Entrepreneurship is the trending phenomenon in Africa and the world at large for the youthful generation. The idea is to be job creators and self employed other than being employed. Most people give the excuse of shortage of capital. However, from the stories of the most successful African entrepreneurs you will realize that capital is never an issue. These icons built multi-million empires from nothing only that they were driven by zeal to accomplish their dreams.
Fomba Trawally was forced to seek refuge in Gambia when civil war hit Liberia. He only returned to Monrovia after being away from 1989 to 1991. Armed with a life saving of only 200 dollars, he opened a shop selling rubber slippers. Over fifteen years, he diversified into imported cosmetics, a base which enabled him to build his now multi-million dollar paper and toiletry manufacturing company.
Zenabwork is a poor neighborhood where Bethlehem Alemu grew up. This did not dim her desire to succeed as she has established one of the fastest growing footwear company in Africa called SoleRebels. The products are made from recycled materials with the company having crossed the one million dollar mark in annual revenue. Her capital in 2004 was 10,000 dollars raised from relatives and friends.
IrokoTV is fast becoming a common name in Africa and competing with global movie streaming brands. This is the work of Jason Njoku the co-founder and CEO of the Nollywood movies specializing outfit. The online streaming venture has attracted global attention and investments including the latest 90,000 pounds aimed at turning it into the biggest African brand. The only capital Jason needed was an idea shared with the right people.
Adii Pienaar is the perfect example of bootstrapping. This is where a business starts with practically no coin. The South African serial entrepreneur started WooThemes at age 23 while still in university. He consulted for other companies and used the proceeds to boost WooThemes. The company was recently sold for 30 million dollars to an American tech giant based on the internet.
Most 19 year old are partying, taking photos with hash tags or pursuing mundane courses in university. Patrick used his sunset teen year to set up a Chinese mobile phone selling business. He left for China with 1,800 dollars as capital, that was borrowed from his mother and topped by a friend. Today, the Tanzanian entrepreneur owns the largest solar company in Eastern Africa minting in excess of fifteen million dollars in 2015.
Empty plastic bottles and other such containers are treated with contempt when seen lying around. For Lorna Rutto, she saw them as an opportunity to conserve the fast disappearing forests in Kenya. She established a recycling plant to make fencing poles. The company has received global accolade and now employs thousands directly and indirectly. The large scale manufacturing plant mints millions every year.
The stories of successful entrepreneurship in Africa are endless. What of the celebrity pig farmer of South Africa called Anna Phosa? Have you read the rise and continued rise of Aliko Dangote who borrowed 500,000 Naira from his grandfather? There is another bootstrapping Ghanaian entrepreneur called Fred Deegbe. They all demonstrate that success requires more than huge capital. It is sheer passion and hard work.
Fomba Trawally was forced to seek refuge in Gambia when civil war hit Liberia. He only returned to Monrovia after being away from 1989 to 1991. Armed with a life saving of only 200 dollars, he opened a shop selling rubber slippers. Over fifteen years, he diversified into imported cosmetics, a base which enabled him to build his now multi-million dollar paper and toiletry manufacturing company.
Zenabwork is a poor neighborhood where Bethlehem Alemu grew up. This did not dim her desire to succeed as she has established one of the fastest growing footwear company in Africa called SoleRebels. The products are made from recycled materials with the company having crossed the one million dollar mark in annual revenue. Her capital in 2004 was 10,000 dollars raised from relatives and friends.
IrokoTV is fast becoming a common name in Africa and competing with global movie streaming brands. This is the work of Jason Njoku the co-founder and CEO of the Nollywood movies specializing outfit. The online streaming venture has attracted global attention and investments including the latest 90,000 pounds aimed at turning it into the biggest African brand. The only capital Jason needed was an idea shared with the right people.
Adii Pienaar is the perfect example of bootstrapping. This is where a business starts with practically no coin. The South African serial entrepreneur started WooThemes at age 23 while still in university. He consulted for other companies and used the proceeds to boost WooThemes. The company was recently sold for 30 million dollars to an American tech giant based on the internet.
Most 19 year old are partying, taking photos with hash tags or pursuing mundane courses in university. Patrick used his sunset teen year to set up a Chinese mobile phone selling business. He left for China with 1,800 dollars as capital, that was borrowed from his mother and topped by a friend. Today, the Tanzanian entrepreneur owns the largest solar company in Eastern Africa minting in excess of fifteen million dollars in 2015.
Empty plastic bottles and other such containers are treated with contempt when seen lying around. For Lorna Rutto, she saw them as an opportunity to conserve the fast disappearing forests in Kenya. She established a recycling plant to make fencing poles. The company has received global accolade and now employs thousands directly and indirectly. The large scale manufacturing plant mints millions every year.
The stories of successful entrepreneurship in Africa are endless. What of the celebrity pig farmer of South Africa called Anna Phosa? Have you read the rise and continued rise of Aliko Dangote who borrowed 500,000 Naira from his grandfather? There is another bootstrapping Ghanaian entrepreneur called Fred Deegbe. They all demonstrate that success requires more than huge capital. It is sheer passion and hard work.
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