Transferring Business Skills to Africa

The transfer of technology to emerging markets is seldom in question today. The transfer of business skills is another matter. In Africa, business knowledge is at least as vital to help guide country economies, set up regulatory frameworks and create thriving businesses.

"Africa is in desperate need of qualified and talented management to help its economies, not only running companies but helping entrepreneurs and ensuring more effective corporate and legislative governance policy,"

a recent CNN Int'l article says.

The article goes on to say that qualified African managers can also help put together vital inward investment with policymakers, multinationals, and charities.

Efforts to raise standards has been garnering international momentum in the past three years with the creation of a network of global businesses and universities, dedicated to bringing management knowledge to Africa. An April conference in France, hosted by network participant Insead, on "Nurturing Business Education in Africa" is part of the efforts.

Comments

[James Beighle]

One cannot dispute that management knowledge and skills are necessary for successful business in Africa, or anywhere for that matter. However, let's not speak of Africa as a homogeneous entity where blanket statements can be made. For example, the economies of Morocco, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, and South Africa are amazingly diverse from one another. Each has its own unique needs and challenges, and each finds itself at different points on the spectrum of economic development.