My Dear Friends,

Africa is today’s continent of opportunity. Those of you who doubt me might recall my book in the early 90s that suggested massive economic expansion was coming, with China first, India next and Africa thereafter.

You might place yourself with me in 1985 in India. You would have been convinced it would take 100 years for a general population so big and impoverished to be initiated into a consumer class. Ten years later it happened. Twenty years later India is competing to become the world’s third most vibrant economy.

During this period, I was invited to Kodiakanal for two weeks. It is a sought after, complimentary, invitation-only event conducted by Sai Baba. The people who attended were from all walks of life. I had the opportunity to meet with major Indian business personalities.

My message to them was the minute they recognized their ability to compete internationally – no longer needing to protect their insular market and making inferior goods – they would be amazed by the growth potential and economic reality they had unleashed.

Once the Babus (bosses) realized what real business they could do, the sooner the migration from poverty to consumerism would happen. As soon as India gained international self-confidence, the golden age would start. They looked at me as if I was from the Twilight Zone. The rest is history.

The same gentlemen said to me that we hear you are making major investments in Africa. They asked why. The reason was simple. Africa, a land of vast opportunity, welcomed me. In 1985 there was no such welcome in India.

Writing books in today’s Internet age might just be redundant. Accept this small missive as your invitation to benefit from a population of 900,000,000 that is being initiated into the consumer class.

There are many ways to benefit from this major economic phenomenon. There are a goodly amount of Africa funds – primarily in Europe – but also in North America. There are corporations pointing the way such a Wal-Mart.

South Africa is not the star of this movement but rather Tanzania. In my book “BOOM, Visions and Insights into the 21st Century,” written with my friend, Frank Vogl, I listed the then reasons why. Each and every reason has proven correct.

Minerals were the first major opportunity; now it is businesses supported by discretionary income, technology and the most inviting opportunity, farming.

Please consider browsing the web for senior publications in the African country of your selection. Keep in mind that as journalism matures it must navigate around many rags.

Do not think that the missions and embassies of the country of your interest are the only sources of information. Rather, contact the Investment Promotion Center of each country and the Ministries regulating the business of your expertise.

Are you going to miss the next great world economic event? I have not and neither should you.

Respectfully,

Jim