I have really enjoyed reading your post and the comments that have followed. Africa contains a huge amount of talented entrepreneurs that have not been given the opportunity or tools to release their potential. I am currently involved in a initiative in South Africa that is helping to remove those barriers.

Afriversity is a not-for-profit organisation working to release existing entrepreneurial potential in Africa. We offer a practical and individualised entrepreneurial development programme that combines hands-on business education, training and incubation, designed to help budding entrepreneurs. The idea of not only training but providing a second tier and incubation period for the Afripreneurs provides all necessary resources giving them the best possible chance of succeeding.

Feel free to check out our website http://www.afriversity.org or join our networking site afriversityct.ning.com. Your comments would be valuable to our audience!!!

I guess we need even more and even JCI South Africa to expand nationally to afford young South Africans an opportunity. What is event great is that this orgnisation is international with strong links in Africa and Middle East.

Grace Aolikol

Many of their workshops are quite basic – learning the basics of taxes, setting up a company, marketing, etc.

You could probably bring in experts as well to speak, answer questions…Good luck!

As an entrepreneur in South Africa, I have learnt much about business in Africa. There is huge enthusiasm amongst fellow citizens to start their own businesses, be it from raising and selling chickens to massive stock exchange listed companies.

However, on the smaller scale, I have found that there is such a huge shortage of basic business skills that micro-entrepreneurs just do not possess.

My future business plans are to set up some sort of forum – we can’t use the internet, as most people here don’t have internet access – perhaps a monthly seminar, where small business entrepreneurs can network with a few ’specialists’ in order to learn basic business skills.

Any ideas?

Grant.

What’s your take on services like Kiva.org which offer a way for people to do microloans – many of which go to places in Africa?

Hi, I just wanted to say that this is one of the best post summaries that I have ever read. You have communicated the intent of my post with the utmost clarity. The fact that you were able to do this without over communicating, nor over-simplifying the message is even more amazing.

Finally, interesting observation on the question mark. You are right I could have ended it without the question mark. At the time it seemed, to me, the best way engaging the audience and also evoking some curiosity. But, your point is well taken. Thank you very much, you have gone above and beyond!!!

By the way, your blog is quite an encompassing tool for entrepreneurs. Bravo!