2018 saw a continuation of what has become a consistent theme of improvement in Africa’s capital markets, writes Hari Chaitanya, Head Investor Services Product Management, Transactional Products and Services, Standard Bank.
RisCura has launched a delegated investment solution for smaller pension funds in South Africa. David Potgieter, Head of Delegated Investment at RisCura, says that the new Delegated Investment service is aimed at reducing the burden of cost and administration as well as time constraints faced by many trustees.
EMPEA this week released its year-end Industry Statistics, which outlines the bottom line for private investment in emerging markets across the globe. AGF speaks with Jeff Schlapinski, Senior Director, Research, EMPEA, about African private capital fundraising in 2018, deal activity, fund strategies and more.
The exit environment for African private equity is much more robust and active than many realise. There is an active market both for selling and buying of assets and interests, according to Paul Boynton, CEO of Old Mutual Alternative Investments. “There are a growing number of exit routes across different sectors and countries, not just in the more mature South African market, he says.
In which markets and sectors do you see the best investment opportunities for equity investors in 2019?
Trade has driven much of Africa’s economic growth in recent decades. Yet a sizeable trade finance gap is restricting growth for SMEs. Chris Ash, Managing Director at ExWorks Capital, explains why only innovative finance can solve this impasse.
In December 2018, H.E. Calle Schlettwein, Minister of Finance of Namibia visited New York to meet with US investors and businesses to discuss economic recovery prospects and investment opportunities. In an exclusive interview with Africa Global Funds, Minister of Finance said that the country has embarked on a large scale programme of renewing and developing its infrastructure. The country offers opportunities for investment in infrastructure trough public private partnerships (PPPs) or foreign direct investment (FDI).
Investors have had disappointing returns from domestic equities this year after a promising start. South Africa (SA) is now in a recession and the global backdrop is no longer as supportive, so President Ramaphosa will have his work cut out to instil a new sense of confidence to ignite growth. His stimulus package and a revised mining charter are good signs, but scepticism dominates markets. Hope alone is not– implementation is required. Where might be the turning point?
After the political and economic turmoil of recent years, Morocco has emerged as a safe haven for PE investments, attracting capital from abroad through its political stability and favourable business environment. During the 2012-2017 period, 56 transactions were closed, representing 42% of North African transactions (Morocco accounts for 20% of the total population in North Africa), amounting to nearly $900m.
Venture Capital (VC) in Africa has grown at a tremendous pace in the last few years as investors hunt value earlier in the cycle. Startup funding in the first half of 2018 was over 50% higher than in the whole of 2017. AGF’s Anna Lyudvig speaks with Enitan Obasanjo-Adeleye, AVCA's Director and Head of Research to discuss the current trends.
AGF catches up with Zack Bezuidenhoudt, Head of Client Coverage, South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, S&P Dow Jones Indices, to discuss the indexing industry, investors’ needs and whether Africa is following global trends
SGG Group offers administrative and accounting solutions for investment funds, multinational corporations and family offices across more than 20 countries. Last year, the firm acquired Cim Global Business in Mauritius, which was rebranded as SGG. Graham Sheward, Managing Director, SGG Mauritius, tells AGF about some of the projects in Africa.
IBIS is a premier emerging market sustainability consultancy that assists private and public companies unlock value and improve their environmental and social performance. IBIS was established in 2015 by some of the most experienced and respected sustainability consultants in Africa who collectively have over 150 years’ experience in the environmental and social management fields. IBIS has offices in Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa and in Nairobi, Kenya. Since establishment, IBIS has undertaken hundreds of projects for African and global financial sector clients in >40 countries in Africa as well as in Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas. IBIS employs over 30 professional staff and has in-house language capabilities in English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and various African languages.
Hamish James, Investec’s Head of Prime Services, tells AGF about Investec Prime, developments in the past year, fintech and SA hedge fund industry
