Author: Broader

In Ghana, counterfeit medicine isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a matter of life and death. Bright Simons saw it firsthand, watching communities struggle with fake pharmaceuticals that claimed to cure but often caused harm. For him, the problem was personal and urgent. It wasn’t enough to study it, debate it, or hope the authorities would act. Something had to be done. Simons, trained as a social entrepreneur with a keen eye for technology, began to think differently. What if the same mobile technology connecting millions of Africans could be used to verify the authenticity of products? What if consumers could hold…

The pandemic forced many African businesses to rethink how work happens. What started as a survival mechanism has now morphed into a defining shift in the way many SMEs operate. Across cities such as Lagos, Nairobi, Accra and Cairo, remote and hybrid work is gaining ground and with it, a chance to reset traditional business constraints. In Nigeria, a 2024 survey from Zoho shows only 14% of businesses operate fully remotely. About 31% have adopted a hybrid model, and the majority, 55% continue to require full on‑site attendance. That suggests remote work remains nascent, yet hybrid arrangements are emerging as…

Across Africa’s start-up ecosystem and emerging enterprises, one challenge consistently stands out: how to get small teams to act like owners rather than employees. In many cases, founders assume that ownership is earned through titles, shares, or lofty mission statements. The reality is subtler and more behavioural. True ownership culture emerges when team members feel empowered, responsible, and trusted to make decisions that matter. It is less about hierarchy or perks and more about mindset, accountability, and alignment with a shared purpose. In small teams, every individual’s contribution is magnified. One person’s initiative or lack thereof can shape the company’s…

Across Africa’s emerging business hubs, there is a subtle but profound shift underway. For years, founders equated a polished office with credibility. Glass walls, branded lounges, ergonomic chairs and high-tech meeting rooms became shorthand for professionalism and investment readiness. Yet some of the continent’s most resilient companies operate in modest spaces: converted flats, co-working floors, or entirely online. What separates these businesses from the rest is not their décor, but the trust they cultivate among their teams. In markets where funding can be unpredictable, talent is highly mobile, and infrastructure is often imperfect, trust has emerged as the true backbone…

Inside the mindset of the continent’s fastest-growing workforce. Africa’s labour market is shifting beneath the feet of its business leaders. A new generation is entering the workforce in large numbers, and they are nothing like the cohorts before them. Gen Z is already shaping consumer behaviour, cultural trends and digital adoption across the continent. Now they are reshaping the workplace too, bringing expectations that founders can no longer afford to ignore. They are young, ambitious and deeply connected. They grew up in a world where information flows quickly and creativity thrives online. But they also grew up with the reality…

From power supply workarounds to internet downtime and government levies, this is the unfiltered guide to pricing, logistics, and survival. For global investors, Africa is a market full of promise. For local entrepreneurs, it is a land of paradoxes. Business on the continent is often described as high-risk and high-reward. But the deeper truth is more nuanced. Founders need to understand not just the opportunities, but the hidden costs that shape every decision from launch to scale. It’s not just about funding. It’s about survival. Infrastructure Is Your First Competitor Before a startup finds its footing, it must first contend…

The moment your side gig starts feeling like more than “just extra cash,” it’s time to think like a CEO. It often starts with a late-night idea or a weekend gig. Maybe it’s making wigs, designing logos, importing skincare, or fixing phones. Over time, it picks up steam. Word of mouth grows, referrals come in, and your side hustle slowly becomes a legitimate income stream. The money starts making sense but the structure doesn’t. For many entrepreneurs, the leap from informal to formal is fogged with uncertainty. When should you register the business? Should you open a corporate bank account?…

Why localization, lean operations, and everyday utility are the real unicorn formula across the continent. In cities like Lagos, Nairobi, and Kigali, a new wave of entrepreneurs is changing how business is done in Africa. These founders are not driven by vanity metrics or buzzwords. They are building lean, practical systems that deliver value in real time. Their models are shaped by necessity, guided by experience, and deeply rooted in the realities of the market. Africa’s most effective business ventures today are not necessarily the flashiest. They are consistent, accessible, and grounded in solving everyday problems. These companies are thriving…

The early days of starting a business are thrilling. Ideas are fresh, vision is clear, and the energy is unmatched. But in Africa where infrastructure gaps, capital access, and regulatory friction pose real obstacles, those first 90 days can also make or break your long-term survival. Here’s the truth: succeeding on this continent doesn’t just require a good idea; it demands deliberate execution, street smarts, and the ability to adapt quickly to your local environment. So how do you make the most of your first three months? Below, we outline the smart, strategic moves every African entrepreneur should prioritize to…

Africa’s venture-capital landscape is undergoing a paradigm shift. In the first nine months of 2025, African startups raised $1.6 billion in venture debt, surpassing equity funding for the first time, according to the African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (AVCA). This surge, a 60% year-over-year increase, marks a turning point: debt is no longer a supplemental financing tool but the leading source of startup capital. Equity investment, by contrast, stood at $1.4 billion across 362 deals, essentially flat year-on-year, AVCA data shows. Driving the boom in debt financing were six megadeals totaling $1.1 billion, including Kenya-based Sun King’s $156 million local-currency securitisation and…