Business Overview
Julien Makalu left the Democratic Republic of Congo in his teenagehood to escape the civil war and managed to reach Greece a few months later. He resided in Northern Greece until 2014, when he entered the Department of Electrical Engineering in Athens, Greece with flying colors. At University, he cooperated with 4 other colleagues and created the “Youthmakers Hub”, a nongovernmental organization dedicated to promoting equal professional and educational opportunities. Nowadays, he works as a Commercial Representative and in 2021 he partnered with GB volunteers to create a website for Imports and Exports.
Interafbase - Commercial Agency
Economic Challenge
Julien’s small enterprise makes it difficult for him to find parties that want to cooperate with his business both on a legal and regular basis. This leads to an absence of financing sources and a struggle to expand his business.
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The Business
At the age of 16, Julien left the Democratic Republic of Congo to escape a civil war. He managed to reach Greece a few months later, in winter “with his African clothes and without a cent in his pocket”.
He lived in Northern Greece, in the area of Konitsa. Despite the troubles and obstacles that he had to face, he managed not only to learn the Greek language but also to follow the local school. In 2014, he passed the University examinations with a top score and he entered the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of West Attica in Athens, Greece.
During his University studies, he collaborated with 4 other Greek colleagues, and together they created the “Youthmakers Hub”, a nongovernmental organization dedicated to promoting equal professional and educational opportunities.
In the professional sector, Julien has acquired the status of Commercial Representative and he has recently worked together with GB volunteers to create a website for Imports (Africa to Europe) and Exports (Europe to Africa). His initial focus was on alimentary goods and clothes, but he has plans to expand his business to machinery and equipment.
As far as his personal life is concerned, Julien is married to Yolanda and together, they have a daughter named Fotini.
Competitive Advantage
- Julian’s commercial agency is the only one in the area representing companies selling African goods
Obstacles
The major challenges Julien is currently facing are the following:
- Lack of within-industry collaboration
- Absence of funds
Business Snapshot
Next Steps
Page Last Updated:April 26, 2022