Words: Lauren Goldman (@indibttrfly)
Connecting
Africa
Alpesh Patel, CEO and founder of leading cellular brand Mi-Fone, believes that anything is possible, including providing all Africans with mobile technology. It may sound like an ambitious project but this go-getter is up for the challenge.
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“You’ve got to have balls because this is a tough industry.” – Alpesh Patel
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June 2014
www.flymango.com
onfidence. Power. Passion. These are the words that spring to mind when I first hear Alpesh Patel’s voice. Undoubtedly, it’s these traits that have aided him in the challenging information and communications technology (ICT) industry. Alpesh started his career in 1998, acquiring skills across different facets of the industry. “As a trainer in Hong Kong, I understood a lot about trading. While working for US company Harris Corporation, I got operator experience. And, as Motorola’s business development manager, I received retail, marketing and supply chain knowledge,” he explains. What else is there for a jack of all trades to do but to use that experience to open his own company? “I set up Mi-Fone in 2008 with 20 years’ experience dealing with different terrains,” he explains. But having the idea and actually creating the opportunity is something few people would do, especially in Africa in a field led by China, Japan and the US. “The more you tell me I can’t do something, the more I think I can,” Alpesh says, explaining why he took on the challenge. “People should never let others tell them they can’t do something. There were those who thought we were crazy but I believed we had a niche and, while Motorola did a lot of things right, they also missed out on a lot of things.”
PEOPLE Here’s looking at...
On aspiration “For us, it’s all about aspiration within reach,” Alpesh says. “Our target market is those people who want that smart iPhone but can’t afford it. A Mi-Fone offers you similar features but at an affordable price. It says, ‘I want it, I can get it and I can actually have it.’ It is this ideal that has given us the hope and faith to keep going despite the obstacles.”
Photography: courtesy images
On a way of life
Another reason Alpesh persists is because he knows the communications industry will not be dying any time soon. “A device is a central part of people’s lives today,” he says. “But it’s about promoting a lifestyle choice, too. They need an affordable device to connect to the internet. Once they have access to information, they can become productive. When that happens, they start making money. Give people the tools. Give them confidence by giving them free rein. And trust them to do their jobs.” It’s clear Alpesh has unwavering faith in Africa but does he believe we are able to be completely self-sufficient? “I would like to think so but I doubt it will happen in the next 20 years,” he says. “The problem with people in Africa is that they really lack that gung-ho attitude.” Alpesh doesn’t hold back on this point. “Why do we get people to help us out when we have the best natural resources? Why must it come from China or the US? There’s no self-belief,” he explains. “We have the niche to become self-sufficient but, quite frankly, we’re lazy. We have everything on our doorstep but we don’t utilise it. I think we need to make a radical shift.”
On the future
A game-changing move
A division of Mi-Fone – Oju Africa – has released a world-first: black emoticons. Check out #EmojiEthnicityUpdate for more. You can download the free app from Google Play.
On entrepreneurship
Alpesh is firm about what African entrepreneurs need to do to succeed. “There’s a lot of talk but no action,” he says. “We are living proof that you can launch an African multimillion-dollar business with zero. Young entrepreneurs need to You’ve got to be able understand that they are on their to commercialise your own. Yes, you need a few people idea in such a way that: around you who believe in you but you can’t rely on anyone for hand-outs. You need to get on your feet and make a sale. It doesn’t matter how fantastic the technology is: if you cannot sell it, you cannot pay your bills.”
1
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It’s got some sort of niche.
You can make some revenue at a low cost.
It sounds harsh but Alpesh is practical when it comes to moving Africa forward. “The first major hurdle is to get from the start-up to the growth phase. Most fail within the first year,” he explains. He encourages entrepreneurs to consider tomorrow. “Think about your long-term goals but also find out how you can cover your bills,” he says. “How can you delegate certain responsibilities you’re not good at? You’ve got to be able to commercialise your idea in such a way that 1. It’s got some sort of niche, and 2. You can make some revenue at a low cost.” His ideas to cut down include using social media, utilising Skype to make phone calls and not bothering with a fancy office. “You’ve got to make sacrifices,” Alpesh says. “You will live your life for a few years like most people won’t because you will then be able to spend the rest of your life like most people can’t. Your life only starts once you are outside your comfort zone.” www.flymango.com
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