I'm graduating from college in 4 weeks. I want to move to Africa and start a company as new opportunities arise and fill growing needs. What tips and suggestions about what sector to get into do you have? How do I do this?

@ You gave the most compelling answer. The fact that you lived in Africa makes a lot of difference. I completely agree with you - there are a lot of educated Africans all over the globe. A lot of these people go back to their countries to improve the quality of life using the skills and technologies they have learned. Africans do not like to be look down upon as needy. So to break the ice, you first have to learn the culture, show respect for the people and then establish relationships with the people to truly understand what their needs are. I believe this will take some time. Relationships matter to Africans. Besides, things move at a slower speed than here in the States.

Have you heard of "The MINT Eaconomies" MINT is an acronym referring to the economies of Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Turkey.[1][2] The term was originally coined by Fidelity Investments, a Boston-based asset management firm,[2] and was popularized by Jim O'Neill of Goldman Sachs, who had created the term BRIC.[3][4] The term is primarily used in the economic and financial spheres as well as in academia. Its usage has grown specially in the investment sector, where it is used to refer to the bonds issued by these governments. These four countries are also part of the "Next Eleven". (Wikipedia) This should give you an idea of where to start. I am a Nigerian and reside there and Im excited about what you are about to do. As a start, I suggest you come to my country to invest and I will be glad to work with you

Africa is big with diverse cultures. just visit one country and and you'll identify opportunities . You should Try Nairobi.

A short advise: Masks are the most common handicrafts made and used by Africans around the whole continent so what you will see will not be what it is, Very often it will be better but sometimes much worst.

Kenya is the easiest and most hospitable to newbies Africa is not for the feint hearted is also something to prepare yourself for pioneers are not feint hearted join us on the Africa business network via Facebook and you can meet people who have done what you want to do.The latest group have moved to Mozambique and are exporting Prawns & seafood to Europe

I love it when I see someone interested in Africans, am a Nigerian and can only talk on behalf of it. When mobile money was introduced to Nigeria, many investors saw the opportunities in it but to my surprise, the technology is still struggling. Having worked on many financial project and mobile money what I get to find out was that; because it worked in Kenya doesn't mean it can be replicated in Nigeria, the challenges are far more than what I can explain here. I have seen many startups with crazy ideas working and some with brilliant ideas crumbling. In short, to survive in an environment like Nigeria and Africa, you have to know the basics, find someone to put you through, know exactly what you want to go into and if you are proposing to go into a business that has its core starting with the government, then you are in for a long ride. Long ride in the sense that the paperwork are too much and tedious, it takes a whole lot to survive their so call documentations, it took a company I worked for 7 years to get a license. If you are thinking of considering Nigeria then I can work you through it (Nothing attached). If you are thinking of partnership I am looking for one if you do not mind. To survive here, you have to work with the right locals and forget somethings you learnt in the USA.

Don't. Unless you can find a native to work as your partner. You'll need that person as much as you need water if you want to start a company as a foreigner in Africa.

I'm african and a Nigerian. It will be a nice idea but i'll advice you do your market research well because africa is not exactly what the western media says it is.

There are loads of opportunities to do well in business here. Obviously you will need to take the time to travel around Africa. But the real question is what CAN you do? A former CNN reporter named Christian Purefoy quit his job and started a local video gist/gossip site demonstrating that his skill set and nose for news had other potentially more rewarding applications. So you see it would  be easier to make recommendations if you stated what you are studying in college. Or at least what skills you have.