How do you draw together themes of protectionism, regulation and digitisation? Katharine Morton reflects on her travels of the past two weeks and suggests that, amid the recent hike in US tariffs to China, precautions are needed for turbulent times.

With the support of business technology and big data, the development of cross-border e-commerce has a promising future. Sinosure’s underwriters Chen Jichao and Zhou Huihan outline how the Chinese ECA is helping cross-border e-commerce sellers in an expanding global market.

The reintroduction of US sanctions on Iran has got export financiers questioning the extent of their export credit agencies’ support. What is covered and what is not? The answers are inconsistent and vague.

In July, Sithe and IPS refinanced the Bujagali hydro project to deliver a cheaper power tariff to the Ugandan government. The process – a rare refinancing for DFIs – also involved a reshuffle of Bujagali’s debt and equity cast. So is this the beginning of a new willingness from DFIs to roll over debt?

China is putting more major funds and resources in place to further cement trade and investment ties with Africa, but asks Jonathan Bell is this sustainable and what are the pros and cons for African states?