Africa on board with renewable energy
The recent UN renewable energy pledge joined by the Rockefellers has drawn much attention, and calls for a divestment from fossil fuels in favour of renewable energy investments. Stephen Heintz, Director of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, says that the irony of a fortune built on oil now steering clear of fossil fuels is not lost...
Ebola crisis affects cocoa industry
The rise of Africa as an investment destination is particularly encouraging considering the unique challenges characterising many fast-growing countries. These include a lack of infrastructure, which the World Bank predicts will cost USD 75bn per year to resolve, and energy shortages. In addition, political risks have plagued the continent, but the...
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SOUTH AFRICA INVESTOR BENCHMARKS SWIX: FTSE/JSE Shareholder Weighted All Share Index SA Listed Property: FTSE/JSE SA Listed Property Index (SAPY) ALPI: FTSE/JSE SA All Property Index ALBI: BEASSA All Bond Index Barclays ILB: Barclays Capital/ABSA South Africa Government Inflation-Linked Index CILI: FTSE/JSE Composite Inflation-Linked Index STeFI: Alexander...
White Hot winners
The top three Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon wine blends in the country are being celebrated today at the second annual RisCura White Hot wine awards, hosted by global financial services provider, RisCura and wine critic, Christian Eedes. This year’s winners are completely different to those of last year. In the top three, each achieving a 5-star rating...
The Impact of Aid and Public Investment Volatility on Economic Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa
One of the most debated issues in development economics is whether Official Development Assistance (foreign aid) promotes GDP per capita growth in aid recipient countries. In recent decades there has been much research focused on the effects of aid inflows on growth rates, as well as on determining which socio-political, climatic, institutional, and...
Too much money chasing too few deals?
How competition could hamper deal flow in Africa Private equity (PE) firms are turning to Africa in search of higher returns, attracted by a large and growing population, a burgeoning middle class, and more stable politics. Global firm, the Carlyle Group recently raised $698 million for their maiden Sub-Saharan Africa Fund – exceeding the...
Good Thinking for South Africa’s Most Exciting New Wines
Our clients have come to trust our abilities, integrity and commitment, to not only support, inform and advise, but also to empower them to make better financial decisions. That’s why RisCura sponsors the White Hot wine awards. Like investment decision-making, identifying the best wines requires demystifying sophisticated and complex processes. ...
African Eurobond issues on the rise
After the debt relief provided to African states during the early 1990s, the balance sheets of many African countries were largely debt free. However, governments were reluctant to take on higher levels of debt, for fear of returning to the debt crisis of the 1980s. Following a period of strong economic growth and increased political...
Distribution in Africa: Finding the path to market
The lure FMCG companies find Africa enticing and with good reason: It has a young and growing population that is moving into urban areas. Further, the GDP growth is outpacing population growth resulting in a high GDP growth per capita, improving the spending power of Africans. These demographic and economic changes are causing the emergence...