Diary of an under 30 CEO

VENTURES AFRICA – As of today, this ambitious column, without dragging itself into the egotistical realms of ungratefulness, and never much in two minds, will hijack the opportunity whilst in a celebratory mood to acknowledge its readers; words fail me when it comes to describing your efforts. Thanks to the readers, the resident entrepreneurship column [...]

VENTURES AFRICA - As hordes of Under 30 CEOs emerge, changing phenomena to norm in African business, the need to equip a vibrant business savvy generation with the necessary tools to create sustainable businesses is of utmost importance. However, the question is: How and at what cost? Diary Of An Under 30 CEO, in its [...]

VENTURES AFRICA – First and foremost, after years of writing, there is always a realization that the dilemma is certainly the razor-thin margin between fact and fiction. The tiny margin is enough to attract a broad spectrum of opinions, which is the most prominent upside of being a writer. In all fairness though, the most [...]

VENTURES AFRICA – Entrepreneurs never sleep, nor should people who want to be involved in entrepreneurship, because sleeping is a rare commodity. Things do not always go to plan. The story of entrepreneurship has an inclination that suggests that it’s a survival of the fittest jungle, which offers the thick-skinned an opportunity to make something, [...]

VENTURES AFRICA – As an afterthought, this is in no way meant to undermine neither the importance of institutions of education nor the academics that impart knowledge into our future leaders, for a small fortune. However, have you ever wondered why most professors are neither millionaires nor billionaires, and why it’s the simple guy who [...]

VENTURES AFRICA – Brian Tracy once said,”You work eight hours per day for survival; everything over eight hours per day is for success.” And Andile Khumalo made a candid remark not too long ago when he said, ”Over my years in business, I have grown to appreciate, immensely, the art of DOING. Most entrepreneurs want to [...]

VENTURES AFRICA – First of, great companies don’t just create great brands, they also create movements. Indeed, it’s always dangerous to make direct business analogies from sport, nevertheless, there are some useful things to learn about brand equity from Kaizer Chiefs. Still, with the majority of the continent hoarse from shouting, urging their teams to [...]

VENTURES AFRICA – “Unless you have courage, a courage that keeps you going, always going, no matter what happens, there is no certainty of success. It is really an endurance race,” said Henry Ford. What really matters is not the number of failures that an entrepreneur has endured, rather the courage, perseverence and power of [...]

VENTURES AFRICA - A more difficult goal for this Diary is to maintain its key features of motivation and inspiration whilst providing a platform for genuine entrepreneurial trials and tribulations, triumphs to be celebrated, and remain relevant. Interestingly there is no lack of desire and will to create sustainable enterprises across the continent; rather it’s more [...]

”If this modest little book doesn’t inspire you, nothing will” – Jenny Crwys-Williams   VENTURES AFRICA – Honestly, the above statement emblazoned on the front cover of the book really got me so interested to find out whether the statement was a true reflection of the content inside. In as much as there are a [...]

VENTURES AFRICA – What is your brand? You may have heard this question before or have been asked by someone. Your brand is who you say you are and of course who people think you are. Being true to one’s own character or values in the face of external pressures means your brand stands for [...]

VENTURES AFRICA – A great lesson for any young entrepreneur figuring out how to make it – turning the idea into a business and ensuring the sustainability of that business. But firstly, taking yourself and that idea seriously. 29 year old Nigerian, Gbolohan Fagbure knows what it takes to launch a successful business, and has used his corporate [...]

“We can do anything we want to do if only we stick to it long enough’’ – Helen Keller   VENTURES AFRICA – “ . . . . . . . . . I grew up with a burning passion to succeed. I could remember when 40 years ago, still fresh on my mind, I [...]

VENTURES AFRICA – Entrepreneurship has always had the potential to lift people out of poverty, but there are few stories more inspirational than that of 24-year-old Ugandan Charles Batte. Raised in Kamwokya slum and hanging out with marijuana-smoking peers at the age of just five, Batte knows a thing or two about how a lack [...]

By Ola’ Jacob Ajayi   “Never invest in a business you can’t understand” – Warren Buffet.   VENTURES AFRICA – We live in a world where money is the basic motivation that drives investment to the extent that people are more interested in the cash inflow than learning the process. Many can’t even think straight [...]