The "Africa rising" narrative that sparked a surge in optimism about the continent's investment prospects appears to be running out of steam as the reality of tough economic conditions - and in some cases hostile political environments - sets in. Oil-dependent Nigeria, the largest economy in Africa, is struggling to boost economic growth as oil prices remain under pressure internationally. Poor infrastructure, ongoing problems with power supply and the battle to bring Boko Haram under control have undermined the country's attempts to revive its economy, which is projected to grow at just 0.1% this year. In the past three years Nigeria's GDP growth has averaged 0.18%. The problems are not limited to West Africa. In Central Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo government has cut investment in infrastructure in response to the country's falling oil revenues. A power struggle in which Joseph Kabila - who has clung to the presidency since 2001 - is fighting to remain the country's he...
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