Has Africa got any potential for starting a business?

[CharlieB]

Hi

I'm just wondering if you could have a succesful business chain in Africa. With people needing money couldn't they be paid low wages and possibly start a massive chain eg Tesco. This would help them be able to buy medicine for thier diseases so could benefit the countries. Is this right or am I missing something?

Thanks

[Will]

Yeah it would be great to start something there and help all those people out with jobs but there are reasons why it can't be done... otherwise the big guys would be in there.

The main problem is there is little organization and a lot of corruption by the leaders in Africa. The leaders of the countries are very wealthy as they take the wealth of the countries for themselves and do not help their nations. They do not rule justly like leaders of most of the 1st world countries do. With this, business cannot flourish as A) the leaders probably wouldn't allow a big company to try and come in and B) with no organization or proper law, business dealings are almost impossible. There is hardly even a Police presence in many parts. A big business also relies on a lot of small business to supply it, and they would be hard pressed to have any alliances there.

It is really sad, as the people there find themselves in a downward spiral due to their leadership not properly leading their countries.