Factors Influencing The Success Of Cross-Border Projects In Africa: A Case Study Of Ten Projects

Rajeshree Moodley, Herman Steyn & Taryn Jane Bond-Barnard

Africa's economic growth depends on direct foreign investment, primarily through global projects. However, literature on success factors for global/cross-border projects in Africa is non-existent. This paper reports on a study of ten projects, with a combined value of US$680 million, executed by a South African company in six other African countries. Best practices and success factors for cross-border projects were investigated, using a modified nominal group technique, a Delphi survey and thematic analysis. The top five success factors identified for African cross-border projects are: 1) front-end loading (FEL); 2) top management support; 3) planning, execution and control (including risk management); 4) leadership and establishing trust; 5) stakeholder satisfaction. A model of the success factors and best practices framework for African cross-border projects is proposed. The paper contributes to the development of project execution strategies to improve African cross-border project performance.

Keywords: cross-border projects, Africa, project success factors, fast-moving consumer goods, FMCG

International Journal of Project Organisation and Management Vol. 13, No. 3.

https://www.inderscienceonline.com/doi/abs/10.1504/IJPOM.2021.117942