Five West African Entrepreneurial Ventures in Focus

How we made it in Africa has highlighted five entrepreneurs building businesses across West Africa, spanning electronics retail, footwear manufacturing, sports promotion, cashew processing and fitness. The profiles show founders responding to gaps in local markets rather than chasing imported business models.

In Ghana, Charles Antwi-Boahen started Kab-Fam as a side hustle in 2012 after noticing customer demand for split air conditioners that his then-employer did not sell. Through a referral arrangement with appliance distributor Electroland, he built the venture into a chain of 16 electronics and home appliance stores across Ghana.

The roundup also includes Nigerian footwear maker Yikodeen, founded by Yinka Atunde in 2016, which has shifted from fashion shoes to industrial safety boots and footwear for security services. Maxwell Kalu's African Warriors Fighting Championship promotes Dambe, a centuries-old northern Nigerian boxing style, while Salma Seetaroo leads Cashew Coast, a cashew processor and exporter based in Côte d'Ivoire. Foluso Ogunwale founded iFitness in Nigeria in 2015, building a network of affordable, conveniently located gyms despite early financing doubts from banks and investors.

The profiles are part of the publication's broader effort to document African entrepreneurship, including a book shortlisted for a Business Council for Africa award in 2026.

The Business Logic Behind These Founder Stories

Kab-Fam and the appliance retail gap

Kab-Fam began because Antwi-Boahen saw demand for a product his employer did not stock. The jump from a single referral relationship to 16 stores suggests Ghana's consumer electronics market rewards businesses that can move quickly on specific product demand. The model relies on distribution partnerships rather than manufacturing, which lowers entry costs but leaves the business dependent on supplier terms.

Yikodeen's shift from fashion to industrial footwear

Yikodeen's move into safety boots and security footwear points to a more stable, specification-driven customer base. Industrial and institutional buyers typically place repeat orders and require certification, which can be difficult for new entrants but also offers more predictable demand than fashion-driven sales.

AWFC, iFitness and the consumer-services bet

AWFC's attempt to position Dambe as "Africa's UFC" combines cultural heritage with a global commercial format. The challenge will be whether local audiences, broadcast deals and sponsorships can scale without diluting the sport's authenticity. iFitness shows that a price-sensitive middle class can support affordable fitness centres, but the initial bank and investor scepticism highlights a persistent financing gap for consumer-service businesses in Nigeria.

Cashew Coast and agricultural value addition

Côte d'Ivoire is a major raw cashew producer, and Cashew Coast's processing and export model aims to capture more of the value chain. Global cashew demand supports the opportunity, but processing margins depend on working capital, logistics and access to export markets.