Future outlook for African currencies a concern
In 2007, Tullow Oil made the announcement that uplifted a whole nation. The company had discovered 1.5bn barrels of oil in an offshore field off the Ghanaian coast. In the first three years of production, the government had earned an average of USD 469 million per annum in royalties. Given that the country also exports...
The African financial services gold rush
The financial sector has been a favourite of investors into Africa for some time. The long-term nature of the investment, the direct link to the expansion of the wider economy and individuals’ increase in discretionary incomes have all been factors that have supported investment into this sector. Financials have also traditionally been very well represented...
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...
RisCFlash
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...
