More from these Authors

• Case | HBS Case Collection | December 2015 (Revised April 2019)

  Chicken Republic

  Jose Alvarez and Natalie Kindred

  Deji Akinyanju, founder of Nigerian fast-food chain Chicken Republic, and Ayo Oduntan, founder of an integrated Nigerian poultry operation (Amo Byng Group), are among a growing cadre of skilled food-industry entrepreneurs for whom the opportunities to serve the Nigerian market—a population of over 170 million, including a large and growing middle class—outweigh the challenges of operating there. And indeed, as embodied by Nigeria's status as a net food importer despite having 80 million hectares of potential agricultural land, the challenges are considerable. Animal feed is excessively expensive, driving up poultry production costs and limiting production volumes; illegal poultry imports threaten food safety while undercutting prices of domestic product; corruption is rampant; debt is exorbitantly expensive; commercial real estate is sparse; and electricity is unreliable. Yet, Nigeria has all the natural blessings to be an agricultural powerhouse competitive on an international scale. And it has the large, ambitious population needed to drive its development, both as workers and consumers. Akinyanju and Oduntan believe many of the issues constraining Nigeria's poultry sector can be alleviated with relatively simple solutions—and that doing so can open tremendous growth opportunities for their businesses and the country as a whole. Set in September 2015, this case provides a detailed look at Nigeria's poultry value chain and the complexities of modernizing a traditional and largely informal industry. It also presents an inspiring story of determined entrepreneurs succeeding against tough odds. Finally, for students whose conception of Nigeria is all too often reduced to simplistic headlines, this case offers a more nuanced look into the complexities, potential, and aspirations of what may be one of this century's most dynamic and important economies.

  Keywords: Nigeria; Africa; poultry; chicken; value chain; supply chain; emerging market; Chicken Republic; Amo Byng; Doreo Partners; Babban Gona; reform; infrastructure; MINT; entrepreneurship; QSR; quick serve restaurant; fast food; corruption; governance; Growth; Leadership; Food; Customer Value and Value Chain; Supply Chain; Infrastructure; Animal-Based Agribusiness; Entrepreneurship; Emerging Markets; Growth and Development; Agriculture and Agribusiness Industry; Nigeria; Africa;

  Citation:

  Alvarez, Jose, and Natalie Kindred. "Chicken Republic." Harvard Business School Case 516-052, December 2015. (Revised April 2019.)  View Details

  CiteView DetailsEducatorsPurchase

  Related

• Case | HBS Case Collection | February 2019 (Revised March 2019)

  Populism in Bolivia: From Goni's Neoliberal Shock to Evo's Oil Contract Renegotiations

  Vincent Pons, Rafael Di Tella and Annelena Lobb

  Citation:

  Pons, Vincent, Rafael Di Tella, and Annelena Lobb. "Populism in Bolivia: From Goni's Neoliberal Shock to Evo's Oil Contract Renegotiations." Harvard Business School Case 719-001, February 2019. (Revised March 2019.)  View Details

  CiteView DetailsEducatorsPurchase

  Related

• Background Note | HBS Case Collection | February 2019

  Mexican Farmworkers in the United States

  Forest Reinhardt and Jonathan Schlefer

  This note discusses the centuries-long history and current situation of Mexican farmworkers north of the border—documented or undocumented, resident or temporary, and increasingly indigenous. The story provides the background for discussion of dilemmas facing policymakers, agricultural enterprises, and the workers themselves.

  Keywords: migrant farmworkers; Mexican farmworkers; Agribusiness; Labor; History; Policy; Problems and Challenges; Agriculture and Agribusiness Industry; United States;

  Citation:

  Reinhardt, Forest, and Jonathan Schlefer. "Mexican Farmworkers in the United States." Harvard Business School Background Note 719-047, February 2019.  View Details

  CiteView DetailsEducatorsPurchase

  Related