Our presence in Africa
Over the years we have expanded our business across key jurisdictions in Africa and currently have a presence in 12 countries. Our corporate and investment banking offering is delivered in ten of these jurisdictions through RMB subsidiaries in South Africa, Nigeria, Namibia and Botswana. In Ghana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Eswatini and Zambia, our offering is branded FNB to meet and comply with legal and regulatory requirements. Our Kenyan and Angolan offices trade as representative offices of the FirstRand Group.
Africa — a big deal for RMB
Our deal footprint spans across 35 African jurisdictions and range from the funding of key infrastructure and resource finance projects to mergers and acquisitions, ICT projects, mining, oil and gas, telecoms and renewable energy developments.
Global corridors
RMB is the gateway to corporate and investment banking in Africa and part of one of the largest financial services groups (by market capitalisation) in Africa – FirstRand Bank Limited.
Indo-Africa corridor
FirstRand Bank is the first bank from Africa to be granted a full-scale commercial banking licence in India.
Our India branch, based in Mumbai, primarily focuses on investment banking, fixed income, currency and commodity products, trade finance, as well as debt capital markets and other structured products.
Since 1990, bilateral trade between India and Africa has flourished — particularly in the sub-Saharan African (SSA) region. Countries like Nigeria, Angola, the DRC, Mauritius and Kenya continue to enjoy very strong export and import trade volumes with India.
China, East Asia and South-East Asia corridor
China is strategically important to Africa’s growth story. Managed by RMB, our Shanghai representative office plays a leading role in facilitating trade flows between China and Africa.
Our partnership with China Construction Bank; the China Africa Development Bank; China Export & Import Bank and Sinosure furthermore enable us to support our clients on either side of the China-Africa corridor.
Across the rest of East Asia, as well as South-East Asia, we are also well positioned (for example through our strategic co-operation agreement with Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi and others) to support clients on both sides of the corridor with the ever-increasing trade and investments in Africa.
UK-Africa corridor
RMB London is a branch of FirstRand Bank Ltd in the UK. The branch operates predominantly as an origination and distribution platform to service European and international companies and investors with business interests and investments in Africa.
Where to invest in Africa
This year, RMB Global Markets Research is returning Where to Invest in Africa to its roots — the sectors we believe are key to releasing the continent’s growth potential.
Exploring Africa’s mining resources
Africa is home to more than half the world’s reserves of gold, chrome and platinum, and a significant proportion of the world’s diamond reserves. RMB has offered corporate and investment banking solutions to the mining and resources sector since opening our doors in 1977. Our sector experts with their wealth of knowledge offer innovative solutions ranging from early stage equity; project finance; advisory services; asset-backed finance; and currency and commodity services to structured trade finance, and equity and debt capital instruments.
Buying power for the retail sector.
Consumer demand and sales volumes have peaked in the developed world, and emerging economies are the next big thing in global spending and consumption over the next few decades, especially as African economic growth rates recover. Although the pace in the growth of the middle class has been slower than expected for reasons unique to each country’s economic profile, the continent’s demographic landscape remains attractive.
RMB offers banking solutions across the retail value chain, including merchant services, foreign exchange, trade and working capital and corporate finance.
Financing Africa’s full potential
Financial services play a critical role in securing Africa’s future. Without sustainable funding and commercial credit, project development in key areas such as infrastructure, healthcare, and energy projects remain concepts rather than reality. Regulatory reforms, the emergence of an urban middle class and technological advancements allow financial institutions access to funding mechanisms to mitigate risk and maximise returns.
ICT/TMT connecting Africa’s digital dots
Technology and telecommunications are connecting our continent and the world. This sector is growing with emerging technologies. Our experienced telecommunications, media and technology (TMT) team offers corporate banking, investment banking and financial risk solutions to clients in the sector. Our strong focus and jurisdictional expertise make us the preferred financing partner for our clients seeking to invest in the ICT/TMT sector in SSA.
Manufacturing for the future
The manufacturing sector has become highly competitive, with many additional countries becoming more appealing. This makes it even more important to have the right partner when competing. RMB has the financial backing and capabilities to help you expand and export to new markets across the continent. Our highly skilled, experienced teams develop dynamic, sophisticated banking solutions to optimise our clients’ working capital cycles and simplify their banking processes.
Constructing a forward-looking continent
Infrastructure is a key constraint to inclusive growth. While Africa’s infrastructure shortage is undeniable, it provides abundant investment opportunities – particularly for the construction sector. RMB has facilitated several infrastructure projects across the continent over the past couple of years, ranging from real estate developments and pipeline projects to roads, bridges, airports and harbours to increase intra-African trade and FDI into the continent.
RMB is a proudly African bank, with our roots firmly embedded in African soil. Join us on our journey as we realise untapped value in Africa.
Video: Where to Invest in Africa 2020 overview
