Case study: How this Singapore tech company built a thriving business in Africa
“For an SME to thrive in Africa, it will need people with a sense of adventure and not pampered employees that are used to luxury comforts,” says ICT company.
The journey so far: Tunde Kehinde, co-founder, Lidya / Jumia
“The earlier you can learn on someone else’s dime before committing your life, taking money from investors and bringing people into your company, the better.”
How this Kenyan company saw an opportunity to link small-scale farmers with banks
“Financial institutions know that agriculture is a big, untapped market,” says Peris Bosire, co-founder of FarmDrive.
PARTNER CONTENT: Quantum Global
Renewables and Africa’s energy future
The cost of renewables – particularly solar panels – has fallen significantly over recent years, bringing mass produced clean energy into the realms of reality.
FROM THE ARCHIVES: Start-ups in Africa are more likely to grow from client revenue than investment
Business leaders discuss what it takes to develop African 'unicorns' (start-ups with a valuation of over $1bn).
PARTNER CONTENT: DHL
Filling Nigeria’s fintech sector
Tech entrepreneur Tayo Oviosu returned to Nigeria from the US with a mission to build a business that would help financially empower ordinary people.
Does Trump’s ‘America first’ mean ‘Africa last’?
African leaders are wondering whether the Trump administration is adopting an 'Africa last' policy.
Doing business in rural Africa: Strategies for success
Taking advantage of the business opportunities offered by Africa’s rural communities is a long-term, resource-intensive exercise requiring a highly-focused approach.
Business Focus
The economic costs of illicit financial flows in Africa’s extractive sector
25 July, 2017
Trade misinvoicing, which is a major aspect of illicit financial flows, is a bottleneck on Africa’s growth.
New approaches will enhance food security in Africa
25 July, 2017
Food demand in Africa is expected to rise by over 60% by 2050 due to population growth.
Nigeria’s ‘queen of golf’ mentors next generation of potential pros
25 July, 2017
In Nigeria golf is still a rich man's game.
Foreign investment
Macron’s FrançAfrique: Old wine in a new bottle?
25 July, 2017
Africa should not be under the illusion that Macron is going to be a president with Africa at heart.
Africa’s dilemmas with May’s Brexit quagmire
17 July, 2017
Africa must diligently follow the progress on the UK-EU Brexit negotiations to be able to strike the right deal at the right time.
Case study: How this Singapore tech company built a thriving business in Africa
14 July, 2017
'For an SME to thrive in Africa, it will need people with a sense of adventure and not pampered employees that are used to luxury comforts,' says ICT company.
Does Trump’s ‘America first’ mean ‘Africa last’?
14 July, 2017
African leaders are wondering whether the Trump administration is adopting an 'Africa last' policy.
Entrepreneur watch
Businesswoman builds company that thrives in Africa’s tough and remote areas
26 July, 2017
'Plan A has never worked for any project that we’ve undertaken or invested in. I always look at plan M, N, O, P or Q.'
Nigerian entrepreneur grows trendsetting jewellery business from scratch
25 July, 2017
We talk to Gbenga Ayo-Dada, the founder and creative head of Artsmith Collections.
Congolese inventor has a solution to get rural Africa emailing
25 July, 2017
A device that makes sending an email over 100-times cheaper.
How this Kenyan company saw an opportunity to link small-scale farmers with banks
17 July, 2017
'Financial institutions know that agriculture is a big, untapped market,' says Peris Bosire, co-founder of FarmDrive.
Profit-making idea
Profit-making idea: Manufacturing matches in Rwanda
4 July, 2017
'It is very easy to produce, but no-one has thought about doing it.'
Profit-making idea: Potential for construction companies along Mozambique’s Nacala corridor
27 June, 2017
New logistics corridor offers business opportunities.
Profit-making idea: Keep an eye on Senegal’s emerging oil and gas industry
13 June, 2017
An oil and gas boom would generate demand for products and services that support the hydrocarbons industry.
Profit-making idea: What do dried egg yolk, sorbitol and sodium sulphate have in common?
11 April, 2017
Import substitution opportunities identified at Africa CEO Forum.
Meet the Boss
Meet the Boss: Mário Lourenço, CEO, Cochan Group
4 July, 2017
'Leadership is learnt with time.'
Meet the Boss: Olivier Jacquin, CEO, Mangalis Hotel Group
1 July, 2017
'Surround yourself with the right people to help deliver your vision.'
Meet the Boss: Jaco Lotz, International Business Development Executive, ADvTECH
29 May, 2017
'I’ve been frequently exposed to new challenges through changes in my career path.'
Meet the Boss: Nick Langford, Country Head Kenya, Rendeavour
23 May, 2017
'No worthwhile business is ever done after 10:00 in the evening,' says property development boss.
FOCUS ON CENTRAL AFRICA
How German firms can tap into Africa’s diversification drive
3 February, 2017
'Where I do see significant opportunities is in the midstream and downstream petroleum industry.'
Understanding Cameroon’s untapped business opportunities
16 January, 2017
NJ Ayuk, CEO of Centurion Law Group, shares where he sees opportunities in Cameroon.
On-the-ground realities in central Africa different to investors’ perceptions
13 December, 2016
Doing business in French-speaking central Africa is often different to what prospective investors assume, according to private equity boss.
Start-up snapshot: The Cameroonian company using fish to farm crops – and vice versa
30 November, 2016
Save Our Agriculture is a start-up that focuses on producing aquaponics kits.
Private Equity
The journey so far: Lexi Novitske, principal investment officer, Singularity Investments
29 June, 2017
Talking tough situations and untapped business opportunities with Nigeria-based investor.
Interview: Searching for Africa’s alternative investment opportunities
30 May, 2017
We speak to Paul Boynton, the CEO of Old Mutual Alternative Investments.
Why this private equity firm is betting on a Kenyan biscuit manufacturer
16 May, 2017
Opportunities in the biscuit business in Kenya and beyond.
Meet the Boss: Paul Kavuma, CEO, Catalyst Principal Partners
15 May, 2017
'It is quite difficult in leadership to listen and to really hear what other people are saying,' says private equity boss.
Recent articles
Unpacking renewable energy in Africa
26 July, 2017
Given the lack of infrastructure throughout most of Africa, governments can design their systems from scratch, and in the process leapfrog the industrial age electricity systems.
AfricaCom 2017: 7-9 November 2017
26 July, 2017
AfricaCom attracts an audience of senior decision makers from mobile network operators, internet service providers, broadcasters, global tech giants, and a range of ICT leaders.
Businesswoman builds company that thrives in Africa’s tough and remote areas
26 July, 2017
'Plan A has never worked for any project that we’ve undertaken or invested in. I always look at plan M, N, O, P or Q.'
Fundo Soberano de Angola retains high ranking on the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute Transparency Index
25 July, 2017
FSDEA Scores 8 out of 10 in the 2017 Linaburg-Maduell Transparency Index.The economic costs of illicit financial flows in Africa’s extractive sector
25 July, 2017
Trade misinvoicing, which is a major aspect of illicit financial flows, is a bottleneck on Africa’s growth.
