Africa Business, Author at AfricaBusiness.com

20Aug

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Tech

Maximising financial efficiency: The benefits of Agile software development

By Jani Rademeyer, financial manager at new-age solutions and systems integrator, +OneX In the fast-paced world of software development, staying ahead of the curve means embracing methodologies that enhance productivity and optimise financial planning. One approach that has become popular is the Agile methodology. By prioritising flexibility, collaboration and iterative progress, Agile revolutionises the way software is built with significant advantages in project budgeting, resource planning and financial management. Enhancing project budgeting Traditional software development methodologies follow a linear approach, where project requirements are defined upfront and changes are costly and time-consuming. This rigidity can lead to budget overruns and missed deadlines, impacting the bott...

20Aug

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Africa Travel

Global tech company sets sights on Africa’s untapped potential in online booking

After establishing a strong presence in South Africa over the past two years, global booking platform Profitroom has announced it is accelerating its expansion across the continent with a hyper-localised strategy to empower hotels across Africa. Leading this charge is newly appointed Regional Director for Africa, Leigh Myles, a 25-year hospitality veteran with a deep understanding of the region’s nuances. Under Myles' leadership, Profitroom aims to achieve a 40% market share in South Africa by 2026, while expanding into key Sub-Saharan markets like Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Mauritius and Namibia. The company has set an ambitious goal of onboarding 500 new properties and driving a 65% growth in total ARR (Annual Recurring Revenue) by 2026. "Africa represents a tremendous opportunity f...

20Aug

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Tech

Cultivating a Culture of Data Quality in the Data Management Lifecycle

By Upuli de Abrew, Co-Founder and Director at Insight Consulting As it is in the natural world, data also experiences a lifecycle, from gestation through birth, metamorphosis, maturity and eventual death. Just as a young bird needs to be taught to fly and a lion cub must be taught to hunt, data also needs care and direction from custodians. However, unlike nature, data will rarely be able to stand on its own and instead need constant tending from its custodians, known as data stewards, throughout the entire data management lifecycle (DML). The data management lifecycle comprises data collection, data ingestion, data storage, data usage, data maintenance, data archiving and data destruction. Effective data stewards spend a great deal of time ensuring that data quality is maintained throu...

19Aug

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Business, Interview, Kenya News, Main

Problems And Prospects Of Family Businesses: Trusts, ESG, NextGen, And What Is Needed For Success

Interview with Faizal Bhana - Director – Middle East, Africa and India Jersey Finance. Interview with Faizal Bhana, Director, Middle East, Africa and India, Jersey Finance, delves into the evolving landscape of family businesses and how they navigate the diminishing trust advantage amid rising ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) demands and NextGen aspirations. How has the use of trusts evolved for family businesses over the past decade? Over the past decade, the use of trusts has evolved significantly for family businesses. Increased regulatory scrutiny and transparency demands have led to more structured governance frameworks and a more planned approach. Families are increasingly using trusts to manage succession, mitigate long-term risks and ensure long-term sustaina...

19Aug

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Energy, Madagascar News

Wärtsilä signs Decarbonisation Agreement for Madagascan power plant

Technology group Wärtsilä’s renewal of its existing Operations and Maintenance (O&M) agreement with QIT Madagascar Minerals S.A (QMM), part of the Rio Tinto group, has been expanded to include a Decarbonisation Agreement. The Agreement is a groundbreaking offering in the energy sector, and allows for optimising all of the assets in the microgrid, including renewable energy usage, thereby not only reducing emissions but also producing notable cost savings. The continued O&M agreement covers QMM’s 24 MW engine power plant located at the company’s ilmenite mineral sands mine at Fort Dauphin in south-eastern Madagascar. The order was booked by Wärtsilä in June 2024. The key elements of the agreement include optimised dispatch of the plant’s six Wärtsilä 32 engines and QMM’s battery ...

15Aug

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Art, Egypt News

Santiago Ribeiro exhibit at “Assembly of Arts in Egypt” (21-29 August 2024)

The artist Santiago Ribeiro will participate in the ART FESTIVAL in AFRICA from August 21 to 29 in Cairo. It is the Portuguese artist's first time in Cairo and Africa. The present painting will be Industrial of Apples. Industrial of Apples, oil on canvas, 30x50 cm, 2012, Santiago Ribeiro José Manuel Santiago Ribeiro was born in Coimbra. He shared his childhood and youth between the rural and religious environment of the village of Condeixa, where he lived, and the academic, secular, "avan-garde", revolutionary University City of Coimbra, where he was studying. He attended Avelar Brotero Comprehensive School in Coimbra, where he finished his Technical Course of Arts and Crafts. In 2006 he joined a Higher Education School, also in Coimbra. He organized and participated in n...

15Aug

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Kenya News, Real Estate

ShafDB signs MOU with CPF Group to scale up development of affordable housing

The agreement seeks to provide a platform for intervention across the affordable housing value chain. Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB), a leading Pan-African institution committed to financing and advancing housing, urban, and related infrastructure development, has signed a Memorandum of Understating (MOU) with CPF Group, aimed at scaling up the development of large-scale affordable housing projects in Kenya. The agreement which is expected to boost Shelter Afrique Development Bank’s mandate of providing decent and affordable housing in Africa, was signed in Nairobi by CPF Group Managing Director, Dr. Hosea Kili, and Shelter Afrique Development Bank Head of Credit and Operations, Mr. Christopher Chege, on behalf of the Managing Director Mr. Thierno-Habib Hann. “As a company,...

15Aug

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

African News, Events, Medicine, South Africa News

Pioneering progress amid resource constraints in African radiology and oncology

Experts are concerned about resource limits and insufficient radiology skills and services in Africa, particularly for cancer detection and treatment. As the continent grapples with the rising burden of cancer, the intersection of oncology and radiology emerges as a complex landscape where cutting-edge advancements contend with pressing issues of accessibility, affordability, and healthcare system economics. Dr. Paul Rischbieter is a medical authority specialising in healthcare, diagnostic, and interventional radiology. Rischbieter is the chairperson for Africa Health Congress’ upcoming Radiology and Imaging conference, where he and other radiology experts will engage in an in-depth exploration of the most critical topics in the field. The conference is scheduled for Cape Town in October....

14Aug

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

South Africa News

NIQ South Africa releases FMCG and Tech Durables sales data for Q2 2024

FMCG trade grows 3% year-over-year to R303 billion for the first half of 2024 Technology and Durables market growth stable at 2% Promotions are the key to growth in a price-sensitive market NIQ South Africa has released its latest State of the Retail Nation 1 analysis for the first six months of 2024. The data reveals that South African consumers spent R303 Billion on fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) through traditional and modern trade channels during the first half of the year. This represents 3% year-over-year growth, with the gains primarily driven by price increases. Actual sales volumes decreased across most FMCG categories. Food and Personal & Health Care were the categories that showed the strongest growth at a time when consumers were under significant strain from ...

11Aug

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Business, Fintech, Kenya News

From vision to reality: How Absa CIB’s new TVC champions human centred relationships

Authors: Clement Motale, CM(SA) Managing Executive: Marketing and Communications, Absa CIB and James Agin, Managing Executive: Corporate and Investment Banking, Absa Kenya In the fast-evolving landscape of financial services, distinguishing oneself requires more than just competitive solutions and services. To achieve success, it requires a deep understanding of your clients’ needs, an empathetic approach, and a commitment to their success. This approach underscores Absa Corporate and Investment Banking's (CIB) latest campaign, which showcases not only that “Your story matters” but that Absa CIB is truly "Invested in your story." At Absa CIB, being “Invested in your story” encapsulates more than a slogan; it embodies the philosophy of deep, human-centred partnerships – how we...