Appfrica is a social enterprise that provides consulting services and software products to multinational companies and organizations operating in Africa. It aims to address the problem of these clients spending large portions of their budgets on foreign consultants by training and hiring local African talent. Appfrica invests in developing skills and infrastructure locally, and cites the example of Indian company Infosys which achieved success with a similar approach in its home country. Appfrica has operated for five years across 16 African countries and employs a diverse team across multiple continents.
2. THE PROBLEM
When multinational companies (from both the public and private
sector) do business in Africa they often can’t find enough skilled local
talent to hire. Instead they source consultants from abroad which
compounds the problem:
- Foreign salaries are between 50% to 200% more than the local market
rate.
- Plus, it requires additional spending on travel and lodging;
- Plus, it requires time to train and orient to the market.
Annually, these combined groups account for $200 billion spent in
Africa. Roughly 60% goes to overhead (staff & consultants).
3. THE FOREIGN CONSULTING MARKET
Instead they turn to consulting groups like McKinsey and The
Whitaker Group to staff public and private sector projects.
These consultants also have limited presence in Africa, and also have
mostly a foreign workforce. While highly skilled, these consulting
groups often don’t:
- Train for local expertise in areas of IT, Communications and Management.
- Invest in local infrastructure.
- Have an understanding of local trends and customs.
- Maintain longterm social impact efforts.
4. OPPORTUNITY
Annually, the global social sector spends over $200 billion in Africa.
Total foreign direct investment in Africa was $45.8 billion in 2011.1
We think our total addressable market size is $100 million of this
estimated $11 billion market.
Unlike the foreign consultants mentioned, we invest in local talent
and infrastructure through our various social impact programs.
5. INFOSYS- AN EXAMPLE FROM INDIA
Infosys has taken similar approach over the past 30 years in India:
- Founded in 1981 in Pune, India
- In 1993 went public in India
- In 1999 went public in the United States
- In 1996 Infosys established the Infosys Foundation, to support
the underprivileged sections of society.
- 2013 Revenue of $7.39 billion
6. SOLUTIONS
Software Products (mobile and web), Data
Analysis, Market Research,Marketing &
Communications and Program Design
C u s t o m e r P r o fi l e : M u l t i n a t i o n a l
Corporations, Governmental Agencies,
Nonprofits & NGOs establishing (or scaling)
a footprint in Africa
U.S. Department of State, Wounded Warriors Project, Radio
Netherlands Worldwide, Google, UNICEF, Government of
Canada (MASAS), Grand Challenges Canada, Grameen
Foundation, & more...
40%
60%
Consulting & Communications
Software & Technology
7. APPFRICA’S HISTORY
Five year’s old. Founded in 2008 in Kampala, Uganda. Expanded
internationally in 2010. Now working in 16 African countries.
Our core values:
- Commitment to Diversity
- Supporting & Driving Innovation
- Maintaining a Global Footprint
- Being Socially Conscious
- Having Integrity
8.
9. OUR TEAM
Our staff includes a seven person team spanning three continents,
with team members in the United States, United Kingdom, Kenya,
and Uganda.
We’ve received recognition for our work from TED Conferences, the
O’Reilly Strata conference (the world’s biggest data conference), the
Paley Center, the Knight Foundation, Harvard Initiative for Global
Health, Salisbury Trust and the U.S. Secretary of State.
Jon Gosier (CEO, USA) Matt Griffiths (CTO, UK) Bahiyah Robinson
(Executive Director,
USA)
Barbara Birungi
(Director, Uganda)
Brian Ndyaguma
(Operations, Uganda)
Lynn Kirabo
(Communications,
Uganda)
Ahmed Maawy
(Lead Software
Developer, Kenya)
11. GET IN TOUCH!
Bahiyah Robinson, Executive Director, bahiyah@appfrica.com
United States
(215) 833-8818
Uganda
+414 220359
Email info@appfrica.com
Web - http://appfrica.com
Twitter - @appfrica