Programming Highlights; March 20, 2010

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Afribiz

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Denise Turney

Denise Turney

Listening to your show with the attorney, Peter. Keep up the great work! Denise Turney Author - Long Walk Up Off The Shelf Radio http://www.chistell.com

AfriBiz: Opening Doors to Business in Africa through Information and Intelligence  

This radio zone promotes discussions and dialogue, as well as providing information about doing business in Africa.

Show Notes

This radio zone focuses on giving the practical aspect of doing business in Africa for small and mid-size business people or investors. Even when they are new to Africa and new to business.
  • On Demand Episodes

    Date / Time:

    Post-Show Note: Managing the Risks of Doing Business in Africa

    AfribizTalk took on the subject of “Managing Risks of Doing Business in Africa” on March 3, 2010.  The show's guest was Sanjeev Kumar, a Director at Delamore and Owl group of companies.

    The segment started off with a brief commentary on the new RiskMap Report 2010 on Africa by ControlRisk. While the report acknowledged risks in Africa, it also pointed out the progress African countries have made making them better able to handle the global economic crisis than in the past.  Thus, perhaps, signaling a departure from the ongoing emphasis on the negative context of risks in any frontier market to a more balanced assessment of the realities in Africa.

    But the segment was more about managing risks than identifying them.  When asked if there are commonalities in risks in African countries, guest expert Sanjeev Kumar said it is difficult to pinpoint commonalities.  Kumar points out that Africa has over 53 countries and each country has its’ own political issues and government agencies that differ from one country to the other.  For example, the Democratic Republic of Congo is completely different than the country of Ghana; as well as Eastern Africa to Southern Africa.  However, there may be some similar experiences, such as dealing with government agencies, from country to country.  But in reality, there are government issues in any country.

    But as an investor, Kumar stresses the need to look at the individual opportunities and specific contexts.  Overall, Kumar brought up several pointers for managing risk, emphasizing several investment principles:

    • Look at investment on a country-by-country basis
    • Develop mutually beneficially partnerships
    • Do one’s own research
    • Understand some risk is good
    • Innovate to mitigate risk on projects
    • Keep your approach simple
    • Diversify the risk in your portfolio
    • Look for opportunities where the arena is not saturated, even if there is risk you have a higher chance of return.

    And finally, Kumar has learned doing business in Africa is about patience.  It takes months (maybe years) to develop projects.  Therefore, your investment outlook should be mid- to long-term.

    To hear the entire discussion, listen here.  To follow up on the discussion, contact  Sanjeev Kumar at www.delamoregroup.com

    Join us again for more practical insights from experts and those with first-hand experience on AfribizTalk.  And as always, begin the process of researching opportunities in Africa with www.afribiz.info

    Category:
  • Original Air Date:

    Managing the Risks of Doing Business in Africa

    This segment focuses on the risk environment and managing risks associated with doing business in Africa. The business media in the West often paints a picture of Africa as a risky place to do business. However, Africa has a much better outlook in managing risks in 2010, according to ControlRisk. Sanjeev Kumar, a director at Delamore and Owl companies, will join us and share his expertise on the challenges and approaches to managing risks in Africa. And finally, AfribizTalk introduces a new occasional co-host, Nwakego Eyisi.

    Category: Business
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    Post-Show Note: Growth Finance - Another Funding Source for SMEs in Africa

    Lack of funding for SMEs in Africa is consistently reported with few bright spots.  However, there is an emerging funding option called Growth Finance. On the February 10, 2010 AfribizTalk show, Guido Boysen, Chief Investment Officer of Grofin, shared insights into the Growth Finance industry for SMEs.

    Boysen briefly shared how Growth Finance compares to other financial options. Microfinance provides excellent funding sources for micro-entrepreneurs with very small, informal businesses (e.g., hand crafts and small markets) and has a cap of approximately $3,000.  Commercial banks lend to SME’s with a large amount of collateral (usually at a very high interest rate and short-term financing).  Private equity firms look for larger organizations with strong management teams, which are very stable.  There still remains a huge gap in servicing SMEs in Africa.

    Growth Finance is unique niche as is Grofin, a pioneer and leader in the market.  Growth Finance supports SMEs in all stages of business development, from start-up through growth and expansion.  Boysen says that they can support almost any type of business, except for farmers, at this time.  However, they can support other types of agricultural businesses like agro-processing.

    The Growth Finance model used by Grofin not only provides the funding, but business support. Growth Finance also differs in that businesses are evaluated not on collateral, but the viability of the business and the entrepreneur.  The funding cycle is longer than commercial lending institutions, from four to six years. 

    What’s also significant is the Growth Finance niche is being proven out and succeeding in Africa.  Grofin started in 2004 and has grown to a capitalization of over $230 million dollars.  Boysen figures that they are just scratching the surface of the market in developing nations.  This suggests that the opportunity for others to enter the market is also there.

    But the story goes back to the entrepreneurs, and others, who benefit.  In just over five years, Grofin’s efforts alone have produced close to 5,000 jobs in Africa.  This translates to over 20,000 beneficiaries in local communities.

    You don’t want to miss any of this interview.  To listen in on the show, click here.  For further information on Growth Finance and the work of Grofin, visit www.grofin.com.

    To learn more about doing business in Africa, you will want to visit www.afribiz.info.  To stay tuned to AfribizTalk, visit www.blogtalkradio.com/afribiz.  And to stay connected with us in real-time, follow us on twitter at www.twitter.com/afribiz.

    Category:
  • Original Air Date:

    Growth Finance: Another Funding Alternative for SMEs in Africa

    Funding available for SMEs and entrepreneurs, particularly start-ups, still remains low in Africa. This segment highlights a new, emerging financing alternative called Growth Finance. Guido Boysen, Chief Investment Officer of GroFin, shares what Growth Finance is, how it serves SMEs in Africa, and how Grofin's business model has made it both the pioneer and leader in the Growth Finance industry.

    Category: Business
  • Date / Time:

    Post-Show Note: Mixing Media and Business in International Trade with Africa

    Our AfribizTalk radio show on January 27, 2010 focused on how companies can use media to promote themselves in international trade with Africa.  Our guest expert was C. Paschal Eze, a writer and former journalist.  Eze shared tips with us from his workshop called “Sure Fire Way to Get Free News Media Publicity.”

    First, let's stress that media can be a positive partner for any business when entering a new market.  In fact, a media/public relations plan should be a part of your overall plan to enter a market.  Media channels can provide you visibility and credibility.  As Eze said, “people take what they see in the media as true.”

    Businesses should think of media can be thought of as one type of customer.  Businesses have to be able to show the benefit of sharing information about themselves to the media.  This means businesses have to demonstrate the value to the media’s audience.

    The first order of business when expanding to international trade is to have an interactive business website at which clients can get information and connect with you.  Eze says a virtual business card website is not sufficient.

    The second order of business is to check out media sources in the market the company plans to enter on a regular basis.  If interested in African markets, many African newspapers have online sites.  Also, AllAfrica.com is a good aggregator of African news from many different sources.

    When ready to connect with the media, Eze shared there are three key things a business must be able to do.  First, know the company’s competitive message.  Second, understand the media upon which the company will call.  Third, present a message that will attract the media.

    Eze points out that media everywhere looks for stories of value.  Companies need to provide something of value for the media’s audience.  For example, the earthquake in Haiti is a timely story.  Has your company or organization done business there and can you provide unique insight to the current situation?

    Eze pointed out that today there are two classes of media – traditional and social.  Both become very useful to businesses entering new markets.  Traditional media, of course, is radio, television, and print publications.  However, the internet provides us online formats for traditional media, as well as other tools like Twitter.  While internet and broadband penetration is still weak in Africa, in urban areas many middle class people in have internet in their homes and there are internet cafes scattered in cities.

    It’s also good to note that radio reaches the greatest audience in Africa compared to television or print.  However, as Eze points out radio also has one of best reaches, even in the United States, because people can access it almost anywhere.

    As a final tip, Eze said companies should make contact with media in the new market even before going to the country when they find something that would create a good story.  This is an opportunity to begin building a relationship that may prove useful as the company enters the market.  Media not only can tell stories about a company, but can often share local contacts in business and government that might prove useful.

    To listen to the full show, click here.  To learn more about doing business in Africa, first visit our radio show page at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/afribiz.  Then, visit our information portal at http://www.afribiz.info.

    Category:
  • Original Air Date:

    Mixing Media and Business in International Trade with Africa

    This is a re-broadcast of our January 27, 2010 show. Enjoy!! This segment provides tips for how entrepreneurs from Africa and elsewhere can use the media to promote their businesses in international trade. The guest expert is C. Paschal Eze, a former journalist in Africa and the West. Eze now helps entrepreneurs use the media to build social capital.

    Category: Business
  • Date / Time:

    Post-Show Note: Doing Business in Post-Conflict Countries in Africa

    AfribizTalk starts off the 2010 season with an interview with Jacqueline Muna Musittwa, an attorney and expert on trade in post-conflict countries. The show aired Wednesday, January 13, 2010.

    What makes an area “post conflict?”   Ms. Musiitwa shared that “post conflict” is really a sliding scale.  There is not exact measure of what determines “post conflict.”  However, take the Democratic Republic of Congo as an example.  There are parts of the DRC that are not under the red flag of conflict and other areas that are.  The DRC is considered “post conflict.”  However, it still has instability in eastern DRC.  At present, the DRC is dealing with many issues, including those fueled by neighboring states and lack of government resources.  For the DRC to attract investment, they really have to work on the type of atrocities going on and those about which people are hearing. 

    In a post-conflict country, Musiitwa says faces several issues affecting the business environment, including stability, general peace and security, basic infrastructure, and transportation.  For the post-conflict country, image is a major issue.  Larger companies have a greater capacity to handle these issues due to better resources to complete due diligence and place people on the ground. However, smaller investors can also be successful.

    There are many actors in a post-conflict zone. International agencies, local government, and NGOs are key actors in making “post conflict” work.  The role of NGOs is often downplayed.  NGOs gather a lot of information and can give good idea to the general status of the people. 

    NGOs can be a valuable source for information for investors.  Other valuable sources of information and assistance for investors are the U.S. embassy in the post-conflict country and the foreign country’s embassy in the United States.

    Musiitwa says that if investors want to explore opportunities in post-conflict countries, they should research viable opportunities, interact with government officials, visit to see what’s happening, understand legal and tax structures, etc. 

    Musiitwa also mentioned several post-conflict countries that might appeal to investors.  First, there is Rwanda. It’s a country that has taken the bull by the horn and changed everything after the 1994 Genocide.  It’s doing a great job at improving governance, business infrastructure, and the legal system for plaintiffs. And of course, the opportunities are endless, e.g., real estate, tourism, and the returns are high.  The capital market is also growing and is very transparent so it’s easy for someone to invest.

    Second, think of Liberia and Sierre Leone. Both battled many years to stay stable.  They have risen above their governance issues.   There is a lot of great potential in tourism and agriculture.  Their “Doing Business” rankings rose.

    Third, there is Mozambique.  It’s often overlooked, but has great opportunities in alternative energy.  There is also a lot of land available.

    There is a lot more to this conversation. Download the recording here.

    This radio show was a part of an ongoing series, “Doing Business in Conflict and Post-Conflict Zones in Africa.”  To access the full series and to get additional information on African countries, visit the Afribiz portal at www.afribiz.info.

    To contact Jacqueline Muna Musiitwa, visit www.hojalawgroup.com or www.transitionaltrade.org.


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