Investment Centre, Tanzania; Food Processing, Tanzania;
Pineapple Plantation, Ghana

FSC Development Services Ltd

International Trade Partnership Solutions

AFRICA

Africa is a continent composed of 54 countries, rich in natural resources but including some of the poorest nations. Historically Africa is one of the UK and Europe’s oldest trading partners, but over the past 25 years there have been considerable changes in the continents fortunes, some good, some bad. Recently the emergence of South Africa, following the end of apartheid, has given a boost to trade in the region whereas other traditional trading partners e.g. Nigeria and Kenya, have stagnated in recent times. However, contrary to what is often reported in the popular press, there are many success stories in Africa, including countries such as Ghana, Tanzania, Senegal and others which have seen terrible atrocities but are now emerging, such as Mozambique, Rwanda and Ethiopia.

Trade is at the heart of Africa and its peoples but, for many reasons, trade is still largely based on the export of raw materials and the import of finished goods. Africa, excepting South Africa, has fallen behind Asia and the Western World in terms of manufacture and invention.

However, there is a new breed of entrepreneur now emerging in many African countries, often trained overseas, who are looking to develop niche markets, but require assistance in terms of technology, markets and funding.

Doing business in Africa can be far from “straight forward” and persistence is needed, both to identify and develop the opportunities presented. However, if UK companies are prepared to work with their African partner to develop the business, much can be achieved. This may require dedicated training and management assistance, as well as technical support. Innovative financing may also be required, whereby the partners may need to explore both commercial and development funding. Increasingly new sources of investment are available, ranging from specific development funds designed for SMEs, SME loans from mainstream banks e.g. Standard Charter, through to Venture Capital and Leasing.

See below for details of FSC's experience in Africa.

FSC Development Services Ltd (FSC) has been working in Africa since 1988 helping to restructure and develop the private and enterprise sector. We have unique experience in working directly with growth companies, in many countries in Africa, through the provision of technical and management assistance, business planning, finance identification and market support. Latterly, we have increasingly been helping to develop partnerships between UK and African countries, both to develop local markets, supply chain development and in the case of South Africa, export industries. Specific examples of FSC experience include:

AFRICA – General:

Production of “Access Africa”, a comprehensive guide to the programmes and funds available to help UK SMEs undertake business and invest, in SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA, on behalf of British Trade International – 1999.

SOUTH AFRICA:
Cashew Processing, South Africa

Assistance in organising Business Link Trade Development Mission to South Africa – 2003.
Market studies and Partnership searches for:
- Leading UK specialist sports car company looking to develop manufacturing facilities.
- UK company into the potential for organic herb and spice production.
- High value alloy waste recycling plant on behalf of a UK company.
- UK based electronics/welding company.
Part finance for the above sourced through the British Investment in South Africa Programme (BIS) 2000 – 2003.
Research, production and management of web based Business Finance/ Investment Directory on behalf of TPUK & SABA. 2000 - 2004
Assisted Business Link Glos with company representation and market research, on their Trade Mission - 2002.
Commercial and processing review of cashew production and processing enterprise and palm wine production - 2001.
Study into opportunities for Business Link Gloucestershire to introduce a business support and development programme in South Africa. Matching funds sourced through BIS/DFID programme - 1999.
Interim review of the British Investment Scheme for South Africa (BIS) on behalf of DFID - 1999.

SOUTH AFRICA, BOTSWANA & ZIMBABWE:

Review of the satellite based IT/communication sector (part of a pan-Africa study) on behalf of European Space Agency – 1998.

MOZAMBIQUE:

Organising trade missions and business development in agriculture and manufacturing.

TANZANIA & ZANZIBAR:

Investigation into the market and potential partners/investors for a project to grow and process Artemisia for anti malarial drugs. Technoserve/USAID – 2004.
Undertook a comprehensive study into the use of Artemisia in the control of malaria and the viability of its production - including business plan for local company and international market study. DFID - 1999.
Business plan production, assistance in sourcing investment and provision of management and technical assistance to Mojata milk processing factory and dairy farm. Part financed by FMO – 1997-‘99.
Local planning and support to a trade mission for construction companies from Northern Ireland - 1998.

Member of team advising DFID on their entrepreneur/ private sector strategy for Tanzania including identification of financing requirements leading to introduction of the Lazer Fund - 1996.
Provision of management assistance to the first leasing company and assistance in the planning of the first venture capital company in Tanzania. Part funded by FMO – 1996-‘98.
Undertook, with colleagues from the banking and venture capital sector, two series of roadshows in the regional capitals of Tanzania, training entrepreneurs in the use of venture capital, equity finance and business development. Over 300 entrepreneurs were involved - USAID funded – 1995-‘96.
Business planning, technical/marketing assistance and management for the first commercial pineapple export farm in Tanzania. CDE/FMO – 1989–’94.
ZANZIBAR: Undertook business plan and investment revue/privatisation of state owned milk processing facility. FMO - 1996.

KENYA:

Undertaking, with the Eastern Africa Association, a regional investment seminar, exhibition and training workshops for investment centres from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Ethiopia– EU/Pro-Invest supported 2004.
Undertook a commercial/viability review of a DFID supported project supporting small scale agribusiness production, food processing and marketing - 1999.
Business planning for Panocal rose and summer flower production in Kitale. Part finance by FMO – 1998.
Provision of management and technical assistance to Waridi rose farm. Part funded by FMO – 1997-‘99.
Provision of management and technical assistance to Everest Enterprises, horticultural export company. Part funded by FMO – 1996-‘98.
Provision of management to Francescon Marble - 1996.

UGANDA:

Business and Financial analyst on team researching and developing a Plant Pool/Contracting Service Centre project for the roads and agricultural sectors in Gulu district. SIDA – 2002.
In conjunction with the East African Association, organised and implemented a Uganda investment programme and workshop in London on behalf of the Uganda Investment Authority / World Bank - 2001.
Provision of management and technical assistance to Sekalala Enterprises feed mill and broiler farm. Part funded by FMO – 1997-98.
Organised and chaired a British, DTI promoted workshop on entrepreneur development in the export sector in Uganda – 1995.

GHANA:

Undertook procurement and shipping survey for a leading UK fruit importer and retailer, into the viability of importing Ghana pineapples – 2003/4.
Organised agribusiness trade & investment mission (trade development) – TPUK - 2002.
"Vegetable Production and Export" project. Provision of technical manager on site for 6 months with the Ministry of Agriculture. World Bank - 2000.
Adviser to the EMPRETEC Business Development programme. Included linkage programme with UK companies in the manufacturing, electronic and IT sectors. DFID – 1995-‘99.
Organised DTI Trade Identification mission in conjunction with the UK desk and the UK Embassy in Ghana. 1998.
Management and technical assistance to six pineapple producer/exporters. Part financed by FMO 1990-‘98.
Provision of management to IAT, a mine supply company. Part funded by FMO – 1997-‘98.
Undertook business plan and technical/marketing assistance for yam production and processing facility. Part funded by FMO - 1996.

Pineapple plantation, Ghana

CÔTE D'IVOIRE:

Market study into opportunities for UK companies in the food processing and agribusiness sectors on behalf of British Trade International – 1999.

ZIMBABWE:

Provision of management to Southdown's experimental decaffeinated tea processing facility. Part financed by FMO – 1997-’99.
Evaluation a major private investment in vegetable freezing, including raw material supply, processing, manufacture and financing – 1997.

ZAMBIA:

Independent assessor and assisting financial structuring of private sector IQF vegetable food processing project – 2004 – ‘05.

SENEGAL:

Market study to identify opportunities for UK trade and investment concentrating on the agribusiness/food processing, mining and communication/telephone sectors on behalf of British Trade International – 2000.

MADAGASCAR, MAURITIUS, REUNION:

Member of official DTI trade development mission – 1997.