Are African startups being powered by automation? Here’s what you don’t know

Africa has one of the highest entrepreneurial rates in the world, meaning that establishing new business in the area is relatively common as Africa is an emerging startup destination.

With new business comes new opportunities, and the ability to look at new technologies and solutions without being blinkered by ‘common sense’ and ‘tradition’ in the way that established companies are with the idea of, “it has always been done this way, so it always should be.” In this article, we are looking at how automation is being harnessed by new business in the region, what it can do, and how digital tools can streamline business processes.

How is automation being introduced to the area?

The number of business startups in Africa is growing, and the top five African countries that ranks as the best places for startups in Africa, according to information collated by Statista, are:

• South Africa
• Mauritius
• Kenya
• Nigeria
• Egypt

African startups are making use of business automation and innovative digital services to streamline their processes, improve their trading opportunities, and increase their sales. Utilising AI tech, the right CRM software and digital platforms, African businesses are poised to grow and develop rapidly.

What challenges do startups face in Africa?

Despite the high level of new startups being created in Africa, there are still a number of challenges facing those that go into business, and overcoming these hurdles can be difficult.

Some of the most common challenges that face African startups include:

• Restrictive policies and regulations.
• Lack of facilities and adequate infrastructure.
• Difficulty in accessing finance options.
• Trouble in researching appropriate markets.
• High levels of competition.

Although these challenges can be difficult to overcome, they are not impossible – and with the right tools, entrepreneurs, Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and new startups can give themselves a competitive advantage and a starting boost.

How does automation benefit African startups?

Automation through digital tools and platforms can provide a cost-effective solution to some of these challenges – for example, identifying market opportunities, evaluating your audience (and how to connect with them), and determining what your competitors are doing (competitor research) can all be undertaken using Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software.

By automating digital processes through the day-to-day activities of the business, companies can expect to:

• Save time and money – With activities being able to run at any time (day or night), without the need for staff oversight, employees can focus their time on more crucial activities, and the business can get more done for lest cost.
  
• Identify business opportunities – The amount of data generated and collected by a business every day can be difficult to handle in a timely manner, with automation in place, a structure can be developed and implemented, and leads, potential opportunities, and trends can be directed into specific locations, allowing for a faster checking and evaluating process, and the ability to capitalise on these opportunities much sooner.
  
• Prepare for audits and show compliance – If a business is asked to prove that it is complying with legal responsibilities or is being audited, automated systems allow this information to be gathered quickly and efficiently and can prove compliance without worry that data is being overlooked or missed.
  
• Do more with less – When there is a lack of resources or space available, how you manage what you have is business-critical. By automating processes, and transferring some activities to a digital platform, you can devote more time, energy, and on-site resources to other actions.

What challenges come with adopting automation?

Automation is a process that needs to be integrated into the culture of the business, and is something that must be driven forward. Implementing a basic level of automation, and then not doing anything more with it, might see an initial benefit – but over time, as processes change, the company grows bigger, and activities become more complex if the automation strategy is not developed and specially grown, it could actively become a hindrance. Find an automation software that is:

• Scalable - The automation software must be able to grow with your business and ambitions
• Cost efficient - The features that are included must meet your exact needs and be cost efficient
• User friendly - Your sales representatives must be comfortable with the automation software so finding a user friendly software is critical
• Onboarding friendly - A fast onboarding process is essential for businesses that want to benefit from automation software quickly

A rapidly growing software that ticks all of these boxes is TEB Apps.

Why do African startups need TEB Apps?

TEB Apps will give you the fastest, most direct route to get you the data you need, and manage your daily tasks. The TEBillion Way does not involve simply providing an ‘off the shelf’ solution – our experts work with you to determine exactly what you need, how you need to operate, and what the best tools for the tasks are.

When you work with TEBillion, you work with industry experts, who are devoted to helping you make the most of your assets, and building your business.

With TEB Apps, you can expect:

• Detailed storyboard of client sales journeys – There is no need to guess what your customers are doing, with TEB Apps you can see how they are working through your pages and platforms, and what is drawing their interest.
• Organised funnels and filters – Direct your leads as you see fit, with the ability to customise your funnels and ensure you never miss an opportunity again.
• Customised reports that tell you what YOU want to know – Choose your metrics and measurements and get the reports that matter to you. Whether you optimise your marketing, streamline your sales, improve your customer database, or something else entirely is up to you – but our reports make this all possible.
• New levels of efficiency and productivity - With TEB Apps automating manual tasks like invoice management and more, your team will reach new levels of productivity and efficiency to grow you business to its full potential.

Your business has the potential to grow and develop in ways you may not have even imagined, and TEB Apps are here to take you on that journey. Book a demo today, at a time that suits you, and discover how your startup can take a step up right now.