By Bolaji Samuel
The tension between the two economic giants in the world, China and the United States (US), might have a silver lining for Africa. The administration of President Donald Trump is set to increase investment into the continent, in a bid to counter the narrative that China’s influence in Africa is rising, while the US falls off with its “America first” approach.
President Trump signed the legislation, the Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development Act, or the BUILD Act, into law in October 2018. It combines the US Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) and other US agencies focusing on international economic development into a newly consolidated agency called the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC).
It is anticipated that the DFC will be operational in October 2019 and at that time the DFC will begin deploying US equity capital in African private equity.
The DFC expands OPIC’s budget from USD29 billion to USD60 billion and provides the DFC with the authority to make limited equity investments. Previously, OPIC was limited to debt investments.
Sub-Saharan Africa has long been a priority for OPIC, accounting for over one-quarter (27%) of the agency’s current portfolio. Although not clear, the hope and expectation are that the portfolio will remain at least 27% of the additional capital, therefore additional capital of more than USD8 billion available to invest in Africa.
While the US is the largest direct investor in Africa, with USD54 billion in FDIs, it is trailing behind in its collaborative efforts, being more selective of the countries with which it engages (primarily South Africa, Lesotho, Kenya, Mauritius and Ethiopia), two-way trade at below USD39 billion, and only having ever held one summit with African leaders under the Obama administration in 2014.
In contrast, China leads in active engagement with Africa, with seven heads-of-state summits under its belt to date. However, Chinese support has mainly taken the form of loans to governments and state-owned entities (in excess of USD86 billion between 2000 and 2014, and growing), with foreign direct investment (FDI) making up only 5% of total global investment in Africa. Regardless, two-way trade has grown exponentially and now exceeds USD200 billion. China has also established more than 10 000 firms across Africa, becoming the most integrated investor into the continent.
The DFC “launches” a new era for development finance”, said Ray W. Washburne, President and CEO of OPIC, with the signing of the legislation. “With more tools, flexibility and more running room – the US will be able to have an even greater impact.”
According to Washburne, the DFC will make the US “a stronger and more competitive leader on the global development stage, with greater ability to partner with allies on transformative projects and provide financially-sound alternatives to state-directed initiatives that can leave developing countries worse off”.
Increasingly investors, be it the DFC or other private investors, are focused on the impact of their investments, and not solely focused on the financial returns.
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors are increasingly important considerations for investment decisions.