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Alibaba founder coaches African entrepreneurs
Africa is among a slew of destinations around the globe in which Alibaba aims to establish a foothold.
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China's Alibaba Group founder and executive chairman Jack Ma speaks during the launching of the country's Digital-Free Trade Zone in Kuala Lumpur on March 22, 2017. (AFP/Mohd Rasfan)
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ack Ma, the founder and executive chairman of Alibaba Group, encouraged young African entrepreneurs and small businesses to take part in global trade on Thursday during his first visit to the continent.
He spoke in Nailab, the technical incubator in Nairobi, where he held talks with young entrepreneurs.
Ma also is a special adviser for young entrepreneurs and small businesses to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.
“I come here today not to sell Chinese products but to share with you the entrepreneur spirit,” Ma said. “What is important is that you should make your dream realized, step by step. Make sure your employees and your clients are happy.”
Ma shared his ideas and experiences with the African entrepreneurs and explored opportunities to participate in global trade. He said he aspires to make it easier for young entrepreneurs and small business, particularly in developing countries, to take part in global trade.
“Ma’s speech is inspiring,” said Beverly Mbeke, owner of Urbane Madame, an infographic design company in Nairobi. “I learned to be brave in business and ideas on how to gain access to a big market.”
“It is a fantastic opportunity to meet with one of the greatest business leaders of the modern world,” said Daniel Yu, chief executive of Soko Watch, a small copy of Alibaba in Kenya. “He came in Kenya to highlight the opportunity in the global ecosystem. I am very excited to be building my own small business here and I hope one day I will be as big as Alibaba as well.”
With globalisation as its long-term strategy, Alibaba Group, the world’s largest retailer, aims to serve 2 billion consumers around the world and help create 100 million jobs in two decades.
In the past, globalization benefited just 20 percent of the world — the developed countries and large enterprises. But future globalization should bring benefits to the remaining 80 percent, particularly by enabling small and medium-sized enterprises, he said.
Africa is among a slew of destinations around the globe in which Alibaba aims to establish a foothold.
Alibaba aims to help such enterprises expand beyond their borders by leveraging the power of e-commerce, internet financing, big data, marketing and logistics platforms.
“We believe Alibaba’s experience in China can be applied globally, giving all SMEs the opportunity to participate and compete in a transparent and fair marketplace,” Ma said. “Future economic globalization will allow consumers everywhere to access a truly global purchasing experience.”
Ma was expected to participate in a business roundtable event hosted by the Kenya Private Sector Alliance and the UN conference on the subject Harnessing Africa’s Resources for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth.
The event will be followed by a speech by Ma, Empowered African Young Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses, a Game Changer, at the University of Nairobi.
Ma’s trip to Africa also will take him to Rwanda, where the YouthConnekt Africa Summit will be held in the capital Kigali with the theme Realizing Africa’s youth potential.
This article appeared on the China Daily newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post
