Author Archive | Kate Douglas

Venture capital investment in Africa: Where the IFC is betting its money

By Kate Douglas on '22 August 2017' in Business Focus, Private equity

We talk to Olawale Ayeni, regional head for Africa investments at IFC Venture Capital, about backing high-growth companies.

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The journey so far: Peris Bosire, co-founder, FarmDrive

By Kate Douglas on '1 August 2017' in Kenya, The journey so far

'I wish I knew that there will never be a day that something doesn’t go wrong...'

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Congolese inventor has a solution to get rural Africa emailing

By Kate Douglas on '25 July 2017' in DRC, Entrepreneur watch, ICT

A device that makes sending an email over 100-times cheaper.

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The journey so far: Nokwethu Khojane, co-founder, Lakheni

By Kate Douglas on '20 July 2017' in South Africa, The journey so far

'I don’t think enough people tell entrepreneurs how messy it is and that in 12 months your business plan will be meaningless.'

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How this Kenyan company saw an opportunity to link small-scale farmers with banks

By Kate Douglas on '17 July 2017' in Banking & Financial Services, Entrepreneur watch, Kenya

'Financial institutions know that agriculture is a big, untapped market,' says Peris Bosire, co-founder of FarmDrive.

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Moroccan tech entrepreneur has a solution to combat illegal fishing

By Kate Douglas on '10 July 2017' in Entrepreneur watch, ICT, Transport & Logistics

Drones controlled by special artificial intelligence software cost a fraction of operating traditional surveillance planes.

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South African company giving bulk buying power to low-income communities

By Kate Douglas on '3 July 2017' in Consumer Goods, Entrepreneur watch, ICT, Retail, South Africa

Buying in bulk can lead to great savings. But low-income earners often don't have the means to purchase items in large quantities. This company has a solution.

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A checklist for African mid-stage companies looking to stand out to investors

By Kate Douglas on '8 June 2017' in Business Advice, Private equity

Tips from Johnni Kjelsgaard, founder of GrowthAfrica.

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Jambojet on moving beyond Kenya and learning from the failure of other African airlines

By Kate Douglas on '8 June 2017' in Business Focus, Kenya, Transport & Logistics

We talk to the airline's CEO about his strategy for regional expansion.

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Young South African on starting his castor oil and biodiesel business

By Kate Douglas on '5 June 2017' in Agribusiness & Food, Entrepreneur watch, Manufacturing

How Thabang Mabapa stumbled upon his business idea.

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Visa-free travel in Africa for Africans: Ghana makes most progress

By Kate Douglas on '2 June 2017' in Business Focus, Ghana, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Seychelles, Tourism & Leisure, Transport & Logistics

Africa's most welcoming countries.

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Brand ambassadorship: The dos and don’ts

By Kate Douglas on '1 June 2017' in Business Advice, Media, Sports & Entertainment

We speak to an expert in the field.

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Daily, not monthly, insurance premiums a better deal for Kenya’s matatu operators

By Kate Douglas on '30 May 2017' in Banking & Financial Services, Entrepreneur watch, Kenya, Transport & Logistics

Company spots gap in the market.

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Growing resistance to South African products on the continent. Here’s why

By Kate Douglas on '29 May 2017' in Business Focus, Consumer Goods, South Africa

Nigel Gwynne-Evans, from South Africa’s Department of Trade and Industry, looks at the growing protectionist measures facing South African products on the continent.

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African Economic Outlook: 10 facts you probably didn’t know

By Kate Douglas on '26 May 2017' in Foreign investment, Private equity

Did you know that only two African countries exported more than they imported last year? Or that Morocco led intra-African investment in 2016?

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