Industry research on the emerging African markets

• Generally includes statistics such as value, contribution to GDP and number of employees.
• The most important problem or issue is usually mentioned.

Provides a general outline of the industry, whether there are many players, whether there is vertical integration, whether it forms part of a larger sector, and includes the products manufactured by the industry.

2.1 Industry Value Chain

• General value chain points, either in a paragraph or in diagrammatic form.

2.2 Geographic Position

• Includes a graph showing the location of the head office of profiled companies by province.
• Focuses on where the dominant companies are situated and why.

• Provides an indication of the size of the industry.
• Approximate market share if it has been determined.
• A table showing the major companies as well as smaller companies involved in the sector, arranged by province.

4.1 Local

• The important events of the last year or since the last report.
• What is happening now? What are the trends, developments, successes, issues, government initiatives, problems?
• Imports and exports.
• New locations and investment in capacity.

4.1.1 Corporate Actions

• Any corporate activity in the last two years. This includes takeovers, unbundling and mergers and acquisitions.

4.1.2 Regulations

• Regulations that govern the industry.

4.2 Continental

• Trends and/or events for the industry in Africa and the implications of these trends.
• Any facts and figures of South African companies already involved in Africa.
• Any relevant trade/economic/political agreements and any notable developments regionally are mentioned here.

4.3 International

• Compares South Africa with the global market.
• Includes the names of major global players.
• Includes information about South African companies with a global presence.
• Trends, implications and market opportunities for South African companies.

• Factors that influence the success of the industry vary from sector to sector but the following are always included.

5.1 Economic Environment

• Describes the current conditions and how they influence the sector.

5.2 Labour

• Includes sub-headings: Employment figures; Unions; Skills and training.
• Includes the SETA and training authority, skills shortages and training initiatives.

5.3 Environmental Concerns

• Discusses any issues or developments within the sector that have resulted because of environmental concerns.

5.4 Technology, Research & Development (R&D) and Innovation

• The importance and effect of new technology on the sector.
• R&D initiatives in the sector.
• Innovations in the sector.

Other factors included could be Rising Input Costs, Cyclicality, Government Support, Legislation, Infrastructure Programmes, Rapid Urbanisation, Information Technology, etc.

• Includes graphs on companies profiled, employees and turnover segmented by ownership type.
• Local and international competition events and issues, including Competition Commission rulings and active investigations.

6.1 Barriers to Entry

• Factors that impede entry to the industry.

• The SWOT analysis acts as a summary as it focuses on the Strengths,Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats of the industry concerned. The points are drawn from the preceding content in the body of the report.

• Prospects for the sector

• Contact details for the associations that govern the industry.

• Names of the individuals interviewed are kept confidential.

10.1 Publications

• List of Publications used in the compilation of the report.

10.2 Websites

• List of Websites used when conducting internet research.