In September 2018, the Government of Tanzania, at the Parliamentary debating stage of the Public Private Partnership (Amendment) Bill 2018 (the PPP Amendment Bill) introduced an amendment (new Section 25A) with the effect that all PPP projects relating to Tanzania’s “natural wealth and resources” would be subject to the provisions of the Natural Wealth and Resources (Permanent Sovereignty) Act 2017 (the Sovereignty Act), and the Natural Wealth and Resources Contracts (Review and Re-Negotiation of Unconscionable Terms) Act 2017 (the Re-Negotiation Act). The PPP Bill was passed, and is now the Public Private partnership (Amendments) Act 2018 (the PPP Amendment Act). The ‘Objects and reasons’ section of the PPP Amendment Act gives no further insight into the significance of the new Section 25A than to say that it is “…added for the purpose of making provisions for recognition and safeguarding of natural wealth and resources.” However, the amendment provide controversial among parliamentarians and commentators, as its effect is of great significance of PPP projects.
Activity in Africa’s debt capital markets remains remarkably resilient despite global trade wars, Brexit concerns and high interest rates in a resurgent United States economy which is translating into emerging market jitters. Even as concerns around African sovereign debt mount, increasing global integration and the internal capability of the continent’s debt capital markets looks set to sustain Africa’s ability to import capital and manage debt through the current global cycle.
Africa’s youthful population and growing middle class are generally considered positive investment themes for the continent, but will African pension systems be able to serve this youthful cohort when they inevitably grow old?
To deploy global investment on a significant scale Africa needs to develop the domestic conditions to absorb the much higher levels of global real estate investment currently considering Africa.
Africa continues to turn global investors’ heads, despite its challenges. Attracted by its many fast growing economies and burgeoning consumer and business spending – expected to reach $6.7trn by 2030 – savvy investors are finding opportunities on the continent.
When FOCAC was established in 2000 to strengthen China-African economic cooperation and trade, the rest of the world was perhaps bemused. Bilateral trade and investment was minimal and African economic prospects unpromising. China’s embrace of China – as framed by FOCAC – has ushered in exponential growth in commercial ties. Now, just 18 years later, China is Africa’s largest trade partner and bilateral trade and investment ties are growing rapidly.
Sabvest is an investment holding group that has been listed on the JSE since 1988. The company has an exceptional long-term investment record, having generated a return to shareholders of 54 times capital over its 30-year history under the steady hand and sharp eye of founder, Christopher Seabrooke. Despite this prodigious long-term result, Sabvest is generally unknown to South African investors, and flies under the radar.
Investors should bank on digitisation to accelerate African deal origination, write Will Hunnam (left) & Lanre Oloniniyi (right), Co-founders of Orbitt
As Africa’s relationship with China matures and deepens, the use of the Renminbi as a medium of exchange holds the potential to increase the efficiency and reduce the risk and cost of both intra-African as well as Africa-China and broader Asian trade.
Last Tuesday, China pledged to invest $14.7bn in South Africa and grant loans to Eskom and SAA. While this investment brings the country closer to President Ramaphosa’s target to raise $100bn in foreign direct investment, some argue that China’s intentions are not what they seem. It is said that China is a mercenary lender, determined on weighing Africa down with debt to gain political influence access to the continent’s natural resources and precious metals.
Zimbabwe is at a turning point, write Kwadwo Sarkodie (pictured), Partner, and Joseph Otoo, Senior Associate, Mayer Brown. The need to attract investment is critical to kick start the economy. The current economic situation in Zimbabwe is dire, with continuously contracting per capita income, a significant fiscal deficit and an official currency, which trades on an informal market at a premium of about 30%. However, there are significant investment opportunities across almost every sector of economic activity, including energy, mining, infrastructure development, tourism, hospitality and agriculture.
Persistent economic and social disparities between urban centers and outlying communities present an ongoing source of instability for countries in the Maghreb. Nevertheless, Tunisia is rightly lauded for the democratic progress it has made since the popular uprising that toppled longtime strongman Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in January 2011. But regional asymmetries pose significant challenges to the country’s nascent democracy.
Exposure to alternative investments like art, wine and cars only changed 9% in the past year for Africa’s wealthy compared with a global average of 29%, according to the 2018 Wealth Report published by Knight Frank, Standard Bank Wealth and Investment’s global property consulting partner.
With less than a year until the end of Article 50 talks between the UK and EU – the future remains uncertain. Recent progress is welcome but detailed negotiations on the big issue – the UK’s future relationship with the EU, including market access – have only just begun. This could present opportunities to African investors but also risks that need to be mitigated.
