5. Building Mama Habiba an Ice Factory: Opportunities in Infrastructure

The many infrastructure weaknesses and other challenges facing African nations—from clean water to electricity to medicine—create opportunities to build businesses that profitably meet social needs.

Africa, like many other emerging markets, is a continent in need. It has shortages of fresh drinking water, electricity, and medicine. Its infrastructure is weak or nonexistent in many areas. This may make Africa the biggest charity case in the world. Or, through a different lens, it could be the world’s greatest potential market. Companies that see these problems as “opportunities in work clothes” have been able to build successful businesses and support local entrepreneurs. ...

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