Alfredo Sambù: A Journey of Entrepreneurship and Community Leadership in Italy

Recently, Nigerian author Obehi Ewanfoh, known for The Storytelling Mastery and his ongoing research on the African presence in northern Italy since 2013, sat down with Alfredo Sambù, a Guinea-Bissau native and pharmacist in Italy. In their conversation, Alfredo shared his journey as part of the African diaspora, balancing the demands of running two pharmacies while staying deeply connected to his community at the same time.

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This interview is part of Obehi’s mission to amplify the voices of Africans in the diaspora, encouraging them to share their stories and inspire others to do the same.

Understanding The Story of Alfredo Sambù

Imagine a small village in the Cacheu region of Guinea-Bissau, a young boy watched his mother, a traditional healer, mix herbs and natural ingredients to treat ailments in their community.

That boy is Alfredo Sambù, now a grown man and running two successful pharmacies in northern Italy, (Arzignano in Vicentino and Crema, a Cremona province).

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But Alfredo’s path was not straightforward. By age 20, he found himself in a foreign country, Italy, where his Guinean high school diploma was not recognized, forcing him to repeat two years of school to gain access to higher education.

Today, Alfredo stands at the intersection of two worlds: a modern pharmacist in Italy and a passionate advocate for African traditional medicine.

For Alfredo, pharmacy is more than just a career; it is a bridge between the traditional practices of his homeland and the structured, scientific rigor of modern medicine.

But his journey is also emblematic of a much larger movement—the rise of African diaspora entrepreneurship, where individuals like Alfredo use their unique skills to build businesses, create networks, and give back to their communities.

These and more are what we will be considering in this article. So, relax, and let’s explore the story of this great African who is making an impact in his Guinea-Bissau community and Italy.

The Making of a Pharmacist: Education and Perseverance

Born on April 2, 1975, in Begene, Guinea-Bissau, Alfredo’s early education was shaped by a blend of modern schooling and traditional wisdom. After completing high school in Bissau, he moved to Italy at the age of 20 with dreams of further education.

However, the path was not easy. His Guinean high school diploma was not recognized by the Italian system, so he had to start over, repeating two more years of high school in Italy before he could pursue a university degree.

Undeterred, Alfredo enrolled in the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Padua, one of Italy’s oldest and most prestigious universities.

It was here that he began to see the potential of blending his traditional knowledge with Western medical practices. His academic journey was enriched by an Erasmus exchange program in France, where he gained further international experience.

In 2003, Alfredo graduated with a degree in Pharmacy and immediately began his professional career in Verona. Later, his experience in the UK added another layer to his expertise before he returned to Italy to manage his own pharmacies.

Today, Alfredo runs two successful pharmacies in Arzignano Vicentino and Crema, Cremona province, and continues to expand his vision for the future of healthcare.

Entrepreneurship in the Diaspora: The Rise of African Innovators

Alfredo’s story is just one among many in the growing community of African diaspora entrepreneurs. According to the African Development Bank, there are millions of Africans living outside the continent, contributing not only through remittances but also through business creation and innovation.

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The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that remittances from African migrants totaled $85 billion in 2021.

However, beyond sending money home, many diaspora members are increasingly engaging in entrepreneurial activities, creating businesses that serve both their host and home countries.

The African diaspora, particularly in Europe and North America, is known for its resilience and adaptability, often navigating complex socio-political landscapes while striving for economic success.

According to a study titled New Data on African Health Professionals Abroad published by the National Library of Medicine, in the year 2000, around 65,000 African-born physicians and 70,000 African-born nurses were practicing in developed countries.

These figures represent approximately 20% of the total number of African-born physicians globally and about 10% of African-born nurses.

However, the proportion of healthcare professionals working abroad varies significantly across African nations, with the percentage ranging from 1% to more than 70%, depending on the specific profession and country of origin.

However, it’s important to note that African entrepreneurs like Alfredo are building businesses in a wide range of sectors, from technology and healthcare to the arts and creative industries.

These entrepreneurs bring unique perspectives, blending their cultural heritage with the skills and knowledge gained in their adopted countries.

For Alfredo, pharmacy offered a path to financial independence and professional growth. “Pharmacy is one of the few careers that allows you to work anywhere,” he says. But his entrepreneurial journey also highlights a deeper motivation: the desire to contribute to his community both in Italy and Guinea-Bissau.

A New Kind of Pharmacy: Integrating Tradition and Modernity

While Alfredo’s pharmacies in Italy operate within the framework of modern medicine, his roots in traditional African healing have never left him. Inspired by his mother’s work as a traditional healer, Alfredo founded Guimeds—a project that focuses on two primary areas: traditional medicine and wellness.

Through Guimeds, Alfredo seeks to promote a deeper understanding of traditional African medicine, blending it with modern pharmaceutical knowledge to offer holistic wellness solutions.

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“Traditional medicine is deeply ingrained in our culture,” Alfredo explains. “It’s about using the knowledge passed down through generations to heal, but in a way that complements modern science.”

Guimeds aims to be more than just a personal project; it is a way to give back to Guinea-Bissau and preserve the rich medicinal knowledge that has been part of African culture for centuries and millenniums.

This blend of tradition and modernity is not just a niche market but part of a broader global trend.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized the importance of integrating traditional medicine into national healthcare systems, particularly in regions like Africa, where it remains a primary source of care for millions of people.

By promoting traditional medicine within a structured, scientific framework, Alfredo is part of a growing movement to validate and preserve this invaluable knowledge.

Building Community: Leadership in the Diaspora

In addition to his professional work, Alfredo has become a key figure in the Guinea-Bissau diaspora community in Italy. Balancing his work as a pharmacist with his role as a community leader is not easy, but Alfredo sees it as his responsibility to give back to the country that gave him so much.

“Volunteering for community service is crucial, even if it means sacrificing personal time,” he says. Organizing events, advocating for the needs of his community, and fostering connections between diaspora members are all part of his mission.

His leadership within the community is also a reflection of the growing recognition of the African diaspora’s role in shaping the future of Africa itself.

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According to the African Union, the diaspora is considered the continent’s “sixth region,” a vital part of its development strategy.

In countries like Italy, where the African population has steadily increased,1.5 of its total 60 million people, figures like Alfredo play an essential role in maintaining cultural ties while also creating new economic opportunities.

The Power of Collaboration: Strengthening the Global African Diaspora

Alfredo’s story underscores the importance of collaboration within the African diaspora. His success as a pharmacist and entrepreneur is not just a personal achievement; but based on what we have gathered in our over 10 years of research about the presence of Africans in northern Italy, part of a broader narrative of Africans working together to build thriving businesses and communities abroad.

At this point, we should add that the African diaspora is uniquely positioned to leverage its global presence, creating networks that span continents and industries. Read more at https://aclasses.org/alfredo-sambu/