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Released: May 20, 2003
AFRICA TODAY: The Zogby Six-Nation African Opinion Leader Poll
Opinion leaders in six African nations are optimistic about the current status of their countries, and proclaim their countries as ready for an increased role in the global economy, a new Zogby International poll reveals.
The Zogby International Six Nation Africa poll was commissioned by The Coca-Cola Company, in conjunction with Third Wave Networks of Washington D.C., and the Pan African News Agency. The poll was conducted of six African countries Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, Mozambique and South Africa, in late August and early September of 2001 by Zogby International
The poll features in-person and telephone interviews of nearly 50 elites or opinion makers in each country representing five different sectors: business, government, media, non-governmental organizations and religion. The margin of sampling error is +/- 7%.
In terms of the general economic, political and regulatory climate in the six African countries, an overwhelming nine of ten elite leaders agreed that the climate in their countries was conducive to business. The one exception was Nigeria, where only 70% of the respondents felt positive about the business climate. More specifically, a strong majority of opinion leaders (70%) give a high rating to the ability of their banking systems to handle foreign investment transactions. A majority also view their tax structure as encouraging to foreign investment, and their monetary system is highly stable for conducting international business.
In terms of attracting direct foreign investment into Africa, there was close to unanimous agreement among opinion leaders (90%) that ensuring fair elections and Democratic reforms is a priority if African countries are to be successful in attracting investment from the U.S. this view was strongest in Ghana, Nigeria and Uganda.
Tourism (67%), telecommunications (65%) and information technology (50%) rank the highest regarding future potential areas of investment. Construction and infrastructure rank close behind.
Only 30% of the respondents say that their governments efforts to eliminate the corruption from government and business transactions was of high quality, while a combined 69% felt more could be done to root out the problem. Significantly, the majority of respondents view corruption largely as a developmental issue and believe that by making economic and social improvements first, corruption will eventually be eliminated.
Preventing the spread of AIDS and getting enough medicine to treat the pandemic is of utmost concern in five of the six countries. Only in Nigeria was vaccinating against other serious diseases such as tuberculosis and polio a higher priority.
Results show that significant importance is attached to global trade as a means of bringing about greater prosperity in Africa. Eight in ten (86%) emphasized the need to export to Europe, Asia and the Americas. In Senegal, 96% thought trade was vital if Africa is to assume a greater role in the global economy. In Mozambique, 100% say that the most important issue regarding trade and investment was the need to include World Trade Organization labor and environmental standards.
Opinion leaders in four of the six countries rank the African Bank as the most promising of the proposed African Union organizations, an African parliament is also strong choice, while there is considerable support for a unified African army.
Robert Lindsay, The Coca-Cola Company Africa, Vice President Public Affairs: We at The Coca-Cola Company are extremely happy to be part of this ground-breaking effort to learn more about the continent of Africa. We understand that for too long, the 53 nations of Africa have been viewed under a stereotypic umbrella. In actuality, Africa is a fascinating continent that offers so much opportunity in the area of global trade and investment that information from this poll is of crucial significance.
The opinions of leaders in 6 African nations
on attracting investment into Africa
| | Learn how business, professional, academic, religious and media leaders in Ghana, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, and Uganda view Africa's emerging investment climate. Read about the overwhelming majority of the key people interviewed who feel that Africa enjoys better economic conditions than those of a generation ago, and their beliefs that the nations are ready to attract economic investment with the bright spots highlighted by tourism, telecommunications, and information technology.
This is a "first time ever" study of this magnitude, and it was done by Zogby International, the premiere public opinion research firm acclaimed for its accuracy.
Essential information for government planners, investors, and scholars, this 35 page report is available in hard copy for $299, and just $199 in electronic format. Order today, and be the first to learn of investment opportunities in the new Africa. Also available are the Raw Data sets for $750. | Hard Copy (FREE SHIPPING)
1-2 weeks for delivery | | Electronic Format
(Available in 24 hrs.) | | | Raw Data Sets | | |
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