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Why Is McDonald’s Failing in Africa?

fern | July 17, 2026



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McDonald’s conquered the world – but not Africa. Why are the golden M’s so rare across the continent?

Corrections:
0:10 The figures shown are in billions of US dollars, not millions.
4:01 The timeline shows incorrect years after 1995.

Sources:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wrUWXweHEZLT_QNEbfAwCr0_DIzqVZLXJFzox7W5uM0/edit?usp=drivesdk

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Written by fern

Comments

This post currently has 42 comments.

  3. @LewisStockton

    July 17, 2026 at 8:14 pm

    Ofcourse Standards are the main thing stopping businesses in Africa and usually the cause of problems. Standards are to be held to the highest merit. If something doesn't meet the standard, it doesn't get used. The Kenyan fries as a perfect example. They'd be the kind of people to complain the fries were shit when they used Kenyan potates.

    There is a reason why Mcdonalds is the biggest and best fast food giant out there. Its universally the same everywhere for the basic things. Big mac, Fries, etc.You go to a kfc in europe its different to the UK or america.

    Reply
  4. @lotusarma

    July 17, 2026 at 8:14 pm

    Africa knows how to detect fraud after years of experience. One scandal after another with UN food missions, vaxins, experimental medication and charity that never arrived Africa has enough with manipulation and death. MacD is CANCER.

    Reply
  13. @ZeroToIconBrand

    July 17, 2026 at 8:14 pm

    The potato part blew my mind. I always assumed McDonald’s just bought whatever potatoes were available locally. Never realized the entire expansion strategy could depend on one specific potato variety.
    Great video ✨

    Reply
  22. @abrahamkudadze6245

    July 17, 2026 at 8:14 pm

    …but in Nigeria, everything can go wrong all the time. That is a very humurous way to put it lol.
    Russet Burbank potatoes can be grown in Africa. McDonald's needs to learn from Starbucks on how it sourced it coffee beans.

    Reply
  31. @junez609

    July 17, 2026 at 8:14 pm

    I miss the explanation on how burger king managed to establish themselves in Nigeria? Out of all the other competitiors like KFC, Dominoes, Burger King comes closest regarding the menu.

    Reply
  32. @Pallandokenos

    July 17, 2026 at 8:14 pm

    The way you just gave up on your argumentation for McDonald's apparent absence despite other franchises' success, feels as if you prepared this video half-heartedly. You've substantiated the success of KFC, but failed to mention the relative success of Burger King. All three of these franchises are quite heavily reliant on the cold-chain, so that can't be the reason. Neither can it be corruption alone, because McDonald's is not entirely clear of corrupt business relations. You could have gone with the whole business model and preferred supply-chain models much more extensive, because that's where the issue it.

    Reply

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