Jon Snow

I spent years telling a number of African VCs they should get involved in building their early stage pipeline. Basically an accelerator pre funding. They have kept on explaining why they cannot Now that a16z has launched a16z speedrun https://speedrun.a16z.com watch them copy.🙄

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Entering Africa without understanding the culture is a shortcut to failure. It risks losing trust, the one thing you can’t buy back. I have seen projects start with big promises, only to collapse because: ↳ Communities felt unheard ↳ Partners weren’t properly vetted ↳ Leaders chased speed instead of relationships And let’s be honest: Africa today is full of brokers, everyone “knows the president.” If shortcuts look cheaper to you, prepare to pay millions later. Here’s how smart investors protect themselves: 1. Ask the right questions → How do local leaders respond when challenges come? → What role do communities play in decisions? → Why did the last investor leave? 2. Watch what’s unspoken → Do people look engaged or drained? → Are answers clear when you ask about governance? → Is there real teamwork or just politics? 3. Trust your instinct → If something feels unclear, dig deeper → Don’t let short-term excitement blind you → In Africa, prevention saves more than repair A deal here isn’t only about resources or numbers. It’s about respect, trust, and lasting relationships. 📌 What’s the biggest red flag you’ve seen when entering African markets? ♻️ Share this with someone preparing their Africa entry.

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54 Countries Not one Market. Different cultures. Different markets. Different rules. And yet, too often, businesses enter “Africa” with a single strategy expecting it to work across the continent. It doesn’t and this is why several investors have exited prematurely. If you’re serious about doing business with Africa, not just in Africa, here’s my view on what matters: 1. Understand country-level differences. Treat each country as a unique opportunity. The distinction of African nations goes beyond the borders. The diversity is amplified in language, diet, religion and the way of life. Whether in Accra, Lagos, Dakar or Cairo, what drives consumer behaviour and business relationships is different. Success needs a country specific strategy. I tell investors, don’t say you’re ‘entering Africa’, be specific, say You’re entering Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal. If you’re serious about your investment, do the work! 2. Respect local culture, regulations and business norms. Regulation isn’t uniform. From customs procedures to taxes, permits to pricing controls. This affects how you scale, price your products, manage partners and plan for foreign exchange volatility. (Trust me on this one, as a serial entrepreneur and ex-auditor, I have experienced the varried regulatory dynamics and the pricing nuances). 3. Local Talent is your edge. Hire and empower African talent and build trust through local partnerships. Having local knowledge is invaluable, you can only truly integrate and meet consumer needs when you have locals who understand consumer behaviour as part of your leadership team. Emphasis on ‘locals as part of the leadership team’ … the local talent needs to be in the leadership room, only then, can you achieve long lasting success. Africa’s economic potential is real. But success lies in respecting its diversity — not assuming homogeneity. Let’s stop painting the continent with one brush. 📌I’m passionate about African trade, investment, and sustainable development. Let’s connect if you’re working on strategy, partnerships, or innovation across the continent. #AfricaIsNotACountry #AfCFTA #DoingBusinessInAfrica #AfricaTrade #SustainableDevelopment #GhanaBusiness #PanAfricanBusiness #AfricanEntrepreneurs

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