First Steps To Find The New Africa Renaissance

As we continue our journey to explore and learn about Africa and its Diaspora, the spectrum of opportunities and possibilities can feel overwhelming. I like to think of the New Africa Renaissance as a mindset that is the foundation behind claiming Africa as the future. In this video, I share business opportunities in Africa, including real estate, agriculture, and tech, plus how you can find and connect to the right opportunities, including how to move, Odanna Connect, and the New African Renaissance.

Real estate is a popular investment topic across the continent. As I mentioned in the video, I feel this has two branches. One is building new cities and renovating established cities. For example, Akon City is a futuristic, cryptocurrency themed, city that will be developed in Senegal, West Africa. Akon recently announced he secured a $6 billion contract to build it. Phase 1 of construction is scheduled to be completed in 2023. For more details, I wrote about how Akon plans to bring Akon City to life on Africans On China. There is a big need for these types of projects. As Africa grows more urban, the infrastructure and industrialization needed to support that urbanization has a lot of room to catch up. Now, when I say “urban,” I do not mean building mini Houston or Paris in Africa. I mean combining technology and creativity to protect the environment, enhance the people’s well being, and modernize convenience. I am really excited to see how this becomes a reality across the continent.

The second branch of real estate opportunities is focused on residential and commercial. From what I have seen, the sales point for both of these is investment. As in, purchase to rent to someone else. That is cool. I would also suggest building and selling to customers who want to live or work there. For example, a lot of the Diaspora who is looking for real estate in Ghana or Africa do not only want rental investment. Some want to live in a neighborhood with a community of like-minded people, convenient location for groceries, business, and leisure, plus open spaces to hang out or collaborate. I am not sure yet how the after-effects of The Virus will influence this, but the fact that working from home or co-working is needed even more should be incorporated in your building blueprint. We also need to expand the “affordable” spectrum. Quality housing across the board is in dire need of fulfillment. Plumbing, electricity, and paved roads still do not reach everywhere. Not to put a damper on your enthusiasm…and I am not expecting anyone to put on a superhero cape…but, I feel the rise in innovation and development should narrow the gap between the haves and have nots, not widen it.

Agriculture in Africa has so much to offer if done the right way. Every sector of food has room for improvement plus voids that need to be filled. For example, Bountifield International invests and creates agricultural opportunities in Africa by providing tools and services for African rural entrepreneurs to efficiently process, save, and sell more food.

Tech in Africa is exciting because it is capable of supporting so many industries, sectors, and demographics while solving so many issues. Balancing culture, security, and convenience is key. One example I share in the video has to do with eCommerce. If you want to take advantage of this growing opportunity, look beyond creating a product. Infrastructure, manufacturing, inventory storage, customs, and shipping also have voids that need to be filled efficiently. This TechPoint Africa article does a good job breaking down the challenges eCommerce in Nigeria is currently facing.

Now, where do you fit in all of this? I am glad you asked.

This free ebook, “How To Move To Africa, Specifically Ghana,” provides insight and resources to understand how to prepare before you purchase your ticket and what to expect in maneuvering your new reality. The ladies behind it, Bridget and Nana, have combined their experiences as educators and entreprenuers to give you and easy-to-read guide to make your move a success.

Odana Connect is an online platform to connect and collaborate with hard to find Africans for investment, business opportunities, job opportunities, and experts in the field. At the time of writing this article, the waiting list is still open to sign up before its launch. It is by the people behind Odana Network. If you are interested in Africa, I am sure you have seen one or multiple videos on their YouTube channel showcasing African business and innovation. I am excited to see how this platform develops.

The New African Renaissance hosted it’s debut conference, virtually, in June 2020. They are creating a community to build capital for Africa’s development. Their funding focuses on building new cities, invest in startups in Africa, plus investing in education and talent accelerator programs.

Impact Hub Accra recently launched New Economy Booster, an accelerator program. They are providing resources and tools for entrepreneurs and startups, and non-profit organizations who are contributing to Ghana’s post-pandemic economy recovery.

The list above is not exhaustive, but I feel these initiatives will enhance your experience and plan as you continue your search. Regardless if you are planning to visit or move or have been living in Africa all your life, there is something here for you.

I hope you found this helpful. What would you like the New African Renaissance to look like? Comment below and lets continue the conversation.

Remember to connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook and subscribe to my YouTube channel. I love hearing from you.