Potential for Walmart in wider AfricaDoes the African continent as a whole have potential for Walmart? Yes, it does. Africa (particularly sub-Saharan Africa) holds so many prospects thanks to its rapid economic growth, abundant natural resources, a relatively young population and a growing level of literacy. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimated that Africa grew twice as fast as it had in the past two decades. It recorded an annual growth rate of 6%; a much faster growth rate than that of the developed world. Furthermore, while populations in the developed world (e.g. the United States, Japan, China and Western Europe) are aging rapidly, in Africa the opposite is occurring (i.e. a higher percentage of the African population is young; the average age in Africa is around 20 years compared to 30 and 40 respectively in Asia and Europe). Sub-Saharan Africa has recorded that 40% of its population is under the age of 18. Furthermore, technology has been embraced and can be seen as an accelerator of the economic growth currently enjoyed. Africa now has the fastest growing middle class (middle class, people who spend the equivalent of $2-20 a day) with 34% of Africa's population spending $2.20 a day; over 100% more than 20 years ago. The number of middle class Africans is expected to grow by 42% to a population of 1.1 billion by 2060. Countries of note in this regard are (with the exception of South Africa); Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda and Botswana. For example, Ghana's immature mass grocery sector offers tremendous opportunities for retailers looking to invest in this largely underdeveloped sector. With the country's economy and the positive outlook for consumption, in our opinion, the long-term growth prospects for the sector provide an attractive platform from which to start... halfway through paper knowledge, we should ensure we create systems that promote cultural awareness among our staff. A good approach would be to localize our staff base and monitor performance regionally. A good initiative would be to introduce feedback systems that allow participatory sharing of information between the company and its key stakeholders. Considering the lack of adequate infrastructure in most African shops, we could introduce smaller chain stores to facilitate accessibility by more people, especially in rural areas. where people have less money to spend and a poor transport network. The most recommended form of entry would be to form a strategic alliance with a relatively mass-market local grocery store to test and gain a deeper understanding of each market. Next, to strengthen the market position, the company would make more acquisitions of grocery stores with a cultural advantage.