The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has released a downbeat report on the prospects for private infrastructure investment in Asia. But, says Joachim von Amsberg, AIIB vice-president for policy and strategy, the bank can drive improvements where other DFIs have struggled.

Despite the intense political debate surrounding the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, the project is moving ahead at great pace. Jonathan Bell examines what all the fuss is about.

Development finance institutions (DFIs) are increasing their local currency finance as they look to alleviate borrower's FX risks and manage unsustainable hard currency reliance in emerging markets. But local currency financiers have lessons to learn as expensive bond issues can add to debt burdens, rather than solve them.

The increased focus on upstream LNG looks likely to intensify, and the sheer scale of many of these projects will require funds from a range of sources, not least ECA support. Jonathan Bell highlights a couple of prime examples where the ECAs are likely to play leading roles.

South Africa's President Ramaphosa has an opportunity to demonstrate his anti-corruption credentials ahead of this year’s elections by appointing a new board at the state pension fund. However, a dilution of political control over the money manager is unlikely, as the fund needs to act as a ‘last line of defence’ against any massive asset sell-offs in case of a much-vaunted triple-junk credit rating downgrade.