Ashley in Afrika: Advice for Moving to and Doing Business in Africa

In this interview, Ashley Cleveland, founder of Ashley in Afrika and the Afrika Investors Academy, takes us on her transformative path from the United States to Africa. She shares the driving force that led her to make the momentous decision to relocate.
Delving into the origins of the Afrika Investors Academy, Ashley sheds light on its inception and how it has grown into a thriving online community with members from across the globe. She highlights the Academy's mission of fostering entrepreneurship and investment in Africa, showcasing the remarkable businesses and projects being built by its members.
Drawing from her own experiences, Ashley identifies lucrative business opportunities and investment sectors in Africa, emphasizing the significance of staying attuned to geopolitical developments. With insightful anecdotes, she reflects on the reception of Black Americans in Africa and explores the evolving relationship between the diaspora and the continent, unearthing both the immense potential and the challenges that lie ahead.
For aspiring entrepreneurs and individuals considering a move or starting a business in South Africa or Tanzania, Ashley offers invaluable advice, drawing from her firsthand encounters and lessons learned. Furthermore, she shares her unique insights and experiences on dating and socializing in Africa, providing a captivating glimpse into the vibrant cultural landscape.
Join Ashley Cleveland on this entrepreneurial journey as she unveils the motivations, triumphs, and invaluable wisdom gained from her transformative move to Africa and the establishment of the Afrika Investors Academy.

[@optimusprime3413]

I've stumbled upon Ashley's channel because of channel title "Love, Motherhood, and Entrepreneurship (she can't even spell the latter correctly) as I'm interested in these areas. This is also why I stumbled upon your channel. My apologies now for lengthy comment. I quickly found out what she is all about. She is giving the US a bad name here and giving Americans incorrect and nonsense advice. First of all, Tanzania is one of the poorest nations in the world. More than two-thirds of the population live below the internationally recognized income poverty line of USD 1.25 per day. She found that out, reason why she moved to South Africa (SA). I'm in foreign affairs/diplomacy so I know what I'm talking about. Johannesburg where she is currently residing has no electricity sometimes for days due to what they call "loadshedding." They also don't have clean water. Folks are dying of Cholera due to bad water. Both state owned electric and water treatment facilities loss millions of Rands a month due to corruption. South Africa has been greylisted by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for not fully complying with international standards around the prevention of money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing. It will take years for SA to get out of this status. There are about 48 countries within the sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries and accoring to IMF and the World Bank, more than 50% of those countries are considered the world's poorest countries. Ashely needs to stay away from BRICS/de-dollarization contents. She doesn't know what she's talking about. BRICS or its expansion will only be a political club. Geo politics of BRICS and/or the c ountries interested in joining BRICS are very complicated from each other. It will not happen formally. It will be an informal political club. Most of those countries are members of G20 and have to adhere to international standards. De-dollarization has been talked about since the 1940's. There is no comparison, US 2022 GDP was almost $24 trillion. China was $17 trillion. US spent more than $700 billion in defense/military spending. China spent almost $200 billion. No other country in the world came close to US expenditure in this area, meaning US can take out any city/country in a heartbeat for starters. US has more than all SSA countries combined in GDP and defense/military spending. Less than 2 years ago, the Rand was trading at 14.6 to 1USD. Now it's steady at almost 19 Rand to the dollar. I made more than $100k in less than 2 years. Africa continent/region or SSA, especially South Africa would not be a good place for wealth, peace, security, etc. I feel bad for Americans moving here because of Ashely's bad advice. The US Embassy doesn't need anymore stress from troubled Americans here whether economically or personal safety. Riots are becoming more prevalent due the lack of basic needs such as electricity, water and then have to deal with corruption, complicated SA business compliance for investors, etc. Who would invest here when more than half of the time there is no electricity. The country/Africa region is very divided. By the way, you should have asked Ashley about SA membership in the AGOA (African Grwoth Opportunity Act). SA no l onger qualifies and likely will be kicked out. This will bankrupt SA. I don't know where Ashley will move soon. Here are some informative links: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5-pnH6qm7VqfJI; kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpzRcnWMhreSgbs; kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZ_QhGNpfsutY7M; kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYSuYXR6pZyJqqM; and, many more. There are reports that SA is headed to being a failed state (google it). These are the current on the ground realities. Ashley has many fronts/issues. Sabatical "healing" in Tanzania was a joke. She found that out so she moved to SA. Last time I heard, she is not doing well, financially and/or otherwise. She moved again to a cheaper rent house within Johannesburg. I wish her well, its just that she needs to get her facts and data accuratre before dispensing investment/relocating/money matter advice. My best for us all.

[@Kp.adventure.traveler]

Thank-you for all the information. I wondered this myself and I agree, you make all valid points. Also let's put humans first, and not try profit off of poor, developing nations.

[@deniseraps8675]

As a South African I will tell you, your views of the current State of South Africa are so ignorant. In order to understand Load Shedding you will have to know we have elections next year, and as the biggest coal producer in Africa and supplier to most of Africa we all know that’s a political plot, that has improved miraculously. Don’t tell me about bull shit rating agencies. We are still the entry point for African business. Proceed spreading your ignorance once Brics succeeds. You came off so angry it’s telling you have an agenda. I’ll leave you there, you aren’t worth it.

[@jeangumata3660]

That is a perfect description of stupidity, ignorance and toxic connotation of tyrannic doctrination. Have you ever truly tasted a real mango that is bigger than the size of your head or experienced a warm winter? Have you actually ever tried going about something without being negative? Johannesburg has electricity cuts that are digitally controlled so that people do not get inconvenienced. Ashly in my personal opinion is a light that Africa was waiting for. She speaks great English and recently some South African languages too. How many words can you say in 5 languages before you can correct english spelling? I am sitting outside my yard in mid winter sipping an ice whiskey. only to be pissed off by someone who actually admires who she talks negatively about.

[@jeangumata3660]

In addition rome was not built in one day. Whatever negativity you based your facts on does not take away from Ashly's baby steps to achieve what South Africa and Africa has to bring. she will probably die centuries before all is corrected. it starts somewhere. how is this for a fact. Your entire information is somewhat based of areas that is below your own TAx bracket because some one like you $100k + could live an exquisite life in SA. e.g A better life for you and your kids that's better than in the USA. Ashly just needs more guidance as to refine her stay in SA. As a Data Analyst both you and Ashly lack facts for a better outcome as far as SA is concerned. USA has the best military in the world but what on earth does that have to do with African Americans trying to find their true identity and feeling at home while using their skills to improve the motherland? BRICS really? Do you honestly think it ends there for SA? West destroying and taking over Africa and African resources is world war 3 meaning Earth destruction. It will never happen. At this point Africa is on a upward ascend as far as economic freedom is concerned. You and I will never experience war in such magnitude right up until Africa, Asia, South America, East Europe collectively is uncontrollable . Again it will never happen because there is not enough technology to sustain those survivors. what you said is what I call half truth. What you did not say is the fear the wes has on the world uniting against them..

[@desmond444]

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