Where to invest in Africa - SA the fourth-most attractive investment destination

South Africa is the fourth-most attractive investment destination in Africa‚ according to the latest Africa Investment Index.

According to the index‚ by Quantum Global’s independent research arm‚ Quantum Global Research Lab‚ Botswana is the continent’s most attractive economy for investment. Morocco was ranked second‚ followed by Egypt. Zambia was ranked fifth‚ after South Africa

Botswana‚ it says‚ scores highly based on a range of factors that include improved credit rating‚ current account ratio‚ import cover and ease of doing business. South Africa‚ scored well on the growth factor of GDP‚ ease of doing business in the country and significant population.

• South Africa could suffer further downgrades if political uncertainty stalls growth: S&PSouth Africa's credit rating could get downgraded deeper into junk status if political uncertainty triggered by the recent firing of the finance minister stalls reforms needed to grow the economy, an executive from S&P Global Ratings said on Wednesday. 

The top five countries attracted an overall FDI of $13.6bn in 2016.

Somalia was ranked the worst investment destination‚ followed by Eritrea.

Commenting on the Index‚ Prof Mthuli Ncube‚ Head of Quantum Global Research Lab stated: “Despite considerable external challenges and the fall in oil prices‚ many of the African nations are demonstrating an increased willingness to achieve sustainable growth by diversifying their economies and introducing favourable policies to attract inward investments. Botswana is a case in example - its strategic location‚ skilled workforce and a politically stable environment have attracted the attention of international investors leading to a significant influx of FDI.”

Ncube added: “With a population of over one billion people and rapidly growing middle class‚ Africa clearly offers significant opportunities to invest in the continent’s non-commodities sectors such as financial services‚ construction and manufacturing amongst others. However‚ structural reforms and greater private sector involvement are crucial to unlocking Africa’s true potential.”