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Kuueza Korner – Week 43
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Philip Igwe - 0 comments
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Welcome to Kuueza Korner – Week 43!
At Kuueza, we remain committed to empowering local entrepreneurs with global reach, breaking boundaries, and opening new trade frontiers. As we continue this journey together, let’s keep pushing the limits of what’s possible for African products, brands, and innovation.
Stay inspired. Stay connected. Keep growing with Kuueza.
In this Issue;
- Best Selling Products
- Market Insight
- Challenge of the Week
- Hero of Change
- Recommended Reads
- Work/Business Tip of the Week
- Investment & Financial Opportunities
- Trending Business News
- Meme of the Week
Best Selling Products
Discover What’s Hot!
Every week, we celebrate the African products making waves across borders. From irresistible snacks to skincare staples, these bestsellers are winning hearts—and shelves—worldwide. Curious what’s driving demand? Check out some of our top-performing products fueling cross-border growth!
14% off
Dry Catfish
$6.00Current price is: $6.00. Original price was: $7.00.
50% off
Plantain Chips
$1.00Current price is: $1.00. Original price was: $2.00.
25% off
Dates Powder
$3.74Current price is: $3.74. Original price was: $5.00.
3% off
Roasted Cashew Nuts Unsalted
$2.90Current price is: $2.90. Original price was: $3.00.
3% off
Baked Ripe Plantain Chips
$2.90Current price is: $2.90. Original price was: $3.00.
7% off
EBI SHITO CHUNKY MEDIUM
$1.40Current price is: $1.40. Original price was: $1.50.
25% off
EBI GARI MIX
$0.60Current price is: $0.60. Original price was: $0.80.
3% off
EBI SHITO BEEF SMALL
$0.68Current price is: $0.68. Original price was: $0.70.
MARKET INSIGHTS
Global Markets Overview
Equities Rally: Global stocks surged, with the MSCI World Index reaching a new high. U.S. indices like the S&P 500 and Nasdaq posted gains, buoyed by a strong May jobs report and optimism over upcoming U.S.-China trade talks scheduled for June 9 in London .investors.com+5reuters.com+5troweprice.com+5ft.com+1investors.com+1
Investor Caution: Despite the rally, Bank of America warns of potential sell signals as investor inflows near historic levels, suggesting markets may be overbought .businessinsider.com
Central Banks & Inflation
ECB’s Mixed Signals: The European Central Bank cut rates but hinted at a hawkish stance, strengthening the euro.deutschewealth.com+6reuters.com+6spglobal.com+6
Federal Reserve Watch: The U.S. Federal Reserve remains on hold, with no rate cuts expected until October, as markets await May’s CPI and PPI data for further inflation insights .reuters.com
Sector Highlights
Tech Sector: Technology indices traded within a range, facing resistance ahead of Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference, where AI developments are anticipated .ig.com
Commodities: Silver prices hit a 13-year high, while gold saw a slight decline. Oil prices rose, reflecting ongoing market volatility.ig.com
Market Data Snapshot
Pitch It Like a Pro!
Can you sell your product in 30 seconds or less?
This week, we dare you to record a short elevator pitch—video or voice note—introducing your brand and one of your star products. Focus on clarity, confidence, and creativity!
Keep it under 30 seconds
Mention your product name and what makes it stand out
Post it on your WhatsApp Status or social media and tag us with #KuuezaPitchChallenge
The most captivating pitch wins a free promo feature on Kuueza’s platforms and extra points!
Let the world hear your hustle. Let’s go, Kuuezans!
Hero of Change: Nelly Cheboi (Kenya)
Who she is:
Nelly Cheboi is the founder and CEO of TechLit Africa—an organization bringing technology and digital skills to rural schools in Kenya. In 2022, she was named CNN Hero of the Year for her impactful work
What she’s accomplished:
Converted donated computers into functional labs for schools in underserved communities.
Teaches basic computer literacy to children aged 5–14.
Has established 10 computer labs with plans to expand to 100 more
Why it matters:
Digital skills are critical for global competitiveness and empowerment. Nelly’s initiative bridges the digital divide and unlocks new opportunities for thousands of young Africans.
Recommended Reads
Work/Tips of the Week
Show Your Face, Show Your Brand
Customers trust people, not logos. Share photos or short videos of yourself and your process—it builds credibility and connection.Respond Fast, Win Faster
Timely replies to inquiries can make or break a sale. Turn on notifications and aim to respond within 1 hour.Bundle Smart, Sell More
Create attractive bundles (e.g., 3 for the price of 2) or mix popular items with lesser-known ones to increase average order size.Use Keywords in Your Product Descriptions
Think like your customer. Instead of just “plantain chips,” try “healthy baked plantain chips snack from Nigeria.”Ask for Feedback & Reviews
Reach out to happy buyers and ask them to drop a review. Social proof increases future purchases.Stay Consistent with Branding
Use the same colors, tone, and logo across your WhatsApp, social media, and Kuueza store for a professional and recognizable look.
Investing, Financing, and Opportunities
1. Investing
Family business diversification
Across Africa, family-owned firms are expanding from core businesses into sectors like fintech, real estate, agribusiness, renewable energy, and healthcare, showing promising long-term growth potentialTech-enabled rural financing
Startups like Apollo Agriculture in Kenya and Zambia offer bundled credit for inputs and mobile crop insurance, evaluated via digital data, not just credit history. This innovative model keeps defaults low (~1.7%) and increases productivity.
2. Financing
Inkomoko’s micro-loans
Operating in East Africa, Rwanda-based Inkomoko offers loans between $250–$50,000 plus training. They’ve served 100,000+ businesses, expanded into eight countries, and maintain a 96–97% repayment rate.USADF grants up to $250,000
The U.S. African Development Foundation offers grants and capacity-building in 20+ African countries, emphasizing youth, women, agriculture, and energy—critical regions for vendor growth.Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) grant
The TEF Entrepreneurship Programme awards $5,000 seed funding, 12-week training, and mentorship. Although the next deadline passed in March, keep an eye out for future cyclesAfrica Agri-Food Development Program
Grants up to €250,000 for agribusiness projects, promoting sustainable food production—great for vendors in food-focused verticals.
3. Opportunities
Casablanca Finance Hub
Casablanca Finance City (CFC) is quickly becoming a gateway into Pan‑African trade, especially under AfCFTA. It attracts fintech, AI, and sustainable finance firms—potential platform for Kuueza expansion .Cape Town Start-up Ecosystem
With strong university links and VC infrastructure, Cape Town offers networking, investment, and skills growth—worth exploring for tech-enabled vendors.Afreximbank initiatives
Through creative industries programs and intra‑African trade fairs, Afreximbank supports creative entrepreneurs and helps vendors reach continental markets
African Trending Business News
Zimbabwe’s controversial plan to cull elephants aims to use the meat to tackle severe food insecurity amid droughts and rising human‑wildlife conflict youtube.com+2theexchange.africa+2allafrica.com+2timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
Moody’s urges African nations to build deep local‑currency debt markets to buffer against shrinking global funding arxiv.org+5reuters.com+5cnbcafrica.com+5.
Microfinance boon in South Sudan: Loans from Inkomoko are empowering entrepreneurs like canoe‑maker Gore Ladu to scale businesses cnbcafrica.com+2ft.com+2businessday.ng+2.
Africa Finance Corp inks $320 M deal with Italy to fund the Lobito Corridor, enhancing mineral exports and reducing Chinese influence reuters.com.
Mo Ibrahim calls for Africa to self‑invest, urging governance reforms and private investment to reduce dependence on foreign aid reuters.com+15ft.com+15africanews.com+15.
Meme of the Week
Author
Philip Igwe
Igwe Philip is the Team Lead for Nigeria. Loves to develop local SMEs and impacting his communities. Passionate about writing and telling stories creatively.
See all author post
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