Sell First, Produce Later
Tanzanian agribusiness founder Hadija Jabiri launched GBRI by securing corporate orders before planting any crops. She pitched to major retailers such as Kenya’s Nakumatt and South Africa’s Food Lover’s Market, promising required licenses and tax documents within three months. Nakumatt became her first client, allowing her to begin production of tomatoes, leafy greens, peppers and onions. The market‑first strategy ensured demand and reduced financial risk.
Best of April: Seven Stories You May Have Missed
The April "Best of" roundup spotlights seven diverse African business stories, from a Tanzanian waste‑to‑feed startup poised to hit $1 million in sales to a West African private‑equity firm’s investment playbook. It also highlights the extended deadline for Africa’s Business Heroes,...
From Beverage Cans to Gyms: Verod’s Investment Playbook for West Africa
Danladi Verheijen co‑founded Verod Capital Management in 2008 to fill the private‑equity gap in West Africa. A early recycling‑cans deal gave the firm regional credibility, paving the way for larger bets such as Moniepoint, now an African unicorn. Verod’s playbook...
Africa’s Entrepreneurs Are Building the Future and Time Is Running Out to Join Them
Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) is evolving into a continent‑wide platform that moves entrepreneurs from idea validation to large‑scale impact. The 2026 edition expanded its Top 100 pool, culminating in a $1.5 million prize pool where winners received $300,000, $250,000 and $150,000 to...
‘All Businesses Are Hard,’ Says Tanzanian Entrepreneur
Diana Orembe, co‑founder and CEO of Tanzania’s NovFeed, says every business faces difficulty, from market stalls to conglomerates. Her company recently expanded capacity to produce 20 tonnes of fish feed per day, but now wrestles with finding enough customers for...
The Challenge of Building an African Consumer Brand Abroad
ReelFruit, the Nigerian dried‑fruit snack maker founded by Affiong Williams, has landed distribution agreements in Europe and a major retail partner in the United States, expanding both branded and bulk exports. The move helps the company earn dollars as the...
How to Build a $1bn African Investment Firm
In a candid interview, Richard Okello, co‑founder of Johannesburg‑based Sango Capital, explains how his firm grew to manage just under $1 billion in assets since its 2011 launch. He frames African investing as a high‑speed boat ride through choppy waters, emphasizing...
The Tanzanian Businesswoman Seeing Millions in Fish Feed
Tanzanian entrepreneur Diana Orembe’s NovFeed expects to surpass $1 million in sales after doubling 2024 revenue, driven by a new factory that can produce over 20 tonnes of fish feed daily. The company, which converts market food waste into affordable feed and...
‘New Week, We Try Again’: The Mantra Driving a South African Township Delivery Service
Delivery Ka Speed, a logistics firm serving South African townships, has made “New Week, We Try Again” a weekly mantra, placing the note in parcels each Monday. Founder Godiragetse Mogajane says the phrase reflects the resilience of township residents who...
Singaporean Builds Rum Brand in Africa
Rohan Shah, a Harvard‑trained development economist turned bartender, founded Umwero Terroir Spirits in Rwanda after the pandemic forced him back to Singapore. Leveraging his experience at a Southeast Asian bar, he registered the company in June 2022 to create a...