Investors seeking diversification may want to consider Vodafone Group (VOD) as a way to invest in developing African markets. The stock offers exposure to the region while being domiciled in the more secure capital markets of the United Kingdom. The stock itself is competitively priced for a wireless communications company.
Vodafone is an Africa Play
Vodafone Group's biggest African business, Johannesburg-based Vodacom Group, surpassed its British unit by profit in 2010 and the Spanish division the following year. Profits from African operations have been expanding rapidly, even at an amazing 50% annual rate in some African nations. It is projected that operating profit from this geography will surpass operating profit from southern Europe's operations in about three years.
Vodafone's African Operations head Nick Read said, "There's a massive opportunity in penetration that we need to drive forward on. Everyone in Africa wants to be on Facebook. They want e-mail.
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