Africa Business, Author at AfricaBusiness.com

29Apr

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Tech

Companies are overlooking the potential of the African cloud ecosystem, says DAI Magister

International cloud orchestration companies could tap into rapidly growing demand for cloud services through African expansion There is a vast gulf in the rate of cloud adoption between emerging and mature markets. In Europe and North America for example, virtually every company with over 250 employees has adopted the cloud in some form, whereas only 17% of the 6,000 African companies with a headcount above 250 are fully on the cloud. According to Oliver Warren, Associate at investment bank DAI Magister, this untapped potential represents a nearly $1bn opportunity that remains largely untouched by existing cloud orchestration players. Warren said: “Despite the size of the industry, there are virtually no startups in Africa specifically focusing on cloud orchestration. For international ...

29Apr

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

South Africa News

South African retailers have arrived at an e-commerce crossroads

By Zak Haeri, MD for NIQ and GfK – an NIQ Company – in South Africa South Africa’s e-commerce landscape has arrived at an important juncture. The explosive growth observed during the pandemic years has slowed down somewhat and consumer spending power has faltered amid low economic growth and a global cost of living crisis. At the same time, competition is heating up. Asian retailers such as Shein and Temu are upending segments of the e-commerce market, rapidly grabbing market share and increasing pricing pressure on traditional retailers. Amazon’s much anticipated entrance into the South African market is expected to further turn up the heat — potentially creating a new benchmark for customer experience. Yet if we look at the experiences of other emerging markets, the disruption may onl...

29Apr

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Business

Why do you need a succession plan?

Last year, the world was abuzz with commentary around the final season of the popular HBO series, Succession. The show follows the ruthless battle between three siblings as they vie for the position of heir to their father’s media empire. While this is, of course, a fictional story, one aspect of it can be applied to the real world: the Roy Family could really have benefited from a comprehensive succession plan. While the lack of a solid succession plan makes for great television ratings, it has a far less desirable outcome for you and your business. So, what is a business succession plan, why should you consider it, and what does it involve? What is a succession plan? As a business owner, you’ve probably worked tirelessly to create something of value. When the time comes to move on, ho...

24Apr

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Energy, Kenya News

Dynamics of Electric Mobility Transition in Kenya

By Ashay Abbhi, Manager, Climate Change, Intellecap George, a delivery executive, lives in a modest home on the outskirts of Nairobi. He unplugs the wire that charges his shiny new electric bike, presses a tiny switch bringing the quiet engine to life, and rides off to deliver happiness in the form of food. George is part of a large cohort of gig economy workers who swear by this innovation. They feel that while it has a relatively high upfront cost, various leasing and pay-as-you-go models make ownership easier. Moreover, the e-bike saves time otherwise wasted in queues at petrol stations since the ‘e-juice’ is now available at home, which means an increased take-home pay. A few also take pride in the fact that it is good for the environment. While there are multiple transitional challen...

PRE-SEED INVESTMENT PROGRAM MADICA ANNOUNCES FIRST SET OF AFRICAN TECH PORTFOLIO COMPANIES

24Apr

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Startups, Tech

PRE-SEED INVESTMENT PROGRAM MADICA ANNOUNCES FIRST SET OF AFRICAN TECH PORTFOLIO COMPANIES

Pan-African Program Adds New Hires, Kicks Off Founder Immersion Networking Trips, Ecosystem Collaboration Madica, a structured investment program designed for pre-seed stage startups in Africa, announced its first set of investments in three startups today. In line with Madica’s mandate, each startup has received an investment of up to $200,000 and is now a part of Madica’s comprehensive investment program which includes 18 months of dedicated company-building support tailored to the unique needs of each startup. Madica delivers its support through a highly personalized curriculum, hands-on mentorship, invitations to fully-funded week-long founder immersion trips, executive coaching opportunities, and access to madica’s global network of investors for follow-on funding - all designed to s...

Rixos Premium Alamein Opened its Doors as a New Haven on Egypt’s Mediterranean Coast

23Apr

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Africa Travel, Egypt News

Rixos Premium Alamein Opened its Doors as a New Haven on Egypt’s Mediterranean Coast

Discover the allure of Rixos Premium Alamein, the latest addition to Egypt's Mediterranean coast. This exquisite resort combines elegance, ultimate comfort, and indulgence, inviting guests to embark on an unforgettable journey of luxury and leisure. Rixos Premium Alamein comprises six towers housing 469 residences and 732 rooms and suites, each designed to capture natural light and breathtaking views. Guests can luxuriate in the embrace of a pristine white sandy beach, set against the vibrant shades of blue in the sea, offering a reminiscent of the Egyptian Maldives. Additionally, guests can indulge in an array of water sports activities, for a fun-filled leisure experience. Alternatively, guests can choose to immerse in a refreshing dip, in one of the resort's indoor or outdoor pools...

We need to solve the complex equation of energy transition and grid reliability, says Wärtsilä

23Apr

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Energy, Morocco News

We need to solve the complex equation of energy transition and grid reliability, says Wärtsilä

Behind the necessary ramp-up of renewable energies, the challenge of integrating them into the power grid occupied centre stage at the North & West Africa Energy Transition Forum. According to Wärtsilä Energy, a leading power plant manufacturer and energy systems integrator in Africa, there are multiple constraints to be taken into account in order to increase the share of renewables while guaranteeing more reliable power production. To solve this complex equation, the issues of making the energy system more flexible, anticipating technological developments, and financing must be addressed effectively. These were the key issues discussed at the 2024 North and West Africa Energy Transition Forum in Rabat, which brought together the major public and private players in the energy sector ...

23Apr

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Real Estate, South Africa News

Increased competition and bond switching set to shake up the SA property market

As interest rates remain stable against the backdrop of a challenging economic climate, banks are being pushed to innovate and offer more competitive home loan terms to attract customers. This environment has given rise to a practice widely adopted in the UK but is yet to reach a tipping point in South Africa: bond switching. Clive Bredenkamp, IT Executive at Proptech specialist e4, explains the potential shifts: “The property market is inherently sensitive to interest rate changes. While the rates are currently only marginally higher than in 2019, the market’s response to the current interest rate has been disproportionately severe due to the very low rates we experienced during the pandemic. However, with new players entering the market and offering up to a 1% discount on interest rates...

World Earth Day 2024 Matters in South Africa

22Apr

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

South Africa News

World Earth Day 2024 Matters in South Africa

The first Earth Day on 22 April 1970 mobilised millions of Americans from all walks of life to birth the modern environmental movement. 120 million Americans - 10% of the U.S. population at the time — took to the streets, college campuses and hundreds of cities to protest environmental ignorance and demand a new way forward. Since then, Earth Day has evolved into the largest civic event on Earth, activating billions of people across 192 countries to safeguard our planet and fight for a brighter future. Southern Africa is home to myriad conservation projects working hard to raise environmental awareness and make a positive impact on our planet. The Cape Town Environmental Education Trust (CEET) has made it their mission to reconnect children and youth to the wonders of nature and expose t...

TLcom Closes Africa’s Largest Early-Stage VC Fund at $154 Million

22Apr

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Business, Startups

TLcom Closes Africa’s Largest Early-Stage VC Fund at $154 Million

Africa’s Leading Early-Stage VC Surpasses Target for Its Second Fund, TIDE Africa II, Focused on Seed & Series A Companies Today, TLcom Capital, the Africa-focused venture capital firm, announced the final close of TIDE Africa Fund II, its second fund for technology in Africa, at $154 million. Confirming TLcom Capital’s status as Africa’s largest Seed and Series A investor, the new fund accelerates the firm’s mission to partner with elite founders to tackle Africa’s biggest and most complex challenges with innovative solutions that will unlock massive value in the continent’s critical sectors. At more than twice the size of TLcom Capital’s first fund, TIDE Africa Fund II is oversubscribed and sees participation from several new, high-profile LPs alongside returning LPs from the firm’...