Tag Archive for: Consulting

Presenting the “Mittelstandsindex Afrika” in Berlin, Germany. Event Recap 2019.

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German economic exchange with Africa today lags behind its potential. Only around 2% of German foreign trade is with Africa and German investment on the continent stands only at a fraction of that from many of its’ European neighbours. Over the past years various players in the German economy, from corporations to government entities and associations, have taken steps to enhance this engagement. The German “Mittelstand” (small and medium sized enterprises) as the backbone of the German economy will also have a crucial role to play. In order to support this drive, africon contributed to the development of the “Mittelstandsindex Afrika” and presented it as part of a panel organised by the “Agentur für Wirtschaftliche Entwicklung (AWE)” in Berlin on Oct 24, 2019. Erik Deitersen, Senior Consultant with africon, thereby represented the development team of the index (BRS Institute, BVMW and Nexia) on the panel and shared perspectives on the “Mittelstand’s” engagement in Africa.

We thank the organisers for providing us with the platform to share our tool and perspectives.

Learn more here

Slide of the month (SOTM) September. Consumer goods distributors in Ethiopia

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The impressive growth of Ethiopia over the past decade has put the country on the map in the consumer goods business. In this project, africon identified and recommended potential distribution partners for the client locally. After meeting approximately 20 consumer goods distributors, africon rated and ranked the firms according to key performance indicators previously agreed upon with our client.

Even though East Africa Holding did not make it to the shortlist of the most interesting potential partners, africon was impressed by the company’s strong local networks and standing in the market. Its focus on own manufactured goods provide a strong asset in times of Ethiopia’s forex crisis – even though it (at least presently) reduces the company’s priority on imported foreign brands.

If you would like to know more about consumer goods and FCMG in Ethiopia or other parts in Africa, do not hesitate to get in touch with our team.

Enormous potential for Africa’s wire industries. Africa Wire, Cable & Tube Conference.

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Africa boasts enormous potential for increased trade in wire & cable, tube & pipe related industries. Market observers have noted that in many African markets the business environment is improving, and the implementation of structural reforms is leading to increased business confidence.

Those were some of the topics discussed at this year’s Africa Wire, Cable & Tube Conference.

CRU and the Southern Africa-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AHK), along with leading global trade shows, Wire & Tube as lead sponsor, held the Africa Wire, Cable & Tube Conference, on 11-13 November in Johannesburg, South Africa.

This important inaugural event is an opportunity for the local industry and stakeholders to meet with the international supply chain, and discuss the main trends impacting the global market and how they can be applied to the opportunities and challenges being faced across the continent.

To see the agenda, check here

The event brought together people from all over the globe with an interest in the wire, cable and tube industry.

Some of the topics addressed included

  1. Understanding Africa’s wire & cable, tube & pipe production, trade and supply chain
  2. The importance of the industry’s reliance on wire, cable, tube and pipe for African development
  3. Update on the expected consumption trends in Africa, of high wire and tube consuming industries: Mining, Utilities, Oil & Gas, Construction & Infrastructure
  4. Latest global technological advances in wire, cable, tube and pipe manufacturing, and how they can be applied in African operations
  5. Key considerations for the global wire, cable, tube and pipe supply chain when considering investing in African operations/distribution
  6. Technical agenda dedicated to technical showcases that highlight wire & cable or tube & pipe technology advances relevant to African operations

The africon team was very present as a supporting sponsor. CEO and Partner Mr. Zander also spoke about the Potential for growth in Africa in wire and cable or tube and pipe industries.

To see more insights about topics, speakers and the overall conference, see here

How to successfully enter the African Market: “Mittelstandsindex Afrika” launched

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Africa is one of the world’s largest and most diverse continents: 54 countries, rich cultures, stunning landscapes, and hundreds of ethnic groups speaking a total of more than 2,100 languages. Africa is considered an emerging continent that offers businesses various opportunities to invest successfully. In order to help German small and medium sized enterprises (the “Mittelstand”) to enter the African markets, the BRS Institute at the Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences (H-BRS), africon GmbH, the Federal Association of Medium-Sized Enterprises (BVMW) and Nexia International released the “Mittelstandsindex Afrika” (SME Index Africa).

It was presented to the public on October 15, 2019 at the roadshow “Successful to Africa” ​​organised by BVMW in Korntal near Stuttgart and received a very positive response from the participants in the SME sector.

The “Mittelstandsindex Afrika” provides a rating for 34 African countries, which cover 96 percent of the continent’s economic output. Based on a variety of weighted criteria, the index summarizes the attractiveness of African countries in an overall rating specifically tailored to the needs of German SMEs. The ratings allow companies to estimate the attractiveness of business activity in the respective country.

The An-Institut of the H-BRS is not alone in its assessment that Germany is currently not among the frontrunners in terms of investment in Africa. “At the EU and UN, G8, G20 and many other international organizations and industrialized countries such as China and Japan, Africa have long been at the top of the agenda,” says Professor Dr Jürgen Bode. The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) has recognized the “unique opportunities” and the “great potential” and wrote in 2017: “About half of the 20 fastest growing economies are located there. By 2035, Africa will have the largest workforce worldwide. This is where the global markets, the customers and the employees of the future are growing.” The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has also been pursuing a focused “Africa strategy” since 2018. The “Mittelstandsindex Afrika” aims to support the German “Mittelstand” (SME sector) in its own quest to expand in Africa by raising awareness about opportunities, creating transparency at an early stage by providing a guideline for a structured approach to the African markets.

The “Mittelstandsindex Afrika” draws its information from 55 input factors consisting of specifically gathered primary data and existing secondary data sources. These are summarized in 16 “indicators” for SMEs, which in turn are condensed into three “key indicators”. These “key indicators” – “Scale and Scope of Opportunities”, “Getting into the Market” and “Navigating inside the Market” – give rise to a country rating that allows a mid-sized company a quick overview of each country’s business appeal. A special feature of the “Mittelstandsindex Afrika” is the evaluation of factors and indicators against the background of qualitative expert interviews with medium-sized companies, state institutions and chambers and associations.

The key indicators

Scale and Scope of Market Opportunities

Before a medium-sized company from Germany concretely examines a market entry in an African country, it has to find out whether the market offers the necessary demand for its products or services. The first key indicator “Scale and Scope of Market Opportunities” helps: It measures the size, growth rate and share of interesting market segments of B2B (industrial, agricultural, services) and B2C sectors, while keeping in mind the strengths and weaknesses of the German “Mittelstand”. In addition, this key indicator examines the potential of an African country to serve other countries in its vicinity as a hub. Overall, the company gets a very good first impression of the relative market opportunities that can be expected from each rated country.

Getting into the market

Once a company identifies a country with promising opportunities, it has to plan how it can actually enter the market. Many factors can make it more difficult or easier to do so. The second key indicator “Getting into the Market” measures the conditions in the respective African countries with regards to the question “what does a firm need to enter a market and how easy are these factors obtainable in the country?”. With this information, a business can gain a first comprehensive view of what to expect in terms of resource requirements and complexity when entering the respective market.

Navigating inside the market

After entering the market, it is crucial for success to prove yourself in the competition, to work efficiently and to expand. The third key indicator “Navigating inside the Market” showcases how easy or difficult it is to do exactly that: Grow successfully in the market, taking the perspective of the “Mittelstand”. This key indicator thereby helps to better assess the situation on the ground.

At africon, we are convinced that this index can tremendously support German – and other – SMEs or the “Mittelstand” to reduce complexity in entering African markets.

To learn more about the index check here www.mittelstandsindex-afrika.de

African Investment Day opens doors into francophone Africa focusing on Congo!

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Francophone Africa focus Congo – Ready for Business!

Patroned by the ministry of foreign affairs of Congo DRC and chaired by Experts of the African continent, the African Investment Day DE is a conference exclusively paneled by experts from the continent. It is dedicated to develop trade and investment ties, as well as to open doors into francophone Africa with a focus on Congo. Attendants will get first hand access into the markets in terms of investment profiles and macro trends.

africon CEO and Partner Marc-Peter Zander will be speaking at the African Investment Day on 29th November 2019. The event will provide attendees with pragmatic insights, market entry strategies and in-depth expertise from panelists currently engaged on the continent as well as in Europe. The discussion will also focus on why the German “Mittelstand” is not yet very active in francophone Africa. africon has consulted more than 60 clients with their Africa strategy. Within various projects the services varied from market research up to a full development of an Africa strategy. africon CEO and Partner Marc-Peter Zander will share extensive insights and the potentials for the German Mittelstand. He will also share his view on why German companies are still hesitant on making entry to Africa. 

If you would like to attend this event, we are happy to inform you that you can use our code Africon2019 to get 80% discount on tickets for the event. 

africon CEO Marc-Peter Zander to speak at the mitafrika Business Forum

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The “mitafrika Business Forum” will take place on 20.11.2019 in Nuremberg. mitafrika is an initiative of NIfA (Nürnberger Initiative für Afrika), which was called upon to do educational work so that the full potential of Africa can be exploited by German companies.

mitafrika would like

  • to contribute to strengthening the role of the African diaspora in Germany in order to position it as a bridge-builder for sustainable trade relations between Africa and Germany.
  • to bring German SMEs and African entrepreneurs together in the diaspora and promote a common approach to the African market.

The forum will be moderated by Mrs. Miranda OBEN (Founder and CEO of “The returnees Project“), Mr. Georg ESCHER (Editor/Foreign Policy commentator at Nürnberger Nachrichten and Expert on Africa) and Mr. Gilles Komi MAGLO (Entrepreneur of the African Diaspora).

africon GmbH partner & CEO Mr. Marc Zander will be speaking at the event. With more than 20 years of living, working and doing business experience with Africa in international organization such as the MAN Group and Wincor Nixdorf, Mr. Zander developed a strong understanding of this highly interesting market. His believe in the continent’s potential, the increasing interest of companies who are hesitating but willing to enter business relations with Africa as well as his entrepreneurial spirit led him to found africon as a startup company in 2010.

Mr. Zander will be sharing his knowledge on insights about strengthening the relationship between Germany and Africa.

Some of the questions that will be addressed are:

  • Why Africa?
  • How do we tap Africa’s potential efficiently?
  • Which business areas are particularly attractive for German companies?
  • What needs to be done to provide better access for German companies in Africa?

Learn more here

CRU to host Africa Wire, Cable & Tube conference

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CRU to host Africa Wire, Cable & Tube conference – the first major gathering designed to boost wire and cable trade and productivity across Africa. As international interest in African development continues to grow, the inaugural CRU Africa Wire, Cable & Tube Conference is perfectly timed to address the opportunities for companies looking to boost their business with clients and partners in the African wire & cable industries.

The inaugural Africa Wire, Cable & Tube Conference, co-organised by CRU and The Southern African-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AHK), will be held on 11-13 November 2019 in Johannesburg, South Africa. This unique partnership is the basis for creating an event in which the international wire, cable, tube and pipe supply chain can meet and establish new trade partnerships with key African stakeholders.

The conference will offer delegates a broad understanding of the major global trends across the wire & cable and tube & pipe industries, and how these are being evidenced across Africa. CRU’s market experts will provide insights into the economic outlook and risks to industrial growth.

Discussions at the conference will explore the main trends impacting the global steel, copper and aluminium wire, cable and tube products and what this means for Africa. Delegates will also be brought up-to-date on the expected consumption trends within Africa for these products in mining, utilities, oil and gas, construction and infrastructure.

The agenda will also offer a day of technical showcases, with industry experts exploring the latest global technological advances in wire & cable, tube & pipe manufacturing, and how this can be applied to African operations.

Wire and Tube Düsseldorf, the world’s largest trade shows in this field, are lead sponsors of this important new conference. Many other international companies have also confirmed their participation in the conference and exhibition including Aurubis, SGS and Sikora. Companies registered to attend already include Niehoff, Rosendahl Nexrom, Kazakhmys and Richards Apex.

The inaugural Africa Wire, Cable & Tube Conference will be held on 11-13 November 2019 at the Emperors Palace, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Please visit http://bit.ly/2K9VWvD for more details and to book your place.

 

africon CEO Marc-Peter Zander is PARLA expert trainer of the month

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africon CEO Marc-Peter Zander is an external PARLA expert on Africa’s cultural and economic sector and has decades of experience with the continent. If you have followed us for a long time, you may know that he has spoken on many occasions as a keynote speaker, panelist and moderator on culture in Africa. See more from our news section.

He has vast experience in market entry consulting, regional focus Africa, Africa´s economy, banking IT, FMCG, steel and packaging.  He is also a member of the International Advisory Network for Africa and has been working on Africa since 2002.

Since 2016, Parla and africon work together in consulting international firms on their cultural understanding with the key regions of Nigeria and Kenya.

Get to know more about him as well as his speaking portfolio here .

Bertrand Mignot joins africon GmbH advisory board

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africon GmbH prides itself in having a very experienced advisory board. The advisory board has significant long-term Africa experience and guides africon in its current growth phase. It contributes ideas, contacts and local know how. We are very pleased to have another member to our board, Mr. Bertrand Mignot. Mr. Mignot was a Senior Consultant for the German Development Cooperation (GIZ). He was formerly in management roles at Deutsche Bank, Renault Nissan Bank, First Bank of Nigeria, Rawbank. His main focus is on financial services, IT and health. He has a BSc Business and Engineering from University of Coventry and an MBA from Mannheim Business School. We look forward to having Mr. Betrand Mignot in our advisory board and strengthening the growth of africon.

africon and Wolk After Sales Experts join forces for Africa

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We are proud to announce that africon GmbH and Wolk After Sales Experts are joining forces for Africa.

Both German consulting companies are leaders in their respective fields, namely global automotive after sales industry and African business environment. Together Wolk and africon will be able to provide clients with comprehensive information and consulting support across the continent.

Since the beginning of its operations in 1994 Wolk After Sales Experts has grown into a consulting powerhouse well known to both vehicle manufacturers and independent aftermarket operators. Thanks to carefully built network of partners across Europe, Wolk monitors automotive markets in 35 countries – from Portugal to Russia and from Norway to Turkey.

“In one world economy our clients need support not only in Europe, but on the other markets as well. Our cooperation with africon will allow us to include data from Sub-Saharan Africa into our AFTER SALES ACCESS aftermarket business intelligence tool. This will be a major asset for any automotive company aiming at creating or improving its distribution network in Africa” explains Zoran Nikolic, Managing Director at Wolk After Sales Experts.

africon GmbH, established in Germany in 2011, currently has offices in Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa. The company employs a team consisting of 7 nationalities speaking more than 10 local languages while running a network of more than 50 consultants in the African region. Over the past 5 years africon conducted more than 20 automotive projects in Africa.

“The African automotive markets have been growing with more than 6% over the past years and offer great chances for global operating companies. After various independent aftermarket projects in Africa, africon could obtain significant data and know-how on African markets like Nigeria and Kenya which we are happy to offer to the excellent network of Wolk After Sales Experts” states Marc-Peter Zander, CEO & Partner at africon GmbH. Mr. Zander will be also a keynote speaker during upcoming Aftermarket Forum 2019: Going global! It is a top-level automotive industry event taking place on April 17th in Frankfurt am Main, Germany and organized by Wolk After Sales Experts. This year’s edition will focus on market snapshots of different regions of the world and Sub-Saharan Africa will be covered by the representative of africon.

In day-to-day business operations Wolk After Sales Experts and africon together will provide clients with exclusive market research, market intelligence and consulting projects in African countries.