BUSINESS AFRICANS

Meet the Boss: Ismail Ahmed, founder, WorldRemit BY  KATE DOUGLAS  |     ‘Meet the Boss’ is a How we made it in Africa interview series where we pose 10 questions to business leaders across the continent. “Coming across sceptics in professional life can actually be more useful than advice. It makes me work even harder towards my vision,” says Ismail Ahmed, founder of WorldRemit. Ismail Ahmed, founder and CEO, WorldRemit 1. What was your first job? It was working for a World Bank agricultural development project when I was still living in Hargeisa [capital of Somaliland]. That ultimately led to me gaining a World Bank scholarship to study in the UK. 2. The parts of your job keeping you awake at night? WorldRemit has grown at an astounding rate, especially since we received a US$40m investment by Accel Partners in March last year. In such a fast-paced and high-growth environment, it can be a tough task to make sure everybody is working together smoothly. 3.

Dr Olumide Olusanya is a former medical doctor who started an online supermarket in Nigeria, Gloo.ng. Originally called BuyCommonThings.com, Olusanya decided to change the name last year in an effort to make the brand catchier and “stick” with its customers. Olumide Olusanya, founder of Gloo.ng With his wife as his business partner, today Olusanya employs 12 people and operates out of 1,800m² warehouse in Lagos. Although the company is still in its startup phase, Olusanya’s vision for Gloo.ng is to “do to supermarket shopping in Africa what Amazon did to book shopping in the world”. How we made it in Africa  spoke to Olusanya to find out why he decided to start an online supermarket brand in  Nigeria , the challenges he faces, and his future expansion plans. Why did you decide to move from a career in medicine to business? I actually didn’t move straight from medicine to business. I have always been a lover of technology and so had wanted to study computer science or engi

The top 12 finalists have been announced for the 2014  Anzisha Prize . The competition recognises and celebrates African entrepreneurs between the ages of 15 and 22 who are using business to solve problems in their communities. The top three winners will be announced on 23 September, and will win a share of the US$75,000 prize money. Sam Kodo is producing low-cost computers for students in Togo. Here is why these 12 young innovators deserve to be in the running. Sam Kodo, 22, Togo – developing low-cost computers Togolese Sam Kodo is the founder of LC-COM (Low-Cost Computer)/Infinite Loop, a company that produces low-cost personal computers for students. The miniature computers can fit into a pocket and plug into TVs or touchscreens to turn it into an internet enabled desktop PC. They are sold for a fraction of the price of other PCs in the market, and cost about half the amount to produce. The company employs six people and has sold 45 computers in Togo since February. Ko

Brought to you by:  The Anzisha Prize “They say that if the DRC was developed, many African countries will follow, because the food potential we have here can feed the world.” “I want young people to change their thinking and not to believe that it is better overseas. Because in the DRC and Africa there are more opportunities than anywhere else,” said Benedict Mundele, founder of Surprise Tropicale. This is according to Benedict Mundele, a 21-year-old Congolese entrepreneur who wants to make a change in her country. She is the founder of Surprise Tropicale, an organic local food canteen and catering company that aims to promote a sustainable and healthy lifestyle in her community in the capital Kinshasa. The idea came to her while studying hospitality and researching food produced in tropical environments. She was shocked to discover that the DRC imported so much of the food it should be producing in abundance. Furthermore, a lot of the food it does produce gets exported che

Meet the Boss’ is a How we made it in Africa interview series where we pose 10 questions to business leaders across the continent. Mustafa Suleimanji, managing director, Lamudi (Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mozambique ) 1. What was your first job? I am Tanzanian, but I was born and raised in Saudi Arabia, so every summer we used to come back to  Tanzania . But one summer we were not able to and I was sitting around watching TV. My father gave me an opportunity to work at the company that he worked for, as a graphic design intern. I was learning as much as I could. I must have been 14. 2. What parts of your job keep you awake at night? What keeps me awake at night is ensuring I am doing whatever I can to have my team happy, motivated and working to their maximum potential. I am managing four large teams and without them we wouldn’t be where we are. I think about that deeply. 3. Who has had the biggest impact on your career and why? All the credit goes to my p