Viewpoint - The Banker

The G-20 played a key role in averting a global depression but the IMF has greater overall legitimacy.

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Banking in Africa faces major challenges but the outlook is compellingly positive for players who are committed to investing in the continent's growth.

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The case for economic integration in Africa is clear: the 53 economies within the continent simply cannot compete in the global economy if they stand alone.

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The global financial system needs better supervision, but this should not come at the expense of local regulatory expertise and participation in decisions that affect individual countries.

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The recent management reshuffle at business software maker SAP led to the departure of the chief executive Leo Apotheker. His replacement as one of two co-CEOs, former head of product development, Jim Hagemann Snabe, gave his view of the post-crisis world in an interview with The Banker's editor Brian Caplen at Davos just before the announcement of his promotion.

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The economic advisor to the Russian president explains why he is cautiously optimistic about the country's economic prospects for 2010. Interview by Philip Alexander.

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An internationally agreed upon bankruptcy code, a global regulatory framework that allows banks to grow, less reliance on technology and a stronger focus on risk management are the key actions that must be taken in light of the past two years. Interview by Silvia Pavoni.

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Brazil is widely tipped for economic greatness. Its leader revealed the vision behind the country's moves to growth during a keynote speech at a recent Financial Times investment conference.

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With the rise of the G-20, some commentators have written off the G-7. Canada's finance minister James Flaherty dismisses this idea. He spoke to Brian Caplen at the IMF/World Bank meetings last month.

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The malaise that has hit the world's economies has left Bahrain relatively unscathed, leaving the country to concentrate on its Islamic finance offerings.

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Technology can only go so far in helping to explain and predict global systemic risk. However, financial services firms must still be able to adapt to the changing environment and their customers' demands.

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The order in which the world will emerge, post-recession, may still be unclear, writes Paul Volker, but a long slog can be expected. However, when the dust settles, there will still be few competitors to challenge the US dollar as the world's predominant currency.

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The severe impact of the global downturn on emerging economies in Africa is often ignored by the West but the African Development Bank is working hard to preserve growth across the continent.

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Development finance institutions can help companies in emerging markets overcome the short-term crisis created by global banking groups' lack of credit, but local banks must pick up the gauntlet in the long term.

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Multilateral support has surged in importance in central and eastern Europe as the era of excess leverage unwinds. However, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development will stay true to its principles.

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Multilateral cross-border solutions to create international policy co-ordination are essential for the effective protection of the global financial system

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The president of the Inter-American Development Bank explains how it will be working to help Latin American and Caribbean countries to help themselves in 2009.

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The former UK prime minister turned international envoy talks about his latest initiatives for improving African governance. Interview by Peter Guest.

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Oil tycoon T Boone Pickens is investing billions in building the world’s largest wind farm in Texas, which in turn will free up natural gas for transportation and reduce US reliance on oil. Interview by Karen E Thuermer.

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Orange Mobile’s boss Olaf Swantee explains how mobile banking solutions pioneered in Africa may be relaunched in mature markets. Interview by Lara Williams.

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Infrastructure should be the cornerstone of Africa’s development partnership, according to the prime minister of Kenya. By The Rt Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga.

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Everywhere we look, one of our most vital resources is allowed to go to waste – and governments’ misguided environmental policies are not helping. By Peter Brabeck-Letmathe.

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Russian federal government finances have never looked healthier, but rising inflation, growing regional divides and the fallout from the conflict in Georgia mean finance minister Alexei Kudrin still has his work cut out. Writer Philip Alexander.

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The environmental challenges we face should not cost us money but should help make us money.

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Current WTO negotiations are encouraging a negative trend towards bilateralism and regionalism.

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Better disclosure, improved corporate governance and further progress in devising sharia-compliant derivatives are among the crucial requirements. By Shamshad Akhtar.

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UNCTAD secretary-general Supachai Panitchpakdi speaks to Lara Williams about strengthening the organisation’s role in making developing countries part of the world economy.

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Staving off food riots means governments must end their love of peasant agriculture, accept GM and stop growing bio-fuels.

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If the market meets standards of best practice, there is less need for the authorities to impose draconian new regulations.

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With prompt corrective action procedures in place, banks would be made to recapitalise themselves at a far earlier stage.

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Technology can help banks improve business processes and, in turn, prepare them for the many future challenges.

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