Investors missing out by avoiding Africa

Early success of Charlemagne's Magna Africa fund suggests over-cautious clients may be missing out on opportunities in this emerging market

South Africa is arguably the most politically stable and economically prosperous country on the African continent, and has long been a success story for investors. But few feel confident enough to invest in other African countries with many perceived as volatile and underdeveloped. Charlemagne Capital launched the Magna Africa fund on 23 March, and performance so far indicates that such perceptions could be wrong. Are investors missing opportunities by avoiding Africa? Charlemagne's director Varda Lotan believes so, citing lack of research into some emerging markets as one reason why. Th...