Author Archives: Africa Business

Counting the real cost of cash in South Africa

Cash is still king in South Africa. But according to Anton van der Merwe, COO of leading pan-African fintech enablement partner, Ukheshe Technologies,  its long reign is increasingly under threat as businesses and consumers begin counting the real, hidden costs behind cash transactions. Whether its via cash, credit card, QR, crypto, or a smartphone wallet, financial transactions […]

M&A report discovered many exciting opportunities in Africa’s chemical industry

Africa’s greenfield opportunity Global trends unearthed and analysed indicate that the chemicals sector is increasingly being driven by Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations. It also indicates that decarbonisation is often a key rationale behind the investments (and divestments) in the sector, except for Africa where investments understandably lagged again this year. These are the […]

#NoFalseNewsZone: How to determine fake information

Exclusive Interview With Oluwasola Obagbemi, Corporate Communications Manager, Anglophone West Africa, Meta Oluwasola Obagbemi talked about why the #NoFalseNewsZone campaign is needed, what reliable information is, how to determine lies, and how to solve problems with the spread of fake news. 1. Why do you need to conduct a #NoFalseNewsZone campaign now? The #NoFalseNewsZone campaign […]

Healthtech startup Zuri Health receives funding to expand across Africa

Zuri Health, the digital healthcare company which provides affordable healthcare via mobile, has completed a funding round attracting investment from DOB Equity, Launch Africa and Founders Factory Africa to expand across Africa. Zuri Health connects mass-market patients with affordable, convenient, and quality healthcare services via SMS, WhatsApp and a dedicated app. The company initially launched […]

The rapid rate of competition law developments across Africa

By Lerisha Naidu, Partner, Angelo Tzarevski, Associate Director, Sphesihle Nxumalo, Associate and Zareenah Rasool, Associate, Competition & Antitrust Practice, Baker McKenzie Johannesburg Baker McKenzie’s latest Africa Competition Report 2022 provides a detailed analysis and overview of recent developments in competition law enforcement and competition policy in 32 African jurisdictions and regional bodies. The Report outlines how, over […]

The road to recovery for Africa: The potential of DFIs to halt the spiraling unemployment rate

DFIs directly or indirectly support over 6 million African jobs in the private sector New report published today by the ONE Campaign and the African Centre for Economic Transformation (ACET) reveals that the 10 largest global bilateral development finance institutions (DFIs) could substantially reduce Africa’s spiraling unemployment rate by 2025. The report titled Shifting and Accelerating DFI […]

More Banking Executives View Fintechs as Partners in Economist Impact Report on Digital Competition in Global Finance Commissioned by WSO2

In a global survey of 300 C-suite banking industry executives, 54% say their financial institutions have faced greater competition over the past three years from digital alternatives while 47% of UK respondents found this to be the case. However, these executives also indicate that they are better positioned to compete. Notably, 85% of respondents reported […]

Identity confirmation in under 30 seconds: How biometrics became lightning fast and accurate

How do you do trust someone you can’t meet in person? It’s a question organisations have been grappling with in the age of the internet, KYC requirements, and the rapidly escalating costs and consequences of identity fraud. “Enter biometrics with liveness detection, a state-of-the-art solution that onboards customers securely, easily, and quickly,” says Lance Fanaroff, […]

New Handling Record at Port of Maputo Points to a Positive Market Recovery

Leading transport event tackles the key challenges of inter-Africa trade expansion In 2021, the Port of Maputo achieved a new handling record of 22.2 million tons, representing 21% year-on-year growth compared to the previous year’s handling volume of 18.3 million tons. A reflection of a post-Covid market recovery, Mozambique’s Maputo Port Development Company (MPDC) CEO Osório […]

City of Cape Town initiates support to growing ScreenTech sector

From laptops, televisions and navigation devices to cell phones, video games and smartwatches – screens of all shapes and sizes are fast becoming the preferred medium for people all over the world to acquire news, information, and knowledge; to entertain themselves; be productive; and connect. And as the tech capital of Africa, Cape Town is […]

Mobile app trends 2022: A global benchmark of app performance

2021 was a truly transformative year for the mobile app industry. In light of multiple lockdowns as well as wholesale privacy changes affecting user acquisition on iOS, consumer habits and user behavior patterns have undergone immense change and impressive growth. But how have these challenges affected the app marketing ecosystem? Mobile app trends 2022 provides […]

Mauritania to Become a New Global Gas Hub as Market Expansion Intensifies

Mauritania is set to become a global energy hub with gas projects such as the GTA and the BirAllah. Previous gas discoveries in Mauritania coupled with efforts by the government to make gas central to driving economic growth and poverty reduction have positioned the northwest African country as an emerging global gas hub. Since the […]

South Africans invited to partner on sustainable plastic packaging solutions for online retail

Cheap, mouldable, and corrosion resistant; these qualities have made plastic a dependable packaging staple for the manufacture of consumer goods sold online. But in South Africa – where the total cost of plastic waste pollution exceeds R885 billion annually[1] – the search is on for new and innovative approaches to minimising how the material is used […]

Call for applications: the Social & Inclusive Business Camp opens its doors to African entrepreneurs for the 6th year running

The Social & Inclusive Business Camp (SIBC) has begun searching for its 6th cohort of African entrepreneurs. Leaders of developing, high-impact companies on the continent have until June 26 to apply for a place on the SIBC 2022! The Social & Inclusive Business Camp has become the unmissable event for high-impact African entrepreneurs and will soon […]

Top Trends Shaping Transport Infrastructure in Africa

Transport infrastructure is a fundamental enabler of sustainable economic growth in Africa and essential for global competitiveness and trade. As with many industries around the world, the transport industry is currently experiencing great change, which is being driven by several global trends, including technology and automation and Environment Social Governance (ESG). Tech-Driven Efficiency  From self-driving […]

The ergonomics of working from home: tips from the experts

One of the remnants from worldwide lockdowns is the switch to working from home or a hybrid of onsite and offsite working. If you’re still working in a makeshift space in your house – slouched on the couch, hunched over a laptop or commandeering your dining room table – you may be feeling the effects […]

Data security and privacy laws develop across Africa

Numerous countries in Africa have developed or implemented data privacy and security laws in their countries in the last few years. With the rapid rise in digitisation as a result of the pandemic, the broad implementation of such laws across the continent has never been more urgent. Countries including Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Nigeria, Rwanda, […]

Finding a silver lining in offshore investments during unprecedented times

Finding a silver lining in offshore investments during unprecedented times

There isn’t a better time to equip offshore investors with the best product options available for their needs. Following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement on the further opening of the South African economy, more people are looking for new investment opportunities. In 2020, South Africa’s share in the global gross domestic product (GDP) adjusted for Purchasing Power Parity […]

Startups can drive economic development in South Africa, but these are the tools they need

Adbot is empowering Pre-Seed and Seed startups to access new markets South Africa’s economy is driven by small businesses, which are expected to have created around 90% of all new jobs by 2030[1]. Many of these jobs are likely to be created by start-ups, new businesses that scale quickly and add significant economic value. But […]

How innovation in technology is outsmarting crime in South Africa

Warren Myers - AURA

Crime is growing more sophisticated – so too are the solutions to combat it In the current climate of hijackings, robberies and unlawful syndicates, it is hard to imagine a world where crime is drastically reduced, or even wiped out completely. However, according to Warren Myers, CEO of South Africa’s on-demand security and medical response […]