Comoros

The Union of Comoros is made of three major islands located in the Indian Ocean. As a middle income country (World Bank Group classification), the economy relies on the exports of agricultural product such as spices (vanilla, cinnamon, cloves). The Comoros is the world’s largest producer of ylang-ylang, a plant which extracted essential oil is used in the perfume industry.

Surface: 1,861 km2 – Population: 821,625 – GDP: USD 1,29 billion (2021)

Primary sectors of focus to attract investment:

• Tourism and Handicrafts, Blue economy, Finance and Logistics, Agriculture, Industrial Niche.

The Comoros National Investment Promotion Agency (ANPI) is in charge of promoting the Comoros internationally as a land of investment, improving the business environment, facilitating the establishment of foreign and national investors, and facilitating dialogue between the government and investors.

Democratic Republic of Congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo is the largest country in Sub-Saharan Africa, located in Central Africa and with borders with 9 countries. The country is widely considered one of the world’s richest countries in natural resources, primarily for its important deposits of raw minerals (70% of the world’s coltan, a third cobalt, more than 30% of diamond reserves, and a tenth of copper).

The country is the world’s largest producer of cobalt ore, and a major producer of copper and diamonds. Second, the country possesses 50% of Africa’s forests and a river system in capacity to provide hydro-electric power to the entire continent. The country is a member of three electrical power pools. These are Southern African Power Pool, East African Power Pool, and Central African Power Pool.

Surface: 2,345,409 km2 – Population: 95,8 million (2021) – GDP: USD 55,35 billion (2021)

Primary sectors of focus to attract investment:

• Agriculture, Energy, Fishing and livestock farming, Forestry, Housing & Real estate, Industry, Infrastructure, Insurance, Mines, ICT

The ANAPI, National Investment Promotion Agency, is in charge of the promotion of specific investment opportunities, advocacy activities for the improvement of the business climate in the country (after-care), and provides administrative support for investors who decide to establish or expand their economic activities on the national territory.

Eswatini

The Kingdom of Eswatini (formely Swaziland) is bordered by Mozambique (northeast) and South Africa. Although the country is small in terms of surface, its climate and topography are varied and its economy diverse, with agriculture, forestry and mining accounting for about 13% of GDP, manufacturing (textiles and sugar-related processing) representing 37% of GDP and services constituting 50% of GDP. Eswatini is also member of the SACU and COMESA.

The country’s main trading partners are South Africa (with the national currency pegged to the South African Rand to ensure stability), the USA and Europe.

Surface: 17,364 km2 – Population: 1,19 million (2021) – GDP: USD 4,74 billion (2021)

Primary sectors of focus to attract investment:

• ICT, Mining, Agribusiness, Manufacturing, Tourism, Energy.

The Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA) is in charge of attracting, encouraging, facilitating and promoting local and foreign trade and investment in Eswatini. The Authority operates as a one stop shop trade and investment partner. It also ensures an advocacy role and facilitates the implementation of Government policies and strategies on investment and trade in the country while advising the Minister on trade and investment policies, strategies, proposals and suitable incentives.

Lesotho

The Kingdom of Lesotho is enclaved in South Africa and located in the Maloti Mountains with the entire country lying above 1.000 m in elevation. The economy of Lesotho is mainly based on agriculture, livestock, manufacturing and mining (diamond). Besides diamond, water is also part of the natural resources of the country: it enables Lesotho to be almost self-sufficient in terms of electricity production, while exporting both water and electricity to South Africa. Lesotho has taken advantage of the AGOA and became the largest exporter of garments to the US from sub-Saharan Africa (clothing, textile and footwear).

Surface: 30,355 km2 – Population: 2,28 million (2021) – GDP: USD 2,49 billion (2021)

Primary sectors of focus to attract investment:

• Knitted Fabric Mill, Accessories and Packaging; Leather and Footwear; Assembly of consumer electrical and electronic appliances; Food Processing; Water Bottling; Plastic Products; Resources-based Projects e.g. ceramic ware, brick-making, sandstone and mining of minerals; Environmental Projects e.g. Waste Recycling;

Development infrastructure in the tourism sector including amongst others: accommodation and hospitality facilities, tour operation and guiding, boating and water related recreational activities, health retreats, and high altitude sports training facilities. The Lesotho National Development Corporation (LNDC) is the main parastatal of the Government of Lesotho charged with the implementation of the country’s industrial development policies. LNDC’s mandate is to initiate, promote and facilitate the development of manufacturing and processing industries, mining and commerce in a manner calculated to raise the level of income and employment in Lesotho, through investment promotion, facilitation, aftercare services and investment incentives. The country is also promoting investment opportunities through the AFSIC: https://www.afsic.net/invest-in-lesotho/.

Madagascar

The Republic of Madagascar is the second largest island country in the world and is endowed with impressive biodiversity composed of numerous endemic species, both fauna and flora. Madagascar’s natural resources include a variety of agricultural and mineral products. The country is the world’s principal supplier of vanilla (80% of the world’s natural vanilla supplies), cloves and ylang-ylang. Its main agricultural resources exported also include coffee, lychees, raffia and shrimp.

Key mineral resources include various types of precious and semi-precious stones, notably sapphires. Madagascar has one of the world’s largest reserves of ilmenite (titanium ore), as well as important reserves of chromite, coal, iron, cobalt, copper and nickel. Taking advantage of the AGOA, Madagascar developed a vibrant textile industry. More recently, benefitting from a high broadband speed (the highest of Africa), the country developed its ICT sector (outsourcing, software development).

Surface: 587,041 km2 – Population: 28,9 million (2021) – GDP: USD 14,47 billion (2021)

Primary sectors of focus to attract investment:

• agribusiness, ICT, textile industry, infrastructure and energy, mines, tourism,

The Economic Development Board of Madagascar (EDBM) is the national investment promotion agency in charge of improving the competitivity of the malagasy private sector, increasing FDI, identifying and recommending incentives to foster private investments in the country, and facilitating investment through a one-stop-shop and specialised advisors.

Malawi

The Republic of Malawi is a landlocked country with common borders with Zambia, Tanzania and Mozambique. The Great Rift Valley runs through the country from north to south; to the east of the valley lies Lake Malawi. The economy of Malawi is predominantly agricultural with the main products being maize, tobacco (first export product), sugarcane, cotton, tea, corn, potatoes, sorghum, cattle and goats.

The main industries are linked the agricultural products and include tobacco, tea and sugar processing, sawmill products, cement and consumer goods. Malawi has several minerals with economic potential but only phosphate, coal, limestone, uranium, iron ore, rock aggregate, and precious stones have been exploited. Several rare earth and niobium projects are planned while oil and gas exploration in Lake Malawi is underway.

Surface: 118,484 km2 – Population: 19,88 million (2021) – GDP: USD 12,62 billion (2021)

Primary sectors of focus to attract investment:

• agriculture, agro processing, fisheries, forestry, manufacturing, mining, tourism (ecolodges), energy (bio-energy, mobile electricity) and infrastructure (wastewater services, fiber optic cables, etc.)

The Malawi Investment and Trade Centre (MITC) is in charge of promoting and developing Malawian exports, of attracting and nurturing foreign and domestic direct investment, and of lobbying for a conducive business climate in Malawi.

Mauritius

The Republic of Mauritius is a high-income Indian Ocean island country with a diversified economy based on tourism, textiles, sugar, and financial services. In recent years, ICT, seafood, hospitality and property development, healthcare, renewable energy, and education and training have emerged as important sectors, attracting substantial investment from both local and foreign investors. Mauritius is ranked high in terms of economic competitiveness, a friendly investment climate, good governance and a free economy.

Surface: 2.040 km² – Population: 1.266 million (2021) – GDP: USD 11.52 billion (2021)

Primary sectors of focus to attract investment:

• Ocean economy, education, life sciences, ICT, creative industries, sports economy, real estate & hospitality, healthcare, agro-industry, manufacturing industry, Freeport & logistics, renewable energy, financial services.

The Economic Development Board (EDB) is the leading Government agency mandated to provide strong institutional support for strategic economic planning and to promote Mauritius as an attractive investment and business centre, a competitive export platform as well as an International Financial Centre. EDB aims at ensuring greater coherence and effectiveness in implementing policies and drawing the vision for the economic development path to be adopted to reach a high-income economy status, through sustainable and inclusive growth, whilst ensuring economic independence. The EDB also acts as the main institution responsible for country branding for investment promotion, to facilitate both inward and outward investment and ensure a conducive business environment.

Mozambique

The Republic of Mozambique is located in south eastern Africa and bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west, and Eswatini and South Africa to the southwest. Endowed with three deep seaports, it is strategically located as a conduit to global markets for its four landlocked neighbouring countries and the government is firmly committed to invest in relevant infrastructure to address the increasing needs (ports, railways, pipelines and roads).

Mozambique is also endowed with large resources of arable land suitable for agricultural production to address a growing domestic and regional demand. Moreover, it can rely on important water, energy, and mineral resources (coal, precious stones) and 2,500 km of coast with the Indian Ocean favourable for the development of the blue economy. Important resources of natural gas were discovered offshore. Although the country is still grappling with a military insurgency in parts of the gas-rich province of Cabo-Delgado, the medium-term economic outlook is positive according to the 2023 World Bank’s Mozambique Economic Update report, with growth expected to accelerate to 6% over 2023-2025, driven by continued recovery in services (notably tourism), increased LNG production, and high commodity prices.

Surface: 799 380 km² – Population: 32.07 million (2021) – GDP: USD 15.77 billion (2021)

Primary sectors of focus to attract investment:

• infrastructure development (ports, roads, bridges, telecommunications, energy), agriculture7 and agro-industry, tourism and hospitality, manufacturing, fisheries and aquaculture, mineral resources.

The Agency for Promotion of Investments and Exports (APIEX) Mozambique is promoting and facilitating national and foreign investment in the country, as well as setting the conditions for diversifying the exports of goods and services.

Namibia

The Republic of Namibia shares land borders with Zambia and Angola to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east, while its western border is the Atlantic Ocean (1,572 km of coast). The largest economic sectors are mining (Diamonds, uranium, gold, copper, lead, zinc and other base metals), agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism. In recent years, Namibia has also been focusing on developing its renewable energy sector.

The country is endowed with a good transport network (road, rai, air) and excellent communications infrastructure through a direct connection with the West Africa Cable System (WACS), and more recently with the Equiano and 2Africa subsea cables that will connect Africa to Europe and even Asia for the latter. Namibia is among the top 5 most stable countries in Africa.

Surface: 824,292 km² – Population: 2.53 million (2021) – GDP: USD 12.31 billion (2021)

Primary sectors of focus to attract investment:

• Agriculture and Agro-industry, Mining and Energy, Fisheries, Tourism.

The Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) serves as a one stop shop for investing in the country.

Seychelles

The Republic of Seychelles is an archipelago located in the Indian Ocean composed of 115 islands, with most of the population being located outside the cyclonic belt. The country’s territorial waters cover 1,400,000 km², of which 30% are protected. Seychelles ranks 1st in the Africa infrastructure development index 2021 produced by the African Development Bank and benefits from excellent air connectivity to major hubs in the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and Asia.

The country is politically and economically very stable, ranking as best performer in the various indexes (Corruptions Perceptions Index, Mo Ibrahim Index of African Governance, Human Development Index, etc.). With the 1st Highest GDP per Capita in Africa in 2022, the country has a growing economy with expanding opportunities in Fisheries, Agriculture, Real Estate, Adventure & Sports Tourism, ICT, and Energy and offers a world-class financial centre with no foreign exchange restrictions.

Surface: 455 km² – Population: 99,258 (2021) – GDP: USD 1.45 billion (2021)

Primary sectors of focus to attract investment:

• Tourism, Blue economy, Financial services, ICT, as well as health, professional services,agriculture, real estate, education renewable energy.

The Seychelles Investment Board (SIB) promotes and facilitates local and foreign investments.

South Africa

The Republic of South Africa is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by 2,798 km of coastline that stretches along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans, to the north by the neighbouring countries of Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, and to the east and northeast by Mozambique and Eswatini. South Africa is a resource rich economy with access to both a vibrant local market and a growing regional market, and attracting numerous multinational investors in Africa.

It is also a financial, technical and innovation hub attracting companies looking to tap the country´s talent pool. With a GDP of USD 419 billion in 2021, the country accounts by itself to almost 22% of total GDP for sub-Saharan African region.

Surface: 1,221,037 km² – Population: 59.39 million (2021) – GDP: USD 419.01 billion (2021)

Primary sectors of focus to attract investment:

• Health care and life sciences, Chemicals, Consumer goods, Clothing, Textiles, Leather & Footwear, Automotive & Components, Digital economy & ICT, Agribusiness, Mining & Mineral Processing, Transport & Industrial, Forestry, Metals.

InvestSA plays a critical role in attracting and generating investment into, as well as retaining investments in South Africa. Beyond the investment facilitation role it plays, InvestSA also plays an important role in supporting the business community by coordinating advocacy for business environment reforms.

United Republic of Tanzania

The United Republic of Tanzania is located in East Africa, within the Great Lakes region. It borders Uganda to the north, Kenya to the northeast; the Indian Ocean to the east (1,424 km of coastline); Mozambique and Malawi to the south; Zambia to the southwest; and Rwanda, Burundi and the D.R. Congo to the west. The economy of Tanzania is one of the fastest growing economies in Africa with an annual growth rate in real terms of 6% in average over the last decade.

Tanzania offers a friendly business environment and overall macroeconomic stability, and emphasizes on the attraction of investments in identified key priority sectors to sustain economic growth and deepen the industrialisation of the economy. In particular, the manufacturing sector is given the highest priority for attracting industries which utilise domestic available raw materials such as processing of various agricultural products, fruits and vegetable farming for the export market, fishing and fish processing, livestock value chain, mining and mineral processing, woodworks, manufacturing of pharmaceutical products and medical devices. Its geographical position enables the country to play a pivotal role in the development of economic relations between SADC and the Eastern part of Africa.

Surface: 947,303 km² – Population: 63.58 million (2021) – GDP: USD 67.84 billion (2021)

Primary sectors of focus to attract investment:

• real estate, tourism, pharmaceuticals, energy, livestock, manufacturing, agriculture, mining, and fishing.

The Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) coordinates, promotes and facilitates investments in Tanzania and advises the Government on policy matters in order to create a competitive, attractive and sustainable investment climate. Tanzania developed a website dedicated to SDG Investment in Tanzania, the SDG Investments Tanzania Platform.

Zambia

The Republic of Zambia is a landlocked country at the crossroads of central, southern and East Africa. It is bordered by 8 countries: the D.R. Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique to the southeast, Zimbabwe and Botswana to the south, Namibia to the southwest, and Angola to the west.

Zambia is Africa’s second- largest producer of copper and an important source of several other critical minerals such as nickel, cobalt and zinc. The country’s fertile land and favourable climate make it ideal for growing crops such as maize, soybeans, and tobacco, while its diverse wildlife and cultural heritage are favourable to the tourism industry. Other opportunities exist in manufacturing, energy, and services. The government is investing in infrastructure development to improve transportation and power supply, making it easier for businesses to operate in the country.

Surface: 752,617 km² – Population: 19.47 million (2021) – GDP: USD 22.14 billion (2021)

Primary sectors of focus to attract investment:

• mining, agriculture, energy, manufacturing, tourism, infrastructure development.

The Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) has a multifaceted mandate of promoting and facilitating trade, investment and enterprise development in the country. The Agency is also responsible for building and enhancing the country’s investment profile for increased capital inflows, capital formation, employment creation and growth of the Medium Small and Micro Enterprise (MSME) Sector.

Zimbabwe

Located between the Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers, the Republic of Zimbabwe is a landlocked country bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the south-west, Zambia to the north, and Mozambique to the east. The country is endowed with abundant mineral resources (platinum, gold, diamond, nickel), agricultural wealth (maize, tobacco, cotton), and offers a strong potential for the development of the tourism industry.

The manufacturing and services sector also present opportunities for investment, particularly in areas such as agro-processing, textiles, and ICT. The government has initiated measures to attract foreign

investment, and in particular amended indigenization (local ownership laws), to reduce the restriction to only the diamond and platinum sectors; other sectors are now open to unrestricted foreign ownership.

Surface: 390,757 km²

Population: 15.99 million (2021)

GDP: USD 28.37 billion (2021)

Primary sectors of focus to attract investment:

• mining, tourism, energy, infrastructure, ICT & digital economy, agribusiness, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure development.

The Zimbabwe Investment & Development Agency (ZIDA) is responsible for promoting and facilitating both local and foreign investment in the country. ZIDA integrates three former investment authorities, and operates a One Stop Investment Services Centre (OSISC), which provides investment services ranging from investment analysis, company registration, tax registration and clearance, licencing, connecting to all necessary utilities, investment promotions, public relations and aftercare services.