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The report examines the investment climate in Kenya from the perspective of South African firms, highlighting Kenya's role as a strategic hub for East Africa. While South African companies are attracted by Kenya's skilled workforce and strategic location, they face significant hurdles including poor infrastructure, high electricity costs, corruption, and local resentment toward perceived South African economic dominance. The document analyzes the socio-economic landscape of Kenya, the trade imbalance between South Africa and Kenya, and the specific operational difficulties encountered by investors, such as red tape and insecurity. It concludes that while South African firms can be successful through local partnerships and sensitivity to Kenyan business culture, the Kenyan government must implement structural reforms in infrastructure and governance to sustain foreign direct investment.

The report examines the experiences of South African companies in Kenya, noting that while Kenya is an attractive 'natural entry point' to East Africa due to its skilled labor and business-friendly history, South African firms face significant hurdles. These include poor infrastructure, high electricity costs, corruption, and local resentment toward perceived South African corporate arrogance. The study highlights specific failures, such as the 'beer wars' and the closure of Metro Cash and Carry, while suggesting that South African firms must better accommodate local sensitivities to avoid being seen as economic hegemons.

The report examines the impact and challenges of South African investment in Mali, noting that while the country offers political stability and significant gold mining opportunities, investors face severe bureaucratic, legal, and infrastructural hurdles. South African firms, particularly in gold mining, have significantly boosted Mali's GDP and state revenues, but struggle with a complex tax system, an inefficient judiciary, and a lack of skilled local labor. The document highlights the case of the Syama gold mine to illustrate the environmental and social risks of mine closures. It recommends that the Malian government modernize its tax and labor laws and that the South African government provide better diplomatic and commercial support for its firms in the region.