Africa is going to be where the world happens in the next 50 years.
From Rwanda to Mozambique to Ethiopia to Ghana to Senegal, Africa is becoming safer, less risky, and more attractive.
Economies can only grow at 10% for so long before they start doubling, and competing with the big boys.
Chinese investment is often a mixed bag and say what you wil, but the crazy growth in infrastructure (highways, rail, dams, refineries, ports) is incredible, and makes doing business so much easier. Sometimes, making a slight loss on a highway can mean a net gain elsewhere.
I am setting up a business venture in Kenya now with my local partner and friend. I have several more opportunities in Kenya and Malawi.
People want to get stuff done here. There is an entrepreneurial thirst that is just missing in the West. People are hungry to learn, thirsty to create. It's a feeling that anything can happen.
My friends back home think I am a bit crazy... "Oh, why would you want to take the risk of doing business in Africa? Aren't those really shitty countries where only NGOs work?"
That's completely their ignorant loss.
I love your beautiful continent and people, and ever since I started working here, my opinion has changed greatly.
I am more bullish here than anywhere else. We're going to see great things coming out of Africa, and it's going to completely take the old players by surprise. Africa is not your Grandpa's Africa anymore.
