SUCCEED IN DOING BUSINESS IN AFRICA!​
​

Nowhere in the world is the statement “Think globally, act locally” more accurate than in Africa.
Each African country has its unique history, government, currency, people, cultures, and specific ways of interacting with foreign businesses.   These parameters easily impact the way global companies interact with their local partners, distributers, or clients.  Navigating the cultural labyrinth of any African country presents a challenge to foreign businesses.  Even within a specific country, cultural differences may get on the way of succeeding.  To paraphrase Mr. Jay Ireland , President and CEO of General Electric-Africa Region, “In order to succeed in business in the countries where we operate, you have to understand the cultures of each country.”
The one sure thing is that once one masters the local cultures, doing business in Africa becomes easy and fun, effective and very lucrative.  We have successfully assisted numerous organizations and corporations with cross-cultural communication and business negotiations skills in various countries in South-Saharan Africa.  

---

---

  AREAS WHERE WE ASSIST OUR CLIENTS
 

• Intercultural and Cross-cultural Communication -- We educate our clients in the specific culture of the country where they are going to operate.  We assist in understanding the values of local clients and partners, in comprehending what they verbally express and what they do not say, in reading body languages, and more.  How can you tell when a “no” means “YES” and a “yes” means “NO”?

 

• Partnership Development -- As both a U.S. business owner and an African business owner, we fully understand the expectations of U.S. ways of doing business; but we also have a good grasp of the mindset of African businessmen and women. In short, we understand what it takes to build the indispensable local partnerships in Africa. 

       HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT BUSINESS PARTNER IN AFRICA? Click here.
 

• Assistance with Business presentations

• We review and customize your presentation(s) to fit the culture(s) of your African clients:

• We introduce relevant and culturally appropriate jokes, anecdotes, and local proverbs that speak louder than long explanations.  Building genuine, informal and long lasting relationships takes you a long way in winning business.
• We translate your presentation into the local language(s) while keeping the format and the content of your message.​
   

• Business negotiations skills -- How good are your negotiation skills as they pertain to dealing with African businessmen?  How prepared are you with bargaining in Africa? 

​

• Negotiations with the local government officials . 90% of companies and organizations in most African countries are public.  This means they are controlled in some way by the local government.

 

• Negotiations with partners, clients, distributors, employees, bankers, etc. can be a daunting task for global companies.  Our role is to assist you in that endeavor and erase your fears.

 

• Dealing with local government officials

 

• How Africans understand Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”)

      DOING BUSINESS IN AFRICA -- FCPA COMPLIANCE. Click here.
 

• Anti-Corruption & FCPA Compliance Training Program Customized to Include African Cultures

      The first mistake companies make is to provide generic Foreign Corrupt Practices Act compliance training to their             employees.  In Sub-Saharan Africa, FCPA training must be customized and specific to include the inner cultures of the         region.  Cultures dictate how people conduct themselves socially but also in business.  

      WHEN PAYING A BRIBE IS NOT CONSIDERED THE VIOLATION OF FCPA. Click here.

• Effective communications between U.S. cultures and (most) African cultures

      What does an African mean when she/he says, “A lie that builds is better than a truth that destroys?”
 

• Language Services: Translations and Interpreting

 
 
THE CLIENTS WE HAVE HELPED SUCCEED

• The United States Peace Corps
• Shell Oil Corporation
• Marathon Oil Corporation
• Ingersoll Rand
• IRCO
• Western Forms
• International Meeting Planners Association
• American Business Women Association
• Schlumberger
• Milbank

 
 
THE COUNTRIES WHERE WE HAVE HELPED OUR CLIENTS SUCCEED
 

• Ghana
• Nigeria
• Cameroon
• Ethiopia
• Senegal
• South Africa
• Democratic Republic of Congo
• Equatorial Guinea
• The Gambia
• Kenya

 
 
HOW WE WORK WITH OUR CLIENTS
 

• One-on-One Coaching

• In person
• Over the phone
• Via Skype

 

• Group Presentations and Seminars

 

• Global teambuilding

WHAT WE HAVE SAID ABOUT AFRICA AND ITS CULTURES 
 

• Ngomsi, E. (2013). Interview, National Public Radio/KCUR, Kansas City, MO. Advice/solutions to Challenges faced by foreign workers in the United States and Strategies for facilitating domestic cultural Diversity Education

 

• Ngomsi, E. (2011). Interview, National Public Radio/KCUR

     Djangui: The Traditional African System of Saving: A model for African-Americans.
 

• Ngomsi, E. (2010). Interview, National Public Radio/KCUR. Challenges faced by foreign workers in the United States of America: Suggestions for assisting newcomers in the USA.

 
 
WHAT WE HAVE PUBLISHED TO EDUCATE OUR CLIENTS ABOUT AFRICAN CULTURES 
 

• Ngomsi, E. & Hendricks, A. (2011). Yan-koloba: Cultural Competency and Women Empowerment. UMB-Financial Corporation. Office of Diversity and Corporate Development.

 

• Ngomsi, E. & Hendricks, A. (2010). Yan-koloba: Bridging Corporate and Individual Cultures. UMB-Financial Corporation. Office of Diversity and Corporate Development.

 

• Ngomsi, E. (2010). The Colors of Culture Shock: Experiencing and Surviving Culture Shock. All World Languages & Cultures, Inc.

 

• Saphiere, D., Ngomsi, E. & Sofo, S. (2005) Cultural Detective - West Africa: Improving Productivity-Strengthening Relationships. Niporrica Associates.

 

• Ngomsi, E. & Saphiere, D. (2004). Cultural Detective - Cameroon: Improving Productivity-Strengthening Relationships. Niporrica Associates.

 

• Ngomsi, E. (2002). Yan-koloba promotional video, a production of the Kansas City Public Television.

 

• Ngomsi, E. (2002). Yan-koloba®, a teamwork game rooted into the societal cultures of African.

---

Lean more Negotiations Across Cultures