Very good post, I was really searching for this topic, as I wanted this topic to understand completely and it is also very rare in internet, that is why it was very difficult to understand.
Thank you for sharing this.
regards:
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Thanks for your comments, there is reason for optimism when it comes to doing business in Africa. But, as you have mentioned it is not always easy. I have tried at least 4 or 5 ventures in Africa-both while there and while abroad, one of them( a software development company) got pretty far off the ground. However, since I did not really appoint someone as a responsible party for the business after I left-it faded away.
But, I am a strong believer in that old adage-if at first you don't succeed try, try again....

Anyhow, as for the name. You sound like you are already on the right path. There must be a name which connotes the specific market advantage that your new business concept posesses; while also appealing to a wide cross section of local languages. Maybe you can use the lingua franca(ooops that wasn't spelled correctly), a word from the business-language that is used in and around your particular locality.

By the way, I wish you a most Happy New Year, a most prosperous New Year, and of course a most enterprising New Year for you-the Africa Entrepreneur!

Thanks for the kind words. As always your words of encouragement are welcome. An equally prosperous and happy New Year to you.

I understand what you are saying about how difficult it is to ensure business continuity in Africa. In many cases there is very little bench strength(middle management) that can take over in a founders absence.

Narrowing down on a few names. There are a lot of powerful African names out there. Thanks for the naming pointers.

Hay thanks a lot for sharing this great article, Keep it up.

Hash:

I really like the one about cell phones in Kenya. Especially the part about paying by cell phones. Do you think that this is as safe as having a bank account and paying by bank card? Just curious, as you have been exposed to this new concept for a while (this concept originated in South Africa a few years back-right?). Also the laptop for $100.00 is intriguing, too. have you started seeing them yet in SA? Thanks

The one laptop per child was not a true story:
<a href="http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/01/14/olpc_no_consumer_version/" rel="nofollow">http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/01/14/olpc_no_consumer_version/</a>
“One Laptop per Child (OLPC), a non-profit organisation with the goal of providing children in developing nations with laptop computers, today announced that “contrary to previously published reports OLPC has no plans to make the XO laptops available for sale to the general public.”I think it is a good idea to subsidize the laptops in 3rd World Countries this way, so let’s hope they change their mind.Another little note on US finances. The current President has been able to borrow more money than all other Previous presidents in the history of the USA.