Women entrepreneurs need to be at the forefront of a new drive to make and buy proudly African goods

It’s estimated that the export of goods produced in Africa for intra-regional consumption makes up a minuscule 10% of all African exports. The sad thing is that Africa still imports almost everything, from food and fashion to cars and electronics. It appears that despite having a wealth of natural resources and human talent on the continent, trade deficits continue to widen. Visit most African countries and the trend leans towards consumers purchasing imported goods and brands by choice, rather than making conscious decisions to buy locally made and sourced goods that support the economic development of the continent. Going forward, it makes sense for entrepreneurs from across the African continent to lead a new charge, building globally relevant brands and businesses that produce goods of world-class quality and relevance that local consumers want to buy, and that have a brand cachet equal to their imported counterparts. We as a powerful collective of consumers on the African continent need to realize that if we support proudly locally made and sourced goods, then we are putting money directly back into our local economy.  Not only that, we are supporting the growth and development of a strong entrepreneurial culture, one that is capable of driving a new and sustainable economy in each African country, and opening up market opportunities for the exchange of locally made goods cross border. That is how Africa can thrive and develop to its full potential.