Comments on: An Opportunity to Make Real Money in Africa http://whiteafrican.com/2008/08/05/an-opportunity-to-make-real-money-in-africa/ Where Africa and Technology Collide! Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:45:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Nan http://whiteafrican.com/2008/08/05/an-opportunity-to-make-real-money-in-africa/comment-page-1/#comment-533693 Nan Fri, 30 Dec 2011 10:41:44 +0000 http://whiteafrican.com/?p=1235#comment-533693 Good ideas. Bringing people together who share the same ideas will be an excellent opportunity for grow together. Iam a blogger and I really know it can help alot. Good ideas. Bringing people together who share the same ideas will be an excellent opportunity for grow together. Iam a blogger and I really know it can help alot.

]]> By: Ford http://whiteafrican.com/2008/08/05/an-opportunity-to-make-real-money-in-africa/comment-page-1/#comment-187931 Ford Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:52:40 +0000 http://whiteafrican.com/?p=1235#comment-187931 Wow I love the conversations that has been going on, and people have great ideas that I have been thinking about too. However, I've noticed there is many of us designers and people like kennedy who are able to do a lot about website designing and mobile apps to bring money. I think its better to create a group of people with this thought in mind via online and having some meetings online in order to do something about this to make enough money in the future or even change african regions. I am writing this via my phone, and I will try build a blog just to bring people out that can offer whatever they have in mind and put it in action, the hard part will be trust from people. Wow I love the conversations that has been going on, and people have great ideas that I have been thinking about too. However, I’ve noticed there is many of us designers and people like kennedy who are able to do a lot about website designing and mobile apps to bring money. I think its better to create a group of people with this thought in mind via online and having some meetings online in order to do something about this to make enough money in the future or even change african regions. I am writing this via my phone, and I will try build a blog just to bring people out that can offer whatever they have in mind and put it in action, the hard part will be trust from people.

]]> By: Nana Kwabena Owusu http://whiteafrican.com/2008/08/05/an-opportunity-to-make-real-money-in-africa/comment-page-1/#comment-135953 Nana Kwabena Owusu Fri, 08 May 2009 12:59:23 +0000 http://whiteafrican.com/?p=1235#comment-135953 Good Article. However one think I can never figure out is how come the Mobile Operators, how still not been able to push the 'data' story to consumers. In Ghana, I still find a lot of people who think GPRS is exorbitantly expensive and that's why they don't use it. Lots of people in certain demographiscs (eg Uni & College students) have high end phones that go to waste. MTN, Zain, Vodafone (formerly GT), Tigo, Kasapa and still most people think an SMS costs less than an email with GPRS. Well if the MNO's won't seize the day, entrepreneurs should as is happening. I especially love TxtEagle's idea and there was the project that also allows us international tweeps in areas with SMS device updates turned off by Twitter, to get SMS updates. Well I am involved in a project that's trying to tap into this unleashed potential but we are still finding what the right way is. When we do (hope springs eternal) maybe I can help answer my own question. Ps. Does anyone know of any good African podcasts? Good Article. However one think I can never figure out is how come the Mobile Operators, how still not been able to push the ‘data’ story to consumers.

In Ghana, I still find a lot of people who think GPRS is exorbitantly expensive and that’s why they don’t use it. Lots of people in certain demographiscs (eg Uni & College students) have high end phones that go to waste.

MTN, Zain, Vodafone (formerly GT), Tigo, Kasapa and still most people think an SMS costs less than an email with GPRS.

Well if the MNO’s won’t seize the day, entrepreneurs should as is happening. I especially love TxtEagle’s idea and there was the project that also allows us international tweeps in areas with SMS device updates turned off by Twitter, to get SMS updates.

Well I am involved in a project that’s trying to tap into this unleashed potential but we are still finding what the right way is. When we do (hope springs eternal) maybe I can help answer my own question.

Ps. Does anyone know of any good African podcasts?

]]> By: Websites tagged "hash" on Postsaver http://whiteafrican.com/2008/08/05/an-opportunity-to-make-real-money-in-africa/comment-page-1/#comment-119172 Websites tagged "hash" on Postsaver Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:48:46 +0000 http://whiteafrican.com/?p=1235#comment-119172 [...] - An Opportunity to Make Real Money in Africa saved by nini20072008-10-15 - Decentralized Databases Are Better than Corporate Datastores saved by [...] [...] – An Opportunity to Make Real Money in Africa saved by nini20072008-10-15 – Decentralized Databases Are Better than Corporate Datastores saved by [...]

]]> By: Peter Njenga http://whiteafrican.com/2008/08/05/an-opportunity-to-make-real-money-in-africa/comment-page-1/#comment-110408 Peter Njenga Sun, 10 Aug 2008 09:49:21 +0000 http://whiteafrican.com/?p=1235#comment-110408 Nice thoughts, HASH. I like Kennedy's idea and the info KE has provided on the same. I'm very interested in ICT related ventures and believe that those who grab the opportunities now will not only make money but might just change the world, if not their geographical regions. Am so headed to http://www.elance.com and see what I can do there. Thank you guys! Nice thoughts, HASH.
I like Kennedy’s idea and the info KE has provided on the same.
I’m very interested in ICT related ventures and believe that those who grab the opportunities now will not only make money but might just change the world, if not their geographical regions.
Am so headed to http://www.elance.com and see what I can do there.
Thank you guys!

]]> By: KE http://whiteafrican.com/2008/08/05/an-opportunity-to-make-real-money-in-africa/comment-page-1/#comment-110384 KE Sat, 09 Aug 2008 18:16:31 +0000 http://whiteafrican.com/?p=1235#comment-110384 Kennedy: You need to sign up with companies like elance and start offering your web design services to americans. There's a small monthly fee to join in, but once your in, you can bid for all kinds of jobs. Kennedy:

You need to sign up with companies like elance and start offering your web design services to americans. There’s a small monthly fee to join in, but once your in, you can bid for all kinds of jobs.

]]> By: Mbugua http://whiteafrican.com/2008/08/05/an-opportunity-to-make-real-money-in-africa/comment-page-1/#comment-110311 Mbugua Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:25:29 +0000 http://whiteafrican.com/?p=1235#comment-110311 Hey Hash, I tend to share your train of thoughts on the sure thing formula. Coz while working at what you love is excellent, the cash from a buyout gives you wings to fast track your billion other ideas otherwise you remain in garage style mode.Remember that ideas are not mutually exclusive and any capital injection simple fast tracks delpoment and market entry esp because costs of advertising are so darn high here in Kenya. First mover advantage as witnessed in the Mobile Planet case is always a good thing - they managed to secure a lucrative working partnership with Safaricom and have got a media outlet via Citizen Tv and Radio, who by the latest Steadman reports are second in TV after KBC and virtually untouched in the radio sphere. Bottom line, funds help passions reach their peak. Hey Hash, I tend to share your train of thoughts on the sure thing formula. Coz while working at what you love is excellent, the cash from a buyout gives you wings to fast track your billion other ideas otherwise you remain in garage style mode.Remember that ideas are not mutually exclusive and any capital injection simple fast tracks delpoment and market entry esp because costs of advertising are so darn high here in Kenya. First mover advantage as witnessed in the Mobile Planet case is always a good thing – they managed to secure a lucrative working partnership with Safaricom and have got a media outlet via Citizen Tv and Radio, who by the latest Steadman reports are second in TV after KBC and virtually untouched in the radio sphere.
Bottom line, funds help passions reach their peak.

]]> By: Kennedy http://whiteafrican.com/2008/08/05/an-opportunity-to-make-real-money-in-africa/comment-page-1/#comment-110310 Kennedy Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:40:57 +0000 http://whiteafrican.com/?p=1235#comment-110310 Hi guys, I really like the debate on mobile apps raised by Hash. I am a web developer and allthough I have a fulltime job here in Kenya, I develop websites for my clients or help them maintain their existing websites. In actual fact the majority of we yound and talented developers are looking to cash in on outsourcing work from the US and UK etc. However as young as we are it is not so easy to get hold of a such contract and we do not have huge capital to buy and sell products online. I can for instance take a trip to the Masai Mara and take photos or film and design and elegant website offering tours and safaris, but I cannot target the actual tourist in the abroad without help. Later I could when the website is self sustaining I could flip it! Similary I could design a beatiful and full e-commerce website to sell African Curio made of Ebony, Mahogany and Precious Stones like rubi from northern Kenya. But to get the market from abroad and to win the trust of the customers is not easy with just SEOs. You need to do some ground work before the website can sell and then you decide to sell it otherwise where is the value? I would be grateful to partner with like minded guys like you and maybe somewhere down the road your idea and mine might just make the next buck! See ya! Nairobi Hi guys,

I really like the debate on mobile apps raised by Hash. I am a web developer and allthough I have a fulltime job here in Kenya, I develop websites for my clients or help them maintain their existing websites. In actual fact the majority of we yound and talented developers are looking to cash in on outsourcing work from the US and UK etc.

However as young as we are it is not so easy to get hold of a such contract and we do not have huge capital to buy and sell products online. I can for instance take a trip to the Masai Mara and take photos or film and design and elegant website offering tours and safaris, but I cannot target the actual tourist in the abroad without help. Later I could when the website is self sustaining I could flip it! Similary I could design a beatiful and full e-commerce website to sell African Curio made of Ebony, Mahogany and Precious Stones like rubi from northern Kenya. But to get the market from abroad and to win the trust of the customers is not easy with just SEOs. You need to do some ground work before the website can sell and then you decide to sell it otherwise where is the value?

I would be grateful to partner with like minded guys like you and maybe somewhere down the road your idea and mine might just make the next buck!

See ya!
Nairobi

]]> By: HASH http://whiteafrican.com/2008/08/05/an-opportunity-to-make-real-money-in-africa/comment-page-1/#comment-110296 HASH Thu, 07 Aug 2008 03:18:45 +0000 http://whiteafrican.com/?p=1235#comment-110296 @Chris - I'd agree that the best businesses are grown out of passion for what you're working on. For the record, I'm not exactly for "flip it" type businesses either. I'd rather run a 37 Signals than a Blogger (which sold to Google years ago). However, there is money to be had in selling your company, and that's why we see successful buyouts like MySpace and YouTube for large chunks of cash. In fact, I remember reading that the guys at YouTube built their app specifically so that if Google wanted to buy it, the right architecture would be in place (have to find that post/article...). @Chris – I’d agree that the best businesses are grown out of passion for what you’re working on. For the record, I’m not exactly for “flip it” type businesses either. I’d rather run a 37 Signals than a Blogger (which sold to Google years ago).

However, there is money to be had in selling your company, and that’s why we see successful buyouts like MySpace and YouTube for large chunks of cash. In fact, I remember reading that the guys at YouTube built their app specifically so that if Google wanted to buy it, the right architecture would be in place (have to find that post/article…).

]]> By: Chris Blow http://whiteafrican.com/2008/08/05/an-opportunity-to-make-real-money-in-africa/comment-page-1/#comment-110287 Chris Blow Wed, 06 Aug 2008 21:33:18 +0000 http://whiteafrican.com/?p=1235#comment-110287 There's something to be said generally about flipping companies. Here's a <a href=" http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/29/technology/29flip.html?_r=1&em&ex=1217476800&en=9bc17e55ab4fcec5&ei=5087%0A&oref=slogin"New York Times article on this. I'm wondering what African web apps a languishing on "prime real estate," I imagine that there are lot. But in general I don't believe that you can built an app just to flip it. Maybe I'm old fashioned but I think it takes real passion and understanding of the app space. Being bought always seems like like a side effect. There’s something to be said generally about flipping companies. Here’s a <a href=” http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/29/technology/29flip.html?_r=1&em&ex=1217476800&en=9bc17e55ab4fcec5&ei=5087&oref=slogin“New York Times article on this. I’m wondering what African web apps a languishing on “prime real estate,” I imagine that there are lot.

But in general I don’t believe that you can built an app just to flip it. Maybe I’m old fashioned but I think it takes real passion and understanding of the app space. Being bought always seems like like a side effect.

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