One Continent.
Built for Members.
We connects the companies, distributors and local professionals needed to make African market entry work. The Africa Local Expert Network connects experienced independent professionals across African markets with international companies that need trusted, on-the-ground expertise. Both networks are built around the same principle: quality over quantity.
Two Sides, One Network
Built for experts and the companies they serve.
The Africa Local Expert Network connects experienced independent professionals across African markets with international companies seeking reliable local execution.
For Independent Local Experts
Your market knowledge.
Join a professional network built around local presence, commercial relationships and practical market knowledge.
Member benefits:
- Access to potential mandates from international clients
- Structured project briefs and defined deliverables
- Collaboration with experts across African markets
- Professional development and methodology resources
- Recognition as an Africa Local Expert
For International Companies
Enter Africa with the right local expert.
Access experienced professionals with market knowledge, local relationships and on-the-ground presence. Depending on the mandate, local experts can support:
- Market research and market intelligence
- Target-company identification and longlisting
- Qualified prospect shortlisting
- Business introductions
- Export business development and follow-up
- Local market execution
Membership Criteria
Five Standards.Consistent Quality.
Membership in the Africa Local Expert Network is based on demonstrated capability, independence and local market presence.
Core Local Expert Assignments
Depending on the mandate, Local Experts may be engaged to:
- Research the target market
- Build a longlist of target companies
- Identify and qualify priority prospects
- Initiate relationships with decision-makers
- Support commercial discussions
- Follow up and develop export opportunities
Members must have meaningful physical presence in their target market. Remote-only consultants do not qualify.
Members are independent professionals, self-employed consultants or managing partners of private companies.
Members demonstrate relevant experience working across European and African commercial environments.
Members have established relationships with senior decision-makers and organisations relevant to their target sectors and markets.
Members must be able to work against defined briefs, deliverables, timelines and reporting requirements.
Why Membership Matters
Access. Credibility. Commercial Opportunity.
Both networks are designed to create meaningful commercial connections rather than simply increase the number of names in a database.
Local Expert Network:
- Steady mandate pipeline from European clients
- Structured project briefs with clear deliverables
- Peer collaboration across 54 countries
- Certified Africa Local Expert recognition
- Professional development resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Local Experts conduct market research, identify target companies matching the client’s search profile (longlist), select companies genuinely willing to negotiate (shortlist), initiate the business relationship between the European client and the African target company, and support the client in expanding their new export business.
Members must be physically present in their target African market for at least 50% of the year. This ensures genuine local knowledge, active relationship maintenance, and the ability to represent clients effectively on the ground.
Self-employed individuals or managing partners of private companies with relevant European–Africa business experience, an extensive C-level network, and a proven, systematic work methodology. Employees of large corporations do not qualify.
Mandates are matched based on the expert’s country coverage, sector expertise, and C-level network depth. We provide structured project briefs with clear deliverables, timelines, and success criteria.
Members must be on first-name terms with CEOs, CFOs, board members, and senior decision-makers in their target market. This is verified through reference checks and demonstrated through the quality of introductions made during the application process.
The network covers all 54 African countries across North, West, East, Central, and Southern Africa. Sector coverage includes manufacturing, FMCG, healthcare, technology, agribusiness, financial services, and industrial equipment.
Apply for Membership
Join the network before your next opportunity.
Tell us which network you are applying to and the country or markets you cover. We review applications against the relevant membership criteria and respond with the next steps.
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