Making stuff in Africa is simply hard, that's it. The major reason is that African governments are simply not set up to help African businesses make money.

In fact if you actually do achieve success in Africa, you either have to hide it from them or bring them in to "eat." https://twitter.com/asemota/status/1331560996025077761

If you figure out how to make a better potato snack than Pringles for half the price and your product starts flying off the shelves, I 100% guarantee that within 6 months your government will look for a way to harass you for money, instead of help you to grow.

African governments HATE accumulation of wealth driven by private innovation. The minute you buy a new car or make any kind of lifestyle purchase signifying your success, you literally become their enemy.

They'll start going on about how you are "exploiting" the market etc.

Wealth is an aberration to them - something you can only accumulate in large quantities by being an exploitative capitalist pig, as against something that is often a reward for innovation and hard work.

It's the exact same reason why well paid young people in IT are a target.

African governments HATE wealth accumulation when it is not in the hands of government or old men linked to government.

You can manufacture whatever you want here, but the minute you start making real money off it, they'll pull an OPay on you.

It's what they do.

So in this environment, the only business model that makes sense is the Lebanese one - import and distribution with monthly or weekly cash sweeps to protect yourself.

And then maybe invest some of the profits in the luxury economy.

There's nothing else to do round here.