10 September 2006 14:38:15
Starting a Business in the Worst Country To Do So
This week, the BBC made ripples of a World Bank report that indexed DR Congo as the worst country to invest in. The article made me reflect on the road I had taken: starting a small business in Congo.
The day I began business in Kinshasa, shooting erupted in capital. That was three weeks ago. “It’s not a good time for opportunities”, is the latest wisdom from businessmen. Despite a recent economic boom sponsored by the international community, war is lurching.
A second round of elections might prove too tense indeed. Democracy is not a local fabric. The polls aren’t as much as who will win the presidency, but if the opponents will accept the results peacefully. These are expected in November.
“There isn’t much risk in Congo to do business. In fact, I think there are opportunities”, you could hear me say on vacation in Montreal in July. “It’s like the NY Stock Exchange: high risk, high return” sounds more like my new motto. The “high return” needs to be proven.
In early June, with my friend, flat mate, and now partner, Tim, the decision was made to stay. Both our contracts with our respective organizations were coming to an end. A split second decision that our lives would stay at heart of the continent. Not for a life time, but for a while.
“We would stay on, together as one”, we told ourselves. Reassuring thoughts at the prospect of being unemployed in the tenth worst country in the world, according to the latest Human Development Index (pdf) by the UN.
These are the figures and headlines. On the ground, our verbal contract is honored a month after shop opened. Two jobs are already in the works. If we evolve, we’ll swap butter for foie gras. For the time being, our store is open for business 24/24, 7/7. Mind you, we’ll be on vacation when they announce our new incumbent.
Otherwise, the BBC also published this week a photo album of Kinshasa's ugly side.
My dear Kim, I can only wish you good luck, and all the blessings in the world, to Tim and you. I have total faith in you, and I know you will wow them all.
kim says:
Muktech, we develop web based apps. So websites, and anything else.
Let me know if you got good contacts. ;-)
EL says:
Kim, I'm proud of you. A true business man will see opportunites where others will not...
joe says:
You are changing Mr Kim. It seems your light is dimming. I hope this business in not too stressing.
MUKTech says:
I think people in Congo want to have websites for prestigel not so much to compete on the international e-market space.
Kim, what is your business about? Maybe I can help too. I am a Kinois living in the US. I am a computer architect with a lot of customers in Kinshasa who want to have web sites... If you are interested, we can take the conversation private...
Christian Aubry says:
Gee man, what's more frightening -- the WIPO Broadcasting Treaty or launching a small business in DRC? ;)
One question comes to my mind. Who wants to have a website in Kinshasa and for what purpose? I heard that not many citizens can afford an Internet access and I wonder if the country's economic system is ready to compete on the international e-market place. So it would be great to explore this issue for us.
It would also be great to share your knowledge in virtual communications with the Kinshasa business community. Montreal has its monthly YULBIZ (search Google) happy hours. Kin could have a FIHBIZ as well ;)
elia * says:
Seeing your blog develop from an empty boring template into what it is today makes me confident that you and Tim will also be successful in your new entrepreunerial activities.
Cheers!
AfroVolataire says: