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Growth in the banking sector has maintained an upward trajectory in recent years, with banking assets growing and investors taking note of the favourable and robust regulatory environment. This, combined with the sector’s profitability, high penetration rates and investment in financial technology, has strengthened Bahrain’s position as a regional leader in banking. Bahrain’s proximity to Saudi Arabia, combined with the availability of an experienced banking workforce, the ease of recruiting expatriates and respect for the Central Bank of Bahrain, have seen it maintain a role as a regional, and in particular Saudi-focused, centre for financial services. This chapter contains an interview with Jean-Christophe Durand, CEO, National Bank of Bahrain.

Bahrain is among the smaller economies in the GCC, but it is also one of the more diversified, with well-developed financial services and manufacturing sectors. Despite its diversified economy, Bahrain nonetheless faced pressures in recent years as a result of the 2014-15 drop in oil prices. However, an aid package from other Gulf states, announced in late 2018, and an accompanying fiscal-adjustment plan, as well as growth on the back of a partial oil price recovery and a recent major oil and gas discovery, offer hope for a turnaround in 2019. This chapter contains interviews with Khalid Al Rumaihi, Chief Executive, Bahrain Economic Development Board; Mahmood Alkooheji, CEO, Mumtalakat; and Sameer Nass, Chairman, Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The country’s national plan, Bahrain Economic Vision 2030, aims to enhance private sector growth and continue government investment in infrastructure, affordable housing and human resources. The kingdom maintains a developed industrial sector and hosts the world’s largest single-site aluminium smelter, Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), with downstream businesses creating products for export. Other industries in Bahrain include downstream oil and gas products, as well as a growing food industry, serving both the Saudi market and the global economy. This chapter contains a viewpoint from King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

Côte d’Ivoire has made substantial efforts to increase generation capacity, upgrade infrastructure and expand the electricity network, translating into rising investment. The country is also diversifying the energy mix, which tradition¬ally relied on gas-fuelled and hydraulic power plants. The push into renewables could reshape the energy mix and reduce reliance on gas-fired energy. Additionally, a renewed interest for oil and gas exploration could place the country on the map of hydrocarbon producers. With a largely untapped mining potential, Côte d’Ivoire has become an exploration hotspot in West Africa. While gold remains the primary export, accelerated exploration is necessary to sustain growth. Recovering manganese prices are boosting output and the new focus on rare minerals is diversifying revenues. Effective implementation of the mining code will be key for medium-term growth and the continuance of investor confidence. This chapter contains interviews with Marc Alberola, CEO, Eranove; and Jeff Quartermaine, CEO, Perseus Mining.

Insurance premium rose by almost 40% be¬tween 2013 and 2017 on the back of econom¬ic expansion, and while the main actors have remained the same, the last few years have seen an influx of foreign and local players to the market. Now, new regulations – particularly min¬imum capital requirements – that will begin to be enforced in 2019 are expected to significantly change the sec¬tor’s landscape, leading to market consolidation and improved services in a country where in¬surance penetration is at less than 2% of GDP. This will provide a strategic opportunity for insurers to both increase the confidence of consumers in products and give a much-needed boost to insurance inclusion. This chapter contains an interview with Mohamed Bah, Deputy Director, Sunu Group.