Continuing our conversation “Vers le développement inclusive de l’Afrique https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/vers-le-developpement-inclusif-de-lafrique-ascanio-graziosi/, there is another avenue to take, if and when African Capitalists agree that something should be done, unless they decide to keep going the status quo.
FINANCE BOUTIQUE has worked out a Model of intervention, to mitigate the poverty via jobs creation and providing opportunities for people’s better living conditions and business prosperity.
The Model aims at promoting growth via business approach, which vision has been inspired by the UN 2030 Agenda for SDGs, in particular the Objective 1 (end Poverty in all its forms) and Objective 8 (Promote inclusive and sustainable growth). The Model has been proposed in 2018 (6) and then justified by forty pages of a Feasibility Study, ready to be converted into a Project.
Here our approach:
Firstly, we have reviewed the narrative on development finance issues focusing on Africa, which has made, again, the headlines as a Continent of opportunities, which have been estimated at billion $ 1.5. (5)
Secondly, we have taken into account our background in terms of field experience: we do have collaborated in some sixteen African Countries out of twenty-six world-wide.
Thirdly, we have checked our expertise on the matter: we have designed, managed and evaluated FUNDS in the following Countries: Tunisia, Bosnia, Caribbean, Romania, Mali, Albania, Netherlands Antilles, Malawi, Algeria, Morocco Ghana and Russia Federation.
Fourthly, we have tested the viability and validity of the proposal in the field. Although the Project’s horizon is the Continent, it doesn’t mean to cover 54 Countries, opportunities being available everywhere; initially, the activities shall focus on some selected countries. (6)
Fifthly, we supported the Proposal with a methodology: The Project should be seen in the picture of the Community-based economy as a new approach replacing Credit-based economy (7). Accordingly, we have elaborated a conceptual framework which has been the reference in point to design the Model to promote growth via business approach. The connected market segmentation deserves a detailed investigation of the landscape to understand which kind of service/product may be delivered and makes also the difference between lender, developer and philanthropists.
Who?Why? How? Where?
- • A) JAMBO (Swahili salutations) isn’t a fund as usual. To our knowledge it is the first RISK FUND designed within the UN 2030 Agenda for SDGs along with the guidelines of Basel III Committee on financial inclusion: (Fund vision: Objectives 1 and 8 of SDGs).
- • B) JAMBO isn’t just financing but much more: it does match-up traditional and innovative approach to the market and the proposed market segmentation will be of utmost importance for both finance and the digital providers. It has a twofold objective: to provide financial resources to UNDERSERVED ENTREPRENEURS and assistance to UNDERCAPITALISED LENDERS, both facing the following three big challenges: UNDERCAPITALISATION, DIGITALISATION and MANAGEMENT. The linkages between FUND and national financial providers (MFI, Banks, Finance Agencies, etc.) shall be worked out country by country, in accordance with the related market situations; if this way isn’t viable or feasible, the FUND will directly link with the Entrepreneurs;
- • C) The Model is viable and valid at both regional and country level and in this understanding, a specific request can be fitted into it;
- • D) The FUND shall have a positive impact on the financial market by lowering the high cost of borrowing;
- • E) Based on the current lending activities in the Continent, the FUND can secure, at least, an ROI above 3%; besides, there is a significant image Return for Investors acting as a development’s actors;
- • F) Although the Project’s horizon is the Continent, it doesn’t mean to cover 54 Countries, opportunities being available everywhere. We have planned to achieve round-up meetings in 3-4 countries and come back with an important portfolio. It is worthwhile to note that some entrepreneurs have already anticipated requests for financial assistance: Ghana (cotton), Cote d’Ivoire (cocoa beans), Benin (port) Nigeria (recycling), Tanzania (enterprise expansion), Algeria (Construction).
- • G) We have worked out a tentative timetable, which should be discussed with the Founders: 1) a field survey in some selected countries, 2) round-up meeting with our high-level contacts in some countries. In case, the field survey could be completed soon after FUND inception.
- • H) The requested seed capital along with the African Country where to register the Fund shall be discussed with a restricted Group Founders: Investment Companies, Firms, Private Investors, Donors, Financial Institutions.
The Fund will make it the history of promoting African Countries’ inclusive growth. Truly interested Investors may have more information: graziosiascanio@aol.com and via Skype.
Ascanio Graziosi 