First, the water purifier industry.
In Mozambique, the household water purifier industry has yet to develop significantly. It’s akin to when we had two salesmen who travelled to Africa to conduct a survey of the shoe market. One of them claimed that the market had great potential because hardly anyone there wore shoes. However, the other held an opposing viewpoint. In my opinion, I align with the perspective of the second salesman. If you don’t even have enough money to eat, would you really consider whether your drinking water is filtered?
I spent two days conducting market research in local shopping malls and downtown, and not a single shop or counter sold water purifiers.
If you wish to know about water quality analysis in Mozambique, you can download it for free: https://www.easywellwater.com/tw/knowledge/marketing/5/137.
Secondly, the important raw material for water purifiers: filter media.
Activated carbon made from coconut shells is an essential filtering medium for every water purifier. According to statistics from APCC, Mozambique ranks among the top 20 countries in the world for coconut yield. Unfortunately, there are no active carbon subcontracting factories here. Coconut shells can only be used to produce items with low commercial value, such as those for the plywood industry.
Third, rich deposits of minerals in Mozambique.
Although there are rich mineral deposits here, the heavy metal content of groundwater is also higher than in other countries. In Mozambique, most livelihood water is sourced from well water, so we hope that the water purifier market can be popularised here as soon as possible.
Fourth, men doing women’s work.
4.1 Men selling women’s underwear.
There is a notable feature in this country where men are undertaking women’s work. Every roadside stand selling second-hand lingerie is run by men, and this is customary for the local people.
4.2 Clothing Alteration Service
There were several sewing machines by the side of the road, and the individuals in charge of clothing alterations were men. All the clothes sold in the market were second-hand, including shoes and lingerie. If an item doesn’t fit, they can provide alteration services immediately.
Fifth, the second-hand market.
Everything we saw in the market was second-hand, including underwear, shirts, coats, shoes, hats, and so forth. Moreover, you hardly saw new cars on the road. Many cars on the road were also second-hand, with most of them imported from Japan. Electric wires, mobile phones, and consumer electronics can all be second-hand. Some members who came with me from Taiwan had also exported second-hand clothes, air conditioners, and car parts.
In Africa, people recycle and reuse items that we throw away. This is beneficial for the Earth as it significantly reduces pollution.
Sixth, there is something you should know about cooperating with customers in Southeast Africa.
Although India and Pakistan are as politically incompatible as fire and water, they are closely interdependent communities in Southeast Africa. Despite their combined population being only one percent of the local population, they control the main economic lifeline. If someone wishes to penetrate the local market, they must engage with them.
