World
10 Reasons to Consider African Trade and Investment Opportunities in 2022
By Lerisha Naidu, Lodewyk Meyer, Mike van Rensburg and Virusha Subban
- Visible green shoots – rising commodity prices
The pandemic closed borders and stopped trade, other than for essentials, across the continent and was the principal reason for a decline in investment in 2020. A lack of available capital and acquisition finance, as well as difficulties pricing deals in an uncertain market, also affected investment.
Other reasons for declining investment, included that the levels of economic activity have slowed in the major African economies, such as Nigeria and South Africa.
However, green shoots are visible and market fundamentals are signalling a region with underlying resilience. Commodity prices are rising and landmark deals are returning to the continent.
- The launch of AfCFTA
To date, 38 countries in Africa had ratified the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement and 54 countries have signed it. The start of trading in 2021 resulted in an increase in investor sentiment as dealmakers took note of the agreement’s first movers.
AfCFTA is unlocking significant growth opportunities for the continent, providing the chance for countries to diversify their economies, scale production capacity and widen the range of products made in Africa, in particular boosting the production of manufactured goods.
Closer integration of neighbouring economies is providing a potential avenue for creating scale and competitiveness through domestic market enlargement, promoting development through greater efficiency. AfCFTA is also acting as an impetus for African governments to address their infrastructure needs as well as to overhaul regulations relating to tariffs, bilateral trade, cross-border initiatives and capital flows.
- Shifting patterns and alternative financing
There has been an urgent imperative to identify and enable new sources of finance, outside of traditional lenders and international partners, to address Africa’s infrastructure gaps in, for example, transportation, energy provision, internet access and data services, and education and healthcare infrastructure in Africa.
In the commodity financing space in Africa, international banks have withdrawn as they focus on managing their liquidity and current debt positions. As a result, Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) are increasingly anchoring the infrastructure ecosystem in Africa.
Local and regional banks, specialist infrastructure funds and private equity and debt are also stepping in to collaborate with DFIs and access returns. Multi-finance and blended solutions are expected to grow in popularity as a way to de-risk deals and support a broader ecosystem of lenders.
- Global interest
Trade data from China’s Ministry of Commerce showed China’s trade with Africa has risen 20-fold in twenty years – firming China’s position as Africa’s biggest bilateral trading partner. However, fewer infrastructure financing projects are expected out of China going forward.
Those that do occur will be of higher quality, using sophisticated structures and new finance options, such as supply chain finance structures to deploy finance to the region. The United States is renewing its focus on impact-building and financing strategic long-term projects in the region, with the Export-Import Bank of the United States supporting infrastructure development in the continent. The US recently announced the renewed Prosper Africa initiative, which focuses on improving reciprocal trade and investment between the two regions. The European Union has always been clear about its commitment to strong relationships with African countries.
Recently, DFIs from the US, France and Germany collaborated to finance a substantial transaction in the African healthcare sector. The United Kingdom is also making a strong play for influence, investment and trade with Africa post-Brexit. Further to key summits in 2020 and 2021, finance is being redirected into Africa.
- Post-pandemic sector potential
Investors with strong market positions and an appetite for risk are capitalizing on the bargains in challenged sectors, such as retail, transport, energy, construction, hospitality and leisure, and eyeing opportunities in well-performing sectors like technology, healthcare and Fintech. The oil & gas industry and non-core infrastructure sectors have faced significant stress, producing opportunities for buyers.
An unabated demand for technology has caused extensive cross-sector disruption, with the financial, energy, transport, retail, agricultural and health sectors all seeking opportunities to expand their tech infrastructure.
- Digitization
Digitization is enabling the development and harmonization of a regulatory framework to integrate Africa’s digital economies, crucial to be able to operate in the post-pandemic environment. The African Virtual Trade-Diplomacy Platform was implemented this year to allow parties across different timelines, languages and legal frameworks to meet in a secure online environment, streamlining cross border negotiations.
Digitization is also aiding lenders with assessing risk more accurately through access to previously unavailable data before they deploy capital in the region. This is allowing projects that would otherwise seem too risky to go ahead.
- Leapfrogging traditional energy systems
Access to power in the continent is hampered by the lack of access to competitive funding, the dire state of Africa’s utilities infrastructure, and the need for energy policy and legislation to be adapted to boost investment.
However, new systems and networks are being designed around future environmental stressors and energy demands, without having to consider the limitations of old infrastructure. With the use of mobile technology and the lack of existing electricity transmission networks, these developments are providing an opportunity for African communities to gain access to power by leapfrogging the traditional model of centralized generation and transmission of power.
New and cost-effective solutions that utilize renewable energy, green hydrogen, battery storage and smart power technologies, as well as the global drive towards a decentralized, decarbonized and secure energy supply that addresses climate change and stimulates economic growth, are all leading to investment opportunities.
- Mending chains
Before the pandemic, supply chains were already under pressure in Africa due to inadequate infrastructure, corruption and security issues, poor logistics and onerous regulatory requirements. During COVID-19, these chains became longer and more vulnerable to breaks.
When AfCFTA became operational, it highlighted the crucial need for improved infrastructure and stronger supply chains to facilitate the free flow of trade across the continent.
Last year, the African Union African Peer Review Mechanism highlighted Africa’s supply chain challenges and overreliance on foreign trade and suggested the continent boost its manufacturing capacity to build a supply chain that could not be weakened by global blockages. As a result, many African countries have begun assessing ways to improve their manufacturing capacities so that they can produce local components.
- Competition law and enforcement
Competition policy continues to be viewed by regulators as a key driver of economic growth. Across Africa, competition policy enforcement is increasingly being employed as a tool to boost economic performance and to promote the revitalization of trade and industry.
Numerous jurisdictions have strengthened their competition and antitrust regimes through amendments to existing legislation, the introduction of new laws and regulations, and have renewed fervour and political will to enforce laws. These developments draw attention to the continent’s collective enthusiasm in ensuring competition compliance, and its determination in promoting and protecting more effective economies.
- Environmental Social and Governance
As Africa reduces its over-dependence on natural resources and increases its manufacturing capacity, it must ensure it develops in a sustainable way – spurring investment in projects focused on clean energy, community development initiatives, wildlife protection, sustainable agriculture and low-carbon development, for example.
A commitment to Environmental Social & Governance principles is now a primary focus in the quest for post-pandemic funding, with access to capital for large projects almost certainly containing sustainability requirements.
Lerisha Naidu is a Partner, Competition & Antitrust; Lodewyk Meyer is a Partner, Banking and Finance; Mike van Rensburg is a Partner, M&A; and Virusha Subban is a Partner, Customs and Trade, Baker McKenzie Johannesburg
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
For transforming cross-border payments through its deployment with Global Money Exchange, Comviva has been named Best In-Class Cross Border Payments.
The global leader in digital transformation solutions clinched this latest accolade at the IBS Intelligence Global FinTech Innovation Award 2025.
The recognition highlights how Comviva’s mobiquity Pay is helping shape a modern cross-border payment ecosystem that stretches far beyond conventional remittance services.
Deployed as a white label Wallet Platform and launched as Global Pay Oman App, it fulfils GMEC’s dual vision—positioning itself as an innovative payment service provider while digitally extending its core money transfer business.
The solution allows GMEC to offer international money transfers alongside seamless forex ordering and other services. These capabilities sit alongside a broad suite of everyday financial services, including bill and utility payments, merchant transactions, education-related payments, and other digital conveniences — all delivered through one unified experience.
“This award is a testament to Oman’s accelerating digital transformation and our commitment to reshaping how cross-border payments serve people and businesses across the Sultanate.
“By partnering with Comviva and bringing the Global Pay Oman Super App, we have moved beyond traditional remittance services to create a truly inclusive and future-ready financial ecosystem.
“This innovation is not only enhancing convenience and transparency for our customers but is also supporting Oman’s broader vision of building a digitally empowered economy,” the Managing Director at Global Money Exchange, Subromoniyan K.S, said.
Also commenting, the chief executive of Comviva, Mr Rajesh Chandiramani, said, “Cross-border payments are becoming a daily necessity, not a niche service, particularly for migrant and trade-linked economies.
“This recognition from IBS Intelligence validates our focus on building payment platforms that combine global reach with local relevance, operational resilience and a strong user experience. The deployment with Global Money Exchange Co. demonstrates how mobiquity® Pay enables financial institutions to move beyond remittances and deliver integrated digital services at scale.”
“The deployment of mobiquity Pay for GMEC showcases how scalable, API-driven digital wallet platforms can transform cross-border payments into seamless, value-rich experiences.
“By integrating remittances, bill payments, forex services, and AI-powered engagement into a unified Super App, Comviva has reimagined customer journeys and operational agility.
“This Best-in-Class Cross-border Payments award win stands as a testament to Comviva’s excellence in enabling financial institutions to compete and grow in a digitally convergent world,” the Director for Research and Digital Properties at IBS Intelligence, Nikhil Gokhale, said.
By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh
At the end of an extensive consultation with African foreign ministers, Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, has emphasized that Moscow would advance its economic engagement across Africa, admittedly outlining obstacles delaying the prompt implementation of several initiatives set forth in Strategic Action Plan (2023-2026) approved in St. Petersburg during the Russia-Africa Summit.
The second Ministerial Conference, by the Russian Foreign Ministry with support from Roscongress Foundation and the Arab Republic of Egypt, marked an important milestone towards raising bilateral investment and economic cooperation.
In Cairo, the capital city of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Lavrov read out the final resolution script, in a full-packed conference hall, and voiced strong confidence that Moscow would achieve its strategic economic goals with Africa, with support from the African Union (AU) and other Regional Economic blocs in the subsequent years. Despite the complexities posed by the Russia-Ukraine crisis, combined with geopolitical conditions inside the African continent, Moscow however reiterated its position to take serious steps in finding pragmatic prospects for mutual cooperation and improve multifaceted relations with Africa, distinctively in the different sectors: in trade, economic and investment spheres, education and culture, humanitarian and other promising areas.
The main event was the plenary session co-chaired by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration, and Egyptians Abroad Bashar Abdelathi. Welcome messages from Russian President Vladimir Putin and Egyptian President Abdelhak Sisi were read.
And broadly, the meeting participants compared notes on the most pressing issues on the international and Russian-African agendas, with a focus on the full implementation of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum Action Plan for 2023-2026, approved at the second Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg in 2023.
In addition, on the sidelines of the conference, Lavrov held talks with his African counterparts, and a number of bilateral documents were signed. A thematic event was held with the participation of Russian and African relevant agencies and organizations, aimed at unlocking the potential of trilateral Russia-Egypt-Africa cooperation in trade, economic, and educational spheres.
With changing times, Africa is rapidly becoming one of the key centers of a multipolar world order. It is experiencing a second awakening. Following their long-ago political independence, African countries are increasingly insisting on respect for their sovereignty and their right to independently manage their resources and destiny. Based on these conditions, it was concluded that Moscow begins an effective and comprehensive work on preparing a new three-year Cooperation and Joint Action Plan between Russia and Africa.
Moreover, these important areas of joint practical work are already detailed in the Joint Statement, which was unanimously approved and will serve as an important guideline for future work. According to reports, the Joint Statement reflects the progress of discussions on international and regional issues, as well as matters of global significance.
Following the conference, the Joint Statement adopted reflects shared approaches to addressing challenges and a mutual commitment to strengthening multifaceted cooperation with a view to ensuring high-quality preparation for the third Russia-Africa Summit in 2026.
On December 19-20, the Second Ministerial Conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum was held in Cairo, Egypt. It was held for the first time on the African continent, attended by heads and representatives of the foreign policy ministries of 52 African states and the executive bodies of eight regional integration associations.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Social media platform, TikTok’s Chinese owner ByteDance has signed binding agreements with United States and global investors to operate its business in America.
Half of the joint venture will be owned by a group of investors, including Oracle, Silver Lake and the Emirati investment firm MGX, according to a memo sent by chief executive, Mr Shou Zi Chew.
The deal, which is set to close on January 22, 2026 would end years of efforts by the US government to force ByteDance to sell its US operations over national security concerns.
It is in line with a deal unveiled in September, when US President Donald Trump delayed the enforcement of a law that would ban the app unless it was sold.
In the memo, TikTok said the deal will enable “over 170 million Americans to continue discovering a world of endless possibilities as part of a vital global community”.
Under the agreement, ByteDance will retain 19.9 per cent of the business, while Oracle, Silver Lake and Abu Dhabi-based MGX will hold 15 per cent each.
Another 30.1 per cent will be held by affiliates of existing ByteDance investors, according to the memo.
The White House previously said that Oracle, which was co-founded by President Trump’s supporter Larry Ellison, will license TikTok’s recommendation algorithm as part of the deal.
The deal comes after a series of delays.
Business Post reported in April 2024 that the administration of President Joe Biden passed a law to ban the app over national security concerns, unless it was sold.
The law was set to go into effect on January 20, 2025 but was pushed back multiple times by President Trump, while his administration worked out a deal to transfer ownership.
President Trump said in September that he had spoken on the phone to China’s President Xi Jinping, who he said had given the deal the go ahead.
The platform’s future remained unclear after the leaders met face to face in October.
The app’s fate was clouded by ongoing tensions between the two nations on trade and other matters.
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