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Ali Jihami one of the influential figures in marketing on the African continent in this interview has attested that Africa is indeed a beautiful continent with welcoming people, which makes him love and feel at home.
Can you share some memories you have of your country, Lebanon?
Lebanon is home and one of the most beautiful countries in the world. The country’s landscape is amazing with its mountains close to the sea. I have memories of beautiful snow-capped mountains and sitting by the fireplace eating sweet potatoes and drinking wine with family and friends.
There is a plethora of activities to engage in and I would often go swimming to experience the lovely beaches, go fishing, hiking, play football with friends, explore the country’s museums and cultural sites, and take a cable car from the city to the mountain. The city has a vibrant nightlife which I enjoy.
Lebanese food has great variety and taste and eating when people commune is ingrained in our culture. We are big snackers and have over 30 different varieties of mezes (appetizers) before you even get to the main meal.
Unfortunately, Lebanon has had a checkered past of political unrest which has affected Lebanese people living both home and away, in one way or another.
Working and living away from Lebanon, trips back home are always a treat and are savoured.
What were your best memories of Cote d’Ivoire?
I came to Côte d’Ivoire at age 18. The country’s cities Yamoussoukro and Abidjan are beautiful now but were stunning before the Ivorian civil war. My family and I had a good experience, the people are generally warm, their food is amazing, and the music is good too.
Côte d’Ivoire has a rich culture with its annual Festival of Masks and performing stilt dancers. There is a lot to do in your leisure time like go hiking, fishing, exploring waterfalls and seeing the sights. There are several sandy beaches and our family weekend trips to Assinie were the best.
What inspired your relocation to Ghana in 2001?
The political unrest was a factor but mainly I was devastated by the loss of my father as a young man seeking direction and starting out his own life. A friend had returned from Ghana and had nothing but good things to say about the country. Within 3 weeks of that visit, I had gotten a job offer from Ghandour Cosmetics and didn’t look back.
Can you tell us about your educational background?
I undertook my primary and high school education in Lebanon. I have also gathered several Marketing and sales qualifications, among them a Master of Science in Digital Marketing.
You have four sisters, how was your growing up among girls?
I am the last born and only boy among 4 girls. Despite how that might sound, I am far from pampered. In our culture as a man, regardless of age, you take on the family responsibility. I have a good relationship with all my sisters, and we are a close-knit family. I am very protective of them especially after we lost our mom to Alzheimer’s disease.
Can you give us insight into what you like most about Africa growing up?
Africa is defined by its people and the environment, and both are great. The weather is fantastic and the countries in the continent are similar and yet so diverse in their people, culture, and heritage. Like any other continent, it is not perfect but its challenges present an opportunity and so I believe in the African dream. Africans are welcoming, and the continent is beautiful. I love and feel at home here.
What are the lessons you learned so far about doing business in Africa?
In an environment of slowing global growth, Africa is the future. They call us the world’s next big growth market for a reason. It is no secret that we have a fast-growing population and enormous wealth in natural and mineral resources. Africa is developing steadily, urbanizing, and closing the infrastructure gap. A great example is Rwanda which has risen from the ashes of civil war in the most spectacular way possible and become a beacon for the rest of Africa to follow.
There is a digitalization revolution with increasing mobile access and over 20 million active mobile money accounts across the region enabling financial inclusion.
There are several promising industries set to boom over the next couple of years in Africa and I see the trend when it comes to Fashion and Beauty as I travel across the continent. All of Africa’s challenges create opportunities for growth, as such, greater investment and innovation are required to promote infrastructure, increase job creation, and decrease poverty.
What are your plans for establishing your own business?
It is important for every person to have hopes and dreams and for them to work towards achieving them, even if it is for the sake of trying because you cannot succeed unless you try. I have plans of starting my own business in the future and growing my personal lifestyle brand that embodies all the things that I love. I would also like to write a book in the medium term to share my experiences with the world.
