Main Archives - Page 2 of 19 - AfricaBusiness.com

13May

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Main, South Africa News, Tech

Third-party cookies are crumbling

The days of relying on third-party cookies for insight into consumers are gone and have been replaced by first-party data trends and opportunities. Delivering his keynote speech at PPW in Bangkok, Gil Sperling, co-Founder and CEO of data-driven adtech company, Flow, stressed the urgency for portals and marketplaces to get to grips with this shift and to capitalise on the massive revenue opportunity that it presents. With Google's announcement that it will discontinue cookies in the third quarter of 2024, the convergence of stringent laws and heightened data privacy concerns, this inevitable change has accelerated. For consumers, this heralds a new era of empowerment, offering heightened privacy, control, and more explicit consent. For marketers and media professionals, however, this sei...

29Mar

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Main, South Africa News

The rise of Gen Z means a rethink of permanent employment is on the horizon

By Gary Silbermann, Co-Founder and Innovation Director at One Degree Workers had barely adapted to a remote and hybrid workplace before businesses demanded more time in the office without exception. Tech big hitters such as Dell and Tata Consultancy Services have warned workers to return or face consequences. Remote working advocate Zoom has demanded that all those who live within 80km of the office need to work in-person twice a week. The reasons put forward by businesses who want employees in the office may vary but there are common themes, such as lower productivity and a struggling or absent company culture. While these concerns are valid and most certainly the lived experiences of C-suites trying to drive the bottom line, as the workforce demographics shift to younger generations it...

17Mar

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Main, Medicine

Navigating healthcare uncertainty across Africa

While Africa continues to face challenges around healthcare accessibility and cost, there are glimmers of hope on the digital horizon, explains Rodney Taylor, MD at Guardian Eye Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to become home to one in three people by the end of the century with a rapidly growing population and some impressive economic growth statistics. Currently, the region’s population is over one billion with more people living on a wage less than $2 per day than anywhere else in the world. With higher mortality rates for women and children, lack of access to infrastructure and medication, and the high cost of medication, Africa needs smart interventions to overcome the barriers to healthcare access and adoption. Technology has immense potential to help countries across the continent...

6Mar

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Main, Medicine

When the perceived cure becomes poison: Urgent action required to address the illicit trade of counterfeit antimalarial drugs in Africa, responsible for 158 000 deaths annually

According to the World Health Organization, the sale of counterfeit medication is the world’s most lucrative illicit trade. Sadly, Africa has become home to an estimated 42% of the world’s cases of trade in counterfeit medications, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable and desperate of populations living in low- or middle-income countries. Counterfeit malaria medication is estimated to be directly attributable to the deaths of between 64 000 and 158 000 Africans every year. According to the latest stats from the Journal of Vector Borne Diseases, the antimalarial market in some African countries comprises 88.4% fake drugs. In East and West Africa, for example, food substances (among other ingredients) have been used in place of active pharmaceutical components. These additives c...

Interview with John Sisay on Mining Industry Trends in Namibia

25Jan

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Business, Interview, Main, Namibia News

Interview with John Sisay on Mining Industry Trends in Namibia

John Sisay is the CEO of Ongopolo Mining Limited and has over 20 years of experience working for some of the largest global and regional players, including De Beers. How does the recent decision to ban the export of unprocessed critical minerals affect Namibia’s mining industry and economy? Namibia's recent decision to prohibit the export of raw minerals is a direct response to the growing global demand for metals essential in clean energy technologies. To meet this demand, we need to ensure a steady supply, and the local economy should be placed at the center of production The legislation is taking us in the right direction. It’s a big shift for the country, moving from just exporting minerals to actively producing them – a major industry transformation. It's time for mining operatio...

African markets impacted by FX volatility and inflationary pressures in sobering 2023

12Jan

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Business, Main

African markets impacted by FX volatility and inflationary pressures in sobering 2023

The African business ecosystem has matured, despite a 2023 characterised by macroeconomic and funding challenges, says Risana Zitha, Managing Director and Head of Africa at DAI Magister The global business landscape underwent a profound transformation in 2023, triggering a turbulent year for companies worldwide. Geopolitical turmoil, inflationary pressures, and a shifting economic landscape unleashed a torrent of challenges, particularly for start-ups and growth-oriented companies. In Africa, notable currency depreciations created unfavourable market conditions − the Nigerian Naira saw a 40% depreciation for 2023, while Kenya experienced a 20% depreciation in its currency value. Additionally, there was a contraction in the size and volume of VC deals, with both metrics decreasing by 40% ...

8Jan

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Ghana News, Kenya News, Main, Nigeria News, South Africa News

Global Cities Report: A mixed bag of results for Africa

Social, geopolitical, and technological transformations are actively disrupting the traditional hierarchy of global cities, creating a more widely distributed geography of opportunity. This is according to Kearney’s 2023 Global Cities Report, which highlights that established global city leaders face ever-greater competition from emerging hubs, with those taking a regenerative approach poised to lead in the attraction of talent, innovation, and investment. Global Cities Index The Global Cities Index (GCI) seeks to quantify the extent to which a city can attract, retain, and generate global flows of capital, people, and ideas. Cities are measured against five key dimensions: Human Capital, Information Exchange, Cultural Experience, Political Engagement, and Business Activity. Average GC...

18Dec

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Business, Main

Expert Predicts Sustainable Retail Trends for 2024 and Beyond

Shopaholics are constantly changing how they look at the products and services they spend their money on, and one thing that can massively affect whether they buy something is whether it’s sustainable or not. Figures from Deloitte show how important sustainability is to modern shoppers and consumers, with 58% valuing durability, 39% focussing on repairability, and another 37% consider how biodiverse the purchase will be. The sands are shifting towards a more sustainable future in retail but what trends could we see emerge in the coming years? Vikki Makinson, head of marketing and communications at Oceans, the leading suppliers of sustainable toilet paper, has provided expert insight into the future trends of sustainable retail. Eco-conscious consumerism The bigges...

14Nov

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Main

Africa needs strong domestic corporate banks to drive development

By Jaco Viljoen, Group Chief Executive Officer - First Capital Bank Around the world, banks form the foundations of any economy by providing critical services that enable payments, working capital to grow businesses, finance to buy assets, interest on savings and investment accounts, and more. However, when looking at the sector, we must remember that banking isn’t just about numbers and profits, it’s also about improving lives and communities. Although recognised for its importance in providing financial services like cash management, payment processing, and hedging structures to a diverse clientele of small and mid-sized enterprises to large corporations, the greater impact of corporate banks is often overlooked. This is particularly true for domestic African corporate banks that play ...

29Oct

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Kenya News, Main

Addressing E-Waste in Nairobi and Surrounding Regions

Authors: Lawrence Thuo, Stephen K. Mbugua, and Bancy Ireri The disposal of electronic waste (e-waste) has become a pressing issue in Kenya, presenting significant hazards to public health and the environment. To mitigate these risks, it is critical to raise public awareness and educate young people on how to sustainably manage e-waste. Kenya has experienced a rapid increase in e-waste generation due to the growth of the technology sector and consumerism. Discarded electronics, such as mobile phones, computers, televisions, and other electronic devices, contain hazardous materials including lead, mercury, cadmium, and brominated flame retardants. Improper handling and disposal of e-waste lead to the release of these toxic substances into the environment, contaminating soil, water, and ai...