Africans Lagging Behind, Yet Loving FaceBook

There really isn’t a logical reason for the lack in websites by African businesses, yet they enjoy abundance of Facebook accounts-that are updated daily!

One assumption is that perhaps Facebook is generating income for their non-existent websites or perchance the love for chatting and pontificating that Africans do so well has caused them to fail to recognize the need for their businesses to have an online presence.

Whatever the case may be, Africans can not expect to benefit from globalization and changes in economic relations brought about by globalization if they do not create websites for their business, churches or business. Chatting up others on Facebook is not enough.

Africa more than any other region of the world faces the danger of being left behind by rapid changes brought about by the forces of globalization. During the 1990’s African countries registered average growth of 2.5%, while Latin America and the Caribbean grew by 3.0%

Africa’s share of global trade is declining, Africa’s exports remain limited and much of this is caused by the fact that these companies do not have an online presence AKA a website. How will people in other parts of the world know what products and services these African business offer. The overall economic performance of Africa is being stifled by lack of legitimate business on the internet and online marketing.

Africa has so many emerging markets and many companies are taking advantage of the possibilities of globalization, but for the size of the continent of Africa, the numbers are still negligible.

Debt relief to so many African countries could be reduced if they would announce to the world the resources within their economies. International trade barriers on exports from Africa could begin to be diminished as more businesses are developed.

Rise to the challenge Africa and Glo. It’s time to rule your world!

Ignorance of Internet Marketing Among Africans is Detrimental to Africa’s Progress

This is a generation of easily accessible information technology. International travel to Africa is greater than ever before and people need to know how and where to get the products and services they need.

Most people in Africa have access to the internet, albeit many of which are via mobile phones. So even though they are stuck in traffic or in a village walking-they can access information they need.

We are not belittling the value of having a website, because for many Africans this is an immense and important step. However with the emergence of increased internet globalization- the real world in Africa needs to compulsorily interact with the virtual world on the web.

In fact, Africa’s wealth depends on it. 

 For instance mega cites in Africa like Lagos could not survive their immense growth without the internet.  How would a citizen or visitor to a large city like Johannesburg know where to look for certain products or services. 

From a marketing perspective, telling the right person -at the right place- at the right time about your service and product is incredibly powerful.
Internet marketing provides this channel.

Mega cities like Lagos may be feared because they are chaotic, but they are magnets of hope, creativity and growth. Through the internet, countries in Africa with mega cities such as Lagos are guaranteed global relevance-therefore driving more wealth in to Africa.

"It’s Africa’s Time"-Excerpts From CNBC Africa Executive Vision

By: Tim M. Solso, Cummins Inc & N. Justin Chinyanta, Loita Group

'.......Today, Africa is the new frontier, ripe for foreign investment.

Africa is booming – in part because African governments are heeding the call to action, removing barriers to trade, lowering taxes and improving the physical and social infrastructure that had impeded business growth. Africa’s collective GDP, at $1.6 trillion in 2008, is roughly equal to that of Brazil or Russia, and the rate of return on foreign investment in Africa now is higher than in any other developing region.

Despite all of these changes, and a proven ROI, most American investors are still missing out on a major opportunity for growth that would in turn create jobs and opportunity for millions of Africans.  Local knowledge has been critical to Cummins Inc new approach for investing in Africa, allowing the company to expand in a way that supports the communities in which it does business. This is the aim of the Initiative for Global Development’s Frontier 100 group, of which we are both members, which connects CEOs like us from the United States and Africa to learn how best to maximize Africa’s potential.

To be sure, Africa is a continent, not a country, and there are hurdles to overcome in certain countries before sustainable business development and poverty reduction can happen. But the tremendous growth in foreign direct investment and track record of robust economic growth is clear evidence that the continent’s leaders are making progress – and shows investors looking for the next emerging market what could be possible.

What made enterprise growth in China and India work then – the only way to make it work in Africa now – is a long term view, and a plan to nurture not only the business, but the communities in which business is being done. A corporation and its employees are only as healthy as the communities in which they operate. 

 The long-term solution to business growth has often been an emerging market. This time, the emerging markets are in Africa. American businesses should explore this new frontier, or miss out on a chance to do well, and to do good....... '

Based on these article excerpts……………………

If African businesses do not interact with the web via online marketing and promotion, how will they benefit from these clear and present interests of companies wanting to have real staying power in a global marketplace.  How will these companies that are taking the chance to partner, buyout or invest in these “emerging” markets in Africa find your products and services? 

AFRICANS Just Having A Website Is Not Enough ANYMORE!

We must involve ourselves with the infrastructure of the virtual urban world and its global blend of thinkers.

Most African businesses and Christian ministries believe that once they have a website, they have conquered the internet. Unfortunately, all they have really done is to simply open the door for their business or ministry to enter the World Wide Web.

Despite the fact that search engines such as Google, Yahoo or MSN, do allow people to immediately find a business if they type the exact website address; it may not effectively enhance the business.

The explanation is that if someone types in a certain “key word or phrase that relates to your business products or services and you have not employed some sort of internet marketing for your website-it may not even show up at all in the search engine.

There are so many easy and free ways to make a business stand out on the internet. The AfricanMarketingTech, consultants for African online marketing, suggests that “African companies or Christian ministries have got to aggressively and explicitly make their services and products known to the world via the use of internet marketing tools.”

Most Africans update their Facebook pages more than they do their business websites. If African companies and Christian ministries do not have time to constantly update their websites or blogs, seek the services of internet marketing consultants that will write articles about your business and update your keywords and phrases with search engines.

Ultimately the more you give about your business presence on the internet, the more you will get from people who urgently need your services and products.

WEBSITE Not Bringing In Business?

1.9 billion people on the web - and 4.6 billion on mobile phones. Mobile is here to stay, and you can't treat it like the rest of the web. The power of the click is replaced by one-touch phone calls, and the right Ad means everything.

On the one hand is Google’s model: search-and-go, get people out into the third party web. On the other hand is Yahoo!’s web portal model: provide a singular experience, give searchers what they’re looking for without having to leave the network of Yahoo! properties.

Google’s dominance in the mobile search market- the sources of their traffic. The Google App by itself can stand as the 2nd biggest iPhone search engine. As seen in  Search Engine Land and ReadWriteWeb.


Call AfricanMarketingTech. Today!We are experts in online marketing, we can increase your ranking from page 131 to page 1 with search engines so people can find your business with just key words. 

According to Google's Link Building SEO advice, the way the search engines operate is almost always changing. Sometimes the changes happen while we sleep and sometimes we are given a heads up way in advance so that we can prepare for the blow. Regardless building links is always going to be an integral part of building up a business online. In a recent blog post Google offered some advice for SEO link building.

Will GPS Navigation Technology Ever Work in Africa?

In numerous international countries such as Europe or America, the ease of knowing information about travel routes or traffic conditions is already showing how the physical realm and virtual cities interact and assist the society. Is this possible for Africa?

Could we have a GPS that speaks Yoruba, Swahili, Ibo, Hausa, or Zulu. Or is it that many of the streets in Africa don’t have proper names to even be entered into Navigation Technology System.

What do you'all think?

What's The Hold Up Naija?

The UN suggests that a mere 100 cities still account for 30% of the worlds economy, power players such as London, New York and Tokyo have been joined by a new category of mega cities, -such as Manila or Lagos. Albeit considered as economic underperformers(for now at least) they are vibrant, innovative and functioning ecosystems.

What’s the hold up Naija?  You should be the number one business advertisers and marketers in Africa.  Some how it seems like South Africa has taken over due to the FIFA WORLD CUP.