Foreign investors are increasingly becoming aware of the tremendous potential and financial reward the African continent offers. Foreign direct investments (FDIs) deliver a number of important contributions to economic development in terms of employment and foreign exchange. In 2016, Africa benefitted from US$51bn of FDI. There are various investment opportunities…
Delivered by DHL The mobile phone has changed all our lives. In the rich countries of the West, the revolution has largely been one of convenience. Services that were once only available in homes, offices and high streets can now be carried around in your pocket, accessible at a whim. In…
Monica Musonda, founder of Zambia’s Java Foods Taking a closer look at the story of Monica Musonda, founder of Zambia’s Java Foods. Give us a brief background on this business. Emphasis on ‘brief’. Before starting her company, Musonda had the fortune to work closely with Nigerian tycoon Aliko Dangote, one…
One of the most pressing developmental challenges in sub-Saharan Africa is the dire need for modern energy services among the energy-poor, low-income communities who are beyond the reach of economically viable electricity grids. Some three quarters of Africa’s rural population lack access to electricity, forcing them to rely on expensive…
To the west of Ethiopia near the Sudanese border lies a place called the Asosa zone. This may be the location of the oldest gold mine in the world. Dating back some 6,000 years, it provided a key source of gold to the ancient Egyptian empire, whose great wealth was…
Changes in today’s global landscape mean emerging markets must consider how they shape their own futures. Many countries in the developed world have focused their efforts and resources inwards as a result of challenging economic times. There is a danger that a shift away from emerging markets will negatively impact…
Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu is the founder and MD of soleRebels (among other companies), a footwear entity established in 2004, which set out to reimagine the traditional Ethiopian “selate” and “barabasso” shoes. The soles of the shoes are made from recycled car tyres. Today, the company has stores…
Harare, Zimbabwe This article was written specifically for the NTU-SBF Centre for African Studies, a trilateral platform for government, business and academia to promote knowledge and expertise on Africa, established by Nanyang Technological University and the Singapore Business Federation. The original document can be downloaded here. Zimbabwe’s unexpected revolution in November 2017…
Delivered by DHL Worldwide retail e-commerce sales reached US$2.290tn in 2017, some 10.1% of all retail sales, and are set to hit $4.479tn by 2021. While many markets are already well developed, there’s still a huge potential audience to be reached and some exciting up-coming trends will help to reach them.…
The following is an excerpt from an Exotix Capital report, titled Affordability in Africa. The rise of the African consumer continues to present a significant opportunity for local and multinational consumer companies operating in the region, given relatively strong economic prospects over the medium to long term and favourable demographics. However, there is…