Editorial
Doing Business with Africa
Fortunately, many African countries have solved a major flaw in their outreach strategies. Countries like Nigeria have hired not just their best and brightest to speak to the American investor: Both the finance and investment ministers have lived and served in the United States.
They are steeped in nuance and seem to have the ‘right’ response to questions. They know that the American investor is not necessarily concerned with making a profit, but on the risk mitigation issues. At a recent presentation, instead of suggesting that incentives will be given to investors or that Africans are not cheats, ministers spoke of political risk insurance. A large number of potential investors nodded in approval. On the other side of the coin, another country in dire need of investors sent a powerful delegation to coax investors. They received a huge audience. After the country’s powerful investment minister gave his headlining speech, the audience politely clapped and then murmured disapprovingly as they shuffled out. The man had made what was, apparently, an energetic, enthusiastic and eloquent 28 minute speech – complete with wild arm gestures and facial animation. From his countrymen’s faces, he had done an outstanding job with his sales pitch. But alas, his accent had completely lost the audience at ‘Hello.’
The Habari Network Editorial Board . September 21, 2013
The Editorial returns to regular schedule on Monday September 30, 2013 after a two-week hiatus.
