This document is a trend report from Trendwatching.com that discusses the trend of "SEED FUN" in Africa, which refers to Africans creating, innovating, and starting new businesses and initiatives. It discusses four key drivers of this trend: 1) Africans developing new solutions to large problems, 2) a growing startup culture and rejection of traditional careers, 3) the rise of technology hubs and accelerators across Africa, and 4) the formalization and growth of the informal economy. The document provides examples of organizations and initiatives that are fueling this trend of entrepreneurship and innovation in Africa.
Development Challenges, South-South Solutions is the monthly e-newsletter of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation in UNDP (www.southerninnovator.org). It has been published every month since 2006. Its sister publication, Southern Innovator magazine, has been published since 2011.
ISSN 2227-3905
Stories by David South
UN Office for South-South Cooperation
Contact the Office to receive a copy of the new global magazine Southern Innovator. Issues 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are out now and are about innovators in mobile phones and information technology, youth and entrepreneurship, agribusiness and food security, cities and urbanization and waste and recycling. Why not consider sponsoring or advertising in an issue of Southern Innovator? Or work with us on an insert or supplement of interest to our readers?
Follow @SouthSouth1.
In this issue:
Women Empowered by Fair Trade
Manufacturer
Global South Trade Boosted with
Increasing China-Africa Trade in 2013
India 2.0: Can the Country Make the
Move to the Next Level?
"Pocket-Friendly" Solution to Help
Farmers Go Organic
Cheap Farming Kit Hopes to Help
More Become Farmers
How africa can eliminate poverty with market-creating innovation iCSR-in-Action
Africa’s ability to sustain its economic growth will depend mainly on how quickly it will be able to shift from reliance on traditional commodity markets to modern economic structures that focus on market-creating Innovation, which is defined as innovation that transforms existing product and service offerings into products and services that are cheap enough and accessible enough to reach an entirely new population of customers. In this piece, we address the issues surrounding the growth of the African market and proffer solutions on how to eliminate it.
Development Challenges, South-South Solutions is the monthly e-newsletter of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation in UNDP (www.southerninnovator.org). It has been published every month since 2006. Its sister publication, Southern Innovator magazine, has been published since 2011.
ISSN 2227-3905
Stories by David South
UN Office for South-South Cooperation
Contact the Office to receive a copy of the new global magazine Southern Innovator. Issues 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are out now and are about innovators in mobile phones and information technology, youth and entrepreneurship, agribusiness and food security, cities and urbanization and waste and recycling. Why not consider sponsoring or advertising in an issue of Southern Innovator? Or work with us on an insert or supplement of interest to our readers?
Follow @SouthSouth1.
In this issue:
Women Empowered by Fair Trade
Manufacturer
Global South Trade Boosted with
Increasing China-Africa Trade in 2013
India 2.0: Can the Country Make the
Move to the Next Level?
"Pocket-Friendly" Solution to Help
Farmers Go Organic
Cheap Farming Kit Hopes to Help
More Become Farmers
How africa can eliminate poverty with market-creating innovation iCSR-in-Action
Africa’s ability to sustain its economic growth will depend mainly on how quickly it will be able to shift from reliance on traditional commodity markets to modern economic structures that focus on market-creating Innovation, which is defined as innovation that transforms existing product and service offerings into products and services that are cheap enough and accessible enough to reach an entirely new population of customers. In this piece, we address the issues surrounding the growth of the African market and proffer solutions on how to eliminate it.
Smart business ideas for stakeholders in developing and emerging countries by...ivo arrey
Smart Business Ideas for Stakeholders in developing and Emerging Countries
Author: Ivo Arrey Mbongaya
African Centre for Community and Development
Workshop: Business and Development Ideas for Startups, SMEs, NGOs, graduates, women and the general public.
Organized by African Centre for Community and Development.
5th to 7th of March, 2019
Limbe, Cameroon.
Consumer to Creator: Advancing Entrepreneurship in the UAEWDU15
From Consumers to Creators: Advancing Entrepreneurship in the UAE discusses mobility, opportunity and sustainability in the UAE through: the mobility of skilled expatriates and unskilled migrants across class, ethnic and geographical boundaries; the opportunity to build truly cosmopolitan cultures and multicultural workplaces, neighborhoods and local-to-global markets; and the global values and civil societies needed to build social cohesion, agility and resilience for a thriving culture and sustainable economy.
This writing analyses research and seeks insight concerning:
the drivers of a knowledge economy;
the barriers and catalysts of entrepreneurship in the UAE;
unique perspectives of mindset and motivation;
the components of an entrepreneurial ecosystem;
the characteristics of effective entrepreneurial education;
issues of national identity, nation branding, personal and business branding;
models of global citizenship, civic participation and civil societies;
and
distinctive competitive advantages in UAE culture and history
with hope that this work can contribute to improved economic and social development for the UAE, other developing countries, individuals and all stakeholders in entrepreneurial ecosystems.
The Marketing of MR: Promoting Market Research in African EconomiesBusola Akin-Olawore
Presentation at the first annual African Market Research Association forum. How do we publicize market research in Africa with both the users of research and our potential respondents?
4Promoting awareness of Islamic Microfinance among the masses, government and Non
Governmental Sectors and Multilateral Donor agencies.
Promote Islamic Microfinance Model which is compatible with the models being used in Conventional
Microfinance.
The making of Leaders in Africa: Success factors for executive leaders of tod...Morgan-Philips
70% of the Millennials in Africa expect to achieve a role in the C-suite during their working life. How can today's leaders leverage the Gen Y's ambitions and sustain them over the long-term?
Dissecting A Startup : EFarm - Innovations in the Farm-to-Home Supply Chain Venkata Subramanian
A presentation made by eFarm's founders at IFMR/ICAAP Chennai, India on Feb 24th 2009. The talk centred on 2 themes - a behind the scenes look of a operational startup and typical journey taken . Secondly it was centred on agri supply chain issues in India and how eFarm is specifically filling the gaps.
Way to Get Profit From Your Own Startup With Export GuidelinesAjjay Kumar Gupta
Hundreds of thousands of people start their own businesses every year, and untold more dream about the possibility of becoming their own bosses. While entrepreneurship has its many potential rewards, it also carries unique challenges. Entrepreneurship is an act not a born tact, you need to understand the environment to set up an enterprise of you own. Setting up a business requires many things like understanding yourself, understanding market and availing funds are certain basic things that one must mandatorily know before making a business decision.
Tags
Setting up own Export House, How to Start Successful Export Business, Export Business in India, Start Your Own Export Business, start export business, Way to get profit from Export Business, export guidelines, secrets, business , Preliminary Steps, Registration Firm, Organizational Export Assistance, Product for Export, Export Licence, Export Market, Potential Products, Channels Abroad, Foreign Exchange, Facilities to Exporters, Electronic Messaging, MDA-Marketing Development Assistance, Negotiations for Export Business, Tips for Success, Packaging and Labelling, Quality, Business Marketing, Evolution of strategic management, What No one Ever Tells You about Starting Your Business, Facilities and Procedures for Entrepreneurs, Secrets for Startup Industries Guidelines, Facilities and Procedures for Prospective Entrepreneurs, best business to start with little money, Best Businesses to Start, Best New Small Business Ideas and Opportunities to Start, Best Small Business ideas That Make Money Fast, business ideas in India for beginners, Business Idea's under :- 1Lakh, 5 lakh, 10 Lakh, 50 lakh, business ideas with low investment and high profit, Business Ideas You Can Start Today, Business Startup Investors, Catch The Opportunity - Start your business today, cheapest business to start, Easiest business to start and make money, easiest business to start up, Easiest Business to Start: Easy Businesses to Start - How to Make Money, Easy Business to Start Making Money Fast, How to Start a Small Business, How to start a successful business, How to Start Your Business, How to Start Your First Business, Low Cost Business Ideas, How to Start a Small Business, Most Popular Business Opportunities in India, Most Profitable Business in India, Start your own Business, Most Profitable Small-Business Industries, most successful small business ideas, Profitable Small Scale Business ideas in India, Setting up and opening your own Business, Setting up and running a small-scale business, Small Business Ideas in India for Starting Your Own Business, small business ideas list, Small Business Ideas with low investment, Small Businesses You Can Start on Your Own, Small investment big profit making, Small Manufacturing Business - Startup Business, Startup Business Ideas - Discover The Best Start Up Small Business, startup business plan
Trend watchers – us included – love to obsess over the new. But regular readers often ask us what’s happened to past trends, and of course that’s something we religiously track too. Which is why this month, we take a look back at five past trends*, including one from 2009 (gasp!): the developments, the status quo, and the many future innovation opportunities they will continue to offer (for those who still need their NEWISM-fix ;)
Dans l’actuelle’s EXPECTATION ECONOMY, les consommateurs veulent ce qui se fait de mieux, maintenant et en premier et ils souhaitent aussi des connections réelles et humaines.
En fait, ilsdemandent tout cela. Grâce aux services de crowdsourcing et aux nouvelles technologies qui sont maintenant largement répandus (et aussi avec une dévotion générale pour l’entreprenariat), les consommateurs deviennent de plus en plus PRESUMERS ; et sont prêts à satisfaire leurs demandes en s’engageant avec les marques avant le lancement de nouveaux produits et de nouveaux services.
Que ce soit l’accès à un produit parfait, ou l’enthousiasme d’être un supporteur passionné, les PRESUMERS adorent être impliqués à tous les niveaux ; de la suggestion, au financement, à la promotion de produits et services avant leur lancement officiel.
GUILT-FREE CONSUMPTION is the new luxury for consumers, and the Holy Grail for businesses. Discover the growing hunger for a new kind of consumption: one free from worry (or at least with less worry) about its negative impact, yet that still allows continued indulgence. Check out the guilt absolving examples from Nike, Miya's Sushi, McDonald's, Unilever, Fairphone, Burger King, Chipotle, Peddler's Creamery and many more...
For millions of consumers in the Asian megacities of 2014, time pressure is ever more intense. Enter: the urge to CRAM as much – productivity, connection, value, fun, and more – into every moment.
As a result of African consumers no longer willing to tolerate bland mass-marketing messages, HYPERACTIVE BRANDS all over the continent will increasingly capture these consumers attention with delightful, engaging, altruistic and empowering interactive initiatives and campaigns.
Le nouveau rapport à la propriété, Publicis Modem DialogElodie Delneuf
Notre rapport à la propriété est en train d'évoluer. Pousser par le web, l'open source, le développement de l'économie du partage, le droit à l'usage est en train de prendre le pas sur le droit à la propriété.
Pourquoi croire en ce phénomène ? Comment se manifeste-t-il chez les consommateurs ? Quels sont les impacts sur leur relation avec les marques ? C'est à ces 3 questions que nous tentons de répondre au travers ce document.
Smart business ideas for stakeholders in developing and emerging countries by...ivo arrey
Smart Business Ideas for Stakeholders in developing and Emerging Countries
Author: Ivo Arrey Mbongaya
African Centre for Community and Development
Workshop: Business and Development Ideas for Startups, SMEs, NGOs, graduates, women and the general public.
Organized by African Centre for Community and Development.
5th to 7th of March, 2019
Limbe, Cameroon.
Consumer to Creator: Advancing Entrepreneurship in the UAEWDU15
From Consumers to Creators: Advancing Entrepreneurship in the UAE discusses mobility, opportunity and sustainability in the UAE through: the mobility of skilled expatriates and unskilled migrants across class, ethnic and geographical boundaries; the opportunity to build truly cosmopolitan cultures and multicultural workplaces, neighborhoods and local-to-global markets; and the global values and civil societies needed to build social cohesion, agility and resilience for a thriving culture and sustainable economy.
This writing analyses research and seeks insight concerning:
the drivers of a knowledge economy;
the barriers and catalysts of entrepreneurship in the UAE;
unique perspectives of mindset and motivation;
the components of an entrepreneurial ecosystem;
the characteristics of effective entrepreneurial education;
issues of national identity, nation branding, personal and business branding;
models of global citizenship, civic participation and civil societies;
and
distinctive competitive advantages in UAE culture and history
with hope that this work can contribute to improved economic and social development for the UAE, other developing countries, individuals and all stakeholders in entrepreneurial ecosystems.
The Marketing of MR: Promoting Market Research in African EconomiesBusola Akin-Olawore
Presentation at the first annual African Market Research Association forum. How do we publicize market research in Africa with both the users of research and our potential respondents?
4Promoting awareness of Islamic Microfinance among the masses, government and Non
Governmental Sectors and Multilateral Donor agencies.
Promote Islamic Microfinance Model which is compatible with the models being used in Conventional
Microfinance.
The making of Leaders in Africa: Success factors for executive leaders of tod...Morgan-Philips
70% of the Millennials in Africa expect to achieve a role in the C-suite during their working life. How can today's leaders leverage the Gen Y's ambitions and sustain them over the long-term?
Dissecting A Startup : EFarm - Innovations in the Farm-to-Home Supply Chain Venkata Subramanian
A presentation made by eFarm's founders at IFMR/ICAAP Chennai, India on Feb 24th 2009. The talk centred on 2 themes - a behind the scenes look of a operational startup and typical journey taken . Secondly it was centred on agri supply chain issues in India and how eFarm is specifically filling the gaps.
Way to Get Profit From Your Own Startup With Export GuidelinesAjjay Kumar Gupta
Hundreds of thousands of people start their own businesses every year, and untold more dream about the possibility of becoming their own bosses. While entrepreneurship has its many potential rewards, it also carries unique challenges. Entrepreneurship is an act not a born tact, you need to understand the environment to set up an enterprise of you own. Setting up a business requires many things like understanding yourself, understanding market and availing funds are certain basic things that one must mandatorily know before making a business decision.
Tags
Setting up own Export House, How to Start Successful Export Business, Export Business in India, Start Your Own Export Business, start export business, Way to get profit from Export Business, export guidelines, secrets, business , Preliminary Steps, Registration Firm, Organizational Export Assistance, Product for Export, Export Licence, Export Market, Potential Products, Channels Abroad, Foreign Exchange, Facilities to Exporters, Electronic Messaging, MDA-Marketing Development Assistance, Negotiations for Export Business, Tips for Success, Packaging and Labelling, Quality, Business Marketing, Evolution of strategic management, What No one Ever Tells You about Starting Your Business, Facilities and Procedures for Entrepreneurs, Secrets for Startup Industries Guidelines, Facilities and Procedures for Prospective Entrepreneurs, best business to start with little money, Best Businesses to Start, Best New Small Business Ideas and Opportunities to Start, Best Small Business ideas That Make Money Fast, business ideas in India for beginners, Business Idea's under :- 1Lakh, 5 lakh, 10 Lakh, 50 lakh, business ideas with low investment and high profit, Business Ideas You Can Start Today, Business Startup Investors, Catch The Opportunity - Start your business today, cheapest business to start, Easiest business to start and make money, easiest business to start up, Easiest Business to Start: Easy Businesses to Start - How to Make Money, Easy Business to Start Making Money Fast, How to Start a Small Business, How to start a successful business, How to Start Your Business, How to Start Your First Business, Low Cost Business Ideas, How to Start a Small Business, Most Popular Business Opportunities in India, Most Profitable Business in India, Start your own Business, Most Profitable Small-Business Industries, most successful small business ideas, Profitable Small Scale Business ideas in India, Setting up and opening your own Business, Setting up and running a small-scale business, Small Business Ideas in India for Starting Your Own Business, small business ideas list, Small Business Ideas with low investment, Small Businesses You Can Start on Your Own, Small investment big profit making, Small Manufacturing Business - Startup Business, Startup Business Ideas - Discover The Best Start Up Small Business, startup business plan
Trend watchers – us included – love to obsess over the new. But regular readers often ask us what’s happened to past trends, and of course that’s something we religiously track too. Which is why this month, we take a look back at five past trends*, including one from 2009 (gasp!): the developments, the status quo, and the many future innovation opportunities they will continue to offer (for those who still need their NEWISM-fix ;)
Dans l’actuelle’s EXPECTATION ECONOMY, les consommateurs veulent ce qui se fait de mieux, maintenant et en premier et ils souhaitent aussi des connections réelles et humaines.
En fait, ilsdemandent tout cela. Grâce aux services de crowdsourcing et aux nouvelles technologies qui sont maintenant largement répandus (et aussi avec une dévotion générale pour l’entreprenariat), les consommateurs deviennent de plus en plus PRESUMERS ; et sont prêts à satisfaire leurs demandes en s’engageant avec les marques avant le lancement de nouveaux produits et de nouveaux services.
Que ce soit l’accès à un produit parfait, ou l’enthousiasme d’être un supporteur passionné, les PRESUMERS adorent être impliqués à tous les niveaux ; de la suggestion, au financement, à la promotion de produits et services avant leur lancement officiel.
GUILT-FREE CONSUMPTION is the new luxury for consumers, and the Holy Grail for businesses. Discover the growing hunger for a new kind of consumption: one free from worry (or at least with less worry) about its negative impact, yet that still allows continued indulgence. Check out the guilt absolving examples from Nike, Miya's Sushi, McDonald's, Unilever, Fairphone, Burger King, Chipotle, Peddler's Creamery and many more...
For millions of consumers in the Asian megacities of 2014, time pressure is ever more intense. Enter: the urge to CRAM as much – productivity, connection, value, fun, and more – into every moment.
As a result of African consumers no longer willing to tolerate bland mass-marketing messages, HYPERACTIVE BRANDS all over the continent will increasingly capture these consumers attention with delightful, engaging, altruistic and empowering interactive initiatives and campaigns.
Le nouveau rapport à la propriété, Publicis Modem DialogElodie Delneuf
Notre rapport à la propriété est en train d'évoluer. Pousser par le web, l'open source, le développement de l'économie du partage, le droit à l'usage est en train de prendre le pas sur le droit à la propriété.
Pourquoi croire en ce phénomène ? Comment se manifeste-t-il chez les consommateurs ? Quels sont les impacts sur leur relation avec les marques ? C'est à ces 3 questions que nous tentons de répondre au travers ce document.
trendwatching.com's NEW AFRICAN NARRATIVESTrendWatching
Across Africa, consumers are renouncing the age-old labels, clichés, and stereotypes placed upon them. Instead, today African consumers are forging new identities and tribes based on their own definitions, interests, passions, aspirations and lifestyle choices.
Delve into trendwatching.com's Africa Trend Bulletin to find out about how these changes are paving the way for the rise of OTT AFRICANS, ZERO WAHALA COMMUNITIES, HOITY-TOITY HEROES, and a plethora of other NEW AFRICAN NARRATIVES, too!
Utilitarian brands that are easing the lives of Africans by saving them time, putting them in control, and enabling consumer independence. These brands are ultimately bridging the gap between basic infrastructure and the burgeoning expectations of citizens across the continent.
Info e tips about pitching, some questions that could be used as a track.
How to find the right market, possibly segmenting it with demographics and psychographics, considering country specific constraint (and issues related to export).
SWOT analysis for target market. How to narrow a market.
Business to business versus business to consumer markets.
Reasons Why You Can’t Ignore Doing Business in Africa
1.Business Attractiveness on the Rise
2.Growth of consumer groups, target markets:
3.Growth of African mega cities
4.Ultra Mobile Connected
5.Young Population
Partner with Africa Twenty10
We want to give you an opportunity to get in on the action before the African market is saturated , we welcome you to partner with us to grow and fund the most scalable ides coming out of the African emerging market
Partner with a strong team that is at the centre of entrepreneurship ecosystem in Africa
Catalogue of exhibitors on socio economic empowerment of women in africaDr. Jack Onyisi Abebe
UN Women in collaboration with Timeless Conference organized a Market Place at the Timeless Conference 2016. This booklet is a collation of case studies, good practices and innovations by diverse organizations/ agencies demonstrating good practices in operationalizing normative framework on Women’s Socio-Economic Empowerment. The initiatives documented form part of the Market Place at the Timeless Conference and are innovative and cutting edge examples of interventions/ programmes that could be replicated elsewhere and scaled up for impact to increase socio-economic impacts on women and girls in Africa. They demonstrate evidence on how organizations/ agencies work on women’s socio-economic empowerment and have contributed to improving women’s social and economic empowerment in Africa. The main purpose of the market place is to create a culture of innovative business models and initiatives that guarantee wealth and job creation while implementing ideas that create socio-economic transformation in the lives of women in Africa. - See more at: http://africa.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2016/02/innovative-market-place-on-womens-socio-economic-empowerment-in-africa#sthash.bLmtbqTB.dpuf
The Consortium for enhancing University Responsiveness to Agribusiness Development Limited (CURAD) is a public-private partnership initiative. CURAD is one of the six agribusiness incubators in Africa supported by the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa under the UniBRAIN facility with funding from DANIDA.
CURAD is a public-private partnership initiative with the aim of producing innovative young entrepreneurs and agribusiness leaders to champion productivity and profitability of the agricultural enterprises that can spin off new enterprises. This is an agribusiness innovation incubator geared towards creation of jobs and boosting incomes within the agricultural sector in Uganda piloting with the coffee value chain in the first four years.
Jean-Claude Bastos de Morais, a Swiss-Angolan entrepreneur and innovation influencer with a deep interest in African socio-economic development. Jean-Claude Bastos founded Quantum Global Group, an international group of companies focused on African development.
RBF Africa 2018 - Transforming Africa’s Development Through Innovation, Youth...Global Initiatives
The Responsible Business Forum on Sustainable Development (RBF), held on the 25th – 27th June 2018 was co-organised by Global Initiatives and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the National Business Initiative and WWF South Africa. Under the theme ‘Transforming Africa’s Development through Innovation, Youth and Technology’, the Forum brought together over 400 international business, government and NGO leaders at the Hyatt Regency in Johannesburg.
eLearning Africa: In Review 2018.
13th International Conference
and Exhibition on ICT for Education,
Training and Skills Development
Kigali, Rwanda
Sept 26→28
2018
A bright future - What is the future for air transport technology & empowerme...SITA
Africa is moving from a $2 trillion economy today to a $29 trillion economy by 2050. Household incomes will increase sevenfold. Foreign direct investment has poured in from China but also from Europe, America, Australia, Canada and India. Substantial expansion of the internet infrastructural links from Africa to the rest of the world have given a massive boost to connectivity. Mobile has been a major factor of change: sub-Saharan Africa is the world’s third largest region, behind Asia Pacific and Europe.
Africa’s air transport sector is responding with a growing
number of low-cost carriers beginning to address the long-standing need for improved intra-African connections.
Problems related to safety, regulation, liberalization and costs remain, but there is an increased determination to address these issues urgently – and provide the infrastructure and resource that will be sought by an increasingly affluent and travel-hungry population.
Africa on the Rise - The Evolution of Innovation on the ContinentJ. Skyler Fernandes
The rise of incubators and accelerators in Africa has led to a new eco-system for startups and innovation on the continent. Africa is innovating Africa and the World.
Explores the investment opportunities, growth, and business markets of Africa. Offers a look at the diversity of African startups, as well as companies that are valued at over $100 million or earning over $100 million annually.
The Future of Digital Business Models in sub-Saharan Africa, Team Finland Fut...Team Finland Future Watch
From the perspective of the African future, digital business models have a vital role in influencing the development of African societies. For the first time African economies are able to create equal economic links with Western economies and are able to attract interest from all over the world. Growth numbers in digital market are staggering, although the future is not as straightforward as one could expect. Now it is great moment to look at what are the successful digital business models in Africa and how does the future looks like for African digitalization.
In an age of radical transparency, consumers can see right inside your business as never before. The consequence? Your internal culture is fast becoming a crucial part of the way consumers feel about you. In other words: your internal culture is becoming a part of your brand.
Inside the Glass Box Brands report you can explore what's driving this trend, what it means for your business, and, crucially, how you can turn the emergence of this trend into an epic opportunity in 2018!
Download the full report here: https://hubs.ly/H08P7vY0
South & Central America Trend Briefing - CRISIS SOLUTIONSTrendWatching
June 2016 South & Central America Trend Briefing:
With citizens across the region facing one crisis after another, it’s time for brands to roll up their sleeves and help!
The Future of BETTERMENT - Health, Fitness & Wellbeing Trends for 2016 and be...TrendWatching
6 trends showing how brands are helping consumers achieve self-actualization by helping to boost their physical and mental wellbeing with all kinds of new innovations.
In 2016, consumers will embrace brands and startups that build, partner with or become a PEER ARMY: that's a network of connected peers who do something new for customers (and earn the rewards that follow!)
Trend-Driven Innovation: book launch webinarTrendWatching
Our brand new book, Trend-Driven Innovation (Wiley), shares the secrets behind our end-to-end trend methodology.
Exploring a wide range of examples, and drawing powerful insights from the way leading brands and disruptive startups from Apple to Uber, Chipotle to Patagonia redefine customer expectations, this highly visual and intensely practical new book will reconfigure your view of the business world and act as a step-by- step manual to help readers build organisations that matter, products customers love and campaigns people can’t stop talking about.
More at www.trenddriveninnovation.com
THE MOST EXPECTATION-RAISING INNOVATIONS OF 2015TrendWatching
AUGUST 2015 TREND BRIEFING
THE MOST EXPECTATION-RAISING INNOVATIONS OF 2015
These 15 innovations will set the customer expectations coming YOUR way soon!
TrendWatching
May 2015 South & Central America Trend Bulletin
TRANSPARENCY TRIUMPH
Why Latin American consumers
are demanding honesty – and leaving no hiding place for brands!
TrendWatching
Maio de 2015 Boletim de Tendências para as Américas do Sul & Central
TRANSPARENCY TRIUMPH
Por que os latinos estão exigindo honestidade - sem deixar nenhum esconderijo para as marcas!
TrendWatching
June 2015 Trend Bulletin de América del Sur y Central
TRANSPARENCY TRIUMPH
Los consumidores se entregarán a las marcas que sean abiertas, honestas y participativas.
2. Definition:
SEED FUN: Driven by ability, curiosity or necessity,
and facilitated by new digital platforms, schemes
and initiatives, Africans are busy creating, hacking,
competing, combining, inventing and reinventing almost
everything. Organizations that fuel this endless rush
towards - and participate in - SEED FUN will attract
love and attention from all consumers, not just the
individuals and startups they help.
www.trendwatching.com/africa/trends/seedfun
SEED FUN
2
3. DRIVING THIS TREND:
1. RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE
New solutions to large-scale, lingering problems.
2. Start up revolution
Shunning the rat race.
3. THE RACE FOR AFRICA’S SILICON VALLEY
The rise of tech cities, hubs, accelerators, incubators, initiatives and more…
4. GREY MARKET REMIXED
The extension, upgrading and formalization of the informal economy.
www.trendwatching.com/africa/trends/seedfun
SEED FUN
3
4. 1
RAGE AGAINST THE
MACHINE
New solutions to large-scale, lingering
problems.
www.trendwatching.com/africa/trends/seedfun
SEED FUN
4
5. RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE
Heightened awareness of government corruption, corporate
scandals, ineffective infrastructure and public services,
mean that more daring Africans are determined to leverage
their own problem solving powers by transforming everyday
pain points into new business opportunities.
www.trendwatching.com/africa/trends/seedfun
SEED FUN
5
6. Africans today are even more empowered
with accessible technologies and tools to
create, connect, share and bring their ideas
to market.
www.trendwatching.com/africa/trends/seedfun
SEED FUN
6
8. start up revolution
Self-Employed Beats Unemployed
Outward looking, business-minded, tenacious and rebellious
young adults are increasingly opting for entrepreneurial
opportunities that allow them to shape own career paths,
rather than wait for an uncertain one dictated by others.
The African Dream
A new generation of enterprise-minded Africans are
eschewing the corporate ladder for startups, and trading
the traditional status attached to a corporate job for a new
version that comes with staking everything on a big idea or
new venture.
www.trendwatching.com/africa/trends/seedfun
SEED FUN
8
9. Only 14% of African entrepreneurs believe
that schools devote enough time to
teaching entrepreneurship.
- Omidyar Network, April 2013
www.trendwatching.com/africa/trends/seedfun
SEED FUN
9
10. In December 2013, Ugandan
businessman Ashish Thakkar was named
the world’s best young entrepreneur.
- The World Entrepreneurship Forum, December 2013
www.trendwatching.com/africa/trends/seedfun
SEED FUN
10
11. Bye bye Bill Gates…
Entrepreneurial success stories are homegrown now.
The 2013 Forbes list of world
billionaires named Nigerian
cement tycoon Aliko Dangote,
worth an estimated USD 16.1
billion, the richest black man on
the planet.
- Forbes, March 2013
www.trendwatching.com/africa/trends/seedfun
SEED FUN
11
12. 3
THE RACE FOR AFRICA’S
SILICON VALLEY
The rise of tech cities, hubs, accelerators,
incubators, initiatives and more…
www.trendwatching.com/africa/trends/seedfun
SEED FUN
12
13. THE RACE FOR AFRICA’S SILICON VALLEY
Ghana’s Hope City, Nigeria’s Eko Atlantic, Kenya’s Konza Techno
City, the list goes on… African governments and large-scale
developers are increasingly obsessed with creating environments
that are conducive to facilitating local, groundbreaking innovations.
This is not only about mega tech cities but also about all other
facets of the entrepreneurial ecosystem: venture capital firms,
innovation incubators, collaborative workshops, angel investors,
crowdfunding platforms, startup competitions, support, mentorship
and initiatives.
www.trendwatching.com/africa/trends/seedfun
SEED FUN
13
14. “African hubs are springing up at the rate of
nearly one every two weeks…”
- Africa Renewal, May 2013
www.trendwatching.com/africa/trends/seedfun
SEED FUN
14
15. In Sub-Sahara Africa, the perception that
individuals have the skills necessary to start
and successfully run a business averages at
76%. This figure is substantially higher than
all other regions around the globe.
- Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, November 2012
www.trendwatching.com/africa/trends/seedfun
SEED FUN
15
17. GREY MARKET REMIXED
Thanks to the informal economy – embodied for many by
traditional outdoor markets, street hawkers, and non-franchised
resellers – many African consumers are already equipped with
an enterprising spirit and an ability to handle a fluid economic
environment. That means a smooth transition into a (often
digital-fueled) entrepreneurial ecosystem that is all about
enterprise and connection, and in which startups are judged by
their ability to solve tangible problems and improve lives.
www.trendwatching.com/africa/trends/seedfun
SEED FUN
17
18. 60% of sub-Saharan Africans agree that
to successfully launch a new venture, it
is acceptable to begin by operating in the
informal sector.
- Omidyar Network, April 2013
www.trendwatching.com/africa/trends/seedfun
SEED FUN
18
19. Kenyan household incomes increase between
5 and 30% for those who adopt M-PESA.
- The Economist, May 2013
www.trendwatching.com/africa/trends/seedfun
SEED FUN
19
20. examples...
Just a few of the brands and businesses already having SEED FUN.
www.trendwatching.com/africa/trends/seedfun
SEED FUN
20
21. Anzisha Prize
Prize showcases the best of
Africa’s young entrepreneurs.
Anzisha Prize acknowledges young
entrepreneurs across Africa who
have conceived new innovations
and started impactful businesses
in their communities. In April 2014,
selected finalists will be treated to
an all-expenses paid, week-long
entrepreneurial workshop in South
Africa, as well as funding and other
resources.
www.trendwatching.com/africa/trends/seedfun
SEED FUN
21
22. TechCabal
Startup competition launched
during Social Media Week Lagos.
In February 2014, Nigerian online
entrepreneurial publication TechCabal
hosted its first edition of TechCabal
Battlefield. The competition, which
ran during Social Media Week Lagos,
challenged early stage startups to present
their ventures to an audience of users,
geeks and investors. Prizes included
funding, contributed by major brands such
as Stanbic IBTC Bank, Etisalat and
Konga.com.
www.trendwatching.com/africa/trends/seedfun
SEED FUN
22
23. Hubs in Africa
Zambian website maps every
technology hub and innovation
center in Africa.
Hubs in Africa, powered by a Lusakabased technology hub, BongoHive, is an
online platform that digitally maps all
of Africa’s other innovation and hacker
spaces. Hubs in Africa also curates
content such as news on the startup
ecosystem.
www.trendwatching.com/africa/trends/seedfun
SEED FUN
23
24. Three years after launching, with over 10,000
members and 152 companies spawned
from the community, Kenya’s iHub became
the first African technology hub to make
FastCompany’s ‘Most Innovative Companies
2014’ list.
- Fast Company, February 2014
www.trendwatching.com/africa/trends/seedfun
SEED FUN
24
25. Hypercube
Zimbabwe opens its first
technology hub.
November 2013 saw the launch of
Zimbabwe’s first technology hub,
Hypercube. The hub aims to encourage
innovative solutions ‘with meaning’ by
focusing on these four dimensions of
technology: community, co-learning,
co-working, and co-innovation.
www.trendwatching.com/africa/trends/seedfun
SEED FUN
25
26. IBM: Project Lucy
Multinational tech firm launches
Pan-African project to boost
business opportunities.
February 2014 saw IBM announce Project
Lucy – a USD 100 million investment
initiative for developing business
opportunities in Africa in conjunction with
local universities, development agencies,
startups and clients. With the intention of
solving key issues through commerciallyviable ventures, IBM will exploit ‘Watson’,
their pre-established cognitive system,
via multiple research laboratories across
the continent.
www.trendwatching.com/africa/trends/seedfun
SEED FUN
26
27. HacKIDemia: Afrimakers
Global maker workshops
encourage young Africans to
solve local problems.
In January 2014, mobile invention hub
HacKIDemia won funding to implement
Afrimakers – an initiative aimed at
empowering ‘African makers to develop
sustainable projects and use making to
solve local challenges.’ Maker workshops
for over 1000 children in 10 countries
such as Rwanda, Botswana and South
Africa have been implemented.
www.trendwatching.com/africa/trends/seedfun
SEED FUN
27
28. Spark
Nigerian Serial Entrepreneurs
initiate USD 1 million investment
into Lagos-based startups.
In May 2013, Spark, a “company builder”
organization founded by Jason Njoku,
Bastian Gotter and Mary Remmy-Njoku
of IROKOtv fame, initiated a USD 1
million investment into Lagos-based tech
startups. In February 2014, one of Spark’s
initial investments – bus ticketing service,
bus.com.ng, became Nigeria’s largest
bus travel website.
www.trendwatching.com/africa/trends/seedfun
SEED FUN
28
29. kLab
Rwandan tech hub partners
with university.
Founded in Kigali, Rwanda’s first tech
innovation hub, kLab, announced plans
in September 2013 to collaborate with
universities in order to reach a broader
demographic. The kLab Campus
Program aims to provide mentorship,
training and a location students or
graduates can benefit from. kLab
currently boasts 80 members and 11
startups.
www.trendwatching.com/africa/trends/seedfun
SEED FUN
29
30. Nigerian Ministry of
Communication Technology
Nigerian government launches
open data development
initiative.
January 2014 saw the Nigerian federal
government launch the Open Data
Development Initiative in an attempt
to drive innovation, investment and
economic growth by enabling access
to government data. The Initiative aims
to make available high value public
sector datasets to Nigerian citizens,
entrepreneurs and businesses, for free.
www.trendwatching.com/africa/trends/seedfun
SEED FUN
30
31. Soko
E-commerce platform connects
Kenyan Artisans with global
customers.
In October 2013, Africa’s first mobile
marketplace, Soko unveiled its Kenya
Collection, connecting global shoppers
with Kenyan jewelry artisans. The
e-commerce platform not only
empowers skilled craftspeople based
in developing communities traditionally
disconnected from the digital economy,
but also ensures that all materials used
are natural and upcycled.
www.trendwatching.com/africa/trends/seedfun
SEED FUN
31
32. Empire Communications
Zimbabwean communications
brand supports young
entrepreneurs.
In January 2014, Tawanda Chitiyo
– founder of PR agency: Empire
Communications, revealed plans to provide
PR and media support to Zimbabwe’s
tech startups. Young entrepreneurs will
be targeted in the country’s rural areas,
farms and marginalized areas. Empire
Communications intends to introduce
mobile web advertising, interactive text
messaging, and other more engaging
communications strategies for these
entrepreneurs.
www.trendwatching.com/africa/trends/seedfun
SEED FUN
32
33. FirstBank
Bank partners with e-commerce
platform for Nigerian
entrepreneurs.
In Q4 2013, FirstBank Nigeria collaborated
with social commerce platform 3AL. 3AL is
an online self-service platform that enables
entrepreneurs to create an online store and
interact with customers. FirstBank securely
processes payments through their own
FirstEConnect gateway and purchased
items are delivered directly to customers.
www.trendwatching.com/africa/trends/seedfun
SEED FUN
33
34. Jumpstart Africa
First crowdfunding platform to
support African entrepreneurs
launched.
Launching in March 2014, Jumpstart Africa
is an Africa-specific crowdfunding platform
that will allow foreign investors to financially
support innovative projects and ventures
developed by African entrepreneurs.
Jumpstart Africa will contribute 10% of total
profits to a curated selection of charities
focused on developing Africa.
www.trendwatching.com/africa/trends/seedfun
SEED FUN
34
35. Micro Enterprise
Development Organisation
(MEDO)
Entrepreneurial development
organization sends South Africans
to the UK for best practice program.
In February 2014, South African entrepreneurial
development group MEDO welcomed back 12
new businesses from the International Trade
Programme in the UK, after sending over
14 South African entrepreneurs in 2013 for
the program. Beyond exposing the selected
entrepreneurs to global entrepreneurial best
practice and resources, the initiative also aims
to trigger partnerships between UK and South
African businesses.
www.trendwatching.com/africa/trends/seedfun
SEED FUN
35
36. AfricaHackTrip
European project documents
Africa’s startup scene.
Between September and November 2013,
a group of developers and designers from
Europe traveled to Africa for AfricaHackTrip,
a project documenting the African startup
scene. In an effort to bridge the gap
between entrepreneurial communities
globally, the project participants met 10 key
hackers from the region and showcased
African hacking culture on the site.
www.trendwatching.com/africa/trends/seedfun
SEED FUN
36
37. StartupBus Africa
African entrepreneurs launch
startups on a roadtrip.
In November 2013, StartupBus began
a road trip for the first time across the
southern region of Africa. The goal for the
15 African and 15 international participants
(known as ‘buspreneurs’) was to conceive,
build, and launch their startup.
www.trendwatching.com/africa/trends/seedfun
SEED FUN
37
38. Globevestor
Online platform connects global
investors with African startups.
Globevestor connects international
investors with emerging market startups.
The online platform boasts a diversified
portfolio and pre-screens startups to ensure
high-impact investments. Globevestor is
free to join and receives payment upon
completion of successful investments.
www.trendwatching.com/africa/trends/seedfun
SEED FUN
38
39. Ryerson University
Canadian university offers
placements to South African
students.
Canadian Ryerson University announced in
February 2014 that they would be accepting
exceptional student entrepreneurs from
South Africa. The initiative will provide
these aspiring entrepreneurs with a three
or four month placement at a Ryerson
incubator zone in Canada, where they would
have access to mentorship, office space,
networking and collaboration opportunities
with local startups.
www.trendwatching.com/africa/trends/seedfun
SEED FUN
39
40. OPPORTUNITIES
Now is the time for all brands to join in the SEED FUN!
Wondering how?
www.trendwatching.com/africa/trends/seedfun
SEED FUN
40
41. KNOCK DOWN THE BARRIERS TO ENTRY
If you truly want to be the disruptive brand in 2014 that offers supports to the risk-taking early stage
innovators:
Identify any remaining barriers to entry for entrepreneurs within your sector, and knock them down…
BE A CHEERLEADER
Think creatively about how to encourage local startups.
INVOLVE EVERYONE!
Customers like and want to get involved with the SEED FUN but sometimes lack the resources or platforms
to do so. How about rewarding consumers that support crowdfunding projects?
www.trendwatching.com/africa/trends/seedfun
SEED FUN
41
42. SPREAD THE WORD
Promote African startups on your platforms, products or services.
CONNECT THE DOTS
Think about how you can help startups in disparate regions connect. Add value, and you’ll also be able to
tap new ideas, energy, and talent.
Offer platforms on which African consumers can aggregate what they know and bring online communities
together offline to solve communal problems.
ROOT FOR THE UNDERDOG
The African startup community is still young and fragmented compared to its global counterparts, so the
next Ashish Thakkar or Jason Njoku may be trickier to find than you anticipate. Cast your net wider by
sponsoring entrepreneurial initiatives and competitions.
www.trendwatching.com/africa/trends/seedfun
SEED FUN
42
43. FOSTER AND GROW
“Up to 84% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Africa are either un-served or underserved.”
- International Finance Corporation, April 2013
Of course all startups are seeking investment, funding, mentorship and consultative support. Why not take a
chance?
If that’s too demanding, then experiment with an informal hackathon or workshop.
LEVERAGE AND COLLABORATE
Think joint ventures in which your industry expertise and economies of scale can leverage an entrepreneur’s
brilliant innovation. This is bound to be mutually beneficial, especially for foreign brands where the right
partnership could even help localize your offering.
www.trendwatching.com/africa/trends/seedfun
SEED FUN
43
44. WHY INDULGE IN SEED FUN?
Do not ignore this trend! Your next competitor could be an African startup who has
succeeded, grown, and expanded to your doorstep! You only need to look at the plethora
of SEED FUN success stories already sweeping across the continent.
To apply this trend, start by unpacking it using our Consumer Trend Canvas tool:
www.trendwatching.com/trends/consumertrendcanvas
www.trendwatching.com/africa/trends/seedfun
SEED FUN
44
45. CONSUMER
TREND CANVAS
TREND:
1 . ANAL YZE
Basic Needs
2. A P PL Y
Drivers of Change
Which deep consumer needs & desires does this trend address?
Innovation Potential
Why is this trend emerging now? What’s changing?
Shifts: Long-term, widespread macro changes
How and where could you apply this trend to your business?
Triggers: Recent, short-term changes or technologies
Emerging Consumer
Expectations
Who
What new consumer needs, wants and expectations are created by the changes identified above?
Where and how does this trend satisfy them?
Inspiration
How are other businesses applying this trend?
Which (new) customer groups could you
apply this trend to? What would you have
to change?
Download a blank worksheet at trendwatchingpremium.com
www.trendwatching.com/africa/trends/seedfun
SEED FUN
45
46. now...
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