Introduction

African Business

A unique guide to business and investment in Africa. G lobal Africa Network is proud to launch this inaugural edition of African Business 2020 at a time of energetic planning for a prosperous future for the continent.

The African Union’s Agenda 2063 is much more than a document about a hoped-for future, it contains concrete goals and deliverables. The Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) and the development finance institution, the African Development Bank (AfDB) are already rolling out valuable projects that are changing the reality on the ground in vital areas of the African economy.

Perhaps the most significant event of recent times is the signing by African leaders of the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement (AfCFTA) which will bring together all 55 member states of the African Union and cover a market of more than 1.2-billion people. African Business 2020 has articles on all of these recent trends, plus overviews of the key economic sectors and regional and country profiles. In 2019 Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed received the Nobel Peace Prize for peace-making efforts in his region. The economic dividends of peace are beginning to be felt. In 2020 South African President Cyril Ramaphosa assumed the mantle of AU Chairperson. He brings to the role considerable experience in conflict management, constitutionwriting and seeking consensus.

Global Africa Network is a proudly African company which has been producing region-specific business and investment guides since 2004, including South African Business and Nigerian Business, in addition to its online investment promotion platform www.globalafricanetwork.com Chris Whales Publisher, Global Africa Network Media • Email: chris@gan.co.za Credits Publisher: Chris Whales Publishing director: Robert Arendse Editor: John Young Managing director: Clive During Online editor: Christoff Scholtz Art director: Brent Meder Designer: Richard Smith Production: Lizel Olivier Ad sales: Gavin van der Merwe, Sam Oliver, Jeremy Petersen Gabriel Venter, Vanessa Wallace, Themba Khumalo, Shiko Diala and Sandile Koni. Administration & accounts: Charlene Steynberg and Natalie Koopman Distribution & circulation manager: Edward MacDonald Printing: FA Print

DISTRIBUTION African Business is distributed internationally on trade missions, through trade and investment agencies in Africa; to foreign offices in Africa; at top national and international events; through the offices of African foreign representatives; as well as nationally and regionally via chambers of commerce, tourism offices, airport lounges, government departments, and companies.

PUBLISHED BY Global Africa Network Media (Pty) Ltd Company Registration No: 2004/004982/07 Directors: Clive During, Chris Whales Physical address: 28 Main Road, Rondebosch 7700 Postal address: PO Box 292, Newlands 7701 Tel: +27 21 657 6200 | Fax: +27 21 674 6943 Email: info@gan.co.za | Website: www.gan.co.za

COPYRIGHT | AFRICA BUSINESS is an independent publication published by Global Africa Network Media (Pty) Ltd. Full copyright to the publication vests with Global Africa Network Media (Pty) Ltd. No part of the publication may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of Global Africa Network Media (Pty) Ltd.

PHOTO CREDITS | Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), Ethiopian Investment Commission, iStock by Getty Images, Marriott Hotels. ISBN 978-0-620-86689-7

DISCLAIMER | While the publisher, Global Africa Network Media (Pty) Ltd, has used all reasonable efforts to ensure that the information contained in African Business is accurate and up-to-date, the publishers make no representations as to the accuracy, quality, timeliness, or completeness of the information. Global Africa Network will not accept responsibility for any loss or damage suffered as a result of the use of or any reliance placed on such information.

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