The listed property/Real Estate Investment Trust (REITs) market has been tumultuous these past few years, with the onset of Covid-19 adding to the sector's challenges. For an extended time before that, listed property shares were the best performing asset class on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), paying consistently high dividends and enjoying strong capital appreciation.
In the last ten years there has been a wide variance in investment returns across regions. The US and to a lesser extent other developed markets have delivered strong returns while emerging markets have lagged. Many African markets have fared even significantly worse than other emerging and frontier markets. While US equities rose more than 350% in ten years, the investment return for Ghanaian equities was even negative in USD terms.
Once the COVID-19 pandemic is under control, the resumption of economic activity in Africa could result in a compelling story for investors. According to the IMF, GDP growth in both West Africa and East Africa will start outstripping growth in developed countries from next year, and from 2023 the continent overtake developed countries.
Africa Global Funds (AGF) speaks with Marlene Miller-Bake (MM-B), Regional Manager, Africa & Middle East, Temenos Multifonds, about fintech trends, challenges and more.
There is a strong business case for venture capital (VC) investing in South Africa, not least because of the opportunity it presents for positive social and economic impact. This was discussed extensively by a number of key industry players at the Southern African Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (SAVCA) VC Conference 2021 held in Cape Town last week.
Rob Bergman explores the opportunities Series B and C funding on the continent. Rob is a Corporate Finance Principal at investment banking firm Bravura, which has won the Best Independent Advisory Firm AGF award for the third consecutive year (one overall and two for South Africa.)
Development Partners International (DPI) has raised one of the largest Africa funds at $900m to invest in innovation-led companies. AGF’s Anna Lyudvig speaks with Joanne Yoo, Managing Director, DPI to discuss fundraising environment in Africa, ADP III’s investment strategy and opportunities.
Impact is the main driver of the Soros Economic Development Fund (SEDF), according to Catherine Cax, Director of Investments, Open Society Foundations - Soros Economic Development Fund.
The financial technology (fintech) ecosystem in Africa is entering into a new, exciting and challenging phase with more capital, more competition from incumbents from different quarters and more consolidation (M&A). As key segments grow, the rewards and risks grow for challengers and incumbents.
AGF’s Anna Lyudvig speaks with Ronald J. Samuels, CEO of Botswana Life Insurance, about the firm, its investment strategy, trends in Botswana insurance sector and challenges
Shuraako, a program of One Earth Future, has created the first structured impact investment fund in the Somali region in partnership with investors. Anna Lyudvig speaks with Haley Littleton, Communications Manager at One Earth Future, to learn more
Fred Steiner, Portfolio Manager, BCCM Advisors speaks with AGF’s Anna Lyudvig about the Fund, investment opportunities in Africa and trends in the African asset management industry
AGF’s Anna Lyudvig speaks with Tamer El-Raghy, Managing Director, Acumen Resilient Agriculture Fund (ARAF) about the fund, investment strategy and climate resilience
