Afser Ebrahim Executive Director KICK Advisory Services

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Afsar Ebrahim-Executive Director KICK Advisory
Services

• I am the founding partner of KICK Advisory
  Services. I have over a quarter century of
  experience in Corporate Restructuring, Litigation
  Support, Mergers Acquisitions, Strategy and
  Financial Consulting and Fund Raising to clients
  across a wide spectrum of industries both locally
  and internationally. I previously served as
  Deputy Group Managing Partner of the largest
  professional services firm in Sub Saharan Africa-
  BDO in Mauritius, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda,
  Rwanda, Ethiopia, Madagascar and Seychelles.
  Having been part of the network, I completed the
  BDO Global Partners Leadership Programmed in 2016.

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• Prior to my tenure at BDO, I served as Manager
  Corporate Investment Banking at HSBC Mauritius
  during which period I was trained in Hong Kong
  and Singapore by HSBC in Corporate Lending
  Analysis and Applied Credit lending. I also
  occupied the post of Group Finance Manager at
  British American Investment Group (BAI). I am a
  Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants
  in England and Wales, prize winner in
  professional exam (PE 1) and was granted the
  Corporate Finance qualification from ICAEW in
  December 2006. Obtained training in Operational
  Financial Consulting with Arthur Andersen at St
  Charles, USA, and in London and have attended the
  Harvard Business School program on Managing
  Professional Services Firm in 2012. In addition
  to my professional qualifications, I was a
  Founding Member of Mauritius Africa Business
  Club.

https//afsarebrahim.com/
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Africa-Bonfire of Opportunities

• Africas emergence as a one of the destinations
  to invest is none less than being invited to the
  biggest BONFIRE party. Here is an article that is
  highlights some key aspects for Indian
  businesses.
• If any word that come close to describing what
  Africa truly is from an untapped potential, its
  Bonfire. Africas emergence as one destination
  for investments is non less that of a Bonfire of
  opportunities besides that it is not one country
  but a continent with 54 countries 54 markets 54
  cultures 54 Legal Framework 54 Fiscal Regimes.

https//afsarebrahim.com/
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Africa offers a higher return on investment than
any other emerging market

• Frankly, Africa will test your patience. If you
  are a big corporate in India doesnt necessary
  will make you a winner in Africas time horizons
  and return models that fit India dont always
  work in there. Even the most experienced,
  sophisticated companies can be forced to
  recalibrate. India is not Africa, India is 1
  country, Africa is 54 countries.
• With right local partners and local knowledge and
  skilled advisory from professionals who know the
  terrain, the probability of greater prosperity
  for investors in Africa will be realized.
• Whats worthy of noting is Africa had some of
  worlds fastest-growing economies in 2019 and
  2020 is no different.

https//afsarebrahim.com/
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Increasing demand

• Similar to India, Africa is poised to gain from
  its middle-class population and demographic
  dividend. We have witnessed steady rise business
  in Telecommunication, Technology and banking -
  African consumers have different needs over
  internet and mobile. Large markets like Nigeria,
  South Africa and Ethiopia have increased interest
  due to digitization and access to distribution
  channels are being disrupted, FMCG thats meeting
  the needs of a growing middle-class population
  will succeed because competitive advantages in
  India may not easily be replicated as comparative
  advantages.

• Though in the early stages African economies are
  finally beginning to diversify beyond
  commodities. They are beginning to place bets on
  non-commodity areas where they can be competitive
  leveraging on their talent pool and efforts are
  underway to package themselves so as to appeal to
  a broader set of investors.

https//afsarebrahim.com/
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Africa can lead in sustainable development

• Africa is more ready today and is resilient. Its
  embracing new technology and ideas. Its readiness
  to develop flexible fuel grids that generate
  power with a mix of abundant wind, solar, hydro
  and bio energy, alongside conventional fuels such
  as oil and gas, which are also abundant. The
  spectrum of opportunity has only broadened. For
  entrepreneurs and businesses with ideas and an
  appetite for risk can bring value and find
  long-term growth if they are persistent,
  creative, and determined.

https//afsarebrahim.com/
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Challenges and counters

• Country targeting is essential
• Connectivity for Trade
• Country risk
• Ease of doing business
• Cost of doing business
• Size of the market/ market growth/potential
  export markets
• Existing competition
• Researching the Market for the Product
• In-depth understanding of distribution channel
• Laws and regulations
• Marketing and channel of sales management

• After all Africa is 54 countries with diversity
  in policies, governments, taxes, cultures etc
  hence selection of a country for investment is
  necessary to understand. Some of the evaluations
  must be carried right at the inception stage
  while penning a strategy to enter Africa are

https//afsarebrahim.com/
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Thank You
Afsar Ebrahim
Visit https//afsarebrahim.com/
Address - Mauritius