ThinkBRICS: Understanding the Current Landscape and Overcoming Misconceptions

Africa represents one of the most dynamic and complex investment frontiers in the world today — but it’s often misunderstood. In the first session of our two-part series with Africa International Advisors (AIA), we unpack the ways in which outdated frameworks and persistent misconceptions continue to distort the world’s view of African markets.

If you are unable to play the recording, click here to watch it on YouTube.

Joined by Hasnayn Ebrahim (Managing Director, AIA) and Jamiel Carim (Partner and Head of Investments, AIA), we explore why Africa cannot — and should not — be treated as a single economic entity. With 54 countries, 1.28 billion people, and thousands of interconnected but distinct ecosystems, Africa demands a far more granular and context-specific investment approach.

Key topics covered in this session include:

• The dangers of oversimplification: Why aggregating African markets under single macro indicators or risk labels leads to missed opportunities.
• Structural misalignments in capital deployment: How traditional investment models — often designed for mature or homogenous markets — fall short in African contexts.
• The economic power of informal sectors: Despite limited data, informal economies across Africa generate significant economic activity and innovation, offering overlooked pathways for growth.
• Spotting real opportunity: How successful investors build a deeper, localized understanding to identify value where surface-level analysis sees only risk.
• What distinguishes successful capital: Practical insights into what separates investors who thrive from those who fail — from patient engagement to adaptive deal structuring.

This conversation challenges prevailing assumptions and urges a fundamental shift in how investors perceive and approach Africa — not as a singular risk frontier, but as a collection of dynamic markets brimming with unique opportunities.

Ready to explore how you can unlock real opportunity across African markets?

Reach out to Hasnayn Ebrahim (Hasnayn@africaia.com) or Jamiel Carim (Jamiel.C@africaia.com) to learn how Africa International Advisors can support your investment journey