Main content

Africa: Doing Business Better

Despite impressive growth figures across Africa, the small firms sector is flagging. Why? And what can be done to generate a better business landscape across the continent?

The African economies have achieved impressive rates of growth in the last few years. Big business attached to the commodities market, in particular the mining sector, has generated huge wealth. But small and medium sized businesses are not doing as well. Why not? We hear from the influential former President of Ghana John Kufuor, who tells us that not enough has been done to create an environment in which the private sector flourishes, enabling smaller businesses to take root and a solid African middle class to grow. But, he believes things are starting to change.

Tokunboh Ishmael is co-founder and managing director of Alitheia Capital, a fund management and investment firm in Nigeria. She is also advising the Nigerian government on how to generate an effective business environment. She tells us she believes better education, fairer taxation and better access to finance in Nigeria, would make all the difference. Plus, in Ethiopia, James Hassam hears from the country's emerging middle class about hopes, dreams and jobs.

Available now

18 minutes

Last on

Tue 10 Jun 2014 07:32GMT

Broadcast

  • Tue 10 Jun 2014 07:32GMT

Business Daily Podcast

Download every programme.

Podcast