It took me 5 years to learn so maybe I can save you some time... useful for both foreign and African founders.

Once upon a time I arrived in Afric

Bribes and "Bush Clearing" - by Kyle Schutter - Grant & Co

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2024-05-05 11:30:03

It took me 5 years to learn so maybe I can save you some time... useful for both foreign and African founders. Once upon a time I arrived in Africa as a 23 year old ready to fix Africa’s rural energy (how hard could it be, right?). Among other plans, my goal was to never give a bribe. As westerners we believe avoiding bribes is sacred--it's part of our secular religion that we never think to question.

But after some time I realized, Democracy came to Africa on a boat. Before white people, Africans had a perfectly fine system that involved patronage to the local chief. They didn't need a complex system of millions of pages of writing. People back then didn't even need a writing system; they didn't have one.

Years ago in Africa I joined a business group which I won’t name to protect the innocent. (The group is widely known for its strong moral values.) I was the only white guy and the youngest.

We visited the businesses of each of the other members. This was eye opening. They all had wonderful businesses. And giving bribes was not something some of them did. It was something all of them did. For many, strategically giving bribes was a core competency.