Twitter recently announced its plans to open its first African office in Ghana, causing an uproar in Nigeria, especially on social media platforms.
This is not the first time that Ghana has been favoured over her more populous “sibling” by multinational investors. Here are 2 other big companies that chose to set up shop in Ghana instead of Nigeria.
Google AI Lab
Despite having a regular office in Lagos Nigeria, Google, one of the world’s leading internet companies, chose Accra, Ghana as the location for its very first Artificial Intelligence research lab on the African continent.
Google has only 5 of these labs in the world located in Paris, New York, Tokyo, Google HQ and now, Accra.
An associate consultant with Control Risk Africa speaking to CNBC cited Ghana’s political stability and high educational standards as one of the key reasons for Google’s choice.
He also hinted that Lagos, Nigeria was more prone to civil unrest, hence the decision to set up such a prestigious lab in Accra.
Fan Milk (Accra HQ)
The dairy milk giant has footprints in Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast Burkina Faso and Togo. However, it chose Accra for its operational headquarters. The dairy milk company was formerly referred to as the Ghanaian Milk Company.
The company was then acquired and owned by a joint partnership of a world food processing company Danone and Abraaj, a private equity firm. Danone went on to buy out all the shares, and become the sole owner of the enterprise.
Why Ghana?
Early last week, Nigeria’s internet space was awash with negative sentiments over the news of Twitter opening up its first African office in Ghana. The popular narrative leaned on the fact that Nigeria, being a larger contributor to the Twitter community, ought to house Twitter’s African office. The subtle rivalry between the two West African Nations did not help matters, especially when Jack Dorsey put out a message to answer the question on everyone’s lips.
Twitter’s official reason for choosing Ghana
The CEO of Twitter, Jack Dorsey, briefly explained the reason why Ghana turned out to be the company’s choice for its African office.
He said that the country was a firm supporter of free speech, online freedom, and the open internet. He further explained that Ghana’s recent appointment to host the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area allowed Twitter to “establish a presence in the region,” according to Business Insider.
The development was acknowledged by the Ghanaian president who welcomed the initiative with open arms.
What you should know
Ghana has been earmarked as a benchmark for political stability in Africa, due to its longstanding culture of smooth transitions of power.
The country also has an abundant supply of electricity. According to USAID, Ghana has 4000mw of installed generation capacity. It has often struggled to contain its excessive power supply.
Even Nigerian celebrities go to Ghana to exchange blows sometimes. So what do you expect? The world is watching. Our politicians also go there on holidays. One day now, Ghana will come and colonize Nigeria.
If we in Nigeria need investments, then let’s go for them. Insecurity and multiple state taxation aren’t encouraging.
It’s always big news when foreign investors choose to open an office Ghana instead of Nigeria (Kenya or South Africa), but not news when the reverse is the case. Of course, regardless of where the office is located, Nigeria is at the CORE of these investments.
Congratulations. it’s an eye opener to other Africa Countries.
What are you talking about The!???
The country also has an abundant supply of electricity. According to USAID, Ghana has 4000mw of installed generation capacity. It has often struggled to contain its excessive power supply.
Abundant supply of electricity!? where!?
Do you live in Ghana!?
It is all good for Ghana or any African country to attract Twitter Google and the like on the continent. BigData is BigMoney in today’s world so my question is What’s In it for Ghana or Africa for that matter?. These Social Media platforms collect the data of the masses and make billions with them. Facebook; Twitter and their ilk must be made to sign comprehensive Social Contracts with us for Profit-sharing among others. I wish that we the users of these platforms would form pressure groups to insist on a piece of the ever burgening cake.
David Cameron ex British prime minister
Once referred to Nigeria as been extraordinarilly corrupt
These companies already have regular offices in Nigeria, but not in Ghana. When they open an operation in Ghana, it’s for a purpose and mostly run by Nigerians. Most investments, real estate, companies and everything in all industries in Ghana are owned and run by Nigerians. Most products in Ghana are Nigerian. Even Miss Ghana, Ghana music awards, Silverbird, most banks, factories, phone companies including Tigo and even MTN (run by SA and Nigerian CEO’s and shareholders), are run by Nigerians. The same with transport companies, energy sector companies, waterworks and anything you can think of. Nigeria literally owns Ghana in the investments sense.