The Central Africa Cluster (CAC)
Background
The Central Africa/Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) region spans 11 countries with a population of about 141 million.
Central Africa has a relatively high average GDP per capita of $6,000, due primarily to its large reserves and export of oil and gas, cobalt, gold, iron and diamonds.
The region is also known for its large-scale production of such critical cash crops as coffee, tea and cocoa.
Of the 11 countries in the region, seven (Angola, Cameroon, Chad, Congo-Kinshasa, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Congo-Brazzaville) are oil and gas producers, collectively holding 13 percent of Africa’s total crude oil reserves.
Yet, despite recent peace in Angola, Central Africa has a particularly long history of acute political and economic instability and remains highly volatile.
About the B&M Central Africa Cluster (CAC)
B&M’s Central Africa Cluster (CAC) is a highly specialized research group of B&M analysts that provides clients with timely analysis on political, economic, security and social developments affecting Central Africa, and forecasts the impact of these developments on a client’s bottom-line.
The Applications for Business and Investment
CAC analysts help clients incorporate political risk management into their plans for business in Central Africa, especially at the point of entry and expansion.
Our flexible research model and pioneering AfriRisk Index©, the first comparative country risk index modeled to distinctively monitor, measure, and forecast political, economic, social, and security risks unique to Africa, can be adapted to track categories of risks prevalent in Central Africa and pertinent to a client’s investment plans.
CAC advises NGOs, non-profits, foreign aid donors, multilateral organizations and foreign governments (municipal, provincial and national), and helps them (and other clients) monitor and manage the political risks of engaging institutions operating at the sub-regional level, including the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).
For more information, please contact the Central Africa Cluster (CAC) directly at cac@bmconsultancy.net
Central Africa Cluster Analysts
In addition to being experts on general African politics, history and business, CAC analysts are particularly well-versed on and well-traveled within Central Africa, possessing the requisite multinational language skills.
They monitor all developments affecting Central Africa, including those occurring within and outside the region.
The cluster is supported by field research analysts and on-the-ground monitors based in several Central African countries, strategically positioned to help our clients navigate and manage the day-to-day political, security and social risks of doing business on the ground.
The Space
CAC conducts its research on a sub-regional, national, state, provincial, municipal and industry level.
It covers all 11 Central African countries individually and collectively as members of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), a sub-regional organization promoting economic integration, trade, foreign investments and conflict resolution.
CAC analysts work in close collaboration with other B&M industry and regional clusters to provide clients with insightful comparative analysis of the business environment across multiple cities, states, countries, and regions.
Coverage Area (11 Countries)
Angola
Burundi
Cameroon
Central African Republic (CAR)
Chad
Democratic Republic of the Congo (Congo-Kinshasa)
Equatorial Guinea
Gabon
Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville)
Rwanda
São Tomé and Príncipe
Common Research Topics:
The politics of natural resource (i.e. oil and gas) extraction and export in all Central African countries.
The increasing presence of international investors, with a particular focus on China and, most recently, Russia.
The impact of rising food and fluctuating commodity prices on economic and political stability.
The politics of agribusiness, with a focus on the production of cash crops like coffee, tea, cocoa, groundnut and palm oil in all Central African countries.
Increasing integration and connectivity among ECCAS members.
For more information, please contact the Central Africa Cluster (CAC) directly at cac@bmconsultancy.net |
