"Invisible Genius: Why Global Investors Overlook Africa's Innovations"

Excerpt from "Invisible Genius"

I’ve always believed that Africa holds endless potential for innovation. Coming from Kenya, East Africa's fastest-growing economy, I dreamed of creating a bridge between African innovation and global investment. I thought, with the vast disparity in currency (1$ = 130 Kenyan shillings), it would be an easy sell to foreign investors. My idea was simple: offer Americans and Europeans the opportunity to invest in Kenya’s affordable land, labor, healthcare, and natural resources. For them, a $40,000 salary could translate into over 5 million Kenyan shillings—enough to acquire significant factors of production in Kenya.

I called it Puppeteers Investments, where I would act as a proxy or "puppet" for these foreign investors, acquiring and managing land and businesses on their behalf. I believed this idea could change not just my life, but also the lives of countless middle-class Americans who couldn't afford homes or businesses back in their own country. After all, in the U.S., owning a four to six-bedroom house requires a fortune, but in Kenya, a similar home could be bought for less than $60,000 (about 7.8 million Kenyan shillings). Starting a business in the U.S. often requires over $300,000, while in Kenya, a mid-cap business could be launched with just $30,000.

The numbers were promising. I calculated that an American company could save $420,000 annually in labor costs by outsourcing to Kenya, thanks to significantly lower salaries for similarly skilled workers. The time zone advantage also meant that work could be completed faster, with Kenya being eight hours ahead of the U.S. I was convinced this was a win-win situation.

But then, reality hit. Every time I pitched this idea to potential investors, I was met with skepticism, doubt, and outright accusations of being a scammer. It didn’t matter how sound my research was or how transparent I tried to be. I wasn’t given a chance, simply because I came from Africa. I watched stories of scammers from my continent, especially those infamous "Nigerian Prince" cons, and realized how deeply they had tainted the reputation of all African entrepreneurs. Despite having a solid and legitimate business idea, my dream slowly died under the weight of these misconceptions.

This experience, painful as it was, shaped the core of this book. "Invisible Genius: Why Global Investors Overlook Africa's Innovations" explores the barriers African innovators face in getting the world to see their value. It uncovers the hidden potential of Africa’s entrepreneurial spirit and reveals why global investors often miss these opportunities. The book dives into:

- The impact of global prejudice: How scams and negative stereotypes overshadow genuine African innovation.

- Stories of overlooked innovators: Real-life examples of African entrepreneurs who had brilliant ideas but couldn’t break through the global market due to lack of trust and visibility.

- The hidden wealth of Africa: A detailed analysis of Africa’s potential, including its abundant resources, affordable labor, and unexplored markets.

- Strategies for change: How African innovators can position themselves to attract global investment and how foreign investors can rethink their approach to Africa.

- Hope for the future: Why, despite the challenges, Africa remains a land of untapped opportunity for those willing to see beyond the stereotypes.

"Invisible Genius" is a call to action. It challenges the global community to reconsider Africa, not as a land of risk, but as a continent brimming with innovation waiting to be discovered. This book is for the dreamers, the innovators, and the global investors who are ready to unlock Africa’s hidden potential.

NB: If you would like to order the book, it is 2 months late, I will be releasing it on October 31st 2024. You can reach out for more details about my book or the business model I mentioned above if this resonates with you.

Thanks for reading my article and God Bless.

Founder & CEO Issa's LaborLink Solution and Puppeteer's Investments

Author- Issa Kamau

email: [email protected]