Our Commitment to Trade with Africa®...

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Several years ago as I sat at my desk at the global headquarters of Walmart, I asked myself "What would it take to increase Trade with Africa?". Walmart serves as an epicenter of global trade; a $500 billion global engine that connects the world through trade and the dynamic movement of products in and out of the world's most complex supply chain network. As someone who led the team responsible for Walmart's Global Sourcing technology backbone implementation, I had front row seat that not only allowed me to appreciate how Walmart buys what it buys, but a unique understanding of the framework and decision points - since I had responsibility for designing the underling structure that supported Walmart's relationship with its global supplier base.

You see, U.S. for example only does about 2% of its total trade with Africa. This said 2% constitute primarily of extractives such as oil and its derivatives. I spent two years diving deeper into actual trade data and it became clear to me that Africa was powering the world with its extractive and its raw commodities but was not playing in the "big leagues"; the big leagues that requires you to run an organized market and where the real money lies....Africa sold Cocoa but didn't sell chocolates to the world. Africa sold Shea-butter, Argan oil but didn't play in the global Skincare industry - Africa sold raw Cashew but didn't bother to roast it and serve the Organic industries with its nuts and gluten free properties.... (to be continued)

...and ever since we have been on the journey of helping to close trade gaps with Africa.

Here are 3 issues to watch out for.

  1. Africa Must Show up! - Many of the deals that can transform entire nations are done behind closed doors. In 2018, I sat with three active U.S. Investors; two were economic advisers to the President of Rwanda. Among many things they shared with me how they helped introduce the President to CEOs and faith leaders around the world to attract increased investment to Rwanda. We all today can see the transformation of that nation. Other African nations, including the African Union (AU), most go from waiting for investment to showing up at the door steps of "would be investors" to capture such opportunities. I tell most that listen - assume no one is coming - you have to go out there and be aggressive in your approach and pursuit. Covid-19 has increase the pool of cities and communities around the world seeking to capture trade and investment opportunities for their people. Africa must refine its stories and seize this moment.
  • Training - no matter what side of the trade and investment negotiation table you are on, how you think, act and engage has to be refined. Whether you are a global brand, company or service provider looking to penetrate the growing African market or you are an African stakeholder seeking investment or new markets for your products - do not assume that you know what to say, how to say it and who to say it to. This is why we have began deploying our Trade and Investment Facilitation Masterclass. It is recommended for anyone considering engaging in Trade with Africa as a level set.
  • Network - It is a fact that having a strong network is required to be successful in global trade. Trade with Africa takes this truth to even greater levels - you cannot be successful if you do not have or develop a winning network to support your international business because global trade is done at the speed of relationship. And this was why I am happy to invite you to join the Trade with Africa® Network: www.nazaru.trade/feed - a virtual community of trade experts, policy makers, investors and business executives engaged in Trade with Africa®. I look forward to seeing you there!
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Toyin Umesiri is the CEO of Nazaru llc. a U.S.A based company that connects Africa to global markets through trade and investment facilitation, market insights, trade events, consulting and training. You can now secure personalized consulting service with Toyin at: https://www.toyinumesiri.com/1-hour-consultation

For business inquiry email: info@nazaru.com

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