The Africa Business Agenda 2021

A leadership agenda to take on tomorrow

Highlighting the Africa findings of PwC’s 24th Annual Global CEO Survey

On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic, marking the official start of a period of profound disruption and suffering.

More than a year later, we still find ourselves in its grip, but the introduction of vaccines have enabled us to envision recovery. How that recovery will look is not yet clear, but it is certain that we cannot simply go back to the way things were before. The pandemic has exposed fundamental deficiencies in our global system, weaknesses in business operating models and profound challenges that are shaping our world.

For CEOs running businesses in Africa, having the conviction that they can overcome the challenges they face and believing that things will get better, has sustained them through past and present difficulties, and will no doubt give them strength in the future. Caution and optimism have gotten them this far, and despite the uncertainties, we believe now is the time for business leaders in Africa to drive growth from new possibilities, to take action, transform and move forward by adopting a leadership agenda to take on tomorrow.

Growth

CEOs are optimistic that global economic growth will improve

Do you believe global economic growth will improve, stay the same, or decline over the next 12 months? (Showing 'improve')

Source: PwC 24th Annual Global CEO Survey Note: From 2012 to 2014, respondents were asked, ‘Do you believe the global economy will improve, stay the same or decline over the next 12 months?’

And cautiously optimistic about their own growth prospects

How confident are you about your organisation’s prospects for revenue growth over the next 12 months/three years?(Showing only ‘very confident’ responses)

Source: PwC 24th Annual Global CEO Survey

But they’re playing it safe by focusing on operational efficiencies and organic growth to drive short-term growth.

Which of the following activities, if any, are you planning in the next 12 months in order to drive growth?

Source: PwC 24th Annual Global CEO Survey

Threats

Policy uncertainty, tax policy uncertainty and cyber threats are the top concerns for CEOs in Africa

How concerned are you about these potential threats to your organisation’s growth prospects?(Showing top ten ‘extremely concerned’ responses)

Source: PwC 24th Annual Global CEO Survey

Investment priorities

CEOs are changing their investments to keep pace with the changing environment

How do you plan to change your long-term investments in the following areas over the next three years, as a result of the COVID-19 crisis? (Showing ‘Increase significantly’ [≥10%])

Source: PwC 24th Annual Global CEO Survey