Tag Archives: tanzania

Innovation, under conditions of resource scarcity

By Niti Bhan | Published: January 7, 2016

When Mkulima Young, a social media community for young farmers in Kenya tweeted this photograph of a motorcycle modified to pump water, I was delighted. It had been a long time since I’d seen such an excellent example of innovative product development under conditions of resource scarcity. REculture, the group blog hosted by the now […]

Posted in Africa, Design, Frugality, Innovation Planning, jua kali, Kenya, Perspective, rural, Scarcity, Sub Saharan Africa, Technology | Also tagged design, innovation under scarcity, jua kali, motorcycle, product development, uganda | Leave a comment

Retail ranking metrics vs Readiness for formal retail #AfricanConsumerMarket

By Niti Bhan | Published: September 24, 2015

Continuing the thoughts expressed by Yacine in the previous post, I’d like to explore these rankings and their value. We’ll use the example of Tanzania, ranked 5th by AT Kearney in their 2015 African Retail Attractiveness Index (ARDI). The ARDI states: Tanzania is starting from a low base: With only 30 percent urbanization, high poverty […]

Posted in Africa, African Consumer Market, Analysis, Assumption filter, Consumer Behaviour, Culture, Perspective, Retail in Africa, urban, User research | Also tagged consumer insights, informal markets, kadogo economy, prepaid economy, retail, shopping culture | Leave a comment

African consumer market insight from Chinese flip flop manufacturer in Tanzania

By Niti Bhan | Published: February 25, 2015

This recent interview of the Chinese owner of a flip flop factory based in Tanzania offers some interesting insights into the mindset of the East African consumer. Trade in commodities has been the dominant feature of China-Africa relations over the past 20 years, but many traders, particularly those who arrived in Africa early, are now […]

Posted in African Consumer Market, Analysis, China, Consumer Behaviour, Emerging Markets, Marketing | Also tagged brand, consumer insights, flip flop, manufacturing | Leave a comment

The Role of Livestock Data in Rural Africa: The Tanzanian Case Study

By Niti Bhan | Published: October 28, 2013

The World Bank finally notices the humble goat, four of which will buy you a new Nokia featurephone in Malawi. Funded by Bill and Melinda, this report takes a closer look at the domesticated animal as a financial instrument and investment vehicle. Here’s a snippet with some points I’ve made bold: Some of the most […]

Posted in Africa, Alternative currency, Base of the Pyramid, Cashless transactions, Culture, Indigenous & Traditional, Livestock, Research, rural, Rural Economy, Savings, Sub Saharan Africa, User research, Value | Also tagged agriculture, livestock, rural economy, subsistence farmer | Leave a comment