NEWS & INSIGHTS
Success in the Consumer Market of Kinshasa, DR Congo
With a population exceeding 12 million people (based on recent census data), Kinshasa, the capitol of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is among the top three cities in Africa. At first glance, Kinshasa might seem intimidating to a perspective investor because they generally conduct business in an informal way there and have a relatively high poverty rate. But with a little market research, innovation, and follow through doing business in Kinshasa can prove to be very lucrative.
The people in the markets of Kinshasa generally conduct business with cash, avoiding banks. “A single note can touch maybe one million hands before it reaches a bank,” says Claude Ibalanky, Chief Executive Officer for Bantu Investments. “To do business in such a market, you first need to understand this dynamic. Without (understanding) this dynamic, business would not succeed in Congo (consumer markets).” As in other major African cities, you need to modify the way that you do business there and adapt to the local environment.
To read the entire article, go to: http://www.afribiz.net/content/success-in-the-consumer-market-of-kinshasa-dr-congo.
Building a Sustainable Social Enterprise in Africa
Kibera is the largest informal settlement in sub-Saharan Africa with an area two-thirds the size of New York’s Central Park and a population of over 1 million people. Needless to say it’s a tight fit. Chelina Odbert, a founding member of Kounkey Design Initiative (KDI), is designing and implementing the concept of productive spaces in Kibera and other overpopulated areas.
One of the main goals of KDI is to build sustainable housing without displacing the local population. Chelina and KDI have been in Kibera, working with locals on the Kibera Public Spaces Project, to solve their housing issues and develop businesses. “What we found was the only spaces that were unoccupied,” says Odbert, “were spaces that were considered unbuildable by the community. These spaces generally occurred along a river that cuts through the entire settlement and were deemed unbuildable because they flooded during twin rainy seasons in Nairobi.”
To read the entire article, go to: http://www.afribiz.net/content/building-a-sustainable-social-enterprise-in-africa.
African Stock Markets Mid-Year Review 2011
There are 54 independent countries in Africa and over 20 different stock markets. As of the end of June 2011, the overall combined growth rate for all African stock markets were down about 25%. While it is always nice to see growth in stocks, the 25% drop is no reason for panic in these markets where countries are still stabilizing and new economic policies are still being implemented.
Eric Musau, a research analyst with African Alliance Kenya Investment Bank in Nairobi, highlights some of the top performers, mostly from the southern African markets, “If you look at Mauritius, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Namibia, those tended to do quite well. If you’re looking at the top gainers, Ghana in West Africa was one that did well, that was up about 5.7%.”
To read the entire article, go to http://www.afribiz.net/content/african-stock-markets-mid-year-review-2011.
UPCOMING EVENTS
MINEvolution Conference 2011: September 19-21, Johannesburg, South Africa
http://www.afribiz.info/content/minevolution-september-19-21-2011-johannesburg-south-africa
Strategic Sourcing and Procurement Workshop: September 19-20, Johannesburg, South Africa
http://www.afribiz.info/content/strategic-sourcing-and-procurement-workshop-september-19-20-johannesburg-south-africa
15th MEDEXPO Africa – Tanzania: September24-26, Dar es Salaam
http://www.afribiz.info/content/15th-medexpo-africa-tanzania-september-24-26-2011-dar-es-salaam
Africa Energy Week 2011: September 20-23, Accra, Ghana
http://www.afribiz.info/content/africa-energy-week-2011-september-20-23-accra-ghana
4th West & Central Africa Mining Summit 2011: September 26-27, Accra, Ghana
http://www.afribiz.info/content/4th-west-central-africa-mining-summit-2011-september-26-27-accra-ghana
2nd Annual Pan African Global Trade Conference 2011: October 13-15, Los Angeles, USA
http://www.afribiz.info/content/2nd-annual-pan-african-global-trade-conference-2011-october-13-15-los-angeles-usa
Agribusiness Forum 2011: October 16-19, Johannesburg, South Africa
http://www.afribiz.info/content/agribusiness-forum-2011-october-16-19-johannesburg-south-africa
Supply Chain & Logistics Africa 2011: October 17-20, Johannesburg, South Africa
http://www.afribiz.info/content/supply-chain-logistics-africa-2011-october-17-20-johannesburg-south-africa
Viridis Africa 2011: October 17-18, Johannesburg, South Africa
http://www.afribiz.info/content/viridis-africa-2011-october-17-18-johannesburg-south-africa
Practical Nigeria Content Forum: October 25-27, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
http://www.afribiz.info/content/practical-nigerian-content-forum-october-25-27-2011-port-harcourt-nigeria
SPECIAL OFFERS & ANNOUNCMENTS
List Your Business or Project on Afribiz for FREE!
Afribiz is opening its business and project directory to those who would like a place to share information on a business or project. Right now, you can list a business or project for free for 2 years. (There is normally a $100 fee). Go to http://www.afribiz.info/business-directory/add-business.
Note: You must register on the Afribiz site, which is also free. Listing must include a website address for the specific business or project and a business email address not general email addresses like gmail.com or yahoo.com.
Africa the Good News Book Now Available through Amazon in the United States!
Africa the Good News Book that started it all for our sister publication, Africagoodnews.com, is available at Amazon – both the hard cover and Kindle version. It will be available through Google ebooks, Apple store, and Android marketplace as an ebook in October. Check out http://www.afribiz.info/content/africa-the-good-news-book.
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