Engaging the New Africa

Africa is transforming. This module aims to present the tremendous potential and transformation of African emerging markets in a continental market context and through the diversity of different African countries and their political regimes, economic policies, environmental conditions and politico-institutional approaches. This module will enable business leaders to understand why some African countries have succeeded while others have failed, highlight the different challenges of doing business in Africa and convey why now is the time to invest in Africa. It will challenge global leaders to use an analytical approach to understand why some African countries have obtained better overall economic performance and to determine if these new trends are sustainable.

By the end of this module, you will be able to: 

• Demonstrate a general understanding of the fundamental changes in emerging African markets that will contribute to Africa’s economic potential by 2030.
• Assess trends and developments in the African business environment as they apply to economic performance and sustainable business practices on the continent.
• Identify the risks and benefits of your company investing and doing business in Africa in the near future.

I  Delivery: Online  I  Duration: 1 week  I  Start: On Demand  I  $199  I  Badge

The remarkable potential for new business opportunities in emerging African markets is widespread. This module aims to provide an overview of Africa’s biggest business opportunities and teach business leaders how to identify and select profitable opportunities within these different African markets. Most sophisticated business leaders will consider Africa’s diversity from the sub-regional and country-specific level to select opportunities that will work best for them. This module will dive into the five sub-regional levels of Africa: East Africa, West Africa, Central Africa, North Africa and Southern Africa. After a comprehensive look at the sub-regional levels and country-specific sectors, business leaders will better understand how to select business opportunities that align with their goals and fit their strengths.

By the end of this module, you will be able to: 

• Identify emerging business opportunities and challenges at the sub-regional level and in sectors such as consumer market/distribution and related services/infrastructure; agriculture and food industry; information and technology; energy, water, clean and appropriate technologies.
• Identify and weigh new market opportunities that would complement your strengths as a global manager, entrepreneur or investor, or the strengths of your company.
• Assess African market and sector trends and developments in different African regions as they apply to Africa’s long-term growth and sustainability.

When doing business in Africa, it is critical to understand the African context. This will help businesses choose the right strategy to deal with the diversity of business, political, and legal environments. This module aims to focus on the specificity of the trade and investment environment and the rule of law and business in Africa. This module will equip business leaders with the etiquettes and protocols appropriate for doing business in different African countries in the following areas: business negotiations, communications, networking, lawyers, buying, selling, government relations and languages. It will also focus on different strategic definitions, including the definition of a business strategy, strategic positioning and its components, and strategic vision, to help business leaders consider what is important when developing a sustainable competitive advantage. It will conclude with a discussion around a case study.

By the end of this module, you will be able to: 

• Identify etiquettes and protocols for business negotiations, communications, networking, lawyers, buying, selling and government relations in different African sub-regions
• Demonstrate an understanding of how to develop a business strategy with a sustainable competitive advantage in an African market using appropriate market entry, business development and investment strategies.
• Analyze the challenges and opportunities of the different sectors/industries explored and assess how these sectors may contribute to Africa’s long-term growth and sustainability.

There is potential for various business opportunities in different African countries, markets and sectors. But how, as a business leader, are you able to transform these opportunities into results while also managing risk? This module aims to explore the different ways that African businesses fail – and how to mitigate these issues. This module will focus on the ways business leaders can adapt their business knowledge to Africa through the use of different management, leadership, entrepreneurship, human resources, marketing, finance and strategy styles. This module will also help business leaders learn how to manage risk when doing business in Africa through trade and investment assurances, public-private partnerships, local expertise, legal issues, diversification and utilizing your network and the information you have. These tools will help better prepare leaders to transform opportunities into results. Readings will also cover information on energy and tourism sectors. The module will conclude with a discussion around a case study.

By the end of this module, you will be able to: 

• Demonstrate a general understanding of what causes some African businesses to fail, and strategy tools to help mitigate failures.
• Identify, assess and manage risks in the African Business Environment.
• Develop the strategic roadmap and marketing strategy parts of a business strategy for a new African business opportunity.
• Analyze the challenges and opportunities of the different sectors/industries explored and assess how these sectors may contribute to Africa’s long-term growth and sustainability.

Strategic planning and implementation are key components to creating effective business development and investment strategies. This module aims to understand how to choose the best strategic business scenario, how to develop and implement strategic plans, and how to develop and implement operational plans specifically for African markets. This module provides business leaders with the information necessary to create an effective business overview, meet target customer’s needs through unique value propositions, and successfully deliver that value proposition to customers through strategic marketing and distribution. It will also identify important frameworks and models necessary to develop effective competitive advantage in different market segments. It will equip business leaders with the tools required to effectively show what they want, to whom they should be tailoring their strategy and how to summarize strategic plans to appear credible, reliable and transparent. Readings will also cover banking, infrastructure and construction sectors.

By the end of this module, you will be able to: 

• Identify the elements of a value proposition that supports a credible, reliable and transparent business strategy.
• Identify and utilize the necessary frameworks, strategies, models and measures to develop a business strategy and an operational plan that align.
• Analyze the challenges and opportunities of the different sectors/industries explored and assess how these sectors may contribute to Africa’s long-term growth and sustainability.

Africa is now home to both emerging and traditional powers’ competition. This module aims to take a closer look at the competition between these emerging and traditional powers, as well as China’s presence in Africa, as China has maintained close economic ties with Africa over the past 20 years. What are some of the key trends in trade, development and diplomacy between African countries and China? This module will focus on: the growth of exports to Africa, increased imports from Africa, Chinese lending in Africa, increasing Chinese FDI stock in Africa, Chinese dominant port investment in Africa, the importance of Chinese workers in Africa, the significance of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the multiplication of Confucius institutes in Africa. The module will also consider the opportunities presented for African countries as labor-intensive jobs move away from China, and the advantages of participating in global value chains (GVCs).

By the end of this module, you will be able to: 

• Demonstrate an understanding of some of the key trends in trade, development and diplomacy between countries on and off the African continent.
• Evaluate China’s role in Africa and how China’s policies and practices will continue to affect African markets.

I  Delivery: Online  I  Duration: 1 week  I  Start: On Demand  I  $199  I  Badge

The Fourth Industrial Revolution has arrived. Are you ready? This Revolution, unlike previous ones, is moving at unprecedented speeds and disrupting nearly every industry across the globe. It will put industries, businesses and countries to the test as it challenges them to either adapt and keep up, or fall further behind. This module will provide business leaders with the global implications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) in terms of the opportunities, benefits, risks and costs associated in the following areas: labor and production, security and conflict, governance and politics, consumer lifestyle and global inequality. The module analyzes the trajectory and potential of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in Africa. It will provide business leaders with an understanding of the drivers and limits of industry 4.0, highlight the leading tech innovators and use case examples to showcase 4IR in Africa. It will conclude with a look into the opportunities, risks and African priorities associated with this Revolution.

By the end of this module, you will be able to: 

• Demonstrate an understanding of the four industrial revolutions.
• Recognize the potential global economic impact of the key technologies associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
• Analyze the trajectory and potential of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and identify the opportunities and risks it will present in different countries and industries in Africa.

I  Delivery: Online  I  Duration: 1 week  I  Start: On Demand  I  $199  I  Badge