SADC Investment Perspectives in a Changing International Investment Landscape

Image: Flickr, Mike Lawrence
Image: Flickr, Mike Lawrence

The global arena for foreign direct investment (FDI) has become much more fluid and complex in the five years from 2010 to 2015. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) as a region has shown exceptional growth but relatively lacklustre FDI inflows.

Investment protocols might be revised, as SADC needs to re-envisage itself as an investment destination. It currently receives mostly resource-based investment in subsequent supporting service industries. The end of 2014 saw sharp declines in commodity prices, especially oil, and forecasts show a sluggish return to previous levels. This requires SADC policymakers to take a new look at current investment policies and attitudes. Global value chains and spatial factors show that dated ideological policymaking will need to be replaced with proven, growth-orientated developmental strategies.

The views expressed in this publication/article are those of the author/s and do not necessarily reflect the views of the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA).