Poor infrastructure hindering Africa’s entrepreneurs

Let’s face it, you can have a great business in Africa that creates world class products and services, but if your productivity and growth is hampered by poor infrastructure such as continual power interruptions, loadshedding, poor roads, or unreliable internet connections, it can be frustrating. Economic development requires a good basic infrastructure framework and that includes good roads, consistent power supply, access to reliable and affordable internet, and transportation facilities such as railroads and waterways. Many small manufacturers from Johannesburg to Lagos have to battle daily with power blackouts and surges, causing equipment damage and reduced productivity. Bigger businesses have to invest in power generators, making production more expensive and products less competitive in the market. Moving goods from one part of the country or continent to another takes a lot longer than necessary due to poor infrastructure and incurring higher costs. This is particularly challenging for those who deal with perishable goods, as by the time they get to their destinations some of their product is already damaged. If Africa really wants to grow a thriving entrepreneurial community, it needs an efficient infrastructure to support it.