TRANSFORMATIONAL GROWTH

“You cannot change

your destination over-

night but you can

change your direction

overnight.”

- Jim Rohn

“Today is when every-

thing that’s going to hap-

pen from now on be-

gins.”

- Harvey Firestone Jr.

In The Next

Episode

Inheritance

Generational wealth

Creation

Land as a base for

wealth creation

The ‘African Tax’

‘Transformation literally means going beyond your form.’ Wayne Dyer’

The Transformational Agenda

For the past century, Africa has transitioned from the ‘Dark Con-

tinent’, through the ‘next frontier’ phase, to what is dubbed the

‘Last Frontier’. As the world has been joggling for position on

this richly endowed continent for the last few years, one of the

key subjects of my meditation has been on how Africa can posi-

tion itself to benefit from the present interest.

Economic analysis has been wedded to the idea of equilibrium,

in spite of the evident fact that most economic relationships are

in flux. The theory of transformational growth in my view should

replace equilibrium with history as a basis for fostering the kind

of growth that will promote the interest of Africa and its people.

This ideal may be too far reaching, but my hope is that it will

spark some level on consciousness in and amongst Africans.

EPISODE 01 January 2016

By Mbi Mbapeh - My Reflections on Africa’s Transformational Growth

Agenda Reflection Points

As we explore the different areas of transformational growth

from my perspective, guided by my marauding travels around

the continent and interacting with different segments of our so-

cieties, and the fundamentals of Africa’s history, which should

not be ignored but should not become a deterrent to the quest

for a growth that is truly transformational.

In the global allocation of mind share as markets are viewed,

Africa has been relegated to the bottom in most if not all cases.

Markets grow through innovative thought applied across the

board. From governmental structures, to corporate, through

Small and medium enterprise to communities and down to fami-

lies structures. I will be exploring how resources are allotted to

each of these structures for it to be impactful leading up to the

transformation of countries, societies and families.

The reflections I will be sharing will be based on local and inter-

national media reports, my observations on our geo—economic

and social perspectives and as a student of Africa’s developmen-

tal growth. One of the interesting parts of these writings will fo-

cus on some of my personal interactions through the govern-

mental, corporate through the entrepreneurial space on the con-

tinent. A critical look at our competitiveness in an ever evolving

world will equally dominate my focus in this process.

Leading From Where you are ! Reflections on our readings and

an encouragement to you to

spend some time reading will form

part of this series.

I have had the privilege in the last

6 weeks to dig into two books

authored by one of the most re-

spected leadership teachers of our

times. -John C Maxwell -

After attending one of his simul-

casts in the fourth quarter of last

year my dear wife and I got two

of his books which have captured

our imaginations. In fact, these

books have met us right where we

are in our business and our per-

sonal lives.

Make Your Growth and Transformation Intentional - Mbi Mbapeh

Personal transformation can and does have global effects. As we go, so goes the world, for the world is us. The revolution that will save the world is ultimately a personal one. ‘Marianne Williamson’

In this episode, I therefore would

recommend the following books by

John C Maxwell;

Intentional Living

The 15 Invaluable Laws of

Growth

Please share your thoughts with

us after going through these read-

ings or share your readings with

us.

Private Sector Transformation Drivers

The informal sector

has to be willing to

operate formally,

Their operations

have to be big

enough to reap

some economies of

scale or agree to

pool their buying ,

With their

knowledge of the

local environment

they can facilitate

the creation of new

organizational rou-

tines and capabili-

ties.

Are ready to reap

the benefits of some

key technologies,

Strive for a continu-

ous innovation,

Seek support of

skilled individuals in

their communities or

make use of trained

labour,

Cooperate horizon-

tally through net-

works and clusters

as well as vertically

through supply

chains and subcon-

tracting,

Enhanced from Milford

Bateman & Juraj Dobrila

Life is a moving, breathing thing. We have to be willing to constantly evolve - ‘Nia Peeples’ Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/

Where is Growth going to Come From? I started my journey of real interest in the growth and transformation

of the Small & Medium Enterprise (SMB) growth when I worked as the

lead for this sector in one of the global technology leaders. Through this

journey, and all my subsequent work, I have focused majorly on this

segment of African economies. With that knowledge, I say with convic-

tion that the SMB segment is going to be the bedrock of this continent’s

economic transformation.

I know that this view is almost contrary to the views held by respected

African economists Like Dambisa Moyo who argue that micro enter-

prise and credit will form the bases for Africa’s transformational growth.

Considering the experiences of other mature markets like Europe in

general and Germany in particular, the Asian Tigers, these economies

are largely driven by a sustained support for the SMB segment.

Africa is littered by a bourgeoning informal trade with no structures for

these traders to become the starting point for the formalization of Afri-

can economies. My view is that, for us to start putting a dent on the

weak economic cycles on the continent, this informal sector of Africa’s

economy has to be intentionally and consciously formalized.

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What I would do In my reflections on this subject I am inspired by the Malaysian and

Singaporean model. Five steps which could be fleshed out in details

would be my starting blocks;

Create a Small Business (SB) Registration Scheme: Make the cost and time to be reduced to the bear minimum. A maximum of two days and the informal trader is a registered SB

Tax Exoneration: Give all registered SB a minimum of two years of tax exoneration.

Business Training: Focus on finance and business

Local Mentorship/Coaching: All SBs have a Local Mentor/Coach assigned to them for a minimum of 2 years.

Create Industry Verticals: Formalize the different segments for economies of scale and standards to be applied across the mar-ketplace

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