Archive for December 2023

As Botswana farmers make plans for the 2024 growing season and beyond, understanding which crops and commodities have the best sales prospects on global and regional markets can inform decisions around production, partnerships, and export readiness. While beef exports have long dominated Botswana’s overseas agricultural trade, expanding into other high-potential exports like legumes, sorghum and…

As 2023 draws to a close, it’s time for Africa’s hardworking tuckshop owners to look back on the past year and start thinking about goals for their businesses in 2024. For many, this past year brought challenges – supply chain issues, rising costs, unpredictable customer demand, and now, worries about a potential economic downturn on…

The holiday season has come and gone, and now many small business owners are looking at extra inventory and wondering what to do next. Developing an effective post-holiday sales strategy is crucial for clearing out products, bringing in revenue during slower seasons, and making way for new inventory. As a small business coach who works…

The holiday season is a crucial time for small businesses. With proper planning and execution, it can give your business a nice boost before the new year. However, it also brings certain challenges that you need to navigate carefully. This guide covers some useful tips to make the most out of the Christmas season for…

Africa holds immense potential to harness agricultural innovation and investment to feed its growing population, drive economic growth, and supply global food markets. Current statistics paint a picture of both challenge and opportunity across African food systems: Tapping Technology and Innovation Powerful tailwinds are accelerating change across African agri-food systems: Policy Reforms to Unlock Private…

As large supermarket chains like Shoprite and Pick n Pay turn their attention to rapid expansion into African townships, local tuck shop owners are facing increased competition for customers. Tuck shops – independently owned general dealer shops operating informally out of homes, shipping containers, or stands – have been essential community spaces providing convenient access…

It’s a common myth in the entrepreneurial world that to be successful, you need to devote 100% of your time, energy, and effort into your business. The romanticized idea of the founder who eats, sleeps and breathes their startup, grinding day and night to make it work. However, this notion of being in hustle mode…

Youth involvement in farming is crucial for addressing the challenges of food security, poverty, and inequality in Africa. In this blog post, we will explore the role of young people in African farming and how it can serve as a solution to youth unemployment. The Importance of Youth Involvement in Farming Africa’s youth population is…

If you have dreams of starting your own small business, you’ve likely heard well-meaning advice like “make sure timing is right before taking the leap.” People citing concerns about the economy, your personal finances, or even astrological signs might advise putting your entrepreneurial aspirations on hold. But is there truly a “right” time to start…

Botswana faces considerable obstacles when it comes to developing viable crop farming practices. With a semi-arid climate prone to recurring drought, there is a distinct lack of arable land across much of the country. The limited areas suited to cropping also frequently have poor soil quality and face threats from pests, plant diseases, and other…