u003cpu003eSentiment in emerging markets was one of the key topics for finance leaders at the IMF spring meetings in Washington DC u0026ndash; but slower growth in parts of Asia and political discord in some emerging economies should not be allowed to obscure the strong economic potential of these markets.u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eBusinesses, banks and investors from around the world are turning to Africa in search of the next frontier. The opportunities are huge, with an estimated USD38 billion needed each year in infrastructure investment alone. Africa has a new and confident middle class, trade and investment is growing rapidly u0026ndash; particularly with Asia u0026ndash; and Africa is leapfrogging old technologies, leading the world in innovations such as mobile payments. Look at the phenomenal growth of M-Pesa in Kenya, amassing more than 18 million customers in just a few years.u0026nbsp;u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eAfrica offers an extraordinary bright spot on the world economic map, having outperformed global growth for more than a decade. Weu0026rsquo;re expecting GDP growth in sub-Saharan Africa to reach 5.4 per cent this year, compared to 1.3 per cent in the euro zone.u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eStandard Chartered is one of a number of businesses that have built strong ties with the continent for more than a century, opening its first branch in Port Elizabeth in 1863. We know we can do business as Africau0026rsquo;s economies grow, but we see a massive opportunity for us and other companies to do more than that, helping to create a sustainable economic success.u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eIn the rush to be part of Africau0026rsquo;s growth story, we canu0026rsquo;t turn a blind eye to the challenges. If Africa is to sustain its rate of growth in the long run, it needs…u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eu003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eRead futhermore in the Business Magazineu003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003eu003c/pu003eu003cpu003eu003cbr /u003eu003cbr /u003eu0026nbsp;u003c/pu003e
Why we should all have Africa on our minds
