Economic Policies of Sub-Saharan African Countries Explored in Lecture

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University of California’s Economics and International Finance expert, Professor Smile Dube, delivered a Lecture on globalisation, multinational companies and Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) to postgraduate finance students at UKZN.

The presentation co-ordinated by School of Accounting, Economics and Finance Academic Dr Mabutho Sibanda, was part of the internationalisation drive giving students an opportunity to engage in a debate with an academic from an international university about the latest trading, investment and business trends.

Dube’s presentation focused on the importance of private foreign investment, the liberalisation of trade and the influence of technology in a modern economy.

‘Let us update our understanding of what drives foreign direct Investment (FDI) with new world knowledge,’ said Dube.

‘We need to find out what sub-Saharan Africa is doing so badly compared to other countries. Sub-Saharan countries need to think seriously about upgrading their skills and international practices in order to attract FDI to sectors that have a competitive edge.’

Dube’s Lecture was linked to the International Business Finance module – a core module in the Bachelor of Business Science (Finance) and Bachelor of Commerce Honours (Finance) degrees.

Students praised the Lecture saying it integrated the module’s learning outcomes with issues that affect sub-Saharan Africa, in particular attracting FDI.

Thandiwe Jumo