The Economist on Cell Phones in Emerging Markets

The Economist has added to the chorus praising cell phone technology's potential for Emerging Market growth. In an article found here, the Economist notes the ability of cell phone technology to "connect the excluded," or give the power of information to individuals who previously were not able to access it. Cell phones allow farmers to check prices on their crops, connect medical personnel with sick patients, and make it possible to share news with the press of a button.

One service provided by the BBC even allows users to dial in for English lessons. Launched in November 2009, the service has already been used by over 3MN people.

Mobile banking is also growing in popularity, with users connecting to their bank accounts to view balances and transfer funds with a simple text message. Such a service is crucial in economies where the population is too widely spread to make access to bank branches or ATMs possible for the majority of the population.

As mentioned previously, cell phone technology is also stepping over traditional landlines to connect people in the developing world. An attempted phone call to a developing country can often be illuminating - many tries to get through and poor connections are often standard in countries where capacity and infrastructure make it impossible to maintain service. Cell phones on the other hand rely on broadcast towers as opposed to telephone wires, and many analysts believe will become more important than land connections in coming years.

Larry Seruma's Thoughts on 2010, and Predictions for the New Year

It would not be the end of a year without some reminiscing about what happened in the one that is ending and predictions about what will happen in the one that is to come. So let’s begin, but with a focus on the African investment climate. For brevity, I will highlight just five things from 2010 and ‘predict’ five for 2011.

For 2010:

1. South Africa showed the world that it could host – and host well – a world class event in a world class way. The 2010 FIFA World Cup not only introduced the world to the noisome vuvuzuela, but also to the wonderful graciousness that is South Africa. For many in the world, this was the first time they got to see the promise that is South Africa, and a better investment brochure could not have been written.

2. China’s government continued to channel billions of dollars of investment of all kinds throughout Africa, and continued to promote Africa – China trade. For many African countries, the willingness of the Chinese to fund infrastructure projects – roads, railways, power stations, schools, hospitals – through grants and low-cost loans without the burdensome transparency and governance restrictions imposed by the IMF and the West makes China the ‘go to’ country for such projects.

3. Other countries’ governments, notably India’s and Brazil’s, also began to target Africa for investment. India’s focus was mostly on infrastructure and oil and gas, while Brazil’s was more agriculturally based.

4. While Western governments decried China’s investment activity as ‘unfair’ or ‘morally questionable,’ Western companies acted. One of the most noteworthy investments of the year was Walmart’s $4 billion acquisition of the South African based mega retailer Massmart, which has 290 stores in 13 African countries.

5. African stock markets continued to grow in trading volume, number of listings, and number of participants, and they continued modernizing.

For 2011:

1. For better or worse, politics will dominate African news in the first part of 2011. In the Ivory Coast, the incumbent president, Laurent Gbagbo, defiantly refuses to recognize that he lost the election to Alassane Ouattara, and has rebuffed all pressure to end the situation peacefully. That it will end without more violence is doubtful. It is encouraging to note, however, that the 15 member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is on its own trying to solve the crisis.

2. The Chinese will continue to expand in Africa, and the expansion will broaden to include more Chinese companies (both state-owned and non state-owned)

3. Indian, Brazilian, and other non-Western investment in Africa will increase, as will trade. More Western companies, especially those in consumer products and cellular telephones, will begin to invest in Africa as well.

4. Regional economic cooperation within Africa will play a greater role. This just makes practical sense, and it already is being practiced in formal and informal ways in the three most recognized regions – East Africa, Southern Africa and West Africa. What will be interesting to watch is how much interregional cooperation gets discussed.

5. GDP growth in all of Africa will exceed, on a percentage basis, gdp growth in Europe and the United States, so it will continue to be a good place to invest. As a continent with over 50 countries in it, however, there will be some ‘winners’ and some ‘losers’, so a smart person will know to seek expert advice about just where an investment should be made.

Even Without Electricity, Cell Phone Companies Attract Customers in African Markets

An article in the New York Times today features the challenges of a rural Kenyan woman who has no access to electricity to charge her cell phone, and purchased a solar panel in order to provide a constant source of power.

The interesting subtext of this article is how important the cell phone has become in African markets, the potential for access to information and communication, and the leapfrogging of traditional communication and power generation sources. Given a limited income and need to budget wisely, the woman in the article not only chose to spend a relatively large sum on a cell phone, but also to invest in a solar panel to keep it charged.

Investing in Africa: New Opportunities in Sudan

Among the risks an investor in an emerging area faces is something called political risk – the risk that a change in a regime will affect the nature and terms of the investment, and the ability of the investor to realize any return. Usually, a change in regime is viewed negatively, but it does not always have to be.

A case in point is Sudan, a country of just under 40 million that is roughly the size of the entire eastern half of the United States. For those of you who are familiar with Sudan, you know that it has been torn by civil strife for over 50 years, driven primarily by the deep ethnic, cultural and religious divides separating the northern and southern halves, and the existence of oil in the southern half. It is the home of Darfur and the ‘lost boys,’ emblems of the ‘bad’ Africa. But do you know that on January 9, 2011 a referendum will be held which will split the country into new countries, that things in Sudan have been relatively quiet for over a year, and that South Sudan has been essentially autonomous for more than a year?

Optimism is high that the split will result in better regimes for both halves. The long term success of the two new countries, however, will in no small part depend on their ongoing economic development, and that in turn will depend on continuing investment. Recent developments for both sides provide some encouraging signs that investors, too, are optimistic.

In December, Sudan’s Minister of Industry, Dr. Awad Ahmed Al-Jaz, has met with parties representing investors from Iran and Brazil to talk about planned investments in the northern half. On the Iranian side, the Iranian Electronic Manufacturing Companies Group discussed investments in for the manufacture of electronic and chemical equipment, computers and television sets. Brazilian interests, on the other hand, are in agriculture, primarily cotton, sugar cane and animal related industries (dairy and meat). On Wednesday, December 15th, Dr. Al-Jaz met with representatives of the Bank of Sudan and public sugar and agricultural companies to implement the investment agreements that were signed with Brazil earlier in the month. No monetary amounts for either the Iranian or Brazilian investments were given, but both are worth watching, as it could lead to further investment.

While South Sudan has oil, it also will need a broad array of investments to establish itself as a standalone country. Technically, South Sudan does not yet officially exist, but there are encouraging signs that investors are confident in its prospects. In November, the Luri River Waterfront Project, located in Juba, the ‘capital’ of South Sudan, was launched (see www.luririverwaterfront.com) to cater to the business and residential needs of those interested in southern Sudanese market. It is situated on 100 acres of ‘pristine’ land near the Nile River and is the first development of its kind in South Sudan. What makes this project something to watch is that it first is a privately owned company comprised of Sudanese and international investors, and second consists of real estate. Investors in real estate generally do not invest in something they believe will lose value over time. Already one group, Rumix Energy, a downstream petroleum specialist, has acquired all 33 acres of the commercial/industrial zoned area for development. In addition, 12 residential plots have been secured, and 4 large residential/commercial plots have been reserved. As with the North Sudan investments, this one also will require watching.

If, as expected, the January referendum carries, both halves will be engaging in nation building. Part of nation building is economic progress, and part of economic progress is outside investment. No one expects the process of nation building to be completely smooth (it never is), and no doubt there will plenty of naysayers. But money talks, and it looks as if Iranians, Brazilians and those behind the Luri River Waterfront Project are saying that these nations will indeed be built. Clearly, they are seeing something positive, and other potential investors need to keep their eyes open about the new Sudan.

The Economist: African Cities to See Fast Growth

An article in the Economist notes that while over 1/3 of Africa's inhabitants currently live in cities, more than half of them will do so by 2030. In fact, the article notes that some cities will see a rise of up to 85% in their populations in the next 15 years. This growth is seen as both a challenge and an opportunity for infrastructure, as poor and limited capacity in the present will be exacerbated as populations swell unless steps are taken to improve conditions.

Seeking Alpha: Africa is 'Final Frontier' for Consumer Goods Companies

A post found here on Seeking Alpha calls Africa the 'Final Frontier' for consumer goods companies looking to find new markets for their products. The article, which cites Goldman Sachs' Jim O'Neill (famous for coining the eponymous 'BRIC' investment moniker), who believes "the combined potential of to 11 largest economies (in Africa) is enormous."

The post also notes that infrastructure problems, notably roads, rails, and electricity, are a major challenge in the continent. Given that however, consumer goods companies seem willing to risk the challenges in order to gain a share of the emerging African market.

Wall Street Journal: KFC Savors African Potential

An article by the WSJ found here highlights the trend of multinationls recognizing Africa's potential. The franchise, which is owned by Yum Brands is expected to double its number of outlets on the African continent - to 1,200 - by 2014. This move is coupled with the goal of doubling revenue on the continent to $2BN.

In addition to increasing its presence, the company will also be notably increasing its footprint on the continent. Whereas the vast majority of KFC's current outlets are located in South Africa (where it it has a 44% share of the $1.8BN fast food market), improving political and economic conditions across the continent has encouraged Yum to branch out into Nigeria, Namibia, Mozambique, Ghana, Zambia, and other African countries according to the Journal.

Wal Mart Targets Africa with Massmart Offer

US based consumer chain Wal-Mart recently announced a cash offer of ~$2BN for 51% of South African retail company Massmart Holdings, highlighting its interest in expansion into Africa. An article in Fortune notes that Wal-Mart is seeking fresh growth opportunities abroad as US growth slows, with Wal-Mart International already contributing a (rapidly expanding) 25% to the company's total revenue.

UK Government Group Investing $300MN Per Year in Africa

In an article found here YahooFinance reports that "Britain's overseas investment arm plans to invest about $300MN a year in coming years in African companies because the continent is registering high economic growth rates and it has become easier to do business in Africa."

The article notes that the funds represent about half of the funds that the manager - The Commonwealth Development Corporation (or CDC Group) - will deploy in coming years. The Fund's chief executive also mentioned a specific focus on consumer goods and infrastructure, where they see strong prospects for growth. He also noted that compared with 10 or 20 years ago it has become easier to do business in sub-Saharan Africa.

IMF: Fundamental Changes Which Are Boosting African Growth

In an article found here, the International Monetary Fund discusses a new book by Steve Radelet Emerging Africa: How 17 Countries Are Leading the Way in which the author notes five key factors which are facilitating Africa's growth. Radelet notes that the rise of democracy, stronger economic policies, the end of the debt crisis, new technology, and a new generation of leaders are all changing the face of Africa.

International Monetary Fund Expects 'Broad Based' Growth in 2010-11

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) noted today in its October 2010 Regional Economic Outlook that "broad-based economic recovery...is now under way in sub-Saharan Africa." The Fund projects growth of 5% in the region for 2010 (up from prior estimates of a 4.5% expansion), and 5.5% for 2011. Driving factors of this growth include domestic demand and exports to Asian economies.

However, the IMF cautions that elevated unemployment and inherent political fragility, especially in middle income and oil exporting countries, remain a risk.

A press release summarizing the report can be found here, while the full text can be found here.

Additional commentary on the report by the Wall Street Journal, with an emphasis on the role of China, can also be found here.

Trade Within African Borders, and the Infrastructure it Requires

Obiageli Ezekwesili, Vice President for Africa at the World Bank has posted commentary on a meeting she recently attended called "Can Africa Trade with Africa?" in which leaders agreed that more should be done to promote intra-continental trade.

Ezekwesili noted that "intra-Afriacn trade remains among the lowest in the world - only about 10% of African trade is within the continent, compared to about 40% in North America and about 60% in Western Europe." Discussion seemed to focus on political solutions to this issue, with a push to increase communication and collaboration between states and organizations to promote growth.

However, it was interesting to note some comments from the private sector that were brough up during the meeting. According to Ezekwesili, the President of Coca Cola in South Africa pointed out that they would "only need about half of the current 163 plants in Africa if internal trade barriers were removed and transport services were improved." The opportunity for infrastucture development (and the firms that profit from it) is clear. If there is an economic opportunity for private sector firms to benefit from investment in infrastructure, they will be willing to pay to help that infrastructure develop. This in turn helps the firms that are contracted to build the necessary roads and facilities, and decreases the cost of doing business in between African nations.

InvestmentU Suggests an 'African Investment Safari'

InvestmentU Research's Tony D'Altorio calls Africa the "New Investment Destiation" in a post found here. D'Altorio notes the region could be close to joining the BRIC nations as an investment destination. He notes that China and India have already made clear strides to invest in the continent, and that a $1,000 investment over the past decade in the top 40 companies in the continent (which come primarily from South Africa, Egypt, and Morocco, but can also be found in Algeria, Angola, Nigeria, Togo, and Tunisia) would have grown to over $9,000 by November 2009.

South Africa: A Path To Emerging Nations' Wealth

In an article found here, InvestmentU Research's Tony Daltorio comments on South Africa's success, noting the expansion of businesses which work in consumer goods, financial services, and telecommunications - many of which are successfully expanding their businesses into other emerging markets. In fact, the article suggests re-naming the eponymous BRIC moniker to 'BASIC' to include South Africa as one the fast-growing emerging markets of the next decade.