5 African countries to watch in 2018

Although we are already well underway in 2018, at JobnetAfrica we thought it would be interesting to have a look at five key African markets which face notable challenges in the year ahead.

1. Nigeria

Businesses will feel the impact of creeping electoral politics, since there are elections on the way at the start of 2019. But Nigeria is poised to regain stature in 2018 as the country claws its way back into economic recovery and reclaims its position as one of Africa’s foremost economies.

2. South Africa

New president Cyril Ramaphosa is probably the best person for the job, but he faces a monumental task ahead of him in 2018. On the policy front he is likely to be pragmatic in his approach, not bending to the wind of populism, nor responding wholeheartedly to the demands of business and financiers. Several of the more controversial decisions made by Zuma in recent months – including around the nuclear deal, state agency bailouts and the new mining charter – are likely to come under scrutiny.

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3. Zimbabwe

The euphoria that accompanied Robert Mugabe’s overthrow is already giving way to a recognition of the realities that Zimbabwe finds itself in. The economy has shrunk to less than half its size since 2000, when the country defaulted on its external debt. The country’s new president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, faces a tough task to convince the international and business community that Zimbabwe is changing its ways. But while he is undoubtedly a stalwart ZANU-PF figure, he has also shown signs in recent months that he is committed to reform. In July 2018 new elections are scheduled.

4. Tanzania

The ‘Magufuli way’ has seemed like an unstoppable force since President John Magufuli came to power in November 2015, promising to clean up the system and recalibrate the state’s relationship with the private sector. Magufuli has reduced losses and leakages within the state apparatus, while taking a tough stance on fiscal and regulatory compliance. But there are increased rumblings of discontent and the data will likely bear that out in 2018.

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5. Kenya

Kenya limps into 2018 after its protracted electoral cycle, but will likely emerge stronger once the year is out. The dust has yet to settle on Uhuru Kenyatta and the Jubilee Party’s electoral victory, and the political landscape will remain dominated by the fallout in the short-term. Revitalising the economy will be Kenyatta’s first priority once his appointments are all in place. The government will focus on development-oriented priorities around job creation, affordable housing, food security and universal healthcare, but it will also need to tackle the thornier issue of its rising debt profile.

You can read more about these 5 African countries to watch in 2018 on How we made it in Africa.

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Warm Regards,

Inez

JobnetAfrica