Are U.S. Investors and Companies Listening? Africa is a Good Buy.

Several of the world's fastest growing markets are where? You guessed it: Africa. This factor along with a growing base of consumers with disposable income, improving infrastructure and a host of other factors (like incredible natural resources)have made the continent tantalizing for several American giants like Walmart. But Walmart's move to acquire Massmart in South Africa is being met with some opposition according to a recent article in The Economist. Only time will tell exactly what impact the retailer will have, but we can take one lesson: If Walmart thinks Africa is a good buy, perhaps the rest of us should listen.

China is another player we should be listening to. Like it or not, they've had it figured out for a long time. A recent article on FT.com included the following facts and figures on Africa/China trade: