Their a lot to be said in doing business in Africa today. So let's start with the business history of Africa. We asked if trading is a part of the history of Africa. We thought of the gold trade of Egypt, The camel trade of the Songhai empire, etc………and as we were going on, and on, and on, and on, and realized that African must be great at trade. So we'd asked ourselves, why 50 years after colonial rule, Africa unexpectedly, is still struggling? Current economic condition proves that some trade had a positive effect on Africa and others didn't. Today, the worlds' nations are facing a panoply of economic crisis, and Africa, as a continent with useful commodities, and 54 nations must be looking delicious right about now.
Than we asked ourselves what Africans in general understand of a good buying cycle. You better know what your buying when doing business in Africa, because sometimes the seller will not know too much about the product therefore, will not tell you to much about the product other than it is a good product and you should buy it. So it is important to know what your buying, because when you see it, you know exactly what it is, and it's use. Customarily, you will get an invitation to buy if your lurking too long around an item, otherwise you can ask to buy the item. There are many ways to pay for a product around the world today, but in Africa, cash is the generally accepted method of payment, because alternative payment methods are really lacking. All sales are generally final, and your left to enjoy your product.
So I would guest that if Africans follow this buying cycle, anybody else who follows this buying cycle, will capable of doing business with Africans, therefore, Africa.
Finally, we asked what Africans in general understands of a good selling cycle. The concept is about the same. You have a product that you offer to sell, The buyer sees the product offered, and ask the price of the product. The buyer has the right to bargain the price, not before, but after he has seen the product. Paying cash for the product is customarily before you can enjoy it.
Such simple trading cycle makes Africa the easiest place to do business, and Africans the easiest people to do business with. The African trading cycle, simple as it is, has been used for centuries in Africa. It is a double edge sword with good and evil application. The good part is that any good, honest man can simply do business. The evil side is that any bad, dishonest man can also simply do business. People who do business in Africa know this. With this simple model, You can get what you want when you want and how you want it. For those that worry about formalities, you can easily be formal or informal depending on your activity. One thing we could say for sure is that corruption is rampant and informal in Africa. To date, we haven't seen or heard of anybody paying taxes on corrupt activities in Africa. This trade cycle is use by foreign and domestic governments, businessmen, and businesses in Africa. It is the model that shapes foreign politics, and financial aids to African countries. This cycle also encourages corruption. And as of today, consumer protection is not mandated in most countries. Government officials are corrupt, and has taken the front in past and current politically motivated foreign aid and trade projects. It is reasonable to understand the status of most of these projects today, and its outcome on the community. Would the private sector be any better than the public sector in handling investments in Africa?
Africa has always been a big market. Today more and more foreign small and medium size businesses trade with Africa today because of this simple trading cycle. The world trade with Africa generally by buying commodities, and selling finished manufactured goods. By having representatives in place facilitating services in Africa buying as well as selling goods, you too can benefit from Africa's simple trading cycle.
