The increasing globalization of financial markets has resulted in a substantial increase in net private capital flows to developing countries, primarily the emerging economies of Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America. Until recently, investors have ignored opportunities in Africa. African markets caught investors' attention in 1994 with Kenya's 179% U.S. dollar returns leading world equity markets, along with six of the world's top ten markets being in Africa. With low levels of correlation between African and developed world markets, the African exchanges represent ideal portfolio diversification opportunities. Moreover, rates of return for African investments are among the highest returns in the world, yet African nations have not attracted the foreign direct investment that is required to change their economies. Dr. Clark's research examines the nature and evolution of Africa's emerging securities markets and their role in regional economic development. He shows that the continent's trading systems represent many different trading arrangements without standardized rules and procedures. African countries continue to implement reforms to strengthen the development of financial markets, but without the appropriate market microstructure and custodial arrangements international investors will not provide African projects with the equity capital required for further development. The government's role in the regulation of developing equity markets, therefore, is a critical element to the success of the reform process. Clark argues that freeing the economies to international competition will reap significant dividends for the continent's emerging economies. As the markets evolve, structural impediments will reduce, leading to increased efficiencies and lower capital costs.

Witnesses: Judith Aidoo, President and CEO, The Aidoo Group, Ltd.; Andrew N. O. Owiny, Senior VP, International Finance, Pryor, McClendon, Counts and Co., Inc.; and Frank Savage, Chairman, Alliance Capital Management International. Additional material submitted for the record: "Africa's Emerging Capital Markets," hearing background prepared by the House Subcommittee on Africa; "Remarks Announcing the Africa Trade Initiative," by Pres. William Clinton, week of June 23, 1997; USA Today, "Africa's Stock Exchanges;" Panafrican News Agency, "Expert Pleads in Support of African Capital Markets;" and Panafrican News Agency, "Foreign Investors Remain Active."

The African Capital Markets Forum was formed in 1996 to support efforts to build capital markets in Africa and to expand the knowledge base of African markets. ACMF seeks to promote best practice in capital market regulation, and operates by periodically compiling and making relavant research available to capital market regulators and professionals around the world. The essays in this volume are divided into two parts. The first part provides an overview of research topics relevant to the development of capital markets in developing economies in general e.g.Political risk in emerging and developed markets; open markets, foreign investors and emerging nations; securities markets. Part two covers recent research on African capital markets, e.g. studies of the Ghana stockmarket/stock exchange; Nigeria's stock market; the Botswana share market and its role in financial and economic development; and integrating Africa into international financial markets.

Africa encompasses a wide range of market conditions, from rapidly emerging economies to countries with a long history with financial markets. Produced in partnership with the African Securities Exchanges Association, this collection of essays includes the perspectives of authors in local markets who provide their analysis of the history, current developments, and future outlook for South Africa, Nigeria, Mauritius, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Morocco, Egypt, Botswana, and East Africa. For prospective investors, the book provides valuable insights on how changing regulation, evolving financial technology, and expanding investor access are transforming local markets on the continent.

"What a great economic tour of Africa! Provides a top-down understanding of Africa's financial opportunities and a bottoms-up view for investing." - William T. Comfort, Chairman, Citibank Venture Capital, Ltd. "Long overdue! Finally, we have a comprehensive and insightful view of the stock of the stock market investment opportunities in Africa. Yes, 'Tarzan does not live here anymore!' and this book explores the ultimate emerging market with the potential for outstanding investment returns. The book is well organized and gives readers a complete picture of not only all the stock markets in Africa, but also the economic and political background of this exciting area. Case studies and investment examples provide the reader with a realistic view of investing in Africa." - Mark Mobius, President, Templeton Emerging Markets Fund Vastly promising financial opportunities await savvy investors in twenty-first-century Africa. After decades of successful returns for U.S. multinationals from Coca-Cola to Citigroup to Microsoft to McDonald's. Africa has evolved as the birthplace of more new stock markets than any other part of the world. This authoritative guide provides institutional and sophisticated individual investors with a complete, insider's view of the markets, and: * Debunks common misconceptions about Africa and explains why it is the ultimate emerging market * Explains the driving force behind the African economy * Pinpoints available investment vehicles and resources * Weighs the potential risks and rewards for U.S. investors Written by two experts in the field, Investing in Africa contains information on everything from the least known investment opportunities to the world's most recent top performing stock markets--all found within this rapidly evolving, richly promising continent.