SMEs - a big opportunity in Africa

Guest post by: Dr. Rob Smorfitt
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SMEs and entrepreneurs in Africa - By Dr. Rob Smorfitt

There is a factor which is to be seen wherever I have travelled in Africa. The lack of infrastructural maintenance.

Nothing is maintained. Roads, buildings, trains, road signs, grass verges. You name it, it is never cleaned nor maintained. Firstly maintenance can dramatically extend the life span of infrastructure. Secondly it is a great business/job creator.

These jobs also tend to be very manual, and therefore do not pose a threat to job creation and retention. But it never happens. An example is a IBR roof. Assuming the weather conditions prevailing will cause a roof to rust through completely in 10 years. Currently it will cost upwards of US$ 10 per square metre to put a new roof on, whereas a coating of paint will extend the life by a further 5 years if applied properly at a cost of US$4 per square metre. Thereafter, there is nothing to stop this process being repeated for 20 to 30 years. This clearly shows the benefit of maintenance over replacement.

Come on Africa. You desperately need SMEs that are sustainable. Here is a simple yet large opportunity to make a difference and also save your government money, while making your country more attractive to tourists and looking less like a destitute country.

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SMEs and entrepreneurs in Africa - By Dr. Rob Smorfitt

About the Author: Dr. Rob Smorfitt

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Have an MBA and a PhD in entrepreneurship. Three key areas of ongoing research are entrepreneurship and innovation in large business strategy, the impact of legislation on SME development and SME finance. Run my own SME blog at http://sme-smb-smme.blogspot.com as well as an entrepreneurship and innovation for large businesses blog at http://innoveur.blogspot.com. I have been self-employed since 1982. I have started or purchased in excess of 50 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 full time in my bigger businesses. Author of 6 books. Written articles for various magazines, newspapers and websites. Experienced in research within developing countries.
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