GG Alcock is a leading authority on South Africa’s informal economy, township markets and entrepreneurship, as well as an author, entrepreneur and highly engaging keynote speaker. He describes himself as an “economic activist”, challenging conventional thinking about the scale and commercial power of Africa’s often overlooked informal economies.
Born white but raised and bred in a rural Zulu community in Msinga, KwaZulu-Natal, GG grew up in a mud hut without electricity or running water. Fluent in isiZulu and conversant in several South African languages, his extraordinary upbringing gave him a unique understanding of African culture, consumer behaviour and grassroots entrepreneurship.
In 1999, GG founded Minanawe Marketing, pioneering marketing and activations specifically for South Africa’s township and informal mass markets. After selling the business in 2018, he founded KasiNomics, an advisory business providing companies with insights, strategy, route-to-market solutions and a deeper understanding of informal and township economies.
GG is the author of acclaimed books including KasiNomics, KasiNomic Revolution, Born White Zulu Bred and, most recently, KasiNomics Unleashed. His work reveals the extraordinary scale, innovation and entrepreneurial energy operating outside the formal economy and highlights the opportunities available to businesses prepared to understand and partner with these markets.
As a speaker, GG combines compelling storytelling, humour, hard commercial insight and first-hand experience. He challenges audiences to rethink traditional perceptions of poverty, consumers and entrepreneurship while demonstrating why Africa’s informal sector represents one of the continent’s most significant opportunities for future economic growth.
Key Speaking Topics: KasiNomics & the Informal Economy • African Entrepreneurship • Township & Emerging Markets • Building Business in Africa • Consumer Behaviour • Route-to-Market Strategy • Diversity & African Culture • Economic Inclusion & Growth
Highlights: Founder of KasiNomics • Founder & Former CEO of Minanawe Marketing • Author of KasiNomics, KasiNomic Revolution, Born White Zulu Bred & KasiNomics Unleashed • Informal Economy Specialist • Entrepreneur • Economic Activist • International Keynote Speaker
