Africa Business, Author at AfricaBusiness.com

Championing Innovation, Inclusivity, and Sustainability in Air Travel

19Jul

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Africa Travel, African News, Business, South Africa News

Championing Innovation, Inclusivity, and Sustainability in Air Travel

Marc Harding, Country Manager- South Africa, Virgin Atlantic Air travel is far more than merely transporting people from one destination to another; it's about the magic that happens in between and the reason for the journey itself. Whether it’s reuniting with family, making those bucket list dreams come true, or soaking in new cultures, air travel is all about those unforgettable moments. Right now, aviation is at a crossroads with more people flying, the planet heating up, and inclusivity taking centre stage. At Virgin Atlantic, as we toast to our fabulous 40th anniversary, we're doubling down on innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability. These aren’t just buzzwords for us—they're critical pillars that have been and will continue to be our focus moving forward. Innovating the Skies ...

Shift to omnichannel payments in retail to drive efficiencies and enhance CX

19Jul

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Fintech

Shift to omnichannel payments in retail to drive efficiencies and enhance CX

By Quintin van der Linde, Head of Business Development & Don Lange, Partner Manager at Ecentric Payment Systems Even as more retailers turn to setting up online storefronts to extend their presence and cater to shoppers looking for convenience, the majority of South Africans still prefer to shop at physical stores, and retailers are looking for a solution that gives them a better way of managing transactions and reconciliation. Enter omnichannel payments - a solution that can provide merchants with a single view of all transactions, while also enhancing the shopping experience for customers. The current reality is that while shoppers are offered the convenience of paying for their purchases online, in-store, on different devices and different platforms, they face an inconsistent expe...

d.light closes new USD$176 million securitization facility for affordable off-grid solar in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda

17Jul

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Energy, Kenya News, Tanzania News, Uganda News

d.light closes new USD$176 million securitization facility for affordable off-grid solar in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda

Off-grid solar provider d.light and impact investor African Frontier Capital partner on new financing to support consumer loans for solar and high efficiency appliances in East Africa d.light, the global provider of transformational household products and affordable finance for low-income households, today announced the closing of a new securitization facility that will purchase USD$176 million of receivables in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The new financing is being provided by social impact-focused asset management company African Frontier Capital. d.light will use the facility to scale up its PayGo consumer finance offering to make solar-powered products available to more low-income households and communities without access to electricity. The facility is multi-currency and will enabl...

Skincare firm, Uncover successfully closes oversubscribed $1.4m funding round

16Jul

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Business, Kenya News, Startups

Skincare firm, Uncover successfully closes oversubscribed $1.4m funding round

Founded in Kenya three years ago, la société Uncover s'est étendue au Nigeria, Uganda, and recently to Ghana, with plans underway to expand to the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC. Uncover, Africa’s emerging beauty brand, successfully closed a $1.4m Seed II funding round led by EQ2 Ventures and IgniteXL Ventures, with participation from Chui Ventures, Samata Capital and Altree Capital. As part of the round, Uncover also facilitated a significant secondary transaction to accommodate investors’ demand. EQ2 Ventures is a Dubai-based investment company that invests across innovative B2B and B2C tech-enabled businesses in the Middle East & Africa. IgniteXL Ventures, based in Silicon Valley, is a global fund dedicated to fueling innovation at the intersection of health, technolo...

16Jul

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Energy, South Africa News

FORTIS X has launched Africa’s first biodegradable and recyclable plant-based packaging

An estimated 122 million tons of waste is produced annually in South Africa, however only 10% of it is recycled, with the other 90% discarded in landfills; and a mere 12,9% of all metropolitan households in South Africa claim to recycle their waste. This is the bleak reality we face this Plastic Free July®, a month where millions of people worldwide are inspired by this year’s theme to take “small steps and make a big difference’”, as part of the global solution to halt the use of single-use plastic. The combination of Africa’s growing population and rapid urbanisation is attributed to the rise of single-use plastic and sadly, the plastic tap isn’t close to running dry. Not only is plastic litter blamed for killing more than 100,000 sea mammals and turtles and 1 million birds annually...

16Jul

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Medicine, South Africa News

MMH & Partners Africa develops three-tiered response plan to eradicate & prevent continued spread of mpox virus in SA

The executive leadership team of MMH & Partners Africa can officially confirm that the local healthcare consultancy has developed a three-tiered response plan to eradicate and prevent the continued spread of the mpox virus in South Africa. The response plan emphasizes the urgent need for a consolidated effort between healthcare leaders, private sector stakeholders, and public entities to address this public health crisis effectively. The plan highlights three key pillars: Diagnostics (Detection), Therapeutics (Treatment), and Vaccines (Prevention). Each strategic pillar aims to emphasise the action steps that will be required to effectively prevent the needless loss of life as a result of the mpox outbreak across different regions in Africa. Pillar 1: Upscale Local Laboratory Capacit...

16Jul

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

South Africa News

Digital innovation agency Specno launches Johannesburg’s very first Founders Den event for young founders, investors & tech enthusiasts

Specno is excited to confirm the announcement that its bi-annual Founders Den event will be taking place in Johannesburg later this month. The gathering, which usually takes place in Cape Town, aims to shape the future of business in South Africa, by bringing together a number of visionary entrepreneurs, tech industry leaders, and investors. Attendees will gain valuable industry insights, make meaningful connections, and be inspired by the success stories of other South African entrepreneurs. The event promises an excellent opportunity for representatives of the media to capture stories of innovation and entrepreneurship in our country today. Speakers include Alex Thomson (Co-Founder of Naked Insurance), Rajiv Daya (Head of Investment at Next176 from Old Mutual) and Priaash Ramadeen (Co-...

16Jul

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

South Africa News, Startups

Africas #1 Web3 startup, Momint, secures $50,000 grant from DFINITY Foundation: local startup positions itself for further global expansion

Momint, Africa’s leading Web3 platform based in South Africa, has secured a $50,000 grant from the DFINITY Foundation, a Swiss non-profit organization known for having the largest blockchain R&D team globally. The grant was obtained through the Internet Computer Protocol (ICP) Hub of Southern Africa, also known as Mzansi Web3 (MW3), which is funded by DFINITY. Momint will use the grant to integrate the ICP blockchain towards enhancing its business operations. This strategic move aims to solidify Momint’s global expansion efforts, positioning the local startup to gain, retain, and expand its market share in today’s highly competitive international digital economy. MW3 was established as the ICP hub in Southern Africa to offer the region a purposeful gateway to the world of decentraliz...

Swissôtel Sharm El Sheikh Introduces the First-Ever All-Inclusive Swissôtel Experience Worldwide

12Jul

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Africa Travel, Egypt News

Swissôtel Sharm El Sheikh Introduces the First-Ever All-Inclusive Swissôtel Experience Worldwide

Swissôtel, a premium brand within Accor’s unparalleled brand portfolio, is delighted to announce the opening of its first all-inclusive resort. Nestled against the breathtaking backdrop of the South Sinai desert and mountains overlooking Naama Bay, Swissôtel Sharm El Sheikh offers an enriching all-inclusive experience packed with functional amenities, thoughtful hospitality, and meaningful experiences for the entire family. Located in the heart of the city, Swissôtel Sharm El Sheikh is the ideal choice for travellers seeking to explore the vibrant culture and natural wonders of Sharm El Sheikh. The all-inclusive resort offers 590 guest rooms adorned with lavish furnishings and picturesque views, promising an unforgettable experience for guests of all ages with its luxurious amenities and ...

FROM RUSSIA TO KENYA AND SOUTH AFRICA: GLOBAL ACTIVISTS UNITE FOR A SUSTAINABLE, NUCLEAR-FREE FUTURE

12Jul

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Energy, Kenya News

FROM RUSSIA TO KENYA AND SOUTH AFRICA: GLOBAL ACTIVISTS UNITE FOR A SUSTAINABLE, NUCLEAR-FREE FUTURE

In solidarity with the anti-nuclear power movement in Kenya where a proposed nuclear power station is set to be built within the next decade, eco-justice organisations from South Africa and Russia are on a visit to the Republic of Kenya to share insights and learnings, from their experiences of living with nuclear energy, in their respective countries and opposing nuclear as civil society. The Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI) and Earthlife Africa Johannesburg, both from South Africa – where the Minister of Energy and Electricity recently announced that the procurement of 2500MW of new nuclear power was “at an advanced stage” - and Ecodefense from Russia, and Right Livelihood Awards are meeting Kenyan civil society at the proposed site in Kilifi, to stand t...