How African Americans can invest in Liberia and win big
Posted: Thursday, September 30, 2010
by Mogama
http://www.mogama.info
The Washington Post reports, “Unemployment for African Americans is projected to reach a 25-year high this year (2010), according to a study released Thursday by an economic think tank, with the national rate soaring to 17.2 percent and the rates in five states exceeding 20 percent.”
It is projected that in the next five years or so, Liberia will be among the top-ten fastest growing economies in the world. African Americans who have the means and know-how can use the slump in the American economy as motivation to enter into profitable business with Liberia.
So how can African Americans invest in Liberia? Take a clue from Robert Johnson, the BET founder, who has built Kendeja, a beautiful resort off the Atlantic beach of Monrovia, Liberia's capital. Mr. Johnson has also created a $30,000,000 fund to make small loans to Liberian entrepreneurs. Recently he helped persuade Delta Airlines to make direct flights from America to Liberia.
Prior to the civil war that has set Liberia back, "major airlines like Pan American World Airways, Air France and even the Concorde flew directly to Liberia" (abcnews.com). How important is an American carrier flying direct to Liberia? In the words of Liberia's president, Madam Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, "Delta Airlines' inaugural direct from Monrovia to the United States opens the skies over Liberia for business, for commerce, for tourism, and for travel."
Will African Americans be among those who travel to Liberia for business, commerce and tourism? We need the black community to heed Robert Johnson's call to make Liberia their primary place of business in Africa. Black Americans can take vacations to Liberia. Organize tourist trips to Liberia; make Liberia a black American tourist destination. Liberia's tropical climate is close to that of sunny Florida; if they summon the will to do so, some African Americans have the means to make Liberia the Florida of West Africa.
More ways for black American business people to invest in Liberia: Grow sugar cane, which is well suited for Liberian soil, and produce sugar-cane ethanol like it's being done in Brazil. In fact, Highland Farms, Incorporated, is laying the ground work to establish a sugar-cane ethanol refinery in rural Liberia, but this start-up project still lacks the funding it needs to go from concept to reality.
Explore other tropical cash crops like cocoa, coffee and pepper grow wild and rich in Liberia...
How about African American biologists, chemists, pharmacists, and other scientists? Research Liberia's dense tropical rainforest for herbal products to be used as medicine or nutritional supplements that can make a difference in people's health. Cures to major diseases could just be lurking behind the leaves and branches, beneath the barks and roots of West Africa's largest rainforest that proudly calls Liberia its home soil.
Look into real estate. Motel. Hotel. Apartment complex. Single family homes. Parks for recreation. Entertainment parks like Holiday World. Movie theater. Store or shopping center to rent or lease.
Fund scholarships for Liberians to study targeted fields abroad so they can return to rebuild their country. Start and contribute to a Liberia Development Fund. Collaborate with Liberians living in America for the purpose of developing Liberia. Lobby Congress and American businesses for Liberian interest … like making it easier for Liberia to trade with the US. (The American dollar is used as currency in Liberia, along with the Liberian dollar.)
Operate orphanages and other non-profit programs. Organize schools, clinics, hospitals and other institutions. Organize companies. How about television stations, organized sports (soccer, basketball, kickball, volleyball)? Commercial vehicles … buses, taxis? How about black producers and actors building a movie studio in Liberia? Shoot movies in beautiful Liberia?
The options are limitless. Let me point out that some African Americans are already "doing business" in Liberia, especially in the areas of charity and education. But we need hundreds if not thousands more to get in the game while there is time for them to make a difference for the nation they founded. Or the Chinese, Indians, Lebanese, Jews, Europeans and everyone else will continue to salvage the jackpot that business in Liberia is becoming. ~mogama~
So how can African Americans invest in Liberia? Take a clue from Robert Johnson, the BET founder, who has built Kendeja, a beautiful resort off the Atlantic beach of Monrovia, Liberia's capital. Mr. Johnson has also created a $30,000,000 fund to make small loans to Liberian entrepreneurs. Recently he helped persuade Delta Airlines to make direct flights from America to Liberia.
Prior to the civil war that has set Liberia back, "major airlines like Pan American World Airways, Air France and even the Concorde flew directly to Liberia" (abcnews.com). How important is an American carrier flying direct to Liberia? In the words of Liberia's president, Madam Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, "Delta Airlines' inaugural direct from Monrovia to the United States opens the skies over Liberia for business, for commerce, for tourism, and for travel."
Will African Americans be among those who travel to Liberia for business, commerce and tourism? We need the black community to heed Robert Johnson's call to make Liberia their primary place of business in Africa. Black Americans can take vacations to Liberia. Organize tourist trips to Liberia; make Liberia a black American tourist destination. Liberia's tropical climate is close to that of sunny Florida; if they summon the will to do so, some African Americans have the means to make Liberia the Florida of West Africa.
More ways for black American business people to invest in Liberia: Grow sugar cane, which is well suited for Liberian soil, and produce sugar-cane ethanol like it's being done in Brazil. In fact, Highland Farms, Incorporated, is laying the ground work to establish a sugar-cane ethanol refinery in rural Liberia, but this start-up project still lacks the funding it needs to go from concept to reality.
Explore other tropical cash crops like cocoa, coffee and pepper grow wild and rich in Liberia...
How about African American biologists, chemists, pharmacists, and other scientists? Research Liberia's dense tropical rainforest for herbal products to be used as medicine or nutritional supplements that can make a difference in people's health. Cures to major diseases could just be lurking behind the leaves and branches, beneath the barks and roots of West Africa's largest rainforest that proudly calls Liberia its home soil.
Look into real estate. Motel. Hotel. Apartment complex. Single family homes. Parks for recreation. Entertainment parks like Holiday World. Movie theater. Store or shopping center to rent or lease.
Fund scholarships for Liberians to study targeted fields abroad so they can return to rebuild their country. Start and contribute to a Liberia Development Fund. Collaborate with Liberians living in America for the purpose of developing Liberia. Lobby Congress and American businesses for Liberian interest … like making it easier for Liberia to trade with the US. (The American dollar is used as currency in Liberia, along with the Liberian dollar.)
Operate orphanages and other non-profit programs. Organize schools, clinics, hospitals and other institutions. Organize companies. How about television stations, organized sports (soccer, basketball, kickball, volleyball)? Commercial vehicles … buses, taxis? How about black producers and actors building a movie studio in Liberia? Shoot movies in beautiful Liberia?
The options are limitless. Let me point out that some African Americans are already "doing business" in Liberia, especially in the areas of charity and education. But we need hundreds if not thousands more to get in the game while there is time for them to make a difference for the nation they founded. Or the Chinese, Indians, Lebanese, Jews, Europeans and everyone else will continue to salvage the jackpot that business in Liberia is becoming. ~mogama~
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Top-level comments on this article: (5 total)All this sounds good to me.Please log in to respond to this comment.Thanks, Abe, for reading and commenting. ~mogama~Please log in to respond to this comment.Will like to invest in the area of sugar canePlease log in to respond to this comment.
You're the first person I've ever known who has promoted a country in the way you're promoting Liberia, Mogama. Good for you!Please log in to respond to this comment.Yes, Jennifer. That's because Liberia really needs the help, and it truly offers an excellent opportunity for investment that investors from around the world are cashing in on. I don't want African Americans, who founded Liberia, not to miss out! ~mogama~Please log in to respond to this comment.This is the Kalagenesis I actively promote the African American building of Liberia.South Africa is okay but Liberia should be our priority.Several African Americans are already doing this we need to do this to have a country of our own.All of the answers are right there in Liberia.Please log in to respond to this comment.Thank you so very much, Kalagenesis, for promoting investment in Liberia by African Americans. I am pretty sure this will be one of the most significant threads of legacy you will have to your name. It will be an honor to meet you one day, perhaps on Liberian soil, teaming up for business or something like that! ~mogama~Please log in to respond to this comment.
Ummmm. Do you have to be black to do all these things?? I mean, Id like to do these things, and I am white. I can still be helpful to Liberia. But, would I be viewed as a land pillager??Please log in to respond to this comment.It is NOT my intention to exclude white people from investing in Liberia. Many whites are doing just that. But I do not want black Americans to miss out on the investment opportunities that others are cashing in on. So go ahead and help develop Liberia if you have the means. We will appreciate you for that. Let me know if I can be of help. ~mogama~Please log in to respond to this comment.I do not think you have to be black to do all those things.. I am African American.. I think his objective is to have African Americans reconnect to Africa in a way that will benefit those that have the means.. and at the same time create a bridge that was destroyed through slavery over 400 years ago.. I think it is a wonderful idea...Please log in to respond to this comment.
Thank you Mogama:
This is a great impact contribution for the development of Liberia. Keep it up.
Thanks.Please log in to respond to this comment.It's wonderful to hear from you, Emmanuel. I know you are making your contribution to rebuilding our homeland. ~mogama~Please log in to respond to this comment.
This sounds just great!!! I would love to invest in Liberia. I'm currently, saving to make a trip there. Not only will it be my first trip to Liberia, but my first trip to Africa aswell!! I am a young African American man, and totally get what you are saying. My only question is how much capital do you need to actually do this, and what are some good sites I could go to, to actually get started and get the ball rolling??
Please log in to respond to this comment.Sorry, Hamilton for my late response. I was out of town. The best way I know to determine the amount of seed capital you need to get started is to visit Liberia, and explore your options for investment. Building a guest house is one profitable idea. Another is commercial vehicle. Others are entertainment center, private school, computer store, etc. The key is to find an honest Liberian you can work with, and that can be very challenging. If you need more ideas, email me your phone number so we can chat, and see what develops.Please log in to respond to this comment.Hello Brother..
I am also an African American.. I have traveled to both sides of the African continent.. my advice to you is to connect with some liberians in the usa.. some one trust worthy.. and see if they can come with you to liberia..... there is a ton of opportunities over there.. A lot of things that can really be started with a few thousand dollars on up... just take your time and decide what you want to do...
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