The potential of the African population provides innovative brands with exciting challenges and opportunities

Sub-Saharan Africa’s middle class includes more than 300 million people, and could reach more than 1bn in 2060. Such forecasts have not escaped the attention of innovative brands, looking to capitalise on Africa’s consumers. For instance, Coca-Cola uses their innovative Micro Distribution Centre approach to distribute their beverages throughout Africa – by using delivery truck to deliver drinks to large institutions in developed urban areas, whilst working with small-scale distributors in less developed areas to deliver to numerous small neighbourhood outlets and one-person kiosks. They also put their supply chain to work by helping to serve other companies and organisations distribute across Africa. Similarly companies such as H&M are looking to take advantage of the potential of Africa’s production capacity and young and populous workforce. As these and other innovative brands continue to demonstrate their interest in Africa, the opportunities to work with such companies on the ground become more apparent.

Movemeback recognises the strong demand from international talent to work with and learn from the most successful, innovative brands as they navigate the Africa market; thus we provide members with access to the most sought after opportunities at innovative brands operating in Africa.

Africa’s entrepreneurial startups are transforming every sector of African life, and will go on to redefine the world

A recent study on global entrepreneurial activity reported that Sub-Saharan Africa has by far the highest percentage of people involved in early-stage entrepreneurial activity, with Zambia and Nigeria leading the world rankings. The recent proliferation of Africa's technology and information-age signals the arrival of a genuine 'global-leveller' that will, for the first time, see African businesses competing consistently and aggressively on an international stage. These are pivotal times for African startups as the likes of M-Pesa – the Kenyan mobile money service – demonstrate through their European launch that African startups can impact not just the continent, but the world.

In Africa specifically, entrepreneurialism is a powerful notion; there is significant opportunity and scope for both economic and political change, with entrepreneurs often finding themselves at the forefront of this change. Movemeback both advocates and supports the growing trend of entrepreneurs interested in creating value and bringing about change on the continent. We support members to start their own ventures or discover and join entrepreneurial opportunities as employees, co-founders, advisors or even investors.

Africa’s creative industries are perhaps the continent’s ‘Sleeping Giant’

Africa’s share of the global creative economy is less than 1%. However this figure is reportedly growing fast and forecast to continue growing as creative industries gain increased recognition as a key ingredient in fuelling Africa's economic growth, whilst also contributing to democracy, human rights, and the eradication of poverty. For instance, Nigeria’s entertainment industry is worth an estimated USD 5bn, and is emblematic of the economic benefits creative industries can bring. Nollywood – Nigeria’s film industry – is second in output to Bollywood, and is Nigeria’s second largest employer. As an example, our friends Jason & Bastian created one of Africa’s most quoted and successful startups of current time with Iroko TV, the online on-demand video platform for the West African film industry.

The under-developed African creative sector from fashion and art to music and entertainment presents a huge opportunity for Movemeback members interested in developing Africa’s story in ways that promise to reach, resonate and induce emotion with consumers across the globe.

Africa’s corporate giants will become increasingly influential on the global stage, as Africa’s economy continues to boom

The African economy is forecast to explode from USD 2 trillion today, to USD 29 trillion by 2050 (that’s more than USA and Europe’s current combined output). Africa’s economic growth is also the second fastest in the world. The result is that African corporations are set to become increasingly influential on the global stage. For instance, as President Obama announced a shift in USA’s perception of Africa away from humanitarian aid and towards equal economic partnerships, he turned not just to African political leaders, but to the capabilities of Africa’s commercial giant and richest man – Aliko Dangote – to help solve Africa’s energy infrastructure constraints. Similarly some of the world’s most influential non-African organisations such as McKinsey & Company, Google, Samsung and JP Morgan are widening their African footprint and increasing their influence on the continent. As Africa evolves, their roles will shift from shaping Africa around the world to shaping the world around Africa.

At Movemeback we revert to our own humble beginnings, connecting esteemed international talent and partners to Africa’s and the world’s most influential institutions operating on the continent.

The scope for potential future nation leaders to contribute to Africa’s economic development is vast; these 'shapers' can find opportunities to get started today

The Africa story of the last ten years is hugely encouraging and sets the tone for the current day 'Africa rising' narrative. However there is plenty more to do and Africa must build a robust pipeline of future nation shapers to secure the next generation of growth and further-still exceed the expectations of the current generation.

Africa’s growth over the last decade is arguably owing to the action of governments to stimulate the economy, through policies such as ending armed conflicts, improving macroeconomic conditions and undertaking microeconomic reforms. For instance, African Governments reduced average inflation from 22% in 1990s to 8% in 2000, trimmed their foreign debt by one-quarter, shrunk their budget deficits by two-thirds and increased transparency (as measured by the World bank) to attract foreign investment. Governments have also energised the corporate sector through privatisation, increased openness to trade, improved infrastructure and strengthened regulation.

Nonetheless with African politicians tasked by the international community to go further in creating the right environment to promote deeper collaboration; with poor governance still being cited as one of Africa’s greatest constraints to growth; and with unfit infrastructure acting as a bottle neck in rapid economic development, the opportunities for individuals to help create a step change in the fortunes of the continent is huge. Movemeback recognises the scale of the challenge and opportunity lying ahead for nation shapers and is helping to expose the channels for others to get involved, contribute and eventually steer the major tasks at hand.

There is great potential to make significant social impact in Africa through not just charity, but also commerce

Despite Africa’s economic & commercial potential, the prevalence of social challenges cannot be ignored. 30% of those living in Africa have no access to clean water, and three quarters of Sub-Saharan Africa have no access to electricity. Not only is social change being driven by charitable organisations and philanthropists, but commerce is also a real driver. This is exemplified by companies in East Africa such as Mobisol with their affordable mobile payment plan for solar panels, or Grundfos Lifelink’s use of innovative pump solutions, mobile money and partnerships to provide water solutions to the poorest communities.

Movemeback partners with amazingly innovative and unique social causes and projects focused on the African continent with impact and sustainability at the heart.

Members can even realise social impact on the ground or from as far away as the US or UK, whilst in the words of Dambisa Moyo avoiding the trap of ‘dead aid’. We quote our friends at Give me Tap as a prime example; Edwin and his team sell ‘free-refillable’ water bottles on the streets of London which fund hugely impactful water projects in Ghana.

Africa is seeing a steep increase in the volume of private equity deals

The aggregate value of African deals doubled from USD 1.6 bn in 2012 to USD 3.2 bn in 2013, and is forecast to continue rising. This is in contrast to other emerging market regions (specifically Latin America, China and India) where fundraising values fell. And whilst attention was once focused on South Africa, the country’s share of the continent’s deal volume has reduced from 44% in 2010 to 19% in 2013. A significant majority of Africa’s private equity volume is made up of institutional investors partaking in deals with large-cap companies. Whilst opportunities to do deals in small and mid-cap companies exist, their whereabouts remain opaque, especially to smaller investors who are more likely to be interested in these smaller deals.

Movemeback is making African private equity and turnaround opportunities more visible to individuals and companies overseas. Not only are there growing opportunities for those with knowledge of finance plus Africa to partake as employees in large private equity buyouts or floatations; but the wealth and knowledge existing in the diaspora will also give rise to smaller private equity clubs and transactions, in which some members will be keen to participate. Movemeback will identify these exciting and hidden opportunities and make them visible with those who need to know, whilst in specific cases offering frameworks that will support structured participation.

As Africa’s commercial sector continues to boom, the demand for investments and seasoned advisors will continue to increase

The ability of Africa to achieve its growth projections is somewhat dependent on its capacity to source the skills and capital required for growth. One third of Africa’s highly qualified professionals currently live abroad, dampening its access to talent. Similarly African small and mid-cap companies in Sub-Saharan Africa (with the exception of South Africa) continue to need more capital than is afforded to them, as institutional investors focus on large cap, sizable investments in Northern and South Africa. Forecasts suggest USD 50 billion in total investment in Africa is possible over the next decade. However, given the small and mid-cap nature of companies in Sub-Saharan Africa, investment and advisory opportunities can often be less visible, particularly to non-institutional investors.

Investments or advisory roles provide those outside of the African continent with an unrivalled opportunity to gain a level of access, insight and involvement in the African market second to only operating on the ground. For example we encounter countless case studies of highly skilled and successful diasporans in the UK, deploying both their expertise and personal wealth to assist high potential African startups. In some cases this serves as a perfect vehicle for teeing-up potential future operating or executive roles in preparation for an anticipated future relocation to the continent. Movemeback is increasing the visibility and discoverability of high potential organisations and companies ready for investment or senior advisors. We are also helping facilitate the process of arranging investments and advisory/board appointments.

A large proportion of Movemeback opportunities offer relocation options to Africa; we support members in their relocation

Relocating and the commitment it entails offers many advantages including a level of involvement, depth of local insight and development of on the ground trust-based relationships that are hard to come-by yet critical for success. With Africa being the second fastest growing region in the world, the opportunities to relocate and take on exciting and unique roles in Africa are vast. This is particularly the case for the African diaspora, who are uniquely positioned to take knowledge acquired outside of the region, coupled with leveraging relatively stronger ties and often first hand knowledge of Africa [than other foreigners] , to take on local challenges and make significant impact.

With a significant volume of African talent and expertise living outside of its own borders (e.g. one third of Africa’s highly skilled professionals live abroad), in the long run Africa stands to collect a major dividend from its overseas talent, whilst reducing the billions of dollars paid in replacement costs employing foreign specialists. With this in mind, Movemeback not only offers a diverse array of relocation opportunities, but we are instrumental in advocating, supporting and providing services that facilitate those making the journey.

African countries in scope for Movemeback: Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, Angola, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, Mozambique, Côte d'Ivoire, Madagascar, Cameroon, Niger, Burkina Faso, Malawi, Senegal, Mali, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Chad, Guinea, Somalia, Burundi, Benin, South Sudan, Sierra Leone, Togo, Eritrea, Central African Republic, Liberia, Republic of the Congo.

Movemeback is enabling an increasing number of internships (and secondments) with exciting, influential and impactful African organisations, companies and projects for top students and overseas graduates

Relocating to Africa is not the only option for employing one’s skills and talents back into Africa. For those who want to test the African terrain, internships provide an opportunity to explore the realities of working and living in a given region. Similarly for those who want to work-in or experience operations in Africa for the short term, secondments provide a great solution. The benefits of internships and secondments are not just experienced by those offering their skills, as African organisations value the diversity and external perspectives offered by the incoming parties.

Going forward Movemeback will be rolling out a dedicated internship programme for the most talented and pioneering students and graduates, starting in the UK. The programme will seek to build on existing internships to offer a structured platform to enable interested candidates to access and arrange work and experience placements across the full spectrum of Movemeback’s African opportunity areas.

African countries in scope for Movemeback: Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, Angola, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, Mozambique, Côte d'Ivoire, Madagascar, Cameroon, Niger, Burkina Faso, Malawi, Senegal, Mali, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Chad, Guinea, Somalia, Burundi, Benin, South Sudan, Sierra Leone, Togo, Eritrea, Central African Republic, Liberia, Republic of the Congo.

Remote engagements with African companies provide a unique opportunity to employ one’s skills in the continent, without physically relocating

Remote working has become increasingly popular in the Western world, aided by advances in technology and internet connectivity. A similar situation is emerging in Africa, as the continent verges towards an internet boom. Africa’s advanced mobile penetration is widely covered in the press with internet penetration predicted to follow suit with a 20-fold increase in the next five years – double the rate of growth in the rest of the world; this will make it increasingly easier for those who want to employ their skills in Africa to do so remotely.

Remote engagements come in many forms and guises yet the increasing demand by African organisations, projects and individuals for overseas perspectives, skills and expertise remains a common thread across all. On the flip-side remote engagements provide a safe, risk-free vehicle for interested parties to sample the wealth of opportunity, to develop local insights and to potentially begin preparations for eventual relocation.

Movemeback connects talented individuals from across the diaspora and beyond, to unique and exciting remote engagements with African partners.

African countries in scope for Movemeback: Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, Angola, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, Mozambique, Côte d'Ivoire, Madagascar, Cameroon, Niger, Burkina Faso, Malawi, Senegal, Mali, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Chad, Guinea, Somalia, Burundi, Benin, South Sudan, Sierra Leone, Togo, Eritrea, Central African Republic, Liberia, Republic of the Congo.

Investment and advisory opportunities allow for those outside of the continent to more deeply engage in Africa’s commercial sector on flexible terms

Given the economic context we see great demand from African companies for the expertise and capital of those located outside of the region.

More importantly from a Movemeback member perspective, investments or advisory style roles provide those outside of the African continent with an unrivalled opportunity to gain a level of access, insight and involvement in the African market, second only to operating on the ground. For example we have countless case studies working with highly skilled and successful diasporans in the UK, deploying both their expertise and personal wealth to assist high potential African startups. In some cases this serves as the optimal vehicle for teeing-up future potential operating or executive roles, in anticipation of future relocation plans or ambitions.

Through the increasing volume of investments and advisor opportunities discovered via Movemeback eco-system, we are building capability to support members who wish to develop investment and advisory style relationships with African organisations.

African countries in scope for Movemeback: Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, Angola, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, Mozambique, Côte d'Ivoire, Madagascar, Cameroon, Niger, Burkina Faso, Malawi, Senegal, Mali, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Chad, Guinea, Somalia, Burundi, Benin, South Sudan, Sierra Leone, Togo, Eritrea, Central African Republic, Liberia, Republic of the Congo.