Africa-wide vision at rebranded By Design Africa

The Cipro-registered name reflects the business's Africa-wide growth and huge new business potential across the continent, says founder and CEO Zoe Molapisi.

"Our vision is to become Africa's eventing and communication brand of choice," says Molapisi. "International investment is moving into Africa from the outside while African states are taking responsibility for sustained development on the inside.

"Africa is the new business frontier. We're proud to be part of it."

By Design Africa has already built Africa-wide momentum.

Since foundation of the Johannesburg-based group 10 years ago, cross-border revenues are up growing and now represent 18% of turnover.

"We have a long-standing commitment to Africa and major clients in East and Central Africa," notes Molapisi. "Our strategy is to capitalise on our success in these markets to connect across Africa with clients and partners who share our vision of sustained economic growth, job creation and boundless opportunity.

"We will continue to grow our brand and reputation for absolute professionalism inside South Africa and carry that into sub-Saharan markets."

By Design Africa believes potential inside Africa can only be fully realised by those who commit to world best practice while showing sensitivity to local needs.

"Private sector and government agencies today set the bar much higher in terms of delivery standards," says Molapisi. "Total professionalism is vital.

"We never lose sight of wider strategy. This enables us to become of extension of a client's business or ministry by providing turnkey solutions that address all aspects of the eventing or communication task.

"Alternatively, clients mix and match our wide-ranging communication services by selecting specific competencies and integrating them into a multi-faceted project."

After four years cross-border experience, the company's business model and culture are Africa-tested and proven. By Design Africa shares learnings on projects while helping to develop locally based teams. Its open-ended report-back structures are simultaneously designed to encourage input and learnings from clients and local partners.

The company is now eager to roll out this proven model to jurisdictions across the continent.

One driver of demand is the 're-rating' of Africa by investors eager to take a stake in African growth. In this receptive environment, African business and governments are increasingly eager to connect with the world.

"The communication of African trade, investment and infrastructure development opportunities is a focus area for us," says Molapisi. "We have worked with major clients such as Telkom in Zambia and Seychelles. We have worked in Nigeria and handled the Tanzania-Rwanda-Burundi railways revitalisation conference in Dar es Salaam.

"This is just the start. Potential is huge."

Services of By Design Africa include:

Live Event Design and Production, Public Relations, Content Management and Delivery, Guest Management, Destination and Incentive Travel Management, Promotional Merchandise and Branding, Exhibition/Set Design and Installation, and Film and Video Production.Among clients are Telkom, Coca-Cola, SAA and Cell C.