It is true that the owners of Tolaram Group are not Nigerian, but their ability to build an almost one billion dollar company in Nigeria is not inherently tied to where they are from but to how they solve the problems that arise in their lives. In the first Culture post, I spent …
Want to Survive as an Entrepreneur? Solve Problems Read More »
Patient Capital Tolaram entered the Nigerian market in 1988 but it took 20 years for the company to gross $100 million. Tolaram spent the first several years figuring out their profit formula. The company was patient for growth, but impatient for profit. Because market creating innovations enter uncharted and untested territory, entrepreneurs and investors …
How One Company Defied the Odds and Is Grossing Almost $1 Billion in Nigeria (Part 2) Read More »
Nigeria in 1988 — Not a premier investment destination In 1988 Nigeria was not a premier investment destination. Life expectancy for the country’s 91 million people was 46 years; gross domestic product (GDP) was about $23 billion; GDP per capita was about $256; 78% of people lived on less than $2 per day; about 37% of people …
How One Company Defied the Odds and Is Grossing Almost $1 Billion in Nigeria Read More »
IDEASpHERE was a two-day celebration of powerful ideas. The event featured innovative talks, presentations, simulations, and interactive discussions delivered by inspirational members of the HKS community. Learn more about the event here: Harvard Ideasphere
The AWP Network receives letters and emails from young Africans in various parts of the world asking if it is possible to start a business with no capital. Haleemah, a young woman based in Nigeria writes, “In a situation where the person has an idea, skill, and passion but no capital, what do you suggest that they …
