Africa
is not a country. It is a continent bursting with jewels and ingenuity.
Boasting several countries with the fastest growing global economies, the Sub-Saharan
African region is a vast business ecosystem, with gems hidden under rough
terrains. For the creative entrepreneurs I had the pleasure of interviewing, the secret lies
in the digging. Here are their stories.
Jason Njoku, Nigeria.
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| Jason Njoku |
As the founder of iROKO Partners, and iROKOTv, the leading online streaming platform in
Africa, Jason Njoku’s principle is simple. "I am trying to make people
happy," he says. Njoku admits that starting on YouTube in
2010 and building a successful global media empire has brought its
challenges. “I make more mistakes than I make good choices. My only saving
grace is that the choices that I make are better and more significant.” Now a
venture capitalist, his current obsession is funding local entrepreneurs.
“I want to help young entrepreneurs build the next iROKOTV.
Gina Din-Kariuki, Kenya.
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| Gina Din Kariuki |
In 19 years, Gina
Din-Kariuki has morphed from being a public relations guru, to an award-winning management
consultant and social entrepreneur, as well as honorary UNFPA ambassador and
Red Cross goodwill ambassador. As the founder and executive chair of the Gina Din Group, she has served as a strategic advisor
to Safaricom, steering the expansion of Kenyan telecommunications. Currently
she is assisting Kenya’s central bank with its rebranding. At her pinnacle
of achievement, what's next? “Where I am, it is much more about impact and
significance,” she says. “I spend a lot of time, building young women
entrepreneurs across the continent. I want to be the woman that I didn’t have
when I was starting my business,” says Din-Kariuki.
Adaora Mbelu-Dania,
Nigeria.
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| Adaora Mbelu Dania |
The founder of A2 Creative, a thriving brand management company, Adaora Mbelu-Dania’s track record includes being
behind Guinness’ recent new product launch in its second largest market,
Nigeria. “I am inspired by people,” she says. But inspiration is different than
personal foundation, which she describes succinctly: “My recipe for success is
God, love, discipline, patience, and forgiveness, in this particular order.”
Mbelu-Dania's business evolution is seen in her mindset
change. “My greatest mistake was thinking that I had to streamline and choose one thing,”
she says.
Alan Knott-Craig Jr.,
South Africa.
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| Alan Knott Craig Jr A trained accountant, Alan Knott-Craig has been changing the telecommunications industry in South Africa since 2003. His latest innovation is setting up the largest free public WiFi network in South Africa, Project Isizwe, which he has built one community at a time. What drives him? “Fear of failure,” Knott-Craig responds. He attributes his million-dollar success to “focus, keeping my promises and marrying young. When there is no plan B, you have no other options. |
Jean Bosco Nzeyimana,
Rwanda.
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| Jean Bosco Nzeyimana |
How do you describe being seated on a Global Entrepreneurship panel between
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerburg and President Obama? “Exciting and
frightening!” says Jean Nzeyimana. As founder and CEO of Habona, a clean and
renewable energy company, this young entrepreneur has already achieved a
milestone that many can only dream about. For him, it is bigger than a
business. By transforming waste in his community to briquettes, a greener
alternative to wood charcoal, Nzeyimana provides jobs and a cleaner
environment.
comment the names of few entrepreneurs that you know both world and local....
5 best entrepreneurs you will like to know in africa
Reviewed by Mr. Poster
on
8:55:00 am
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Reviewed by Mr. Poster
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8:55:00 am
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