Opportunities abound for all business types
MANY more multinationals are expected to move into Africa in the coming years and most of the corporations that are already there have substantial opportunities for expansion.
And, says Deon Liebenberg, Vodacom’s Managing Executive: Large Enterprise and International Business: “The influx of global corporations is not restricted to mining and energy but includes banks, retailers, motor companies and consumer goods suppliers.”
He says that the opportunity for new businesses — big and small — in Africa is huge and spans a wide range of markets.
“In many ways businesses moving into Africa have the advantage as they have access to technology that is cutting edge. In some cases these businesses are even leapfrogging the older, more entrenched businesses by using new technology to provide an excellent customer service and save costs.”
Adds Liebenberg: “In the telecoms space the opportunity lies in reliably connecting businesses and providing them with solutions that enable them to provide a great service to their customers as well as to manage costs effectively.”
He cites the example of machine-2-machine (M2M) communication, which uses SIM cards and mobile technology to permanently connect devices to cloud applications. This allows for real time access to information “and is having a profound impact on business in Africa and across the globe”.
Adds Liebenberg: “When it comes to Africa and growth I believe we’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg. There is still a strong demand for resources and many opportunities remain in the traditional boom industries. But the demand for services such as telecoms, tourism, banking and healthcare is growing by the day.
“Many global companies expanding their presence in Africa are daunted by the challenge of setting up operations in different countries, each with their own unique infrastructure and communications challenges. Companies are looking for expert help in minimising the cost and complexity of their communications across Africa.”
He says there is a need for all kinds of companies — with the most important thing being that they have the right partners to support their expansion into the country and enable their businesses to succeed.
“They need to research and make sure they team up with reputable partners who are able to deliver on the relevant service level agreements put in place.”