“Africa’s tech ecosystem will continue to attract investment”

Henico Schalekamp, Group CEO, HLB CBS Group

“We will focus on sectors such as fintech, energy, agriculture, and real estate, that are booming across regions.”

Henico Schalekamp, Group CEO of HLB CBS Group, explains the strategic and economic drivers behind CBS Group’s decision to join HLB International. He outlines how the move will position South Africa as a gateway for cross-border investment, strengthen Chinese investor engagement across Africa, and open new opportunities in fintech, renewable energy, and infrastructure. He also shares his outlook for capital flows into the continent, Africa’s untapped potential, and how the network aims to navigate regulatory, ESG, and compliance challenges.

How did CBS Group’s decision to join HLB International emerge? What were the principal global, economic, and strategic drivers behind the move?

Since last month, CBS Group is operating as HLB CBS Group South Africa, joining the global HLB network. The transaction strengthens international collaboration and expands cross-border service capabilities, particularly to support investors across China, South Africa, and the wider African market.

HLB’s announcement highlights South Africa as a “pivotal gateway to the continent”, positioning CBS to drive cross-border projects in sectors such as mining, infrastructure, and trade, where foreign investment is growing.

A major asset is CBS’s Chinese-speaking team, which enhances HLB’s Global China Service by providing seamless support for Chinese investors and businesses entering South Africa and the African network.

Joining HLB offers immediate global reach: more than 52,000 professionals in 155 countries, with access to specialist expertise worldwide. HLB also invests in shared technology platforms and training for its members, strengthening technical and knowledge capabilities.

The move reflects a broader industry trend toward scale. HLB’s 2024 figures show 9% growth and nearly USD 6 billion in revenue, reinforcing its position as the world’s eighth-largest network. Its 2025-27 strategy explicitly targets further footprint expansion and innovation.

China’s position as Africa’s largest trading partner and infrastructure financier makes CBS’s Chinese-language capability a strategic advantage for the network.

Against today’s shifting global economic headwinds, what new opportunities does this affiliation unlock for South Africa and HLB’s broader Africa footprint?

By joining HLB, South African firms gain immediate access to world-class resources, knowledge sharing, and international best practice. South Africa can act as a hub for HLB’s sub-Saharan expansion, leveraging its developed infrastructure, financial services sector, and BRICS membership.

As multinationals seek to diversify beyond traditional markets, HLB can facilitate inbound and outbound investment between Africa and other regions.

With sustainability now essential for international investors and regulators, HLB’s ESG capabilities will help African businesses transition to greener, more responsible operations. South Africa, as one of the continent’s more advanced economies, can also lead in the global carbon credit markets, with HLB advising on frameworks and monetisation strategies.

“CBS’s Chinese-speaking team is a strategic asset for HLB’s Global China Service.”

What predictions do you have for the next 12-24 months regarding global capital flows into Africa, and how will HLB CBS Group position the firm to capture these?

Over the next two years, Africa’s tech ecosystem – particularly fintech, healthtech, agritech, and renewable energy – will continue to attract investment. Development finance institutions and green funds are aggressively pursuing opportunities in renewable energy, carbon credits, and climate adaptation.

Sub-Saharan Africa is also likely to see increased inflows from the World Bank and private ESG-focused funds.

From your vantage point in South Africa, how do you assess the continent’s economic trajectory? Where do you see untapped potential, especially for external investors?

Africa’s economic outlook is complex but promising, characterised by pockets of resilience, significant untapped potential, and structural challenges that, if addressed, could unlock substantial opportunity.

The continent has the world’s youngest population, which offers long-term advantages in labour supply, consumption, and innovation – provided education and job creation keep pace.

Africa also holds a significant share of the world’s reserves of minerals such as cobalt, lithium, and rare earths, all vital to the global energy transition.

What are the most pressing regulatory, ESG, and compliance challenges in Africa today, and how will the HLB network help CBS Group clients navigate them?

The challenges stem from rapid economic development, varied legal frameworks, political instability in some regions, and increasing global pressure for sustainability and transparency. Legal systems differ widely between countries, and are evolving quickly, while regulatory enforcement can vary even within a single jurisdiction.

HLB will support clients with local expertise across jurisdictions, real-time regulatory updates, and tailored tax advisory and structuring services.

CBS Group brings Chinese-speaking expertise to HLB’s Global China Service. How do you expect this to facilitate smoother inbound Chinese investment into South Africa and across African markets?

Language fluency removes a key barrier to communication and builds trust – essential in Chinese business culture, where relationships are foundational. Having Chinese-speaking professionals with cultural affinity enables deeper, longer-term investor relationships, improving engagement, negotiations, and deal outcomes.

CBS can guide Chinese investors through South Africa’s and Africa’s complex regulatory, legal, and tax environments. Combined with HLB’s network and market knowledge, CBS can deliver tailored market-entry strategies and sector-specific insights, helping investors identify low-risk, high-return opportunities, and diversify their African portfolios.

With a presence in both China and Africa through HLB’s global network, CBS can offer end-to-end advisory services – from feasibility studies to due diligence, tax structuring, and post-deal integration. HLB’s global brand provides credibility and governance standards that Chinese investors value.

What kinds of cross-border collaborations with other HLB member firms in Africa or Asia are you prioritising?

CBS will prioritise sectors showing strong regional growth – fintech, energy, agriculture, and real estate – offering services such as due diligence, transfer pricing, and specialist tax advisory.