Friday, November 8African Digital Business Magazine

Author: Africa Business

PAM Africa Launches First Ever Net Zero Village in Africa
Energy, Nigeria News

PAM Africa Launches First Ever Net Zero Village in Africa

Leading Cleantech company becomes Africa’s first solar company to provide quality energy access for Africans. PAM Africa, a renewable energy company that provides quality energy access through Solar PV, Grids, Batteries, and Innovation, has today announced the launch of their Net-Zero Villages - a groundbreaking approach that consists of a community that is designed with a whole systems thinking approach to offset more greenhouse gases (GHG) than it produces. The first of its kind from an African solar company, NZVs improve the quality of life of community dwellers whilst simultaneously improving energy access. Within each NZV, you will find many innovative technologies for affordable, clean and quality energy access such as Solar Mesh-Grids, Mini-Grids, Battery Hubs, So-Cool Systems, an...
Moving on up: Why change management matters in evolving workspaces
Business

Moving on up: Why change management matters in evolving workspaces

Our workplaces are changing rapidly, with organisations redesigning their spaces to be more flexible and hospitable, moving to accommodate hybrid work practices, or simply relocating to downsize. While the reasons for moving are clear, there is often an inconsistent understanding and implementation of change management, which can result in overwhelmed employees, reduced productivity, and the loss of valuable talent, says Tango Matoti, who was recently appointed as Director of Workplace and Business Development at Tétris Design and Build. Change is a process, not a switch A well-defined change and communication strategy is crucial for people to embrace the new and for the spaces to work effectively. While workplace design is an important piece of the puzzle, it's not the only one. Change ...
South Africa News

Simple Ways to Support Digital Learning and Help Build SA’s Digital Future

Education in the online space was brought into sharp focus during the COVID-19 pandemic and the COVID-19 and barriers to participation in education in South Africa, 2020 report released by Statistics South Africa showed the scale of the challenge in that only 11.7% of schools offered remote learning options, nationally. Most households did not have digital assets such as laptops and tablets to allow learners to learn remotely using digital tools – in 2020 among all households with children aged 5–24, computer ownership was at 24.7% and just 7% of households with children in that age bracket had access to the internet at home. The World Economic Forum (WEF) also reports that Sub-Saharan Africa has the world's most expensive mobile data prices. According to the report, South Africans pay up...
Invest Africa: 6 Reasons To Choose Ghana
African News, Events, Ghana News

Invest Africa: 6 Reasons To Choose Ghana

As the world gradually emerges from the ruins of the recent economic recession, the search continues for the next hotspot for global commerce. Emerging markets in Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East are being viewed as possible new engines of economic growth. Amid the hot debates and ponderings, the case for Africa has grown stronger than ever, as it keeps exhibiting strong indications for a significant takeoff soon. Not only is Africa the second-largest continent in terms of area and population, but it also has a wealth of untapped natural resources, enormous potential for sustainable agriculture, and, as of recently, the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which has created the largest free market in the world. With the ongoing economic revival in Africa, Ghana has esta...
Business

Baker McKenzie’s Africa team wins Banking and Finance Legal Advisor of the Year and Best pan-African Law Firm

Global law firm Baker McKenzie has received GFC Media's Bonds, Loans & ESG Capital Markets Africa Banking & Finance Legal Adviser of the Year award for 2023. The firm also advised on four Deal of the Year transactions, showcasing the firm's impressive multi-jurisdictional client mandates in Africa. The firm advised on the following Deal of the Year winners: The Local Currency Sovereign, Supra & Agency Bond Deal of the Year - awarded to the Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA) for its ZAR 3 billion senior unsecured green bond private placement to PIMCO. Baker McKenzie advised Standard Chartered Bank as structuring advisor and placement agent on this transaction. DBSA is a leading development finance institution with the mandate to promote economic growth as well as regional...
Positive operating result for both Air France and KLM thanks to significant increase in revenues and transformation efforts
Business

Positive operating result for both Air France and KLM thanks to significant increase in revenues and transformation efforts

Air France-KLM has confirmed that the company has bounced back from two years of massive losses as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, returning to profit. The company confirms Strong Group capacity ramp up at 85% compared to 2019 with load factor at 84% Group revenues at €26.4bn, with highest fourth quarter revenues in history. Additionally, operating result at €1.2bn with operating margin at 4.5% above 2019 level (4.2%), despite surging fuel price.  Air France-KLM confirms a positive net income at €0.7bn supporting the Group’s equity restoration. Positive Adjusted operating free cash flow at €1.9bn and solid cash at hand at €10.6bn Net debt down by €1.9bn euros, compared to end of 2021. Commenting on the results, Mr. Benjamin Smith, Group CEO, said: “Throughout 2022, Air France-KLM once...
South Africa News

How South African businesses can start the financial year digitally secure

With phishing, ransomware and other cyberattacks on the rise in South Africa, appropriately budgeting for cybersecurity is a must, as the benefits of having strong measures in place far outweigh the assumed expense of digital security, says Steve Flynn, Sales and Marketing Director at ESET Southern Africa. With a shortage of experienced cybersecurity personnel in South Africa and across the globe, cybercriminals have an advantage with access to significant skills and resources – and determination and persistence to match. Businesses often spend as little as possible on cybersecurity. SMEs often mistakenly believe that they don’t require paid cybersecurity as their business isn’t an attractive target for cybercrime. However, if the average consumer or end-user is vulnerable to cyberattacks...
Business

Better Dispute Resolution key to opening up Africa opportunity

As the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)'s Court of Arbitration celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, President Claudia Salomon describes the organisation's African ambition: to become the number one choice for dispute resolution and prevention services for African businesses - and to establish a major presence on the continent. A first focus for the Court’s Africa outreach has been selling the benefits of arbitration per se: ie articulating the confidence it gives businesses trading across borders, knowing that any disputes will be handled fairly, (ie in a forum that is neutral, independent and free from political bias), and that any decisions will be easier to enforce.  Indeed the concept has been gaining traction for some time as Africa’s economies have grown, with local ar...
West Property set to contribute massively to premium luxury housing in Zimbabwe
Real Estate, Zimbabwe News

West Property set to contribute massively to premium luxury housing in Zimbabwe

West Property Zimbabwe is a leading property developer making waves in the Zimbabwean real estate industry.  The company is well-known for providing premium luxury housing at an affordable price, contributing massively to the country's standards of real estate.  The company has undertaken several projects that showcase their commitment to providing high-end luxury to their clients. One of these projects is the Pokugara Residential Estate and Townhouses, located in Borrowdale, Harare. This exclusive complex is a secure gated community with each sectional titled home comprising of 3 bedrooms, a front porch, and an open plan double volume lounge leading to a covered patio, dining area, kitchen, common bathroom, and staff accommodation.  It also boasts a communal recreational and entertai...
Nigeria: What next for West Africa’s powerhouse?
African News, Main, Nigeria News

Nigeria: What next for West Africa’s powerhouse?

Nigeria: What next for West Africa’s powerhouse? With elections approaching, change is afoot in Nigeria. Keen to pursue new opportunities and drive the country forward, what does the future hold for one of Africa’s largest economies? Following her recent visits to the country, Marie El-Hawat, Associate Director, Anglophone Africa at British Arab Commercial Bank (BACB) shares her thoughts on the forces at play in the region. Nigeria is one of Africa’s largest and most important economies: one in five Africans are Nigerian, and that proportion is only set to grow. As one of the powerhouse economies in West Africa, the economy offers huge opportunities, particularly in the county’s largest city, Lagos. Nigeria’s GDP is around USD 441bn, the highest in Africa, and only one of three economies...