Africa - the final frontier
Business owners need to be aware that in addition to the various challenges relating to language and trade barriers, they need to consider carefully cultural differences, pricing strategies and the political environment, when adapting strategies for marketing goods and products on the continent.
As opposed to western markets, where the methods to reach consumers are relatively defined, Africa's unique business landscape gives scope to introduce innovative marketing initiatives that may be relatively unexplored by businesses operating in other markets.
It is an exciting time to be in Africa because of the size of the untapped opportunities. With the fastest growing middleclass in the world, there is great need for all types of goods - all one has to do is reach out and communicate with the market.
Each country requires a unique approach
It is important for brands to market their offerings in a way that connects with local consumers. Although large corporates may have global brand marketing guidelines, the staff based in Africa should adapt these guidelines in a way that works best for the local market.
The communication strategy for each country in Africa should be different. While radio commercials might work in South Africa and Nigeria, print advertising could be best for Cote d'Ivoire, billboards might have the biggest impact in Lesotho etc. Business owners need to research and explore local best practices, and consult experienced partners in the country to know what works in each country.
A recent example was when our company marketed products via a point-of-sales promotion in Ethiopia. The typical approach would be to offer promotional discounts or give-aways to incentivise walk-in customers. However, our country manager suggested giving customers a voucher to buy chicken to coincide with the Ethiopian Easter celebration. This non-conventional promotion proved to be a huge success, and highlights the importance of trusting a local team to know what works best in their territory.
Be consistent
Advertising is expensive, but effective when used correctly. When advertising in any form of media, it is important to do it regularly, in the right media for one's business and to be consistent in one's message. Focus on a small selection of media and aim to advertise there regularly to maintain a good awareness of products or services. The marketing and media environment is very crowded and, for this reason, it is important to be consistent in both promotional message and look and feel. If one is an SME, it is advisable to invest some money in designing a distinct logo, impactful packaging and a good basic range of marketing materials and signage.
Take advantage of modern technology
It is unbelievable how quickly social media and smartphone penetration in Africa has given consumers access to information and various online channels According to Internet World Stats, internet penetration in Africa is 21.3%. It is now all about ensuring that modern technology is utilised to reach the target audience and making sure that relevant content is created to stimulate engagement with the online community. Businesses should continuously try new things and fine-tune their approach.
