Africans should invest in small scale businesses, experts say at a book launch

The dire need to create digital visibility for small businesses in Africa and to guide teething entrepreneurs on how to grow their small businesses to avert a collapse in the unstable business terrain in Nigeria prompted the launch of Fred Ogbole’s new book, ‘Refining Small Businesses.’

The event, which was held in Abuja also featured the unveiling of Fredmind, a panel session, a business exhibition, music and a comedy performance from MC Abah.

The Keynote speaker, Ambrose Adole, an engineer and public speaker showered encomiums on the author and spoke extensively about the need for Africans to embrace her market.

His words: “The significance of this event is to see an African dream build and come into reality. Fredmind is like a conception of an idea that came to life, it is all about African young people building global businesses. We want to set the tone for businesses in Africa. I commend the ingenious mind of Fred.

“The book is rich, it offers a guideline and etiquette for getting into Africa’s big market. Africa is going to be 1.7 billion people, with maybe 30 per cent of the population of young people who are building businesses and with a capitalization of over maybe 4trillion dollars, so if that kind of market is going to exist and you want to step into it, this book is for you.”

The book reviewer, Allen Adejoh, who is a publisher of Grecian Magazine, gave a sneak peek of the book when he said: “Refining small businesses as the name implies, basically gives a clear map of how to voyage into the African market.

“The Nigerian market where we have a lot of small businesses needs refined theories that should guarantee the growth of small businesses. Refined knowledge and ideas that should create business expansion.

“You cannot go through the book and apply what you have read in the book and not grow. Going through the book, you will come across the knowledge of how to grow your business from the scratch and how the digital platform works.

“The dispensation we are in is such that we can’t do without digital space. We have to leverage the huge opportunity in the digital world and the digital space. The book grants you that incite into what is obtainable in the digital space, how you can sell your product and the requirements to sell your product. It is so laudable of free to have put together this masterpiece”, he said.

One of the speakers in the panel session, James Adama, a Human Capacity expert, also lauded the author and reiterated the need for Africans to take advantage of its fast-developing market.

He said: “I see Fredmind as not just an idea but a movement. We have come to a point in Africa where we need to rely on Africa for Africa’s development, this is what we want to bring the business to the people.

“Fred is a great guy, this innovation he is introducing to the business world, I think Is something that will launch the entrepreneur World to a higher realm. I am already a few pages into the book, and I can tell you it is informative.

The book launch ended on an entertaining note as everyone enjoyed the serenading tunes from the sensational Enniz Nizzy.

The Chief Executive Officer of Emesmania, Mukhtar Musa, wished the author well and commended the book that was launched

“I must commend Fred for this milestone. I have been part of this journey. From just a hashtag, the whole idea blossomed into the launching of the book and Fredmind.

“I have always believed in Fred, and I am happy the dream eventually fruit into reality. I hope and pray he conquers the world. Fred is the future, so be on the lookout.”