African economics and politics are rarely an inspiring affair. But just after publishing yet another great guest post here on Africa Business Jumpstart yesterday, I followed the panel discussions of the World Economic Forum on Africa live from Abuja for the rest of the day….And I feel hugely optimistic by everything African leaders from a wide range of backgrounds had to say. So I decided spontaneously to write about it and share some of it with you.
(By the way, you can still join the live sessions today (May 9, 2014) via this live stream link here, and I am sure they will make some of the videos available thereafter).
I have explained in my recent post This Tip Will Increase The Success Potential For Your African Business why knowing the development and economic agendas of the countries in which you want to operate is of great benefit to your business. Strategically targeting a couple of the key points in Africa’s development agendas and then marketing your business in that context can accelerate your success rate. Please read the post, so you understand exactly how it works.
Listening to the latest of African and business leaders (I still follow through my headphones while I write) just confirms what I had stressed here before: entrepreneurship and doing business in Africa are the key drivers of economic growth and the best avenue in my view to tackle Africa’s chronic problems. I think the new wave of African entrepreneurship is a powerful African solution to our problems. Entrepreneurship comes natural to most African societies and cultures: you can visit pastoralists (nomads) in very remote areas on the continent and you will be surprised how much business and trade understanding they have in their area of expertise – cross-border by the way. It’s nothing we have to invent, we just need to create an enabling environment and drive the entrepreneurship-train ourselves. So many have done it, many more are doing it, I can do it, you can do it…no matter how small we may need to start.
Although I am a great optimist by nature, I am often hugely disappointed by Africa’s leadership, I am sure we share similar sentiments in this regard. But I have to clearly say, I am absolutely positively surprised and inspired by the united voice and clear messages of African state and business leaders coming out of the World Economic Forum on Africa in Abuja. You can witness the truly sincere vision, determination, and optimism they voice despite the many big challenges.
We heard the Head of the African Development Bank, Dr. Kaberuka, who is originally from Rwanda, suggesting that Africa will only succeed to set itself free from poverty, terrorism, and conflict if its riches are shared among all Africans. And he gave an example of the oil, ….seriously suggesting that African states should adopt a system that is apparently used in Alaska where each citizen, yes each citizen, receives a small share that is transferred to them (everything is possible with mobile banking in Africa) each time oil gets exported!
But more good news: Several African leaders were mentioning the importance of setting up social safety nets for the poorest, and some countries have started that. In Cote D’ Ivoire the government is driving a basic health insurance for the poor as we hear.
Such development make 
me really happy, they may be small steps, but they all point into the right direction. I hope you feel equally hopeful.
But back to our your African business ambitions:
Besides social inclusion, infrastructure projects, the role of African women, and conflict prevention, there were two key words that Africa’s leadership currently cannot do without when talking about the economic development of Africa, this is why they were repeatedly mentioned again yesterday. I really believe that you should know them if you want to strategically increase your business success rate in Africa! This is why I am telling you here:
They are:
1) Job Creation
2) Value Addition
I have mentioned the last one, value addition, a few days ago but will explain it here again to those who are not familiar with the term. It basically means that you add value to a raw product or raw agricultural produce by processing it in a way that enhances the product before you sell it. The enhancement, or added value, allows you to sell it for more.
So this means for example to roast the coffee in Africa, instead of selling green beans. I could mean to cut a diamond in Africa instead of selling it in its raw form. These are just the basics, but there is a whole value chain to almost all products.
Now, one of the panelists made the point that value addition (largely driven by the private sector! – yes, you) does not just allow Africa to keep more of the benefits, value, and revenue to stay in Africa, but it also creates jobs. 
TIP: So here is a strategic business concept for you! You could set up a business that adds value to a certain raw product in Africa. The choices are endless. I suggest the agricultural sector to you, as it is one of the key sectors and fast growing. It will be very easy to add value to certain products that are now only locally available or exported in raw form. That can be your niche.
Creating job is the biggest concern. According to panelists 40% of Africa’s population are under the age of 15…..or to compare: The average age in Africa is 20, in Asia it is 29 and in Europe 40 (where we have a decline in the birth rate and more people living into old age)
This is the biggest challenge of Africa and how we meet it will impact on Africa’s future, economic growth, poverty reduction, food security, potential for conflict and crime. This is exactly what our slogan here at Africa Business Jumpstart is all about !
Be part of Africa’s renaissance.
Build a grand lifestyle for yourself.
And make a positive impact on the lives of others. Today.
Because it is you, as an African entrepreneur, who will help to meet Africa’s biggest challenges…..and if you add great value to Africa’s raw products (in a creative or massive way) with your business, if you meet local needs, and you create jobs….in short, if your vision for your business involves not just around you and your family, but African communities and the whole of the continent in one way or the other, then you have given a huge contribution and service to Africa while finally tapping into your own full potential. Creatively, socially, financially… What could be more inspiring and fulfilling than this? And today, I want to leave you with a video clip of a special panel session of the World Economic Forum, the most inspiring, I watched. It’s called ‘Young and Restless’. Please take the time to watch it and listen, you will feel motivated, inspired, hopeful and grateful that we have such wonderful young African leaders and entrepreneurs leading by example and spreading important messages to us.
And still. Let’s be defined what dosage in this case approaches most of all. There can be it cialis 20mg or something another. To me I think it isn’t necessary to choose for you necessary. Think. Perhaps suits you cialis 20 mg It is much better.
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Dr. Bokrezion presents a succinct, timely, and direct challenge to those entrepreneurs who really want to succeed and thrive in Africa. It is only the beginning. Growth is there if the focus is on job creation through value added services/production. This is not rocket science or complex economic theory, but simple and effective business development for both long term growth and capacity building within the private sector and for families in the communities. The need is there, the demand for services and products for import an export is without a question in the making and leaders are on board with the concept and we will see if they follow through. I am optimistic because I am following this strategy in at least one country in East Africa and two countries in Europe with African Diaspora entrepreneurs still connected to Africa with their business goals… The time is now to start building and connecting to these resources. The renaissance has started, join AfricaJumpstart in spreading the great news!