Comments on: Is Africa a good bet?

By: Simon

Simon — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:28:21 +0000

China brings its own (unqualified and qualified)workers to Africa despite being more expensive. Guess that pretty much sums up what manufacturing opportunities in Africa are compared to countries like Vietnam or China.

By: Murigi Muraya

Murigi Muraya — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 09:48:02 +0000

Fortunately for Asia, the West is conditioned by its own media to fail in Africa. Asians know their (future) place (which is manufacturing) in Africa better than Westerners really do. Banks run by Europeans mistreated Africans and now the most thriving banks (service industries) in Kenya are run by Africans. With the likes David Ben-Ariel (3rd comment to this article)the West cannot make many friends in Africa while Asia learns to treat Africa with more respect.

By: JOOST WETERINGS

JOOST WETERINGS — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 14:25:00 +0000

I am keen to invest in ‘potentially’ high risk shares and Africa.

Does anyone know what the broking costs would be to buy shares from the UK?

Are there any companies that anyone could recommend that really specialise in this field?

I am particularly excited about this area as now is a time when good investments could be had. Pinning my hopes on the belief that developing countries will be the first to start picking themselves up from this recession.

By: realAfrican

realAfrican — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 03:09:08 +0000

“The best way to invest in Africa is for the European colonial powers to restore their colonial rule.”
- Posted by David Ben-Ariel

What a pathetic comment!!!

It the neo-colonization effect that makes Africans to fight amongst themselves

By: Zvaida Kushinga

Zvaida Kushinga — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 22:36:08 +0000

How disrespectful of a nation.
” The best way to invest in Africa is for the European colonial powers to restore their colonial rule. Anything else will fail – just look at Africa and weep, especially for raped Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe ruins).”
I am Zimbabwean and i wouldnt want to be Rhodesian for investment… which we all know will give little profit to the locals.We will find a way around this without colonization, thank you!

By: Alien in Abuja

Alien in Abuja — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 21:01:44 +0000

Of course, you may wish to invest in Nigeria, but it is a gamble. Forget about statistics, as they do not exist, and if they do they are a sham. Next is governance. It simply does not exist, that corruption is rampant is well known. The miracle is that Nigeria somehow survives with a lot of imperfections. As such it is a prefect place for hard nosed investors, yes you may be ripped off, but imperfect country equals incredible profits and that’s the attraction of Nigeria. the W Bank & IMF talk a lot of tosh, they know nothing, though they have come up with the same conclusion based on doubtful research. Take a gamble, invest in Nigeria, but be prepared to lose your money. Caveat emptor!

By: Think for a second

Think for a second — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 17:21:55 +0000

Chris Hammond, I guess you would call Dubai a failed state then since its investment prospects are some of the best on Earth.
Some peoples logic is beyond comprehension.
I will agree that cheap labor is definitely a plus though, whether in Africa or Dubai or China or Singapor etc. It is not the only factor by any means however.

By: Chuks

Chuks — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 21:10:54 +0000

To see a country like Nigeria called a good destination for investment might seem very funny but there has been very much improvement in the past years our fear is that may not continue. Nigeria must show it is strong for Africa to be strong and then the whole Africa will prosper.

By: gabriel

gabriel — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 13:05:04 +0000

Africa and Nigeria in particular is certainly the best investment destination in this times. For instance ,Cellular mobile communication grew from less than one million subcribers to over 70 milion in the last 5 years with one of the telecomms companies making over $2billion annually with all its cost fully written off. You hardly see Ponzi profit in its economy as transactions are almost always on cash basis and rent margins of over 70% are common.

By: Mama Africa

Mama Africa — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 01:50:18 +0000

It is good to invest in places like Ghana in West Africa where there is political stability. Ghana is the leading country in the western part of Africa after nearly two decades of political stability and economic improvement. There are raw materials in Ghana. The people in Ghana are educated and hospitable. If you invest in places like this then you are good to go.