Cross-Border Banking and Financial Deepening: The African Experience

Cross-border banking has been important across Africa for a long time, with regional banks taking on a more prominent role only recently. This paper provides an overview over the literature of cross-border banking and financial deepening and inclusion, with a focus on Africa. It also offers suggestive evidence that it is critical to differentiate between different types of cross-border banks when assessing their impact on firms' access to bank finance. Finally, it discusses the regulatory agenda in light of the recent crisis experience and the new cross-border banking patterns.