iPhone Congo Founder Seeks Nigerian Partners for Cross-Border Trade

As African entrepreneurs seek opportunities beyond their domestic markets, finding reliable business partners and navigating unfamiliar commercial environments remain significant challenges. For Hamisi Ngalula, founder of iPhone Congo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), collaboration with Nigerian entrepreneurs could open new opportunities in mobile phone sourcing and distribution.

Ngalula said he was interested in exploring partnerships with Nigerian business owners, particularly because entrepreneurs in both countries source products from Dubai.

“Yes, I am open to collaborations with Nigerian entrepreneurs. I believe that exchanges between African entrepreneurs make it possible to share experiences, discover new ways of doing business, and gain access to other markets,” he said.

He identified electronics, particularly mobile phones, as a practical starting point for such collaboration.

“My priority would be the electronics sector, particularly mobile phones, since this is my current area of business. I know Nigerian entrepreneurs who also source their products from Dubai. It would be interesting to explore opportunities for collaboration in sourcing and distribution, making use of our respective networks,” he said.

Ngalula’s entrepreneurial journey began in Dubai, where he initially sourced products for clients in Lubumbashi, Tanzania and other East African markets before specialising in iPhones. He later established his retail business in Lubumbashi and expanded its presence to other Congolese cities.

However, his experience has also exposed him to the challenges of running a business dependent on international supply chains. He said entrepreneurs seeking to enter new markets must understand local regulations, taxation, transportation costs and payment systems before committing resources.

“For me, the first challenge is understanding how the country in which you intend to invest operates. Before making any commitment, you must understand the requirements for a foreigner to establish a business, the necessary permits, the tax system,” he said.

He also stressed the importance of carefully assessing costs, including import expenses and customs duties, before expanding into another country.

Beyond logistics and regulations, Ngalula said trust would be central to any prospective partnership with Nigerian entrepreneurs.

“Before committing to any partnership, I would like to better understand their working methods and gradually build a relationship based on trust. For me, a partnership must be based on transparency, shared objectives, and mutual respect for each party’s commitments,” he said.

Although he has met Nigerian entrepreneurs in Dubai and Turkey, Ngalula said those interactions had not yet resulted in business collaborations.