By Ahmad Mokhles, Group Chief Operating Officer, Liquid Telecom.
For more than a decade, Africa has been closely watched across the globe, touted as the next big growth market, an area of remarkable untapped potential. There are many reasons for optimism: the African continent is home to some of the youngest populations in the world, it promises to be a major consumption market over the next three decades, and it is increasingly mobile phone enabled.
Despite these reasons for optimism, the promise remains unfulfilled. Growth in Africa has stalled; both the IMF and the World Bank have cut their 2019 economic growth projections for sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to 3.5% and 2.8%, respectively, with growth in 2018 at 2.3%. The statistics presented are worrying and present the need for the region to put in place effective measures that will enable economic development by exploring the missing link between network, markets, and people.
What’s next?
If there was one investment you could make in your business that would increase customer footfall, sales and build a love for your business with your community, why wouldn’t you make that investment? The ’60s and ’70s saw global economies invest in the space race, resulting in some of the most significant technological innovations of that age. Likewise, the current economy should not hesitate to establish a Wi-Fi marketplace on the African continent that will ultimately result in digital inclusion by tapping into ‘Africa’s Missing Network’.
Irrespective of the size and type of a business, every organisation’s primary focus is meeting and, over time, exceeding customer expectations. One of the easiest ways of doing this is by providing access to affordable Wi-Fi. In a study done by SmallBizTrends.com, 62 percent of businesses pointed out that customers spend more time in their facility or shop that offers Wi-Fi access, and around 50 percent of customers spend more money.
Beyond those tangible benefits, there are others as well. Many customers now search for free Wi-Fi places when looking for a restaurant, café, or even public areas, so this service can help attract new customers. It’s not just about your business – affordable public Wi-Fi has the potential to transform economies throughout Africa by offering people greater access to the global digital economy.
To be part of this digital movement, you need to have a network of Wi-Fi access points that are in large areas of convergence like restaurants, schools, malls, hospitals, hotels, or any public place. If you do, all you need to do is start broadcasting SasaiWiFiFinder hotspot SSID and earn up to 50% of revenue on internet usage and an additional 25% revenue from other on-demand digital services.
Partner with Liquid Telecom Group (LTG) and Cassava Fintech International (CFI) as we transform access to affordable Wi-Fi from a perk to a necessity helping businesses differentiate themselves.
