Amazing Africa , livre ebook

Marshall Cavendish International - MD Ramesh

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95 pages

English

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Written by two experts who have lived and worked in Africa for two decades, Amazing Africa: A Corporate Journey is a collection of 25 colourful tales and anecdotes of their enriching time spent on the continent. Today, Africa is a serious investment destination where there are billion dollar deals happening on a daily basis, with strong interest from governments and the private sectors alike. Amazing Africa not only contributes to a better appreciation of these business opportunities that lie in Africa, but it also provides a window into the social, cultural and environmental conditions of one of the world's most exotic and least-understood continents. Amazing Africa: A Corporate Journey promises to be a valuable companion to anyone interested in learning about the business environment in Africa and to anyone planning on embarking upon their own African adventure.

Sujets

Lettres et linguistique

África

Africa

Informations

Publié par	Marshall Cavendish International
Date de parution	07 novembre 2014
Nombre de lectures	2
EAN13	9789814634533
Langue	English

Informations légales : prix de location à la page 0,0300€. Cette information est donnée uniquement à titre indicatif conformément à la législation en vigueur.

Extrait

In 2001 I had a fledgling business and I went seeking to do business with an industry giant. Although partners and colleagues had told me that I would have little or no audience in this place, one company was receptive. The company was Olam International Ltd.
My experience was prodigious to say the least. MD Ramesh, the Managing Director of Olam Ghana at that time, listened patiently about my business and we spoke about business environment for small and medium entreprises in Ghana and also about Africa. Olam s success, as has been mine since that meeting, stems from a genuine interest in the growth of this continent. Theirs is a case of harvesting the harvester.
- Shirley Frimpong-Manso Founder CEO Sparrow Productions Ltd., Ghana
Ramesh and Ranveer have through their essays, captured some of the uniqueness of Africa; a massive, ancient land, bursting with opportunity. Not for the faint-hearted; the sights and sounds, once experienced, never leave your heart. Africa is now in their blood.
- Nick Dennis Former CEO, Tiger Brands Ltd., South Africa
Olam has built a formidable business in Africa and in the process it has touched and changed the lives of thousands of Africans for the better. With their long stint at Olam and their association with Africa, Ramesh and Ranveer have great credentials for advising the new managers and investors looking at African opportunities.
- Shankar Narayanan Managing Director, Carlyle, India
A goldmine of information for those who are embarking on a career in Africa. I felt an instant connection with the stories as they beautifully captured the landscape, language, culture and experiences of those who have lived and worked in this beautiful continent.
- Mohammed Dewji Group CEO, MeTL Member of Parliament, Singida, Tanzania
The Olam team has extensive experience in Africa. With the increasing significance of Africa as an investment destination and the related job-growth, the book Amazing Africa is very timely and is a great idea for the new age professionals heading into Africa.
- Sanjeev Bikhchandani Founder, Naukri.com
My company, Juaben Oil Mills Ltd, had a joint-venture with Olam Ghana Ltd and my contact person was MD Ramesh - at that time the Country Head and Managing Director of Olam Ghana Ltd. Our relationship went beyond the formal business partnership and into our personal time and our homes. Ramesh learnt a lot about the history of the Ashanti and Ghana through our conversations.
- Nana Otuo Siriboe II, Paramount Chief Of The Juaben Traditional Area, The Ashanti Kingdom, Ghana
Spread over 30 million sqm of land, with 40% of its population below 15 years of age, Africa has the largest tap of renewable sources of energy in hydro and solar form. The authors take us on a journey of experience to deal with the diversity and the people that make the continent. The book confirms that business is all about people and people are about culture, perception and feelings. Better understanding improves true assessment of risk, invest in it and stay focussed on the rewards!
- Jean-Yves Faboumy Director - West Africa, JCM Capital Inc, Solar Energy Development Funds
Africa has massive opportunities for investment. The success story of Olam over the past years is testament to the profitable opportunities available on the continent. The insights and interesting stories shared in this book will be of immense benefit to investors, tourists and many others including those who wish to satisfy their curiosity about the continent.
-Albert Essien Group CEO, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated

All illustrations in this book by Kwadwo Frimpong-Amaning, a Ghana based artist with a focus on traditional and digital painting as well as quality illustration.
2014 MD Ramesh Ranveer Chauhan
Published by Marshall Cavendish Editions
An imprint of Marshall Cavendish International
1 New Industrial Road, Singapore 536196
All rights reserved
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner. Requests for permission should be addressed to the Publisher, Marshall Cavendish International (Asia) Private Limited, 1 New Industrial Road, Singapore 536196. Tel: (65) 6213 9300, fax: (65) 6285 4871. E-mail: genrefsales@sg.marshallcavendish.com . Website: www.marshallcavendish.com/genref
The publisher makes no representation or warranties with respect to the contents of this book, and specifically disclaims any implied warranties or merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose, and shall in no event be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial damage, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.
Other Marshall Cavendish Offices
Marshall Cavendish Corporation. 99 White Plains Road, Tarrytown NY 10591-9001, USA Marshall Cavendish International (Thailand) Co Ltd. 253 Asoke, 12th Flr, Sukhumvit 21 Road, Klongtoey Nua, Wattana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand Marshall Cavendish (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Times Subang, Lot 46, Subang Hi-Tech Industrial Park, Batu Tiga, 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Marshall Cavendish is a trademark of Times Publishing Limited
National Library Board, Singapore Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
Moochikal Damodaran, Ramesh, 1966- author.
Amazing Africa: a corporate journey / MD Ramesh, Ranveer Chauhan. - Singapore:
Marshall Cavendish Editions, 2014
pages cm
ISBN: 978-981-4634-07-6 (paperback)
eISBN: 978 981 4634 53 3
1. Africa - Guidebooks. 2. Africa - Social life and customs. 3. Business travel - Africa - Guidebooks. I. Singh Chauhan, Ranveer, 1965- author. II. Title.
DT12.25
916.043312 - dc23
OCN893181800
Printed in Singapore by Markono Print Media
DEDICATION
This book is dedicated to Olam International Ltd. - a great employer and an amazing corporation that has been and remains at the forefront of positive change in Africa.
CONTENTS
Foreword
Message
Preface

1 Finding a Vegetarian Meal in North Ghana
2 Hyperinflation of a Lifetime
3 The Royal Chieftaincy in West Ghana
4 Accra to Abidjan: Handing Over the CEO
5 The Controle G n rale : The Tax Man Cometh
6 Seme Border: A Road Trip from Cotonou to Lagos
7 Travelling in Africa: Hotel Stories
8 Living Through a Coup in Nigeria
9 Doctor Becomes Governor
10 An Evening Out in Africa
11 Recruiting in Africa
12 Trees, Plants and Wildlife in Africa
13 Digging Rich Roots: Living Well in Africa
14 Schools and Education in Africa
15 Practical Medicine in the Rural African Context
16 Sporting the Country Colours of an Adopted Home
17 Anglophone: Francophone Africa
18 A Plane Ride within Nigeria
19 The Sugar Barons of Uganda
20 The Bricklayer of Natal
21 The Council of Six
22 The Cocoa Farmer of Obuasi
23 Family Doctors in Africa
24 Judging Miss Ghana
25 Watching Indian Films in Djougou
FOREWORD
I feel blessed to have lived and worked in Africa. I feel particularly blessed to have had the privilege of starting Olam in Africa 25 years ago and being part of an incredible journey. Africa has been a cornerstone of Olam s success over the last 25 years and will continue to play a pivotal role in our plans going forward. Most of the senior leadership team in Olam have had a close African connection, having spent years, living and working for the company in different parts of the continent. This experience has influenced and shaped us as business leaders today. Africa continues to inspire me, and my team, every day.
We are excited about the prospects for Africa going forward. Africa has the world s fastest growing and youngest population. By 2050, Africa will be amongst the two most populous continents in the world with an estimated population of 2.3 billion people. In several African countries, half or more of the population is under 25 years of age. The urbanisation rate is already at 40% and growing. Africa has also seen the second highest GDP growth (5.5% per annum) over the last decade, after Asia. According to the International Monetary Fund, Africa dominates the list of the world s fastest growing economies with six out of the top ten fastest growing countries being African during the period 2001 to 2010. These countries were part of the 7% club, which means that their economies are doubling in size every ten years.
The middle class in Africa is growing with per capita income growing at 5% compounded over the last 10 years. Nearly 100 million households in Africa today have discretionary spending power. Macro-economic conditions have significantly improved over the last decade with positive net terms of trade, low fiscal and current account deficits, lower overall debt levels, net positive terms of trade and democratic elections now the norm across most of the continent.
Africa is also blessed with a lot of natural resources with 82% of the world s platinum, 57% of its coltan, 57% of its diamond, 46% of its chromium, 43% of its palladium, 39% of its manganese, 30% of its phosphates, 19% of its gold, 16% of its uranium, 12% of its oil, 11% of its aluminium, 10% of it bauxite, 6% of its copper, 5% of its nickel, zinc and coal, 72% of its cocoa, 45% of its cashew, 13% of its tea, 12% of its coffee, 11% of its cotton etc. The new finds of gas and oil in Ghana, Mozambique, Tanzania and Uganda offer interesting prospects for the region. Given the improved governance climate, we do not expect this wealth to be a resource curse but an increasing blessing for the continent.
As a result of all these developments, there is increasing global interest in Africa. This book Amazing Africa is therefore very timely. It has been put together by two of Olam s best Africaphiles and offers a ring-side view of living and working in Africa. The book offers 25 fascinating vignettes drawn from their rich experience. It covers diverse a