Business

Edug Let me share some practical ways young Africans can get involved in the green economy, based on what I’ve seen working on the ground:

Start small and local. For example, if you’re interested in solar energy, begin by learning basic installation through online courses or local technicians. Many successful solar entrepreneurs I know started by installing systems in their communities before expanding.

Farming is a great entry point. You don’t need huge capital – start with a small plot using organic methods. I’ve met young farmers who began with quarter-acre plots growing high-value organic vegetables, then gradually expanded as they found reliable markets.

For funding, look close to home first. Local savings groups or small business loans are more accessible than big international grants. In Kenya, for instance, many youth groups pool resources to start recycling businesses or eco-friendly ventures.

Digital opportunities are real but require careful planning. Instead of trying to build complex apps, focus on simple solutions like connecting farmers to markets or helping people find solar products. A young entrepreneur in Uganda built a successful business just by creating a WhatsApp group connecting organic farmers to urban customers.

The key is to start with what you can manage now, learn from experience, and grow gradually. Many successful green businesses began as small community projects before scaling up.

What specific area of the green economy interests you most? I can share more detailed examples from that sector.

Edug regarding carbon markets: From my analysis, carbon markets present both opportunities and risks for Africa. The continent has vast carbon sinks through our forests and peatlands, which could generate significant revenue through carbon credits. For example, Kenya’s Kasigau Corridor REDD+ Project has earned millions for local communities through carbon trading.

However, we must be cautious. Some carbon market projects have faced criticism for displacing local communities or failing to deliver promised benefits. For carbon markets to truly benefit Africa, we need:

1. Strong local ownership and participation
2. Fair pricing of carbon credits
3. Clear regulations to prevent exploitation
4. Investment in local capacity to manage these projects

Hope this answer will help you and others reading on this platform.

Access Bank isn’t owned by a single person or entity – it’s a publicly traded company listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) now Nigerian Exchange Group. This means that ownership is shared among many different investors, both big and small.

Think of it like a huge puzzle where each shareholder owns a piece. Some of these pieces are owned by everyday people who buy shares through the stock market, while others are held by large institutional investors like pension funds and investment companies.

The bank’s employees might also own shares through various employee stock programs. This diverse ownership structure helps ensure that the bank is run in the interests of all its shareholders.

Yes, Access Bank is absolutely thriving in Nigeria’s banking sector. The bank continues to be one of the leading financial institutions in the country, serving millions of customers through its extensive network of branches and digital platforms.

They offer everything from basic savings accounts and personal loans to sophisticated corporate banking solutions. Whether you’re looking to open a simple savings account, get a mortgage, or handle complex business transactions, Access Bank provides these services across Nigeria.

Their digital banking platforms have also made it easier for customers to handle their banking needs from anywhere, at any time.

EKibuuka Based on my analysis of African entrepreneurship, access to funding remains the biggest challenge for entrepreneurs across the continent, but the story is more complex than just money.

African entrepreneurs face a real catch-22 with financing. Traditional banks often view small businesses as too risky and demand collateral that most entrepreneurs simply don’t have. While venture capital is growing in places like Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa, it’s still hard to come by in many other regions. Many entrepreneurs end up relying on personal savings or family loans to get started, which limits how much they can grow.

Infrastructure issues make everything harder too. Unreliable electricity means businesses need expensive backup generators. Poor internet connectivity disrupts online operations. And in many areas, bad roads make it difficult to move products around efficiently.

The regulatory environment can be quite challenging as well. Entrepreneurs often have to navigate complex bureaucracy, unclear regulations, and sometimes corruption. Getting proper permits and licenses can take months and eat up precious resources.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. Many African entrepreneurs are finding creative solutions. They’re forming support networks to share resources, using mobile money to handle transactions, and building businesses that can work around infrastructure limitations. For example, some companies are using solar power to bypass electricity problems, while others are using drones to deliver products in areas with poor roads.