This is Africa

The 2012 outlook

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Influential thinkers assess Africa�s prospects for the next 12 months

Green light

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Against the backdrop of rising prices for hydrocarbon-based energy sources, a growing number of African countries are looking to renewable energy to address the region�s severe power shortage

The price of success

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Africa�s ICT sector is booming, but prohibitive taxes on mobiles could put a brake on its growth

Aiding business

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

The private sector�s role in development has seen a renaissance, with donors reassessing their strategies and development finance institutions positioned increasingly as central actors. But stakeholders need to increase coordination to maximise their impact

The economic outlook

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

The International Monetary Fund�s most recent forecast for sub-Saharan Africa anticipates average growth of 5.5 percent in 2012. These projections are in line with the expectations of This Is Africa�s sentiment survey. Only two respondents anticipated growth of under 5 percent, with most predicting levels of 5.5-6 percent.

The political outlook

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

The Arab Spring may be the most important geopolitical shift since the end of the Cold War. Attention now turns to the construction of new orders, and the outcomes are far from clear. Survey respondents agreed that expectations are high and emerging governments need to respond to long pent-up demands.

Tentative steps

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

After many years of political isolation, there are hopes that moves towards a more open political sphere could improve Togo�s international relations

POLITICS: On the Mend?

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

The same family and political party have ruled Togo for the past 44 years. In 2005 president Faure Gnassingb�, the English speaking son of president-for-life Gnassingb� Eyadema, was elected in controversial circumstances upon his father�s death.

Building momentum

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

On the back of economic reforms, Togo�s once closed economy is starting toattract a growing number of international investors

How to turn citizens into owners of national wealth

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

On November 28 Anadarko Petroleum doubled the estimate of its massive Mozambique gas discovery. If this proves correct, Mozambique will become a major gas exporter and can expect a hefty windfall.

The future of Africa�s agricultural sector

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

The overall statistics on African agriculture are well known. It employs over 200 million people and in most countries provides the livelihood of approximately 70 percent of the population. Despite this, Africa has the greatest proportion of malnourished families. Even in countries with the greatest agricultural potential, such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, up to 75 percent of the population is still undernourished.

Africa needs flexible capital, as well as patient capital

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

It is widely understood that Africa�s private sector requires a reliable supply of capital to grow, yet SMEs � vital to the continent�s economic growth story � continue to face significant hurdles to securing the financing they require.