News, Commentary & Social Media from African Perspective

Revitalizing Africa Through Investment Capital

4 comments

Posted by: CareTaker on December 6, 2007 Under: Africa, Discussion Lounge, Editor's Pick

  • Print This Post Print This Post
  • Muti This Muti This





Investment appears to be the way out for Africa, and “there’s no blueprint for this kind of investing: The best opportunities must be dreamed up and then created from scratch”, if the story written by Roben Fazard of Business Week (Can Greed Save Africa) is generalizable to the continent.

The writer showcases Inhassune, a Mozambique village revitalized through the investment of two British agro-investors cultivating Jatropha – (see Africa: Is Jatropha the New Crude Oil?) a hardy plant with seeds that produce oil usable as biofuel. Although the venture was strictly to make money for the investors, “ESV, the investing company has become the “province’s biggest private employer, with a staff of 620. Locals who hadn’t earned money in years are making from $60 a month to as much as $2,000 for managers.”

Inhassune’s revival is already under way. Mosquito control, power lines, and potable water have quickly arisen from a barren stretch of bush. “I’d be the last person in the history books to go down as a philanthropist,” says Renier van Rooyen, ESV’s South African on-site manager. “But you cannot run a business when your workers are out with malaria or sick from dirty water.”

Business Week: Narrated Slide Show: Mozambique: At the Nexus of Venture Capital and Agriculture

Read the full text: Can Greed Save Africa



4 comment(s)

  1. Frederic | Dec 8, 2007 | Reply

    ” business opportunities are virtually fluttering around in the breeza, waiting to be plucked like ripe and low-hanging fruits”
    says one person of African economic markets.

    Africa is already being saved through huge capital investment by Chinese, german, American, French, Indian, South African , American companies that know an opportunity when they see it.
    Entrepreneurs and small business owners should wake up and smell the coffee. Too many of them are still observing Africa in light of the chaos and trauma that forced them to be bitter and afraid of african oppotunities.
    Our observation about what is significant in Africa must be filtered through new mental lenses and biases., because right now many Africans themselves are unable to see Africa for what it is : the place to be and live in this century.
    We must change what we look at in Africa and how we look at Africa.

    Glad this company put down shop in that region, and provided jobs, health and knowledge to its inhabitants.

  2. omodudu | Dec 8, 2007 | Reply

    I think the BW article may be a year late though. The discussion has moved past investment or no investment and now its more about, who gets what out of the investment. Keepiung in mind that the only thing worse than exploitation is no exploitation at all. Africans need to start warming up to being selective about investment. Inasmuch as this may be premature, if things keep heading the way they are right now. The outcome may be mixed. This state may be better than where we are right now, but a little caution and being sober will be in order.
    Aside, I think socialy driven micro-finance is the new AID what do you guys think?

  3. Omotaylor | Dec 9, 2007 | Reply

    Omodudu the “Radium” speaks again (for now you see him, now you dont). Hope you find more time for Omotaylor loves to hear from you on the Loft.

    @Frederic, thanks for your comment for I believe that Africa, in spite of the negatives, is “the place to be and live in this century”. The more we agree to return home and contribute to the development of our countries, the better it will be for us and posterity. We all have fears and uncertainties, and many are afraid of “suffering~”, but in the long run, living in Africa will proove rewarding, fulfilling and satisfying. Omotaylor may take a giant stride towards relocating back to Nigeria.

  4. CareTaker | Dec 11, 2007 | Reply

    OmoDudu: “I think socially driven micro-finance is the new AID” I will give you more of my thoughts on this before the year runs out Dudu. You are right, this is what will really liberate Africa.

    Magazines cater to a broad range of audience, you will be shocked what isn’t “known” about Africa in the world we live in. Besides, the two instances listed in the BW article are just so uplifting for my soul regardless of their timeliness.

Post a comment