tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81056929374708567182024-03-09T21:46:35.751-05:00Nubian Cheetah"All about Africa - a collection of innovative and sustainable ideas focused on a new entrepreneurial renaissance in Africa."Nii Simmondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10100938619385901236noreply@blogger.comBlogger475125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105692937470856718.post-72804299149913157712011-01-26T14:32:00.000-05:002011-01-26T14:32:18.895-05:00Waste Enterprisers - Delivering new revenue streams to Sanitation<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="rg_ctlv"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="rg_ctlv"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="rg_ctlv"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="rg_ctlv"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="rg_ctlv"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="rg_ctlv"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="rg_ctlv"><a href="http://www.waste-enterprisers.com/" linkindex="293"><img class="rg_hi" data-height="160" data-width="160" height="160" id="rg_hi" src="data:image/jpg;base64,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" style="height: 158px; width: 158px;" width="160" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.waste-enterprisers.com/" linkindex="294"><span class="rg_ctlv">From Site:</span></a></div><blockquote><div class="body"><div class="contentGroup"><div class="content">Waste Enterprisers Ltd. (WE) is an innovative social enterprise that aims to reduce the financial burden of adequate sanitation through productive and profitable reuse. WE accomplishes this goal by harnessing the resource value of human waste and allocating a portion of our profits from reuse back to our host facility, or otherwise into the sanitation value chain. </div></div></div></blockquote><blockquote><div class="body"><div class="contentGroup"><div class="content">In addition to implementing, owning, and operating “waste-based” enterprises, WE also engages in research and development on emerging reuse technologies for wastewater and fecal sludge (FS), and accompanying financial models to help incentivize and enable complete sanitation. </div></div></div></blockquote><blockquote><div class="body" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="contentGroup"><div class="content">WE is based in Ghana with activities in several African countries.</div></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="rg_ctlv"></span></div></blockquote>Nii Simmondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10100938619385901236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105692937470856718.post-17634442333789936142011-01-26T14:21:00.000-05:002011-01-26T14:21:53.665-05:00Mobius Motors - affordable transporation for developing markets<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_532571101" linkindex="296"> <span class="rg_ctlv"></span></a><a class="rg_hl" href="" id="rg_hl" target="_blank"><img class="rg_hi" data-height="140" data-width="359" height="140" id="rg_hi" src="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRwG_sSaM9znPnNy-TgzSRSJbeEUpZDmKO5Uc1_w5cb3zvx3W-0" style="height: 140px; width: 359px;" width="359" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mobiusmotors.com/" linkindex="299">Mobius Motors</a> sells affordable vehicles designed specifically for the needs of developing world consumers. They aim to change millions of lives by providing the appropriate transport to mobilise rural Africa.<br />
<br />
From Site:<br />
<blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;">Mobius Motors designs, manufactures and sells highly functional, highly affordable vehicles as a transportation platform empowering local entrepreneurs to mobilise the developing world. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">We empower entrepreneurial buyers with business advice and financing to use their Mobius cars as a platform to operate limitless transport services to lower income end-users. The range of business-in-a-box services is vast from public transport, to mobile medical care, to consumer goods distribution. These endogenous businesses will create systemic change in the capacity and utility of Africa’s transport network, connecting the continent to hospitals, schools, markets and employment in even the most remote rural areas. Our vision is a more mobile, more prosperous Africa. </div></blockquote>Nii Simmondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10100938619385901236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105692937470856718.post-29853790195917924382011-01-26T14:02:00.001-05:002011-01-26T14:33:58.140-05:00Komaza - African microforestry, income-generating tree farms<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.komaza.org/" id="logo" linkindex="19" title="KOMAZA"><img alt="KOMAZA" height="70" src="http://www.komaza.org/images/letterhead.PNG" width="170" /></a></div><a href="http://www.komaza.org/" linkindex="20">From Site:</a><br />
<blockquote><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">We partner with dryland famers to help them plant drought-resistant trees on unproductive land. They get seedlings and tools on credit plus training, post-harvest processing and access to new markets. We spend less than $1 to plant a tree. And each tree returns at least $20 to the family. That’s over $6,000 from half an acre. </div></blockquote><blockquote>Farmers rise out of poverty. The trees restore the environment and prevent deforestation. And each tree farm yields enough extra money to start nine new farms. KOMAZA will be able to achieve self-funded growth to more families.</blockquote>Nii Simmondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10100938619385901236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105692937470856718.post-50974421935176707162010-12-17T16:13:00.004-05:002010-12-17T16:42:17.474-05:00Angaza Design - using solar to power Africa<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://angazadesign.com/"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 88px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVFNLGD9CHFLbxOE1OXhwzSWcuSMjql8Ra7K4scibN-k-wY0Sv3POa-AfkntFtGK_-a88D5OpRApAHb_w3dDHOVeZRB2pDDoGpX7H7aEqATX16Knx79zfrhUN8CRuqqbBO2Dmj5G4VPDX/s400/Angaza.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551762784350446226" border="0" /></a><a href="http://angazadesign.com/"><br />From Site:</a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><blockquote><p> Angaza Design aims to <strong>improve the quality of life</strong> in East Africa by making <strong>clean and affordable electricity</strong> accessible to all. </p> <p> Our solar-powered household lighting and charging system will run clean, bright LED lights, charge cell phones, and run radios. Our product will change the lives of our East African customers by saving them money from buying kerosene and batteries, raising their productivity at night leading to increased income, and improving their health and education. </p></blockquote></div>Nii Simmondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10100938619385901236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105692937470856718.post-74968534037433005582010-12-17T15:51:00.002-05:002010-12-17T16:09:35.768-05:00Agro-Hub - Making agriculture markets work<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.agro-hub.com/"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 105px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRdQf76dyorowNxl0LfqVTozJ2BIkaWmLghfKKbnITfWwjBMojYCQd51zlE661VKnwVZtVC_DwXvBMUkz142gBmSH9rEx-E91GAA8kiIIAmxe9HWYRFOxc3NFuH4D0TMGVwlzqdqJZaotW/s400/Agro+hub.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551760581481249442" border="0" /></a>About:<br /><blockquote> <div id="content-content" class="content-content"> <div id="node-2" class="node odd full-node node-type-page"> <div class="inner"> <div class="content clearfix"> <span class="print-link"></span><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.agro-hub.com/"><strong>AGRO-HUB</strong></a> is a business venture set up to mine, manage and disseminate agricultural information. To make this possible, AGRO-HUB exploits three fundamental information and communication technology components (Joint Community Effort, Short Message Service, and the Web) with a focus to achieve its main vision; make Cameroon’s agricultural markets work.</p></div></div></div></div></blockquote>Nii Simmondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10100938619385901236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105692937470856718.post-18035601080489371622010-11-30T16:58:00.001-05:002010-11-30T17:02:05.146-05:00Uganda Medicinal Plants Growers<div style="text-align: center;"><a class="cboxElement" href="http://umpgl.com/" rel="lightbox[2]" title="umpg_header_index_image"><img style="width: 479px; height: 216px;" src="http://umpgl.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/umpg_header_index_image.png" alt="" title="umpg_header_index_image" class="size-full wp-image-115" /></a><a href="http://umpgl.com/"><br /></a></div><a href="http://umpgl.com/"><br />From Site:</a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><blockquote><p>Uganda Medicinal Plant Growers, Ltd. (UMPG) is a project started and incubated under <a href="http://projectdiaspora.org/">Project Diaspora</a> as an example of Diaspora-led projects that can impact entire communities.</p> <p>Project UMPG is a large commercial farmining initiative based in Masindi, Uganda designed to transform over 1500 susbsistence farmers to commercial farmers. Project UMPG’s goal is to create markets for crops such as moringa, chili peppers, neem and aloe vera. In order to increase farmer daily earnings by broadening their market reach. Project Diaspora role involves crop selection, agricultural training, product development, supply chain management and international marketing. UMPG has attracted customers and partners in South Africa, Canada and USA.</p></blockquote></div>Nii Simmondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10100938619385901236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105692937470856718.post-51957827210205984892010-11-30T16:55:00.001-05:002010-11-30T16:56:46.999-05:00Targetting Africa: The case for investment<div style="text-align: center;"><object height="285" width="380"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_ko1wLnCQXI?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_ko1wLnCQXI?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="285" width="380"></embed></object></div>Nii Simmondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10100938619385901236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105692937470856718.post-60921770683849251262010-11-30T16:49:00.002-05:002010-11-30T16:53:48.062-05:00AFRICA that u dont see on t.v<div style="text-align: center;"><object height="285" width="380"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7rzqlnfkcJk?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7rzqlnfkcJk?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="285" width="380"></embed></object></div>Nii Simmondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10100938619385901236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105692937470856718.post-64448512484332135442010-11-30T16:33:00.002-05:002010-11-30T16:47:39.194-05:00Alive & Kicking - Made in Africa, by Africa, for Africa<h1 style="text-align: center;" title="Alive & Kicking - Made in Africa, by Africa, for Africa"><a href="http://www.aliveandkicking.org.uk/index.html"><img src="http://www.aliveandkicking.org.uk/images/logo-alivekicking.gif" alt="Alive & Kicking - Made in Africa, by Africa, for Africa" height="50" width="267" /></a></h1><a href="http://www.aliveandkicking.org.uk/index.html">From Site:</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><blockquote><p class="contentPara"><span class="boldText enlargedText">Vision:</span> <a href="http://www.aliveandkicking.org.uk/index.html">Alive & Kicking's</a> vision is of an Africa where every child can play with a real ball, where thousands of jobs are sustained in the production of balls, and where sport contributes to the eradication of deadly disease.</p> <p class="contentPara"><span class="boldText enlargedText">Approach:</span> Alive & Kicking believes that by combining social entrepreneurship with sport's mass appeal, lasting economic and social development can be achieved in Africa.</p> <p class="contentPara"><span class="boldText enlargedText">Mission:</span> Alive & Kicking strives to help children exercise their right to play, to create employment for communities in Africa and to help raise awareness of preventable disease. This will continue to be achieved through the African manufacture and distribution of sports balls and the provision of appropriate health awareness materials for young people.</p></blockquote></div>Nii Simmondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10100938619385901236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105692937470856718.post-46793546132346710592010-11-05T12:56:00.002-04:002010-11-05T12:59:00.580-04:00Africa's New Construction on VOA's In Focus<div style="text-align: center;"><object height="285" width="380"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WLI7QEgJELQ?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WLI7QEgJELQ?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="480"></embed></object></div>Nii Simmondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10100938619385901236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105692937470856718.post-87814690095503747572010-10-31T20:09:00.004-04:002010-10-31T20:28:24.759-04:00The Knowledge Channel - African education<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeaTn_cGmkKEXLR2YAlBufezVlIwcOIYwFLpOW7Gtph5aIz5RBFOsmW8CxacRAizokcRr2J8bRZCHtEnHdzScgpn3SXaACRcAoVdhaP91E2XXOk-M9CTPnd_JDxwD5cB7sGuDtj6NMkAa2/s1600/The+Knowledge+channel.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 269px; height: 81px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeaTn_cGmkKEXLR2YAlBufezVlIwcOIYwFLpOW7Gtph5aIz5RBFOsmW8CxacRAizokcRr2J8bRZCHtEnHdzScgpn3SXaACRcAoVdhaP91E2XXOk-M9CTPnd_JDxwD5cB7sGuDtj6NMkAa2/s400/The+Knowledge+channel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534370921604857666" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><object width="340" height="290"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/aGcRTL2ZLGs&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/aGcRTL2ZLGs&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="340" height="290"></embed></object></span><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span></div><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;">The Knowledge Channel (TKC) is an educational television and Internet channel that enlightens and empowers high school and university students, professionals and artisans across Africa. This channel is a training outreach for individuals interested in developing and maximizing their knowledge, skills and potentials through flexible TV friendly training programs.<br /></div>Nii Simmondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10100938619385901236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105692937470856718.post-40686912589053741292010-09-29T11:43:00.004-04:002010-09-29T11:48:18.156-04:00Pagatech - Nigerian mobile money startup<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pagatech.com/" title="Home" rel="home" id="logo"> </a><br /><a href="http://pagatech.com/" title="Home" rel="home" id="logo"><img src="http://pagatech.com/sites/all/themes/pagatech/logo.png" alt="Home" /> </a><a href="http://pagatech.com/"><br /></a></div><a href="http://pagatech.com/"><br />About</a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><blockquote><p>Pagatech was founded in early 2009 with a vision to enable a cashless society and bank the unbanked in Africa. Our first product offering, Paga, is a direct to consumer mobile payments service. Paga is an innovative, open, secure, and interoperable mobile payments platform that allows any person who has a mobile phone to transact electronically – thus turning the mobile phone into an electronic wallet. </p> <p>At launch, customers can use Paga to send cash, purchase airtime credits, or pay bills from their mobile phone. Paga supports all phones, even the most basic SMS-enabled phone. Customers will also be able to transact on Paga via USSD, over the internet, and via the Paga mobile application which will be made available for java-enabled devices. Paga will work on all mobile networks.</p></blockquote></div>Nii Simmondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10100938619385901236noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105692937470856718.post-55502842865695850672010-09-29T11:34:00.004-04:002010-09-29T11:42:32.547-04:00Nii Simmonds interview at Tech4Africa about financing for African StartupsIn August, I was invited to <a href="http://tech4africa.com/">Tech4Africa</a> and I participated in a panel discussion on venture capital in Africa and what startups need to do to be fundable. I was also interviewed by some local media, one in particular, Zoopy, has a clip below.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://macromedia.com/cabs/swflash.cab#version=8,0,0,0" id="zoopy-video-228588" height="180" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://media.z3.zoopy.com/video-offsite.swf"><param name="flashvars" value="id=228588"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="all"><embed src="http://media.z3.zoopy.com/video-offsite.swf" name="zoopy-video-228588" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="id=228588" bgcolor="#000000" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" height="180" width="320"></embed></object></div>Nii Simmondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10100938619385901236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105692937470856718.post-37658729833945064012010-09-29T11:21:00.005-04:002010-09-29T11:32:41.754-04:00iYam.mobi - SMS Apps startup in Cameroon<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIC5Q9aXxABtY4svqB1KmsTveoOnlxHvwN9PdHk9RIgl_1bVrkavtOuu4pJxafZJs_NGSShqPqeU9-KsYTght_dh9v_jVRZYLaYExO4Bjhs7UKk7CIS6FGzTuxuUYAZ8SMTH6rk2eP6bq/s1600/iYam.mobi.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 352px; height: 95px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIC5Q9aXxABtY4svqB1KmsTveoOnlxHvwN9PdHk9RIgl_1bVrkavtOuu4pJxafZJs_NGSShqPqeU9-KsYTght_dh9v_jVRZYLaYExO4Bjhs7UKk7CIS6FGzTuxuUYAZ8SMTH6rk2eP6bq/s400/iYam.mobi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522357905783467858" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I met Fritz Ekwoge at <a href="http://tech4africa.com/">Tech4Africa</a> in Johannesburg, South Africa in August. His startup, <a href="http://iyam.mobi">iYam.mobi</a>, uses apps focused on SMS. He demoed the product to me, and it seemed really cool and interesting. The key is hitting critical mass, but I wouldn't bet against this young man.<br /></div>Nii Simmondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10100938619385901236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105692937470856718.post-55833189015333455672010-09-29T10:58:00.004-04:002010-09-29T11:15:50.758-04:00Flocash - let your cash flow<div id="logo"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flocash.com/"><img src="https://www.flocash.com/images/name.jpg" align="center" /><br /></a></div><a href="https://www.flocash.com/"><br /></a></div><p> </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.flocash.com/">FloCash</a> is a fast and convenient payment method to send and receive cash around Africa using your email or mobile phone. You can use FloCash to pay for products at FloCashMart.com or at any of the growing number of online retailers that accept FloCash.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Entrepreneurs who run FloCash are based out of the UK, and East Africa.<br /></p>Nii Simmondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10100938619385901236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105692937470856718.post-49087994644728150442010-07-31T14:55:00.001-04:002010-08-01T15:07:49.005-04:00TEU - Empowering communities through agriculture<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.tseai.com/index.html"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 94px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYPmqJEeG0lflf9HKzsG62Vj7Ki5lcgN5JxxxZooNLnGkyLJuh1UgOJd-o-betOpBsZlZS0GYFfc6bgfuc6FwCYBCBVLsiv4xCyFWJ8PTPIZOZ8KW5OB3-9t8m7S34IXIXEGy6SgmCmaH/s400/teu.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500519322356602882" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.tseai.com/index.html"><br />From site:</a><br /><blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;">Tseai Energy Unlimited seeks to become West Africa's leading socially-responsible and environmentally-friendly producer and exporter of palm oil and rice commodities. Our company will adopt the strategic approach of utilizing small-scale agro-processing technologies to ensure appropriate, efficient, and sustainable commercial success - all while ensuring developmental support, in healthcare and education, for the communities we serve.<br /></div></blockquote>Nii Simmondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10100938619385901236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105692937470856718.post-24085850950057197582010-07-13T13:52:00.007-04:002010-07-13T14:02:38.713-04:00Diaspora Camp DC 2010 - African diaspora Barcamp focused on Access to capital & SME finance<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://diasporacamp.org/"><img alt="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ24jrA-nWajHJLuv3AF9ePNGK1rULkfue_ovmQsd_CJGqv2mfitYt7sCbkMDI_LAjZptTCCgdJEeZHDXPz_hPMhrn79QLN3SdBhccaEVM0zWECRUjF0XVGxqy52HmVn95Q0A6ykthztDJ/s260/diaspora_camp" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ24jrA-nWajHJLuv3AF9ePNGK1rULkfue_ovmQsd_CJGqv2mfitYt7sCbkMDI_LAjZptTCCgdJEeZHDXPz_hPMhrn79QLN3SdBhccaEVM0zWECRUjF0XVGxqy52HmVn95Q0A6ykthztDJ/s260/diaspora_camp" /></a><br /><br /><h2 class="pane-title">Diaspora Camp DC 2010</h2><br /><br /> <div style="text-align: justify;">DiasporaCamp is a BarCamp with a focus on African Diaspora, primarily African affairs and issues. <a href="http://diasporacamp.org/barcamps/dc2010">DiasporaCamp DC</a> follows the successful organization of <a href="http://www.barcampghana.org/barcampdiaspora09">BarCamp Diaspora</a> in Washington, DC on July 25, 2009. The event brought together Africans and people interested in Africa for a day of demos, dialogue and discussion about Africa. The theme was " Investing our talent where it counts."<br /><p>DiasporaCamp DC 2010 will be held from 9am to 6pm on July the 24th, 2010 at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.</p> The Proposed Theme for our July 24th Event is: <strong>Financial innovations for African small & medium-scale enterprises</strong>.<br /><br /><br /></div></div>Nii Simmondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10100938619385901236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105692937470856718.post-74220334298864978992010-06-30T10:54:00.002-04:002010-06-30T11:03:01.972-04:00AFRICAJOU Natural Oils - African Earth<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.africajou.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 71px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_LTKk_LJlMsqaSizpGEmyxjDVPqvveABfm_qP2a7itkXWgU4SV5HVoV2LHjM_payFLoAfAPDk1EDWBifZ88-WUz-3iWc27nsQo1lPhaMAFME7CsGIaBw-rirPUA-iGp0BJqSAxuVsGGq/s400/Natural+Oils.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488580949215605138" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.africajou.com/"><br />From Site:<br /><br /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><blockquote><a href="http://www.africajou.com/">AFRICAJOU</a> is a Senegalese company set up to produce and market natural vegetable oils extracted from the plants and seeds of the local pharmacopoeia. The objective is to allow people everywhere to discover the benefits of AFRICAJOU's African Earth Vegetable Oils - for their virtues have been known for thousands of years by the local populations who use them as food or cosmetics. </blockquote></div>Nii Simmondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10100938619385901236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105692937470856718.post-16299574642416513822010-06-30T10:49:00.004-04:002010-06-30T10:54:14.336-04:00African Institution of Technology - supporting technology diffusion in Africa<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://afrit.org/"><img alt="http://afrit.org/chOriginal/CustomImage/1b_CustomColorScheme_t11.jpg?id=1268590336978" src="http://afrit.org/chOriginal/CustomImage/1b_CustomColorScheme_t11.jpg?id=1268590336978" /><br /><br /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://afrit.org/">From Site:</a><br /><br /><blockquote>Our plan is to help the diffusion of semiconductor, microelectronics, nanotechnology, biotechnology and other emerging technologies in developing nations (especially African nations) by supporting schools, SMEs (small and medium-scaled enterprises) and governments through world class education support and technical consulting.</blockquote><br /></div></div>Nii Simmondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10100938619385901236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105692937470856718.post-91787892295917821132010-06-30T10:46:00.002-04:002010-06-30T10:49:03.235-04:00African Colours - Contemporary African art scene<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.africancolours.com/"><img alt="http://www.africancolours.com/image/log.jpg" src="http://www.africancolours.com/image/log.jpg" /><br /><br /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.africancolours.com/">From Site<br /><br /></a><blockquote><a href="http://www.africancolours.com/"><strong>AfricanColours</strong></a> works towards a viable contemporary African art scene that is internationally recognised and technologically savvy. AfricanColours does so by connecting artists and engaging the art industry through leveraging technologies, offering cultural experiences in and creating value for contemporary visual arts in Africa”.<strong><br /></strong></blockquote><br /></div></div>Nii Simmondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10100938619385901236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105692937470856718.post-85434220847407778922010-06-30T10:28:00.004-04:002010-06-30T10:36:54.053-04:00Mlako Purified Ice Cube - Tanzania<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMWgQIdv2_vgA0HCg3CP75SIzQr1cTUod9RBgk3ZW0LtP8lJNj4GvQPjRyZJduW9ZpFTPXfdknXW0U_zNcMP_wscUwbuRAn8D2YNtROH-d_VJDTEOU9hupFE0jMgXTbEifWlnf3jSsDGo/s1600/Mlako.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 107px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMWgQIdv2_vgA0HCg3CP75SIzQr1cTUod9RBgk3ZW0LtP8lJNj4GvQPjRyZJduW9ZpFTPXfdknXW0U_zNcMP_wscUwbuRAn8D2YNtROH-d_VJDTEOU9hupFE0jMgXTbEifWlnf3jSsDGo/s400/Mlako.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488574855205551202" border="0" /></a><blockquote><a href="http://mlakoice.com/"><br />Mlako</a> is a Tanzanian commercial ice company focused on purified cube ice.<br /><br /><br /></blockquote>Nii Simmondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10100938619385901236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105692937470856718.post-61176077315339217642010-06-30T10:24:00.001-04:002010-06-30T10:27:49.884-04:00Mafuta Sasa Biodiesel Limited - Tanzania<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mafutasasa.com/"><img alt="http://www.mafutasasa.com/_/rsrc/1271043838156/about-mafuta-sasa/145283-500-375.jpg?height=150&width=200" src="http://www.mafutasasa.com/_/rsrc/1271043838156/about-mafuta-sasa/145283-500-375.jpg?height=150&width=200" /><br /><br /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.mafutasasa.com/">From site:<br /><br /></a><blockquote><a href="http://www.mafutasasa.com/">Mafuta Sasa</a> collects used cooking oil as its feedstock for biodiesel production. The Company collects used cooking oil from local hotels, restaurants, and street cart vendors, and transports the used oil to its factory for processing. The Company produces one liter of biodiesel from each liter of feedstock.<br /><br />In addition to biodiesel, the Company produces and sells crude liquid soap. Raw glycerine is the main by-product from the biodiesel production process, and is also a primary ingredient in soap. By making soap from the raw glycerine, Mafuta Sasa earns a secondary revenue stream, while efficiently and safely disposing of its waste stream.<br /><br /><div style="margin: 5px auto 0pt; display: block; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mafutasasa.com/about-mafuta-sasa/i3.jpg?attredirects=0" imageanchor="1"><img src="http://www.mafutasasa.com/_/rsrc/1272298139777/about-mafuta-sasa/i3.jpg?height=282&width=400" border="0" width="400" height="282" /></a></div><br />Mafuta Sasa is a company limited by shares duly formed under the laws of Tanzania. The Company is fully licensed by local taxing, industrial, and health authorities.<br /></blockquote><br /></div></div>Nii Simmondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10100938619385901236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105692937470856718.post-64061961416764365962010-06-30T10:00:00.004-04:002010-06-30T10:11:49.642-04:00ANZA - a technologies-focused social enterprise<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.anzatechnologies.com/"><img alt="http://www.anzatechnologies.com/images/anza_logo.png" src="http://www.anzatechnologies.com/images/anza_logo.png" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.anzatechnologies.com/">From site:<br /></a><blockquote><a href="http://www.anzatechnologies.com/"><br />Anza</a> turns the conventional notions of raw materials on their head by reinventing trash to make low-cost, high-utility products that will enable millions of African farmers to lift themselves out of poverty.<br /><br />Founded in the summer of 2008, Anza employs a portfolio approach by offering a set of appropriate technologies products. Our company began selling “upcycled” solar cookers and water sanitation solutions in Pemba, Mozambique, in June 2009. To date, we have sold hundreds of solar cookers and Tip Taps, positively impacting the health and environment of over 2,500 villagers in Northern Mozambique, and creating over $50,000 in social benefits to these communities.</blockquote><br /></div></div>Nii Simmondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10100938619385901236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105692937470856718.post-45921361104603345772010-05-28T11:50:00.002-04:002010-05-28T11:53:53.810-04:00Kilonshele - Nigerian ticket marketplace<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kilonshele.com/"><img alt="http://www.kilonshele.com/images/logo.png" src="http://www.kilonshele.com/images/logo.png" /><br /><br /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.kilonshele.com/">From Site</a><br /><blockquote>Kilonshele® is a live entertainment and marketing company. We connect the world to live entertainment events in Nigeria by providing up-to-date information on live events and giving fans opportunity to buy tickets conveniently. Kilonshele® provides ticket sales, marketing and distribution through www.kilonshele.com, one of the best e-commerce sites on the Internet.</blockquote><br /></div></div>Nii Simmondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10100938619385901236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105692937470856718.post-15481910659789466692010-05-28T11:41:00.002-04:002010-05-28T11:45:49.889-04:00Africa Now<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.africa-now.org/"><img style="width: 324px; height: 106px;" alt="http://www.africa-now.org/img/header.jpg" src="http://www.africa-now.org/img/header.jpg" /><br /><br /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.africa-now.org/">From Site</a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><blockquote><p><strong>AfricaNow!</strong> is an innovative collaboration of modern home decor and accessories celebrating the fusion of African art and life.</p> <p>Inspired by authentic African cultures with a contemporary influence, products include contemporary and traditional jewelry, accessories, home textiles and furnishings, whimsical holiday ornaments, baskets, wood, ceramics, and more.</p></blockquote></div><br /></div></div>Nii Simmondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10100938619385901236noreply@blogger.com0