Trade has driven much of Africa’s economic growth in recent decades. And in the first issue of 2019, we look at African trade finance. Chris Ash, Managing Director at ExWorks Capital, explains why only innovative finance can solve this impasse on pp. 14-15.

In this edition, Mike Brown, Managing Director, etfSA, gives an overview of the South African Exchange Traded Product (ETP) Industry. Unfortunately, 2018 marked the first year in the past decade, when the ETP industry was not able to generate a positive capital inflow. Learn more on pp. 16-17.

In this edition, we had the privilege of speaking with H.E. Calle Schlettwein, Minister of Finance of Namibia. We discussed the infrastructure development in the country and the role of private equity funds in infrastructure development on p.13.

Finally, Joseph Otoo, Senior Associate, and David Elikwu, Trainee Solicitor, Mayer Brown, discuss the shifting balance of power between African states and investors on p.22.