Africa

Africa is the second-largest continent and is home to people from a diverse range of ethnicities, languages and cultures. The African continent is known for being exceptionally rich in natural resources and for its vast gold, diamond, platinum and copper reserves. It also has a massive, untapped supply of natural gas and oil and a large educated labor force. For investors around the globe, investing in Africa has become the ‘final frontier’ as other emerging markets like China and India are maturing.

Countries in Africa

Unlike Europe or the Americas, investments in Africa greatly vary from country to country. The wealthiest countries on the African continent are Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria and South Africa. Egypt offers investment opportunities in areas including renewable energy, agriculture and major infrastructure projects. Manufacturing and financial services are key players in Morocco while the technology sector in Nigeria is rapidly catching up with the rest of the world, as investments in agriculture and manufacturing continue to thrive. Improved stability and economic reforms in recent years have resulted in a drastic increase in foreign investment in Africa.

Morocco

Morocco has a high potential for investment in a range of industries including clothing and textiles, tourism, technology, agriculture and in call centers.

Botswana

Botswana quickly rose to become one of the fastest-growing economies in the world with an impressive average growth of around 5% per annum over the past ten years. Botswana is part of SACU alongside South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland.

Ethiopia

Ethiopia is one of the most stable economic regions. It offers an unwavering macroeconomic environment and a growing economy with a firm average of around 11% growth in annual GDP over a period of at least 14 years.

The African continent covers 20% of the world’s land area and includes 54 fully recognized countries, nine territories and two de facto independent states.

Companies Investing in Africa

With abundant mineral resources, low labor costs and high industry growth rates, Africa is home to vast investment opportunities. A growing list of leading international companies continues to benefit from the unique investment prospects on offer in Africa. This growing list includes McDonalds, Multichoice, Microsoft, Uber, and Procter & Gamble. The international vehicle manufacturing industry in Africa also continues to thrive with industry giants like Ford, BMW, Nissan, Daimler, Volkswagen and Mercedes Benz all making on-going, large-scale investments.

EchoVC Partners

EchoVC Partners is a Nigeria-based venture capital company led by Eghosa Omoigui.

AHL Venture Partners

AHL Venture Partners, a Canadian impact investment company with vested interests in 27 countries throughout Africa.

Newtown Partners

Newtown Partners, a Cape Town-based investment company with a strong focus on tech entrepreneurship.

TriVest

TriVest is a South Africa-based investment company with a strong interest in opportunities based in South Africa, but with the potential to expand throughout Africa.

Novastar Ventures

Novastar Ventures is a Kenyan VC company focused on backing African ventures with a positive social impact.

According to the World Economic Forum, half of the fastest-growing economies in the world in recent years have been in the African continent.

Investors with Interest in Africa

Africa offers a massive selection of investment opportunities and has become a prime destination for emerging markets investors. As African trade barriers are falling, intra-African trade begins to hold enormous potential. Driven by socio-economic transformation and a digital revolution, Africa is catching up to the rest of the world and even the smallest African economies are picking up and drawing investors from across the globe. France, China, the Netherlands, the United States and the United Kingdom are showing particular interest in the emerging markets in Africa.

Farouq Hassan

Farouq Hassan is an Egyptian investor interested in technology. Read about his life and significant investments.

Ernst Hertzog

Ernst Hertzog of South Africa is an engineer and the founder of Action Hero Ventures, a private firm offering angel investments to South African startups

Omar Cissé

Omar Cissé is an African businessman and investor. Read more about his life, business ventures and investments.

Dr. Yaya Moussa

Dr. Yaya Moussa is an entrepreneur and finance specialist with decades of international experience. Dr. Moussa has worked in finance for the major part of his career before focusing on his own business ventures.

Errol Damelin

Errol Damelin is a South African entrepreneur and early-stage technology investor, who has previously been recognized as Digital Entrepreneur of the Year