The Future Of Business In Africa

Rising population, increasing political stability will prove beneficial for Africa...

A surge in population, rapid urbanisation, the adoption and absorption of new technologies, as well as the continued unlocking of abundant resources and the deepening of the continent’s financial sector are five prominent trends that are expected to propel Africa’s on-going economic reinvigoration in the next four decades.

Democracy and a vibrant free enterprise are growing, making Africa a promising emerging market. Governments are shifting the negative international perception by improving the business climates. The continent is known for its abundance in natural resources, which include 90 per cent of the world’s platinum, 50 per cent of the world’s gold,70 per cent of the world’s coltan (which the majority of cell phones around the world use) and 30 per cent of the world’s diamond reserves. It is also the second largest and second most-populous continent.

As the global attention shifts towards Africa and other emerging markets as centres of future growth, experts believe business and trade will be crucial to the continent continuing to realise its economic growth potential.

Sub-Saharan Africa’s population is expected to explode to 2-billion by 2050, which will result in more than a fifth of the world population being African. As a result, Africa’s population will become much younger and more affluent. This major demographic shift will provide an array of opportunities and challenges, and the continent’s economic. When coupled with robust economic growth, population growth will support the emergence of the continent’s consumer base – providing support to local firms, creating economic opportunities, and attracting foreign investment.

More than half of Africa’s population will be living in urban areas by 2030 as the continent’s economy continues to advance. By 2050, more than 60 per cent of the 2 billion people expected at the time will be urbanised. This means that 800-million Africans will either migrate to or be born in urban areas in the next four decades. African urban household incomes are more than double rural incomes.

Mobile phone subscriptions, internet and social media usage in Africa are expected to continue to surge to record levels in the next five years as the continent’s people vigorously embrace communication technologies. The availability and affordability of mobile and broadband services can, as it already has in key markets, support economic growth and provide one of the means through which will fuel Africa’s human capital advantage.

With food expected to become the “new oil” of the 21st century, Africa’s agricultural output is set for explosive growth in coming decades as the continent’s largely untapped potential gains elevated attention.

While Africa is known for its dominant share in a number of core commodities, such as platinum, chrome and cobalt that are in great demand, agriculture is also expected to feature prominently as a key driving force in the continent’s resurgence.

In the near future, Africa’s agricultural fortunes are poised for a big change. There could be a doubling in African agricultural output within the next decade.

Urbanisation and rising incomes are bringing more people in reach of financial institutions, and, in so doing, giving a formal identity to swathes of the continent’s young and aspirant population. Meanwhile, technology and pioneering innovative business strategies are allowing the financial sector unprecedented reach.

All in all, Africa’s businesses are becoming increasingly attractive for local and foreign investors – and as a result, Africa’s traditionally illiquid stock markets are growing, and private equity funds are elevating in both size and stature.

A recent survey identified 17 African countries that will offer attractive Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) opportunities in the next five years.

East Africa

Ethiopia was among the 10 fastest growing economies in the world over the past decade. Its gold mines, and the potential to exploit recently found natural gas reserves (currently 25 billion cubic metres) will attract significant amounts of investment over the next few years.

Relative to its African counterparts, Rwanda’s resource endowment is poor; the country has no significant natural resource, and its labour force is small and poorly educated. But offsetting these negatives is Rwanda’s institutional environment. The government has actively tackled corruption in recent years, and the business environment is extremely friendly. Significant investment has been made to improve infrastructure.

The DRC’s oil and mineral reserves are among the riches in Africa, and the sheer potential will continue to attract foreign investment, particularly as demand in the developed and emerging markets rises and capacity constraints are met by other producers.

Kenya probably has the most highly developed economy in East Africa. It has a relatively well-educated and rapidly growing labour force, and is most often used as a hub by multinationals looking to develop East African markets.

Driven by the rising price of gold that has increased 75% over the last three years, Tanzania’s gold reserves will continue to attract investor interest over the medium term. The country’s relatively well-educated labour force, coupled with political stability and the government’s sound macroeconomic management of the economy, will add to Tanzania’s attractiveness.

Uganda’s vast mineral resources and a recent discovery of oil will attract significant amounts of investments. The country’s relatively well-educated labour force, low levels of bureaucracy and diversified economy will attract funds into the labour-intensive service sector too (e.g., communications and financial services).

Southern Africa

South Africa’s substantial natural resource endowment will continue to attract investors, and its comparatively well-educated labour force will draw funds into the non-resource sectors of its diverse economy. Coupled with this, the domestic market is among the largest in Africa, the population is the richest on average (although extreme income inequality means that many people remain in poverty) and the institutional environment is relatively conducive to business.

Angola's FDI attractiveness is expected to rise between 2025–2050, driven by the "Angola 2050" long-term strategy, which aims to diversify the economy away from oil towards agriculture, mining, and tourism. Key drivers would include infrastructure projects like the Lobito Corridor, privatization efforts (PROPRIV), and a shift toward private-sector-led growth.. Angola’s oil and mineral reserves will continue to be the main attraction for investors over the next five years. Enriched by the oil wealth, the country’s growing middle class will also be attractive to investors looking for new markets.

Mauritius has a well-developed infrastructure network, a highly educated workforce, a comparatively high level of income and low levels of bureaucracy, all of which are attractive to investors. Slightly offsetting these positives are labour market rigidities; in particular, the centralised wage-setting mechanism and high levels of inequality.

Mozambique’s key attraction for investors is the recently established natural gas reserves, which already stand at over 127 billion cubic metres. Coupled with this, significant improvements are being made to the education system and the country’s infrastructure. Mozambique was one of the 10 fastest-growing economies in the world over the past decade, and this growth is likely to be sustained for the foreseeable future.

Zambia’s copper mines will continue to attract investors with global demand expected to keep prices high.

West Africa

Nigeria’s oil reserves will continue to attract funds and a large proportion of FDI will be concentrated in this sector. However, the large domestic market and diversified economy mean other sectors such as communications, real estate and tourism will also attract attention.

Ghana has a sizable resource endowment, including substantial mineral, gas and oil reserves. Oil and gas industries will contribute to the majority of FDI flows. Increasing oil revenues should indirectly boost other sectors. This is particularly true of infrastructure. Ghana benefits from a stable political environment, with democracy well established and adhered to.

Senegal has a sizable resource endowment, and its mineral resources make it an attractive location in which to invest. Continued investment in mineral extraction will contribute to the majority of FDI flows. Senegal also benefits from a stable political environment, with democracy well established. A range of economic reforms have fostered a stable macroeconomic environment.

North Africa

Egypt oil production is expected to fall as reserves mature and run dry, but the fossil fuel sector is still expected to attract investors over the next five years. Bigger attractions for investors are Egypt’s large, relatively well-educated population, sizeable domestic market and proximity to Europe.

Morocco’s oil reserves provide some pull for investors, but its well-educated, relatively cheap labour force is its prominent resource. Coupled with this, the country’s proximity to Europe and recently signed trade agreements with the EU and the US, make it an attractive location for multinational companies looking to service the lucrative market within the EU.

These attractions are underpinned by good governance and sound macroeconomic policies. As a result of these positives, Morocco is expected to attract significant amounts of FDI over the next five years, with the expected focus of FDI inflows being in labour-intensive industries, such as tourism and construction.

Although Tunisia’s oil reserves are modest, global capacity constraints mean they will continue to be attractive to investors in the near future. A potentially more attractive resource at the country’s disposal is its highly skilled labour, especially when it is coupled with Tunisia’s proximity to the lucrative EU market. And although the domestic market is small, the country’s well-established infrastructure network, good economic governance and business environment make it an attractive location for multinational companies.