“Continue to Invest in Africa!”—— Interview with the CEO of Standard Advisory (China) Ltd, Standard Bank Group, ANDRÉ DU PLESSIS“请继续投资非洲”——专访南非标银中国区负责人杜安德(ANDRÉ DU PLESSIS)

⬆ ANDRÉ DU PLESSIS
CEO of Standard Advisory (China) Ltd, Standard Bank Group

“For Africa, one of the pathways to achieve industrialization, we will need help of global multinational enterprises. Why? They have the advantages of capital, experience and management. Chinese enterprises, specifically more recently, say in the last 15 years, have demonstrated that they have the requisite skills to play a unique role in Africa’s industrialization process.  The low cost and technology utilization of Chinese enterprises are very applicable to the situation in Africa and can greatly promote the industrialization and advancement of Africa and its economy.”

In 1862, the Standard Bank of British South Africa was founded, and in the following year established its first branch in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Over the next century, the colonial bank has transformed itself into a truly South African bank and has grown to become the largest and most powerful commercial bank in Africa, with more than 15 million active customers. It has operations in 20 African countries, all of them in sub-Sahara Africa. By the end of 2022, the total assets of Standard Bank has reached 2.9 trillion rand (about 1.06 trillion yuan), and its market value is as high as 284 billion rand. In 2008, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China acquired a 20 per cent stake in the Standard Bank Group, making it its largest single shareholder. Recently, China Investment conducted an interview with Andre du Plessis, head of Standard Bank’s China Office, to share his insights and suggestions on topics such as Standard Bank’s business development in Sino-African economic and trade relations, and the future development of Africa in the current international system.

⬆ This year marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of a strategic partnership between the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (“ICBC”) and the Standard Bank Group

China Investment: Can you briefly introduce the main business of the China office and your main responsibilities?

ANDRÉ DU PLESSIS: As one of the overseas subsidiaries of Standard Bank Group, we have 35 employees in our China office. We also have offices in New York, London and Dubai. Our main goal is to cover Chinese companies and entrepreneurs with business investment in Africa, and those who want to invest in Africa. The Standard Bank Group aim is then to provide them with relevant banking services in Africa, their extensive network in Africa can support Chinese operations in Africa. My main responsibility is to set up the Group’s strategy and response for Chinese companies and investors in Africa to ensure that the needs of the Chinese customers and what can be offered in Africa can be matched. I also hope that through the business of our bank, we can expand a wider channel of business between China and Africa, so as to help Chinese enterprises maintain competitiveness in the African market.

China Investment: As one of the oldest and largest banks in Africa, Standard Bank has developed from South Africa to Africa.  Can the continent meet the standard business ambitions?

ANDRÉ DU PLESSIS: Before the global financial crisis in 2008, we wanted to build a successful emerging market bank, but after the financial crisis, many banks lost their effective competitiveness in the global market. Standard Bank was naturally affected as well, so in order to maintain its vitality, we decided to reduce our global footprint, sold our Argentina business to ICBC, closed many regional offices, such as Russia and Turkey, and finally decided to refocus our energy on Africa exclusively.

China Investment: Volatile markets has not affected the expansion of your company’s business. Standard Bank has developed from a simple commercial bank in a single market into a comprehensive financial services organization, providing retail banking, business and commercial banking, corporate and investment banking and insurance to its diversified client base. Among so many businesses, we can see from the financial report that the largest part of the income is from corporate and investment banking. What does this mean for Africa?

ANDRÉ DU PLESSIS: For us, it was relatively easier to build our expansion on serving corporate and investment clients. This is because we know the market and the client, as well as his needs so well that you can quickly build business around that. For retail banking, you need to establish different consumer positions, based on a large number of consumer needs, which actually takes a long time and it was relatively more difficult to complete, at least initially after entering a new market. Standard Bank Group attaches great importance to its banking business in different African countries, whether it is retail-, consumer- or corporate business. We hope to achieve a leading position in the country and highlight our advantages and capabilities.

China Investment: Do you have any preference in terms of investment? How do you make sure you get a good return on your investment in Africa?

ANDRÉ DU PLESSIS: We are an African bank. We invest in Africa only. In this regard we are committed to driving Africa’s growth. We have a very good sense of the African economies, their prospects and where to support clients. After all we have been around for more than 160 years. Standard Bank typically retains about a third of its earnings in our subsidiaries of the African markets. Where we think the market opportunities are good and the returns are promising, we will invest more. But he will balance and adjust over time in different countries. We look at our opportunities as a portfolio and manage it across all markets for its portfolio return. For example one year we invest more in Nigeria, the year in Angola and so on. It is all determined by the characteristics of our investable resources and the economic cycle and opportunities for growth in the African markets. Bank acquisitions and startups, for example, we haven’t done that for a long time. The last bank startups we have done go back to Ivory Coast and Angola about a decade ago.

China Investment: Why did you set up an office in Beijing?

ANDRÉ DU PLESSIS: After ICBC invested into Standard Bank Group in 2008 we set up an office in Beijing and ICBC set up an office in Johannesburg, where we have our head office. In Beijing we assist ICBC to market to clients that operate in Africa. This has stood both ICBC and Standard Bank Group in good stead over the last 15 years and we are considered the leading banks in the China Africa corridor, as a result of this collaboration.

China Investment: When commenting on China-Africa relations, many people will mention the imbalance in bilateral economic and trade relations with China. As an African bank, you are looking for Chinese customers to help develop sales of African products in China. Does this mean that you want to change this imbalance? Is it difficult?

ANDRÉ DU PLESSIS: In fact, over the past few decades, Africa has been at a structural disadvantage in the international trading system, essentially being a net importer of goods. China has outstanding industrial and manufacturing advantages, so it exports a lot. If you want to balance this relationship, few African countries can reduce the trade imbalance with China quickly. Countries have low manufacturing and industry capability, low level of industrialization, have to rely on imports. I think this imbalance will remain for a long time. Our aim is to encourage more investment in manufacturing in Africa and also more exports, especially agricultural exports to China.

China Investment: Do you think it is possible for Africa to increase its investment in or exports to China?

ANDRÉ DU PLESSIS: With the exception of South Africa and possible Egypt, few African countries have the financial strength to invest directly abroad. If we have to talk about the possibility of balance, then it may involve the issue of export scale and market access from Africa to China. In fact, the expectation of most African countries in terms of export trade to China is to increase either the export volume of commodities, value-added or processed commodities and agricultural products. There are two exhibition platforms in China that helps us with this. The CAETE in Changsha and the CIIE in Shanghai. We are active supports and participants in both. We have invited many client to both these exhibitions to come and showcase their product to prospective Chinese buyers and clients.

China Investment: Since you arrived in China, is China and Chinese investors the same as you observed and expected?

ANDRÉ DU PLESSIS: Actually, we all know that investors in China are divided into state-owned enterprises and private enterprises, and it’s interesting that they have different characteristics and qualities. Private entrepreneurs, for example, are very discerning and will react quickly to and launch business opportunities they see. For example, some of our customers used to be pure exporters, exporting some low value-added products from China to African countries, such as ceramic tiles or diapers, etc. However, in the process of trade, they then started to product locally in Africa. Sometimes to reduce the total cost of the product, sometimes in order to reduce the value chain. This is why they actually played a role in industrialization as they effectively transfer production from China to Africa. This whole process improved the reliability of supply and shortened the value chain in to their customers Africa, giving them competitive advantage. It can be said that this investment model is one that we encourage as it creates jobs, reduce costs of products and develops local businesses through developing the value chain locally. On the other hand, China’s state-owned enterprises have an unparalleled advantage in terms of investment capacity, which is very important for Africa in many cases given the infrastructure gap on our continent. I have a lot of respect for both client groupings and I think they will bring different value to different industries and sectors in African countries.

China Investment: So it can be seen that Standard Bank plays a central role in identifying and recommending such business opportunities. What is your advice to people who want to go to Africa or invest in Africa?

ANDRÉ DU PLESSIS: In fact, for a lot of Chinese companies didn’t even need our advice because they are so perceptive, and the management, the skills, the capital advantages of Chinese companies are so obvious given the scale and skills they have developed in their home market. I would advise them to continue to invest in Africa. Africa needs you, and sometimes you need patience, and you need to be able to adjust yourself to the different African market environments, and then according to the market demand and market size of Africa, you will be successful. To build a sustainable business over the long term you need to partner effectively in local markets. We are the matched Financial Services partner for you in sub-Sahara Africa. Please look us up and we will walk your journey with you.

China Investment: In fact, there are many cases of investment failure in Africa, in order to avoid such a situation, how will Standard bank cooperate with clients?

ANDRÉ DU PLESSIS: Yes, there are a lot of failures in Africa, not just by China, but by investors all over the world. From the bank’s point of view, if you want to build a successful investment case, then your business plan must be realistic, down-to-earth, and can be implemented. Although we do not debt support to many projects directly from the beginning, we do provide very comprehensive business advice and market introduction and transactional capabilities to our clients.. In addition, in many African countries, currency shortage is a very serious problem, which will even affect the economic situation of the country, but in spite of this, there will be a lot of investors, including Chinese investors, looking for opportunity and an entry point to be able to take advantage of the future prospects of the country. At this time, we will cooperate with the public sector players of these countries to help provide professional currency management services and a sound regulatory advice for our clients. This actually avoids the later problems that many investors encounter in their initial investment in those places if they don’t follow the correct initial investment administration protocol.

China Investment: Speaking of currency, from the professional perspective of the banking industry, what is the current state of RMB internationalization in Africa?

ANDRÉ DU PLESSIS: First of all, from the perspective of RMB internationalization, there is a demand and market for RMB in Africa. However, for the existing monetary system, the liquidity of offshore RMB is still narrow compared with currencies such as the us dollar and the euro. From our own point of view we are prepared for RMB trading in our offices in 20 countries in Africa. Faced with the imbalance between supply and demand of RMB in the markets that we operate in, we are also working hard to promote this business and encourage our customers to use RMB in invoicing and cross border transactions. At present, some mining companies have begun to use RMB as a trading currency. The liquidity of the yuan can increase only when the number of customers and trading volume increase, so we are working with clients to achieve this.

China Investment: Speaking of troubles, what is your opinion on the current debt problems of African countries? Is it a real crisis and challenge for African countries?

ANDRÉ DU PLESSIS: Yes and no, the debt issue should be a hot topic right now. The sovereign integrity of African countries depends in part on their ability to maintain a solid financial and monetary system with sufficient funds to support their development. The currencies of African countries are generally vulnerable and has a depreciation and volatility bias against some of the major reserve and trading currencies. This can affect a sovereign’s credit if his debt has a high foreign currency component. In fact, talking about sovereign debt, most countries in the world are facing the problem of high debt. This will indeed put national sovereign finances at risk, which in turn will weaken investors’ investment appetite. However, opportunities within those economies remain solid as they continue to grow, supporting ongoing investment need and opportunity. In many industrial or manufacturing investments, you invest in local currency, you make money in the local market, you continue to expand in the local market, and you become a true local market player. Your ultimate return comes through dividends of the profitable business you have built. This is the right, long-term investment model. For countries that have reached, or almost reached, the debt ceiling, and have a continued need to invest in infrastructure we are looking forward to a public-private partnership to address the sovereing’s challenges to sponsor these projects on his own.

China Investment: In fact, African countries are not only ones troubled by debt, many people are also worried that the current volatile international situation will make Africa more vulnerable, such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and Africa will face a more difficult situation in the geopolitical game between major powers. How do you think about this view?

ANDRÉ DU PLESSIS: I don’t think the current international situation is going to have a major, substantive impact on Africa’s future development. It is true that finance and economy will be affected by the current fragile situation, but we have to realize that when Chinese investors or American investors are affected, they will choose to return to their more familiar markets to avoid risks, but when the interest rate are gradually lowered, they will eventually have a demand for overseas investment again, and at that time, the market opportunity and population growth of African countries have always been a worthwhile and suitable place to invest. African countries have not been directly affected by these global conflicts, but have always needed foreign investment to change their development status and trading deficits. This need will always be there, so those who see the development opportunities in Africa and can be successful in local operations will continue succeed. The returns on these investments will be even more pronounced, especially as Africa moves to a higher level of regional integration. For many Chinese companies, you don’t even need to convince them of this, they are very aware of the value of the African market and are very happy to fine-tune their development and investment strategies. For example, in Zimbabwe, a “failed state” in the West, there are many successful Chinese investments.

China Investment: If the development of African countries is difficult to be affected by the current international situation, then the industrialization process of African countries directly determines the quality of future development. What does the next decade mean for Africa’s industrialization? What does Africa need to do to further promote its own industrialization?

ANDRÉ DU PLESSIS: First, you need to know who you’re competing with, and second, whether your market has the right conditions to industrialize. To be honest, African countries are not competitive in industrialization compared to Asia, and especially very few markets can match the competitiveness of China. Therefore, for Africa, how to achieve the competitiveness of industrialization requires the help of global multinational enterprises, which have the advantages of capital, experience and management. We are especially interested in Chinese enterprises, which have such conditions to play a unique role in the process of industrialization in Africa. Africa can no longer export raw materials with zero or low added value, and the investment of many Chinese enterprises in Africa will help Africa change this situation. The cost effective and modern technology utilization of Chinese enterprises are very suitable for the situation in Africa and can greatly promote the industrialization of Africa.

⬆ 杜安德 (ANDRÉ DU PLESSIS)

标准银行集团标银投资咨询（北京）有限公司首席执行官。近30年的非洲金融从业经验，长期就职于标准银行集团并担任高管，在充满挑战和激烈竞争的市场中展现出卓越的执行和开拓能力。在主管中非业务之前，杜安德曾担任标准银行集团莫桑比克及东非区（肯尼亚、乌干达、坦桑尼亚、埃塞俄比亚、南苏丹）的公司与投行业务首席执行官。

1862年，英国南非标准银行成立，并于次年在南非伊丽莎白港建立其第一个分行，在之后的一个多世纪中，这个银行转变为一个真正的南非银行，并逐渐成长为非洲资产规模最大、实力最强的商业银行之一，全球拥有超过1700万的活跃客户，并在20个非洲国家有运营机构。截至2022年底，标银集团总值已达2.9万亿兰特（约1.06万亿人民币），其市值也高达2840亿兰特。2008年，中国工商银行收购了标银集团20%的股权，成为该行单一最大股东。日前，《中国投资》就标银集团业务发展、中国业务拓展、中非经贸关系以及非洲在当下国际体系中的未来发展等话题对标银集团中国办公室负责人杜安德进行了专访，分享他的见解建议。

⬆ 标银集团总部大楼内部

《中国投资》：您可以简单介绍一下中国办公室的主要业务和您的主要职责吗？

杜安德：标银集团在多个国际中心如纽约、伦敦等地设有办公室。作为标银集团的国际子公司之一，我们中国办公室一共有35名员工，以所有在非洲有商业投入或有意投资非洲的中国公司和企业家为主要目标。标银集团在非洲庞大的网络可以支持他们在非洲的经营。我主要的工作职责是制定集团在中国的发展策略，了解在非中国公司和投资者的需求，以保证集团能对接好非洲市场和中国客户的需求。我也希望通过标银集团的业务能够拓展中非之间更宽广的通道，以助力中国企业在非洲市场中保持竞争力。

《中国投资》：标银集团作为非洲历史最悠久的银行和规模最大的银行之一，发展的轨迹从南非扩展到非洲。非洲大陆是否能够满足标银集团的商业雄心？

杜安德：在2008年全球金融危机之前，我们希望打造一个成功的新兴经济体银行，然而金融危机之后，很多银行在全球市场上失去了有效竞争力，标银集团也受到了影响。为了保持标银集团的活力，我们决定缩减全球业务范围，将阿根廷业务出售给了工行，也关闭了很多地区的办公室，比如俄罗斯和土耳其，最终决定将我们的关注点重新聚焦在非洲。

《中国投资》：市场的波动并没有影响贵司业务的拓展，标银集团已经从一个单纯的商业银行发展成一个金融综合体，包括很多零售、投资、甚至保险业务，在那么多的业务中，通过财报我们可以看到收入比较大的一块是公司和投资银行业务，这对标银集团来说意味着什么？对于非洲来说又意味着什么？

杜安德：对于标银集团而言，拓展和服务公司和投资客户相对难度要小一些，因为我们对市场和客户的了解非常深入，可以很快建立起商业关系。而零售业务需要根据大量的消费者需求去建立不同的消费者定位，实际上需要很长时间也更难以完成，至少在进入全新市场的初始阶段是这样的。标银集团对于在不同非洲国家的银行业务都很重视，不论是零售、消费者还是公司业务，我们都希望做到该国的领先地位，凸显我们的优势和能力。

《中国投资》：那在投资领域，你们有什么偏好吗？你们如何确保自己在非洲的投资能够获得好的回报？

杜安德：标银集团是一家非洲银行，只对非洲进行投资。推动非洲的发展是我们的核心承诺。我们对非洲经济十分了解，相信非洲国家的潜力，积极为当地的客户提供支持，毕竟我们已经在非洲经营160多年了。 我们通常会把三分之一的收益用于非洲各国子行的建设。市场机会大、投资回报高的国家，我们相应也会投入更多，并且会根据不同非洲市场的情况进行平衡和调整，例如一年投资尼日利亚，下一年增加安哥拉的投入等等。我们看重综合投资回报，也根据非洲市场的可投资资产特点、经济周期和增长机会进行调整。比如收购或新建银行机构，我们就已经很久没有操作了，最近一次的银行收购可能要回溯到大约十年前的科特迪瓦和安哥拉案例了。

《中国投资》：为什么在中国成立办公室？

杜安德：2008年工行入股标银集团后，工行在我们集团总部所在地约翰内斯堡设立了代表处，我们也在北京设立了办公室，协助工行营销在非洲开展业务的中国客户。在过去的15年里，工行和标银集团的战略合作取得了丰硕的成果，成功地成为中非走廊领先的金融平台。

《中国投资》：很多人在评论中非关系的时候都会提到双边经贸关系的不平衡，作为一家非洲银行，在中国寻找中国客户并向中国市场推广非洲产品，这是不是意味着你们想要去改变这个不平衡？难度大吗？

杜安德：事实上，在过去的几十年中，非洲一直在国际贸易体系中处于一种结构性的劣势地位，基本是扮演了纯进口的角色。而中国具有突出的工业和制造业优势，所以出口非常多。如果说要实现和中国的贸易平衡，那短期内没有任何非洲国家可以做到。很多国家的制造业和工业化水平很低，不得不依赖进口。我认为这种不平衡将持续很长一段时间。我们的目标是鼓励更多对非洲制造业的投资以及推动更多非洲产品的出口，特别是农产品对中国的出口。

《中国投资》：那您觉得非洲增加对中国的投资或者出口是可能的吗？

杜安德：除了南非和埃及，很少有非洲国家具备足够的金融实力来进行海外直接投资。如果一定要说实现平衡的可能性的话，那可能涉及到非洲对中国的出口规模和市场准入。其实大部分非洲国家在出口贸易方面对于中国的期待就是能够增加大宗商品、增值商品或加工商品和农产品的出口量。在中国有两个展览平台可以帮助我们做到这一点，长沙中非经贸博览会和上海国际进口博览会。我们是这两个平台的积极支持者和参与者。我们已经邀请了许多非洲客户来参加这两个展会，向潜在的中国买家和客户展示他们的产品。

《中国投资》：从您到中国之后，您观察到的中国和中国投资者与您预期的一样吗？

杜安德：实际上我们都知道中国的投资者分为国有企业和私有企业，很有意思的是他们具备不同的特点和品质。比如私营企业家他们的眼光非常敏锐，而且会对看到的商业机会进行快速反应和启动。比如我们有一些客户原来是纯出口商，从中国向非洲国家出口一些低附加值的产品，如瓷砖或尿布等。但是在贸易的过程中，他们开始在非洲本地建立工厂，这不仅降低了产品上市的成本，也缩短了产品到达非洲客户的价值链，大大提高了供应的可靠性，是他们把生产制造从中国带到了非洲。这种投资模式是我们鼓励的，因为它创造了就业机会，降低了产品成本，并通过在当地发展价值链来发展当地企业。另一方面，中国的国有企业在投资体量上占有不可比拟的优势，考虑到非洲大陆基础设施的差距，这对非洲来说是至关重要的。我对二者都非常尊重，他们会对非洲国家的不同产业和领域带去不一样的价值。

《中国投资》：所以这能看出标银集团在这种商业机会的发现和推荐上起了一个核心的作用，对于更多想要去非洲或者在非洲投资的人来说，您对他们的建议是什么？

杜安德：实际上对于很多中国公司来说他们甚至都不需要我们的建议，因为他们太敏锐了，而且中国企业的管理、技能和资金优势都很明显，如果非要让我说，那我会建议他们继续投资非洲。非洲需要你们，有些时候你们需要一些耐心，调试自身以适应不同的非洲市场环境，然后根据非洲的市场需求和市场体量进行业务投入和调整，你们一定会成功的。为了建立长期可持续的业务，需要在当地市场有效地合作，标银集团可以成为您在撒哈拉以南非洲地区理想的金融服务合作伙伴。我们非常愿意为您保驾护航。

《中国投资》：实际上非洲也有很多投资失败的案例，为了避免出现这样的情况，标银集团会如何与客户合作？

杜安德：的确，非洲有很多失败案例，这些案例不仅是中国的，世界各地的投资者都有。从银行的角度来看，假如想要实现成功的投资，那么你的商业计划一定是要现实的、接地气的，也是能够实施的。尽管我们不会一开始就会对很多项目进行直接贷款支持，但是我们会给客户提供非常全面的商业建议、市场信息和交易能力介绍。另外，在很多非洲国家，货币短缺是一个非常严重的问题，甚至会长期影响这个国家的经济状况，但尽管如此，还是会有很多投资者，包括中国投资者，寻找机会和切入点，以便能够利用该国的未来前景。此时，我们将与这些国家的公共部门合作，帮助我们的客户提供专业的货币管理服务和健全的监管建议。假如他们一开始不了解正确的初始投资管理协议，我们的服务和建议实际上让许多投资者避免了遇到一些后续的问题。

《中国投资》：说到货币的话，从银行业的专业角度来看，人民币国际化在非洲目前处于一个什么样的状态？

杜安德：首先从人民币国际化的角度来看，非洲对于人民币的需求和市场是存在的。但是对于非洲现有的货币体系来说，离岸人民币的流动性相对美元、欧元这样的货币来说还是太窄了。从我们自身来看，我们已经在非洲20个国家准备好了人民币交易的基本条件。面对着人民币在市场上目前还处于供需不平衡的局面，我们也在努力推进人民币业务，鼓励我们的客户在开发票和跨境交易时使用人民币。目前一些矿企已经开始使用人民币作为交易货币了。只有使用的客户和交易量增加的时候，人民币的流动性才能增加。我们正在与客户一起努力实现这一目标。

《中国投资》：请问您对于目前非洲国家的债务问题持有什么样的见解？对于非洲国家来说，是真正的危机和挑战吗？

杜安德：可以说是也可以说不是，债务问题目前应该是一个热点话题。非洲国家的主权完整性部分取决于是否有能力维持一个稳固的财政和货币制度，并有足够的资金来支持它们的发展。非洲国家的货币普遍脆弱，对一些主要储备货币和贸易货币存在贬值和波动倾向。如果一个国家的债务中有很高的外币成分，这可能会影响该国的信用。事实上，谈到主权债务，世界上大多数国家都面临着高债务的问题。这确实会使国家主权财政面临风险，进而削弱投资者的投资兴趣。然而，随着这些经济体的持续增长，它们内部的机会依然稳固，支持着持续的投资需求和机会。在许多工业或制造业投资中，投资当地货币，在当地市场赚钱，持续在当地市场扩张，你就成为一个真正的当地市场参与者。最终回报来自于你所建立的盈利业务的红利。这是正确的长期投资模式。对于那些已经达到或即将达到债务上限，并且需要继续投资基础设施的国家，我们期待更多的公私合作伙伴关系，以解决这些国家的融资挑战。

《中国投资》：实际上目前对于非洲国家来说不仅有债务的困扰，很多人也比较担忧目前动荡的国际局势也会让非洲变得更脆弱，比如俄乌冲突，非洲会在大国博弈之间面对更艰难的局面，您怎么看待这种看法？

杜安德：我认为现在的国际局势对非洲未来的发展不会造成重大的实质性的影响。金融和经济的确某种程度上会受到当下脆弱局势的影响，但是我们要意识到一点，当中国投资人或者美国投资人，受到影响的时候他们都会选择回到自己更熟悉的市场来躲避风险，但是当利率逐步降低之后他们最终还是会产生海外投资的需求。那个时候，非洲国家的市场发展和人口增长仍在继续，依旧是一个值得和适合投资的地方。非洲国家并没有受到冲突的直接影响，但一直需要吸取海外直接投资来改变自己的发展状况和贸易逆差，这种需求会一直存在，所以对于那些看到非洲发展机会并且能坚持本地化运营的投资，一定会成功。特别是当非洲一体化进程到了一个更高程度的时候，这些投资的回报也会更加突出。对于很多中国公司来说，你甚至不需要去说服他们，他们非常清楚非洲市场的价值，也非常乐意去调整自己的发展策略，比如在西方称为“失败国家”的津巴布韦，实际上有很多中国投资获得了成功。

《中国投资》：如果说非洲国家的发展很难被目前的国际局势所影响，那么非洲国家本身的工业化进程则直接决定了未来发展的质量。未来十年对于非洲的工业化意味着什么？非洲需要做什么来进一步促进自己的工业化发展？

杜安德：首先，你要知道你在与谁竞争，其次是你的市场是否具备实现工业化的合适条件。说实话，非洲国家的工业化水平与亚洲相比并不具有竞争力，特别是很少有市场能与中国的竞争力相媲美。所以对于非洲来说，实现工业化的竞争力，需要全球跨国企业的帮助，他们拥有足够的资金、经验和管理的优势。我们对中国企业特别感兴趣，因为中国企业有条件在非洲的工业化进程中扮演独一无二的角色。非洲不能再出口零附加值或低附加值的原材料，很多中国企业在非洲的投资将帮助非洲改变这个局面。中国企业的成本控制和现代技术的运用非常适用于非洲的情况，能够极大促进非洲的工业化。

关于标准银行集团

标准银行集团（“标银集团”）是非洲资产规模最大的银行。
标银集团致力于建设领先的非洲金融服务机构，充分运用集团的竞争优势，为在非洲经营的客户提供一流的本地服务。
非洲是标银集团的核心。标银集团在南非已稳健经营超过160年，业务覆盖包括南非在内的20个非洲国家以及非洲以外的重要金融中心。集团在非洲大陆拥有1000多个分支机构，并在全球主要金融中心纽约、伦敦、北京、迪拜等地设有代表机构。
标银集团在全球拥有近5万名员工，提供包括个人和商业银行、公司和投资银行以及财富管理在内的全方位服务。标银集团的公司和投资银行部门能够为客户提供银行、外汇、投资、风险管理和顾问咨询等产品和服务，在能源与基础设施建设、矿业与金属、电信与媒体、工业、消费等行业的专业实力尤为突出。
中国工商银行持有标银集团20%的股份，是标银集团最大的单一股东。标银集团和中国工商银行缔结了战略合作伙伴关系，共同促进中非之间的贸易和投资活动。
标银投资咨询（北京）有限公司为标银集团在北京设立的非银行子公司，成立于2009年，主要负责拓展在非洲发展的中国企业和金融机构的合作。
（截至2023年6月30日）