I believe it is a growing opportunity for SME's. The USA created the AGOA Act which should have created many opportunities for SME's in the USA and in Africa. I know that it also created opportunities for many Chinese SME's/entrepreneurs, who have set up shop in Africa, in some cases purely to take advantage of the AGOA Act.
I have seen many Chinese all over Southern Africa. Some are in retail while others are in manufacturing.
So what are the likely inhibitors for USA and EU SME's entering the local markets. Corruption is the first thing. Over the past 2 years as I have entered new markets within Africa, I have found that corruption is rife. Every deal requires an additional 2 or 3 people to be cut in, in order for the deal to happen. No cut, no deal. Quite simple. The more cheeky operators even want their cut in advance.
Customer service is also low on the local agenda. Everyone believes they are doing you a favour to simply do their job. A smile is not a prerequisite to customer service in Africa. I recently attempted to make a booking at a hotel in another African country, on what happend to be a public holiday in their country. They answered the call, and when I tried to make a booking I was told to call back the next day as they were not taking bookings as it was a public holiday.
This is closely linked to a poor work ethic. There is no sense of urgency, and a week or two to acquire simple information is not unheard of. There is a distinct lack of hunger for success in Africa. I have also experienced this with local manufacturers. I have had UK organisations contact me for products. I have found manfacturers who are "keen" to export, but they seldom even get to the quoting stage.
Africa must seize the opportunities on the horison, and address these issues as a matter of urgency.
Rob Smorfitt
To learn more about this author, visit Rob Smorfitt's Website.
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Rob Smorfitt
(Visit Rob's Website)
Based in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
Married with 3 children (22, 21 and 14).
Have an MBA and am currently doing a PhD
in entrepreneurial success. I have been
self employed since 1982. I have started
26 and bought 5 businesses since then.
Most were sold again and a few were shut
down because of a lack of profitability.
Many were run by staff or family while I
worked in full time employment in my
bigger businesses. 6 books written in SME
and Project Management educational field.
Written articles for various magazines,
newspapers and websites.
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