With focus shifting away from developed markets, Africa’s emerging markets brim with opportunities and potentials capable of sustaining continuous economic growth and high yield for investors. Public sector investments on the continent heightened lately, as international bodies such as the World Bank and IMF continued to pour out funds for infrastructure and economic development while private sector investment remains largely driven by financial institutions, with banks, private equity firms and venture capital investors embracing the promise Africa offers for Return On Investment (ROI).
Public Sector
– Discussions by the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Africa on President Barack Obama’s proposed $7 billion Power Africa initiative started yesterday. The initiative is aimed at doubling the number of people that have access to power in sub-Saharan Africa and developing the continent’s energy infrastructure. The outcome of the debate will determine whether the committee will proceed with the investment proposal. However, Tony Elumelu has committed $2.5 billion to the initiative and is regarded as the largest private investor.
– Global consultancy, AT Kearney in its African Retail Development Index (ARDI) has identified Rwanda as the fastest place for multinational retailers to grow their businesses, with Nigeria coming second because of the peculiar nature of its markets due to unavailability of land and import regulations and restrictions while Africa’s largest economy, South Africa, ranked seventh as a result of the developed nature of its retail market. Other countries identified for retail expansion are Namibia, Tanzania, Gabon, Ghana, Botswana, Mozambique and Ethiopia.
– Nigeria will receive an investment of $1.5 billion from International Financial Corporation for the development of critical sectors of its economy every year. This investment will further boost growth figures and ensure sustainability of the economy, which has experienced exceptional growth in the past few years. Recently, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecast 7.3 percent GDP growth for 2014.
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