Financing

VENTURES AFRICA – Zimbabwe telecommunications billionaire and philanthropist, Strive Masiyiwa, has expanded his entrepreneurship into the banking stake after offering to acquire the remaining controlling stake in listed TN Bank from founder and long-time partner, Tawanda Nyambirai. Masiyiwa, who had to overcome immense hurdles and government frustrations before he was granted a license to run [...]

VENTURES AFRICA – As Airtel grows from strength to strength in its African operations, with numerous national Airtel branches dominating the continent’s markets and the company raking in acknowledgements for excellent practices and contribution to development, the company quickly comes to mind as one of the outstanding driving forces in Africa’s telecommunications industry, a [pivotal [...]

VENTURES AFRICA – The career of Moroccan-born Anas Sefrioui is a story that tells of innate business talent, risk-taking, and a desire to succeed. Having dropped out of school aged only 16, today 65 year old Sefrioui boasts a net worth of $1.6 billion (Forbes, 2012). He is a successful businessman and has been labelled [...]

VENTURES AFRICA – To meet security standards on e-payment, leading organisation in the field of auditing management systems and processes, British Standard Institute (BSI), has awarded Access Bank with ISO 27001:2005 Certificate for information security management. The ISO 27001:2005 Certificate is the world’s accreditation for information protection and security from the International Organisation for Standardisation [...]

VENTURES AFRICA – Ugandan billionaire and CEO of Mara Group, Ashish J. Thakkar has launched Mara.com, Africa’s first multi-lingual online portal for youth mentorship and entrepreneurship. The mentorship network is an offshoot project of the Mara Foundation, one of Africa’s largest non-profit social enterprises. The foundation lends support to emerging African entrepreneurs at the forefront of their journey. Mara [...]

VENTURES AFRICA- Tanzania’s CRDB Bank Plc is crossing national borders for the first time as it launches a new branch in Burundi’s capital, Bujumbura, before the end of the year. CRDB Bank General Manager in Burundi, Bruce Mwile, confirmed this to the East African News Agency (EANA) over the phone. “The branch will be opened [...]

Several years ago, Mo Ibrahim, the unassuming Sudanese-born engineer and Telecoms tycoon introduced Africans to the world of mobile communications. He is now investing his resources towards developing a pipeline of effective and ethical African leaders for future generations. VENTURES AFRICA – It was in the early 70’s when Mo Ibrahim stumbled on the breakthrough [...]

VENTURES AFRICA – Behind a burgeoning international market for their environmentally conscious sandals is the inspiring entrepreneurial story of a group of Kenyans who have toiled over the years to build a shoe making brand that has not only given them a steady source of income, but also given them a share in a company [...]

VENTURES AFRICA - Wayne Oosthuizen is a pragmatic executive with a wealth of experience in SME development and Black Economic Empowerment arena’s. Backed with a successful track record in economic development, Wayne now leads Engeli, a new ‘player’ in the finance/investment sector focusing on technology and manufacturing environments.   Wayne, thank you for taking time to chat to us. Our readers [...]

By Tom Jackson   VENTURES AFRICA – A Kenyan holistic soap-making company has built on its success at last year’s Enablis Business Plan Launch Pad Competition to record a 15 per cent increase in sales in the first quarter of this year.   The Nature Soap Company Ltd won in the Manufacturing and Construction category [...]

By Elton Plaatjes   VENTURES AFRICA – Ezlyn is a dynamic young social entrepreneur, heading the DAD Fund in South Africa. Even though she is young, Ezlyn has a strong determination to make a change in South Africa. Ezlyn currently drives the DAD Fund with her leadership ability and pragmatic approach to helping investors who [...]

VENTURES AFRICA – An organization promoting research on leadership development and providing training on entrepreneurship, LEAP Africa, is set to launch its sixth book titled “Attract, Motivate and Retain Top Talent,” aimed to fully explore the Human Resources challenges associated with building enduring organizations. The book will be launched during the upcoming CEO’s Forum.   The key [...]

By ‘Fisayo Soyombo “Owning north of 40 commercial and residential properties in Kenyan capital valued at $200 million and other assets worth $100 million, he occupies 31st place on the maiden Forbes’ list of Africa’s 40 richest people.”   VENTURES AFRICA — Passion. That is the only reason a millionaire, a prominent international figure, a [...]

“Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity, it is an act of justice. Like Slavery and Apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings. Sometimes it falls on a generation to be great. YOU can be that great generation. Let your [...]

“Capital isn’t that important in business. Experience isn’t that important. You can get both of these things. What is important is ideas.” -Harvey Firestone, founder of Firestone Tire & Rubber Co.   By Olumide Adeleye   VENTURES AFRICA – People often ask me: “I would like to start a business but I don’t have money. How [...]