Latifa Mkwawa

Mighty Monday Morning.Part 1 of 2.Shall we begin?...According to the GenGlobal international NPO, startup Huddles and activations are free services aimed at empowering SMEs by providing a platform for them to share their goals with other businesses and providing them with opportunities to network with likeminded others. This includes investors, possible partners and other enabling services.Given this, could someone kindly clarify why Mr uLwazi Manqele, founder of the Sandton Startup Huddle is charging businesses for these NGO -based services under both GEN and his private company Africa Nobuhle to capitalize on and monetize these?This GEN Sandton Startup Huddle founder also charges businesses for what he refers to as “operational funds” - which I had to endorse out of my own pocket- to supposedly “enable” the ecosystem. Moreover, Manqele  had the audacity to conduct gatherings with my employers (unbeknownst to me), and threaten them with a lawsuit demanding the funds he insisted the business owes him. This was rather troubling because according to his association with GENGlobal, he is financially sponsored by iFundi, which gave him the boot due to alleged accusations against him suggesting unethical conduct ranging from dishonesty to hardware theft.Following the success of Umdoko Internet and Amusema App’s brand activation -which I proudly partook in organizing as a dedicated employee -, I was accused by the establishment for “grossly misleading” the company and subjecting them to an abrupt payment to Mr Manqele for these undisclosed charges. This was frankly unwarranted as according to recently obtained evidence, the notorious Huddle founder has a streak of misrepresenting GENGlobal and actually using their resources to gain monetary benefits from the same SMEs he’s supposed to be empowering and enabling. Consequently, I was subjected to a poorly conducted disciplinary hearing whereby the company judgement panel did not include a neutral mediator, denied me my right to having legal representation, and essentially had all my well-supported defense evidence completely disregarded and deemed fabricated, thus having no real opportunity to present my troubling findings regarding Manqele’s conduct. Despite the fact that I was summoned to answer for questionable activities I had no involvement in, the company practically forced me to remunerate Manqele a total amount of R6000 from my own salary or risk facing a hostile work environment and/or possible law suit underpinned by my apparent dishonesty and company character defamation.Umdoko Internet  Amusema App Amazon Web Services (AWS) #GENglobal #umdokointernet #amusema #startuphuddle #aws #ifundi #speakout #sme

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Exciting times ahead as I help build out the beauty and fashion vertical at Avunja Mobile. More than just an app, this platform is a launchpad for ambitious youth to earn money online and unlock financial freedom by selling products across industries to both businesses and consumers and access payments on their phones. Sub-Saharan Africa's mobile money network is booming - 4.3 million agents and counting, with forecasts predicting over 10 million within the decade. Beauty and fashion brands, DM me if you're ready to expand without the stress of fixed costs. Interested agents, download the app and DM me if you'd like to be part of our focus group tomorrow or upcoming ones down the line. Share this with anyone that might benefit and let's makes waves! #avunja #beauty #fashion

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As the entrepreneurial landscape across Africa continues to grow, the role of Business Support Organizations (BSOs) is becoming increasingly vital. However, one key challenge that many BSOs face is ensuring long-term sustainability while delivering meaningful value to startups and SMEs. I am excited to share that I’ve recently completed an insightful course on Developing Sustainable Business Models for Business Support Organizations (BSOs) 🎓! The course provides deeper insights into how BSOs can create long-term value for the entrepreneurship ecosystem.

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Hey folks! So, I’ve just been handed the keys to the kingdom as the West Africa Growth Enablement Manager! I will cover 24 countries 😍 I’ll be the one making sense of our L&S Product portfolio and nailing the technical sales. And get this, I’m going to be the face of sales in the product team and vice versa. I’m basically the peanut butter to their jelly. 😁 But hold onto your hats because there’s more! I’ll be putting the pedal to the metal on our pipeline velocity, cranking up our win ratio, and serving up cross-product integrated solutions like a five-star chef. 👨‍🍳 And just when you thought I was done, I’ll be diving into big RFQs and driving product initiatives. Because who doesn’t love a good challenge? So, here’s to this wild ride. Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a fun one! 🎉 #NewRole #GrowthEnablement #Sales #ProductManagement #HereWeGo

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African startups raised about 80% more compared to week 36. Securing over $68.4 million in grant, equity & debt deals. Here's the funding tracker for week 37 (9th - 15th Sept. 2024): 4. Talk360 Talk360 is the international calling app used by more than 5 million people worldwide. ・Amount raised: $1.4 million ・Lead investor: HAVAÍC ・Location: South Africa ・Type of investment: Equity financing 3. Field Field streamlines the pharmaceutical supply chain, making it cheaper and more efficient. ・Amount raised: $11 million ・Lead investor: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation ・Location: Nigeria ・Type of investment: Grant 2. Paymob Paymob is a technology platform that offers payment solutions to support digital financial service providers in Africa and the Middle East. ・Amount raised: $22 million ・Lead investor: EBRD Venture Capital ・Location: Egypt ・Type of investment: Equity financing 1. FlapKap FlapKap provides financing solutions that help SMEs boost their inventory and digital ads with fast cash and the option to pay later. ・Amount raised: $36 million ・Lead investor: BECO Capital ・Location: Egypt/UAE ・Type of investment: Equity & debt financing Additionally, Egyptian foodtech company Brottini sold a minority stake to Entlaq for an undisclosed amount. Meanwhile, Egypt-based climatetech NoorNation received an undisclosed investment from KBW Ventures. Want more insights and stories from entrepreneurs around the continent to help make building easier? Subscribe to our newsletter: https://lnkd.in/dFw3dXe

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Excited to share the key takeaways from the Standard Bank Leadership Summit 2024 with you all: - "Move from success to significance" - "Live your purpose; if you don't, you are denying someone their destiny" - "Leadership is contagious, become fully what you do" Dr. Patricia Murugami delivered a powerful session on Breakthrough Transformational Leadership. #Leadership #Success #Significance #Purpose #TransformationalLeadership#BANI

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Excited to share the key takeaways from the Standard Bank Leadership Summit 2024 with you all: - "Move from success to significance" - "Live your purpose; if you don't, you are denying someone their destiny" - "Leadership is contagious, become fully what you do" Dr. Patricia Murugami delivered a powerful session on Breakthrough Transformational Leadership. #Leadership #Success #Significance #Purpose #TransformationalLeadership#BANI

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Your network is your net worth, and at the Founders Dinner, we're bringing together founders who are serious about growth and connection. With award-winning property developer Kayode Ogunbanjo MBA Ogunbanjo and award winner Renée Davis Davis speaking, you’ll leave with not just new insights but real relationships. Whether you thrive in social settings or prefer quiet conversations, this evening is curated to fit your style. I always hated networking events. The awkward silences. The glazed over eyes when people decided that you didn't have enough value to warrant their interest. The breakfasts at the crack of dawn. So I decided to create my own event where members of my Founders Network/Client community could come together in a carefully curated environment. This year we have opened it up to invite none network members, as I recognise that we have something special that others can benefit from. Whether you're a new founder or an experienced entrepreneur, this is the perfect setting to build relationships that can elevate your business. Secure your place today and prepare for an unforgettable night with fellow founders and industry leaders. To get the booking info, type "Dinner" in the comments! #FoundersDinner #LastChance #BusinessNetworking #EntrepreneurEvent #NetworkingForFounders #BusinessGrowth #ExclusiveEvent #BirminghamEvent #Entrepreneurship #HighLevelNetworking #BusinessRelationships ******************************************************************************** 👋🏾 I'm Daniella, a business growth strategist trusted by ambitious founders who are serious about taking their businesses to the next level. If you’re ready to achieve unparalleled clarity, streamline your operations, and make the mindset shifts that create real impact, then you’re in the right place. My expertise has transformed businesses, enabling them to scale without the overwhelm. If you're truly ready to make bold moves and join the ranks of high-performing leaders, send me a message. This is your opportunity to work with someone who gets results.

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African Startup Trends 📈: I looked at the themes of African startups solving transportation problems and how these relate to the average pre-seed round raised by startups in each theme. 1. 🚚 It is clear that there are asset heavy transportation startups that need early capital for fleets and equipment. 2. 💻 It is clear that there are asset light transportation startups that are solving digital problems in logistics etc. 3. 🚁 Another unexpected finding were startups using drones to create delivery solutions. 4. 🌐 I also found it interesting that some startups are looking to connect existing logistics providers to form an integrated network within a country. 5. 🚲 EVs in an African context refer mainly to the electrification of motorcycles. *Please note that these figures are potentially obscured by high funding rounds in 2021-2022.

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WEEk TWO- PRODUCT LIFE CYCLE MY JOURNEY AS A PRODUCT MANAGER (ALT SCHOOL AFRICA) In week two of the product management class, we explored the product life cycle, which reminded me of a university course I took on product management. One concept that stuck with me was that every beginning has an ending. This notion didn't fully resonate until recently when we discussed the product life cycle in class, and I realized that a product's journey mirrors human life stages - birth, growth, maturity, and decline. The Product Life Cycle (PLC) consists of four stages: Introduction, Growth, Maturity, and Decline. Each stage presents unique challenges that, if navigated effectively, can determine a product's success or failure. INTRODUCTION STAGE: We were told that the Introduction Stage is a place where product is newly introduced into the market Characteristics: - Low sales - High marketing and distribution costs - Limited market awareness Goals and Objectives: - Create awareness - Establish market presence - Gain early adopters GROWTH STAGE: The next stage that we have is Growth Stage and this implies that the product experiences rapid growth as more consumers adopt and accept it Characteristics: - Rapid sales growth - Increasing market acceptance - Emergence of competitors - Increased market expenditure Goals and Objectives: - Capture market share - Maximize profit - Solidify brand loyalty MATURITY STAGE: The next stage is the Maturity Stage and this is where the product has reached its saturated point of acceptability and sales begin to slow down. Characteristics: - Stable sales growth - Market saturation - Intensified competition Goals and Objectives: - Defend market share - Maximize profitability - Extend product life cycle DECLINE STAGE: So the last stage is the Decline Stage and this happens due to changes in consumer preferences, technological advancements or the emergence of new products Characteristics: - Declining user base - Technological obsolescence - Brand erosion After analyzing various brands like iPhone, Netflix, and BlackBerry Messenger, I concluded that recognizing and responding to the different stages of the product life cycle is crucial for sustaining success. By tailoring market efforts and product development strategies accordingly, businesses can enhance competitiveness and profitability. However, I'm left wondering: is it possible for a product to exist without experiencing a decline stage? If so, under what circumstances would that occur? Share your thoughts in the comment session OJETUNDE SILAS OLuWAFEMI (D’GLOBAL MAN) #altschoolafrica #productmanagerjourney #techworld #changemaker"

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Securing pre-seed investment in Africa can be challenging due to various factors. Two areas of focus for founders are typically (and should be): 1. Building a solid founding team; and 2. Focussing on traction 1. Build a Solid Team: Typically a business idea is developed by one person (usually entrepreneurially inclined). You have to be open to invite people with relevant skills and experience (and who you get along with) to join you as co-founders. Investors often invest in the team as much as the idea. NB: Get a solid finance person to join from the start if you can. Please! 2. Focus on Traction: Even in the early stages, strive to generate traction by acquiring users, customers, or partners. This kind of early market validation through traction can instill confidence in investors and increase the attractiveness of your startup. So, if you have a solid team with proven traction within a growing market - these are strong signals - most pre-seed investors looking into your sector would give you a serious look. Would you add anything here that can help? #preseedinvestments #earlystagecapital #venturecapital #angelinvestors #startups #africanstartups #founders #startupecosystem #startuptraction

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Where do African Founders create an offshore base? We looked at ▶ 42K Founders based in 47 African countries ▶ 39K Founder-led businesses ▶ Businesses under 100 employees 18.5% (7.2K) of these were based offshore Egypt, Ghana, South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya account for 72% of this Here are the top 17 countries (out of 122) Note: The numbers include both Inbound and Outbound businesses, where the Founders are based in Africa but the businesses are not.

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Insights from Iyinoluwa Aboyeji highlight critical points about the startup ecosystem in Africa: *Pre-seed and seed investors such as Future Africa are uniquely positioned to capitalize on the funding boom at later stages (Series A-D). *The need for a world-class accelerator program in Africa, such as Accelerate Africa. *The importance of investors/founders who understand context, especially in times of crises, such as the recent funding contraction #FutureAfrica #AccelarateAfrica #VentureCapital

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Building for Exit Without Losing Focus 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒐𝒏-𝒅𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒂𝒓 𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒔: how do you prepare for an exit without getting distracted from your core mission? Here’s what I’ve observed works: First, focus on solving big, meaningful problems. InstaDeep’s success wasn’t just about having great AI technology — it was about applying that technology to solve critical challenges that caught the attention of a global pharmaceutical giant. Second, maintain what I call “operational hygiene.” Keep your books clean, protect your IP, and build robust governance structures. Think of it as keeping your house in order — you never know when a potential buyer might want to take a look around. Finally, and perhaps most critical, build strategic relationships early. The African business landscape is still heavily relationship-driven. We’ve seen this evidenced multiple times in the South African venture ecosystem. Today’s partner could be tomorrow’s acquirer. 𝑮𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅! Read more on: https://lnkd.in/dgkdb9ei

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We're just a few days away from the Afri Future Tech Summit, running from October 3rd to 5th, and I couldn’t be more proud of the team and grateful to our partners for their incredible efforts in bringing this vision to life. As we approach this event, we also take a moment to reflect on this National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. In recognizing the profound importance of reconciliation in #Canada, we are reminded of the power of #equitable engagement, inclusion, and the need to amplify underrepresented voices—values that are central to our summit’s mission. Our goal is to #shiftthenarrative around #Africa in Canada to foster equitable engagement. We’ll highlight some of Africa’s most groundbreaking #innovations from both the #Diaspora and the continent, while centering #Black and #AfricanCanadian voices—voices that have been historically absent from these important discussions. Through this platform, we will advance policy discussions and strengthen collaboration between Canadian and African innovation leaders and stakeholders. One of the defining traits of #Africaninnovation is its commitment to solving societal challenges. Whether it's #fintech creating financial inclusion, #healthtech delivering life-saving care, or #edtech breaking barriers for youth, social impact is often at the core. We're embracing this spirit through the pan-African concept of #Ubuntu, which embodies the idea that "I am because you are." This principle will guide our programming and provide space for you to share your ideas and engage meaningfully. In honor of the Decade of People of African Descent, we're thrilled to introduce a "pay what you can" ticketing option, ensuring that the summit is #accessible to all. While our VIP Reception, hosted in partnership with The ONE Campaign, is now at capacity, there are still spots available for the Innovation Tour on October 4th and for the summit on October 5th—so don’t miss your chance to register! Looking forward to seeing you there as we continue to build the #CanadaAfrica innovation ecosystem together, with a shared commitment to inclusion and reconciliation. #AfriFutureTechSummit #CanadaAfricaRelations #InnovationEcosystem #TruthAndReconciliation #Ubuntu #TechForGood #DiasporaInnovation #sustainableinnovation #impact #collectivework Kamal Khera Mary Ng Siham Rayale, PhD Arielle Kayabaga African Development Bank Group Mastercard Foundation Microsoft Google

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90% 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐌𝐄𝐬 𝐎𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞-𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐬 🚀💡 As an entrepreneur in Africa, you're probably all too familiar with the challenges of running a business and securing funding. But what if I told you there are powerful strategies that most business owners are overlooking? Here are some game-changing insights that could transform your SMEs or startup: 1. 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 📱💼 Did you know that partnering with mobile money providers can open up new revenue streams and funding opportunities? Many providers are looking to expand their ecosystems and offer loans based on transaction history. 2. 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐬 🌍💰 Tap into the power of your country's diaspora. Some governments and private entities are issuing diaspora bonds, allowing overseas nationals to invest in home-country businesses. 3. 𝐔𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 🌾🏦 If you're in or adjacent to the agricultural sector, explore value chain financing. This model allows you to secure funding based on your position in the agricultural supply chain, often with more favorable terms than traditional loans. 4. 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐂𝐀 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐭 🤝💼 Modern platforms are digitizing traditional rotating savings groups (𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐬) specifically for businesses. Join one to access communal funding without the need for collateral or credit scores. 5. 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐄-𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 🛒📊 If you sell online, your e-commerce data can be gold. Some fintech companies now offer revenue-based financing using your sales data as a basis for lending. 6. 𝐓𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥-𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐬 🏭🔗 Some startups are beginning to tokenize real-world assets (like machinery or inventory) on blockchain platforms like Stellar Development Foundation, allowing for fractional ownership and novel funding models. 7. 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 🤝🏢 Partner with other SMEs to share resources, reducing individual capital needs. This can range from shared office spaces to collaborative equipment purchases. The African business landscape is evolving rapidly, and so are the opportunities for funding and growth. By thinking outside the traditional box, you can unlock potential that your competitors might be missing. 💡 For more information the 𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐬 Model, check our 𝒅𝒐𝒄𝒖𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 white-paper on https://www.fba.finance/ What's your experience with alternative funding methods in Africa? Have you tried any of these strategies? Share your thoughts below! #AfricanEntrepreneurs #SMEFunding #StartupGrowth #InnovativeFinance #AfricanBusiness

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“Female financial literacy is the modern solution to the growing gap in emerging and developed economies.” — Ms. Afua Amoah-Djimi, Managing Director, Orbit54 Venture Capital I am on a journey myself around financial planning and educating myself about how to invest any idle cash (the power of inflation), how rising inflation can affect my savings, and how just getting started is the best thing you can do. I am by no means an expert, but if you are interested, join me on this journey. I am waist deep in conversations and live webinars with the likes of FemaleInvest, SmartPurse, Ellevest and more. Independence and Financial Freedom: My Artistic and Financial Journey https://lnkd.in/eD75Ngz2

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