Indian Bazaar in Abidjan
this retail location sells inventory ranging from apparel,electronics,accessories to interior design products,cosmetic products and more.
décembre 30, 2007
Rihannah and Akon to perform in Addis-Abeba
Addis-Abeba
The two performers will usher the excited consumer of music and concert lovers in Addis in the new year with a more than certain great show scheduled for the 31st.Let's just hope that Akon does not throw any youngster off the stage,judging on international news reports,that is unlikely to slide in Ethiopia.
décembre 29, 2007
ATP's Best Telecommunication companies in Africa
Africa Telecom People recently published their list of the best landline telecom companies,cellphone companies,internet providers,regulation bodies etc...
North Africa :
Best Landline co: Wana Telecom Maroc
Best cellphone co: Wataniya Algérie
Best Internet provider : Planet Tunisie
Best Regulator : INT Tunisie
West Africa :
Best Landline co : Sonatel Sénégal
Best cellphone co : MTN Côte d’Ivoire
Best Internet provider: Powerline Communications Côte d’Ivoire
Best Regulator : ARTP Sénégal
Central Africa :
Best Landline co : GETESA Guinée Equatoriale
Best cellphone co : Celtel Congo Brazzaville
Best Internet provider : Alink (Congo Brazzaville)
Best Regulator : DGAPT Congo Brazzaville
East & Southern Africa:
Best Landline co : TTCL (Tanzania)
Best cellphone co : Orange Botswana
Best Internet provider : Africa On Line Tanzania
Best Regulator : UCC (Uganda Commission
Communication)
[Africa2.0]
décembre 21, 2007
décembre 19, 2007
Nairobi Stock Exchange new record
Nairobi-
The number of investors at the Nairobi Stock Exchange rose to historical levels this year to hit 750,000 compared to the 80,000 investors who traded at the NSE in 2003.[ Business week]
African Youth report
From the world youth report , we garner that young people in all region of the world experience some degree of difficulties and are equally faced with uncertainty as they must adapt in a ever transitioning world.
An estimated 157 million 15-24 years old are adopting new ways of learning about,working and communicating with the world;Communication highways,text messaging,E-mailing,urban entertainment and many other aspect of 21st century lifestyle are shared by these individuals.
These young individuals who are forecasted to reach 200 million by 2015 ,are for the most part found in the urban centers of the continent. How ready are the administrations under which they are going to live,work,rest and build ?
Education:Some great progress has been made in recent years.
Employment:Fastest growing labour force in the world.
Kenyan Innovator propels the use of Wind energy
Nairobi-
Having patented his invention/innovation with the Kenyan Industrial Property Institute and working in close partnership with the Kenyan Research and Development Institute, Self trained innovator Simon Mwacharo developed a simple wind- powered electricity generator in his 10 men workshop.
He now commercializes a model with the capacity to light a four-bedroom house, plus power a television set, a radio and a fridge at a retail price of Sh40,000 [about $640] .[ Business Daily]
[ Computer equipment] Market leaders in Kenya
Mali destination gains in popularity
Bamako-
The tourism stor in Mali is experiencing a tremendous growth, from 98,000 visitors in 2006 , the number of unique visitor went to 250,000 unique visitors during the last season.
The Malian revenue Authority reports earnings of about 126 million Euros as a direct result from the spike. [ Jeune Afrique]
décembre 17, 2007
3 Billion to be invested in Cote d'Ivoire
San Pedro-
$3,292,105,328 are to be invested in the Southwestern region of the Ivory Coast by a consortium of American and European corporations. A unit of production and transformation of oil outputing an 100.ooo barils/day and a green investment to supply in wind-produced electricity to the domestic market and the regional markets as well [ Ghana,Burkina,Mali,Liberia,Guinea]constitute the bulk of the investments made by the companies directors.[Abidjan.net]
M.IA- Paper plane
London-
M.I.A shoots this video in the streets of London with a guest appearance by Afrikan Boy.
Highlights from the World economic forum [Africa]
For those of you that did not watch, here is the video highlighting the Davos forum. Watch it and think of how much of what they discussed is already a reality and consider the upcoming year and all the opportunities it will bring forth.
[world economic forum]
Timely information for farmers
Dakar-
The video below is perfect example of the application of technology to the problems in one sector of activity.Cell Phone+ Data Transfer/Information flow+ Agricultural products= increased earnings. Manobi is the entity behind the use of the software by farmers to leverage information flow as an hedge tool against market fluctuation and rapacious middlemen.
[Via Nino]
Medical tourism in Africa
Johannesburg-
Tourism for some is mainly cultural or sexual, many travelers chart planes in search of affordable and quality health care. One business that can provide such needed services is Serokolo Health Tourism.
- Cardiology – diseases of the heart
- Endoscopic Surgery – minimally invasive surgery
- ENT Surgery (Otorhinolaryngology) – Ear, nose and throat surgery
- HIV/AIDS management – treatment of HIV/AIDS
- Interventional Radiology – diagnosis and management using X-rays
- Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery – surgery of the bones of the face and mouth
- Neurology – diseases of the brain and spinal cord
- Neurosurgery – surgery of the brain and spinal cord
- Nuclear Medicine – detection and treatment of diseases using X-rays and radiation therapy
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology – for diseases of women and child birth
- Oncology – for cancer
- Orthopaedic Surgery – surgery for bones
- Orthodontics and Prosthetics – correction of teeth malformation
- Paediatric Surgery – surgery for children
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
- Thoracic/Vascular Surgery – surgery of the chest,lung and heart
- Rheumatology – diseases of the joints and joint space
- Spinal Surgery
- Urology – diseases of the kidney and bladder systems
- Vascular Surgery – surgery of the blood vessels
You can dowload an online patient form, here.
When Corporate meets Pop culture
New York-
Check the interview of ,Steve Toute,CEO of recently acquired Translation consultation +Brand Imaging[ Nyse:IPG]
"...our marketing ideas are ..working well, the clients like to execute them around the world, so we need the infrastructure,.... a financial partner with global capabilities ..to fulfill ..obligations and strategies you have laid out. ...take our concepts to places around the world such as India, China, and Japan where the appetite for pop culture ...is hotter than ever."
"My perspective is from the music business and hip-hop and ... not being afraid to embrace all races as long as there is a shared mind-set. There isn’t any difference if you’re black, white, or Chinese. We all enjoy the same music and entertainment. It’s the shared value that hip-hop has. "
"Getting Jay-Z on board for the HP[Nyse:HPQ] campaign ... that’s a good example of taking a company’s corporate mission and using pop culture to articulate it... as we’ve done for McDonald’s in helping them use their uniforms as a way to communicate and ... articulate the brand’s commitment to the young adult market. " [ Black Entreprise]
Can the same financial/marketing transition be exercised for Kwaito,Coupe Decale,Bongo Flava and other urban popular culture ? It is probably happening to a certain extent but it is hardly where it needs to be.
What future for Agricultural economies ?
As we enter the year 2008 and get seven years closer to 2015, when international institutions experts, the business community , the governments and the civil society will assess the progress of the millennium goals in the African economic markets, it would be good to take a look at a sector that provides 40 to 70 % of job occupation the labor markets of Africa.
A live chat conducted by the co-author of the World bank's world development report 2008:Agriculture for development will be held tomorrow December 18Th [ click here].
Known obstacles for a dynamic agriculture economy:
little public spending on agriculture; donor support for emergency food aid with insufficient attention to income-raising investments; rich-country trade barriers and subsidies for key commodities such as cotton and oilseeds; and the under-recognized potential of millions of women who play a dominant role in farming.
Read policy brief
While thinking of solutions , let's not forget the role that insightful African entrepreneurs should play to develop more efficient ways to retail,store and market Agriculture based products,especially foods and non-perishable consumer agricultural goods [ ML health related]. Could the emergence of a whole food[Nasdaq:WFMI] or a network of agriculture-based boutiques [ more on that next time]that will create a demand pull effect on the Agricultural economies.
On the production level, isn't time for existing supermarket chains to invest/acquire @ that level of supply chain.To focus exclusively on the retail aspect when obviously they should consider the full spectrum of the supply chain an din one swoop ensure, better livelihood to farmers, better and cheaper products to consumers,direct impact on the quality of products etc..
Also see video below:
Mumbai unconvered
Mumbai-
What do African Entrepreneurs and businesses have to offer India growing middle-class ? This new generation[ 300 million] of young,savvy,cultured and traveled consumers might be more than open to purchase goods and services out of Africa.
What African industries/sectors would benefits ? Only time would tell,but already we hear that Uganda and Mozambique business men want to find out.
décembre 16, 2007
Understand China better
Beijing-
African markets should understand China for what it is as our relationship get more intimate by the investment.
Question for African economies
The Chinese middle class: managers,professionals,skilled technicians and service workers earning USD 2500 to USD 10.000 a year each, is expected to grow from 100 million people in 2005 to 200 million people by 2010 and reaching 215 million by 2015.[insight bureau]
The question africaincorp would like to raise is, what do entrepreneurs,small and medium sized businesses in Africa have to sale to this mass of consumers. To be able to sell 1 dollar worth of merchandise,good or service to each one of them would generate annual sale of 200 millions by 2010.
The question remains what do we have to sale to Chinese consumers ?
décembre 15, 2007
$230 million to be injected in Rwanda tourism sector
Kigali-
Istithmar Real Estate announces a 230 million dollar investment in Rwanda commercial real estate sector:
- Eight tourism facilities , including luxury hotels and lodges in national parks as well as golf courses and villas.
-60-room lodge in the Akagera National Park
-Five-star tented camp in the Volcanoes National Park
-Five-star 150-room hotel in Kigali
-An eco-lodge next to Nyungwe National Park
décembre 14, 2007
Sheetah mentality versus Hippo mentality
Africaincorp-
Jealousy is a social taboo in these parts, but Fred Mwale, an educator who works in Wimbe, the area that includes Masitala, says the family's new prosperity is causing some tensions.
"People do desire what is happening here. They come, and admire," he says. "They think that they might get the same support if they build a windmill."
Down the hill, the village handyman started building his own windmill after secretly studying Mr. Kamkwamba's. A gust of wind blew the blades off the man's first few attempts. Mr. Kamkwamba offered to help him rebuild, but got no reply. [ WSJ]
Windmill Powered electric grid
Lilongwe-
The project seemed a waste of time to his parents and the rest of Masitala.
"At first, we were laughing at him," says Agnes Kamkwamba, his mother. "We thought he was doing something useless." Luckily enough this youth representative of the new breed of self-motivated and entreprenarial young men and women did no listen. [ WSJ]
décembre 13, 2007
John Legend fights annihilation
Five-time Grammy award-winner John Legend will move you and motivate you. He weaves stories from his Show Me Campaign—a movement he launched to help eradicate extreme global poverty.
Myths of western civilization and culture
Expert on race, ethics and philosophy, Kwame Anthony Appiah takes to task the myths of Western culture and civilization, explaining the “Golden Nugget” theory and its five major errors
décembre 12, 2007
Bolaji- A country to rebuilt
Kinshasa-
With a video shot on location Congolese Hip Hop performer ,Baloji, talks about the ills of the Congo and the need for the inhabitants of this rich nation to come together and build a nation that will shame Mobutu and make Lumumba pride.
Obama team has a work to do
Chicago-
Barack Obama teams up with Hip Hop performers to reach and pass his message of change and rebirth to the urban community.
Central Africa regional Stock market set to open in 08
Libreville-
La bourse des valeurs mobilieres d'Afrique Centrale, is set to be opened during the first quarter of the year 2008. [ African Manager ]
décembre 11, 2007
Nairobi-
KCB Group has the widest network of outlets comprising of 132 branches across the region and 119 Automated Teller Machines (ATM). As a player in the global financial market, the group maintains working arrangements with over 400 correspondent banks throughout the world.
Real Estate trends in the Kenyan market
Nairobi-
"House prices in the Kenyan real estate market have been overheating in the last one year, driven by cheap money from banks and inflows from Kenyans abroad...In the coming year, the volume of houses and occupancy rates for rental properties that will come into the market will continue to affect pricing... Interest rates are emerging as a key factor to watch due to the level of budget deficit .. it looks that the fiscal discipline of the next government might be shaky and Kenya might enter an era of big government, big deficits and high interest rates...
Investors who put up palatial homes with unique designs, extended floor layout plans and high quality finishing in New Runda, Manga Gardens, Kitusuru areas saw property values appreciate at between 15 per cent and 20 per cent...The trend saw land values in the area double in less than three years.." Read more
Business Beyond Borders
Kenya/Dar Es Saleem-
Business people not only see in the Eastern integrated market an expanding of customer base , but also an chance to leverage skills and comparative advantage. In an interview in the African Executive, two young women entrepreneurs discussed their experience:
"Doing business in Kenya is not similar to doing business in Tanzania because the market trend and lifestyle in Tanzania is slightly slower than in Kenya. Business opportunities are available everywhere. It’s a matter of identifying a need and creating a product to meet the need...I would encourage them to do so with all eagerness. The niche market depends on what you have to offer and which way. They need to shun the idea that jobs are only available in the office. There is more fun and satisfaction in the business sector than anywhere else..."
Indian firm to invest $2 billion in Ivory Coast mining sector
Man-
Tata steel, [BSE:TATASTL ] the lowest cost producers of steel in the world will invest 2 billion USD in a steel mine located in the western region of Ivory Coast. [Abidjan news]
décembre 10, 2007
Discussion on Hip Hop in Nigeria
Lagos-
As seen on Newdawn.
Nigerians share their views on Hip hop and sexism in the culture.
décembre 09, 2007
décembre 07, 2007
African design themes
The video discusses about his work exploring the rigorous fractal math underpinning African architecture, art and even hair braiding.
Ecobank enters the Gambia.
Banjul-
Ecobank whose operations are present Bénin, au Burkina Faso Cameroon, Cap Verde, Centrafrique, Côte d'Ivoire,Ghana Guinée-Bissau, Guinée-Conakry Mali, Niger, au Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Sénégal, Sierra Leone, Tchad and Togo,recently opened a new branch in the Gambia.[ Jeune Afrique]
Mozambiquee GDP growth is 8.8 %
décembre 06, 2007
Samsung to augment investment in African markets
Samsung[KRX:000830 ] sold 7.5 million units to African consumers last year and aim to sale 28 million more units to them in the year 2008. The regional offices of Lagos,Nairobi and Johannesburg will oversee the investment needed to increase market share.[ Standard the]
IBM to invest 121 million in African markets
Johannesburg-
IBM[Nyse:IBM; ] confident that the African markets will experience double digit growth ,amid expansion of telecommunication networks,power grids and transport infrastructure, and desiring to be ready during that phase, will invest about $121 million over the next two years.[Business in Africa]
décembre 04, 2007
Next year invest in Africa and make 300% ROI
." ..Emerging Capital Partners raised over 1 billion and bought all or part of 42 African companies this decade and cashed out of 18, with gains on their investments averaging 300%. "The money we can make is matchless," says Emerging Capital Partners CEO Thomas R. Gibian, a former Goldman Sachs [Nyse:GS] banker."[Africa unchained/Business week]
décembre 03, 2007
Soweto ,a musical comedy
Paris-
Soweto is a theatrical of, the story of the Mandela and the fight to remove apartheid from South Africa.
This Christmas
Sony Pictures[Nyse:SNE;Tyo:6758] produced this excellent family movie that should be on your list of motion pictures to watch at the movies,stream or download.
Ease of paying taxes
African economies that reduced their profit tax lately are ,Cote d'ivoire,Lesotho,Mauritius,South Africa, and Tunisia.
Best Total tax rates in Africa
Zambia
BotswanaLesotho
Nigeria
Ethiopia
Sudan
Malawi
Uganda
Ghana
Rwanda
Mozambique
Swaziland
South Africa
Djibouti
Niger
Gabon
Tanzania
Cote d'Ivoire
Senegal
Kidz in the hall
Chicago-
With production credits for the Obama campaign "Work to do",the sons of the Golden Era of Hip Hop now take the reigns at the forefront of the next great Hip Hop dynasty. Call 'em elitests, call 'em smart asses or arrogant, but they are definitely one thing for certain, DOPE. The duo is signed to DuckDown Record.
Befriend them on Myspace[Nyse:NWS,Asx:NWA;Lse:NCRA ]
China strategy in African markets
China is slowing but surely building its investment and trade networks within the African markets.Economic markets with significant Chinese interests,investments and networks:
Morocoo,Liberia,Sudan,Egypt,R.D.C,Zambia,Nigeria,CameroonKenya,Mali,Chad,Botswana,Mozambique
Seychelles,Namibia,South Africa,Ghana,Tanzania,Angola,Ghana,Uganda,Equatorial guinea,Benin,Cape Verde,guinea Bissau, and Senegal.
Omo Alata by Black jesus featuring Iceberg slim
New York-
Black jesus and Iceberg slim do a remake of Akon and T-pain " In love with a bartender'
Turnkey Africa
-
Turnkey Africa is an IT solutions and services provider to the Insurance and Financial Sector. F They architect, implement and manage production quality enterprise computing solutions. They provide to corporate customers their engineering expertise, in strategic application development, infrastructure solutions and systems management.
Mo-ments with Mo
Jozi-
Available on the M-net network is a new 64-parts talk-show set to cover a range of subjects from celebrity lifestyle to family and marriage, from parenthood and romance to fashion, beauty and fitness, called" Mo-ments with MO" . The host of the show has realised that the ultimate task facing us as a economic market is to build world class personas and brands, to showcase our own achievements in a global setting and economy.Telling the... stories ... in a manner that will inspire and educate rather than the usual doom and gloom constantly portrayed by the foreign competing economies.
The show is made possible notably by the sponsorship of companies such as Skye bank, Virgin Nigeria,Protea Hotels,VLA,Avis Nigeria,Next on,Bras motors and MTN.
Arcelor Mittal in Nigeria
Calabar-
ArcelorMittal[Nyse:MT; Euronext:MT ] a steel company with presence in over 60 countries and output equivalent to about 10 % of the world steel production is set build Nigeria largest mill factory. This follows a 1 billion dollar investment deal in Liberia.The company plans to invest as much as 6 billion in the Nigerian economy.[AllAfrica]
Popote fixed Wireless
Nairobi-
Popote fixed wireless , a company in Nairobi, gives a connection that is far more superior than ordinary landlines. Being wireless, the connection remains unaffected by cable cuts and rains.
Some of the benefits to the customers are:
- More savings on calls to Popote Wireless and reduced call cost to networks.
- Low cost of acquisition
- Connection to a clear reliable network
- Access to internet
- Free minutes every month
- Free itemized post-paid bills and pre-paid statements every month.
- Prepaid to postpaid migration and vice versa
- Dedicated Customer Care personnel
- Issuing of special numbers including memorable alpha-numeric (e.g. 477 JOHN) numbers.
- Discounts – Friends and Family
- Bonuses for usage
Lupe fiasco is a cool negroe
Chicago-
01 Baba Says Cool for Thought
02 Free Chilly [ft. Sarah Green and Gemstones]
03 Go Go Gadget Flow
04 The Coolest
05 Superstar [ft. Matthew Santos]
06 Paris, Tokyo
07 Hi-Definition [ft. Snoop Dogg and Pooh Bear]
08 Gold Watch
09 Hip-Hop Saved My Life [ft. Nikki Jean]
10 Intruder Alert [ft. Sarah Green]
11 Streets on Fire
12 Little Weapon [ft. Bishop G and Nikki Jean]
13 Gotta Eat
14 Dumb It Down [ft. Gemstones and Graham Burris]
15 Hello/Goodbye (Uncool) [ft. UNKLE]
16 The Die [ft. Gemstones]
17 Put You on Game
18 Fighters [ft. Matthew Santos]
19 Go Baby [ft. Gemstones
GTV networks enters Sierra-Leonean market
Freetown-
GTV is "ready to bring the best international and African programmes to customers at a price they can afford. Sierra Leone is one of the most exciting markets as there is so much potential for growth and development" says one of GTV representative.
The company business model gears them to attend to the leisure needs of the average consumer and not just the elite like some TV networks used to in the past.
On of GTV goals is is to bring high quality, affordable entertainment to every home in Africa,thus their drive to cover the entire continent markets by the end of 2008 by launching simultaneously in the following countries:Botswana,Zambia,Sierra Leone,Somalia,Gambia,Ghana,Angola,Burundi,Cameroon,Malawi,Liberia,Mozambique,Namibia,Rwanda,in addition to Tanzania,Uganda and Kenya.[African news]
South African Winerie
Heritage Link Brands a membership based online wine store carefully pre-selects the wines it offers its customers using the following characteristics:
- Time of year
- Producer driven news deemed worthy to share with our members
Wines come from a wide range of varietals, including honey wine from Eastern Africa, palm wine from Western Africa, and grape varietals from Northern, Central, and Southern Africa.
All wine club shipments are sent on a quarterly schedule, with wines leaving the Heritage Link Brands warehouse on approximately the 20Th of the following month,March,June,September, and December
Retailers and restaurants in the United States carrying their wine.
Interested in partnering with Heritage link ?
décembre 02, 2007
The book will discuss how "... the big state-owned companies that are piling into Africa as well as the small and medium-sized ones ... how much of the investment and trade is directed from the government in Beijing, as one would expect. But individual Chinese provinces have also been forging their own ties and doing their own deals with African countries or regions. Fujian and Zhejiang have been encouraging emigration to Africa as a source of remittances and of new jobs. [ The Economist]
Make sure to read up on the economies of Fujian and Zhejiang.
For people who can not find work,Africa is a realistic opportunity
"There's not the sense that the streets are paved with gold but, for people who cannot find work, Africa is a realistic opportunity."
An estimated 750.000 Chinese migrants have been settling all over the different economic markets,in rural and urban areas,and are involved in agriculture,construction and trade. Kenya, Uganda, Ghana ,Ethiopia,Cote d'Ivoire,Angola ,Mozambique and Senegal among other nations are seeing the benefit of this influx of workers,entrepreneurs and traders.[ BBC Africa]
Agriculture economy in Malawi
Lilongwe-
The successful use of subsidies is contributing to a broader reappraisal of the pivotal importance of public investments in the basics of a farm economy: fertilizer, improved seed, farmer education, credit and agricultural research.
Deep fertilizer subsidies and lesser ones for seed, abetted by good rains, helped farmers produce record-breaking corn harvests in 2006 and 2007. Corn production leapt to 2.7 billion metric tons in 2006 and 3.4 billion in 2007 from 1.2 billion in 2005, the government reported.
The harvest was beneficial to both consumers and producers by lowering food prices thus allowing access to more food for the former and increasing revenues the farmers earned. [ IHT]
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