African-Business-Weblog

Africa - the final investment frontier

2011-12-20T02:24:00.000-08:00

Emerging market economies such as China, India and Latin America have rocketed in recent years. Thousands of UK investors have cashed in by buying into funds that buy shares in those countries.

For instance, the Jupiter China fund has doubled investors' money in the past year while the Invesco Perpetual Latin American fund has returned 44% in the past year, according to fund analyst Trustnet.

Now, after decades of languishing economic growth, some experts predict Africa may be the next region to pay dividends to investors. A measure of the interest is the fact New Star, one of the City's more innovative fund managers, is to launch the Heart of Africa fund this week. The New Star fund is one of only a handful of Africa portfolios available and will invest in the sub-Sahara region excluding South Africa.

Africa's history of economic woes and the political instability has meant it has previously been labelled the 'hopeless continent'. Despite harbouring some 30% of the world's gold and almost half of its diamonds and platinum it has consistently failed to cash in on its enormous wealth of natural resources.

But the fund manager Jamie Allsopp, who also runs the new star hidden value New Star Hidden value fund, which itself has investments in Africa believes a 'wind of change' is sweeping through the region, which is presenting investment opportunities in what is still a very undeveloped market.

However potential investors should be cautious, as in New Star's own words, 'this fund is high risk and therefore only suitable for investors who are able to bear the loss of all or part of their capital investment'.

So what's changing? Peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo, northern Uganda and southern Sudan is creating big trade opportunities.

The establishment of the East African Customs Union (EAC) has led to a rapid increase in trade between Uganda and Kenya, with goods worth £211m exported to Kenya last year, compared with £174m in 2004. Both Rwanda and Burundi joined the union this year and as a result the EAC will have a combined economy of more than £21bn with a total population of about 120m.

New Star says recent changes in the region have presented high-risk investors with an opportunity. The group points to the dependence of rapidly growing Asian economies and decreasing political risk - the number of democracies has risen from 10 in 1980 to 33 today while the debt burden has fallen from more than 100% to around 20% of gross domestic product since 2005.

Fast Facts:In 2007, 23 African economies were growing individually at 5% or more; in total 18 non-oil producing African countries have averaged growth of 5.5% between 1995 and 2005.

African ingenuity and entrepreneurship attracted a new wave of foreign investment of approximately $30.5 billion in 2007, up from $22 billion in 2006 and just $4 billion in 1995.
Inflation in sub-Saharan Africa decreased from 18% in 2000 to approximately 8% in 2008.
Senegal, Burkina Faso, and Botswana were among the top ten business climate reformers in the world in 2007-2008.
Cell phone subscriptions in sub-Saharan Africa grew by more than 60% annually between 1994 and 2005.

The appetite for its raw materials, from the soaring economies of emerging markets such as India and China, is fuelling a boom in prices. This boom has stimulated widespread developments in transport, infrastructure and telecommunications.

Allsopp says: 'The investment landscape has changed significantly in Africa. Strong economic growth, high levels of foreign direct investment, increasing political stability and the resultant improvement in corporate governance have created a compelling investment backdrop and it is no surprise that some of the best performing markets in the world are situated in sub-Saharan Africa.'

The future of the world is Africa
The African Business Weblog is dedicated to contributing to the learning environment, diversity and global opportunities in African business Weblogs, SEO and other innovative business strategies for Africa.
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Congo Rainforest

2011-12-20T02:23:00.000-08:00

This esteemed botanist rightfully receives much acclaim for his work in the Congo Basin’s Okapi Wildlife Reserve, which, as its name suggests, focuses on keeping the eponymous endangered species alive. Part of his responsibilities include protecting the safe haven fragile flora and fauna from poachers and servicemen with callous attitudes towards environmental initiatives. And he’s done pretty well thus far, here sharing some of the occasionally ghastly narratives about destruction and human entitlement issues.

Nollywood

2011-12-10T05:13:00.000-08:00

The world’s third largest film industry sits nestled – and, sadly, largely unknown — in Nigeria, where a “grassroots movement” generated nearly 2,000 movies in 2006 alone. It creates jobs by the “thousands, if not tens of thousands” and (as of the time of Franco Sacchi’s TED Talk) is worth about $250 million. Unlike its Hollywood and Bollywood counterparts, guerilla filmmaking reigns supreme here, with creative crews battling both time crunches and the government to produce entire features in only (if not less than!) a week.

How i harnessed the wind

2011-12-10T05:11:00.000-08:00

African studies majors (or minors!) with a particular affinity for alternative energy will find this young man’s story absolutely riveting; hopefully others will, too! In 2001, when he was 14, Malawi suffered a horrendous famine, which threatened William Kamkwamba’s family’s farm. With spare parts, an innovative mind, and an overwhelming love, he constructed a windmill that powered everything and guided them through a devastating time.

Internet Marketing Will Help Build African Businesses

2010-01-22T09:15:00.000-08:00

Leo Vidal Consulting, a profitability and financial advisory firm for small businesses, released a Special Report on the impact of local internet search marketing on small businesses and what they must do to survive.

Annapolis, MD, January 01,2010.

(Press Release Point) Leo Vidal Consulting (LVC) of Annapolis, a profitability and financial consulting firm for small businesses in Maryland, has published a Special Report showing the impact of recent internet marketing trends on small businesses.

Take the Sniper Approach.

"Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft have advanced into America's small cities and towns," said Leo Vidal, JD, MA, CPA, president of LVC. "They have radically changed the way small business advertiseing and marketing
will be done from here on."

According to Vidal, over 80% of market consumers visit the internet first to get information, and then buy locally. Over 50% of all consumers now don't consult print media at all, but go straight online.

"The incredible amount of information online means consumers have become smarter and more demanding," said Vidal, "but it also means local businesses without an effective online presence will be left in the dust."

Local businesses now have to realize they are playing the Google game, which means they have to worry about where they place on the search engines and for what search terms. "People who think they need a plumber don't enter "plumber" into Google all the time, or even most of the time," said Vidal.

The future of the world is Africa
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African Venture Capital Group

2010-01-21T12:55:00.000-08:00

VC4Africa.com and Appfrica.org are announcing a formal partnership to mobilize and support the venture capital community of Africa. The new partnership aims to leverage their combined vision, resources, and networks in an effort to connect aspiring entrepreneurs in Africa with the skills, knowledge and connections needed to develop, grow and scale their business.

More importantly, the partnership aims to promote social entrepreneurship by making it easier for the entrepreneurs to find the investors who may be looking for them.Both parties believe that entrepreneurship should be the main driver in Africa’s economic growth, in particular the small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) that provide much of Africa’s employment, income and hope for a better future.

SMEs contribute around two thirds of national income and provide the foundation for a stable middle class in many African countries. They help form strong communities and are a powerful force for poverty reduction. SMEs play a significant role in building economic stability and sustainability for the future.

As Africa enters the new millennium it faces a challenge to provide better economic opportunities for citizens through sustained growth and alleviating the poverty that has long plagued the continent.

The NEPAD (New Economic Platform for African Development) and the United Nations Millennium Goals for 2015, to which the EU-countries have all subscribed, have set out ambitious aims in this respect. The World Economic Forum in Davos and the G8 have also made the commitment to stimulate private and public investments in Africa. However, it’s our belief that the most meaningful impact will still come from grassroots entrepreneurship and local efforts.

It is important to support this bottom-up approach of citizens working to tackle local challenges and build on the idea that any person anywhere in the world might have the skills, knowledge and resources needed to make a difference.

Ben White, founder of VC4Africa.com says, “There is a serious lack of information and tools in this area. South Africa as a market dominates the space. How can we serve entrepreneurs in the rest of the continent fighting to make a difference? I believe we can achieve a lot by bringing the right people and tools together.”

Jonathan Gosier of Appfrica.org adds, “At Appfrica Labs we practice these ideas on a niche-level everyday, it gives me great pleasure to be able to support the entire sector on a macro-level through this partnership.“Advancement in new media technologies introduces new opportunities for this process. We believe that now is the time to effect great social impact by maximizing the resources available.

The VC4Africa.com project will build on Afridex.net (an online directory inspired by popular websites like Crunchbase.com, LinkedIn.com and GetSatisfaction.com and developed by the team at Appfrica Labs in Uganda).

This engine provides a unique tool on which to build the VC4Africa community and kick starts a new process that seeks to empower investors and entrepreneurs with the tools and resources needed to make business decisions.

The partnership will leverage Afridex.net, a business information aggregator developed by Appfrica Labs Lead Developer, Moses Mugisha. Afridex was built in the Python framework Django and allows businesses to create profiles, monitor their brands and offers ‘portable widgets’ that allow people to write and blog about them.

As part of the partnership, Afridex will build out a web community of various verticals (sme’s, agriculture, tech ect.) that allows for an easy to navigate index of companies that exist across the continent. The most innovative aspect of the community, however, will allow groups of would-be-investors with similar interests to raise venture capital funds. These crowdsourced funds can then be invested in the business of the group’s choice. By taking the general concept behind venture capital and leveraging this community of nearly 5000 expatriated Africans, as well as foreign and local investors, our aim is to offer a web application that allows for the constructive application of capital to the market.BackgroundVC4Africa.com was started in the interest to connect investors and entrepreneurs.

The community has developed into a powerful network of individuals dedicated to the promotion of African business. In an effort to scale impact, VC4Africa.com seeks out ways to mobilize members and effect change.

In May 2009 a technical partnership was sought with Appfrica.net.Appfrica Labs is a tech incubator based in Kampala, Uganda. It’s a unique organization that works to incubate entrepreneurs and university recent graduates to combat brain-drain and support the local economy. Appfrica provides developers with the physical space, hardware, internet connection and mentorship needed to produce successful software entrepreneurs in East Africa.

The future of the world is Africa
The African Business Weblog is dedicated to contributing to the learning environment, diversity and global opportunities in African business Weblogs, SEO and other innovative business strategies for Africa.
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The Cutting Edge: Weblogs & New Opportunities

2010-01-19T08:23:00.000-08:00

Seeing beyond the crisis to new opportunities for prosperity

By Renita Burns Black Enterprise Magazine

Wake up people! Opportunity is at hand; can you see it?

I firmly believe there lies potential for growth and prosperity amid these economically troubling times. After attending several entrepreneurs and investing conferences over the past six months, I noticed a number of recurring themes. Here’s a look at some of the business concepts that may change the game for many small business owners.

The old rules of paying your dues and climbing the corporate ladder have been shaken with the advent of Web 2.0. Young people have created lucrative companies and branding opportunities utilizing new media technology.

While at an business conference in February, experts advised business owners to engage their customers via weblogs, social networking and a host of other Web 2.0 platforms.

The overwheming response was resistance. “Can I hire someone to blog for me?,” one entrepreneur queried. “Do I really need a Facebook account? I just don’t have the time,” said another CEO.

What I gathered from many of these conferences is customer engagement is growing increasingly important to maintaining clients and growing your business. While some older business owners shift to new age technology reluctantly, young people are growing with the advancements, and it’s shifting business dynamics. Young adults knowledgeable and skilled “will be able to write their tickets” if they continue to build their Web 2.0 expertise, Watson adds.

Growing in Africa
Investing in Africa also stood out as a possible trend or growth opportunity, too. Black Enterprise has long been a proponent for finding financial opportunity on the African continent.

This is not because it’s an African American-based publication, but because it makes good business sense. “Those who’ve invested in African stock markets are doing a little better,” said Rosa Whitaker, CEO of The Whittekar Group a consulting firm focused on development in Africa. “In capital markets the economic crisis hasn’t affected Africa because the economies are not directly interlinked,” she added. At the conference, panelists suggested researching emerging market funds or even small business opportunities.

The future of the world is Africa
The African Business Weblog is dedicated to contributing to the learning environment, diversity and global opportunities in African business Weblogs, SEO and other innovative business strategies for Africa.
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African Progress

2010-01-17T13:13:00.000-08:00

Africa is fabulously rich in natural resources, more than any other continent. According to Capitalism Magazine, it has 50% of the world’s gold and diamonds. It possesses a seemingly endless supply of minerals, including most of the world’s bauxite, chromium, cobalt, manganese and platinum, along with large untapped oil reserves.

It has an abundance of timber, millions of acres of fertile land, and lakes and rivers capable of producing 40% of the world’s supply of hydroelectric power. The list could go on. Simply put, Africa is a treasure trove of natural resources.

Those who travel to Africa are enraptured by its beauty. From majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, to the exotic savannahs of the Serengeti, to the giant Great Rift Valley, to beautiful Lake Victoria, to the mighty Nile River, to the imposing pyramids, to the beauty of Table Mountain, Africa leaves an indelible mark on many a visitor.

It is simply a unique continent. It has both the world’s longest river and largest desert. Scores of animals not typically found elsewhere abound in Africa: zebras, gazelles, rhinoceroses, magnificent giraffes, impressive cheetahs and mighty hippopotamuses, to name a few. Rain forests containing an immense array of flora and fauna straddle the equator. Africa’s wildlife is stunning.

But the beauty of the continent also lies in its people. Africans—a kaleidoscope of races and ethnicities of seemingly every shade under the sun—are some of the most friendly, generous and easy-going people on Earth.

Many envision images of Africa with only grinding poverty. However, according to the Washington Post, perhaps as many as one third fall into the middle income category. Like anywhere else, Africa has its share of nice neighborhoods. The view of the entire continent as being desperately poor is simply incorrect.

The future of the world is Africa
The African Business Weblog is dedicated to contributing to the learning environment, diversity and global opportunities in African business Weblogs, SEO and other innovative business strategies for Africa.
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Phoenix Capital Management

2010-01-15T08:48:00.000-08:00

Founded by Michel Abrogoua Phoenix Capital Management provides a range of investment banking services to Francophone Africa they include:

Investments stocks, bonds, mutual funds
Operations of equity investments and private investments in companies listed or unlisted.
Diagnostic heritage.
Assistance in organization and method of portfolio management.
Development or strengthening of the investment policy.

The future of the world is Africa

The African Business Weblog is dedicated to contributing to the learning environment, diversity and global opportunities in African business, investing, media, internet marketing, workshops, conferences, stock markets, venture capital, tourism, blogs, web 2.0, africa SEO and other innovative business strategies for Africa.
Africanblog@gmail.com

Why Africa Matters

2010-01-13T13:02:00.000-08:00

Africa is the earth’s second-largest continent; a vast expanse stretching some 5,000 miles (8,000 km) between its most northern and southern tips, and 4,500 miles (7,000 km) between its most eastern and western points.

With a population of approximately 1 billion, it is also the world’s second most populous continent, accounting for 15% of the global population. It encompasses numerous ethnic groups in 53 countries, speaking over 1,000 languages.

The continent also leads the world in strategic minerals (rare minerals absolutely vital for industry), possessing 80 % of the world’s platinum, 49% of its palladium, 55% of its chromium and 45% of its vanadium, among others.

Its fertile fields have the potential to feed not only itself, but also many other countries. Its forests have enough timber to build homes for much of the world. Moreover, Africa’s massive rain forests have the potential for maintaining or destroying the equilibrium of the earth’s atmosphere and ecology. For example, massive deforestation could deplete the world’s ozone layer and adversely affect Earth’s climates.

If the continent’s economic decline can be reversed, a prosperous, vibrant Africa, with its population of 1 billion, would become a huge market of consumers for products and services. A talented, educated populace would provide a skilled workforce, driving African economies capable of competing on the world stage, thus reducing—and possibly even eliminating—the need for aid.

Africa already contributes internationally in many fields of human endeavor—and its contributions would be even more significant if the potential of its peoples and lands were fully unlocked. All nations would benefit.

The future of the world is Africa

The African Business Weblog is dedicated to contributing to the learning environment, diversity and global opportunities in African business, investing, media, internet marketing, workshops, conferences, stock markets, venture capital, tourism, blogs, web 2.0, africa SEO and other innovative business strategies for Africa.
Africanblog@gmail.com

Blogging Top Ranked Digital Marketing for 2010

2010-01-13T08:16:00.000-08:00

Companies world-wide are cutting costs as well as looking for creative, high impact and accountable marketing. With concerns over the recession and its impact on marketing, online marketing recently ran a poll of the 17,000 subscribers at to discover their intentions for digital marketing tactics in 2010.

Poll respondents cast 1,559 votes for their top three digital marketing tactics (from a list of 45) for 200. Blogging, Twitter and Search Engine Optimization topped the list. Out of the top ten rated marketing tactics, six fell into the category of Social Media Marketing.

The actual question asked was, “What 3 digital marketing channels and tactics will you emphasize in 2010?” Here are the top ten tactics selected:

1) Blogging (34%)
2) Microblogging (Twitter) (29%)
3) Search engine optimization (28%)
4) Social network participation (Facebook, LinkedIn) (26%)
5) Email marketing (17%)
6) Social media monitoring & outreach (17%)
7) Pay per click (14%)
8) Blogger relations (12%)
9) Video marketing (10%)
10) Social media advertising (7%)

Corporate web sites didn’t rate in the top ten tactics. Does this mean the death of company web sites? Some companies are succumbing to the social media perspective to extremes, like the Skittles site which had been simplified to a page of search results from Twitter and then changed to their Facebook page. Others are adding social features to their company sites to complement existing messaging and functionality.

To get “ready”, companies need to develop a weblog strategy and get up to speed on both best and worst practices. Whether those methods of reaching and communicating with customers reconciles with existing marketing plans or not, African companies would do well to allocate resources to some level of ongoing testing and development of expertise in the social media space.

The future of the world is Africa
The African Business Weblog is dedicated to contributing to the learning environment, diversity and global opportunities in African business, investing, media, internet marketing, workshops, conferences, stock markets, venture capital, tourism, blogs, web 2.0, africa SEO and other innovative business strategies for Africa.
Africanblog@gmail.com

Holistic Massage Therapy Weblog in Gambia

2010-01-11T08:13:00.000-08:00

Anna's Holistic Health Centre

Our Purpose - our goal is to listen and respond to the voices of our clients. We promise to pamper and encourage our clients to relax and feel the unity of mind, body and spirit.

We choose to focus on all aspects of the treatment promising you will leave feeling calm, nurtured and revived. Our comfortable, relaxing ambience, dedicated practitioners, and luxurious treatments are about encouraging our clients to simply be...

The future of the world is Africa

The African Business Weblog is dedicated to contributing to the learning environment, diversity and global opportunities in African business, investing, media, internet marketing, workshops, conferences, stock markets, venture capital, tourism, blogs, web 2.0, africa SEO and other innovative business strategies for Africa.
Africanblog@gmail.com

African Blogs Can Turbo Charge Your Business

2010-01-10T16:18:00.000-08:00

(Press Release) London, UK, January 05, 2010

Search engine visibility is priceless. Figures show that 80% of Europeans use Google search and the internet before deciding to buy or use a service, over 75% of overseas tourist are customers from Europe.

You have invested in a professional quality website to promote your tourism business. The design is eye-catching and you have plenty of great content including local tourism info. Maybe you even have a nice search feature that allows customers to easily find relevant content. But now it’s been a while, and your website still isn’t generating new business for you. In fact, it’s hardly getting any visitors. Where’d you go wrong?

The answer is you’ve done all the right things but left out one important factor – search engine optimization (SEO). SEO is the process of researching and using certain content (keywords) and altering various components of your website/Blog to improve its placement on the major search engines like Google, Yahoo and Bing. When someone searches for a hotel, lodge, restaurant in The Gambia, you want to be sure they find you in the top results on the search engines.

Organic Ranking Is Critical

Search engine visibility is priceless. More than 80% of online consumers start their search for a product or service using a search engine like Google. And 60 million people a day turn to search engines for answers. If you’re a small business like a lodge or restaurant, you can’t afford to disregard this enormous audience. Sure you can purchase an ad to appear in the results on search engines (pay-per-click), but that could eat up your marketing budget in a hurry. Also, study after study indicates that 85 percent of search engine users are more likely to click on organic (natural) search results rather than paid search ads.

Therefore, you first want to take a look at the factors that can improve your organic ranking. SEO (search engine optimization) is an affordable way to cover all your bases so that international customers find you.

SEO Can Get Your Site to the Top of Google

It’s simply not enough to have your website/Blog indexed by the search engines. It must appear at the top of the results or prospective customers may never come across it. But they will find your competition.

In fact, studies show that 91% of search engine users don’t click past the first page of search results. Do you? Probably not. If your site isn’t one of the top 10 for its main keywords, it might as well be invisible. SEO can get you there.

Qualified Leads for Gambian Tourism Sector

While it’s great to see more visitors coming to your website/Blog, you really are only interested in targeted traffic. Someone who finds you through an online search like Google is specifically looking for what you offer. That’s the beauty of SEO. It doesn’t just bring more traffic; it delivers qualified leads, visitors who have a genuine interest in your services. And that’s just what you need.

SEO Gives Top Returns on Your Marketing Investment

Where are you spending most of your marketing budget these days? Direct mail? Print ads in your local newspaper or tourism magazines?

While those are proven marketing methods, they’re costly. They also lack staying power. Send a direct mailer and the recipient has to be interested in your message that day or it will be forgotten.

Advertise in the newspaper and you have to access expensive overseas publications for each market, U.K., Scandinavia, Europe, U.S. ECT reads that edition and happens to see your ad before the whole paper is tossed in the recycling bin.

By contrast, a well-ranked website/Weblog is working for you 24/7. No matter when someone needs your services, they can go to a search engine and find your tourism website/Weblog. Once you’ve successfully optimized a keyword phrase, it’s likely to remain in the top 10 search results for months, sometimes years, continually delivering quality visitors to your website/Weblog.

Google’s Vote Counts

People view Google with respect. If Google likes you, so too, will others. Get your website/Weblog into the top 10 organic search results, and your company and service will be perceived as a trusted resource. That goes for buyers, sellers and potential referral sources. Google’s silent seal of approval translates into instant visibility and credibility.

SEO Is a Necessity for Gambian Tourism Websites/Weblogs

The online marketplace for Gambian tourism services is crowded. Tourism websites/Weblogs must compete aggressively to attract attention. Fortunately, SEO is affordable and can make a powerful difference in the volume and quality of traffic your site receives.

Make your website work for you. The faster you tackle the SEO challenge, the sooner you’ll have more international customers knocking at your door.

Ready to get started? Get a FREE SEO ANALYSIS today!

Let our SEO professionals at African Blogger review and analyze your existing internet marketing strategy at no charge, and we'll create a detailed proposal for propelling your product or service to the top of the search engines.

Contact africanblog@gmail.com

The future of the world is Africa

The African Business Weblog is dedicated to contributing to the learning environment, diversity and global opportunities in African business Weblogs, SEO and other innovative business strategies for Africa.

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Weblogs Are Good News for Africa

2010-01-09T11:22:00.000-08:00

The key differences between a Weblog and a web site is that a Weblog's main function is being a web log or online diary, this is where a Weblogger can generate a lot of interesting personal comment and intimate details and information about a particular niche subject or topic that they have chosen to cover.

Weblogs are quick and easy to setup.
Weblogs are a less expensive way of advertising your business to the online community.
Weblogs are classified as being increasingly important to any web based entrepreneur because it is where all the action is.
Weblogs build traffic and sales

In actual fact traffic is generated in large quantities at Weblogs and then re-directed to web sites for the actual sales transaction to be consummated.

An analogy to help understand the difference: Think of your business website as a brochure. Think of a blog as the editorial section of a newspaper. The content within the website generally sits unchanged;static. The content on a business blog is (intended to be) everchanging and based on core categories or topics.

The website usestools like MLS searching and listing databases to entice visitors toreturn. The blog gains readers with compelling content, and frequent articles. The two can work together, such that the attraction of the Weblog allows it to be a 'landing page' for access to the lead generating tools of the website. By offering links to the website's features from the blog, you can entice visitors to access those tools (MLS search for example).

And vice-versa, the website can improve its traffic frequency and value by offering a link to the blog, in turn exposing visitors to the compelling and frequently updated content onthe blog.

Search engines actually treat blogs differently. The website, which sits static, depends on SEO for its search engine success. The Weblog, also enhanced with proper SEO, really catches tread in the search engines simply through its frequently added content.

You will find that your Weblog starts to come up in the search engines, not strictly because of your keywords and metatags, but also because of the content you create in your articles.

Another dramatic difference between the blog and the website is the element of audience participation. Website content because it is static, locks out visitors from making participatory comment, positiveor negative.

Blogs on the other hand offer the element of participation by encouraging readers to post their comments, in turn enhancing the content and creating a multi-partied conversation.

The future of the world is Africa
The African Business Weblog is dedicated to contributing to the learning environment, diversity and global opportunities in African business, investing, media, internet marketing, workshops, conferences, stock markets, venture capital, tourism, blogs, web 2.0, africa SEO and other innovative business strategies for Africa.
Africanblog@gmail.com

Why Africa is worth exploring

2010-01-07T09:47:00.000-08:00

Africa may seem an unlikely investment opportunity, but with its markets growing at a clip, the continent looks increasingly attractive.

Isn't Africa a mess?
Yes. Much of sub-Saharan Africa has got poorer in recent decades, thanks to wars, corrupt or weak governments, lack of education and healthcare, and crippling debt most of the world's poorest 30 countries are African. And its share of world exports fell from about 6% in 1980 to 2% in 2002.

The contrast with Asia is striking. Malaysia and Ghana are broadly similar countries: both achieved independence in 1957, both lie just north of the equator, and both had similar levels of income dependent on commodities. At the time of independence, Malaysia's income per capita was roughly equal to Ghana's. Today it is ten times Ghana's yet Ghana is a success story in African terms.

So why invest in Africa?
To help Africa help itself and make profits in the process. Despite the continent's structural problems and the relentless focus on aid and debt relief, Ghana's stockmarket was the world's third-best performer last year, while Egypt topped the global table and is soaring this year too. In the long term, Africa's best chance for prosperity and stability is not from dependency on foreign aid, but from sustained private investment and enterprise.

Currently, only about 1% of the private capital in the world is invested in sub-Saharan Africa. As the continent becomes gradually more prosperous, levels of private investment are set to increase significantly, especially since (according to World Bank figures) Africa currently offers 'the highest returns on foreign direct investment of any region in the world'.

How are Africa's economies doing?
Currently, they are doing pretty well. Sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing its 'best economic performance in years', according to Goldman Sachs economists, who reckon 'gross domestic product growth could average 5% over the next decade, compared to less than 3% over the past 30 years'.

They also point to dramatic differences in outlook between countries, with Botswana near the top and Zimbabwe near the bottom. The big growth areas for the continent are infrastructure, agribusiness, vehicles, tourism, finance and natural resources.

But is it safe to invest?
Investing in Africa is high risk for many reasons, including currency fluctuations, poorly developed markets and political risk. (Although in Transparency International's most recent survey, Botswana is rated less corrupt than Italy or Greece.)

Yes, there are still some poorly run and unstable countries, but the number of African democracies has jumped from just four in 1990 to 17 today. At the same time, many countries have begun liberalising their economies and developing their capital markets. A good example is Uganda, whose GDP grew an impressive 7% a year from 1993 to 2002.

The future of the world is Africa
The African Business Weblog is dedicated to contributing to the learning environment, diversity and global opportunities in African business Weblogs, SEO and other innovative business strategies for Africa.
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Gambia Tourism Assoiciation Launches Blog

2010-01-02T09:05:00.000-08:00

Gambia Tourism Assoiciation Launches Blog

Gambia Tourism Assoiciation Launches Tourist Blog
BANJUL – To help travelers make the most of their journeys The Gambia, the Tourism and Travel Assoiciation (TTAG) has introduced http://gambia-tourism.blogspot.com/, a blog written exclusively by people who are passionate about exploring The Gambia and sharing their experiences.

“Only the savviest of tourists know the ins and outs of The Gambia,” said Julie Maio, board member of TTAG. “Our new blog lets travelers learn more about The Gambia from multiple insiders or add to the conversation by sharing their own experiences.”

“The Gambia Tourism blog has a unique and enticing feel, creating a relaxed space for travelers to chat about the places they love the most,” Maio said. “While we maintain the mechanics of the site, none of our bloggers are paid for their contributions to this online forum about Gambia's top attractions and eco treasures.”

The Tourism and Travel association was formed in the mid-eighties their mission is to offer unique services and comfort to visitors coming to The Gambia.

TTAG provides travelers with the information and resources they need to plan and enjoy the activities, attractions and destinations that are uniquely The Gambia.

For more information about Gambia’s tourism industry, go to www.ttag.gm/

The future of the world is Africa

The African Business Weblog is dedicated to contributing to the learning environment, diversity and global opportunities in African business, investing, media, internet marketing, workshops, conferences, stock markets, venture capital, tourism, blogs, web 2.0, africa SEO and other innovative business strategies for Africa.
Africanblog@gmail.com

To Beach or not to Bleach

2009-12-29T00:58:00.000-08:00

Baseball legend and home run hitter Sammy Sosa had an unfortunate accident with hismoisturizer cream he used to treat his sun damaged skin, it seems the cream turned hisskin a pale white. Sammy insists he did not intentionallybleach his skin white like the dearly departed Michael Jackson openly admitted to because of his skin disease.

Skin lightening (bleaching) cosmetics and toiletries are widely used in most African countries. The active ingredients in these cosmetic products are hydroquinone, mercury and corticosteroids. Several additives (conconctions) are used to enhance the bleaching effect. Since these products are used for long duration, on a large body surface area, and under hot humid conditions, percutaneous absorption is enhanced.
Corticosteroids: Side Effects and Adverse Reactions The potent effect of corticosteroids can result in serious side effects which mimic Cushing's disease, a malfunction of the adrenal glands resulting in an overproduction of cortisol.

The list of potential side effects is long and includes:

increased appetite and weight gain
deposits of fat in chest, face, upper back, and stomach
water and salt retention leading toswelling and edema
high blood pressure
diabetes
black and blue marks
slowed healing of wounds
osteoporosis
cataracts
acne
muscle weakness
thinning of the skin
increased susceptibility to infection
stomach ulcers
increased sweating
mood swings
psychological problems such as depression
adrenal suppression and crisis

Hydroquinone Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
In 2001 hydroquinone was banned as an ingredient in cosmetics after it was shown to cause leukemia in mice and other animals. The mechanism of permanent whitening with hydroquinone is known for centuries. In 500 B.C. in Iran, farmers and civil workers used pure hydroquinone to keep their skin white and soft. Hydroquinone whitens skin by killing skin pigment cells. It is a strong inhibitor of melanin production, meaning that it prevents skin from making the substance giving skin its colour.

The mechanism of permanent whitening with hydroquinone is known for centuries. In 500 B.C. in Iran, farmers and civil workers used pure hydroquinone to keep their skin white and soft. Hydroquinone whitens skin by killing skin pigment cells. It is a strong inhibitor of melanin production, meaning that it prevents skin from making the substance giving skin its colour.
Side Effects
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blistering; blue-black darkening of the skin; excessive redness, stinging, or irritation.

Mercury Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
Some of the mental and physical effects of chronic exposure to mercury are known to us all, immortalised in Lewis Carroll's Mad Hatter in 'Alice in Wonderland'. Mercury salts were used historically in the manufacture of felt hats and absorption of these compounds through the skin gave rise to body burdens sufficient to cause the symptoms of madness among this profession. Likewise, the use of mercury salts in the 19th Century for the treatment of syphilis gave rise to severe side effects and many deaths.

Symptoms Characteristic of Low-Dose Mercury Exposure
For fetuses, infants, and children, the primary health effect of methylmercury is impaired neurological development. Methylmercury exposure in the womb, which can result from a mother's consumption of fish and shellfish that contain methylmercury, can adversely affect a baby's growing brain and nervous system. Impacts on cognitive thinking, memory, attention, language, and fine motor and visual spatial skills have been seen in children exposed to methylmercury in the womb.

In addition to the subtle impairments noted above, symptoms of methylmercury poisoning may include;
impairment of the peripheral vision;
disturbances in sensations ("pins and needles" feelings, usually in the hands, feet, and around the mouth);
lack of coordination of movements;
impairment of speech, hearing, walking; and
muscle weakness.

tremors;
emotional changes (e.g., mood swings, irritability, nervousness, excessive shyness);
insomnia;
neuromuscular changes (such as weakness, muscle atrophy, twitching);
headaches;
disturbances in sensations;
changes in nerve responses;
performance deficits on tests of cognitive function.

Barclays Bank Goes Offshore In Ghana

2009-12-21T15:54:00.000-08:00

A new tax haven created by Ghana could attract tax dodgers and drug traders seeking to launder money unless safeguards are introduced, warns a report launched today in Accra.
The report, Taxation and Development in Ghana, co-funded by Christian Aid Ghana, says the potential detrimental effects of the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) could be felt across the region. The centre has been set up with the help of Barclays bank.

‘The risk of illicit funds finding their way into the offshore financial centre is particularly acute given the extensive cocaine trade in the country and the massive flows from oil that are expected in the near future’, says the report. Large oilfields were recently discovered off Ghana’s coast.

If the Ghanaian government is committed to the IFSC becoming fully operational, the report argues that it should first produce and disseminate credible, well-researched evidence about the potential benefits and risks for Ghana. In addition, officials working in the Central Bank, Registrar General and tax agencies should be extremely well versed in the relevant laws and should work closely together to minimise the risks.

Furthermore, the Government should introduce special methods to monitor inflows of funds from regional oil producing states, potentially in conjunction with the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, because such funds are of notoriously questionable origin.

The report goes on to warn that unless Ghana co-operates in the global fight against financial crime, it is at risk of being added to the tax haven blacklist set up recently by the Organisation for Co-Operation and Development.
Other sections of the report are devoted to Ghana’s sources of tax revenue and the need to increase them in order to reduce the country’s dependence on foreign aid.

The report estimates that Ghana currently loses around 50 per cent of the corporate tax revenues it is due each year (that is, it loses some 109 million /125 million Euros) to tax dodging by multinational companies. A major part of the problem, it says, is that most tax officials lack a thorough understanding of companies’ complex tax avoidance schemes.

Mining companies are highlighted as a particular problem, in that they impose major environmental costs but contribute very little to Ghana’s tax revenues, despite their large profits in recent years. For instance, the report states that between 2002 and 2006, mining firms as a group paid a maximum of 2 per cent of their turnover in corporation tax, and a minimum of 0.5 per cent.

The report blames the low contribution of mining on a combination of tax evasion by some firms and their expatriate employees and on the failure of tax officials to properly enforce existing law, some of which they say is too complex.

Another problem highlighted by the report is the failure of Ghana’s tax collection agencies publicly to disclose (and even, perhaps, to evaluate) the effects of the generous tax incentives the country offers foreign investors.
Asked recently about the haven’s potential for abuse, Barclays Bank said: ‘Barclays has been operating in Ghana for more than 90 years.

During this time, we have earned a reputation for partnering with Ghana’s government to extend access to banking services, build a culture of saving amongst the Ghanaian population and promote the development of the Ghanaian economy.

‘The creation of the IFSC is another landmark achievement in developing Ghana’s financial services sector and Barclays is proud to have been able to partner with the Ghanaian government in this initiative. We adhere to the highest and most stringent levels of international regulation, rules and industry guidance for the financial services sector.’

World Bank to invest $215 mln in African internet

2009-10-14T05:15:00.000-07:00

The World Bank unveiled its $215 million Central African Backbone programme on Tuesday, to bring reliable, high-speed, low-cost internet access to the region for the first time.

Despite being the fastest-growing telecoms market in the world, Africa's broadband growth has been hamstrung by costly international bandwidth and patchy national infrastructure, impeding development and deterring investors.

Cameroon, Chad and the Central African Republic will take part in the initial $26.2 million phase, the World Bank said. Congo-Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Niger, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, and Sudan can also participate in the programme.

The 10-year programme is being supported through a partnership between the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank.
"Ultimately, our goal is to develop regional and national broadband backbones and significantly reduce the cost of ICT services in Central Africa," Mohsen Khalil, Director of Global Information and Communications Technologies at the World Bank Group, said in a statement.

In Africa, there are 10 undersea cables either under construction or in the planning stages, which could push down international bandwidth rates and increase the number of broadband users.
U.S.-based advisory firm AfricaNext Investment Research expects Africa's broadband market to grow more than fourfold in five years to 12.7 million users from 2.7 million in 2007.

This growth will be facilitated by new submarine cables and national networks due to launch this year and next, and the emergence of wireless technology such as EVDO and WiMax.

But Africa's fixed-line operators are already seeing a lot of customers moving to mobile networks due to lower prices and, according to telecoms advisory firm Delta Partners, this will propel mobile broadband to explode in the continent.

Currently, 1 gigabyte of international connectivity in Africa is $15-$30 depending on the country, Delta Partners said. Separately on Tuesday, the International Telecommunication Union said mobile broadband penetration rates still low in many African countries and other developing nations.
Reuters

Natural African beauty

2009-09-01T06:43:00.000-07:00

The Miss Authentica Beauty Competition, held recently in Cote D’Ivoire. The idea behind the pageant was to showcase and encourage appreciation of the beauty of natural, non-bleached black African skin.

It seems a great cause, especially given that many of the skin-lightening products used on the African continent are apparently carcinogenic.

Get the Facts

Dermatology Unit, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Lagos, Nigeria. mercyolumide2004@yahoo.co.uk

Skin lightening (bleaching) cosmetics and toiletries are widely used in most African countries. The active ingredients in these cosmetic products are hydroquinone, mercury and corticosteroids. Several additives (conconctions) are used to enhance the bleaching effect. Since these products are used for long duration, on a large body surface area, and under hot humid conditions, percutaneous absorption is enhanced.

The complications of these products are very serious and are sometimes fatal. Some of these complications are exogenous ochronosis, impaired wound healing and wound dehiscence, the fish odor syndrome, nephropathy, steroid addiction syndrome, predisposition to infections, a broad spectrum of cutaneous and endocrinologic complications of corticosteroids, including suppression of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.

Consumers in the developed world enjoy the benefits of stringent legislation governing the production and sale of over-the-counter cosmoceuticals and skin care products. Such legislation in Africa would have spared our people from the dangers of the false concept of "skin bleaching," which has destroyed many who have gone to great lengths to have a lighter skin color. Dark skinned individuals have been made to feel that their skin color is not only less attractive but that lighter or white skin is necessary for a better status in life.

Many believe that job opportunities, power, success, influence, and superiority is the preserve of white skinned people, whereas dark skinned individuals are condemned to a lower lot in life. These ideas perhaps were created by the colonial past but more distressingly are carried on and perpetuated by unscrupulous stake holders who cash in by trading in products they claim to satisfy the desire to lighten skin color.

The print and electronic media and billboards in Africa, until recently, portrayed white people in commercials of all kinds of commodities, giving the impression that dark people were not good enough to be photographed for such advertisements. Color cosmetics to suit dark skin were nonexistent till a few years ago. Africans, like many other dark races, have thereby been driven to the craving for white skin. The concept of "skin bleaching" thus emanated, was expanded upon and passed down to two or more generations. Unethical traders cashed in on this by producing substances they deceitfully claim to give one a lighter skin color.

The cosmetic and cosmoceutical market in Africa was flooded with products containing mercury, hydroquinone, corticosteroids, hydrogen peroxide and many unknown dangerous substances. Some products were produced locally but more pathetically many were dumped here from foreign western countries where such products were not passed for use in their country of origin. Homemade concoctions of toxic substances were sold locally and exported to neighboring African countries. Adulteration of branded products was another practice which strengthened the black market trade. Back street sale of prescription products like topical corticosteroids and dispensing of such items without prescription, were opportunities for some to make a quick buck from naive and desperate people.

Consumer awareness, by way of seminars and the media, is important in eradicating the practice. This has been my personal campaign for several years. This bore fruit when finally the Kenya government on May 11, 2001 banned the sale of skin bleaching products. Although some products still find their way into the market, a positive effect has been registered. Many victims who fell easy prey to this absurdity come for treatment, whilst others get medical advice on all cosmetics to be used.

Neighboring countries are also in the process of legislating on such issues whilst some countries have introduced fines and penalties for those selling or using skin bleaching preparations.

Part of our education campaign is the recognition that dark skin is beautiful and that it is impossible to change skin color. We warn people that the use of the so called skin bleaching creams, lotions, and ointments can cause skin destruction, systemic and organ failure and death. Continuous consumer education and law enforcement should be maintained. Dermatologists have a key role in ensuring that safe and good products are used. Skin Bleaching should be condemned.

Doing Business in Africa 2009

2009-08-29T10:34:00.000-07:00

Africa had a record year for regulatory reforms that make it easier to do business, with 28 countries completing 58 reforms, according to Doing Business 2009 (PDF) , the sixth in an annual series of reports published by IFC and the World Bank. Three of the world’s top 10 reformers of business regulations are in Africa this year: Senegal, Burkina Faso, and Botswana.

Senegal made it easier to start a business, register property, and trade across borders. Burkina Faso introduced a new labor code and reforms for registering property, dealing with construction permits, and paying taxes. Botswana cut the time to start a business, facilitated trade, and strengthened investor protections. Postconflict countries, Liberia and Sierra Leone, along with Rwanda, were among the regions’ most active reformers of business regulations.

Mauritius moved up to 24 in the global rankings on the regulatory ease of doing business and continues to provide inspiration for reform and good practices to other economies across Africa. The runner-up in these overall rankings is South Africa at 32, followed by Botswana at 38.

“With more r eforms of business regulations in Africa than in any previous year, we are seeing many countries get inspiration from their neighbors about how to reform,” said Sabine Hertveldt, a coauthor of the report . “Increasingly, countries in the region are committing to reform agendas that make it easier to do business,” she added.

Doing Business ranks economies based on 10 indicators of business regulation that track the time and cost to meet government requirements in starting and operating a business, trading across borders, paying taxes, and closing a business. The rankings do not reflect such areas as macroeconomic policy, quality of infrastructure, currency volatility, investor perceptions, or crime rates.

The future of the world is Africa

The African Business Weblog is dedicated to contributing to the learning environment, diversity and global opportunities in African business, investing, media, internet marketing, workshops, conferences, stock markets, venture capital, tourism, blogs, web 2.0, africa SEO and other innovative business strategies for Africa.
Africanblog@gmail.com

Obama: Africa's time is now

2009-08-27T08:23:00.000-07:00

President Barack Obama addressed parliament in Ghana's capitol of Accra on Saturday, in a speech that marked his first visit to sub-Saharan Africa as the leader of the United States.

A poignant moment for Africa unfolded as the leader of the world's most powerful country, and the son of an African immigrant, was given a hero's welcome upon his arrival in Accra.

Coming off the back of a G8 meeting in Italy, Obama delivered a message that focused on the role of Africa in the global economy, and importance of good governance. Ghana was selected for this landmark visit due in large part to the good governance the nation has demonstrated over the last few decades.

In his speech Obama identified four areas that are critical to the future of Africa and the developing world: democracy; opportunity; health; and the peaceful resolution of conflict.

In his speech Obama highlighted Africa's importance on the global stage. "Your prosperity can expand America's. Your health and security can contribute to the world's. And the strength of your democracy can help advance human rights for people everywhere. So I do not see the countries and peoples of Africa as a world apart; I see Africa as a fundamental part of our interconnected world," said Obama.

Obama made reference to the fact that Africa is dogged by a troublesome and traumatic history, one which has placed many nations at a disadvantage, and despite this past progress on the continent is being made every day, and Ghana is an example of this.

"Here in Ghana, you show us a face of Africa that is too often overlooked. The people of Ghana have worked hard to put democracy on a firmer footing, with peaceful transfers of power even in the wake of closely contested elections. And with improved governance and an emerging civil society, Ghana's economy has shown impressive rates of growth," said Obama.

Obama also focussed on the need for good governance in Africa. "Development depends upon good governance. That is the ingredient which has been missing in far too many places, for far too long. That is the change that can unlock Africa's potential. And that is a responsibility that can only be met by Africans." The President also discussed the role of the West in Africa; how commitments from foreign powers must include more than just financial aid and aim to build partnerships in sustainable change.

America's foreign policy toward Africa will be one of promotion and isolation; supporting those nations that embrace good governance and the sanctity of the rule of law, and isolate those that choose not to.

Obama also addressed the issue of conflict and urged Africa to take a more proactive role in reducing the numbers of innocent civilians throughout the continent who are forced to live under such terrible conditions.
In closing Obama stressed the fact that Africa's future lay with Africans. "It won't be easy. It will take time and effort. There will be suffering and setbacks. But I can promise you this: America will be with you. As a partner. As a friend."

"Freedom is your inheritance. Now, it is your responsibility to build upon freedom's foundation. And if you do, we will look back years from now to places like Accra and say that this was the time when the promise was realised - this was the moment when prosperity was forged; pain was overcome; and a new era of progress began."

The future of the world is Africa
The African Business Weblog is dedicated to contributing to the learning environment, diversity and global opportunities in African business, investing, media, internet marketing, workshops, conferences, stock markets, venture capital, tourism, blogs, web 2.0, africa SEO and other innovative business strategies for Africa.
Africanblog@gmail.com

Gaya Art Cafe Gambia

2009-08-24T08:02:00.000-07:00

Gaya Art Cafe Gambia
Gaya Art Cafe Gambia has launched a weblog.

Gaya developed over many years, through my world wide travels, and observations of diverse cultures and the beauty that they share through various forms of art.

Awareness of the world, a thirst for knowledge and education, and a desire to break the boundaries that lead to turmoil was the concept for GAYA and in November 2001 Gaya was born in The Gambia, West Africa.

The future of the world is Africa

The African Business Weblog is dedicated to contributing to the learning environment, diversity and global opportunities in African business, investing, media, internet marketing, workshops, conferences, stock markets, venture capital, tourism, blogs, web 2.0, africa SEO and other innovative business strategies for Africa.

Africanblog@gmail.com

Africa: booming business opportunity for U.S

2009-08-20T07:40:00.000-07:00

In one of the toughest global economic downturns in decades, the African continent continues to be one of the leading foreign direct investment destinations for U.S. businesses, according to the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA).

Recent data released by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), reveals that while other regions of the world are experiencing economic decline, Africa has experienced significant economic growth over the past five years and is expected to maintain a positive growth rate of 3.5% for 2009.

While global foreign direct investment inflows worldwide fell by an estimated 21% in 2008, FDI inflows to Africa grew by 15% to $61 billion in 2008.
Africa contributes more than 19% of U.S. crude oil imports and many analysts predict that it will provide more than 25% of U.S. imports by 2015. In 2008, Nigeria, Algeria, Angola, Chad, Libya, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon were respectively the top sources of U.S. oil and petroleum product imports from Africa.

"The reliable growth that we are seeing in Africa is due not only to the wealth of opportunities available in Africa, but also due to its continued efforts for greater political stability and an unprecedented level of government reform to attract foreign investment," said CCA President and CEO Stephen Hayes.
"Africa has proven itself to be an essential asset for companies across many business sectors."

Certain industries such as finance, health, energy, power, tourism, agri-business and technology all show signs of promising growth, and hence have all been identified as investment opportunities.

"American businessmen and women don't always think of Africa as an attractive and potentially lucrative market," said Hayes.
"Yet, we know that international trade between the U.S. and many African countries is increasingly becoming an important part of a company's portfolio.

The U.S. also benefits when we import goods from Africa, which leads to enhanced consumer choice and job creation here at home."

To advance trade and investment flows between the U.S. and Africa; CCA is hosting a summit in September. The three-day event will focus on the most promising business sectors on the continent.

The future of the world is Africa

The African Business Weblog is dedicated to contributing to the learning environment, diversity and global opportunities in African business, investing, media, internet marketing, workshops, conferences, stock markets, venture capital, tourism, blogs, web 2.0, africa SEO and other innovative business strategies for Africa.
Africanblog@gmail.com

BBC launches TV series dedicated to African business

2009-08-12T07:29:00.000-07:00

BBC World News has launched the Africa Business Report, a new show focussed on the benefits and challenges of doing business on the continent. The programme will aim to capture some of the energy and diversity of business life in Africa.

Presenter Komla Dumor, former Joy FM Super Morning Show host, will travel the continent meeting entrepreneurs and businessmen shaping the African economic landscape.

"It's a privilege to present Africa Business Report during a time in which the continent is developing its economic growth and business future. I've had the opportunity to travel the world but it's in Africa where I feel a real energy emerging from a generation of young entrepreneurs who are determined to compete on a global scale," said Dumor.

The first programme, to be flighted on the 22 August, will focus on South Africa - the most powerful economy in Africa. There'll be a special report looking into the foundations of the country's construction boom, and a look at how one small business owner is making money ahead of the arrival of the South Africa 2010 World Cup.

"Africa Business Report will offer BBC World News viewers a revealing insight into the stories behind the continent's increasingly successful and diverse business culture. We're delighted to have Skye Bank as sponsor for what should be a very interesting series," says Sean O' Hara, regional director at BBC advertising sales.

The future of the world is Africa

The African Business Weblog is dedicated to contributing to the learning environment, diversity and global opportunities in African business, investing, media, internet marketing, workshops, conferences, stock markets, venture capital, tourism, blogs, web 2.0, africa SEO and other innovative business strategies for Africa.
Africanblog@gmail.com

Internet prices drop by 90% in Cameroon

2009-08-02T07:20:00.000-07:00

Internet prices in Cameroon have fallen more than 90 percent since the beginning of the year. But some want them even lower. Cyber cafes dot the streets of Yaounde. Across the country, they are still among the best spots to get a cheap connection to the internet. But because of falling prices, many people can afford to set up connections in their homes and offices. The use of mobile phones to access the Internet has also shot up.

Ringo, a new Internet-service provider, estimates that prices have dropped about 90 percent since the start of the year.

The mobile telephone giant Orange Cameroun has introduced a monthly Internet flat rate of about $21, the lowest in the country. Others charge about $50 monthly, down from hundreds of dollars a few years ago. Subscription costs have also fallen by over 50%. The drop in prices is mainly the result of more competitors offering Internet service.

Two years ago, four providers dominated the market, serving mostly corporate customers. Now 25 offer wireless, including the major mobile telephone companies.

New and cheaper technology from China is also helping to push down prices. Cameroon's state-run provider CAMTEL and private provider Ringo both use modems and other technologies made in China.

Journalist Ernest Kanjo relies heavily on the Internet to do his work. Recently he launched an on-line magazine to promote Cameroon's young but vibrant film industry. He welcomes the new Internet rates.

"To do the kind of work I do, you have to spend long hours online," he says. "That means either having the Internet at home or at the office. Since prices started going down, I have been able to set up a connection at home that permits me to work more conveniently. You cannot do a good job from the cyber café because of the noise and other distractions."

Not low enough
But for many others, the cost of accessing the Internet is still too high. Despite the drop in prices, Cameroon has some of the highest rates, compared to other countries with similar economic profiles, like Senegal.

However, many still prefer cyber cafes because they're cheaper, even if it's less convenient to surf in a public place.

Gloria Tata is an unemployed nurse who says she would use the internet more often if prices were lower.

"It is still costly for some of us. The Internet is still more expensive than, say, electricity and water, which are themselves a burden to us," Tata says. "Personally, I would like to make more use of the Internet, but when you have to be careful about your expenses, it is difficult. For now I limit myself to sending and receiving mail. But it could be a valuable tool for research."

Tata is not alone. The high price is not the only problem stopping people from taking full advantage of the Internet in Cameroon. Many, including journalist Kanjo, complain about the poor quality delivered by most providers.

"Even the most reliable service providers suffer frequent drops in connectivity speeds and sometimes total blackouts," says Kanjo. "It takes ages to download or upload large images or video. These are things that need to be looked into."

The Internet was introduced in Cameroon in the mid-1990s. By 2007, the International Telecommunications Union estimated that only 370,000 people, about two percent of Cameroon's population, used the Internet. There were only 200 broadband subscribers.

Today, that number is rising. Early this year, Internet service provider Ringo said it had registered 5,000 subscribers after only six months of operation. The company says its goal is to build a world class network within a few years. But many, like Tata, believe that for that goal to be reached, price will have to go down even lower.

The future of the world is Africa

The African Business Weblog is dedicated to contributing to the learning environment, diversity and global opportunities in African business, investing, media, internet marketing, workshops, conferences, stock markets, venture capital, tourism, blogs, web 2.0, africa SEO and other innovative business strategies for Africa.
Africanblog@gmail.com

Beauty School Weblog Launched

2009-07-27T06:53:00.000-07:00

Gaye Njorro School of Hair Dressing and Cosmetology has just kicked off a new weblog.

One of my prime objectives in opening the school is to empower and advance women in this great country of the Gambia.

Our training facility is committed to providing students with outstanding training while promoting an atmosphere of honesty and professionalism, allowing graduates to develop a bright future by rejuvenating clients body, mind and spirit in the delivery of quality skills and training in the area of hair dressing and cosmetology.

The future of the world is Africa

The African Business Weblog is dedicated to contributing to the learning environment, diversity and global opportunities in African business, investing, media, internet marketing, workshops, conferences, stock markets, venture capital, tourism, blogs, web 2.0, africa SEO and other innovative business strategies for Africa.
Africanblog@gmail.com

Africa emerges as TV production locale

2009-07-22T07:03:00.000-07:00

19 Emmy noms for programs shot in Africa.

CAPE TOWN --
Africa is emerging as a destination for runaway TV production, as the 19 Primetime Emmy nominations for shows shot in the region prove.

HBO's "Generation Kill" miniseries about U.S. troops in Baghdad filmed in South Africa, Namibia and Mozambique via Out of Africa Entertainment; Fox's "24: Redemption" shot in South Africa with Moonlighting; while "No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency," the BBC adaptation of Alexander McCall Smith's bestselling novels, filmed in Botswana with Film Afrika.

Approximately 90% of the cast and crew on all three productions were South African -- indeed, four Emmy noms are for local crews.

Cape Town-based Moonlighting's Genevieve Hofmeyr believes that the depth of non-unionised, English-speaking talent in southern Africa is a big draw. "Television series have found that they can hire feature-quality crew, as the Emmy nominations show," she says.

For example, Emelia Weavind, the Emmy-nominated set dresser on "Generation Kill," is better known as an art director on features. Her recent credits include Neill Blomkamp's feature debut, "District 9."

Anthony Minghella, who directed the pilot of "No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency" shortly before his death last year, was full of praise for his South African crew.

"They're absolutely fantastic," Minghella said. "I've found them to be so sturdy, and so caring, and so funny. Nothing's a problem; everything just works."

Johannesburg-based Out of Africa's Lance Samuels says price is another selling point. Southern Africa secured "Generation Kill" and "The Devil's Whore" -- Company Pictures' four-part English Civil War-set drama for Blighty's Channel 4 -- on the basis of value-for-money.

"We were way more cost-effective than anywhere else for 'Generation Kill' and (had) a similar price to Romania on 'The Devil's Whore,' but we could offer a government rebate, which Romania doesn't have," Samuels says.

The Dept. of Trade and Industry's incentive schemes offer a rebate of 15% to qualifying overseas projects, and 25% to qualifying South African productions and co-productions, both capped at R10 million ($1.25 million).

Vlokkie Gordon, of Cape Town-based Film Afrika, believes the diverse locations are another major attraction.

For "Generation Kill," southern Africa doubled as Iraq; in Sony's "Natalee Holloway," about the teenager who vanished in Aruba, it stood in for the Caribbean; in "The Devil's Whore" it assumed the look of the English countryside.

When NBC's "The Philanthropist" had to find a base "that could re-create all the countries of the world," they chose South Africa, Hofmeyr says.

British commercial broadcaster ITV's "Wild at Heart," about a veterinarian and his family who start a game park in South Africa, is prepping its fifth season. Samuels says "Wild at Heart" is now a highly rated TV series, adding, "Last season, we averaged 8.5 million viewers a night."

Other high-profile series lured to South Africa include AMC's upcoming "The Prisoner," starring Ian McKellen and Jim Caviezel in a reinterpretation of the cult British 1960s series, as well as "Silent Witness," "Crusoe," "Top Gear," "The Triangle" and "Fear Factor: India."

Indeed, television is quickly becoming the dominant service sector in South Africa. For example, Moonlighting, founded in 1989 and primarily seen as a commercials, stills and features company, has serviced roughly 200 TV shoot days over the last 14 months, nearly triple the number of feature film days.

More work is already being confirmed: Out of Africa is prepping for "Strike Back," based on Chris Ryan's books about his time as a soldier, while Moonlighting is in preproduction on "Atlantis," Tony Mitchell's docudrama for the BBC, which is being shot entirely on a green-screen stage in Cape Town.

Film Afrika is going into production on two German telepics: "Bush Station" for Sat.1, which will shoot in the North West Province, and "Through Africa in a Bridal Dress" with RTL, to be shot in KwaZulu Natal. It is also working on "The History of America" for the History Channel.

And with Cape Town Film Studios scheduled to open a Hollywood-style studio on the tip of Africa early next year, the volume of TV projects coming to South Africa is only going to increase.

The future of the world is Africa

The African Business Weblog is dedicated to contributing to the learning environment, diversity and global opportunities in African business, investing, media, internet marketing, workshops, conferences, stock markets, venture capital, tourism, blogs, web 2.0, africa SEO and other innovative business strategies for Africa.
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West African internet conference

2009-07-12T12:46:00.000-07:00

Internet enthusiasts, web designers and entrepreneurs have been meeting in Ivory Coast for the country's first major conference on developing the internet.

Most of us who use the internet are in contact with internet users in Ivory Coast.

In the French-speaking world - and increasingly in the English-speaking world - Ivorians are developing a reputation similar to Nigeria for fraud emails, scams and credit card abuse. Ivorian web developer Jean-Patrick Ehouman, who's organised these discussions, says this makes it even more difficult for West Africans to catch up with the rest of the world:

Jean-Patrick Ehouman:
Oh, it's a great barrier. Cyber-criminality is a big barrier here because most of cyber-criminality action is related with Ivory Coast. So our work now is to do the most that we can to populate the web with good action so that we can erase this image of cyber-criminality in Ivory Coast.

Aside from criminality, the industry faces a number of other obstacles. There's only one undersea cable running down the West African coast connecting it to the rest of cyberspace. That means internet is both more expensive and slower than many other parts of the world.

There was some debate about whether the region should be developing the web for overseas markets or, as local blogger and journalist Theophile Kouamouo argues, developing an African web for Africans.

But others argued it was near impossible to make money from the internal market; very few people have credit cards to buy products and only about 5% of Africans use the internet.

But a report by an American technology research company, Forrester Research, suggested internet use in Africa will skyrocket over the next few years, and that should provide new opportunities for West Africa's aspiring web entrepreneurs.

The future of the world is Africa

The African Business Weblog is dedicated to contributing to the learning environment, diversity and global opportunities in African business, investing, media, internet marketing, workshops, conferences, stock markets, venture capital, tourism, blogs, web 2.0, africa SEO and other innovative business strategies for Africa.
Africanblog@gmail.com

The Six P's of Marketing in Africa

2009-07-12T11:21:00.000-07:00

By Carine Sanama

Location
The Inanda Club, 1 Forrest Road, Inanda, Sandton Street

Johannesburg - South Africa

Event Type: training, session, workshop

Organized By: Upbeat Marketing

The Six P’s of Marketing in Africa
People Process Price Promotion Product and Place

What is it?
This training session will inform you about the marketing strategies, processes and approaches you need to seriously consider when expanding into Africa.

Who should attend?
If you are interested in expanding your business into the rest of Africa, this training session will give you the essential edge. This is highly recommended for the following people / organisations:

• Businesses that have identified Africa as part of their growth strategy

• Government Representatives

• Exporters• Directors

• Managing Directors

• Entrepreneurs

• Brand/ Marketing Managers

• Business Development Specialists

• Market Analysts

What’s included?

• Course material containing a step-by-step approach on marketing your products / services in Africa
• Case study

• Additional pack containing folder, notepad and pen
• Opportunity to be one of 5 delegates to be selected to attend the Intra-Africa Business Executive Breakfast free of charge (estimated total cost: R1 950)
• Secure parking
• Executive lunch, tea, coffee and snacks on arrival and at tea times
• A certificate of attendance upon completion of your training

About the Facilitator
Nathalie Chinje, MBA (Stellenbosch) CM (SA), BBA (IMM)Nathalie is a Chartered Marketer (CM (SA)) and holds an MBA degree in Management Consultancy from the University of Stellenbosch. She has over ten years experience in the field of marketing and is currently consulting to many businesses that are expanding into the African continent.

Contact: Carine Sanama
Tel: +27 11 233 5470 / 5330 Fax: +27 11 233 5463
carine@upbeat.co.za

The future of the world is Africa

The African Business Weblog is dedicated to contributing to the learning environment, diversity and global opportunities in African business, investing, media, internet marketing, workshops, conferences, stock markets, venture capital, tourism, blogs, web 2.0, africa SEO and other innovative business strategies for Africa.
Africanblog@gmail.com

Search Engine Marketing (SEM) for Africa

2009-07-10T12:11:00.000-07:00

Search engines are the source of the vast majority of sales traffic. There are millions of searches being performed at any given moment, and not being visible via search engines does little to help your site.

It is of vital importance that African companies use SEM to help you secure their eMarketing strategy and to lever their brands presence. We need CEO's of companies large and small to embrace the technologies of the 21st century to move us forward and keep up with the West.

Search Engine Marketing involves using a combination of paid and organic, or natural, search tactics and serves to bring in traffic to your site. Using a variety of tactics, you can create a strategy unique to your company campaign.

Comprised of Pay Per Click advertising (PPC) and Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), SEM is one of the most effective ways of generating traffic.

Search Engine Optimisation Using simple principles to create a logical information structure, SEO is all about layering your content in such a way that it makes sense for automated search engine spiders and is easy to digest by human users.

Using PPC and SEO together, can have a big impact on your SERPs. PPC often breeds immediate success, but SEO is an ongoing process which requires a keen eye and hands on tactics.

The future of the world is Africa

The African Business Weblog is dedicated to contributing to the learning environment, diversity and global opportunities in African business, investing, media, internet marketing, workshops, conferences, stock markets, venture capital, tourism, blogs, web 2.0, africa SEO and other innovative business strategies for Africa.
Africanblog@gmail.com

Piaggio ape truk

2009-07-07T06:25:00.000-07:00

Sahel Invest in partnership with FIB and Elton have just launched a new scheme to get you moving fast. If you are a trader, business owner or technician you can now own your very own brand new Piaggio APE Cargo Truck.

Piaggio’s ape truk is powered by 482cc, single cylinder, indirect injection diesel engine which generates maximum power of 11.26bhp at 4500rpm. This water cooled engine develops a maximum torque of 23Nm at 3200rpm. Piaggio is the one which offers fuel efficient three wheelers in this mileage conscious segment.

Ape truk looks bold with its sturdy bumper and bigger tyres. Don’t forget this ape truk is from an Italian manufacturer. No more boring round headlamps like in the ace, ape truk’s headlamps are stylish and ape features prominent grille. Ape truk is aerodynamically designed which according to Piaggio will give you better pick-up.

Piaggio ape truk features hydraulic brakes on all wheels and for parking it uses mechanical brakes on rear wheels. Steering is made by using rack and pinion similar to ace. We have to wait to see power steering in this segment.

Suspension of ape truk is by McPherson at the front and twist beam cross arm at the rear. Both at the front hydraulic double acting telescopic shock absorbers are offered to control the vibration.

Accessories and Versatility Steering lock with ignition key, roof lamp with integrated rear view mirror, both side sun visors and integrated blinkers are special add-on accessories offered by piaggio for the ape truk. With three side openable panels ape truk can be easily loaded/ unloaded and ape truk’s off the road capability is enhanced by its higher ground clearance of 185mm along with bigger and wider(155 R13) tyres.

For more information contact 00220-7792732

The future of the world is Africa

The African Business Weblog is dedicated to contributing to the learning environment, diversity and global opportunities in African business, investing, media, internet marketing, workshops, conferences, stock markets, venture capital, tourism, blogs, web 2.0, africa SEO and other innovative business strategies for Africa.
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Internet use in Asia, Africa, and Mid-East Set to Soar!

2009-07-06T12:55:00.000-07:00

A new report from Forrester Research estimates that approximately 2.2 billion people will be online over the next few years – an increase of over 45 percent. Analysts at Forrester forecast that, by 2013, 43 percent of that 2.2 billion will be based in Asia, with 17 percent in China alone.

In 2008, the United States was home to the most Internet users, followed by China, Japan, Brazil, and Germany, Business Journal reports, quoting the Forrester research.

By comparison, in 2013, China will be in first place, followed by the US, India, Japan, and Brazil.

“While per capita online spending is likely to remain highest in North America, Western Europe, and the developed markets of Asia throughout the next five years,” Forrester Research Senior Analyst Zia Daniell Wigder wrote in a statement, “the shifting online population and growing spending power among Asian consumers means that Asian markets will represent a far greater percentage of the total in 2013 than they do today.”

Forrester also predicted that Middle Eastern and African countries, which currently represent only 8% of the global online population, will have very high growth rates in coming years. In that region, Nigeria, Iran, and Egypt are expected to see the biggest increases.

The future of the world is Africa

The African Business Weblog is dedicated to contributing to the learning environment, diversity and global opportunities in African business, investing, media, internet marketing, workshops, conferences, stock markets, venture capital, tourism, blogs, web 2.0, africa SEO and other innovative business strategies for Africa.
Africanblog@gmail.com