Access FX Expertise

If one were to speak to African suppliers who trade across borders, many would say that doing business within the continent can feel riskier than exporting beyond it. Especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), information on counterparties is not always easy to obtain, regional currencies can be volatile and difficult to hedge, forward markets offer little depth, and access to affordable finance is often limited at precisely the moment it is needed most.

The international high-yield bond market functions as one of the largest and most technically evolved sources of corporate funding in the global financial system.

Kenyan beverages giant East African Breweries recently refinanced an existing KES 11 billion corporate bond through a medium-term note priced at 11.8%, marking the first issuance under its newly approved KES 20 billion programme.

Insights from a recent research project commissioned by Absa have framed the way for what Africa must do to prepare for a future where cryptocurrency is part of our everyday lives.

Africa is seeing remarkable growth in the number of instant payment services offered to businesses and consumers.

Absa’s award-winning foreign exchange experts share their insights around trade tensions,  emerging market currencies, and cross-border payment innovations in the second issue of our Focused on FX newsletter. Download our latest newsletter to read their analysis. 

The future of digital assets will be built on trust. Across Africa, digital assets are accelerating from speculative hype to real institutional utility. But while the demand is rising, confidence has not yet caught up.

Siphumelele Mavuma, Head: Integrated Platforms at Absa CIB, explains how the bank partners with fintechs to co-create solutions for clients.

Amarnath Telukdarie, Product Development: Payments Clearing and Settlement at Absa CIB, explores the evolving payments landscape across Africa, highlighting the push for harmonisation and the regulatory complexities that shape cross-border transactions.

In 2017, as Cape Town faced one of the most severe droughts in its history, the city issued a R1 billion green bond – South Africa’s first municipal instrument of its kind. The proceeds were channelled into projects designed to strengthen long-term urban resilience: electric bus procurement, water systems, energy efficiency upgrades, coastal infrastructure, and sanitation treatment.

Unlocking Africa’s urban future starts with resilient infrastructure. Join the Absa Africa Impact Matters Series as we spotlight South African metros tackling water challenges through bold investment, blended finance, and public-private partnerships.

Africa’s payment landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by digital innovation, regional integration efforts, and evolving geopolitical dynamics.