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ISSUE NO 60

DUTCH WEB COMPANY OPENS FOR BUSINESS IN GHANA

Africa has attracted large-scale investors but they have tended to be multinationals building infrastructure. There are far fewer US and European small and medium sized companies willing to take the plunge. This week sees the opening of the Dutch company Explainer DC in Ghana and several of these kinds of investments seem to be in the pipeline. More of which in later issues. Desiree Van Kollenberg explains why Ghana seemed an attractive place to do web business.

On May 23 Amsterdam e-business bureau Explainer DC will open its doors in Accra, Ghana. A surprising choice to outsiders compared to say San Fransisco, London or any other "e-Mecca’s" of the moment. However for Explainer DC the choice is anything but strange. Idealism and business go hand in hand.

"Why Ghana?" was the question that Stef Heutink and Ronnie Overgoor, CEO’s of Explainer DC were asked most often. Ghana is politically stable, has a favorable economic climate, and is ready for the internet, albeit at a different level. The internet has led to a global economy and Explainer DC wants to act globally. It will make the most of the business opportunities in Ghana in what we see as a responsible manner. That is best achieved from Ghana itself, in its own culture, using Ghanese professionals. That is why we have chosen for an operational office in Accra, the effervescent capital that houses many multi-nationals for the same economic reasons.

However not only economic reasons make up the basis for what may be the first Dutch-African e-business bureau. Explainer DC sees the internet as an opportunity from which every country, company, or individual should be able to benefit; Bridging the digital gap and creating challenging jobs for young Ghanaians is the first step in this. And the commercially ideal business and the motivation of young professionals, who can thus help to shape the internet branch in Africa, are also part of this, believes Explainer DC. In addition to carrying out assignments, Explainer DC Ghana Ltd. will also undertake social activities. An example is a project in which students at a high school in Accra will become acquainted with the internet at the Explainer DC office. Employers from Explainer DC Amsterdam will share the knowledge with young Ghanaians professionals through on the job training.

President Commissioner of van Explainer DC, Hans Wiegel, sees great opportunities: "Yes, we (Board of Commissioners) first asked whether they wanted to provide foreign aid, but it was just a damned good business plan." Ronnie Overgoor, CEO Explainer DC adds this to what Wiegel said: "A business plan with an idealistic tint; the perfect fusion between idealism and doing business in the global economy."

Explainer DC Ghana Ltd. is at this time working hard to present the initiative to partners, companies, and parties. The result: there are ongoing talks with KLM West-Africa, Ghana Breweries (Heineken), and Ghana Textiles (Vlisco) about the initiation of the first local projects. In April there was a meeting with the new president of Ghana John Kufuor and secretary of state Ybema (economic affairs) made an official visit to the new offices with a trade delegation. On Wednesday May 23^rd of this year, in addition to Mr. Heldring (Dutch Ambassador) and an official delegation of the Ghanese government, the opening will also be attended by other dignitaries from Ghana and the Netherlands.

Explainer DC is a bureau for consultancy and creation of e-business concepts. Explainer DC in the Netherlands consists of more than 75 professionals, it has the expertise to translate business to e-business and works for or has worked for clients such as Vendex KBB, KPMG, VVD, Bank of Scotland, Stichting SOA Bestrijding (Society against STD), Amsterdam RAI, Autorai.nl, Ministry of Agriculture, and NBLC.

Explainer DC Ghana Ltd. will consist of approximately ten people at the end of 2001 and for the time being will be headed by General Manager Tjalling Wiarda. The goal is to eventually transfer the management into Ghanaian hands. Explainer DC Ghana Ltd. must be making a profit as of the beginning of 2003.

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