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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-ZW link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><a href="mailto:info@bulls.co.zw"><span style='color:windowtext;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=848 height=288 id="_x0000_i1074" src="cid:image001.jpg@01D5644F.B4AB0B00" alt="cid:image001.jpg@01D5644F.B4AB0B00"></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:3.75pt;margin-bottom:3.75pt;margin-left:36.0pt;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#555555'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=wp-caption-text style='margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;background:white'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#555555'>Nairobi, Kenya<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:23.4pt;margin-left:0cm;background:white;box-sizing: border-box;font-size:0.975rem'><strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#555555'>The latest edition of Rand Merchant Bank’s </span></strong><em><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#555555'>Where to Invest in Africa</span></b></em><strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#555555'> report assesses each African economy’s investment potential, by overlaying macroeconomic fundamentals with the practicalities of doing business on the continent.</span></strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#555555'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:23.4pt;margin-left:0cm;background:white;box-sizing: border-box;font-size:0.975rem'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#555555'>“After nine years of publishing, we never fail to be both pleased and surprised by the extent of improvement in countries that are not necessarily perceived as strong investment destinations,” says co-author and head of RMB Global Markets Research, Nema Ramkhelawan-Bhana. This year, <strong><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Guinea</span></strong>, <strong><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Mozambique</span></strong> and <strong><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Djibouti</span></strong> recorded the strongest gains in the rankings, with notable advancements in their operating environments.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:23.4pt;margin-left:0cm;background:white;box-sizing: border-box;font-size:0.975rem'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#555555'>The rankings are as instructive on the downside, identifying countries that have either stagnated or outright deteriorated. <strong><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>South Africa</span></strong>, <strong><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Ethiopia</span></strong> and <strong><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Tanzania</span></strong> are among the more prominent countries to have taken a tumble. A deterioration in the ease of doing business has contributed to their relative underperformance and, in addition, South Africa is enduring a cyclical downturn.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:23.4pt;margin-left:0cm;background:white;box-sizing: border-box;font-size:0.975rem'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#555555'>Tanzania’s fall from grace has reshuffled the top 10 investment destinations, with <strong><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Tunisia</span></strong> returning to the fold at number 10 while <strong><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Côte d’Ivoire</span></strong> and <strong><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Ghana</span></strong> edge ever-closer to the top five. North Africa remains dominant with <strong><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Morocco</span></strong> displacing South Africa in the rankings, rising to second place.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:23.4pt;margin-left:0cm;background:white;box-sizing: border-box;font-size:0.975rem'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#555555'>There is an even split of countries from the north, east and west within the top 10 rankings, with only South Africa representing the southern tip of the continent, as a result of its dominance in terms of market size.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:23.4pt;margin-left:0cm;background:white;box-sizing: border-box;font-size:0.975rem'><strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#555555'>1. Egypt:</span></strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#555555'> The enormity of the market paired with a sophisticated business sector relative to other countries makes Egypt the most attractive investment destination in Africa. The improvement in Egypt’s business environment, facilitated through government programmes, combined with the progressive increase in investment from the private sector has enhanced economic growth and assisted in repositioning Egypt on the global investment map.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:23.4pt;margin-left:0cm;background:white;box-sizing: border-box;font-size:0.975rem'><strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#555555'>2. Morocco:</span></strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#555555'> While only Africa’s fifth-largest market, Morocco’s expected growth rate of 4% over the medium term and its greatly-enhanced operating environment has served the country well since the Arab Spring. Its reintegration into the African Union and accession to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have enhanced its investment appeal.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:23.4pt;margin-left:0cm;background:white;box-sizing: border-box;font-size:0.975rem'><strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#555555'>3. South Africa:</span></strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#555555'> South Africa has slipped another place in this year’s rankings, stymied by depressed levels of growth and a lack of structural reform. Yet it remains Africa’s hotspot for portfolio investment. With many countries facing severe liquidity constraints, South Africa’s financial markets and level of financial inclusion are still a cut above the rest.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:23.4pt;margin-left:0cm;background:white;box-sizing: border-box;font-size:0.975rem'><strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#555555'>4. Kenya:</span></strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#555555'> The above 5% expected growth rates, helped by favourable weather and political reconciliation after 2017’s disputed elections, has propelled Kenya one spot higher than 2019. The economy benefits from diversity as well as a sustained expansion in consumer demand, urbanisation, East African Community (EAC) integration, structural reforms and investment in infrastructure, including an oil pipeline, railways, ports and power generation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:23.4pt;margin-left:0cm;background:white;box-sizing: border-box;font-size:0.975rem'><strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#555555'>5. Rwanda:</span></strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#555555'> Rwanda has the second-best business environment in Africa. According to the World Bank’s operating environment scoring, the country has more than doubled the efficiency of its business environment in less than a decade. The government has also invested heavily into its domestic industries, while FDI has increased over the same period, pushing Rwanda to being one of the five fastest-growing economies on the continent.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:23.4pt;margin-left:0cm;background:white;box-sizing: border-box;font-size:0.975rem'><strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#555555'>6. Ghana:</span></strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#555555'> The growth outlook is strong, concentrated around the oil and gas sector. Non-oil growth will pick up again, supported by pro-business reforms and a steady improvement in power supply. Political stability will remain underpinned by Ghana’s strong democratic credentials. Regardless of a recent deterioration in its operating environment rankings, Ghana remains one of the easier business environments in Africa.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:23.4pt;margin-left:0cm;background:white;box-sizing: border-box;font-size:0.975rem'><strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#555555'>7. Côte d’Ivoire:</span></strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#555555'> Côte d’Ivoire is one of the more diversified economies in francophone Africa. Its strong growth rates are supported by the government’s pro-business reforms and a relatively stable political context. Large infrastructure projects, particularly in transport and energy (financed by foreign investment, aid inflows and the government) also support the country’s strong position in the rankings.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:23.4pt;margin-left:0cm;background:white;box-sizing: border-box;font-size:0.975rem'><strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#555555'>8. Nigeria:</span></strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#555555'> Nigeria retains its top 10 ranking due to improved macroeconomics, supported by recovering oil prices and production. As the largest economy in Africa in nominal terms, the possibility for investment cannot be overlooked; and with the largest population on the continent, domestic demand continues to rise. Resources and favourable demographics are attracting strong flow of FDI. The liquidity crunch has subsided since 2017 as commodity prices have recovered and changes in FX regulations have been implemented.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:23.4pt;margin-left:0cm;background:white;box-sizing: border-box;font-size:0.975rem'><strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#555555'>9. Ethiopia:</span></strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#555555'> Ethiopia is the fastest-growing economy on the continent. With a population of almost 100 million people, demand for goods and services is rising significantly. The prohibition of foreign ownership in key sectors is still a constraint for investment, but this is slowly changing. The government has announced shake-ups across industries, including plans to open up the once closely-guarded telecommunications and power monopolies.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:23.4pt;margin-left:0cm;background:white;box-sizing: border-box;font-size:0.975rem'><strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#555555'>10. Tunisia:</span></strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#555555'> Tunisia re-enters within the top 10 supported by a reasonable market size and favourable operating environment. The government’s encouragement of foreign investment, through its new simplified investment code, has made the country increasingly attractive to multinational manufacturers.--Howwemadeitinafrica<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><i><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Invest Wisely!</span></i><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Bulls n Bears </span></b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Telephone: <a href="tel:%2B263%204%202927658" target="_blank"><span style='color:windowtext'>+263 4 2927658</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Cellphone: <a href="tel:%2B263%2077%20344%201674" target="_blank"><span style='color:windowtext'>+263 77 344 1674</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Alt. Email: <a href="mailto:info@bulls.co.zw"><span style='color:windowtext'>info@bulls.co.zw</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Website: <a href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bulls.co.zw&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNH8LYgdY55h-XKseuM8Kpr-JKdfhQ" target="_blank"><span style='color:windowtext'>www.bulls.co.zw</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Blog: <a href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bulls.co.zw%2Fblog&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFoIy6F9IXAiYnSoPSgWDYsr8Sqtw" target="_blank"><span style='color:windowtext'>www.bulls.co.zw/blog</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Twitter: @bullsbears2010<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>LinkedIn: Bulls n Bears Zimbabwe<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Facebook: <a href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FBullsBearsZimbabwe&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGhb_A5rp4biV1dGHbgiAhUxQqBXA" target="_blank"><span style='color:windowtext'>www.facebook.com/BullsBearsZimbabwe</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Skype: Bulls.Bears <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><img border=0 width=210 height=101 id="_x0000_i1075" src="cid:image003.jpg@01D5644F.B4AB0B00" alt="cid:image012.jpg@01D0BFE7.544DF490"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:23.4pt;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>