Foreign investment in Africa rising again

Estimates for 2012 by Ernst & Young point to a reversal of the 20% decline in foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows into Africa since the global crisis‚ where FDI peaked in 2008 at US$72bn but dropped to just 4.5% of global investment.

A survey of over 500 international business leaders in 38 countries showed a 73% improvement in Africa's attractiveness three years from now.

Senior tax policy adviser at Ernst & Young and former director at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development‚ Jeffrey Owens‚ said the stellar performance could be maintained and the rewards of development could be reaped‚ but this would entail improved transparency‚ a respect for the rule of law and more investment in infrastructure and education.

"Many countries in Africa find developing a policy dialogue with business a strange concept‚" he said.

"There is tremendous interest in investing in Africa and what is important is large companies are also investing in research and development‚ which will be a continuing trend here‚" said Ernst & Young Africa's tax leader‚ James Deiotte.

But tax adviser from Nigeria‚ Ifueko Okauru said a challenge now was to get people to "pay the right taxes".


 
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