Institute For The Future

Africa, The Final Business Frontier

The BBC World News, as of August 22nd, is hosting the weekly Africa Business Report. The show plans to look at the businesses and products coming out of Africa, the challenges and opportunities for companies trading there, as well as the business people themselves. 

According to Dambisa Moyo, author of Dead Aid, FDI is an important piece of the development puzzle. The world has a—at times startling—growing interest in Africa. From AIDS to hunger to microloans to women's rights. And now business. Business in Africa is nothing new, but there has been a resurgence of interest as of late. We all know about China's and India's endless search for new business in Africa, perhaps Africa Business Report can open up the door of opportunity for other players. Business in Africa is not straightforward, much of it seems to be detrimental in the long run. I cannot help thinking about the much talked about farm land grabs which is a most divisive and harmful form of business. On the other hand, providing more information on business in Africa can lead an American investor to the potentially very large market for the Smart Charger, a Kenyan made scrape metal phone charger that uses energy from a moving bicycle to charge the phone.

Africa Business Report is presented by a native Ghanaian, Komia Dumor who also presents the BBC's The World Today. Having the face of an international African business show be an African man is hugely important. The voice of of the Global South is no doubt becoming stronger.