Accessing Africa business directories was a bit more difficult before the World Wide Web came into being. Today, a few clicks of your mouse can help you find company listings with phone numbers, addresses and emails from Africa business databases as well as get your company listed on business directories in Africa. What’s more, paying a small fee can often provide detailed African company profiles to help you determine the success of an African company you’re considering doing business with.

African business directories are a real boon for small businesses, helping to promote your own African business to companies and consumers around the world. When searching for Africa business directories:

1. Search for companies in Africa on free business directories. These sites also typically let you list your African company for free.

2. Consider subscription-based Africa business directories to get more than just basic contact information.

3. Narrow down your search by business category by using advanced search option on some African business databases.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find basic company information on free Africa business directories

Whether you have an African company you would like to promote online or you are searching for African businesses, you can find information about African companies for free on many African business databases.

I recommend: Africa Business Pages is designed to promote trade to and from Africa, so it lists businesses in Africa as well as international suppliers to Africa. The site has an Advanced Search feature that lets you input criteria such as keywords, business category and any other information to help you narrow down your search. AfricaBusinessNet.com is a great source for African Suppliers, African Buyers and more.

Access detailed reports from African business directories for a fee

If company name, address, phone and email aren't going to cut it, check out Africa business databases that offer detailed African company profiles, typically for a fee.

I recommend: Goliath has several fee-based options to access its African company profiles. Manta offers free reports or more detailed, specialized African company profiles for a fee. The site gets most of its business information from leading companies such as Hoover’s, Moody’s and Dun & Bradstreet.

Search Africa business databases by industry or business category

Africa business databases can be overwhelming if you don't attempt to narrow down your search. Take advantage of sites that break businesses down by industry or category.

I recommend: Jamboweb divides its Africa business database by category such as Technology and subcategory, such as Software. SAYellow.com claims to be South Africa’s largest online business directory with consumer and business category search options as well as a list of the latest top searches.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Some fee-based African business databases will offer a free trial or sneak peek so you can be sure the Africa business directory really has the information you seek.