Business Archives - Page 6 of 29

3Apr

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Business, Mauritius News

Adenia Closes Fifth Flagship Fund Oversubscribed at $470M

Adenia Partners (“Adenia”), a leading private equity firm focused on growth opportunities in Africa, has successfully closed its fifth fund, Adenia Capital V (the “Fund”, “AC(V)” or “Fund V”) at its $470 million hard cap. The Fund, which was significantly oversubscribed, attracted commitments from new and existing investors globally. Fund V continues Adenia’s long-term investment strategy of making control investments in medium-sized companies across Africa with proven business models that demonstrate ample room for operational and ESG improvements. The Fund is sector-agnostic with financial services, agribusiness, renewable energy, consumer goods, telecommunications, healthcare and education, business services, light manufacturing, and specialty distribution as areas of particular focus....

3Apr

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Business

Bias-free Futures: Strategies for Ethical AI Implementation

As organisations step up efforts to leverage the capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI), it is essential for both AI developers and regulators to consistently contemplate, integrate, and advocate for ethical considerations throughout the entire process. That’s according to Hope Lukoto, Chief Human Resource Officer at BCX, who points out that while AI promises a plethora of business benefits, responsible use of the technology is key to unlocking its full potential. AI bias, also referred to as machine learning bias or algorithm bias, refers to AI systems that produce biased results that reflect and perpetuate human biases within a society, including historical and current social inequality. “Artificial intelligence can transform our lives for the better. But AI systems are only a...

29Mar

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Business

The African Continental Free Trade Area Investment Protocol signalled a new era in sustainable trade and investment

By Michael Foundethakis, Partner, and Global Head of Project and Trade & Export Finance, Baker McKenzie Paris and Virusha Subban, Partner specialising in Customs and Trade, and Head of Tax, Baker McKenzie Johannesburg The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is predicted to increase Africa's trade income by USD 450 billion by 2035 and will boost intra-African trade by more than 81 percent, according to a recent report by the World Bank. Since the start of trade under AfCFTA in 2021, African countries have been implementing changes to diversify their economies, increase production capacity, and widen the range of products made in Africa. To be able to do so effectively, they must attract sustainable funding and investment. Several countries are now trading under the continenta...

The $3bn Private Credit Opportunity in Africa

27Mar

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Business

The $3bn Private Credit Opportunity in Africa

Written by Ali Al-Suhail, Vice President at DAI Magister Africa’s mid-market businesses, the backbone of the continent’s economic growth, can find themselves trapped in a financing void. With annual revenues typically surpassing $10 million, these companies find themselves in a precarious position – too large for microfinance, yet too small or risky for traditional banks. The result, we estimate, is a staggering $3 billion credit gap, a figure that highlights the immense untapped potential for investors seeking globally competitive returns while driving the growth of Africa’s most promising enterprises. The African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (AVCA) reports that out of the $32.1 billion in private capital raised between 2012 and Q3 2021, a mere $1.5 billion was allocat...

27Mar

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Business, South Africa News

How Effective Rebranding Can Redefine and Elevate Your Business

In an era where change is the only constant, businesses must adapt and evolve to stay ahead. Penquin, the brand and communication agency based in Johannesburg, is leading by example, embracing transformation with open arms. The agency recently made headlines with the unveiling of its brand-new logo and refreshed corporate identity (CI), marking a significant milestone in its journey. This bold move is not just a change in visual aesthetics but a profound statement of Penquin's commitment to innovation, growth, and the continuous pursuit of excellence in the ever-changing landscape of brand communication. Veronica Moleele, CEO of Penquin, unpacks the importance of rebranding and how it can breathe new life into a business. "Rebranding is more than just revamping your logo or updating yo...

Egypt and the Big 5 Dominate Hotel Development in Africa

26Mar

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Africa Travel, Business, Egypt News

Egypt and the Big 5 Dominate Hotel Development in Africa

When it comes to hotel development across Africa in 2024, just five words tell the story, “Egypt and the Big 5”. In this context, “the Big 5” does not refer to Africa’s major wildlife attractions, (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant and buffalo) but to the global hotel chains – Accor, Hilton, IHG, Marriott International and Radisson Hotel Group. This year’s African Hotel Chain Development Pipeline report, widely acknowledged as the industry’s most authoritative source, documenting and analysing the number of hotels being planned and built across the continent, reports a market share of 28% for Egypt and 71% for the Big 5 global chains. The survey, conducted by Lagos-based W Hospitality Group, in association with the Africa Hospitality Investment Forum (AHIF), is based on responses from 4...

6Mar

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Business

How to take advantage of retail trends in 2024

By Peter Ludi, Business Development Executive at redPanda Software Perhaps the single most effective thing retailers can do in 2024 and beyond is to acknowledge that aspirations and consultative conversations have overtaken reality. If a retailer wishes to take advantage of the latest and greatest trends for this year and next, it would do well to keep its feet firmly planted on the ground while working with a good partner to achieve its technology aspirations. What does this mean? We all know that the future is ambient technology that is always on and always ready to make the customer and employee experience better, but which is not intrusive. In this world the omnichannel is dead. Except that we are not in that world yet and most retailers are nowhere near proclaiming they’ve evolved p...

29Feb

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Business

The synergy of business and IT will be key to harnessing Africa’s full potential

By Upuli De Abrew, Director at Insight Consulting The African continent is poised for economic growth, rapid urbanisation and increasing incomes with its population expected to reach about 1.7-billion people by 2030, making it crucial for businesses to fast-track data strategies if they are to remain competitive and benefit from these developments. A major challenge in achieving these goals is that data and its associated processes have historically been seen as an IT function; while the IT department might have the knowledge and technical expertise to execute data strategies, many fail to deliver a return on investment as the initial process of defining the 'what' of the data strategy is not business-led. Often, data strategies that are led by IT departments focus on the 'how' – the te...

14Feb

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Business

Decision-Making: Key to Powering Business Continuity

by Tosin Eniolorunda As leaders in the corporate world, we understand that every outcome traces back to a decision. Our organizations are built on the choices we make, both big and small. This underscores the primal nature of decision-making and its profound impact. The path we chart for our companies stems from the judgment calls we make each day. What products do we can or take to the market? How do we enter this new market? When do we react to an impending regulatory change? The art of decision-making is a skill that can make or mar any organization. Each decision, whether small or monumental, will have an effect that reverberates across the organization. Mastering effective decision-making is the bedrock for success in any enterprise and might very well determine the longevity of you...

Ilara Health Secures $4.2M Pre-Series A to Digitise Fragmented Primary Healthcare in Africa

12Feb

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Business, Medicine, Startups

Ilara Health Secures $4.2M Pre-Series A to Digitise Fragmented Primary Healthcare in Africa

Kenya-based start-up to scale investment in thousands of Primary care clinics through new technology and enhanced business model Ilara Health, the healthtech company digitising and consolidating highly fragmented primary care in Kenya, has today announced the close of a $4.2M pre-series A round of equity and debt. Led by DOB Equity, the round also sees follow-on equity investment from AAIC INVESTMENT, Angaza Capital, Black Pearl Investments, Perivoli Innovations, as well as debt investment from Alphamundi and Kiva Capital. New to the round are Philips Foundation and Boehringer Ingelheim. The new partners are strategic healthcare investors that bring their deep experience working with and investing in companies in the global healthcare industry. Ilara Health will use the latest capital ...