Hello Folks,
I have the great pleasure of sharing with you all another interview with a Young African Professional who moved back home. As previously mentioned, my goal is to share personal stories of “our contemporaries”, who made the decision to relocate back to Africa. As always, I feel that by hearing about the positives of living and working in Africa from the horse’s mouth, it might persuade someone out there to think about moving back to our beloved Continent.
INTERVIEW – MARIEME NIANG
– What is your background (country of origin, where you attended high school, undergrad, grad school and your area of study. MN: my parents come from Senegal (dad) and Sweden (mom). I was born in Sweden. Went to high school in Sweden, did undergrad and graduate school in Los Angeles studying Music, Business and PR Marketing. – – What inspired you to move back to Africa? MN: my inspiration to move to Africa comes from travelling around Africa to different countries with my father, seeing the diversity in cultures and also finding a place for myself in my culture. There is so much to be done in many African countries, with my focus being on West- Africa. I can’t stop writing my list with reasons why I should move here. I would need 15 lives to realize all the ideas I see myself doing here. But I have limited myself to focus on one or two and then share the other ideas with people around me.
– – What are you engaged in now that you have returned, ie. working, running your own business, etc.
MN: I currently work with CSR in their Ghana office. However, I am looking to start up my own business in Senegal together with family. This is a long process that I am taking my time to plan accordingly. I really would like to transform sustainable solutions into business. So for the moment I’m just doing lots of research and preparation
– What would you say is the best part of relocating and working in Africa so far?. MN: best part of living in Africa right now is the experience of seeing fast growing businesses, and sustainable projects being piloted everywhere. I feel like even though there are still many methods that need improvement and many problems to be dealt with the future is finally here for Africa. Its happening and you learn so much because no matter what field you work in, you cannot avoid being part of the development.
– What would you say is the hardest part of relocating and working in Africa so far?.
MN: The hardest part about living here is that I miss my family and friends that are not here. For some reason it was easier to convince people to fly across the Atlantic Ocean to visit me in L.A, than what it is for them to come to Ghana. Many African countries are still not getting a fare image in media as it should. Specifically, many cities that are considered dangerous and risky by Western standards are really far more safe than big cities in the US and Europe. Also many practicalities are not yet fully in place, banking, paying bills and having to take the car wherever you go is something that bothers me for environmental, social and health reasons.
– Why would you strongly recommend that other young African Professionals think of moving back Africa to live and work?.
MN: Depending on what country you’re looking at moving to and within what field you want to be active I believe there are opportunities all around. I think the most important thing to know is exactly what you’re looking at building for yourself and make sure that you can find the solutions that work for you where ever you’re moving.
– – What industries do you think are looking the most promising/have the potential to recruit heavily?.
MN: I think the construction industry has been going through a
revolution in Africa. Agri- business is growing fast since many countries
through research have discovered different methods of growing all kinds of food
and products that nobody thought was possible before. The music and art
industry is also spreading more and more throughout the world since artist and
art makers have proven and finally convinced us Africans that homemade can be
of the best ever quality.
– What would be your advice in terms of how someone can successfully find a job in Africa?.
MN: I think they key to finding a job in Africa is to make sure you have a level of expertise that can be attributed to your industry/ area of work. Also having the right connections and the right knowledge about the country you’re looking to move to, it’s culture and work environment.
INFORMAL QUESTIONS
– – What is the coolest encounter you’ve had so far since been back (celebrities, old friends ,etc)?
MN:the coolest encounters I’ve had so far is meeting local
entrepreneurs that are very successful and are aware of the importance of
involving social development as a part of their business plans. I have worked with
more than 80 different entrepreneurs around Africa on marketing strategies since
been here and the level of drive, determination, inspiration and “no way am I
going to fail” attitude just impresses me and inspires me. It’s truly a joy to
hear, see and meet them! No president, actor or artist I have met so far has
inspired me to this level.
-What would I find you doing weekdays after you come home from work or on weekends?
MN: When I come home from work I do whatever I always have done (living in Europe and the US). I hang out with friends and colleagues. There are always things to do. We go out for dinner, go to the movies. The difference would be the spontaneous trips to the beach and cook outs and barbecues…also I feel like I get to know my neighbors in a way I haven’t in Europe and the US.
– – By relocating back to Africa as a Young Professional, I hope to……………..(fill in the blank)
MN: by relocating back to Africa as a young African professional, I hope to contribute to the growth of social entrepreneurship on the African continent. I hope to be able to build a life here and start a successful business that can generate social and environmental growth to its surroundings.
– – In five years time I see myself……………..(fill in the blank)
MN: in five years’ time I see myself running my own business
together with other members of my family and I see myself enjoying everyday life
here like I have done so far. Hopefully I’ll have children and some family
members and friends from other parts of the world living closer to me.
– – What is one ironic thing you have seen/noticed since you’ve been back that has inspired you about and given you hope about Africa’s progress?.
MN: one funny thing I have noticed since I moved back is how young Africans now use the past to build on the future. For example, designers and musicians use old traditions and styles to create new styles. Also seeing these different styles being copied in Western culture is something that always warms my heart! Other professionals use and learn from old mistakes to create new solutions…I guess there can be no success tomorrow if we do not learn from yesterday’s events.
– What other African country would you love to visit and why?.
MB: I have been to most African countries now, but still feel like I have so many more places to visit. For some reason I haven’t visited Angola, Guinea Bissau and Mozambique and I would love to go and explore them for different reasons. I think that their histories are very interesting. I also think that they all share a culture somewhat different than other African countries and I’d like to find out exactly how.
Thank You for sharing Marieme!!
j
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