Sunday, January 26, 2014

The Main East African Business Opportunities

By Judy Sullivan


Africa is generating a lot of business interests from all over the world. Not only does the region provide a ready market for manufactured goods from the Western world but it is also a big exporter of various goods and services. The strength of the continent as a business partner is mainly due to the numerous natural resources scattered within its boundaries. East Africa has become a big player in world business in recent times. As an investor, there are numerous East African business opportunities you may want to consider.

A major area that you may want to consider for investment is the exploration of natural resources. There are numerous deposits of precious metals in the region most of which are economically viable. Entering this sector does require that you secure a sizeable amount of capital because of the huge expenses involved but what is certain is that you will earn yourself tremendous returns. The discovery of oil reserves in some areas has already attracted a lot of attention.

Agriculture is arguably the main agricultural activity in the region. The main cash crops grown include tea, coffee and horticultural products. These crops coupled with animal products bring in huge earnings. There are many areas where an investor can plug in. One of the areas is the supply of inputs and equipment. Many of the farmers get credit facilities from financial institutions therefore will manage to pay for the supplies most of the time.

Apart from the selling of inputs, the other area that may provide an opportunity of investment is the purchase of agricultural produce. You can act as a link between the farmers and their markets. Many of them want to cash in as soon as possible without going through the hustle of looking for markets. After buying the produce at an affordable price, you can look for the market and make a profit.

The tourism industry has blossomed for decades. Visitors are attracted to the region because of the varied and unique wildlife and the beautiful scenery. During some years, the number of annual guests approaches hundreds of thousands translating in huge earnings for the industry players. As a potential investor in this area, some opportunities that you need to consider include setting up travel agencies, hotel and hospitality facilities and tour guide companies.

Technology has grown in leaps and bounds within the African continent. There has been particularly high growth in mobile telephony and the use of the internet. These increased rates have resulted in increased demand for mobile phone devices and computers. Export the devices to the region is one way you can set up a profitable business. The most important thing is to ensure that you understand the market.

Clothes are one of the defining components of a given culture. Although Africans have been known to be quite conservative as regards their culture as evidenced by their dressing styles, there has a huge change in this in recent times. Fashion has crossed boundaries and has been readily embraced. The sale of clothes and shoes from other parts of the world is now a very profitable business.

There are several sectors of East African business that may generate good returns for the investors. A proper understanding of markets is needed if you want to succeed. Consult with other investors in this region so as to make well-informed decisions.




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