Africa; Rediscovered by the major industries

The last couple of decades only few foreign companies really showed interest in Africa. The continent was perceived as too risky to invest in.

The last years a silent shift is taking place. More and more companies have shown interest in the continent. From retailers, private labels to investors in processing industry. A first quick analysis might give the impression it is mostly because of CSR positioning.

However, a second analysis is creating a more interesting and more promising future for Africa. Due to the upcoming internal consumption of the BRIC countries there is already pressure on the current food sources worldwide. The naturalness of western companies of having access to these sources is changing rapidly because other buyers are interested; Chinese, Indian, Brazilian and Russian traders and investors are entering Africa as well and are buying and investing. To safeguard their supply western companies have changed their strategy and start investing. It is already obvious on a variety of commidities.

This interest is creating a serious opportunity for Africa and might change the position of the continent in the coming decades. One of the necessities to use this opportunity is that governments play with this new setting and avoid the sale of the land and bargain for the best investments. Only in that way the continent can seriously profit from this new opportunity.