Africa: Finance and Banking

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Finance law and banking law thought leadership, articles, podcasts, videos and webinars from expert sources across the legal world. Explore insights covering topics such as capital adequacy, BASEL, acquisition finance, debt capital markets, fund finance, islamic finance, securitization and structured finance.
Article
Crypto Crackdown: What The Reserve Bank’s Case Against Kastelo Means For Your Business
Recent litigation between the South African Reserve Bank and fintech company Kastelo has brought exchange control compliance and crypto arbitrage under intense regulatory scrutiny. The case raises critical questions about how fintech business models involving cross-border transactions, foreign exchange, and digital assets must navigate South Africa's evolving regulatory framework, particularly regarding the use of individual foreign investment allowances for commercial purposes.
South Africa Finance
E
ENS
Article
Central Clearing On The Horizon: What South Africa’s Over-the-counter Derivatives Reforms Mean For The Financial Sector
South Africa is preparing to implement mandatory central clearing for certain over-the-counter derivatives by 2028, marking one of the most significant regulatory changes to its derivatives market in over a decade. The South African Reserve Bank has confirmed that the framework will initially apply to rand-denominated interest rate swaps and forward rate agreements, with additional derivative classes to be introduced gradually. Market participants across the financial services industry will need to assess t
South Africa Finance
E
ENS
Article
After The Freeze: What Happens Next For Crypto Arbitrage And Exchange Control Risk?
The South African Reserve Bank's dispute with fintech Kastelo has evolved from an account freeze into a pivotal test case for how exchange control regulations apply to crypto arbitrage platforms. As the litigation moves beyond procedural questions to substantive regulatory compliance, businesses operating cross-border digital asset models face critical uncertainty about when client foreign exchange allowances can legitimately support platform-based crypto transactions. The unresolved merits may fundamentall
South Africa Finance
E
ENS
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Related Country Guides

BR
Banking Regulation
SL
Secured Lending
PF
Project Finance

Charges, Mortgages, Indemnities

Article
Ship Financing In Nigeria: Why Most Vessel Loans Fail And What Banks, Shipowners And Regulators Must Do Differently
Nigeria's maritime economy faces a critical challenge in ship financing, where decades of failed vessel loans have left banks wary and shipowners struggling. With the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund preparing for activation, understanding why previous maritime financing interventions collapsed and how to structure bankable transactions has become essential for both lenders and indigenous operators seeking to build a competitive fleet.
Nigeria Finance
OA
Olisa Agbakoba Legal (OAL)
Article
The Untapped Balance Sheet: How The STMAA Is Transforming Access To Credit In Nigeria
Nigerian banks have long prioritized land as collateral for lending, but this orthodoxy increasingly fails to serve businesses whose real value lies in receivables, inventory, and working capital cycles. As manufacturing, distribution, and logistics companies drive economic activity without substantial land holdings, the financial sector's rigid collateral requirements may be stifling growth in the very enterprises that power Nigeria's economy.
Nigeria Finance
TA
Tope Adebayo LP
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Financial Services

Article
Crypto Crackdown: What The Reserve Bank’s Case Against Kastelo Means For Your Business
Recent litigation between the South African Reserve Bank and fintech company Kastelo has brought exchange control compliance and crypto arbitrage under intense regulatory scrutiny. The case raises critical questions about how fintech business models involving cross-border transactions, foreign exchange, and digital assets must navigate South Africa's evolving regulatory framework, particularly regarding the use of individual foreign investment allowances for commercial purposes.
South Africa Finance
E
ENS
Article
Central Clearing On The Horizon: What South Africa’s Over-the-counter Derivatives Reforms Mean For The Financial Sector
South Africa is preparing to implement mandatory central clearing for certain over-the-counter derivatives by 2028, marking one of the most significant regulatory changes to its derivatives market in over a decade. The South African Reserve Bank has confirmed that the framework will initially apply to rand-denominated interest rate swaps and forward rate agreements, with additional derivative classes to be introduced gradually. Market participants across the financial services industry will need to assess t
South Africa Finance
E
ENS
Article
After The Freeze: What Happens Next For Crypto Arbitrage And Exchange Control Risk?
The South African Reserve Bank's dispute with fintech Kastelo has evolved from an account freeze into a pivotal test case for how exchange control regulations apply to crypto arbitrage platforms. As the litigation moves beyond procedural questions to substantive regulatory compliance, businesses operating cross-border digital asset models face critical uncertainty about when client foreign exchange allowances can legitimately support platform-based crypto transactions. The unresolved merits may fundamentall
South Africa Finance
E
ENS
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Capital Adequacy/BASEL

Article
The European Commission’s Report On Banking Competitiveness: Charting A Course For Regulatory Reform
The European Commission has published a comprehensive report diagnosing the state of EU banking competitiveness and signaling the most significant policy intervention since Basel III completion. With European banks demonstrating strong capital positions but facing international competitiveness challenges due to market fragmentation and regulatory complexity, the report establishes competitiveness as a co-equal objective alongside financial stability. The gap between this July 2026 diagnosis and Q1 2027 legi
Afghanistan Finance
PL
PwC Legal Germany
Article
Regulatory Update: Sec Issues Circular On Revised Minimum Capital (Mc) For Regulated Capital Market Entities
On 16th January 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) released Circular Number 26-1 on the revision of Minimum Capital (MC) applicable to all categories of regulated capital market entities and this Circular seeks to strengthen market resilience, enhance investor protection, align capital adequacy with the evolving risk profile of market activities, and ensure that regulated entities possess sufficient financial capacity to discharge their obligations in a sustainable manner.
Nigeria Finance
SA
S.P.A. Ajibade & Co.
Article
NEW RULES, HIGHER STAKES: What CBN's Proposed Financial Holding Company Guidelines Mean For Your Company
Nigeria's Central Bank has proposed sweeping reforms to its financial holding company framework, introducing stricter capital requirements, enhanced governance standards, and tighter controls on intra-group transactions. Will these changes strengthen the resilience of banking groups or impose excessive regulatory burdens on an already complex financial sector?
Nigeria Finance
DC
DCSL Corporate Services Limited
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Leasing

Article
The Price Of Ownership: Legal Title And Finance Leasing In Uganda
The Supreme Court of Uganda has delivered a landmark judgment in Sebasif Group Enterprises v DFCU Bank that fundamentally reshapes the allocation of risk in finance leasing transactions. The decision establishes that financiers who take legal title to assets cannot disclaim responsibility for that title's validity through standard exclusion clauses, drawing a critical distinction between mechanical risk and proprietary risk. This ruling has far-reaching implications for banks, asset finance providers, and l
Uganda Finance
E
ENS
Article
Leasing Aircraft Into Nigeria: A Guide To Asset Protection, Enforcement And Counterparty Risk
Nigeria's aviation market relies heavily on leased aircraft, creating significant opportunities for international lessors and financiers. However, foreign exchange volatility, regulatory complexities, and enforcement challenges mean that every aircraft lease must be structured with asset recovery in mind. The critical question is not whether a lease will perform as expected, but whether lessors can swiftly protect and recover their assets when transactions become distressed.
Nigeria Finance
SB
Stren & Blan Partners
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Latest Videos

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