Africa is now the fastest growing continent in the world, the African Development Bank’s Annual Development Effectiveness Review 2013 states, driven mainly by improved economic governance on the continent and the private sector.

East Africa's dream of a regional stock exchange that merges into one the stock markets of the five East Africa Community member states is likely to take off in a year or two, key players in the region have said.

The Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) held its benchmark marginal lending rate steady at 3.75 percent, saying inflation remains moderate and economic growth is continuing its upward trend toward this year's target of 6.5 percent in the eight-nation West African Monetary Union (WAMU).

Kenya and Tanzania are set to benefit from the African Development Bank (AfDB)'s seven-year multi-currency line of credit for an amount equivalent to $300m.