Forbes Africa’s expedition exploits elegantly: A review

Also compelling is the focus on Angola’s Russo Flora, who began a construction/engineering firm with a not-so-modest half a million dollars and currently ringing up millions in profit. Many lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs are within the story. Again, a mix of statistics, subject’s background and contemporary information makes for good reading. It is clearly Forbes […]

Also compelling is the focus on Angola’s Russo Flora, who began a construction/engineering firm with a not-so-modest half a million dollars and currently ringing up millions in profit. Many lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs are within the story. Again, a mix of statistics, subject’s background and contemporary information makes for good reading. It is clearly Forbes Africa’s ‘home style’ and, indeed, a refreshing one.

Features on gold prices in Africa the rise of South African vineyards are pleasantly, surprisingly accessible, devoid of techno-babble and pretentiousness commonly found in ‘business stories’. Another one on Nigerian doctor, pilot and entrepreneur Ola Orerekun is heartfelt and projects the subject in an interesting way, highlighting the tragedy that led the 25-year-old wunderkind into an exemplary professional path.

Portions heavy on reports about the auto industry in Africa are a tad long-winding and tedious, though. Then, where are the famous Forbes bucket lists? I’m certainly taking issue with their absence. A top 10 of 2011’s biggest business gaffes in Africa would have appeased me. But one of the best surprises, surprisingly, is a story on Nigerian pop music duo P’Square, in which the extremely talented twins talk up the business of music, piracy and success with expected candour. The feature would almost make you forget a preceding one on music sales in Africa.

Then come a few warts, like the yawn-inducing feature on Kweku Adoboli, the now-infamous rogue-trader of Ghanaian descent. Even if relevant, all it does is rehash elements already known. Another minus is that the story is afflicted by a dull, uninspired layout more typical to in-flight magazines from a decade ago. The price (N900) is odd and a bit on the steep side.

Thankfully, the good far outweigh the near-bad content of Forbes Africa’s sophomore edition. The media giant is taking advantage of its global recognition to reach more than 4.3 million influential readers via publications in ten languages in more than 100 countries, and judging from the quality of the African edition’s content, it is indeed a welcome addition. What remains to be seen is whether the ‘African-ness’ of the content which is so far satisfactory, will prevail.