When it comes to investment opportunities in Africa, Egypt is a popular option to consider. This North African nation has remained strong and vibrant from ancient times to the present and offers investors a wide range of investment possibilities.
Why
Invest In Egypt?
Egypt is one of two nations that are classified as emerging markets in Africa, the other being South Africa. In general, markets are classified as developed markets (United States, Japan, etc.), emerging markets, or as frontier markets (Kenya, Nigeria, etc).
Emerging markets tend to have stronger economies and more stable governments than frontier markets, which can translate to less risk for investors. While every investment carries some level of risk, investing in emerging markets can be a good option to consider, as you may enjoy a more robust return and less competition than with investments in developed markets.
In addition to its classification as an emerging market, Egypt has many other qualities that might make it attractive to investors, including:
1.
Location, Location, Location
When it comes to global positioning, Egypt is well placed, located at the crossroads of Africa, Asia and Europe. This nation’s proximity to the Mediterranean Sea, Suez Canal, Red Sea and the Nile River is a huge benefit to the Egyptian economy.
2. Diverse
Economy
Egypt offers the Africa investor many options. Egypt’s diverse economy includes agriculture, industry and services. This diversity reduces the risk of overreliance in any one sector, which helps to bolster Egypt’s economy.
3. Energy
Resources
Egypt is rich in natural resources and has significant reserves of oil and gas. Egypt is an important player in the energy sector in the MENA (Middle East/North Africa) region, and there are many investment opportunities in this sector.
4.
Large Workforce
Like many nations in Africa, Egypt has a large and relatively young workforce, with a median age of about 25 years. This makes Egypt an attractive destination for companies looking to expand their operations. A younger population also means there is increased demand for goods and services, unlike nations with older populations that tend to be more focused on entitlements and healthcare.
5.
Infrastructure Development
Egypt has been investing heavily in infrastructure development in the last few years, and this includes major projects in transportation, energy and telecommunications. This investment helps meet consumer demands as well as helps to expand business opportunities throughout the country.
6.
Strategic Partnerships
Egypt has developed partnerships with many other countries, including China, the United States and the United Arab Emirates, to name a few. These partnerships have helped to create a business environment that attracts foreign investment. This opens up many investment opportunities in Africa.
7.
Economic Growth
Egypt has been experiencing strong economic growth, averaging around 5% in recent years. While inflation has had some serious impact on the Egyptian economy, the economy is still expected to grow by more than 4% in 2023.
How
To Invest In Egypt
It can be tricky for foreign investors to find easy ways to invest in the Egyptian market. One of the easiest options to consider would be an exchange-traded fund (ETF) A general Africa ETF or an emerging markets ETF might include investments in Egyptian companies. There are also one or two ETFs that focus exclusively on Egypt, or you can look for a sector-based ETF, such as an energy ETF that might include investments in Africa.
While there are ways to invest in real estate or specific Egyptian stocks, an ETF is an easy option for all levels of investors. With ETFs, you can purchase shares using an online brokerage account rather than using an investment firm. Of course, we highly recommend that you do your due diligence and research an ETF carefully before deciding to purchase shares.
It is important to track the performance history of the fund as well as the expense ratio. The expense ratio is the fee charged to cover the costs of managing the ETF and lower fees mean lower costs for investors, and, because the fund doesn’t have to earn as much to cover costs, this might generate a more positive return, as well.
We also suggest that you look at the fund’s diversification and research the top holdings. Diversification is meant to lower risk, but if you feel as though the ETF is not diversified enough or have concerns about the holdings, it might be best to select a different investment option.
Naturally, you also will want to take a look at the current market conditions before making any investment. If you do purchase shares of an ETF, be sure to continue to monitor market conditions and review the ETF from time to time to see if the holdings and their weightings have changed. It’s also a good idea to research the team that is managing the ETF.
As a side note, while Egypt’s economy continues to grow, some of the fastest-growing economies on the African continent include Morocco, South Africa, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Benin and Cote d’Ivoire, just to name a few. While an investment in Egypt can be a good option to consider, don’t forget to look at other African investments for long-term portfolio growth.
Investing in Egypt can be an interesting option for many investors, but it is just one option for those who wish to invest in Africa. At Money Watch Africa, we post regularly about investment opportunities in Africa. Check back every month for the latest news about investing in Africa as well as frontier market and emerging market news.
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