World to Africa Series - investment flows: whitepaper
Understanding what is shaping capital flows into African markets.
In Partnership with
Africa’s markets are attracting stronger investor interest, but barriers to scale remain. This whitepaper examines how policy reform, market structure and operational readiness are influencing capital flows, and what still needs to improve to support broader investment growth.
Africa active today
Participation
Interest is particularly strong among mid-tier asset managers, where many firms see clear room to increase exposure.
The increase reflects growing confidence in African markets, even as access and infrastructure barriers remain.
Portfolio growth expected
Growth
One in four firms reported FX restrictions are not just an operational issue, but a fundamental barrier to access.
The growth expectation is broad-based, spanning both established and emerging market participants.
Digital sector focus
Digital
Strong year-on-year asset growth points to significant return potential, even where investors continue to face market access and operating challenges.
The digital focus reflects both the sector’s commercial momentum and the view that infrastructure investment will support broader economic growth.
Investor interest in African markets is increasing, but the path to greater investment flows remains uneven. Growth potential is clear, yet foreign exchange (FX) liquidity, settlement reliability and market access continue to shape how firms assess risk and opportunity.
What is driving stronger investor confidence in Africa today? What operational and market barriers still need to be resolved to support broader and more sustained capital inflows?
The whitepaper examines how reforms, market innovation and investor behaviour are reshaping the African opportunity set. It looks at growing interest in bonds, the role of speed and local expertise, and the operational challenges that continue to affect investment decisions.
The research, produced in partnership with Standard Bank, highlights:
50% of global investors say they plan to increase their exposure to African markets
FX volatility remains a major constraint, while 25% of respondents cannot see past the threat of FX restrictions
African markets are delivering 40% annual asset growth, underlining the scale of the opportunity despite operational and access barriers
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