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Africa-to-Africa Internationalization: Emerging Trends and Key Issues

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Africa-to-Africa Internationalization

Part of the book series: AIB Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) Series ((AIBSSA))

Abstract

In recent times, Africa has witnessed a significant rise in Africa-to-Africa internationalization, the process by which African firms expand their operations on the continent outside their home country. While much attention in the international business literature has focused on the rise of foreign direct investment (FDI) from BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) into Africa, the literature on intra-African and outward FDI from the region is scant. This is surprising, given the marked increase in the internationalization activities of African firms in the last decade or so: South African multinationals such as MTN, SABMiller, Standard Bank, Telkom, Dimension Data, Massmart, Nampak and ShopRite now have a presence in at least a dozen African countries, as do Nigerian firms such as Dangote and UBA. Similarly, Togo-based Ecobank has established a significant footprint across the region, with operations in 33 countries. This chapter provides an overview of the recent trend in the internationalization efforts of African firms, factors influencing their internationalization efforts, challenges faced, and potential outcomes of Africa-to-Africa internationalization.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK

    Nathaniel Boso

  2. Lagos Business School, Ajah, Lagos, Nigeria

    Ifedapo Adeleye

  3. Centre for Dynamic Markets, Gordon Institute of Business Sciences, Illovo, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Lyal White

Authors
  1. Nathaniel Boso
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  2. Ifedapo Adeleye
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  3. Lyal White
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Correspondence to Nathaniel Boso .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Lagos Business School, Lagos, Nigeria

    Ifedapo Adeleye

  2. Gordon Institute of Business Science, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Lyal White

  3. Leeds University Business School, Leeds, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom

    Nathaniel Boso

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Boso, N., Adeleye, I., White, L. (2016). Africa-to-Africa Internationalization: Emerging Trends and Key Issues. In: Adeleye, I., White, L., Boso, N. (eds) Africa-to-Africa Internationalization. AIB Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) Series. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-30692-6_1

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