Lauri Elliott

Media is such a major issue for Africa at this time.  There is a general perception that western media is doing a disservice to the image of Africa.  I agree and disagree.

I agree that western media has painted a particular view of Africa as needy, poor, corrupt, and in conflict historically.  But there are also those who do Africa a good service.

But to me this argument is no longer the primary relevant issue.  Now with the technology tools and the connected society, everyone is media.  That is called citizen media.  Individuals, groups, and organizations need to use this shift to make media that is appropriate for Africa.

The new configurations of media will be infinite, but open.  This is what we have to focus on.  There are still people who need to work with in traditional media who can help change what is being reported and how.  But most of us, whether professional media or public media don’t have to what for things to change, we can make the change.

I had a brief opportunity to share these thoughts and others at the Rwanda Convention 2010 (www.rwandaconvention.org) in Boston, Massachusetts on May 29, 2010.  And living  up to the potential in technology, I participated via videoconferencing from my home!

You can download my slide presentation – Evolving Media Presentation 2010 (37). 

Feel free to start up a conversation on this.

While the world is struggling with economic crisis and social unrest that will result, Christians need to understand the times.  The Christian community was forewarned of this crisis, but many refused to listen.  If you did not listen before, listen now and learn about the good news of what God is doing.

John F. Kennedy said that the Chinese word ensemble for “crisis” means both danger and opportunity.  Paul spoke of a great door of opportunity open to him, but having many adversaries. (1 Corinthians 16:9)   Opportunity and obstacles go hand in hand.

The shaking and shifting we see occuring in world systems is the change of an age, of a generation.  While disturbing and unsettling, we need to focus on living in the new season, the new age.

If we see situations through God’s eyes and we trust Him, we have peace.  The Word says that there will be stability in our times.  During these times, we are the agents of stability as we are used as God’s vessels to bring His will to the earth.

The new age is the Vision Society.  A society based on the kingdom of God.  While the world systems are shaking, this kingdom is arising from the shadows to bless God’s people and bless the nations of the earth.  This is an age of strength for the true body of Christ.  This is an age where we will tangibly be the head and not the tail.  There is no reason to fear what is happening, but every reason to have faith in God.

This post is about sharing what I understand of both the sacred and secular view of this new age.  First, you can read another blog post, “Vision Society: An Overview,” to acquaint yourself with how the Vision Society will appear in the world (secular).  Second, you can watch or listen to the teaching, “Vision Society: A New Age,” to learn the spiritual (sacred) strategy and structure behind the Vision Society.  You can access this teaching below.  May you  be richly blessed.

Video Teaching
Audio Teaching
Slides

This is a part of the ongoing series I write on ICT across sectors for ITWEB/Brainstorm Magazine South Africa.  This article is on manufacturing.  It was a collaborative piece with Hilton Tarrant who focused on South Africa while I focused on the African continent and global trends.  Enjoy!

Originally posted online at Brainstorm Magazine.

ICT is a key enabler for the manufacturing sector. It’s transforming the global manufacturing arena while opening opportunities in the African market.

Africa lags behind its global counterparts in industrial and manufacturing development. Even when comparing the percentage manufacturing contributes to the gross domestic product (GDP) in African countries to other developing countries, manufacturing contributes about ten percent in African countries and 21 percent in other developing countries.

In Africa, but outside South Africa, there are pockets of manufacturing success stories. The Ethiopian leather industry has made a name for itself in global niche markets. Robert Parker, group VP of research for IDC Manufacturing Insights, says the one significant manufacturing segment in Africa is the remanufacturing of computer and electronics.

However, the picture is getting brighter. Globalisation, innovation and ICT are transforming many sectors to anywhere, anytime platforms. In the manufacturing sector, the mantra is “design anywhere, make anywhere, sell anywhere,” says Parker.

One shift is product manufacturing, separated into tasks and spread across manufacturing facilities. This is seen as a huge opportunity for new, smaller manufacturing entrants in low income countries, including Africa, according to the Industrial Development Report 2009 by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

Parker speaks of a similar shift from mass to micro to pod manufacturing. Historically, manufacturers built one facility to serve the world. With pod manufacturing, manufacturers can download designs and methods from anywhere to localised manufacturing equipment to serve the local economy.

Pod manufacturing has reduced cost tremendously and increased flexibility. For example, there is equipment to manufacture wine, starting at $3 500.

Parker also says that local African manufacturers will be able to “bring more diversified and custom products to their local consumers”. For example, Digiskin allows customers to go online to design skins to cover gadgets, including cellphones.  A company can purchase a production machine to provide some of these skins locally to customers.

For a long-term opportunity, Parker says that African governments need to leverage access to their abundant resources and require firms to develop manufacturing and processing facilities locally alongside extraction operations. In some instances, deposits in Africa may account for 80 to 90 percent of global deposits of certain precious minerals or metals. They need to play the leverage game like China. China recently limited the export of rare metals to boost the price. African governments can use the same principle in a different way.

In every aspect, ICT is embedded in the manufacturing value chain from infrastructure to intelligent manufacturing. Without sufficient broadband infrastructure, approaches like pod manufacturing might not be possible.

Parker also sees another opportunity with the pervasive wireless infrastructure in Africa, allowing African firms to tap into and manage the full manufacturing value chain almost anywhere with technology like remote sensing and radio-frequency identification (RFID).

While there may only be pockets of manufacturing on the continent, the global manufacturing shift opens new, even immediate, opportunities for ICT firms looking for new pastures, e.g. industrial clusters in Uganda and Tanzania, as they develop. It will be important for ICT firms to continually scan the environment to take advantage of these emerging opportunities.

Manufacturing convergence

Further south, leveraging information, communication, control and power is helping South African manufacturers innovate and compete.  Manufacturers have two options during the global economic downturn: cut back and try to weather the storm, or take the opportunity to be more innovative and aggressive. However, because South African factories struggle to manufacture products at the same cost as is possible elsewhere in the world, and due to a strong currency, local manufacturing concerns face these two options all the time.

Rockwell Automation believes that even though convergence has become a cliché over the past decade, “today the combination of technology maturity and economic necessity has made manufacturing convergence a manufacturing reality”. Manufacturing convergence sees the merging of functions and systems that have been separate. The theory is that with people, processes and technology working together, manufacturers can perform better.

Convergence within manufacturing leverages information, communication, control and power.  It’s no use simply having systems and machines recording data. Information must be in a manageable form: the new goal is presenting information in context.

Sources of information can be “streamlined to allow configuration, visualisation, maintenance and optimisation of manufacturing processes and plant assets,” Rockwell says.

Immense value is created when IT and manufacturing departments are able to share information seamlessly and securely, while running multiple applications over the same network. An enterprise manufacturing approach that is particularly suited to larger distributed companies envisions the enterprise as a “virtual manufacturing network”.

EOH, during an implementation at Coca-Cola’s greenfields Bloemfontein plant, was able to capitalise on available technologies while the rest of the group used mostly manual or semi-automatic systems. In time, improvements to its other factories will mean that they can join the network across the Coca-Cola SABCO enterprise.

The trend nowadays sees standard, unmodified Ethernet being adopted broadly across the plant and enterprise for data collection and real-time control. Add to this newer functionality such as voice, video and mobility, which are beginning to appear in the plant environment.

However, despite these advances, manufacturing convergence is a complex environment and cannot be delivered by a single supplier. Locally, system integrators like Bytes and EOH implement solutions from companies as varied as Cisco, Microsoft, SAP, Wonderware and Dassault Systems.

Beyond this, original equipment manufacturers are embracing new so-called “smart” service business models enabled through embedded software, wireless connectivity and online services.  This shift has significant implications for manufacturers.

Lifecycles of products are becoming ever shorter as releases will begin to ship in “real-time” with software devices delivered to products over networks when needed. Oracle’s manufacturing VP, Manish Modi, reckons it’s hard to accurately predict what manufacturing operations will look like five years from now, but “factors we experience today are likely to have a residual effect on the supply chains of tomorrow.”

Modi says that many of the top manufacturers will have leading “service-oriented architecture suites in place to enable supply chain evolution as well as needed flexibility to quickly respond to changing markets and inevitable shifts in buying patterns”.

He also suggests that most manufacturing systems will support Web or Enterprise 2.0. “The future adoption of tools like wikis, blogs and mash-ups to create store, and collaborate on information by skilled manufacturing users should not come as a surprise. Touch screens and sophisticated wireless devices should be a common part of leading factory floors.”

But, the biggest problem in converged manufacturing is not the availability or implementation of technology: it’s changing the mindset of the people themselves.

We had a great discussion this week about “Entrepreneurship:  The Answer to Economic Uncertainty.”  The picture for our economy doesn’t look good, even though the Dow Jones surpassed 10,000 on Wednesday.   Much of the improved financial status of publicly-traded firms comes from cost-cutting not sales.  Economists still do not expect the unemployment picture to get better any time soon.

But our discussion didn’t focus on the downside, but on the upside!  We shared how entrepreneurs are the key to the economy and economic recovery.  Bo Fishback, Vice President of Entrepreneurship at the Kauffman Foundation, shared how almost all the new job growth in the U.S. comes from companies under five years.  That’s right it is people like you and me – aspiring, emerging, new and serial entrepreneurs – that create jobs, not the government! 

Some other highlights from the radio broadcast are 1) An entrepreneur is more than someone organizing a business venture and assuming the risk.  An entrepreneur is a creator, innovator and problem-solver. 2) Entrepreneurs can gain influence, strength and support by coming together in community.  For example, need capital.  Learn about the concept of peer-to-peer loans by watching a Forbes magazine video.  Also, check out www.prosper.com.  Here you have people and entrepreneurs helping each other.  Learn how entrepreneurs as a part of communities fostered economic development throughout history in “The Entrepreneurial Secret” by Cedric Muhammad.  3) If we become a community, we can also become an economic system in our own right, fostering economic growth in our locally and globally.

But to be in the know, you need to listen to the show!  Listen online or download to your computer, MP3 player, cell phone or I-POD.

And, I just have to add one other point to top off reasons to get moving on that entrepreneurial idea.  Over 50% of the companies listed on the Fortune 500 started in times of recession.  So, this is the time for us to get in gear and make it happen for ourselves, families and communities!  Kauffman launched a great platform to facilitate a unified voice for entrepreneurs called the Entrepreneurs’ Movement.  Join and get others to join! 

There are other ways to stay connected with Kauffman’s work with entrepreneurs.  Check these out:

• Keep updated with real-time conversation on Twitter. ( http://www.twitter.com/strongeramerica)
• Join the Facebook community. ( http://www.facebook.com/buildastrongamerica)
• Participate in Global Entrepreneurship Week, November 16-22. (http://www.unleashingideas.org)

And don’t forget to stay connected with The Art of Making Business Happen community at http://artofbiz.ning.com and http://www.blogtalkradio.com/art-of-biz.  You can even join the community!

Most people seem to be worried by the global economic crisis. The forecast for job growth is slow. But in actuality, this is a paradigm shift. Creating an opportunity for massive number of entrepreneurs to arise. You and I, as entrepreneurs, are the innovators and problem solvers which will make the difference. Everyone has the potential to be an entrepreneur. Its up to you to decide whether or not you will take the journey.

This seminar is a 1.5-hour overview for our workshop series by the same name. The focus of the series is to get you from the “idea” of doing business to “implement” a business idea.  The topics covered in this seminar are:

• Unique Competitive Space
• Business Opportunity Identification and Prioritization
• Positive Cash-Flow Business Model and Implementation

The full series involves an additional four workshops, which walk you through the entire process of taking a business idea to implementation.  At the end, you will have a plan to start your new business or new plan for an existing business immediately!  When you are ready for the additional workshops, just contact me at info@conceptualee.com.

The seminar is available for online and mobile platforms as video or audio below.  You will also find links for the seminar slides and additional resources below.

Hold on for the ride!

Seminar Video (MP4)

Seminar Audio (MP3)

Seminar Slides (PDF)

P.S.  You can post comments and questions about the seminar if you register on the site.

This 20-minute BizBrief covers the components of and process for developing a business model.  The business model answers the question, “How do we logically create value,e g., products and services, for our customers?”  It demonstrates how you will execute your competitive strategy.  The business model serves as the core input for a business case, business concept document or a business plan.

The topic objectives are:

• Describe the role of the business model in an enterprise’s strategy and operation.
• Identify customer element of the business model.
• Identify process element of the business model.
• Identify network and channel element of the business model.
• Identify financial element of the business model.
• Identify steps to develop business model.

The seminar is available for online and mobile platforms as a video or audio below.  You will also find links for the seminar slides  and additional resources below.

Seminar Video (MP4)

Seminar Audio (MP3)

Seminar Slides (PDF)

How to Describe and Improve Your Business Model to Compete Better (Draft Document)

Business Model Generation Book

Originaly posted at www.afribiz.info.

Another strategy for building a business portfolio in Africa is investing in businesses listed on African stock exchanges.  Even during these turbulent times, there are companies worldwide sustaining well and set for growth.  Looking at companies listed on African stock exchanges helps you more readily identify solid performers in Africa.

You might be surprised to know there are actually 20 active stock exchanges on the African continent.  To learn more about them, start with two resources.  First, the African Securities Exchanges Association (ASEA) serves as a professional organization supporting African stock exchanges.  From here, learn about the landscape of African stock exchanges, as well as link to any of the African stock exchanges.  Second, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) sponsored a handbook entitled, “African Stock Markets Handbook.”

There is discussion on forming a central Pan-African Stock Exchange to strengthen the African stock markets structure and strength.  However, this will not develop soon, according to progress within the African Union.  However, you can deal with the individual stock exchanges when making your investment choices.  As with any stock exchange, the primary intermediary to manage stocks is through an approved broker.  You can contact a stock exchange directly to get a list of approved brokers.  The African Stock Markets Handbook also lists brokers for each stock exchange.

Since the Pan-African Stock Exchange is not developing more quickly, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) in South Africa is allowing companies located and mainly operating in Africa, not just South Africa, to list.  The structure, called the Africa Board, just launched so there are very few companies not headquartered in South Africa listed on the JSE.  However, keep your eye on its progress.  This may be another path for investing in companies throughout Africa.

Another path for investing in African companies are exploring companies who offer indexes of African companies.  An index is simply a basket of companies pooled together, working as one stock opportunity.  For example, an index might comprise of 100 companies in the telecommunications sector from the major markets in Africa.  When you buy stock in the index, you are buying a portion of stock in each of the 100 companies.  Many of the stock exchanges themselves will have indexes on the entire list of companies listed on the stock exchange, sectors, etc.  There are also investment groups like Africa Investor who manage indexes.

When you invest, you should have sufficient knowledge, goals and plans.  If you are new to stock investing, look for resources to educate yourself – books, classes, websites.  The video, “Africa Investment Horizons,” opens your eyes to the potential in the African market.

The principles for investing are true worldwide, so you can look for local sources to help you.  You might want to try working with a small group of people in an investment club to make your initial investment funds go further and reduce the individual risk.  There will be local variations in the stock markets, so identify resources to help you understand these areas as well.

Next, you will want to identify a broker with which you can work.  You might want to ask a broker locally to identify another broker in your area or country who can purchase on the African stock exchanges through affiliations.  This way your broker is closer to you.

As you start researching African companies, choose a few solid performers in the African markets, e.g., MTN and Murray and Roberts, as test cases to become familiar with analyzing African firms and the process for investing in them.  Both are South African companies, having operations and markets throughout Africa.  MTN is a cell phone giant while Murray and Roberts is a large construction and engineering firm.

Always keep your objectives, constraints and plans in mind while you research, invest in, manage and monitor stocks.  And, consider getting professional advice when making investment decisions.

As we have seen the world economic, financial, capital and money systems implode over the last year and as it continues to disintegrate (however, much money keeps being pumped into them), I have been pondering what does the “new” or different economic system look like in God’s eyes.  God has given me different revelations, but I want to share one in particular now.  The original purpose for money has been perverted.  Money is thought of in ways and used in ways outside its original purpose.  Therefore, it becomes a tool for oppression and destruction.

 What is Money?

 Practically speaking, money is a “…a medium of exchange, a measure of value, or a means for payment.” (www.m-w.com)  Our world uses money to represent wealth and as key to creating wealth and prosperity, but is money used today for its original purpose?  We can understand if something is working outside of its purpose for which it was designed, it can be misused and lead to problems.  God says the root of all evil is the love of money, or unrighteous mammon.

 God Promises Wealth not Money

First, God does not promise us money, He promises us wealth.  Deuteronomy 8:18 says “But you shall [earnestly] remember the Lord your God, for it is He Who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” (AMP)  The Hebrew word for “wealth” in this passage is “chayil.”  Chayil means force as in an army.  It is noted that this “force” can come in many forms, e.g., strength, power, riches, means, resources.

Force as defined in a modern dictionary means strength or energy, as well as a cause of motion or change. (www.m-w.com) It would seem to me that the wealth we have the power to receive, in whatever form God chooses, is used to make a difference.  Not something hoarded or stored.  This would align with the Abrahamic covenant of being blessed to be a blessing.

 Second, through God’s wisdom, we inherit this wealth.  Proverbs 8:20-21 (AMP) says:

    ²⁰ I [Wisdom] walk in the way of righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation), in the midst of the paths of justice,

    ²¹That I may cause those who love me to inherit [true] riches and that I may fill their treasuries. (AMP)

The requirement is that we love God’s Wisdom, which is one in the same with Him.  So, if we love God’s Wisdom, we love Him.  This translates to continual fellowship with Him – a personal, intimate relationship.  When we remain “connected” to Jesus as He says in John 15, we can ask what we will and it will be given to us.  So, we will receive wisdom, if we ask as it also states in James 1.

So, if wealth is what we are promised why do we pray for money?  Even in our churches, we frequently ask God for money.  Our environment and culture has conditioned us to do this as a matter of habit not spiritual insight.  It’s not that God will not give money when it is called for.  However, we should focus our prayers on wealth not money unless led for a specific reason to pray for money in these days.  If we take on this mind set and act on it, I believe we will see what Paul speaks of in 2 Corinthians 9:8-11 (AMP):

      ⁸And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].

    ⁹As it is written, He [the benevolent person] scatters abroad; He gives to the poor; His deeds of justice and goodness and kindness and benevolence will go on and endure forever!

    ¹⁰And [God] Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your [resources for] sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness [which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness, and charity].

    ¹¹Thus you will be enriched in all things and in every way, so that you can be generous, and [your generosity as it is] administered by us will bring forth thanksgiving to God.

Problems with World’s Money System – Another Reason to Pray for Wealth not Money

Speaking practically, there is something wrong with our world’s economic, financial, capital and money systems.  We can see how they are imploding with no sign of slow down at the moment.  I believe God is allowing this to happen because they are not aligned with God’s system of freedom for people.  They, in fact, oppress the majority of the people and nations worldwide and place them in bondage.

Part of the problem is how the current world system perverts the purpose of money, remembering that money is a medium of exchange (currency).  Lawrence Reed of the Foundation for Economic Education (FEE) says:

The “money is wealth” error is the affliction of the currency crank. From John Law to John Maynard Keynes, great populations have hyperinflated themselves to ruin in pursuit of this illusion. Even today we hear cries of “we need more money” as the government’s monetary authorities crank it out at double digit rates.

The good economist will recognize that money creation is no short-cut to wealth. Only the production of valued goods and services in a market which reflects the consumer’s wishes can relieve poverty and promote prosperity.

You can read a full article on the subject here.

As eluded to before, an object’s form is to follow its function.  If the understanding of the function of an object is not correct, it stands to reason that the design, or form, will also be off.  We can see endless patterns of this at an accelerating pace in the world economic system, particularly in the last 40 years or so. I cannot explain the complexities of all of this, but I would like to share a few things concerning the money system to illustrate my point.

Up until the 1970s, the world’s money system operated on the gold standard, meaning when paper money or financial instruments were exchanged, they were backed with actual amounts of gold reserve.  In essence, there was an absolute measure for what something was worth in terms of gold.

Unfortunately, the world moved from the gold standard to floating currency, meaning that capital markets (supply/demand) for our money would determine the value of our currency.  The United States Dollar replaced the gold standard as the prime standard at the time, however, now there is a basket of currency, including the Euro.  So, one day the U.S. Dollar might be worth .75 cents for every Euro or $1.25, depending on the global environment.  This means the value of the money we use for exchange varies from day to day.  This does not represent a system in balance.  God wants an honest scale.  In fact, He says that unjust weights are an abomination to Him.  (Proverbs 11:1)

We don’t think about it, but this is an oppressive system of bondage, in particular for those who have limited or just sufficient means.  For example, if a developing country gets a loan from the World Bank in foreign currency (typically the U.S. Dollar, instead of its local currency) and the foreign currency strengthens against the country’s currency during the period of the loan, the country will be put further into debt.  For example, if South Africa gets a loan in U.S. Dollars at the time the exchange rate between the Rand and U.S. Dollar is 7 to 1 but then the Dollar strengthens and the exchange goes to 10 Rands to 1 U.S. Dollar, South Africa owes more money than the amount of the loan because it is converting Rands to Dollars to make payments.  This creates an oppressive environment for weaker economies and currency when placed against stronger economies and currencies.

Foundations for a New Economic and Monetary System

We can no longer spend time on reflecting what went wrong other than to make sure we do not make the same mistakes going forward. Our full energy should be directed in developing a new economic system that benefits all.  I have a few suggestions to start a dialogue.

First, I think the economic system should be framed from a human ecological perspective.  Simply, people are the foci.  The system and institutions should be built to support and benefit the people.

Second, I think the economic system should be designed on the principle of a commonwealth, meaning that all people benefit from it.  This includes economic equity.  This means all people have the opportunity to tap into various economic opportunities in the system.  It is designed with openness in mind.

Third, as discussed here, we need to think of how to generate wealth not money.  However, we need to define money correctly and use it correctly.  John Tomlinson wrote a book called “Honest Money,” which you can download for free from here.  It will help you think about what money’s place might be in the new economy.

Fourth, we need to expand, or adapt, our understanding of currency.  Remember, currency is a medium of exchange.  Money is a form of currency, not the only one.  Many propose that there are alternative forms of currency like influence and intelligence (information). One alternative economy idea is peer-to-peer (P2P) economies.  In this economy, influence is a primary currency it seems.  Check out the news report on this concept.

I hope that you join the dialogue on this topic.

Originally posted at www.afribiz.info.

Free Collection of Information and Intelligence on Doing Business in Africa

In this edition, you will find:

• Tapping into the Under-Tapped Consumer Markets in Africa
• AfriBiz™ Resource Collection

Tapping into the Under-Tapped Consumer Markets in Africa

When people speak of Africa in terms of business opportunities, the conversation often focuses on resources, infrastructure and energy.  However, there is another vast market/business segment that continues to be pushed to the side – the people of Africa.  An expert on consumers in developing/emerging economies, Dr. Vijay Mahajan, shares insights into one of the best “low-hanging fruit” business opportunities even during this time of global economic crisis.  In “Africa Rising:  How the 900 Million African Consumers Offer More Than You Think,” Dr. Mahajan outlines the potential business opportunities in serving the consumer markets of Africa.

We can even look ourselves at the success of the cell phone industry on a continent that still is not well connected via landlines.  You find cell phone infrastructure widely in Africa and being used regularly, even by people who supposedly cannot afford them.

You can learn more about this business opportunity paradigm by:

1. Viewing a three-minute video of Dr. Mahajan, highlighting the potential of the African consumer markets here.
2. Requesting a free, 4-page summary of the book, “Africa Rising,” from AfriBiz at info@afribiz.info.
3. Purchasing the book, “Africa Rising,” from Amazon.com.

AfriBiz™ Resource Collection – January 2009

AfriBiz™ Resource Collection is a free and frequent compilation of socio-political, economic and development resources and information, which contributes to more intelligent business and investment in Africa.  These resources are freely accessed and downloaded from web sites on the Internet.  We compiled them into this collection to make it easier for you to navigate your research on doing business in Africa.

Africa Economic Outlook 2008 Country Notes – Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

Country Risks Synthesizing Chart December 2008 – ONDD

Doing Business 2008: South African Development Community – World Bank

Doing Business 2008: Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa – World Bank

Doing Business 2008: Economic Community of West African States

Doing Business 2008: Economic Community of Central African States – World Bank

Doing Business 2008: Middle East and North Africa – World Bank

Economic Development on Africa 2008 – United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

Economic Report on Africa 2008 – United Nations Economic Commission on Africa

Global Competitiveness Report 2008-2009 – World Economic Forum

Global Economic Prospects 2009 – World Bank

Global Financial Stability Report – International Monetary Fund

Global Risks 2008 – World Economic Forum

Index of Economic Freedom – The Heritage Foundation

International Trade Statistics – World Trade Organization

Political and Economic Risk Map 2008 – Aon

World Economic Outlook 2008 – International Monetary Fund

World Economic and Social Survey 2008 – United Nations

World Trade Report 2008 – World Trade Organization

World Investment Directory X:  Africa – United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

Free Collection of Information and Intelligence on Doing Business in Africa

In this edition, you will find:

• Tapping into the Under-Tapped Consumer Markets in Africa
• AfriBiz™ Resource Collection

Tapping into the Under-Tapped Consumer Markets in Africa

When people speak of Africa in terms of business opportunities, the conversation often focuses on resources, infrastructure and energy.  However, there is another vast market/business segment that continues to be pushed to the side – the people of Africa.  An expert on consumers in developing/emerging economies, Dr. Vijay Mahajan, shares insights into one of the best “low-hanging fruit” business opportunities even during this time of global economic crisis.  In “Africa Rising:  How the 900 Million African Consumers Offer More Than You Think,” Dr. Mahajan outlines the potential business opportunities in serving the consumer markets of Africa.

We can even look ourselves at the success of the cell phone industry on a continent that still is not well connected via landlines.  You find cell phone infrastructure widely in Africa and being used regularly, even by people who supposedly cannot afford them.

You can learn more about this business opportunity paradigm by:

1. Viewing a three-minute video of Dr. Mahajan, highlighting the potential of the African consumer markets here.
2. Requesting a free, 4-page summary of the book, “Africa Rising,” from AfriBiz at info@afribiz.info.
3. Purchasing the book, “Africa Rising,” from Amazon.com.

AfriBiz™ Resource Collection – January 2009

AfriBiz™ Resource Collection is a free and frequent compilation of socio-political, economic and development resources and information, which contributes to more intelligent business and investment in Africa.  These resources are freely accessed and downloaded from web sites on the Internet.  We compiled them into this collection to make it easier for you to navigate your research on doing business in Africa.

Africa Economic Outlook 2008 Country Notes – Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

Country Risks Synthesizing Chart December 2008 – ONDD

Doing Business 2008: South African Development Community – World Bank

Doing Business 2008: Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa – World Bank

Doing Business 2008: Economic Community of West African States

Doing Business 2008: Economic Community of Central African States – World Bank

Doing Business 2008: Middle East and North Africa – World Bank

Economic Development on Africa 2008 – United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

Economic Report on Africa 2008 – United Nations Economic Commission on Africa

Global Competitiveness Report 2008-2009 – World Economic Forum

Global Economic Prospects 2009 – World Bank

Global Financial Stability Report – International Monetary Fund

Global Risks 2008 – World Economic Forum

Index of Economic Freedom – The Heritage Foundation

International Trade Statistics – World Trade Organization

Political and Economic Risk Map 2008 – Aon

World Economic Outlook 2008 – International Monetary Fund

World Economic and Social Survey 2008 – United Nations

World Trade Report 2008 – World Trade Organization

World Investment Directory X:  Africa – United Nations Conference on Trade and Development