Entrepreneurship Zone: 19 December 2019: How to start your own profitable African import business from home

Thu Dec 19 03:18:42 CAT 2019

 <mailto:info at bulls.co.zw> 

By Dr. Harnet Bokrezion, CEO, Africa Business Jumpstart

There are still two persistent myths out there among those aspiring to start
their own business in Africa. One is that you need considerable capital to
get started, the other is that is it complex and risky. It does not have to
be.

Starting a business importing African goods that are high in demand in the
West, Asia, or even within intra-African trade markets may be your perfect
business model.

Important is this: Know that you can start off as an importing agent, so you
do not need to pay for products yourself. Instead, start with what you have
right now and be dedicated enough to see it through. Then you re-invest some
of the money you make back into your business and grow it from there.

A success story

Honore C, one of my clients in Canada, had a dream: He wanted to leave the 9
to 5 rat race for an employer in Calgary behind once and for all. He wanted
to engage in something more fulfilling and profitable. Something he could
build himself. He wanted to start his own business, become financially free,
enjoy more time with his family, and contribute towards the development of
Africa in general, and his native country of Rwanda in particular.

But Honore quickly saw the hurdles: He had no start-up capital, he had
little time available being tied up in full-time employment, and no business
knowledge to help him navigate. It meant he needed a business model that he
could simply start operating from home for a few extra hours each day. That
home, of course, was thousands of miles away from Africa. It all seemed like
an impossible plan.

For nine months, Honore did nothing. In his own words, he was paralysed by
fear and indecision.

As an African business trainer, I guided Honore through a number of African
business models he could start despite his circumstances.

Honore decided to dive in - he would import food products from Rwanda into
Canada. His first order was a 200kg shipment of gluten-free cassava flour; a
few boxes which he piled up and stored in his house. Just over a year later,
Honore, was able to leave his job, as he was already earning more than
enough from his African imports business to replace his monthly wage. He
could hardly believe that it happened all so soon. He had opened a
warehouse, he had received official distributor status, had met with
government representatives in Canada showcasing his unique African products
that were high in demand locally. But above all, he was a free man and
experienced a level of fulfilment like never before. All in a matter of
months.

And he was helping the development of Africa in concrete terms, because when
you help sell African goods you contribute to the national budget of the
original market, you empower the livelihoods of the producers, and you help
create more jobs. Indeed, your business is meaningful all while being highly
lucrative.

Do you want to know the steps Honore and many others took to start their
African imports business from home?
<https://drharnet.mykajabi.com/a/14987/EjBQUrZB> Take our FREE web class
here to find out and learn how you can get up and running in less than 3
months.

Five reasons why you should start a business in African trade

#1 You are meeting a huge demand

There are hundreds of African manufacturers with limited distribution
looking for an overseas market. Importing their goods is the place to start
your business.

Africa has high-quality products to offer that are in huge demand all over
the world. Consumer behavior is changing everywhere. People want to consume
products that are healthier, natural, organic, ethically sourced, fairly
traded, fresh and original, gluten-free, sourced from single destinations;
products that tell a story or that help consumers make a positive impact in
someone else's life. Africa has all of that to offer and more - this is
where you can find a very attractive competitive advantage.

The manufacturers in Africa have everything to gain when partnering with
you: an increase in sales, broader market access, less time spent finding
new markets, and more profits at the end of the year.

#2 It does not matter where in the world you are based

If you are looking into setting up your own business importing African
goods, it really does not matter where in the world you are based. You could
be sitting in Europe, North America, Asia, or anywhere else in the world.
Fact is that food products and African goods such a coffee, tea, fruits,
spices, superfoods, natural skin care, or gluten-free grains are needed
across the globe.

Even intra-African trade is growing at a fast rate and has huge future
potential: In March 2018, African countries signed a landmark trade
agreement, the African Continental Free Area Agreement (AfCTFA), which
commits countries to remove tariffs on 90% of goods, progressively
liberating trade. If successfully implemented, Africa will become the
largest free trade area in the world with a projected cumulative gross
domestic product (GDP) of $3.4 trillion and a combined population of 1.2
billion inhabitants. This is powerful and you can position yourself right
now.

#3 You can start your business on a shoestring budget

You can start your importing business of African goods in your own home with
little money. Important is that you understand that there are various
importing business models that require different levels of capital and
input. Start out as an agent. This means you can get started with just your
mobile or a laptop. You connect manufacturers and exporters in a certain
market in Africa with buyers in a different country. You do not even need to
worry about the shipping of containers or the transaction of money. All of
it would be handled directly between the supplier and the buyer, and you
earn a commission.

If you wish, you can re-invest that money into your business and become a
distributor with your own warehouse or even start your own food brand by
putting your private label on the package: Wambui's Dark Roast Coffee ..
It's up to you, in which direction you want to grow.

#4 Create passive income streams

Here is what makes African product imports so lucrative and attractive: Once
you have won over a buyer as an agent, such as a supermarket, a coffee shop,
a petrol station, a hotel, or individuals ordering from you via Amazon, they
will come back again and again to fill their shelves. This means that the
initial customer acquisition is where the work is, but think about a shop
owner who simply places another order with you again and again - you don't
have to do anything anymore, but you earn an agent commission each time,
totally passive. This is how you can build a great portfolio of buyers and
grow your passive income streams.

#5 Make money and enjoy your new won freedom while making an impact in
Africa

The biggest advantage is the money you'll make and the immense freedom you
will gain once you have a few loyal clients in your buyer portfolio. The
commission for setting up sales is very profitable especially when other
companies such as supermarkets or hotels buy from you.

Because you are now working for yourself and you own passive income streams,
you have a pretty location independent business, which means you can now
enjoy a new level of freedom most people will never experience in their
lifetime. You can use that freedom to travel, to spend more time with your
family, or simply do the things that are important to you. Also make sure
you invest your extra money into other areas to create true wealth.

But above all: You will find the work highly fulfilling because you are
supporting hundreds and soon thousands of African small-holder farmers and
their families. Yes, you are contributing towards Africa's development in
real terms.

As Mandela once said: "Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great, you
can be that generation. Let your greatness blossom."

Dr. Harnet is a renowned international African Business Trainer teaching you
business models for Africa that work.-Howwe,adeitinafrica

Invest Wisely!

Bulls n Bears 

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