BUSINESS GUIDE aims at promoting direct contacts between African businesspeople and international suppliers by providing useful information on various aspects of the African market. Covering specific trade sectors and commodities, articles and features listed hereunder will hopefully provide useful insights into the demands and needs of the African market - specially from a global perspective.

BUSINESS GUIDE has played an instrumental role in promoting direct trade between the Africa and the rest of the world. The magazine aims at providing African businesses the opportunity to explore new sources of supply from the international markets while at the same time providing overseas companies an excellent opportunity to promote their products and services in the newly-opened markets in Africa.

Popular amonst exporters, importers, general merchants, manufacturers and traders in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Zambia, Eritrea, Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Ethiopia, BUSINESS GUIDE has served as a ready reference guide for business people in Africa who are looking for new sources of supply. BUSINESS GUIDE has been extremely successful in developing some specific trade sectors, namely: Electronics, Household Appliances, Computer Hardware & Accessories, Automobile Spare Parts, Electrical Equipment & Lighting, Plastic Products, Stationery Items, Packaging Materials, Cosmetics, Perfumes & Toiletries, Printing - to name a few.

The success of BUSINESS GUIDE can be gauged by the fact that many export-oriented companies from around the world have been able to establish direct contacts with their business counterparts in African countries by advertising in the BUSINESS GUIDE.

We would be happy to provide additional information on specific sectors on request. Your comments and suggestions on how to improve this website are welcome!

 

	Comment Editorial Comment From The Editor... A Round-Up of Events, Happenings and Developments in Afric. As more and more countries in Africa embark on economic liberisation drives, the markets in Africa have suddenly become alive with hectic business activity. Read More...
	Africa Focus Africa - Dubai: Traditional Trade Partners Abdul Rahman G. Al Mutaiwee, Director-General, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, United Arab Emirates writes about the historical links between Africa and the Arabian Gulf. Dubai is known as the City of Merchants due to its deep-rooted trading traditions which are based on the freedom of practicing business in addition to being a business link between the East and the West. Read More...
	South Africa-UAE Trade Partners In Progress: South Africa and the Middle East Mahdi Basadien, Charged'Affaires, Embassy of South Africa, analyses the growing trade relations between South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. The United Arab Emirates is one of South Africa's lucrative markets in the Gulf and current statistics show that trade between South Africa and the United Arab Emirates is certainly gaining momentum - Read More...
	Uganda in Focus Uganda Means Business Former Ambassador of Uganda to the Middle East, H.E. M.A. Kisuule writes about various opportunities for trade and investment in the "new" Uganda. It is a well know fact that the East African region as a whole has emerged as one of the fastest growing markets in the world for consumer and capital goods. Read More...
	Kenya: Economic Profile Kenya: Gateway to Africa Former Ambassador of Kenya to the United Arab Emirates, H.E. Chirau Ali Mwakwere on Kenya's status as the commercial hub for East Africa. To encourage investment in the country the Kenya government has carried out key economic reforms which have resulted in a fully liberalised economy. Read More...
	Prognosis: The African Market The Changing Face of Africa... Sweeping economic reforms and liberalisation policies open up huge markets in Africa. A report... Read More...
	Business Guide Africa How To Succeed In The African Market... Some basic rules to help you succeed in the volatile African market. The complex and changing African environment requires businessmen to have a degree of flexibility. The potential for turbulence requires businessmen to monitor and assess the political risks in the countries with whom they are doing business. Read More...
	Technology Africa Africa Joins The Internet Community Rapid advances in Internet technology open up Africa to the world of E-Commerce.  South Africa is still rated the best in Africa, with one in 65 people having direct access to the Internet but elsewhere in Africa, the average is nearer one in 4,000 people. A review... Read More...
	African Developments The East African Community East African countries of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania establish the East African Community (EAC) to boost regional trade. The new trade bloc aims to work towards economic policies that are pro-market, pro-private sector and pro-liberalisation. By pooling in their resources and promoting free trade within the region, the East African Community aims to emerge as a leading trade entity in East Africa... Read More...
	Business in Dubai Dubai: The City of Merchants Liberal trade policies and a strategic geograhical location have helped Dubai to emerge as the commercial hub of the Middle East and a major supplier of goods to Africa. Many Africans are now travelling to Dubai in increasing numbers to purchase goods and to make direct contacts with suppliers and manufacturers... Read More...
	Electronics market in Africa Consumer Electronics: The Needs of the African Market Africa has emerged as one of the largest market for electronics and home appliances. Recently East African buyers have emerged as the new bulk buyers of consumer goods in Dubai and leading electronic companies in are welcoming the brisk business from African buyers.... Read More...
	The Market for Computers The Demand For Computers in Africa The ongoing process of computerisation has opened up huge markets in Africa. The demand for computers and computer-related products and services has registered a marked increase in Africa due to the ongoing process of computerisation that is sweeping through most African countries. A report... Read More...
	Exports of spare parts to Africa Automobile Spare Parts: Big Demand From second-hand cars to ball bearings, spare parts, lubricants, tyres and batteries - demand registers further growth in African countries. An increasing number of African buyers are seen purchasing their requirements from one of the many second-hand auto spare parts outlets in Dubai and Sharjah Read More...
	Trade in Africa Cosmetics and Perfumes: The Rising Demand in Africa Many countries in Africa have seen a rising demand for cosmetics and perfumes in recent years. Africa presents one of the fastest developing markets in the world and the demand for cosmetics is growing at a frantic pace... Read More...
	Tyre Exports to Africa The Demand For Tyres in Africa Competition heats up as tyre manufacturers engage in an uphill battle to gain market supremacy in East Africa. W hen it comes to tyres, the African continent is one of the fastest growing markets for the global tyre industry. The rapid growth of the middle class in many African countries has pushed demand for automobiles to an all-time high � in turn creating a growing market for all kinds of tyres... Read More...
	Business in Dubai Setting Up in Dubai A brief rundown on various procedures and laws on establishing a company in Dubai. International companies seeking to establish a business presence in Dubai have a host of alternatives. Besides trading, many companies prefer setting up an office in Dubai to liaise directly with customers and further expand their area of operations... Read More...
	UAE-South Africa Trade Ties South Africa-United Arab Emirates: Strengthening The Link South Africa has established a pronounced presence in the United Arab Emirates. Trade between the two countries has registered an impressive growth in the last few years. Healthy economic and trade ties underpin the strong relationship between South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. The fact that these ties are growing exponentially, is as much due to the support such activities receive from the authorities in the two countries. A report... Read More...
	Business in South Africa South Africa: How To Do Business Answers to FAQs about how to conduct business with South Africa. South Africa offers foreign suppliers a wide variety of methods to distribute and sell their products. These include using an agent or distributor; selling through established wholesalers or dealers; selling directly to department stores or other retailers Read More...
	Eritrea: Profile Eritrea: Another Emerging Market Africa's newest independent country makes a promising start as a regional distribution centre. Though impoverished by its war for independence, Eritrea is rich with spirit, resourcefulness and knowlege. The country has made a vow to recreate itself with the expertise of its people, not foreign capital... Read More...
	Business in Tanzania Tanzania: A Traditional Trade Partner Trade within Tanzania has been on an upswing with the introduction of sweeping economic reforms in the country. T anzania is a glaring example of the effect of the change from state socialism to unfettered competition under the open market economy system... Read More...
	Uganda: Business Scenario Uganda: The New Market in Africa Imports into Uganda have more than doubled in recent years as more and more Ugandans begin sourcing their requirements from international markets. Uganda's economic performance in the last few years has generated a lot of interest in business circles around the world. Economists believe that the country has an economy with great potential as it is endowed with significant natural resources, including amply fertile land, regular rainfall, rich mineral deposits and a skilled labour force. Read More...
	The African Market Stationery Items: The Market In Africa International manufacturers and wholesalers focus attention on African markets as demand for stationery items registers unprecedented growth. Demand for stationery products has registered a two-fold increase among importers in East African countries because of the increase in the number of educational institutions as well as commercial organisations... Read More...
	News from Africa Mozambique: Seeking International Business Partners Mozambique has emerged as another emerging market in the Southern Africa region as demand for capital and consumer goods registers unprecedented growth. As part of the rebuilding process, Mozambique is augmenting infrastructure with a $1.3 billion aluminium smelter, major hydro-electric projects aimed at generating 6,000 megawatts, and setting up an ambitious iron and steel smelter. A report... Read More...
	Tunisia :Economic Profile Tunisia: Leading The Way By following a progressive socio-economic agenda, Tunisia has been able to emerge as one of the fastest growing economies in Africa. Tunisia is situated right in the heart of its principal market - the European Union - to which it sends around 80 per cent of its exports... Read More...
	Business in Ghana Ghana: Gateway to West Africa Ghana is fast establishing itself as a distribution hub for West Africa. Having established itself as one of the prime business centres in the West African region, Ghana has earned the reputation of being the leading distribution centre of the region... Read More...
	Business News from Africa High Oil Prices Bring Wealth For Africa High oil prices have meant higher revenues for Africa. A major reason for the high oil price is the increased demand coming from the booming Chinese economy. Over the last few years, China's national oil companies have been very active on the African continent, bidding for oil concessions in West Africa... Read More...
	Telecoms sector The Telecoms Sector in Africa A frica presents great opportunities in the telecom sector. The liberalisation of the sector, the extension of services by multinational conglomerates and the active competition currently in place in the sector have all contributed to the telecom revolution... Read More...
	Africa's Healthcare sector The Healthcare Sector in Africa New hospitals and healthcare institutions in Africa are proving a boon for medical care in many African countries. T he healthcare sector in Africa is showing signs of remarkable improvement as the quality of hospitals and the availability of qualified doctors has dramaticaly improved over the last few years... Read More...
	Sino-Africa Trade China and Africa: Increasing Trade and Business Relations China is fast emerging as one of the largest supplier to Africa. The positive business environment in Africa has already been noticed by the international community and investments into Africa have been flowing from various countries around the world... Read More...
	Indo-Africa Trade Trade Relations Between Africa and India Gain Momentum India and Africa have been working towards increased economic ties. To promote bilateral and regional commercial relations with the COMESA Region, India�s Exim Bank has extended Lines of Credit (LOCs) to support export of eligible goods on deferred payment terms... Read More...
	Africa: Business News Common Currency for West Africa: A Reality? Members of ECOWAS are working towards a common currency for the West African Monetary Zone to facilitate easy trading. The countries of West Africa are working towards achieving monetary and currency integration by introducing a common currency called �Ecoi� throughout the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ)... Read More...
	Investments in Africa Uganda: Attracting Investments Uganda is considered one of the best countries in Africa for investements. The country has attracted increasing amounts of foreign direct investment (FDI) since the beginning of the 1990s. The Government of Uganda has pursued a steady policy of improving the investment climate by reducing bureaucracy, streamlining the legal framework... Read More...
	Africa-China Trade Chinese Goods in Big Demand in Africa Goods made in China gain popularity in the African market. Price-sensitive markets in Africa have welcomed the easy availability of low-priced Chinese goods. Traders and merchants have also been quick to seize the opportunity to source their requirements from China in order to increase their profit margins... Read More...