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Updated on 7/29/2024 – 3:43 PM

Nigeria is blessed with abundant natural resources, especially crude oil. It is at times the largest oil producer in Africa and one of the top ten in the world. However, the country’s refining capacity has consistently been inadequate to meet the demands of its population and growing economy.

Nigeria’s refining infrastructure is plagued by inefficiency, underinvestment, and corruption. The country has four state-owned refineries that have become dysfunctional due to poor maintenance, outdated technology, and operational inefficiencies.

This deficit requires importing many of its fuel needs, leading to a complex and often controversial reliance on foreign fuel sources.

The government often subsidizes fuel to make it affordable, creating a huge financial burden on the state. While these subsidies are intended to alleviate economic hardship, they have also led to corruption and mismanagement.

Efforts have been made to address these challenges. The government has worked on various reforms, including partially removing the subsidy to improve the efficiency of the oil and gas sector, attract private investment, and increase local refining capacity.

The most notable development is the $20 billion Dangote Refinery, owned by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, with a refining capacity of 650,000 barrels per day. However, as the refinery is not yet operating at full capacity, Nigeria still imports fuel.

Beyond the fight, if things go as planned, Nigeria will stop importing fuel by August, as Dangote said. In 2023, Nigeria’s largest gasoline imports came from Togo, totaling $109.3 million, followed by Tunisia with $104.35 million, according to data from Trade Map, a global database on international trade statistics.

“THE FIELD OF PETROL DREAM IN NIGERIA” – BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME AS TROUBLE-MAKERS

Dangote recently revealed that some employees of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited and oil traders, which own a blending plant off Malta, and international oil companies refusing to supply crude to its refineries, are among its challenges.

Alhaj Aliko Dangote GCON, the Founder /Chairman of Dangote Industries Limited speaks on the challenges of building his refinery in Lagos with the CNN anchor and correspondent, Eleni Giokos.

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Audience with #H_E_Brice_Clotaire_OLIGUI_NGUEMA and our #PCE_Alhaji_Aliko_DANGOTE, Chairman of Dangote Industries Limited with the presence of Bertrand MBOUCK!

Pictures published by Bertrand MBOUCK •

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Growing Support from Business Leaders for Alhaji_Aliko_DANGOTE

Several prominent Nigerians, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, and business mogul Femi Otedola, have voiced their support for Dangote. Otedola praised Dangote as a visionary who has made significant investments in Nigeria.

He highlighted Dangote’s achievements, including building the largest single-train refinery in the world, the second-largest sugar refinery, and the largest cement factory, among other substantial industrial projects.

“My brother, the Visionary, has built the largest single train refinery in the world, not in Kano, but in Lagos State. He is the owner of the second-largest sugar refinery in the world, also in Lagos State, and the largest cement factory in the world, not in Kano, but in Kogi State,” Otedola said.

“Additionally, he has established one of the second-largest fertilizer plants in the world, soon to surpass the biggest one in Qatar, also in Lagos State. Furthermore, he has built a fertilizer plant in Lagos that already exports globally. Aliko Dangote is a titan that God created especially for mankind,” he continued.

Among other things, Otedola noted Dangote’s role as the largest private sector employer in Nigeria and a significant taxpayer. He also noted that Dangote Group’s contributions extend beyond industrial facilities to critical infrastructure projects, such as major roads in Lagos and Kogi states.

“His contributions extend beyond industrial facilities to critical infrastructure, having built major roads such as the Apapa Oshodi-Owonrosoki Express Road, Wharf Road, and the Obajana-Kabba Road,” he recounted.

Otedola advised the federal government to emulate other countries by supporting local industries like the Dangote Group for the country to thrive.

Read more at the source:

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Buying and selling oil by Nigeria and the related process and processing with the advising and confirming accounts along the transfer and the convertibility as well as the deposit notes with their approval of the office of the currencies change with also the variations in the rate of change between the foreign currencies involved including the consolidation terms and conditions. The process of buying and selling oil in Nigeria involves several intricate steps and financial mechanisms. Here’s a breakdown of the key elements:

Buying and Selling Oil in Nigeria

Transaction Procedures:

• The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) oversees the sale of crude oil. Buyers typically engage directly with NNPC or its approved resellers ¹.
• The process involves submitting bids for crude oil sale and purchase term contracts. Successful bidders are awarded contracts to lift and market Nigeria’s crude oil ².

Advising and Confirming Accounts:

• Letters of Credit (L/C): These are commonly used in oil transactions to ensure payment. An issuing bank provides a letter of credit to the seller, guaranteeing payment upon presentation of specified documents ³.
• Advising Bank: The issuing bank sends the L/C to an advising bank in the seller’s country, which verifies its authenticity and forwards it to the seller ⁴.
• Confirming Bank: Sometimes, a confirming bank adds its guarantee to the L/C, ensuring payment even if the issuing bank defaults ³.

Currency Convertibility:

• Oil transactions are typically conducted in U.S. dollars due to the petrodollar system ⁵. This system simplifies international trade by using a widely accepted currency.
• Currency convertibility refers to how easily a country’s currency can be exchanged for another. High convertibility is crucial for smooth international transactions ⁶.

Deposit Notes and Approval:

• Deposit Notes: These are financial instruments used to secure payment. They are often issued by banks and must be approved by relevant financial authorities ⁷.
• Office of Currency Exchange: This office oversees the approval of deposit notes and ensures compliance with currency exchange regulations ⁷.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rates:

• Exchange rates can significantly impact the cost and profitability of oil transactions. Fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and other currencies involved in the transaction must be carefully managed ⁸.
• Hedging strategies are often employed to mitigate the risks associated with exchange rate volatility ⁸.

¹: Nigerian Oil Services ²: Majorwaves Energy Report ³: Reed Smith ⁴: Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council ⁵: Investopedia ⁶: Investopedia ⁷: Charles Schwab ⁸: Energy Information Administration

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Dangote African Carnegie and Rockefeller in Modern Time and Present Dimensions

America’s emergence as an industrial power in the late 19th century relied largely on two substances: oil and iron. And two people played an important role in providing this material.

Andrew Carnegie was born in Scotland in 1835 and his family moved to Pennsylvania when young Andrew was thirteen. John D. Rockefeller was born four years later in upstate New York, the son of a merchant who moved him to Cleveland when he was six.

Carnegie’s early work virtually traced the technological emergence of 19th-century America. He was a bobbin boy in a textile factory, a telegraph operator, and an engine supplier. He later worked on the railroads and oil wells. But at the age of 38, he established Keystone Iron Works, and he remained there until 1901. By that time, Keystone Iron had become American. Steel and Andrew Carnegie had become one of the richest men on the planet.

John D. Rockefeller went into business at the age of 20 and discovered his first oil well as a side hustle. He quickly understood that it was the right horse to ride. Even before automobiles and airplanes claimed a large share of oil, it had begun to replace coal in the electrical industries.

Carnegie and Rockefeller – both incredibly wealthy in the 20th century – came to give by two different paths: Even before reaching its peak, Carnegie wrote that a rich man’s life should take place in two stages: d First acquire wealth, then use that wealth to improve general well-being. And that’s what he did. He established the Carnegie Institute, the Tuskegee Institute, and many other schools. He became the patron saint of libraries. He created charitable foundations.

Rockefeller, on the other hand, began to relent when antitrust forces closed in on his Standard Oil Company. He also created charitable societies of all kinds to distribute excess money. He began by creating the University of Chicago. Whatever his motivations, Rockefeller gave birth to a dynasty of charitable giving that extends to the present day.

Andrew Carnegie is the best hero. After all, he was an integral part of the emerging technologies that shaped our country. And his gift flowed from a deeply held principle. Yet the Rockefeller clan took responsibility for public service. They became political leaders and professional donors: one of them died doing anthropological research in New Guinea.

Money creates responsibility. Sooner or later we realize that we can live in a decent world only when the money created by our technological foresight returns to increase the knowledge and beauty of this world.

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Conference on North Saharan and Sub-Saharan Africa – US Department of Commerce – San Francisco – California

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★ International Conference on Africa ★ EBCITD & GLOCENTRA ★

Conférence Internationale sur l’Afrique a Claremont Hotel, Berkeley, California, USA

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International Conference on Africa, Berkeley, California, USA

Since my early studies at Institut des Etudes Politiques of the Grenoble University, the development, and integration of Africa were at the forefront of my studies and topics of my presentations in seminaries and essay papers. It was natural that I continue to work and increase awareness about Africa and its need to establish new kinds of relations with countries other than the past metropolitan and colonialists.
Below among other pictures, there is a photo taken in the company with the Regretted Dr. Babacar Ndiaye, former CEO of the African Development Bank Group who holds firmly my hand and is standing at my left side.

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I initiated and developed a work plan for the organization of The International Conference on Africa – AGOA took place in 2001. The first time in the history of the Bay Area of San Francisco and North California to have a conference of such magnitude and subject. that I submitted to Fazale Sharif the Director of the EBCITD which I was the initiator and for which I participated directly in its organization. I contacted and invited Dr. Babacar Ndiaye and in the following photo, the event/photo took place during an International Conference on Africa I had organized in Oakland, California, and of which Dr. Babacar Ndiaye, Rahimahu Allah was our Guest of Honor.

Below are listed links which content present among others some illustrations of my activities concerning the Integration of Africa with which I was directly involved, including the facilitation of the signing of the Free Trade Agreement between the United States and Morocco.

For many among us, time flies through horizons without leaving traces on recognition and gratitude on what we have achieved for the good for others especially in my case not be born in the United States but I remain up to now the maker of differences between cultures and the guardian of the memories I cherish and remember through my meetings and interactions with the real treasuries of the Humanity.
The second link below presents “The ADB honors its former president, the late Babacar Ndiaye: https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/the-afdb-pays-tribute-to-late-president-babacar-ndiaye-17363

From the Left: Dr. Faheem Director of the Center for International Trade Development, Mr. James CEO of the Africa Chamber of Commerce in Seattle, and Dr. Boubacar N’diaye, Holding my right hand, the Chairman of the African Development Bank from 1985 to 1995 and honorary chairman of the same institution (Rest in Peace among the Blessed ones, Ameen).

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I extended the invitation to Dr. Boubacar N’diaye for his presence among us at this International Conference on Africa.  He was delighted about my presentation and we also sat together and had lunch at the same table.  Wonderful Man with full love for Africa and Africans and who initiated a series of important financial and operational measures: the African Businessmen Round Table, the creation of the African Bank for import-export (Afreximbank), and the setting up of special easy financing for the African private sector (investors and entrepreneurs) without the guarantee of their governments.The Conference Room was packed with U.S. and Foreign officials and Executives as well as faculties and Researchers on Africa and the Place where all these interactions took place was the fabulous and monumental Claremont Hotel in Berkeley, Northern California. 

The Conference Room was packed with U.S. and Foreign officials and Executives as well as faculties and Researchers on Africa and the Place where all these interactions took place was the fabulous and monumental Claremont Hotel in Berkeley, Northern California. 

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Dr. Said El Mansour Cherkaoui at the International Conference on Africa and AGOA

http://www.africacontext.wordpress.com

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African Growth and Opportunity Act

During President Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton’s trip to Africa in 1998, Congress was considering the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). During the trip, President Clinton aimed to show Congress that Africa and the United States were ready to be partners in shared prosperity.

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National Security Advisor Samuel “Sandy” Berger accompanied the President during this historic trip. Upon his return to Washington D.C., Berger compiled the lessons the participants had learned. These lessons learned showed the promise of the African trade bill that later became the African Growth and Opportunity Act. In September 1998, President Clinton made passage of the bill a top legislative priority to support African nations aiming for democracy and free markets.

In March 1999, the Clinton Administration called upon Congress to “expand opportunities in the United States and Africa by passing the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act.” In May 2000, President Clinton signed the African Growth and Opportunity Act and it has since formed the legislative basis for the United States’ trade with African nations.

Learn more:

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Rules of Origin (RoO) are the administrative rules and criteria used to determine the origin status of products that are traded across borders in any country trading in the product’s international market of exchange, sales, purchase, and acquisition.

The Rules of Origin (RoOs) are legal provisions that determine the national origin of products traded under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). These rules are important because they establish criteria for which products can receive preferential market access and tariff benefits. The RoOs are product-specific, rather than general rules that apply to all goods. 

🌐Culture of Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Creativity🌐Social Progress 🌐

American Institute of Entrepreneurship of Africa – AIEA

🌐Entrepreneurial Africa🌐

Interested in the Entrepreneurship in Africa?

Education is one of the factors that prepare an individual for an entrepreneurial career (Dyer, 1994).

“…. There is an urgent need to promote inclusive economic transformation and jobs-induced growth to improve the quality of life for all Africans.  Africa’s youth population is rapidly growing and expected to double to over 830 million by 2050.” Source at the end of the page

🌐 Willing to make Africans benefit from your investment: financial or knowledge-based?

🌐 Willing to make Africans benefit from your Expertise as an Entrepreneur?

🌐 Here comes the Sun from Africa to you: Join our team!

🌐 Let it Be Shining and you will be at the forefront of building the foundations of the New African Entrepreneurial Innovative Mind!

🌐 Here below is where to find the related presentations in English about the Project of the AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN AFRICA and Said El Mansour Cherkaoui’s other works and publications on Africa.

Africa and Entrepreneurial Drive

Entrepreneurial Career Choice

Several major career development theorists have contributed to the literature on careers. Dyer’s (1994) Model of Entrepreneurial Careers and the Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) developed by Lent, Brown, and Hackett (1994) are two of the most accepted and validated models in the career literature. Dyer’s Model of Entrepreneurial Careers explores four components of the theory of entrepreneurial careers, such as career selection, career socialization, career orientation, and career development (Dyer, 1994).

Entrepreneur and Mentor: Tandem for Operational Innovation

According to our model, entrepreneurial career choice can be influenced by individual factors such as “mentorship”, entrepreneurial attitudes, social factors such as role models, and economic factors such as availability of a resource network, economic resources, and believe in innovation.

The idea of infusing entrepreneurship into education has spurred much enthusiasm in the last few decades. A myriad of effects has been stated to result from this, such as economic growth, job creation, and increased societal resilience, but also individual growth, increased school engagement, and improved equality. Putting this idea into practice has however posed significant challenges alongside the stated positive effects. Lack of time and resources, teachers’ fear of commercialism, impeding educational structures, assessment difficulties, and lack of definition clarity are some of the challenges practitioners have encountered when trying to infuse entrepreneurship into education.

The Certificate of Entrepreneurship Program at the AIEA aims to prepare creative practitioners and entrepreneurial-minded innovators to become valuable contributors to the fields of business, economics, culture, and community at large. Entrepreneurs combine creative, cultural, social, and entrepreneurial spirit to forward innovation goals that invest in communities while solving problems with market-based approaches for the greater good.

[Source: Entrepreneurship in Education]

American Institute for Entrepreneurship in Africa

Educational Training Program Overview

✅ Learn how to develop an effective operation management and assessment of efficiency that is highly valued within your organization.

✅ Understand how to integrate business processes and development.

✅ Develop the skills to identify necessary resources including people and assets that provide the enterprising project and endeavor tangible value.

✅ Learn how to develop a solid business plan for your entrepreneurial project that addresses cost, benefits, and operational aspects.

✅ Integrate and share understanding with colleagues and employees on how to effectively integrate management, business continuity planning, facility and infrastructure management, HR, and others.

✅ Learn how to do this efficiently: Managerial tasks/functions are divided into 3 phases:

★  Formulation of plans
★  Implementation of plans
★  Evaluation of plans.

The Entrepreneurial Program Advantage at the American Institute of Entrepreneurship in Africa

Selecting and Developing the Business Case

The key task behind planning and assessment of an entrepreneurial motive and idea is developing an understanding of the organization to be assessed through an analysis of the following steps that evaluate the business case.

The Entrepreneurial Management Process 

Entrepreneurial Drive

Understand how to educate Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders on the realistic impacts of identified aspects of the SWOT approach, presenting potential strategies to mitigate those impacts, then enacting the option chosen by the business in line with accepted levels of business risk tolerance.

NEXT LEVEL – CRITICAL THINKING

Critical thinking is so often a forgotten aspect of the risk analysis and assessment process, yet it is fundamental to risk analysis and assessment. Understanding how to formulate a question, knowing what you’re looking for, and how that information is applied is indispensable to this process of risk assessment. By exploring other points of view and understanding other perspectives, you learn more about the subject, can reflect on the information you have, and how you feel.

Identification of Entrepreneurial Drive Through Critical Thinking / SWOT

Learn to identify and characterize the organization’s assets in the context of critical thinking – the basis for all good analysis. This is the foundation for criticality and consequence analysis as well as​ for a majority of probability analysis, vulnerability analysis, and risk analysis itself that can be conducted through the SWOT Approach.

Comprehending the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats is the first step in Entrepreneurial Assessment.

Analyzing the Strengths and Opportunities

The scope should define the processes, functions, activities, physical boundaries (facilities and locations), and stakeholders within the boundaries of the risk assessment program.

• What is the scope of the entrepreneurial project as defined by the planning process?
• Is it meeting the entrepreneurial’s objectives one of the strengths?
• Does the planning process consider the context of the organization, its needs, and requirements?
• Learn how to match the scope to the resources available to reach the next level of implementation.

Treatment of the Weaknesses and Threats

Weaknesses and Threats are rating scales that are defined concerning an entrepreneur’s objectives and scope. They are typically measured in terms of impact and occurrence. Impact scales of Weaknesses and Threats should translate the units of measure used for organizational objectives, which may reflect different types of impact such as financial, competition, and/or management of products, services, human resources, and customer/client relationships.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP and CHANGE MANAGEMENT 

Managing the change process by example of leadership and reallocating human resources and competencies for adequate productivity, teamwork, discipline, accountability, and reaching the same goals while sharing the same benefits with equity and responsibility.

Entrepreneur – Manager and Change Management

• The Role of the Management is not only to Change just the shape of the Bottle
• The Role of the Management is not only to Change the Label
• The Role of the Management is not only to Change the Distributors of the Bottle
• The Role of the Management is not only to Change the Consumers and Buyers of the Bottle
• The Role of the Management is not only to Change the Content of the Bottle
• The Role of the Management is to not only to Change the Process of Making and Pouring the Liquid in the Bottle
• The Role of the Management is to change the Concept of/in the Creation of the Liquid in the first place.

COURSE SAMPLE – TRAINING SEMINAR ENTREPRENEURSHIP & ENTREPRENEURIAL MARKETING

Duration of the Entrepreneurship Program

Illustrative Sample and Design of Model

Multiple Courses will be provided for Free

Entry Terms: Fall & Spring – Available 100% Online: Yes

Credits Required for Training-Study Program Completion

This 5-day Study Program offers a comprehensive examination of all aspects of planning and implementing an entrepreneurial assessment program for any organization, small or large, public or private, and in any industry or setting. Through engaging lectures, eye-opening case studies, and practical exercises, the American Institute on Entrepreneurship in Africa program not only covers the essential topics listed but also provides opportunities to apply the principles through the offering of mentorship and consulting services, and follow-up orientations and regular online checking-up meeting and web organized brain-storm sessions.

Please Note:

Cancellation Policy

The Entrepreneurial Study and Training Programs at the American Institute of Entrepreneurship in Africa is committed to creating opportunities for all driven professionals. We understand that issues may arise that may prevent your timely participation in our programs.

If a participant cancels one month before the start of a program, a full refund of course fees will be issued. If a participant cancels between one month and one week before the start of the program, a 75% refund of course fees will be issued. If a participant cancels within one week of a program, no refund will be issued.*

AIEA reserves the right to cancel a program due to low enrollment or extenuating circumstances (e.g. natural disasters, acts of terror). In the case of such a cancellation, all participants will receive a full refund of course fees.

*These guidelines only apply for programs without lodging and accommodation. For programs in which course fees include lodging and accommodations, please contact info@triconsultingkyoto.com

In collaboration with the https://africanaenterprise.com – TRI CK USA and Global Center for Trade – GLOCENTRA, a study program with a Certificate is offered to enable Nascent, Rising, and Existing Entrepreneurs to acquire the technical knowledge that is making a difference in establishing and consolidating Entrepreneurial Drive and Enterprise Growth.

[Source: Youth are defined as ages 15-35 in this strategy based on the African Union definition. Data from United Nations Population Division,“World Population Prospects: the 2015 Revision”] 

Said El Mansour Cherkaoui – Originally published on June 18, 2023 6:48 am

Give me that High Five, We Got the World to Believe in Our Fine TechShow – Dreams of Rolling the Mechanics and the Dice over Silicon Valley and the World of “Incredulous Investors.” Babe, Let’s Buy an Island and Go Around the World

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Global Fintech Funding and Rounds from Q1 2022 to Q2 2023

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EMEA Fintech Funding takes the largest dive YoY in H1 2023, compared to other regions

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Africa has over half a billion mobile money accounts and it is the largest and fastest-growing fintech segment on the continent

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Egypt, Iran, and Saudi Arabia technically have the largest addressable market sizes for fintech across the MENA region

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African Startups Not Celebrating the New Year 2024

How many startups fail in USA? Approximately 10% of startups fail within the first year. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the startup failure rate increases over time, and the most significant percentage of businesses that fail are younger than 10 years. Over the long run, 90% of startups fail. Startup ★ Stars … Continue reading

African Startups Not Celebrating 2024

The companies are well positioned to benefit from the growth of Africa’s tech but they must address the needs of African users

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Last year, Google’s Equiano undersea cable began conveying terabytes of data per second to and from African shores. Valued at $1 billion, Equiano stretches from Western Europe to South Africa and has 20 times the capacity of the previous cables that served the continent. According to Google projections, the new cable has the potential to transform Africa’s economy by creating millions of jobs, reducing data costs by nearly 20%, and enabling a fivefold increase in internet speeds.

Other prominent US-based tech companies are also investing heavily in Africa. Amazon is in the midst of constructing its African headquarters in South Africa, while Microsoft recently launched an initiative to bring internet access to 100 million Africans by 2025. Meanwhile, Meta (formerly Facebook) is building 2Africa, an undersea cable expected to be the world’s longest when it is completed in 2024.

The impetus for these investments is the growing recognition that the future of America’s technology industry hinges on expanding its African customer base. Today, a little over a third of Africa’s 1.4 billion people use the internet, representing a small fraction of the world’s internet users. But the continent’s population is projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050 one-quarter of the global total. The vast majority of Africans are expected to become internet users by then, offering tech companies opportunities that no other region can match.

Still, there is no guarantee that the investments made by Google and other US tech companies will pay off. In recent years, foreign competitors, particularly China-based firms, have also recognized Africa’s immense potential for the technology sector, leading to intense competition for market shares.

Currently, no single actor dominates African markets. Whereas Chinese companies lead in some sectors, such as telecommunications hardware, US companies prevail in software platforms, operating systems, and search. Meanwhile, African-owned fintech companies and startups are growing rapidly, and the continent’s undersea cables and data centers are managed by a diverse set of local and remote enterprises.

The most persistent challenge facing Big Tech firms in Africa is their ignorance of and disregard for Africans’ preferences and needs. For example, some US analysts have expressed concern about the rise of Chinese companies such as Transsion, which manufactures nearly half of Africa’s smartphones. But the main reason companies such as Apple and Google struggle to compete is that their products are priced as luxury goods and are ill-suited for consumers in low-income countries. The base price of the iPhone 14, the top-selling phone in the United States, is $799, nearly half of Sub-Saharan Africa’s GDP per capita. Transsion’s phones, by contrast, sell for as little as $20.

Likewise, data localization is widely supported by African governments, researchers, and citizens. But Big Tech companies vehemently oppose efforts to store data on African citizens within their countries of origin.

To be sure, data localization is not always cost-effective and could be used by governments to undermine civil rights. But studies commissioned by the Internet Society show that efforts to localize internet traffic in Nigeria and Kenya have reduced prices, decreased latency, and fueled the growth of the local tech ecosystem. Conversely, as Nima Elmi observed, Big Tech’s approach effectively perpetuates African countries’ status as consumers of “foreign tech innovations that are developed using their own data and then sold back to them.”

Big Tech firms’ labor and recruitment practices are another example of their disregard for Africa’s needs and interests. At the top end of the pay scale, African policymakers are concerned that tech giants’ tendency to poach top talent will undermine the growth of their domestic industries. Meanwhile, these companies face legal action for subjecting content moderators, many of whom are based in Nairobi, to traumatizing experiences and inadequate wages.

Moreover, the proliferation of disinformation and incitement on social media has severely eroded the reputation of US-based platforms like Facebook, which has fueled violent conflict in Ethiopia and provided fertile ground for extremist groups such as the al-Qaeda-backed al-Shabaab. For years, Facebook ignored organized criminal groups’ use of its platform to lure Africans into domestic servitude. The company finally acted only after Apple threatened to remove Facebook and Instagram from its app store.

Given Big Tech’s record of ignoring and neglecting Africans’ needs and concerns, it is no wonder that African governments have begun to explore alternatives. Nigeria, for example, imposed a seven-month ban on Twitter in 2021, lifting it only after the company agreed to open a local office, pay taxes, and cooperate with national-security agencies. Other countries, such as Kenya, have threatened similar bans.

With their unparalleled expertise and world-class technology, US companies are well positioned to benefit from the growth of Africa’s tech market. But to maximize this opportunity, they must address the needs of African users. Moreover, establishing stronger partnerships with the burgeoning African tech industry could greatly benefit these companies, enabling them to tailor their technologies to the preferences of underserved users and mitigate the impact of disinformation. By fostering relationships with Africa-based researchers and civil-society groups, US tech companies could support the creation of a healthy digital ecosystem that promotes prosperity, security, and accountability for all users.

Over the past few years, Big Tech firms’ failure to address privacy concerns and combat disinformation has prompted a growing debate about the apparent conflict between their professed values and their bottom lines. But to succeed in Africa, US-based tech companies must recognize the falseness of this dichotomy. While investing in African businesses may yield financial rewards, investing in African citizens is the key to unlocking the continent’s vast economic potential.

***** The Independent June 13, 2023 Business, In The Magazine – Source: Project Syndicate.

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AFRICAFRIQUE TECH ECOSYSTEM

The Reality of Digital Network and Startup / Tech Hubs in Africa

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During the first quarter of 2020, Africa has 522 million internet users representing 11.5% and was ranked third in the global tally. The first one wa Asia that accounts for more than half of the global internet users. Data gathered by Learnbonds indicates that during the first quarter of 2020, the Asian continent accounted for 2.3 billion users representing about 50.3% of the global users. From the same data, Europe has the second-highest number of internet users at 15.9% which represents 727 million users.

With 453 million users, Latin America and the Caribbean region comes fourth. The region accounts for 10.1% of the worldwide internet users. In fifth place is North America with 327 million users, which represents 7.8% followed by the Middle East at 175 million users (3.9%). Oceania and the Australian region account for the least global internet user globally at 29 million which represents 0.6%.

The rise of Africa is a confirmation of a trend that compared to all regions, the strongest growth has been reported in Africa, where the percentage of people using the Internet increased from 2.1 per cent in 2005 to 24.4 per cent in 2018, according to ITU data. … The theme, “Boosting Africa’s Digital Economy,” recognizes the key role of digital technologies in the modern economy. May 27, 2019

Africa Needs to Think Big and Think Fresh

According to certain indicators, Africa is hosting only 11% of the world’s Internet subscribers and only 35.2% of the African population are accessing the Internet and mainly trough the mobile phone.

In response, efforts were made by the African governments to increase the development of fiber optique as network. Taking the example on the American, European, Indian and Chinese markets, African regulators are trying to implement policies “that encourage network sharing and access to ducts, thus facilitating the roll out of networks and reducing deployment costs. This trend is actually happening in Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Tunisia and Nigeria.

However, some people in Africa have been abandoned along the way in recent years as technology and robotisation have reduced the wages of some communities “of workers, says Christine Lagarde, the director general of the IMF.

On the other hand, the Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau, Doreen Bogdan-Martin said: “Africa cannot afford to think small or act slowly, and at the current rate of progress, hundreds of millions of African children will still be denied the opportunity to realize their potential. Without more rapid digital transformation, Africa will not succeed in creating the huge number of new jobs needed to match its population growth.”

Building a solid digital economy will require a focus in key areas, such as: digital infrastructure, digital literacy and skills, digital financial services, digital platforms, and digital entrepreneurship and innovation, says Ms Bogdan-Martin.

“Can we attain the goal of universal and affordable access to broadband for all Africans by 2030? Not without a paradigm shift,” says Ms Bogdan-Martin. “Africa’s digital transformation is going to need all hands on deck. We need to work together more effectively; engage old and new partners more effectively; innovate more effectively.”

“We need a coordinated effort to push forward the digital transformation of Africa through shared vision, policies and measures to support pan-African digital integration,” says Ms Bogdan-Martin. “Digital transformation will provide the springboard for a leap into the African Century. Africa’s youth are ready and waiting to make that leap. We must not let them down.”

Startup and Tech Trends in Africa

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12 African startups to watch in 2020

 BY GABRIELLA MULLIGAN ON JANUARY 2, 2020 – https://disruptafrica.com/

While you’re at it, check these picks for 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

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For the Disrupt Africa team, it has been another fascinating year of conversations and meetings with hundreds of inspiring, innovative African tech startups.

But which of these companies do we think have the brightest futures ahead of them? Here is our pick of the top 12 African startups to watch out for in 2020.

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Ahmed Benjas, MBA Finance Director | SAP | IFRS | SOX | US GAAP | Middle East & North Africa regions |

“When I see these figures, I wonder what makes us believe that we are a country where the economy moves.” -: studies overly paid by the State (McKinsey, Roland Berger …) and we do not have not got the thread to start yet? – Incubators that ultimately serve what? – too many startup events …. !!!! – CoWorking Spaces where we only display the signs of laid-back startups …. – business angels who are not ready to play the game … In my opinion, the failure is total, and our ecosystem is unattractive ” end of the quote.

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Raising Capital Funding for Start-up in Africa 2017 (in Millions of dollars)

Google launched a network of free Wi-Fi hotspots in Nigeria on Thursday, August 9, 2018, as part of its effort to increase its presence in Africa’s most populous nation.

The U.S. technology firm owned by Alphabet Inc has partnered with Nigerian fiber cable network provider 21st Century to provide its public Wi-Fi service, Google Station, in six places in the commercial capital Lagos, including the city’s airport.

Internet penetration is relatively low in Nigeria. Some 25.7 percent of the population made use of the internet in 2016, according to World Bank Data.

We are rolling out the service in Lagos today but the plan is to quickly expand to other locations.

The poor internet infrastructure is a major challenge for businesses operating in the country, which is Africa’s largest oil producer. Broadband services are either unreliable or unaffordable to many of Nigeria’s 190 million inhabitants.

“We are rolling out the service in Lagos today but the plan is to quickly expand to other locations,” Anjali Joshi, Google’s vice president for product management, told Reuters in Lagos.

The company said it aimed to collaborate with internet service providers to reach millions of Nigerians in 200 public spaces, across five cities by the end of 2019.

It said it would generate cash from the service in Nigeria by placing Google adverts in the login portal. Google did not disclose the amount invested in the new Nigeria service.

The technology firm said it planned to share revenues with its partners to help them maintain and deploy the Wi-Fi service but did not disclose the expected advertising revenue split.

Africa’s rapid population growth, falling data costs, and heavy adoption of mobile phones have made it an attractive investment prospect for technology companies.

Nigeria is the fifth country to launch Google Station. Similar services have been launched in India, Indonesia, Mexico and Thailand.

The service is aimed at countries with rapidly expanding populations. The United Nations estimates Nigeria will be the world’s third most populous nation, after China and India, by 2050.

“A lot of people who found data to be too expensive for them to use, are using it,” said Joshi. “In India, we have tens of millions of users, and close to a million in Mexico.”

However, many do not disclose how profitable the continent’s markets are, or if they make the companies money at all.

Last year, Google announced plans to train 10 million Africans in online skills within five years. It also said it aimed to provide $3 million in equity-free support to African start-ups.

Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osinbajo visited Google’s Silicon Valley headquarters this month to meet the company’s chief executive, Sundar Pichai.

REUTERS

The average size of the deals struck in Africa by startups also increased year-on-year at every stage of investment, with Series A funding, for example, increasing to around $3.7m. Series A refers to a company’s first significant round of venture capital financing. At the same time, the number of tech hubs in Africa has risen to 310, with 173 accelerators and incubators recorded in 2016, according to the World Bank. There were 117 in the previous ye

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 For Startups: High Priority Should be given to Assembling Founding Team

 While it is true that an entrepreneur needs to be very disciplined hence the 24 steps in Disciplined Entrepreneurship taught by Prof Bill Aulet, I cannot hide my eureka moment when I become more and more convinced after conforming: the number one skill that an aspiring founder must prioritize is FOUNDING TEAM ASSEMBLY – choosing co-founders, splitting equity, recruiting advisors, managing a board. 

This is articulated by Thomas R. Eisenmann, Rob Howe, and Beth Altringer in “What Does an Aspiring Founder Need to Know?“

Interestingly, Prof Matt Marx of MIT Sloan elaborated carefully in his class “Dilemmas in Founding New Ventures (a full semester in 80 minutes)”. In it he gave examples from Smartix, Segway, Wily Technology, and Zipcar.com that could have been conducted better during the founding team assembly stage. He outlined some observations that the Skills and Networks of the founders must complement each other, but objectives must be similar among the founders. Skills is easily observed. Networks is also rather easy if you probe. However, the raison d’être of the co-founder is not observable.

In Tribute to Nass Al Ghiwane and Moroccan Popular Culture and its Human and Artistic Pillars

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North African Sahara: Traditional Music and Universal Rhythms

⧫ Said El Mansour Cherkaoui ⧫ 27/12/2021 ⧫ Paul Bowles Moroccan Music Collection From July to December 1959, Paul Bowles crisscrossed Morocco making recordings of traditional music under … Continue reading Paul Bowles Moroccan Music Collection MOROCCO INFUSING EXCELLENCE Tayeb Seddiki and the Rise of Nass El Ghiwane Tayeb Seddiki the Man of the Wood Planks … Continue reading

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How many startups fail in USA?

Approximately 10% of startups fail within the first year. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the startup failure rate increases over time, and the most significant percentage of businesses that fail are younger than 10 years. Over the long run, 90% of startups fail.

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Startup ★ Stars ★ Stages

Said El Mansour Cherkaoui  March 22, 2022 – DoorDash founders’ fortunes Founded6/10/2022 Diners globally are increasingly hungry to leave their homes and go … Read More

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All but the most promising and well-run VC-backed startups struggled to raise funding as venture capital investors became much more selective than they were just a few years ago. As a result, startups that weren’t yet able to sustain their operations without additional funding ran out of money and closed up shop.

Africa Dismay and Startup Going Down

• VC funding in the African startup ecosystem has steadily declined in 2023, causing experts to worry about the future of the once fast-growing sector.
• With fewer investors willing to bet on the continent during the tech downturn, the funding crunch has triggered mass layoffs, slashed valuations, and the liquidation of several African startups.
• Recent news reports of mismanagement and fraud have impacted investor perception, leading to increased scrutiny and demand for credibility from local and global investors.

The funding crunch has already caused several casualties. Since the beginning of the year, at least 10 African startups.

2023 has been a difficult year for African startups. The global economic downturn has led to a decrease in venture capital funding for startups worldwide, including African startups. Funding for African startups has dropped significantly, with estimates suggesting a decline of 50% or more compared to 2022. 

Other reasons for the shutdown of African startups in 2023 include: 

• Fewer investors willing to bet on the continent
• Mass layoffs
• Slashed valuations
• Liquidation of several African startups
• Fund mismanagement
• Unfavorable market conditions
• Challenges associated with certain business models
• Lack of liquidity in the market
• Difficulties startups use to regularly raising capital
• Inability to convince investors

Other challenges that impact the success of startups in Sub-Saharan Africa include: Infrastructure deficits, Regulatory obstacles, Limited mentorship, Frugality issues, Inadequate marketing and branding.  The absence of internet connection is also a factor in limiting the expansion of E-commerce and other business online transactions. This is not just in the rural areas but also in the cities.

Some notable African startups that shut down in 2023 include: 

• HytchA Nigerian B2B logistic platform that shut down because it “couldn’t raise [funding] and couldn’t sustain the business with just the money [it was] making”
• OkadaBooksA Nigerian digital publishing platform that shut down due to unspecified “insurmountable challenges”
• DashA Ghanaian payments startup that folded in October amid allegations of financial impropriety and false reporting

TOP TEN African Startups Not Celebrating the New Year 2024

Sub-Saharan Africa faces unique challenges that impact the success of startups. An article published on Medium in April 2023 outlines these challenges, including a lack of funding, infrastructure deficits, regulatory obstacles, limited mentorship, frugality issues, and inadequate marketing and branding.

Sendy: In August, Kenyan end-to-end fulfillment startup Sendy shut down operations and announced a fire sale of assets (it didn’t call it that), with reports saying reduced order volumes and fuel price hikes meant it was making deliveries at a loss, and had a monthly burn rate of US$1 million. Sendy raised US$20 million in capital as recently as January 2020, but in the current climate further funding was not to be found.

54gene: 54gene, a genomics research company that had raised US$45 million across three funding rounds, revealed in September that it had started winding down its operations. 54gene, which has had three CEOs in the last 12 months.

Dash: Ghanaian payments startup Dash, founded in 2019, had raised a whopping US$86 million, but folded in October amid allegations of financial impropriety and false reporting. 

WhereIsMyTransport: South African mobility startup WhereIsMyTransport, bankrolled to the tune of over US$27 million by investors such as Naspers in recent years, announced it was closing down in October after failing to secure more investment. 

Lazerpay: In April, Lazerpay, a Nigerian crypto and web3 company, confirmed it was shutting down operations after failing to raise additional funding. The startup had laid off some employees last year after the proposed lead investor for its seed round withdrew due to the “market conditions and disagreement on terms”.

Zumi: Kenyan B2B e-commerce startup Zumi announced in March it had closed down after failing to secure the necessary funding to continue operations. Launched in 2016, Zumi began life as a female-focused digital magazine, before pivoting into e-commerce in 2020. According to co-founder and CEO William McCarren, the startup achieved over US$20 million in sales, acquired 5,000 customers, and built a team of 150 people, but closed after failing to secure investment.

Zazuu: Last month, Zazuu, a London-based marketplace for African remittance companies that and raised more than US$2 million in total funding, also shut down, citing a lack of funding.

Hytch: In February, Nigerian logistics startup Hytch confirmed it had shut down barely nine months after launch.

Okada Books: Nigeria’s Okada Books, founded in 2013 and a pioneer in digital publishing and bookselling, closed down last month, citing rough macroeconomic conditions.

Pivo: Formed by Ijeoma Akwiwu and Nkiru Amadi-Emina in July 2021 and launched in public beta in September, Pivo offered banking services to small supply chain businesses, and raised a US$2 million seed round a little over a year ago. It, too, has now closed its doors, though by all accounts founder conflict also played a part.

Copia: Kenyan e-commerce company Copia, which raised US$50 million Series C funding last year, announced it was pulling out of Uganda, “consistent with many of the best companies in Africa and across the world which are responding to the market environment and prioritising profit.” 

MarketForce: Another Kenyan retail-tech startup, MarketForce, is also facing challenges. The company raised US$40 million in funding in February of last year, back in the boom times, but stunningly, certain VCs that had committed funds backed out. In all, US$8 million of that capital was never wired. MarketForce has struggled to raise more capital, announced a bunch of layoffs, and recently turned to crowdfunding to get some cash in the bank.

Twiga Foods: Twiga Foods, a platform that connects Kenyan farmers to food vendors, recently secured undisclosed funding as part of a business refinancing process, just weeks after facing a KES40 million (USD 262,000) debt collection lawsuit. Twiga secured the new funding from Creadev, Juven, TLcom Capital Partners, and DOB Equity, investors that participated in the US$50 million Series C round it raised in 2021.

Paystack: Nigerian payments company Paystack, acquired by Stripe in 2020, has been steadily growing its geographical presence since then, but is now taking a step back. The company announced last month it had reduced its operations outside of Africa, cutting its workforce in Europe and Dubai.

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Various sources and documentation were used in this article. Corresponding references are listed in the text of this article as links to connect to for further indications.

CHERKAOUI JOURNAL NEWSLETTER

OCTOBER 3, 2022

U.S. Finance Policy Facing High-Tech Clouds

U.S. Finance Policy Facing High Tech Clouds October 3, 2022, For the U.S. Financial Regulators, the Limit is NOT the Sky of the Financial Space, It is the Crypto Cloud Platforms Next the European Central Bank will follow the Course #cloud #bank #cryptonews

SAID EL MANSOUR CHERKAOUI∙1 MIN READ

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USAFRICA – AFRIQUETATSUNIS

Africa is eager to host and conduct trade international investment and Business with the rest of the world. TRI CK USA gives companies from around the globe the opportunity to gain insight on how to enter or expand and build lasting and mutually beneficial relations with Africans and African countries.

TRI CK USA SUPPORT AND SERVICES ON AFRICA

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Workshops and training on doing business in Africa
Provision of industry/country guides
Support for trade delegations and trade fairs
Technical assistance and advocacy with the host government
Promotion of country brand

Featured countries

TRI CK USA offers Advising and Consulting Services in these countries:

Going Global

Globally 96.5% of individuals access the internet via mobile devices. Africa has the highest mobile phone internet use as a % of all use at 69.13%. Total use includes automated (non-human operated) devices, corporate services, internet, social media, and cloud professional hardware.
Globally 61.35% of internet use is on phones, so not too far behind.

Some of the differential may have more to do with the balance between personal human v corporate/service traffic, rather than phone with another device by human users.

Europe is the slowest continent to make this graduation with only 51.89% on mobile devices.
There is also a direct relationship between a higher proportion of mobile device dominance and population growth.

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Legal Services

Legal services are established together with reputable legal agencies in Africa to protect our members along with services needed to set up commercial operations from Cape to Cairo

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Be Better Informed on Africa

• Sciences Po Grenoble – Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Grenoble – Membre de la Fondation Nationale des Sciences Politique de Paris.
• Université Grenoble Alpes – IREP: Institut de Recherches Economiques et de Planification pour le Developpement
• IHEAL Institute of Latin American Studies, Paris
• Université Sorbonne Nouvelle

🌍 Top Analysis and Priorities of Africa 🌍 Top Analyses et Priorités pour l’Afrique 🌍 Weekly newsletter 937 subscribers Subscribed

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Moroccans Meeting in the United States of America – Said El Mansour Cherkaoui Ph.D. – Said Cherkaoui Ph.D. (Veste Beige Fonce, a sa gauche Bouazza Kostali, Hicham Alaoui) Welcoming His Excellency Si Mohcine Jazouli and Si Ali Seddiki

From West North Africa to West North America

Said El Mansour Cherkaoui Ph.D.

★ Strategic Catalyst Driving U.S.-Morocco-Africa Investment, Trade, and Business Development ★ Senior Policy Adviser in International Affairs ★ Accomplished Public Speaker ★ Distinguished News Executive Editor ★

95 articles

May 28, 2024Open Immersive Reader

By Said El Mansour Cherkaoui Ph.D. _ Said Cherkaoui Ph.D.

Contact: saidcherkaoui@triconsultingkyoto.com

The Conquest of the American West – How the West American Technology Was Won by the Moors of West Africa

La conquête de l’Ouest américain – Comment la technologie ouest-américaine a été conquise par les Maures d’Afrique de l’Ouest

Morocco-United States Relation and American-Moroccan Diaspora

Relation Maroco-Américaine et Diaspora Américano-Marocaine

Related Links:

Investment and Trade Moroccan Delegation in USA

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7192650708116987904?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

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Road to Morocco and USA Roadshow by Moroccan Officials

Said El Mansour Cherkaoui Ph.D. welcoming His Excellency Si Mohcine Jazouli, the MICEPP – Ministry of Investment, Convergence and Evaluation of Public Policies who stated his great feeling to be with Moroccans in the Silicon Valley, Northern California:

« Thrilled to have convened an inspiring gathering in Silicon Valley, bringing together Moroccan professionals from diverse sectors. Proud of such a dynamic community and excited for the future collaborations ahead !»

“The Best Is Yet To Come “

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DIASPORA OF AFRICAN EXECUTIVES

DIASPORA OF AFRICAN EXECUTIVES – JOIN US AND LET YOUR CONTACTS AND NETWORK KNOW ABOUT US

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Road to Morocco and USA Roadshow by Moroccan Officials

Invest in Morocco:

Where Vision Creates Opportunities – Where Culture, History, and Present Progress Are the Driving Forces of Change and Development. The rich cultural heritage, historical significance, and ongoing progress catalyze positive change and sustainable development.

“The Best Is Yet To Come “

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In the following articles, you will enjoy reading about comprehensive presentations on the Great Visit Made by the Moroccan Official Delegation to California and other cities in the United States of America in May 2024 that was headed by His Excellency Si Mohcine Jazouli, the Minister of Investment, Convergence and Evaluation of Public Policies

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MOROCCANS MEETING IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Moroccans Meeting in the United States of America – Said El Mansour Cherkaoui Welcoming His Excellency Si Mohcine Jazouli, the Minister of Investment, Convergence and Evaluation of Public Policies « Thrilled to have convened an inspiring gathering in Silicon Valley, bringing together Moroccan professionals from diverse sectors. Proud of such a dynamic community and excited for the future collaborations ahead !» Declaration by His Excellency Si Mohcine Jazouli, the Minister of Investment, Convergence and Evaluation of Public Policies … Continue reading

SAID EL MANSOUR CHERKAOUI: U.S. AND INTERNATIONAL REFLECTIONS ON THE KINGDOM OF MOROCCO

Said El Mansour Cherkaoui: U.S. and International Reflections on the Kingdom of Morocco

Said El Mansour Cherkaoui Ph.D.    Said Cherkaoui Ph.D. Sciences Po Grenoble Université Grenoble Alpes – IREP: Institut de Recherches Economiques et de Planification pour le Developpement IHEAL Institute of Latin American studies, Paris Université Sorbonne Nouvelle   info:–: saidcherkaoui@triconsultingkyoto.com Dr. Said El Mansour Cherkaoui Approaches Explained: I publish for you articles, reports and analyses … Continue reading

MEETING WITH MOROCCANS IN SILICON VALLEY

Meeting with Moroccans in Silicon Valley

Dr. Said El Mansour Cherkaoui  Road to Morocco and USA Roadshow by Moroccan Officials By Said El Mansour Cherkaoui Ph.D. _ Said Cherkaoui Ph.D.Contact: saidcherkaoui@triconsultingkyoto.com Invest in Morocco: Where Vision Creates Opportunities – Where Culture, History, and Present Progress Are the Driving Forces of Change and DevelopmentMorocco offers a wealth of investment opportunities driven by … Continue reading

MOROCCO TECH REPRESENTATIVES AT SILICON VALLEY TECH FIRMS

Morocco Tech Representatives at Silicon Valley Tech Firms

Real High-Level Delegation of Moroccan Government Visiting E-Gov and Cloud of Silicon Valley Computing and E-Gov   A high-level Moroccan delegation in a trade mission in the U.S. Ghita Mezzour, PhD Ministre Déléguée Chargée de la Transition Numérique et de la Réforme de l’Administration Ministère de la Transition Numérique et de la Réforme de l’Administration … Continue reading

MOROCCAN HIGH-RANKING GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS BLESSING FRISCO BAY

Moroccan Trade Mission in Silicon Valley – California Said El Mansour Cherkaoui Ph.D. ★ Senior Policy and Business Adviser ★ Consultant ★ News Executive Editor ★ Public Speaker ★ Good Day U.S. and Moroccan Professionals in the Silicon Valley and Bay Area of San Francisco High-level Moroccan Delegation in a Business, Investment and Trade Mission … Continue reading

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SAID EL MANSOUR CHERKAOUI: ACADEMIA, RESEARCH AND SPORT

Said El Mansour Cherkaoui: Academia, Research and Sport

His academic pursuits include affiliations with institutions such as Université de la Sorbonne, Paris III, Institut des Hautes Etudes de l’Amérique Latine, and Paris Sciences Po, Grenoble Tate Yoko Research Institute 1. Academic Endeavors: Dr. Cherkaoui’s academic pursuits include research in the field of economics and politics. His work on “Economie politique du subcapitalisme en Amérique latine (1830-1930)” delves into … Continue reading

PUBLICATIONS BY SAID EL MANSOUR CHERKAOUI: USA-MOROCCO

Publications by Said El Mansour Cherkaoui: USA-Morocco

Par Dr. Said El Mansour Cherkaoui Ph.D. A Toutes et Tous les Membres de Notre DIASPORA OF AFRICAN EXECUTIVES To All Members of Our DIASPORA OF AFRICAN EXECUTIVES Silver Screen Shot on the Projection of Inter-National and Inter-Cultural Lights All the pleasure is for my definition of human relationships and joy as my first name … Continue reading

SAID EL MANSOUR CHERKAOUI: TRADE MISSIONS AND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES

Said El Mansour Cherkaoui: Trade Missions and International Conferences

Dr. Said El Mansour Cherkaoui Leading United States Trade and Business Mission in Morocco Glocentra, EBCITD with the U.S. Department of States, U.S. Department of Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, and the U.S. Embassy in Morocco Dr. Said El Mansour Cherkaoui employs a multifaceted approach to promote investment in Morocco, combining advocacy, … Continue reading

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Said El Mansour Cherkaoui Ph.D. – Said Cherkaoui Ph.D.

:– Email: saidcherkaoui@triconsultingkyoto.com

https://whatsapp.com/dl

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7192353809543618560?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

• Sciences Po Grenoble
• Université Grenoble Alpes – IREP: Institut de Recherches Economiques et de Planification pour le Developpement
• IHEAL Institute of Latin American studies, Paris
• Université Sorbonne Nouvelle

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Message sent to Her Excellency Ghita Mezzour, PhD, Your Excellency, Madame La Ministre Good Day

At Palo Alto, the Cradle of the Tecomputer, Info System, and the High Techood, my neighborhood for 37 years and counting.

Here is one of the Peaks of such time and proximity: Meeting with Sistas-Bros from our Motherland visiting to revive my Passé Simple de Chraibi and brighten our Mémoire Tatouée par mon Cousin Khattibi.

YES, the Moroccan Caravan coming from the Moorland from the Western Side of Africa a la Conquete du Far-West was made with Dignity, Prestige, and Sociability displaying the best expressions and Wonderfull performances with Elegance, Knowledge, Socialibility, and a deep sense of Moroccan Hospitality.

Allah Bless the Kingdom of Morocco and God Bless America

As the Pink Flying Floyd will sing it:

“I wish you were here” with all of us, not just in Oracle Soft Landing Cluster.

Here is my Compte-Rendu de notre Fabuleuse Soirée Marocaine au Coeur de la Silicon Valley.

Madame La Ministre, your Excellency, with Great Honor and National Pride I present you with this work of mine on Grandiose Accomplishments:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/from-west-north-africa-america-said-el-mansour-cherkaoui-ph-d–2emuc/?trackingId=7oVG%2B9%2BYSa2q6ujXYDZMKQ%3D%3D

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Fonds Mohammed VI pour l’Investissement – Mohcine Jazouli – Ryad Mezzour – Leila Benali, PhD. – Ghita Mezzour, PhD – Nisrine IOUZZI – Khalid SAFIR – Mohamed Benchaâboun – Moroccan Investment and Export Development Agency – AMDIE – Morocco Now – TRI CONSULTING KYOTO – TRI CK USA – ENGIE Research & Innovation – Agence Nationale pour le Développement de l’Aquaculture – CGEM – National Port Agency (NPA) – Akwa Group – Orange Maroc – Afriquia Gaz – Afriquia Gaz – SM Development Corporation (SMDC) – OCP Group – OCP AFRICA – Caisse de Dépôt et de Gestion – CREDIT DU MAROC – Crédit Agricole du Maroc – Masen – Agence Marocaine pour l’Efficacité Énergétique (AMEE) – TAQA Group – MEDZ Morocco – ONHYM – National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines – Umnia Bank – AMCI Group – Ministère de l’Economie et des Finances – Ministère de la Transition Numérique et de la Réforme de l’Administration – Ministry of Industry and Trade – Morocco – Ministère de l’Aménagement du Territoire et d’urbanisme – Institut Royal des Etudes Stratégiques – IRESEN – Research Institute for Solar Energy and New Energies – Cluster ENR – Cluster GreenH2 – UM6P – Mohammed VI Polytechnic University – UM6P – Faculté de Gouvernance, Sciences Economiques et Sociales, Said El Mansour Cherkaoui Ph.D.

#Maroc #RoyaumeduMaroc #industry #événement #forum #developpement #atoutseconomiques #Investissement #opportunité #économie #energie #hydrogenevert #solaire #eolienne #Agriculture #tourisme #saidelmansourcherkaoui #trickusa #triconsultingkyoto

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SAID EL MANSOUR CHERKAOUI – NETWORK OF PUBLIC MEDIA OCTOBER 5, 2021

Said El Mansour Cherkaoui Publications on Electricity in Morocco and the Relation of Africa with Europe Via Morocco for the Gas and Power Distribution

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Moroccan Kingdom – United Kingdom: Electrical Link by Submarine Cable

Updated on April 1, 2023, and January 5, 2022 – Originally Published on October 3, 2021 – This is the first project in a while that has genuinely blown my mind at the scale and complexity of #ProjectManagement involved! I’ve tried to summarise this ‘bonkers-scale’ project… Read more

Débat de Haute Facture et Branché sur l’Électricité au Maroc !

Published by Said El Mansour Cherkaoui – Pourquoi, Comment et Quelles sont les Paramètres Internationaux?

Dans le cas du Maroc, une combinaison de facteurs sont en constante interférence et interaction et peut être résumée dans les faits suivants … Continuer de lire

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Gaz Naturel: l’Afrique au Secours de l’Union Européenne?

Published by Said El Mansour Cherkaoui – Annotation et mise a jour: 5/1/2022 – 4/23/2022 – 4/22/2022 – 1/11/2021 Financement de la FEED Phase II Nigeria/Maroc : Worley fournira des services FEED pour un gazoduc en Afrique de l’Ouest – 26 avril 2022 Le Maroc et le Fonds de l’OPEP pour le développement international (OPEC Fund) et la Banque Islamique de développement ont procédé à la signature de la documentation juridique … Continue reading

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Moroccan Kingdom – United Kingdom: Electrical Link by Submarine Cable

Published by Said El Mansour Cherkaoui – In Britain, the tiny Devon village of 286 people is linked to MOROCCO by the world’s longest £16 billion submarine cable

The village of Alverdiscott, Devon, is the final destination of the submarine cable project £16 billion marine
The village of 286 is linked to a line to Morocco. The scheme will import solar and wind power to power seven million homes by 2030 …. Read more

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Royaume du Maroc et Royaume Uni: Liaison Electrique par Câble Sous-Marin

Published by Said El Mansour Cherkaoui – Publié le 3 Octobre 2021 – mise a jour 1/5/2022 En Grande Bretagne, le minuscule village du Devon de 286 habitants est relié au MAROC par le plus long câble sous-marin du monde pour 16 milliards de livres sterlingLe village d’Alverdiscott, Devon, est la destination finale du projet de câble sous-marin de 16 milliards de livres sterlingLe village de 286 habitants est relié à une … Continue reading

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Pouvoir d’Électri-cité – Electri-city Power

Published by Said El Mansour Cherkaoui – Updated, Translated and Presented on May/3/2022 Dr Said GUEMRA• 1st Expert Conseil en Management de l’Energie 4.0 GemTech MoniToring Maroc5h • 5 hours ago DU CHARBON A L’HYDROGÈNE ET BIOMASSE: QUELLE TRANSITION DU SECTEUR ÉLECTRIQUE A 2050 ? Ca fait des mois que la question de notre mix électrique en 2050, me revient sans cesse, chaque il manquait une pièce au puzzle…il est … Continue reading

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Dossier SOS Energie au Maroc

Published by Said El Mansour Cherkaoui – SOS Energie au Maroc: System Organisationnel Sans Progrès Productif ou Opérationnel Le dossier énergie au Maroc est actuellement un des plus brûlants sujet de préoccupation et de consternation tant pour le peuple marocain que pour les dirigeants des entreprises pris entre les tenailles de l’inflation galopante affectant tous les secteurs économiques du Maroc. Le genre … Lire la suite

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Les Perspectives du DEVLOPEMENT Industriel au Maroc

Published by Said El Mansour Cherkaoui – LES FAUSSES PERSPECTIVES DU DEVLOPEMENT INDUSTRIEL AU MAROC Dr Said GUEMRA • 1st Expert Conseil en Management de l’Energie 4.0 GemTech MoniToring Maroc LE TEMPS DES UNS ET LE TEMPS DES AUTRES. Une tournée chez amis industriels, à montré l’ampleur de la crise actuelle surtout sur le volet énergie, avec le Fioul 2 a 9100 Dh/T, … Lire la suite

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Dossier: Notre Energie, Notre Maroc

Published by Said El Mansour Cherkaoui –

En ce jour du 2 Août, 2022, heure 1:25 PM / le nombre courant est de  2,149 impressions / nombre de personnes ayant lu l’article intitulé: Maroc: La Samir et le Duel Interministériel Manquant d’Énergie Gouvernemental   A toutes celles et ceux qui nous rendent visite ici et lisent mes écrits et mes publications, je … Lire la suite

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Yes or No in 2030 : 52% of Moroccan electricity will or will not be renewable in Morocco?

Published by Said El Mansour Cherkaoui – Why, How and What are the International Parameters? In the case of Morocco, a combination of factors are in constant interference and interaction and can be summarized in the following facts:  Expansion of urbanization,  Électrification rural areas,  Attractiveness of foreign companies,  Military and national security needs,  State priorities with regard to regional planning and budgetary … Lire la suite

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Débat de Haute Facture et Branché sur l’Électricité au Maroc !

Published by Said El Mansour Cherkaoui – Debate on Electricity in Morocco! Mise a jour, 9 /Avril/ 2022 Pourquoi, Comment et Quelles sont les Paramètres Internationaux? Dans le cas du Maroc, une combinaison de facteurs sont en constante interférence et interaction et peut être résumée dans les faits suivants:  Expansion de l’urbanisation,  Électrification des zones rurales,  Attractivité des compagnies étrangères,  Besoins militaires et … Lire la suite

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Fortune Teller and Moroccan Vision: Go Back to Future, Progress without Future

Published by Said El Mansour Cherkaoui – 24 July 2022 The Fortune Teller Vision: Go Back to the Future with Progress without Future Go Baby over the line on the sand and seek sun heat to create invisible energy steaming in the air and not in our homeland and homes Where is our money is where … Lire la suite

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Natural Gas: Africa – European Union

Published by Said El Mansour Cherkaoui – Annotation and update: 4/23/2022 – 4/22/2022 – 1/11/2021 Nigeria Gaz Connection to Europe Nigeria Gaz Connexion a l’Europe.  This post “Gaz Naturel: l’Afrique au Secours de l’Union Européenne?” posted at LINKEDIN on April 23, 2022, ·  15,340 views ·  85 reactions · 72 comments · 16 reshares and keeps growing …Currently, the war in Ukraine and the sanctions imposed by … Continue reading

Natural Gas: Africa to the Rescue of the European Union?

Published by Said El Mansour Cherkaoui – Nigeria Gas Pipeline – Europe and African Integration Said El Mansour Cherkaoui Annotation and update : 6/21/2022 – 4/23/2022 – 4/22/2022 – 1/11/2021 Morocco, OPEC Fund signed document on gas pipeline project Moroccan authorities and the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) signed the document on $14.3 mln funding for the second phase of the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline (NMGP) project. The study co-funded by the Islamic Development … Continue reading

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Gazoduc Nigéria – Europe et Intégration Africaine

Published by Said El Mansour Cherkaoui – Annotation et mise a jour: 4/30/2022 – 4/23/2022 – 4/22/2022 – 1/11/2021 – Financement de la FEED Phase II Le Maroc et le Fonds de l’OPEP pour le développement international (OPEC Fund) et la Banque Islamique de développement ont procédé à la signature de la documentation juridique relative au financement d’une partie de la deuxième phase des études d’avant-projet détaillées du … Continue reading

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Nigeria Gas Connection to Europe

Published by Said El Mansour Cherkaoui – This post “Gaz Naturel: l’Afrique au Secours de l’Union Européenne?”  Currently, the war in Ukraine and the sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Commission have spurred a renewed interest in supplying European countries … Continue reading

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Nigeria Gaz Connexion a l’Europe

Published by Said El Mansour Cherkaoui –

Actuellement, la guerre en Ukraine et les sanctions imposées par les États-Unis et la Commission européenne ont suscité un regain d’intérêt pour l’approvisionnement des pays … Continue reading

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Algeria -Morocco Gas Relations

Published by Said El Mansour Cherkaoui – The situation between Morocco and Algeria continues to deteriorate. After announcing, on August 24, 2021,  the severance of diplomatic relations between the two countries , Algiers outbid on Wednesday September 22, 2021. This time, the Algerian government announced the immediate closure of its airspace to all civil aircraft and Moroccan soldiers and all those registered in the Cherifian kingdom.  Among the reasons given, “the continuation of provocations and … Continue reading

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★ OCP Global ★ Doukkala au Maroc ★

Published by Said El Mansour Cherkaoui –

★OCP Star Globale ★ Fossoyeur de Doukkala au Maroc★ Préambule: Nous situons notre présent article dans le Droit Chemin tracé par le Discours Royal demandant des propositions et des alternatives concernant les difficultés que connait le Maroc actuellement concernant la gestion de ses ressources humaines, naturelles et financières. Veuillez aussi situer cet article dans le … Lire la suite

Maroc: Eau, Énergie et Pollution

Published by Said El Mansour Cherkaoui – CULTIVATING CONVERSATIONS SEEDS TO GROW POVERTY FOR MOROCCAN PEOPLE AND INCREASE POLLUTION FOR MOROCCAN LANDS 1 – L’exemple de ce pays et le désert est un mauvais exemple d’un pays qui vole l’eau en puisant les nappes souterraines des pays voisins. Un peu tard pour supporter les Marocains Musulmans après toutes ces annees perdues dans … Lire la suite

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Doing Business in North Saharan Africa – Click on the following web link to access the slide presentation:
Doing Business in North Saharan Africa by Dr.Said El Mansour Cherkaoui

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AFRICA @ the United States Department of Commerce, San Francisco

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“THE FIELD OF PETROL DREAM IN NIGERIA” – BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME

Alhaj Aliko Dangote GCON, the Founder /Chairman of Dangote Industries Limited speaks on the challenges of building his refinery in Lagos with the CNN anchor and correspondent, Eleni Giokos.

Cleaning Hands and Terms of Trade

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Investment in integration upstream and downstream

The journey from palm oil, coffee beans, and cacao farm to a Soap Bar, Coffee Cup, and Chocolate Bar involves intermediaries, making transparency difficult.

The exploitation of natural resources from Africa has a long history, and it extends beyond agricultural products, it includes mining and other natural and human resources.

During colonial times, European powers exploited Africa’s resources, including cacao, rubber, and minerals. The legacy of this exploitation still affects African economies today. The terms of trade have often favored industrialized nations over African producers.

This reminds me of the story of the price of a Starbucks coffee cup sold in New York and the price of Coffee Beans bought by Starbucks in Ethiopia, with the difference between the two in cost, is just Hot water added at the end.

Starbucks is the largest coffee chain worldwide, bringing in annual revenue of $32.3 billion (2022). This revenue has increased to $35 billion as of June 2023.

Starbucks Retail Prices:

• When it comes to purchasing coffee beans from Starbucks, there is something for everyone.
• Prices vary depending on the type of bean and packaging:
• A one-pound bag of Ethiopia coffee retails for $13.95 U.S. [Listed in Starbucks website on 6/3/2024]
  • One-pound bags of ground coffee start at $9.95.
  • Whole bean coffee starts at $11.95.
• Starbucks also offers organic and fair trade coffee for an additional premium⁴.

Given that Starbucks buys about 800 million pounds of coffee every year, or about 5 percent of the world’s coffee, Burns says, “the potential to positively impact the lives and livelihoods of farmers and their communities is tremendous.

The average cost range for a pound of ground coffee is $8-$20. The average pound of coffee can make roughly 24-46 cups of coffee. That’s an average of just 26 cents per cup! Jan 22, 2024

Yes, indeed, burning the price to less than US$ 0.62 per pound has a real impact on African farmers, of course.

Specific details about Starbucks’ purchase price per pound of coffee in Africa are not disclosed publicly.

Wholesale Price Ranges in South Africa:

In South Africa, the approximate wholesale price range for coffee (both beans and ground) varies:

• For coffee beans: Between US$ 1.37 and US$ 1.37 per kilogram (approximately US$ 0.62 per pound)².
• For coffee (including ground coffee): Between US$ 7.60 and US$ 9.67 per kilogram (approximately US$ 3.45 to US$ 4.39 per pound)³.

The disparity between the price of a Starbucks coffee cup in New York and the cost of coffee beans purchased by Starbucks in Ethiopia is a thought-provoking example of value chains and economic dynamics.

All the fuzz of marketing, branding, and other value addition, labor and overhead, packaging, and presentation that Starbucks claims as additional expenses are inclusive and intrinsic to any business operations of the same kind in a competitive environment or not.

While Ethiopia’s Challenge is faced with a well-designed strategic offer of Low Profit for Farmers receiving a small share of the final retail price is exposed globally to supply, demand, and market speculation and has no control over the branding and marketing power that Starbucks enjoys.

This is not just coffee problem of equity, it is the same process of exploitation for other natural products and mineral resources extracted from Africa, Cacao was another example before Africans understood the process of exploitation they were subject to and organized themselves which allowed them to decide by themselves to whom to sell and what conditions and terms they choose, including the pricing.

Like coffee, cacao (the raw material for chocolate) has faced similar challenges. African countries, particularly those in West Africa (such as Ivory Coast and Ghana), are major cacao producers.

However, for decades, the cacao industry has grappled with issues such as child labor, low prices paid to farmers, and lack of transparency in supply chains.

Many African cacao farmers have struggled to earn a fair income despite their essential role in producing chocolate.

Starbucks aims for profitability and Ethiopians aim for survival.

6/3/2024

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J-Palm Liberia , led by the amazing Mahmud Johnson works to empower smallholder oil palm processors in rural Liberian communities by installing mini-mills in villages, to reduce processing time by 90% and improve palm oil yield by 50-100%.

With the support of a $250K USADF grant, J-Palm expanded its operations, constructing 20 additional palm oil processing sites, and expanding from five villages and 500 farmers to now serve more than 5000 smallholder oil palm farmers in 51 villages. 📈

This has transformed J-Palm’s operations, attracting additional financing and opportunities, including a partnership with Pacha Soap Co., a US-based manufacturer of all-natural soaps. You can now find Pacha Soap bars in Whole Foods Market stores across the U.S., made with J-Palm’s wild harvest palm kernel oil in the soap base! This is further supporting J-Palm’s ability to increase incomes for smallholder farmers and reach more communities in Liberia! 🇱🇷

#US #Africa #Liberia #Partnership #Agriculture #EconomicDevelopment