​Harvest Highlights from our CEO Hafedh Cherif

Dear R&C Desk Family and Clients,

This month has been marked by a major event dominating global media: the U.S. elections. With a familiar face returning to the international stage, experts and analysts are sharply divided on the implications for global relations, particularly with China, Russia, and Europe. Yet notably absent from these discussions is any focus on Africa. Some may argue this is unsurprising; after all, Africa is not a uniform bloc and does not follow a single path.

Indeed, while a unified geopolitical "Africa" may not yet exist, there are clear signs that a movement for change is taking root across the continent. Evidence of this transformation lies in the growing wave of African-led investments. Today, major projects are increasingly funded not only by foreign sources but also by local African capital, driven by African entrepreneurs, visionaries, and financiers.

For instance, in Kribi, Ivorian businessman Koné Dossongui has taken a pioneering role in the region's new industrial zone (see Kribi Containers Terminal (KCT) Advances Phase II Expansion with New Equipment for more insights). Similarly, in Pointe Noire, South African billionaire Patrice Motsepe plans to invest $600 million in phosphate mining, while Nigeria’s Dangote Group is making substantial investments in infrastructure. Both businessmen are making headlines as they undertake significant development projects (refer to Developments and Expansion of the Port of Pointe-Noire for details).

This phenomenon isn’t entirely new; Africans have long invested in neighboring countries. However, the scale and ambition of these recent ventures set them apart. These large-scale initiatives, led by Africans for Africa, are not only transformative in scope but are likely to inspire the next generation to "look south" and foster intercontinental solidarity and investment.

This wave of African-led ventures represents more than just economic activity—it is a declaration of resilience, independence, and a shared vision for a future shaped by African hands. These businesswomen and businessmen are forging a path toward change, embodying an adage passed down through generations: "If you wait for others to pave your path, you may never start walking."

Dear R&C readers, wishing you a thought-provoking read!