Developing Africa's capital markets

In the recent past, Africa has shown a vibrant growth story, but to sustain this momentum, significant investments are needed in key sectors like energy and infrastructure. Despite the uncertainties posed by the global economic and political landscape, African capital markets have the potential to capitalize on the promise of accelerated growth to raise resources for development. EUvin Naidoo, Head of Financial Institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa at Thomson Reuters, sheds light on the challenges and opportunities facing African capital markets. Naidoo emphasizes the importance of deepening capital markets, managing risk, and leveraging the Fourth Industrial Revolution to enhance capital flows across the continent. With the recent commodities shock still reverberating through markets, the focus is on stimulating consumer spending, credit markets, and reinvigorating economic growth. East Africa, in particular, is striving to develop collateral markets and improve property rights to empower consumers and facilitate lending. The region's stability, rejuvenated tourism sector, and growing property market position it as a key entry point into the African continent. As Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba, visits the region to engage with young entrepreneurs, Naidoo sees this as an opportunity for Africa to benefit from global partnerships and foster innovation. The exchange of ideas and knowledge between global giants and local pioneers could pave the way for the emergence of African entrepreneurial leaders, akin to Jack Ma, driving economic growth and development in the region.