After buying out Nova-Ethio Potash, and the departure of BHP Billiton, Allana Potash is betting hard on the region.

African CEOs are working in difficult times, dealing with inefficient governments, a lack of skilled workers and weak infrastructure. Some of the continent's business leaders talked to The Africa Report about how they are tackling these challenges on the ground.

Investors are forming partnerships and increasing manpower to take advantage of the opportunities for private equity investors in sub-Saharan Africa.

As African economies continue to grow, so have opportunities in the hotel sector. Local hotel entrepreneurs have begun moving into an area that has traditionally been dominated by international chains.

Standard Bank has streamlined its emerging- markets strategy: deploying resources freed up by its retreat from other continents, it has its sights firmly set on sub-Saharan Africa.

As president and CEO of GE Africa, Jay Ireland is the first senior manager to be based on the continent. He says the company will grow by being flexible.