For decades, the narrative of “Africa Rising” has echoed in development circles, corporate boardrooms, and university lecture halls. Yet, for many Africans on the ground trying to build or scale a business, the question remains unsettlingly persistent: Who exactly is Africa rising for?
Despite being home to one of the youngest and fastest-growing populations in the world, Africa often finds itself treated as a footnote in global economic discussions. Its potential is acknowledged, but rarely prioritized. For many aspiring entrepreneurs and investors, the continent remains a complex, misunderstood, and often risky environment to navigate.
But that’s beginning to change.
Enter “Doing Business in Africa” Conversations, a newly launched platform by SOMPA and Partners that’s reframing how we talk about business on the continent. More than just a media series, it’s a long-term educational initiative designed to break down the real, on-the-ground realities of doing business in Africa, what works, what doesn’t, and how to increase your odds of success.
“At the heart of this conversation,” says Yaw Sompa, the voice and visionary behind the initiative, “is one simple but powerful goal: to make doing business in Africa more likely to succeed.”
The series draws on over 15 years of Sompa’s experience in financial services, legal practice, and education, combining personal insights with research-backed lessons from across the continent. The result is a deeply reflective yet practical platform that connects the “street to the gown”, merging grassroots understanding with academic and policy-level knowledge.
Previously known for their influential 21-episode series on financial literacy and later, detailed policy analyses on manifestos and campaign promises, SOMPA and Partners are no strangers to engaging audiences with purpose. This time, however, the focus is sharper and more urgent.
From startup challenges and regulatory hurdles to youth unemployment and capacity building, Doing Business in Africa seeks to map out the tough terrain while spotlighting new pathways. It’s a hub for entrepreneurs, policymakers, students, and professionals who want real conversations, not just high-level theory.
The platform will feature curated content on business and legal education, highlight evolving trends, share insider experiences, and unpack the practical challenges of navigating Africa’s diverse markets. And it invites its audience to be part of the process, to interact, share ideas, and shape future discussions.
With Africa’s median age at just 19, and Ghana’s at 21, the urgency of these conversations cannot be overstated. As Sompa puts it, “If we’re not modeling and educating ourselves to build sustainable businesses now, we’re wasting the most critical window of opportunity our continent has ever had.”
This isn’t just a project. It’s a movement.
Welcome to ‘Doing Business in Africa’, where real talk meets real value.
