Could Nigeria become another India for Walmart? The situation is different, Nigeria has no institutional or governmental barriers to the Bentonvile Behemoth stomping into the country and trampling local businesses, but the Nigerian heart may be up to the task. In Keep Off Nigeria!—Workers Tell Walmart, Ademola Adegbamigbe writes: The Federation of Informal Workers’ Organizations […]

Yesterday I wrote about Nwike Ojukwu’s views on Walmart coming to Lagos State, Nigeria. Ojukwu had reservations. Today, a second African voice, that of Chidi Oguamanam, also writing for Sahara Reporters in Before Wal-Mart Comes to Nigeria, speaks out about the Bentonvile Behemoth. Recently, the Governor of Lagos, Nigeria’s most cosmopolitan State, was full of […]

I’ve written before about Walmart in Africa and about the experiences of a Nigerian selling ethnic cuisine to Walmart customers. Now I read about Nwike Ojukwu concerns surrounding Walmart’s entrance into Lagos State. In Wal-Mart Is Coming To Lagos? Seriously? for Sahara Reporters, Ojukwu writes: I read with consternation the statement credited to Governor Ambode […]

South Africa’s Congress of South African Trade Unions threatens the mother of all boycotts against Walmart through its newly acquired African retailer Massmart. That may be, but I see an epic battle of labor as the real core of what is happening in Sub-Saharan Africa. From the BBC: Unions in South Africa have expressed concern, […]

In the 18th century nations created quasi government corporate entities like England’s East India Company to exploit colonial wealth (did you ever ask who that famous Boston tea belonged to?). In 2011 Walmart’s corporate exploitation of Africa has begun. From the Business Week: A South African chain’s shareholders have overwhelmingly accepted Wal-Mart’s offer to buy […]

The deal is official. Walmart is buying a 51 percent controlling interest in Massmart. The final agreement is much smaller than the speculated $4.1 billion cost of buying the company out right. A 51 percent stake means Walmart gets its way. This accord also means that Walmart only risks half the money if the partnership […]

In early October I noted Walmart’s intentions to invade Sub-Saharan Africa though the purchase of Massmart. This is a part of the world with vivid memories of the dangers of even friendly colonialism. Even a benevolent neo-colonial Walmart is a threat. From Pambazuka News: Wal-Mart Stores is a corporate bully and a voracious predator whose […]

While I’ve often referred to Walmart at the Bentonvile Behemoth, The Ghanaian Journal prefers the more pejorative Beast in referring to the company poised to swallow South African-based retailer Massmart for a reported $4.1 billion. Four billion dollars doesn’t count as an “every day low price”, but Wal-Mart, the world’s biggest retailer, hopes it has […]