Reading is the transfer of knowledge to one’s self, and knowledge is the means by which one may assess and mitigate risk.
It is by this simple calculus alone that an entrepreneur should read as often as they can.
But, are they reading the right stuff?
Investing in Africa’s growing markets becomes fundamentally important due to the overwhelming noise surrounding reports regarding the continent and its current events.
To read well and often is to defy a great injustice conducted against Africa and her businesses.
Reading African Literature helps find African Investments
No, an African Entrepreneur need not read books of African origin – though doing so is encouraged.
Instead, what they ought to read is journalism, statistics, and news reporting that comes from African sources!
The reason this straightforward – and seemingly obvious – guidance is so important is because of the torrential depths of something called Media Injustice.
Media injustice in Africa is the phenomenon in which most or nearly all reporting about African events and culture are biased towards the frightening and depressing.
If all the western news that claims to know Africa so well only reports on the threats and diseases found there, a reader – and an investor – is never going to find the deep well of African ingenuity and culture that defines the people and businesses there!
Reading reports and news articles from African sources to whom life in Africa is an experience, not speculation, any hopeful entrepreneur will arm themselves with the knowledge required to cut through the media injustice for what is really happening in Africa.
African Voices Speak the Clearest on African Enterprise
Now that our Entrepreneur values the voices of Africa and her people, where might they find them?
Yet another symptom of media injustice is the obscurity and difficulty behind which these voices are found.
To this end, it is important for this article to serve as a stepping stone from which entrepreneurs may find those voices.
Following is a suggested list of websites that an African entrepreneur would do well to peruse while seeking inspiration and insight!
The Africa I Know is a site designed for the important purpose of changing the narrative around Africa. A great resource for finding true insight on developments happening on the continent!
The Media Foundation For West Africa
The Media Foundation for West Africa is an independent news organization that aims to defend the freedom of expression and cater to an evolving dialogue about the continent. This site explores not just the goings-on of African culture and life, but also maintains an eye on the health of the continent’s media.
African Business Magazine is the market leader in providing country supplements, industry reports, and market intelligence on Africa.
Africa Intelligence publishes daily exclusive information essential to understanding the local and regional challenges the continent faces today. Africa Intelligence, leading professional Web site specializing in political and economic developments in Africa: investigations about government, business circles, and influential figures.
Wiley Online Library » African Development Review
African Development Review is a professional journal devoted to the study and analysis of development policy in Africa. Published four times a year for the African Development Bank, the Review emphasizes policy relevance of research findings, rather than purely theoretical and quantitative issues.
TechAfrica News is an independent provider of technology, entertainment, and communications insights, reviews, and news.
Business Daily Africa provides daily updated latest news and headlines related to economy, politics, sports, technology, international news, and more.
SAGE Journals » Insight on Africa
Insight on Africa is a biannual refereed academic journal covering contemporary African affairs and issues of policy relevance. It focuses on, though not confined to, foreign policies and developmental issues of African countries. The journal especially encourages article submission on issues related to emerging powers in Africa, BRICS in Africa, and Afro-Asian relations.
AllAfrica is a voice of, by, and about Africa – aggregating, producing, and distributing news and information from over 140 African news organizations and their own reporters to an African and global public. AllAfrica’s multi-channel platform is the only independent, comprehensive pan-African news source, with unrivaled reach and reputation.
The aim of Nature Africa is to give scientists and professionals worldwide insight into the latest research from African states. It also promotes science literacy across the continent. The editorial team regularly goes through the latest science papers published with authors from African science institutions and selects interesting and timely stories to cover, made freely available to readers around the world.
Over to you!
When not on my smartphone managing projects and following through some important deals, I’d go through one of these websites to see where and how Africa is going.
At times, I’d just pick the closest newspaper to understand the gap between the my entrepreneurial field experience and that, which is published by journalists and academics.
And you, what to you read?
Any news sources? Any book (on Africa or not) you may recommend to our fellow African entrepreneurs?
