While many write off Africa as the continent of despair, other enterprising individuals and organisations have recognised the huge, untapped potential of Africa and are actively pursuing business ventures across the continent.
Africa's opportunities, which range in risk from investing in emerging market funds or one of the listed multinationals active in Africa to trading with African partners, include:
- oil and gas (Angola and Libya);
- mining (West and Central Africa);
- privatisations (South Africa and Nigeria);
- international trade (oil producers and SADC);
- infrastructure (pipelines, roads, telecommunications);
- stock exchanges that are mushrooming in many countries
- using educated English and French speaking African nationals
- and leisure (big game + beaches + golf + climate + satellite + Internet + cell + low cost structure = huge telecommuting opportunity).
However, perhaps Africa's greatest opportunity lies in its biodiversity, which ranges from Sahara desert to tropical jungle, from snow-capped volcanic Mount Kilamanjaro to the beaches of East and West Africa. Then there is the excitement of stalking big game in the African bush to the thrill of whitewater rafting through the gorges below Victoria Falls or the awe of seeing the Egyptian pyramids at sunrise. While MBendi has a vision of Africa one day becoming the telecommuting centre of the world, in the short to medium term, ecotourism provides the opportunity to develop leisure complexes which can take advantage of game parks, golf courses, beaches and beautiful scenery.
This MBendi web site has been created to assist businesspeople around the world to identify, research and act on these opportunities. Because it is widely used by investors, traders, financial institutions and agencies, project managers and researchers, the website also provides an excellent medium for companies wishing to bring their products and services to the attention of this Africa-oriented business audience.
