Political change critical to Southern Africa’s businesses in 2017 -int’I consultant
Businesses in Southern and East Africa may be threatened by a number of challenges, including macro-economic instability, especially induced by low oil prices and global economic sentiments.
In two separate statements signed by the Marketing Director, Europe and Africa, Mr. Friederick Lyon and Charity Kahuki, on behalf of APO, a consulting firm, they identified internal political uncertainty across a number of key nations, as capable of posing greater risks to the regions and their economies.
According to Kahuki, in her own statement, “Companies will pursue different strategies to protect value and seize opportunities”.
The statement added that, many organisations will be defined as Arks and OR Whales by their response.”
According to Lyon, “African businesses will remain vulnerable from failing to accord cyber security risk the same value as more established security or political threats. Better governance has improved the business environment but plain sailing is not assured.”
The statement said that, “Macro-economic instability, fueled by low oil prices and global economic sentiment, will continue to be the main driver of business risks across Southern Africa in 2017. Governance improvements and the embedding of certain democratic practices and norms will limit the scope of potential for deterioration among African nations.”
While quoting George Nicholls, Senior Partner for Control Risks in Southern Africa, the statement added that, “Macro-economic and domestic political changes are driving African nations to reinvent themselves in the hope of becoming Dubai or Singapore style commercial hubs. This will present lucrative new opportunities for business, but equally engender unknown risks and require a deeper understanding of the local political and regulatory environment.”
While quoting George Nicholls, Senior Partner for Control Risks in Southern Africa, the statement added that, “Macro-economic and domestic political changes are driving African nations to reinvent themselves in the hope of becoming Dubai or Singapore style commercial hubs. This will present lucrative new opportunities for business, but equally engender unknown risks and require a deeper understanding of the local political and regulatory environment.”
