Andrea Opoku examines the advice given by those who have made the move to live and work in Africa

With some of the fastest growing economies on earth on the African continent, multinational companies, small business owners and entrepreneurs have been and still are flocking to the continent in droves. The continued skills shortage, as well as gaps in the market in many African countries, still offers huge opportunities for those around the world who want to move or start a business or further their careers and experience.

Like any emerging environment there are some formal systems and processes in place but many things are left to individuals to navigate. This can be a plus as well as a negative. For people planning to move to Africa sorting the myths from the reality is the biggest challenge.

Here are a few words of advice from various people who’ve made the move:

“Take time to plan properly; do not rely on the media, family and even other people’s story of their experience. Gain professional advice and take planning visits so you can do your own research and have an informed idea of what life would really be like and what are the essentials you need to have in place before you move.”

Elvina Quaison of Silk Solutions Concierge Services (UK-Ghana)

“Many returnees have returned to Ghana and plunged straight into setting up a business based on an idea they developed while outside Ghana. The problem with this is that entrepreneurship requires context - it is important for these ideas to be tested out locally first before launching it large scale.

Also entrepreneurship requires local knowledge and lots of it. So to be successful, the entrepreneur if he or she is a returnee would need to partner or employ people with good local knowledge. The international perspective alone is not enough”.

Elikem Nutifafa Kuenyehia, Partner at Oxford & Beaumont (Ghana), and author of Kuenyehia on Entrepreneurship

“You will hear ‘no’ more times than ‘yes’. Not because they are not interested in your product or it isn’t a good idea. Quite the contrary. It is because they are envious and/or plan to take your idea and run with it. You must, must do your due diligence and stick to your guns. You can and will change your world.”

Kiki Kamanu, founder of Nigerian fashion label KIKIKAMANU who relocated to Nigeria from the US

“Network with other returning entrepreneurs. They will give you the best advice. Don’t think that their challenges are unique and that they won’t happen to you. When we come back, we tend to think that we know better and that we won’t experience the same issues that other returning entrepreneurs have. Believe me, you will. Getting together regularly and talking to other entrepreneurs is important. This peer-to-peer mentorship has been really key for me.”

Rebecca Enonchong, CEO of AppsTech, who relocated to Cameroon

So a few different views from people who made the move and have the scars to prove it! If nothing else, getting professional advice as well as advice from those who’ve experienced the move is key.

Happy moving!!

If you are making the commitment to move your career, yourself and possibly your family to Africa you want to make sure you do it right and have all the information you need and have prepared sufficiently before you do.

Frances Mensah Williams, author of the acclaimed book ‘I Want to Work in… Africa: How to Move Your Career to the World’s Most Exciting Continent’ will be running an interactive and information packed workshop based on the book, for anyone who’s serious about working in Africa.

The workshop takes place on Saturday 18th October from 9.30am-1pm at SOAS. For more information and to book, click here (link to http://www.eventbrite.com/e/i-want-to-work-in-africa-careers-workshop-tickets-12275709979)