What is the single biggest obstacle standing between your company and its first order in a new international market?
Whichever applies most, whether or not local representation is part of your model.
Vote to see results.
MEA · September 25, 2026
Post
Ian Oliver · Director, Africa
If cargo is held at a MEA port tomorrow, who in-country picks up the phone?
We were recently asked to step in on a situation I see quite often. A container of specialized equipment for a U.S. industrial manufacturer sat at a North African port for the better part of two months. The customs paperwork had classified it under the wrong tariff code, which triggered an automatic compliance flag nobody on the client's side knew how to clear.
North Africa · Trade · September 24, 2026
Poll
When you enter a new international market, who typically holds the authority to sign and act on your company's behalf there?
Vote to see results.
MEA · September 23, 2026
Post
Mahmoud Al Hani · Director, Libya
The weeks between a signed exploration agreement and a crew on site.
Offshore exploration is pulling new operators back to Africa's coastline.
Africa · Oil & Gas · September 23, 2026
Poll
Before committing budget to a new international market, how does your company typically assess whether you're ready to proceed?
Vote to see results.
MEA · September 21, 2026
Poll
Would a short monthly Middle East and Africa market briefing in audio form (about 15 minutes) be useful in your week?
Vote to see results.
MEA · September 19, 2026
Post
Ross Ensor · Managing Director
A meeting without an agreed next step isn't really a meeting.
In Middle East and African markets in particular, a meeting that ends without an agreed next step isn't really a meeting - it's a tea or coffee break.
MEA · September 9, 2026
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Moussa Mouhoubi · Director, Algeria
Algeria's $30 billion solar program eats technically strong suppliers whole.
Algeria's $30 billion solar program is exactly the kind of opportunity Western manufacturers are chasing across MEA right now - and exactly the kind that eats technically strong suppliers whole.
Algeria · Energy · September 2, 2026
Post
Ian Oliver · Director, Africa
Eighteen months later, none of the Mozambique plan had left the slide deck.
A manufacturer expanding into Mozambique's infrastructure sector arrived at ISI with a market-entry strategy already built by a boutique advisory firm in London. It was a good piece of work - well researched, clearly written, sound on the numbers. Eighteen months after it was delivered, none of it had left the slide deck.
