Increasing competition for raw materials has once again turned the focus of international attention on Southern Africa’s rich mining and energy resources. Agriculture, fishing and the processing industries have enormous potential. Many states already plan generous infrastructure developments. These will also call for consultancy and management services. Tourism is thriving in many parts of the region, and this in turn is having a positive effect on other sectors of the economy and creating above-average employment.

Benefits for European investors remain the still largely undeveloped markets, relatively low restrictions of entry, the use of superior technology and comparatively high profit prospects.

Since the abolition of apartheid, South Africa’s well-developed and diversified economy has made substantial contributions to the development of the region with considerable investments in the fields of transport, electricity, water, energy and information & communications.

Public-private partnerships are realising transport and development corridors such as the Maputo Corridor (South Africa / Swaziland / Mozambique), the Trans-Kalahari Corridor (South Africa / Botswana / Namibia) and the Benguela Corridor (Zambia / Congo / Angola), which in turn are stimulating agriculture, mining, forestry, light industry and tourism. Existing nature reserves are being developed into large-scale Transfrontier Peace Parks, creating at the same time unique tourist attractions.