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David Pilling

Africa Editor

David Pilling is the Africa editor of the Financial Times. He was previously Asia editor and also formerly Tokyo Bureau Chief for the FT from January 2002 to August 2008. His column ranges over business, investment, politics and economics.

He joined the FT in 1990. He has worked in London as an editor, in Chile and Argentina as a correspondent and covered the global pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry.

Email David Pilling @davidpilling (link opens in a new browser window)
Email David Pilling @davidpilling (link opens in a new browser window)

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  • Wednesday, 1 January, 2020
    African economy
    A revolution in Africa’s relations with France

    The abandonment of the CFA franc is a potent symbol of change

  • Tuesday, 31 December, 2019
    Angola
    Angola freezes Isabel dos Santos’s assets over graft allegations

    Court order signals further fall from grace of former president’s daughter

  • Thursday, 26 December, 2019
    Burkina Faso
    Fresh killings in Burkina Faso after earlier jihadi attack

    Eleven soldiers die as nation mourns loss of 35 civilians on Christmas Eve

  • Tuesday, 24 December, 2019
    AnalysisThe Big Read
    Fifty people who shaped the decade

    The game-changing politicians, influential businesspeople, record-breaking sports stars and brave activists who make up the FT’s list

  • Sunday, 22 December, 2019
    Currencies
    France loosens ties with west African currency

    CFA franc countries will no longer keep half their reserves in Paris

  • Thursday, 19 December, 2019
    African politics
    Africa’s mixed blessings in 2019

    Despite floods, famine and disputed Congo elections, hopes rose in Sudan and the fintech sector

  • Thursday, 19 December, 2019
    Equatorial Guinea
    IMF approves $280m loan to Equatorial Guinea despite NGO criticism

    Human rights groups had argued the country is too corrupt and rich to merit the programme

  • Monday, 16 December, 2019
    AnalysisThe Big Read
    The African farmers taking on big chocolate

    Ghana and Ivory Coast want a fairer share of profits from global confectionery industry

  • Sunday, 15 December, 2019
    African economy
    Macron signals rethink on French-backed Africa currency

    Discussions to be held over CFA franc, which critics say is colonial relic

  • Promoted Content
  • Saturday, 14 December, 2019
    Sudan
    Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir convicted of corruption

    Ousted president given two years in reform centre over millions of dollars stuffed in suitcases

  • Wednesday, 11 December, 2019
    Ethiopia
    IMF poised to approve $3bn loan for Ethiopia

    Programme will provide balance of payments support for cash-strapped economy

  • Wednesday, 11 December, 2019
    Visa Inc
    Visa in partnership with MFS Africa digital payments hub

    Tie-up aims to allow people with mobile wallets to pay for international online services

  • Tuesday, 10 December, 2019
    FT Appeal for ZSL
    Saving the African grey parrot: battle to beat the smugglers

    How Zoological Society of London is tackling global gangs that threaten the birds’ survival in wild

  • Friday, 6 December, 2019
    Jack Ma
    African entrepreneurs pitch to Alibaba founder Jack Ma

    Business contestants battle for $1m prize money in glitzy televised extravaganza

  • Wednesday, 4 December, 2019
    Sudan
    Sudan’s new government needs the west’s backing

    Positive steps include the repeal of a repressive law that controlled how women dressed

  • Wednesday, 27 November, 2019
    Airlines
    South African Airways close to collapse

    State-owned flag carrier struggling to pay salaries and secure funds to stay aloft

  • Wednesday, 27 November, 2019
    South Africa
    Vested interests are dragging South Africa down

    Cyril Ramaphosa will be loath to take on the people who helped him to the ANC presidency

  • Friday, 22 November, 2019
    Special ReportInvesting in Nigeria
    Lagos life overwhelmed by infrastructure crisis

    Flooding and constant influx of people add to commercial capital’s headaches

  • Tuesday, 19 November, 2019
    Africa Finance Corp
    Korean banks join Africa Finance Corporation’s Asian investor list

    Lagos-based energy and infrastructure fund closing a $140m Korean syndicated loan

  • Sunday, 17 November, 2019
    Ghana
    African energy independent finds oil off Ghana coast

    Springfield Group set to reveal deepwater discoveries it says will be bigger than Jubilee field

  • Tuesday, 5 November, 2019
    FT SeriesMeet the NextGen
    The 19-year-olds who will shape Africa’s future

    In a continent with a median age half that of Europe, tech is opening up new vistas for the young

  • Saturday, 2 November, 2019
    Terrorism
    Mali attack highlights deteriorating security

    Suspected jihadis kill more than 50 in attack on soldiers close to Niger border

  • Friday, 1 November, 2019
    Special ReportInvesting in Kenya
    Diageo brews beer locally but feels the draught

    Thousands of sorghum farmers depend on the drinks group’s circular supply chain

  • Friday, 1 November, 2019
    Special ReportInvesting in Kenya
    The ‘Uber of trucks’ shakes up freight transport across Africa

    Nairobi start-up aims to tackle notorious inefficiency in the sector

  • Wednesday, 30 October, 2019
    Ethiopia
    Fractures appear in Ethiopia’s ethno-political mosaic

    Disputes over power, resources, identity and territory have resurfaced under Abiy Ahmed

Previous You are on page 1 Next

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