Structure before scale — McDan urges Africa-Caribbean SMEs to formalise and think globally
The Executive Chairman of the McDan Group, Daniel McKorley alias McDan has urged small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Africa and the Caribbean to prioritise business structure over size if they hope to scale globally.
Delivering a message at the McDan Masterclass during the Africa-Caribbean Business Trade Expo in Accra, McKorley said, “You don’t need to be big. You need to be scalable. Structure your business so it can grow without chaos.” His remarks resonated deeply with participants, many of whom were young entrepreneurs seeking to expand their footprint beyond local markets.
McDan used his own entrepreneurial journey as an example, reflecting on the lessons learned from failure. “I’ve made a lot of mistakes. I’ve lost money. But those experiences made me stronger,” he said. “This is not theory—it’s experience. Maybe my mistakes will help someone here avoid making the same ones.”
He challenged participants to view the McDan platform as a base of knowledge. “If you feed on McDan, you may lower or avoid your mistakes. The solutions are already there,” he said. “In today’s world, AI can help solve many of our problems without trial and error. Why not leverage that?”
According to McDan, one major setback for SMEs in both Africa and the Caribbean is the lack of strategic alliances and the tendency to remain informal. “Not everyone is your investor. Not every partner is strategic. Learn to vet, align and protect your brand,” he advised. “Don’t just hustle—structure your hustle.”
He urged business owners to ask themselves hard questions: “Is your product ready for export? Or is it just good enough for your local market?” McDan stressed the importance of compliance, documentation, logistics and packaging, especially when dealing with global buyers. “Buyers are looking for structure, clarity, and confidence,” he noted.
Citing examples of SMEs that have remained stagnant for decades, he encouraged business owners to set targets for growth. “You can’t be called an SME for thirty years. If you’re exporting a box of cocoa beans today, make sure you’re exporting a container next year,” he said.
He concluded by reminding attendees that the Africa-Caribbean Trade Expo was more than a trade show—it was a chance to rewrite their stories. “Don’t leave here the same. Build for scale, not survival. Let your brand be the next global success story.”