Monday 05 July
In 2010 China will become Africa’s largest trading partner. Does this mean there is no space for Dutch companies in Africa anymore? I don’t think so! Many African countries are well aware of Dutch expertise in many sectors and are actively promoting Dutch businesses to start their activities. The main obstacle for Dutch companies is still the negative perception of Africa in general.

Although African countries are also suffering from the global slowdown, there is still economic growth in almost all countries. Growth potential for the coming years is considerable. Income per capita is bound to increase with around 3 percent per year and Africa’s population will double, reaching 2 billion in 2050. The growth in income per capita will increase 4 times in this period! Many of you will say: but I need to make money now! Entering the African marketplace is often cumbersome and time consuming, but building your brand now gives you the opportunity to grow along with the increasing market.
Another thing about the Chinese: are they just grabbing resources or also bringing development? In many sectors competition is more intense now and this is challenging for many Dutch suppliers, especially since the Chinese companies are often government owned and have financial risks reduced to zero by the Chinese government. On the other hand, infrastructural improvements are important facilitators for higher growth. With a better transport, health and education system (the Chinese are constructing highways, harbours, hospitals and schools, amongst others), factor productivity will increase and economic growth will be at a higher level. Dutch companies will in that way benefit indirectly from this, or even directly as for instance logistics bottlenecks are solved.
The pro’s and con’s of the Chinese activities are also discussed elaborately in Africa. The very limited use of local labour, the abundant offtake of natural resources at unclear prices are seen as something negative by many Africans. On the other hand, African leaders feel liberated because of the lack of conditionality: the Chinese are simply interested in a long term business-like relationship and consider the governance as something for the Africans to decide on. This may reinforce regimes that are not performing in terms of improving standards of living for their population. The big question is whether this will harm long term development and stability. Higher economic growth and an increasing private sector will lead to a broadening of the middle class in Africa, which will eventually create more open societies. As far as I am concerned this is the main point and therefore NABC seeks primarily to intensify economic relations between the Netherlands and Africa on a business-to-business level. In a sustainable business relationship there is always a “win-win”; this may be a cliché, but this is the heart of the matter.
  • As sales manager responsible for Africa, I was looking at finding opportunities to open markets in this vast continent, besides the few contacts we historically had.

    Van Beest B.V.-Joppe Schouten
  • The NABC Business Club held on the 17th of November was another great platform to meet friends and other Africa interested companies, for to exchange experiences over a drink and a good laugh.

    Bohler Welding Group- Ron de Bruijn
  • Berenschot is active in many countries in Africa. Our passion is to organise. At all times, in the most complex of environments.

    Berenschot- Fons de Zeeuw
  • I joined NABC last month and see the benefits of networking with other partners in Africa.

    Rolof Mulder, Director Hospitainer
  • "NABC=Efficiency I have been a member of NABC since December 2010. During my visit in Den Haag in August 2011 I took time to meet with the NABC team. I received a warm welcome and was taken in the meeting room where I had a meeting with the projec

    RESINAF-(Member company in DRC) - BENJAMIN MIRINDI
  • An excellent atmosphere at the NABC ambassadors dinner. A great way to improve contacts in specific markets and a worthwhile social event!

    STT - Jasper Grosskurth
  • As every year the Ambassadors Diner was THE place to be to meet many old friends and to make new friends on the international and professional level. The location and the quality of food was better then the prior events, the number of attendants is g

    Hilarius Haarlem Holland B.V. - Ron de Bruijn
  • The evening was very well organized with plenty of opportunity to meet and talk with other people. The venue was much better than last year and dinner was good too. I would say the whole event gets a 9 out of 10 from me.

    Martin de Koning
  • The Ambassadors Dinner seems to be a successful setup. In a short time it was possible to meet the representative Ambassadors of the various African countries and discuss the issues in an informal way. Next time we will participate again.

    De Lage Landen International B.V. - Carl van Zelderen
  • First of all i would like to thank NABC for the nice meeting you have arranged this morning at the Crownplaza Hotel with the delegation of Congolesse businessmen. I was at this meeting this morning in order to represent my company KLEYN TRUCKS

    Kleyn Trucks B.V. - Christian Sangwa
  • Worldwide food export has recently joined the NABC network. With activities on several continents, Africa was a logical next step in expanding our client base / network of local importers...

    Worldwide Food Export
  • Since we are a member of NABC, we often capitalize on their drive to share what they know and we connect with who they know. We are happy to be a part of this extensive and exclusive international network. It brings us access to places, people and...

    AOP Services
  • With a company name as DRC Projects, we felt obliged to participate in the NABC trade mission to the Democratic Republic Congo and the Republic of Congo. We have a long history of doing business in Africa and in the Congo’s in particular. The...

    DRC Projects
  • EQ Telecom is an international consultancy firm dedicated to serving telecommunications operators, service providers and regulatory authorities. We have focused our business to Southern African countries. Al though most of the African countries we...

    EQ Telecom
  • I only had a few days in Kinshasa but the people I was able to meet and the information I was able to gather all courtesy of NABC made it extremely worthwhile. The programme was very well organised, the appointments relevant but I also had the...

    Foundation Rural Energy Services
  • Heineken has established activities in Africa for many years now. We operate 36 breweries; 3 soft drink plants; 2 malting, 1 glass factory and 1 winery/distillery in 14 countries and in the majority of the other African countries we have a healthy...

    Heineken International
  • Being a member of NABC has inspired us largely in taking up challenges on this continent. Having already exports to some African countries, NABC helps us a lot in our expansions by their extensive network, the get-togethers and trade missions...

    Hilarius Haarlem Holland BV
  • I recently discovered that NABC has not only got their regular services, they also offer real individual attention on top of the professionalism and the friendliness of their staff. As my business is entirely focused on Africa it is, of course, of...

    Human Resources Boosters
  • NABC functions as the perfect bridge between the Dutch business community and its government on the one hand, and the African companies and governments on the other. As an entrepreneur, you can always call on NABC. If for instance you are engaged...

    ISA (Hendrix Genetics)
  • Poor service? Sulky contact persons? Lack of skill? NOT AT NABC! Kjaer Group is now a member for approximately one year and we are more than happy about the great support from NABC. It was also the first time that we decided to co-sponsor an event...

    Kjaer Group
  • The trade mission was exceptionally well prepared and the meetings were of a high standard and diverse. Representing different sectors, the delegation was well balanced and together created a natural atmosphere. This was to a large extent the...

    Philips Lighting South Africa
  • NABC is a professional organisation used by PTC+ to explore market opportunities in countries in Africa not yet entered. The NABC opens doors to contacts and networks otherwise difficult to access as a newcomer. NABC helps PTC+ to become familiar...

    PTC+ International
  • In February 2008, Rabobank organized a trade-orientating mission to Tanzania. For this mission the assistance and knowledge of the NABC was used. Due to the extensive knowledge of the local market and the business market of Tanzania, two most...

    Rabobank Nederland
  • The thought behind becoming a member of NABC was actually to develop our relationships with the various companies doing business to, in and from Africa. But in fact, it brought much more than only that. NABC gave us more insight on demands and...

    SDV Nederland BV
  • As Africa is our main market in the field of commercial vehicles, in NABC we have found the perfect network partner. Because of its widespread African network and the enthusiastic members, we visit the network sessions very often. Three months ago...

    Van Vliet Trucks Holland B.V.
  • Vopak has recently joined the Netherlands African Business Council (NABC). With a history of almost four centuries, Vopak is the global market leader for the independent storage and handling of liquid oil products, chemicals, vegetable oils and...

    Vopak
    
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