Political Risk Assessment & Commercial Opportunities: Manufacturing & Retail Sector

An international company providing products and services to Central Banks commissioned CA to conduct a political risk assessment, and an analysis of commercial opportunities in Southern Africa.

The Problems:

Under prior ownership, the Company had been embroiled in a corruption scandal; it was therefore particularly sensitive to bribery risks. The Company also wanted to understand whether there were realistic business opportunities in the region, and if so, how they should proceed.

Our Solution:

To assess political and governance risks, CA conducted interview-based research with a central bank’s key stakeholders, including industry bodies, private sector operators, political figures and former senior bank officials. To understand the industry environment, the inter-relation between Government and private sector operators, and the likely future commercial trends and needs, CA interviewed the decision makers within the bank, and the key private sector organisations along the value chain. Looking at the questions from different perspectives gave CA a unique understanding, and showed us exactly where the ‘knowledge gaps’ were.

The Outcome:

CA was able to answer all the questions posed in the mandate, make recommendations – including on the client’s own competitive weaknesses – and provide the client with a potential strategy.