How can a global mindset transform a traditional family business into a structured, scalable enterprise?

In this discussion, CEIBS Professor of International Business and Strategy and Associate Dean (Africa), Shameen Prashantham, interviews Kausar Abdulai (WELA 2019). Kausar, a Ghanaian entrepreneur now based in the UK, shares how her journey through the Women Entrepreneurship and Leadership Africa (WELA) programme helped her evolve from a traditional trader to a strategic global business leader.

Key strategic insights from this interview include:

• Structuring for Growth: Moving beyond "traditional" buying and selling to implement formal business systems.
• The Power of "Guanxi" (Relationships): Leveraging a decade of family business ties and the 35,000+ strong CEIBS alumni network to build trust in China.
• Adapting to Innovation: Kausar’s observations on how rapid technological shifts in Yiwu and Shanghai are creating new opportunities for dropshipping and niche expansion.
• Competitive Advantage: Why local African entrepreneurs should view "China Malls" as business partners rather than threats.
• Strategic Advice: The importance of patience, niche focus, and choosing a reliable institutional partner like CEIBS when entering the Chinese market.

Learn more about the CEIBS WELA program: here.