South Africa is very close to losing scarce skilled resources to other African countries as massive foreign direct investment projects in energy, mining, transport, telecommunications and water supply gets under way on the African continent, warned experts.

Sandra Burmeister, CEO of Landelanhi, Africa partner of global Amrop executive search group, said a substantial $150bn (R1.13 trillion) of projects were planned on the African continent over the next three years, and many countries were more attractive than South Africa in terms of their regulatory environment.

She said South Africa was a favoured hunting ground for skilled workers.