Taking the leap from Singapore to Africa

AFRICA may not be top of mind when Singapore companies look to venture abroad, but the potential of the continent is drawing more interest.

Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) declined to cite figures, but said that it had already run more projects in Africa as at the end of August than in the whole of last year. Its work there has included helping companies secure projects and setting up overseas offices.

Singapore businesses looking to set up or expand abroad typically look at South-east Asia; it is the top investment destination because of its proximity to home, and relative familiarity, noted G Jayakrishnan, executive director for South Asia, Middle East and Africa at EnterpriseSG.