Building For Impact

Question:

I believe in what we're doing, but is it enough? Can my business truly grow to make a global difference?

Answer:

It’s a bold question—one that separates businesses that remain local from those that transcend borders. Every global company started as a local one. The difference wasn’t just in what they built, but in how they thought about growth.

Take a look at DeepSeek, the Chinese AI company making headlines this week. Or consider SpaceX from the U.S., NuBank from Brazil, Spotify from Sweden, and Unilever from the U.K.—all global giants shaping industries and creating lasting impact.

Now, how many African businesses operating at that scale can you name? Chances are, you’d struggle to count on both hands. And yet, according to a report by the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Africa has the highest percentage of entrepreneurs among working-age adults globally.

So, why aren’t more of these businesses scaling?

My assumption is that due to the highly challenging environments—unstable economies, unreliable infrastructure, limited access to capital— African entrepreneurs operate, they are often pushed into survival mode, where:

• They focus on survival, not scale.
• They see growth as a risk, not an opportunity.
• They design businesses for short-term survival, not long-term expansion.

Breaking out of this cycle requires a shift in thinking. It means intentionally applying a growth framework from the very beginning.

Three Global Impact Levers

Every company that successfully scaled beyond its borders mastered these three principles:

1. Solve a Universal Problem, Then Scale It

The companies that go global aren’t just great businesses—they solve problems that exist across multiple markets and solve them exceptionally well. Think of Spotify: they didn’t invent music streaming, but it made it more accessible and personalized than ever before.

What’s the core value your business provides? Is it solving a problem better, faster, or cheaper than alternatives? If yes, the foundation for scale is there.

2. Build Systems, Not Just a Business

A business that depends on you can’t grow beyond you. To expand, you need repeatable systems that allow your business to function without you micromanaging every step. Document every process—from sales to operations—so your team can execute without bottlenecks and create a culture where decisions don’t rely on you alone.

3. Prioritize Distribution

Impact doesn’t come from just having a great product—it comes from getting that product into the right hands. Technology has made this easier than ever.

• Can your product or service be digitized?
• Can you test demand outside your country before physically expanding?
• Can you leverage social proof, partnerships, or online communities to scale?

Some of the most successful African businesses that have gone global—like Flutterwave (payments) or Andela (tech talent)—have used?networks, digital platforms, and smart partnerships?to expand beyond their home markets.

Enclosing

If there’s one thing to take away, let it be this: Growth isn’t just about business—it’s about mindset. Therefore, the difference between companies that stay small and those that create global impact isn’t just what they do—it’s how they think.

The real question isn’t “Is what I’m doing enough?” but rather, “Am I building something designed to scale?”

Recommended Reading:

• Scaling Up by Verne Harnish—A roadmap for structuring business operations for fast, sustainable growth.
• The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber—A guide to systemizing your business for long-term success.
• The Innovator’s Dilemma by Clayton M. Christensen—On balancing innovation with sustainable growth.

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Got a burning question? I'd love to hear from you! Drop me a DM, and I might cover it in an upcoming newsletter.

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Talk soon,

Luimar ;)