of Angola, South Africa and Zimbabwe could do better, but banks and investors will have plenty of due diligence to do when deciding whether or not and how to commit more resources to these countries.

Asiamoney invites fund managers, buy-side analysts, as well as bankers and ratings agencies to participate in the 2018 Asia’s Outstanding Companies Poll.

Senior institutional investors from around the world assess their sell-side banks and brokerage firms for Asian equities.

Banks are proving so slow to collaborate on blockchain protocols that could reduce costs in financial markets that it almost looks as if they wish to profit from persistent inefficiency.

Open banking might soon become the new standard for retail deposits in Europe as growth accelerates at the German platform service.