Diamond Bank CEO Urges European Investors to Focus on Africa

The Chief Executive Officer of Diamond Bank Plc, Uzoma Dozie, has urged European entrepreneurs and investors to step-up their investment stakes in Africa, noting that the fundamentals for sustainable growth and development in the continent has remained positive. Addressing investors, captains of industry, corporations, thought leaders, opinion and policy makers in the UK, during the presentation of the ‘Companies to Inspire Africa 2017 Report’ by the London Stock Exchange Group, Uzoma stated that returns on investment in Africa is strong, pointing that many companies in the continent are as profitable as their peers in other parts of the world. According to him, the continent was dotted with huge number of start-ups and micro, small and medium scale enterprises, which are structured to catalyse the continent’s economic and industrial growth. He said that the continent’s 1.2 billion people with more than half of the population below 25 years, remains a huge demographic advantage to investors as it presents one of the biggest markets and workforce in the world.

“It is a great pleasure to give this keynote address at this important event. For us at Diamond Bank, we are passionate about Africa and the opportunities…. For investors looking for returns either in the short term or long term, Africa remains an investment destination of choice. Despite the recent challenges in some African Economies, the forecast is that Africa will still grow more rapidly than the OECD countries. The outlook is positive and this is the time to explore the opportunities that exist in Africa,” he said.

He stated that although, the risk elements may be high investing in Africa but the returns neutralises the challenges.