The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Brink of disaster
Generally, the report notes: “From a global perspective, African countries are still at the lower end of the global-performance spectrum, which continues to be dominated by the US, UK, Australia and Germany”.
One of the conclusions of the report is that Africa could find itself hovering on the brink of disaster if it continues to depend on its current economic fundamentals and does not usher in economic diversification. This involves understanding the need to adapt to the prolonged slowdown in commodity prices and sluggish levels of production growth.
“Some countries have been more nimble and effective than others in managing shortfalls,” explains Nema Ramkhelawan-Bhana, RMB Africa analyst and an author of the report.
“But major policy dilemmas have ensued, forcing governments to balance economically prudent solutions with what is politically palatable.”
RMB Africa analyst and co-author of the report Celeste Fauconnier adds that over the past three years, some African governments have had to implement deep and painful budget cuts, announce multiple currency devaluations and adopt hawkish monetary policy stances – all as a result of a significant drop in traditional revenues.
“The last three years have sounded an alarm, amplifying what is now a dire need for the economies of Africa to shift their focus from traditional sources of income to other viable alternatives,” says Neville Mandimika, RMB Africa analyst and contributor to the report.
Another RMB Africa analyst and co-author, Ronak Gopaldas, emphasises that there is no quick fix to infuse into such a complex situation. Gopaldas expects traditional forms of revenue to remain a reality for many years to come.
According to the report, Rwanda’s re-entry into the top 10 was helped by being one of the fastest reforming economies in the world, with high real growth rates and making a continuing attempt to diversify its economy.
In terms of ranking, Egypt has made history by knocking South Africa from its long-standing top spot regarding investments in Africa.
This is the first time SA has not been in top spot since the report was initiated seven years ago.
Nigeria, on the other hand, has for the first time not featured in the Top 10. This is due to the erosion of its short-term investment appeal by recessionary conditions, according to the report.
Egypt displaced SA largely because of its superior economic activity score, while SA has shown sluggish growth rates, which have deteriorated markedly over the past seven years.
While the report found that SA also faces mounting concerns over issues of institutional strength and governance, some things still count in the country’s favour. These include the rand, equity and capital markets, which the report points out are still “a cut above the rest” compared to many other African nations facing liquidity constraints.
Morocco retained its third position for a third consecutive year, benefiting from a greatly enhanced operating environment since the “Arab Spring” which began in 2010.
“Surprisingly, Ethiopia, a country dogged by socio-political instability, displaced Ghana to take fourth spot, mostly because of its rapid economic growth, having brushed past Kenya as the largest economy in East Africa,” according to the report.
Ghana’s slide to fifth position was mostly due to perceptions of worsening corruption and weaker economic freedom.
Kenya came in at sixth position. According to the report, despite being surpassed by Ethiopia, investors are still attracted by Kenya’s diverse economic structure, pro-market policies and brisk consumer spending growth.
At the same time, the report found that “a host of business-friendly reforms aimed at rooting out corruption and steady economic growth” helped Tanzania climb by two places to number seven.
At number nine, Tunisia has made great strides in advancing political transition, according to the report. An improved business climate has also been achieved by structural reforms, greater security and social stability.
Cote d’Ivoire slipped two places to take up the tenth position, while Algeria slipped from tenth to fifteenth place.
“Although its business environment scoring is still relatively low, its government has made significant strides in inviting investment into the country leading to a strong increase in foreign direct investment over the years resulting in one of the fastest growing economies in Africa,” states the report.
****
