Launch of NABA’s Business Guide to the East African Community

The main focus of the NABA/NHO/Innovation Norway Tanzania and Kenya business seminar on the 7th of September was eloquently summarised by Managing Director of Innovation Norway Ms. Anita Krohn Traaseth: “East Africa’s needs are in many ways our opportunities.”These opportunities were presented through an in-depth analysis of the political climate as well as personal insights from some of our distinguished members on how to conduct business and overcome complex challenges in East Africa. The presentations ranged from insights on different business cultures to the impressive economic growth at the backdrop of an unpredictable political climate in both Kenya and Tanzania.The question of infrastructure and misconceptions about Africa as the ‘hopeless’ continent was discussed as contributing factors to Africa’s limited foreign direct investment compared to Latin America and Asia. Furthermore, the need to invest in local employees in order build loyal workforce was a reoccurring theme as Yara International and Mester Grønn shared their experience about the people, culture and market in East Africa.