I have been, for some time now, profiling the impact solutions that young startups and entrepreneurs in Africa are inventing to propel change, advance development in their communities - it’s been a rewarding experience!

Today, I wish to touch on a few self-made obstacles that, unfortunately, clip the wings of their success!

1. No social media presence: Some entrepreneurs are NOWHERE to be found on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram - you name them. Though millennials, they still believe in the concept of “fate will bring our customers to us”. Sadly, these startups rarely survive their 5th operational year not because of a capital deficiency but purely due to a terrible social media blackout.

2. Disorganised: As an entrepreneur aiming to expand, there must be order in your life and that of your venture. Some startups cry out to be featured on my LinkedIn page but after a careful combing of their potential, I realize they have not registered the business, have poor book-keeping, no documented record of clients or potential investors; just a clumsy mess!

3. Impatience: Empires are not made in a day or week or year! That is a fact. I see many African startups stretching themselves so thin to be actualized in a short span of time. Many cut corners, forge financials, manipulate systems and even “create clients” just so to fit the market and gain relevance. At the least market provocation, they fall flat on their faces. Patience does it.

There are many self-made inhibitions to the growth and resilience of young startups in Africa but I trust the above come in handy. The Continent is ripe with wild, creative business ideas and social innovations but it takes thorough self inflection, market mappings, patience, consistency, discipline and focus to make it.