Advisory Services
SDI combines cross-border market intelligence with policy, regulatory, and institutional analysis. Each engagement begins with a specific decision and ends with clearly defined outputs that can support action.
Core Advisory Practices
Commercial potential cannot be assessed separately from the policy, regulatory, and institutional environment in which a strategy must operate. SDI integrates both perspectives while keeping the scope focused on the client’s decision.
Evidence-led analysis for organizations evaluating market demand, competitive position, entry pathways, and commercial viability across U.S.–Africa markets.
Structured analysis of the rules, institutions, processes, and operating conditions that enable or constrain trade, investment, and program execution.
Defined Advisory Engagements
These engagements establish a clear starting point for scoping. Geography, sector, methods, and depth are adapted to the decision, but each assignment has a recognizable purpose and a defined set of outputs.
Market Entry
Should we enter this market, and which entry pathway is most viable?
Designed for companies, investors, public institutions, and sector organizations evaluating whether and how to enter, expand, or support participation in a target U.S. or African market.
Methods may include
Core outputs
Indicative timeframe4–6 weeks
Trade Opportunity
Is this export opportunity commercially viable, and what would market readiness require?
Designed for embassies, trade agencies, companies, and sector organizations assessing market potential, competitive readiness, buyer pathways, and the practical requirements for pursuing a cross-border trade opportunity.
Methods may include
Core outputs
Indicative timeframe4–6 weeks
Policy & Institutions
What is preventing effective execution, and which constraints should be addressed first?
Designed for public institutions, development partners, finance institutions, and investors seeking to understand regulatory friction, institutional capability, process failures, compliance risks, or implementation constraints.
Methods may include
Core outputs
Indicative timeframe5–8 weeks
Indicative timeframes depend on geography, data availability, stakeholder access, and the agreed depth of analysis. Final timing, deliverables, and fees are confirmed through a written scope of work.
How an Engagement Works
SDI uses a disciplined engagement process so that expectations, analytical limitations, responsibilities, and outputs are clear from the beginning.
Clarify the decision, intended users, evidence needs, timeline, and what successful support must enable.
Confirm methods, data requirements, deliverables, responsibilities, assumptions, schedule, and professional fees.
Build and test the evidence, examine relevant market and institutional conditions, and validate material findings.
Present conclusions, limitations, options, and prioritized next steps through agreed written outputs and a client briefing.
When SDI Is a Strong Fit
An SDI engagement is most appropriate when your organization:
