For the past 12 months, we’ve been researching, strategizing, and planning on how to build Today Africa.
In this post, we will break down everything we plan to do, why we will do it, and what we hope to achieve.
Let’s get started.
The Beginning
Today Africa was born out of a failed business endeavor, one rooted in the struggle to access success stories of fellow Africans in the same industry. This made us realize that the absence of narratives of Africans disrupting the ecosystem is one missing link to sustainable growth in businesses in Africa.
Motivated by this need, “Today Africa” was conceived—a platform where Africans could generously share their business and career experiences, creating a repository for others to learn from and leverage for their own growth.
However, we couldn’t launch immediately because we didn’t have any data to back it up so our first priority was to validate the idea to know if it was what going for. So the only way to get eyes on us was to start researching and sharing stories about Africans building something in their fields on social media, especially on LinkedIn.
Doing this not only gave us access to individuals but also the opportunity to tell them about our platform. And how we wanted them to come on board and share their valuable experiences for others to learn from.
Then tragedy struck on January 4, 2023. A fatal car accident claimed the life of our only sister on her way to Akwa Ibom for her one-year National Youth Service. The weight of her absence proved insurmountable, casting a profound shadow over our lives. In the face of this profound loss, everything, including the promising venture of “Today Africa,” came to a halt for a period of 2 to 3 months.
The grief was overwhelming, and the mourning process continues to be a challenging journey for our family. It’s with heavy hearts that we acknowledge our sister’s significant role in the genesis of “Today Africa.” She was not just our sister but also our friend who eagerly anticipated the unfolding of this initiative. As we navigate through our grief, we will build Today Africa, recognizing that the platform’s success will be a testament to her enduring spirit.
Today Africa is part of the legacies she left behind and we hope to build it into the brand she imagined. Click here to learn the strategic planning tools that we are using.
Listen to her voice below:
Why the name “Today Africa”
Here are some reasons for the name:
1. Timeliness and relevance: The term “Today” suggests a focus on current events and the present moment. It indicates that the platform is dedicated to bringing the latest and most relevant stories about Africa and its people.
2. Dynamic and evolving narratives: “Today Africa” implies that the content is not static or historical but rather reflects the dynamic and ever-changing landscape of Africa. It suggests a commitment to staying current with the ongoing developments and achievements across the continent.
3. Inclusivity: The use of “Africa” in the name clearly identifies the geographic focus. This emphasizes a commitment to representing the diverse stories and experiences from all parts of the continent.
4. Positivity and progress: The name suggests a forward-looking perspective. It implies a focus on contemporary achievements, innovations, and positive developments in Africa, positioning the platform as a source of inspiration and hope.
5. Positive connotation: The name “Today Africa” conveys a positive message by emphasizing the current and future potential of the continent. It suggests that this platform is a place of innovation, success, and growth.
Key problems we hope to solve
1. Lack of accessible role models and success stories: Many Africans lack access to relatable role models and insights within their own region. Today Africa will provide a platform where individuals can learn from the experiences and journeys of successful Africans in various fields, inspiring them to pursue their own dreams.
2. Limited exposure to African success: Traditional education sources often overlook the stories of African entrepreneurs and innovators. We will curate and showcase Africans’ experiences, bridging the gap between hidden achievements and aspiring individuals who seek guidance and inspiration.
3. Lack of replicable blueprints: The absence of detailed accounts of how successful Africans have built their enterprises hampers the ability of others to replicate their success. By sharing in-depth insights into the processes and strategies that led to success, we will provide valuable blueprints for others to follow.
4. Inspiration and motivation deficit: A lack of inspiring narratives can lead to a motivation deficit among aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals. Our content will fill this void by showcasing stories of resilience, determination, and triumph, motivating others to overcome challenges and pursue their goals.
5. Inadequate brand awareness: Emerging African entrepreneurs and innovators often struggle to gain recognition and brand awareness for their enterprises. Today Africa’s platform will amplify the voices and experiences of these individuals, helping them to gain wider exposure and connect with their target audiences.
How We Are Building Today Africa
Today Africa will be more than a website, it’s a resource hub where Africans and non-Africans will get well-curated data about building a business in Africa in any form they want – article, video, and audio.
All of our social media accounts will be used to promote our services. It seems obvious, but until you actually build a network of distribution channels, it’s difficult to truly see how they all interact with each other and build each other up.
So we see this business in three tiers. Those tiers are:
- Promotion
- Distribution
- Monetization
Promotion
That’s where we are in our journey, it’s the equivalent of us walking around the neighborhood, knocking on doors, and leaving flyers in the windshield wipers of cars in the parking lot, telling people about the business. This will be done through creating content and running paid ads.
Our promotional channels are:
- X (formally Twitter)
- YouTube / Shorts
Distribution
Distribution is the part of the network we control and have ownership of. This includes:
- Our newsletter
- The podcast (Diary of an African)
- The website
- YouTube channel (Diary of an African)
If we are able to get our potential customers on our platforms, we can control the relationship and work towards selling our services. Then we can say that we are in the monetization tier.
Monetization
When our audience becomes part of our platforms, we move into the monetization tier. Here, we aim to foster relationships, offer valuable services, and contribute to the growth of businesses and ideas that emerge from our clients.
Our services include:
NB: Click each of them to see how we will help grow your business.
Why We Are Building Today Africa
The motivation behind creating Today Africa stems from the observation that there is a significant gap in the representation of African success stories and the lack of platforms dedicated to showcasing and documenting the achievements of African entrepreneurs, innovators, business leaders, startup founders, career individuals, SMEs, entertainers, artists, and others.
Here at Today Africa, we believe in the transformative power of experiences. That’s why our mission is simple but profound: to share and celebrate the success stories of Africans who have dared to dream, innovate, and overcome challenges. Here’s why we do what we do:
1. Unveiling the invisible
We recognize that many incredible success stories in Africa often remain hidden, known to only a few. Our aim is to shine a spotlight on these narratives, bringing them from the shadows to the forefront. We believe that every experience shared holds within it the potential to inspire and catalyze change in you or your business or career.
2. Creating blueprints for success
Our platform is not just about sharing experiences and insights; it’s about dissecting them. By delving into the ‘how’ of each success, we aim to provide tangible blueprints for others to follow. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a budding artist, or a young innovator, we want Today Africa to be your go-to source for actionable insights and guidance.
3. Fostering a culture of learning
Learning from the experiences of others is a powerful tool for growth. Today Africa is a hub where lessons learned, challenges faced, and triumphs celebrated converge. We want to cultivate a culture of shared wisdom, where the success of one becomes a roadmap for many.
4. Amplifying diverse voices
Africa is a continent of diverse cultures, languages, and talents. We are committed to amplifying a broad spectrum of voices, ensuring that success stories come from every corner of the continent. In this diversity, we find strength, innovation, and the true essence of Africa’s potential.
5. Breaking stereotypes
It’s time to challenge stereotypes and outdated narratives. Today Africa is on a mission to break the mold, showcasing a vibrant, dynamic Africa that defies expectations.
6. Empowering the next generation
For the youth of Africa, Today Africa is a testament that their dreams are not bound by borders or limitations. By presenting relatable insights of individuals who have navigated challenges and achieved greatness, the platform empowers the next generation to dream big and pursue their ambitions with unwavering determination.
7. Building a global community
Experiences have the power to connect people. We aim to build a global community where individuals from all walks of life can come together to celebrate achievements, share insights, and collaborate on projects that transcend geographical boundaries.
In essence, Today Africa is not just a platform; it’s a movement. We believe that by interviewing successful Africans to share their experiences, we contribute to building a more empowered, connected, and confident Africa.
Written by Chibuike and Emeka
