Nigeria: The Ultimate Footprint in Africa

For those who know already and for others who may care to be informed, Africa is the next global engine of growth. The next civilization that will make the achievements of the West pale into insignificance is emerging from the hitherto 'third world'. You can safely engrave these words in gold.

Africa and its national policy environments are becoming most favourable to foreign direct investments (FDIs) as against portfolio investments, because FDIs tend to be more value- and employment- creating than portfolio investments. Development literature also attest to the knowledge spillover and demonstration effects from the presence of foreign firms in domestic economies.


Moreover, the launch of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area  signals a new trajectory for the Continent's contribution to global trade and value-chains.


All these are signals to smart investors who may seek to gain a first-mover advantage in specified areas of goods and services delivery on the Continent. 


It is noteworthy that every country in Africa is endowed with rich resources, human and natural, which can accelerate in productivity if mixed with right technical resources and experience. 


Nevertheless, Nigeria, the most populous country on the continent is the ultimate footprint for any foreign investor divesting to Africa. As I humourously speak to clients, you are either in Nigeria or not anywhere yet on the African Continent. 


Nigeria's youth and working age population are some of the most energetic, innovative and value-creating hands you can get on the Continent, in all social and economic sectors. With a government urgently seeking to diversify its mainstay away from oil, value-creating direct foreign investments will most likely enjoy considerable location economies.


Africa's and Nigeria's problems are only opportunities for forward-looking investors to leverage and create value for the benefit of all.


Africa is gold.

Thinking Africa? Invest in Nigeria next.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Adverse Import: Cotonou Pineapple Vs Nigerian Pineapple

Image
I like the tropical fruit called pineapple and it serves as a sweet base for some of my homemade fruit juices. I have observed in recent times as I shop in local markets and around town for pineapple that there are two varieties –  slim-shaped pineapples and robust pineapples. The slimmer pineapples are usually the majority available with general purpose or specialized fruit vendors and can be bought at low prices (between NGN40 – NGN80 a piece depending on size). On the other hand, the robust variety are sold at relatively higher prices (between NGN150 – NGN250 a piece).  Of course I usually purchase the cheaper variety because it is readily available in larger quantities than the robust type. Recently, while shopping for fruits at a nearby cluster of sellers, I had bought the robust type (because the slim type was not available) and discovered a difference in colour, taste and texture. On a fact finding mission (during another market visit) while bargaining for a set of
Read more

A New Dawn: SDGs, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Image
Beginning today Friday 25 th through Sunday 27 th September 2015, Heads of State and Government and High representatives will meet at the 70 th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York to ratify the blue print of the post-2015 Development Agenda – Sustainable Development Goals. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development focuses on transforming the world with a focus on 5 Ps – People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnership. The blueprint is indeed a product of conscientious consultations involving various stakeholders deliberating and debating various thematic and sub-thematic issues. The Task Force improved on the consultative processes that birthed the MDGs. Consequently, the SDGs are a product of wider and more inclusive consultations on elements essential to creating the World We Want by 2030. Also, in many ways the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development seeks to build on the Millennium Development Goals and complete what it could no
Read more

Opinion Survey on Nigeria’s 2015 Presidential Elections: Preliminary Results

Image
Many thanks to everyone who has participated in the opinion survey on Nigeria’s 2015 presidential elections powered by Research Policy Shop . You are deeply appreciated. Respondents are male and female Nigerians, of different age groups, religious affiliation, with states of origin spread across the six geopolitical zones. This post is devoted to sharing preliminary results from the Survey. For the most part, respondents (54%) base their prospective voting behaviour on their personal evaluation of the candidate’s past/prospective performance. Another 45% of respondents base their prospective voting behaviour on ‘desirable personal characteristics’ of the choice candidate. A larger percentage of the respondents so far originate from South-West Nigeria. Most of the respondents (72%) noted they are likely to vote for the APC candidate. Irrespective of their personal voting intentions, 69% of the respondents think the APC candidate will likely win the P
Read more

The Difference is Clear: Nigerian Police Barracks Versus Military/Naval/Air Force Barracks

Image
It is not only of 7Up’s taste that we can say   ‘the difference is clear’ , we can also say same of the Nigerian police barracks in contrast with military/naval/air force (MNA) barracks.  Sometimes, irrespective of their location, the physical state of police residential buildings and adjoining environment is deplorable, with pockets of disorganized vendors and poor waste management systems.  On the better hand, MNA residential areas have relatively cleaner environments, better maintained buildings and organized trading areas. As a development economist, I am bothered that this ‘physical’ differential may be a signal to more serious social welfare issues. Having keenly observed this disturbing real world phenomenon over a few years, there are some intriguing questions which I hope research and policy can address in the days to come: What is the extent of income and welfare differentials among different categories of the Nigerian armed forces? What accounts for the di
Read more