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SMEs - opportunities in Africa
| Guest post by: Dr. Rob Smorfitt |
Article Overview: An overview of opportunities in Africa for SMEs
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Free Download - SMEs – SMEs struggling in South Africa. Why? By Dr. Rob Smorfitt |
SMEs - opportunities in Africa
Africa has certain products, other than base minerals, which it is able to export. However, there is always a focus on exporting to the USA and the EU.
While I have no problem with this, the question is why not export to Africa?
Is it a case of no one wants to export to countries with poor foreign exchange value? Is it better to receive, USD Euros of GBP than say Pula or Zimbabwe dollars. I have no opinion on this matter as it is outside my area of expertise, but one wonders. Are the African markets not sophisticaed enough for South African exporters leading to little demand?
But then what about importing from Africa into South Africa? IS the South African market any more sophisticated than the EU for example?
I believe that perhaps South Africa is delaying the efforts at creating a real economic union in the lower part of Africa. Why? Why not proceed? Surely we can all benefit from this and see the benefits for SMEs who may not cope with the size of the bigger developed country markets, but who would perhaps cope with the sub-saharan markets.
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Article Tags: Africa, entrepreneur, entrepreneurship, international markets, SME, SMME, Smorfitt
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About the Author: Dr. Rob Smorfitt RSS for Dr. Rob's articles - Visit Dr. Rob's website 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.
Click here to visit Dr. Rob's website  
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Related Forum Posts
Re: In-House or Outsource?
- Unfortunately, in the South African context, very few SMEs see outsourcing as an option. They believe it is too expensive, and they are paranoid that someone will "steal their ideas".
I believe that the three main functions that cannot be outsourced are marketing, sales and strategy. These must be done in house I believe. If you do not have the marketing skills then get them. Hire a consultant or attend a course, but get the skills. Even if you use a consultant, you need to understand what marketing is about, as no one knows your market like you do. Marketing is made to seem difficult and complex, but everyone who really understands their markets, can easily learn to do their own marketing.
In South Africa, labour legislation is extremely inflexibile, and consequently labour broking is a large industry. This is an ideal starting point for SMEs in South Africa, as it is a legally complex area, whih comes with severe penalties.
I say do it!
Rob Smorfitt
Re: need advice
- Africa is a pretty big place I think it is a question of where in Africa you would like to open a call centre. South Africa for example actually has plenty of call centres already operating, so it would very much depend on what part of Africa you are considering.
MichelleJ
Re: Paypal now Available to South Africans
- [quote="Alan Mater":3vc9q8kg][quote="MichelleJ":3vc9q8kg]Hi Alan
Yes it has been very difficult. Until now we were able to make payments to people or companies but were unable to receive any payments, which effectively shut us off from many affiliate opportunities on the internet.
MichelleJ[/quote:3vc9q8kg]
That's too bad. At least now you'll be able to enjoy the new opportunities this will bring.[/quote:3vc9q8kg]
I have been thinking of relocating to UK until paypal gave us the green light. Now I am enjoying the services here in South Africa
Re: Newbie from Africa
- Hello Biiyke
Welcome to the forum. Which part of Africa are you from it is quite a big continent? I live in South Africa.
MichelleJ
Adventure travel to Africa.
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