Was it Thabo Mbeki’s ‘quiet diplomacy’ finally bearing fruit; or the harsh words from some of Africa’s most powerful political leaders; or threats from the EU or the printing of a Z$100bn banknote or indeed the country running out of paper on which to print money that finally tipped the scales and brought Robert Mugabe to the negotiating table? More...

An official enquiry into bank fees finds South African banks cream more off the top than banks anywhere else in the world. Is this why they are the world’s most profitable? Tom Nevin investigates More...

African oil is assuming greater global strategic influence almost by the week. It is cheaper to extract, better in quality, nearer to its markets and there is more of it than oil from other regions. Can Africa bring some stability to a volatile global market? More...