Value addition is one of your best bets doing business in Africa
African governments are promoting value addition for economic development and there are huge gaps to be filled. This means that manufacturing processes that add value to Africa’s raw products and materials will happen increasingly in Africa on the ground generating more money on the continent. Simple example: instead of exporting fruits and then importing tropical fruit concentrate for juice production from Europe, the whole juice production circle will take place in Africa. Your business and investment opportunities here are huge, and you will be stepping right into the development agendas of African governments. It is a business concept that would work anywhere in Africa and across a wide range of products.
2. Agriculture is a huge growth market of top priority
Almost every African growth market banks on its agricultural potential. And no wonder, because Africa has vast lands that are still to be cultivated and production on traditional crops can be intensified. Africa’s population is growing and everyone needs to eat, every single day, and that means that the demand for food will never slow down, but continue to rise. And it does not stop there: the world at large is looking at Africa as a new food basket. Here you have it, this is a powerful trend and doing agribusiness is gaining in popularity across the continent. The top promoters of agricultural production and related investment are Nigeria, Ethiopia, Angola and increasingly Zambia, Congo, and Rwanda.
3. The East African Community continues to be a top market destination
The East African Community (EAC) has become the favorite destination for private equity investors in Africa and they have most certainly done their homework, so it is good to be aware of that trend (and possibly follow it if you are still thinking about where in Africa to start your project). The EAC is currently Africa’s most dynamic trade region and it is working visibly towards taking down trade barriers among its member states. A lot has happened in this regard over the last few months, which means that you are looking at an opportunity to do business in a single market of an estimated 150 million. It is the perfect choice if you are looking at fast expansion, business diversification, and risk mitigation.
4. Intra-African trade is growing fast
Many African producers are thinking about accessing export markets in the West and while there are certainly many opportunities out there, intra-African trade is currently growing at a much faster pace. To be aware of this development is crucial for your success, as it may change your entire approach when growing your business. But being aware of the big rise in intra-African trade also opens opportunities for you in regard to logistics and transport, or other services and securities you could provide to actively support intra-African traders and address some of the obstacles they face. A great niche to step into – just think about how you could add value in this regard.
5. There is growing potential in Education & Health
Education and health are widely regarded as social development sectors, but in Africa both sectors are holding big business opportunities. Over the last couple of years, more African governments are trying to push this forward – Kenya and Angola are two who have repeatedly stated the importance of investment and startup initiatives in these two sectors.
6. The US is strengthening its trade ties with Africa
Most of us are aware of the increasing interest the Obama administration has in trade relations with Africa and the recent US-Africa Summit brought together major decision makers and stakeholders from both continents to advance that effort. This means that we will see increased engagement between the two continents . And this is where you can come in! Yes, of course, you can think of trading your products between the two continents, but there will also be ample opportunities for service provision to make doing business between the two markets easier. Communication channels, partner matchmaking, relocation services, business & investment travel, running information and networking platforms online and offline, marketing.…just to name a few. It’s the perfect choice if you are based in the US and you do not want to relocate to Africa. Build your Africa business anyway by providing services that link both continents up!
7. E-commerce is growing
We have seen huge changes in this regard just over the last year or so. Online shopping has become increasingly popular, in particular in South Africa and Nigeria where big changes in consumer behavior have been recorded. We will see more of it. Africa is going through a mobile revolution and an Internet revolution will probably soon kick off. Mastercard can now be used widely across the continent for online payments. It is the perfect timing to get your Africa e-commerce business set up while the window is still wide open and competition
African governments are promoting value addition for economic development and there are huge gaps to be filled. This means that manufacturing processes that add value to Africa’s raw products and materials will happen increasingly in Africa on the ground generating more money on the continent. Simple example: instead of exporting fruits and then importing tropical fruit concentrate for juice production from Europe, the whole juice production circle will take place in Africa. Your business and investment opportunities here are huge, and you will be stepping right into the development agendas of African governments. It is a business concept that would work anywhere in Africa and across a wide range of products.
2. Agriculture is a huge growth market of top priority
Almost every African growth market banks on its agricultural potential. And no wonder, because Africa has vast lands that are still to be cultivated and production on traditional crops can be intensified. Africa’s population is growing and everyone needs to eat, every single day, and that means that the demand for food will never slow down, but continue to rise. And it does not stop there: the world at large is looking at Africa as a new food basket. Here you have it, this is a powerful trend and doing agribusiness is gaining in popularity across the continent. The top promoters of agricultural production and related investment are Nigeria, Ethiopia, Angola and increasingly Zambia, Congo, and Rwanda.
3. The East African Community continues to be a top market destination
The East African Community (EAC) has become the favorite destination for private equity investors in Africa and they have most certainly done their homework, so it is good to be aware of that trend (and possibly follow it if you are still thinking about where in Africa to start your project). The EAC is currently Africa’s most dynamic trade region and it is working visibly towards taking down trade barriers among its member states. A lot has happened in this regard over the last few months, which means that you are looking at an opportunity to do business in a single market of an estimated 150 million. It is the perfect choice if you are looking at fast expansion, business diversification, and risk mitigation.
4. Intra-African trade is growing fast
Many African producers are thinking about accessing export markets in the West and while there are certainly many opportunities out there, intra-African trade is currently growing at a much faster pace. To be aware of this development is crucial for your success, as it may change your entire approach when growing your business. But being aware of the big rise in intra-African trade also opens opportunities for you in regard to logistics and transport, or other services and securities you could provide to actively support intra-African traders and address some of the obstacles they face. A great niche to step into – just think about how you could add value in this regard.
5. There is growing potential in Education & Health
Education and health are widely regarded as social development sectors, but in Africa both sectors are holding big business opportunities. Over the last couple of years, more African governments are trying to push this forward – Kenya and Angola are two who have repeatedly stated the importance of investment and startup initiatives in these two sectors.
6. The US is strengthening its trade ties with Africa
Most of us are aware of the increasing interest the Obama administration has in trade relations with Africa and the recent US-Africa Summit brought together major decision makers and stakeholders from both continents to advance that effort. This means that we will see increased engagement between the two continents . And this is where you can come in! Yes, of course, you can think of trading your products between the two continents, but there will also be ample opportunities for service provision to make doing business between the two markets easier. Communication channels, partner matchmaking, relocation services, business & investment travel, running information and networking platforms online and offline, marketing.…just to name a few. It’s the perfect choice if you are based in the US and you do not want to relocate to Africa. Build your Africa business anyway by providing services that link both continents up!
7. E-commerce is growing
We have seen huge changes in this regard just over the last year or so. Online shopping has become increasingly popular, in particular in South Africa and Nigeria where big changes in consumer behavior have been recorded. We will see more of it. Africa is going through a mobile revolution and an Internet revolution will probably soon kick off. Mastercard can now be used widely across the continent for online payments. It is the perfect timing to get your Africa e-commerce business set up while the window is still wide open and competition
