對아프리카 FDI(해외직접투자) 연구

While many write off Africa as the continent of despair, other enterprising individuals and organizations have recognised the huge, untapped potential of Africa and are actively pursuing business ventures across the continent. Africa‘s economic profile has improved markedly in the past several years and the outlook is promising. In spite of the constraints to accelerated flows of FDI, there are encouraging signs that this could change. Foreign direct investment ran at around $3 billion in 1996 and 1997, twice the level of the early 1990s. Major steps are being taken by several countries to eliminate those factors that inhibit FDI flows, including maintenance of a supportive macroeconomic policy environment; increased liberalization of markets and trade regimes, business facilitation and improvements in the regulatory framework for private investment. As a result, economic fundamentals in the region are improving, which is an essential inducement for private sector investment. Accordingly, the net rate of return on investment in African countries is higher than in other developing countries. It was estimated at between 20-30 per cent during 1990-1994, on average, as opposed to 16-18 per cent for all developing countries. Initiatives outside Africa to promote private investment in the continent are also likely to reinforce this trend. Notable among them is the US initiative elaborated in the African Growth and Opportunity Act, which was approved by the United States House of Representatives in March 1998. This initiative is a major step in US-Africa trade and investment relations. Overall, foreign direct investment for Africa has a greater chance of succeeding now than ever before. The vast continent of Africa presents opportunities that needs to be explored and acted on.