Niamey, Niger, stands as a testament to unexpected progress and potential. Despite being ranked among the least developed nations worldwide and its status as the fourth-largest producer of uranium, Niger's journey from 2001 to 2012 showed little change beyond the construction of a new bridge in the capital in 2011. However, my return in December 2013 unveiled a nation on the brink of transformation. Niamey, the heart of Niger, had begun to rewrite its narrative, shedding its past for a promising future of development and investment opportunities. December 2013, I went back to Niger and my first impression was: what happened to this country? (more…)
With a total market of approximately 80 million consumers, the West African market is attracting more and more investments every day. According to the IMF, annual growth rate will be around 6 percent for sub-Saharan countries, while for McKinsey, overall African GDP will reach 2600 billion dollars in the next decade. The European crisis led to a new economic scheme on the African continent, illustrated by more inter-African cooperation acts. This is the case with Morocco, which has become the second largest African investor in the continent, behind the leading South Africa. Morocco reached this rank by the important presence of its big companies such as Maroc Telecom, OCP, ONE or Managem; but mainly because of the presence of its three big banks: Attijariwafa, BMCE and Banque Populaire. (more…)