Successful African blogger and entrepreneur Isaac Twumasi Quantus says, “As growth opportunities diminish in domestic markets, companies in developed countries are increasingly shifting their attention to Africa and other emerging economies, which are touted as the markets of the future. According to management consultant McKinsey & Co, Africa currently offers the highest rates of return in the developing world and companies that enter the continent early will have great opportunities to create markets, establish brands and long-term relationships.”

Now, that is taking care of your company’s health and longevity. Same-same goes no where.

Ilissa Miller of Jaymie Scotto and Associates surveys telephony-related industry persons and recently when asking women what gets in their way of professional success, it appears to be quite often the lack of willingness to actively network. In fact, joint ventures between unlikely entities is what Techistan is pushing for … to change the world of business, to open up and use the new opportunities that are right in front of eyes. How can you and I, we and them … do that without networking? And yes, one will have to network with those who are different from anyone one has ever networked or completed a joint venture with.

In fact, at ITEXPO West 2010 in San Francisco, in an interview between Jonathan Sowah of AstraQom and Suzuki of Takenaka Partners discussed angel investors, mergers, acquisitions, buyouts and investments between USA and Japan. The conclusion between the two was that a lot of time is spent in evaluating how closely can the two cultures of the potential investor/investee or merger or acquisition get along for a successful future.

“Joint ventures are on the rise as global companies refocus on expansion plans that were shelved following the global economic crisis. The upswing in this mode of market entry, according to auditing firm KPMG, is expected to continue … With Africa’s vast natural resources, commodities and huge market remaining the overwhelming attractions, the most popular mode of entry for investors venturing into Africa today is a unique hybrid form defined by the spike of foreign direct investment from China … We are now seeing a growing trend of private Chinese entrepreneurial and investment activity in several African countries. Brazil, Russia and India – the BRIC countries along with China – have emulated the Chinese model of investing in Africa.

Establishing a joint venture can spread risks and provide valuable insight into a new market. A good example of this is the developments in the mobile telecommunications market where many operators are forming joint ventures to share networks, thereby reducing risk and financing costs,” says Isaac Twumasi Quantus. The African telecom sector is in the middle of mind-blowing transformation especially in the areas where they are ahead of the rest of the world, the convergence of telecommunications, financial services and information technology.

(Think PaymotTech and Paytoo mobile wallet success since November 2010, with millions of customers worldwide and the technology giant Google plans to roll out theirs in August 2011.) Check out Kenya’s mobile phone operator Safaricom and Equity Bank. They provide M-Kesho which enables its users to manage their interest-earning bank accounts via cell phones. Would be nice if they would offer their African clients international phone numbers (virtual phone lines or numbers) to compliment their businesses, too.

The last statement of Isaac Twumasi Quantus resounds exactly the premise of this writing, “The most fundamental criteria firms must adhere to are a financial and strategic fit in order to create a win-win relationship. However, extensive experience with alliances and joint ventures tells us that cultural coherence and the partners’ prior alliance experience are major factors predicting success. Every company entering a joint venture must be aware of the control it chooses to share.”

Forget the “glass ceiling.” Network like crazy. Find partners you can trust and be a success. Visit Techistan International Awards now to apply for the area or areas you and/or your company or others excel in. Be a winner in 2011.