Mining enterprise resource planning specialists Scope Systems conducted the survey at the Africa Down Under conference which indicated 42% of respondents expected investment activity in Africa to slightly increase and 44% said it would significantly increase over the next year.

The survey revealed the skills shortage was the largest challenge facing African operations for 40% of respondents, followed by government or nationalisation regulation as voted by 28% of delegates and lack of infrastructure by 24%.

Scope Systems held the survey to gauge investor sentiment among the delegates, identify the key challenges facing Australian companies operating in Africa and understand key growth markets in the region.

Scope Systems managing director Troy Morrison said the interim results highlighted the positive outlook of Africa-focused mining companies.

“With 71.9 per cent of respondents expecting their company to increase its investment in Africa over the next 12 months, it is clear growth in Africa is set to continue,” Morrison said.

“Ghana was seen as the strongest growth area, with South Africa and Botswana taking equal second place.”

Africa Down Under wraps up in Perth this afternoon.

This article first appeared in ILN's sister publication MiningNews.net.