EY-africa-attractiveness-survey-june-2015-final

Our data also shows that, although the number of FDI projects fellthis year, the value of those projects increased sharply, as did thenumber of jobs they created. Indeed, the capital value of FDI was,by far, the highest we have seen over the past five years. We donot know yet whether this is sustainable, but it is certainly causefor celebration.This mixed picture is not surprising. It reflects the diversityand complexity of this great continent — there is never aone-size-fits-all answer. Perspective remains important. Ourshas been, and remains, a glass-half-full viewpoint. We remainconfident that, despite economic headwinds, the “Africa rising”narrative remains intact and sustainable.However, Africa’s future will not take care of itself. Our view is thatAfrica and its leaders have reached an inflection point: deliberateand urgent choices are required to raise levels of productivityand competitiveness, accelerate structural transformation andmake the shift toward an inclusive, sustainable growth path. Inthis context, we outline five priorities for action that we believeAfrica’s leaders — across business and government — shouldfocus on.In our first edition, we declared “it’s time for Africa!” Five yearson, we now assert “it’s time for Africa’s leaders!”By working together we have the opportunity to make a realdifference in realizing the dream of great African leaders likeNelson Mandela — to help build an Africa that is prosperous,where human potential has the opportunity to flourish, and wherenobody is left behind.We would like to extend our gratitude to the business leadersand EY professionals who have taken the time to share theirthoughts with us, for their significant contribution in this report.In our first edition,we declared “it’stime for Africa!”Five years on, ourview is that Africaand its leadershave reached aninflection point.EY’s attractiveness survey Africa 2015 Making choices3