One strong impression I’ve gained during my trips to sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is that the people are full of entrepreneurial energy. Even taxi drivers are constantly thinking about what kind of business to start. Colleagues who visit the continent regularly share this impression. Just watch Christian Staedler from Warwick University in a recent talk on […]
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Africapitalism: Capitalism with African Values
Africapitalism is not a play on words: it’s an economic philosophy developed by Tony Elumelu, a Nigerian visionary entrepreneur and philanthropist. His philosophy represents the private sector’s commitment to the economic transformation of Africa through long-term investment that generates both economic prosperity and social value. The Tony Elumelu Foundation promotes this philosophy through the Africapitalism Institute, one […]
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Drivers of African Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship in Africa is in the spotlight these days. Obama’s participation at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) in Nairobi last weekend brought it to the forefront. I could feel the buzz when I travelled to Nairobi last month. The city was getting ready for the Presidential visit. The GES provides an opportunity for emerging entrepreneurs […]
Clean Robot Cops of Kinshasa
You may have heard about the humanoid traffic control robots in Kinshasa recently. When the news came out, I thought it was interesting. The robot, affectionately known as robocop, can regulate the flow of vehicles and of pedestrians, combining the functions of traffic officer and traffic lights at the same time. I’ve not been to […]
Access to Electricity in Africa
While in Lagos, I experienced what it means not to have a regular power supply. So I was happy to hear about “repurpose schoolbags“, schoolbags with a solar panel that charges while kids are in school. In the evening, they can be used as a study lamp. This indigenous innovation was created by two South African women. […]
