Meet Mr Frank Aneke

Mr. Frank Aneke, Executive Chairman of Africa Australia Infrastructure Conference and Principal of OctoberFirst Consulting, is known for his experience, credibility and passion for identifying, building and facilitating business and investment relationships between Australia and emerging countries in Africa.

Frank’s business development career spans 14 years in two major cities (Lagos and Sydney) with experience in marketing communications, advertising, public relations, broadcasting and business development.

He recorded accomplishments as an entrepreneur having successfully started a number of firms including Anekx Productions, Lagos, Nigeria, Fieldwork Resources Pty Ltd and OctoberFirst Consulting both in Australia. Most recently, Frank founded and hosted inaugural Africa Australia Infrastructure Conference at Sydney Convention Centre in 2012.

As an intern years ago, Frank worked with Howorth Communication, Sydney, a subsidiary of Ogilvy Worldwide and has played the role of Director of Communications at Every Nation Church, Sydney, Australia.

Frank’s marketing communication experience began in 1995 when he moved to Lagos from Enugu to set up his own advertising and independent television production business called Anekx Productions. The firm rapidly grew from a start-up company to a respected and credible provider of contents to NTA 2 Channel 5 and NTA Channel 10 both in Lagos. The company also provided integrated marketing communications solutions to a number of leading brands in Nigeria.

Frank left Nigeria in 2000 and moved to Australia where he has held a number of roles in large and small organizations. In 2009, Frank’s entry came second in the global search for Nigeria Re-branding Slogan Competition.  He is now fully immersed in the movement of business, investment, trade and capacity-building trainings between Australia and Africa. He has built partnerships between OctoberFirst Consulting and leading Chambers of Commerce and Trade Associations across Australia and Africa.

As the Principal of OctoberFirst Consulting, Frank Aneke is intimately involved in Australia’s attempts to engage with investment opportunities in Africa.

Frank’s role includes but not limited to:

• Conducting market research, facilitating business partnership selection process between Africans and Australians.
• Organising Trade Missions and Study tours focused on opportunities in Africa and Australia.
• Organising capacity-building trainings and knowledge-economy based events in Africa and Australia.
• Facilitating investment and business forums for African countries in Australia and other Asia-Pacific nations
• Conducting presentations, seminars and workshops on how and where to do business in Africa in offices and chambers of commerce across Australia
• Planning trade missions to Africa for individuals, groups and businesses targeted on exploring opportunities in the continent.
• Hosting business leaders from African countries on visits to Australia for educational, relationship building and business development purposes
• Developing joint ventures and business alliances, building networks and relationships, and facilitating introductions and contacts for individuals and businesses.
• Writing online and newspaper feature articles bothering on investment opportunities and issues affecting business in Africa. (see news menu @  octoberfirst.com.au)

It can be seen from the above that Frank has specialist knowledge and practical experience of building connections and doing business between Australia and the rest of the Africa. He is actively involved in business matching, capacity-building trainings and creating awareness for investment opportunities in Africa.

Academics:

Frank studied Mass Communication at Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, Nigeria. He did Post Graduate Studies in Communications Management at University of Technology Sydney, Australia.

Professional & Business membership:

Associate Member, Public Relations Institute of Australia (APRIA).

Member, New South Wales Business Chamber, Sydney.

Marital Status:

Frank Afam-Aneke is married with children.

Frank’s published articles to date are:

How to Export to Africa

http://www.dynamicexport.com.au/articles/markets/how-to-export-to-africa/

Africa:  The New Frontier

http://www.dynamicexport.com.au/articles/markets/africa-the-new-frontier/

Sectarian Violence in Emerging Economies

http://www.dynamicexport.com.au/export/managing/understanding-sectarian-violence-in-emerging-economies/

Doing Business with Nigeria

http://www.octoberfirst.com.au/newsarchive/de_2010.pdf

Southern Comfort: Doing Business in South Africa

http://www.octoberfirst.com.au/newsarchive/demay10.pdf

Talking Telecommunications in Nigeria

http://www.dynamicexport.com.au/export/growing/talking-telecommunications-in-nigeria/

Positioning Nigeria for Investment

http://www.octoberfirst.com.au/newsarchive/www.leadershipnigeria.com.pdf

Doing Agribusiness in Nigeria

http://www.dynamicexport.com.au/articles/markets/nigerias-agriculture-revolution/

It can be seen from the above that Frank has specialist knowledge and practical experience of building connections and doing business between Africa and Asia-Pacific region.

Membership of Business Bodies:
Associate Member, Public Relations Institute of Australia (APRIA).
Member, Nigeria-Australia Council, Australia.
Member, New South Wales Business Chamber, Australia.