Tuesday, December 10African Digital Business Magazine

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Five Simple Ways To Balance Out Your Work and Personal Life
Main

Five Simple Ways To Balance Out Your Work and Personal Life

In today's fast-paced world, mastering the art of time management is essential for achieving a harmonious balance between your professional and personal life. This delicate equilibrium is something that Ryan Nofal, the Managing Director at popular marketing agency Penquin, knows all too well. With his wealth of experience, Ryan offers valuable insights into how to effectively balance work and personal life while thriving in both domains. Prioritise and Set Clear Goals Ryan advises that setting clear goals in both your professional and personal life is the first step to success. "Without clear goals, you'll find yourself drifting, unsure of where to invest your time and energy," he explains. So, make a to-do list, set achievable objectives, and stay focused on what truly matters. T...
Energy, Main

Harnessing Africa’s Potential: advancing ESG strategies for a sustainable future

The opportunities for building a sustainable future for Africa are at least as great as the challenges, writes Christian Toben, Head of Financial Institutions for Emerging Markets at Commerzbank. Here, he discusses some of the positive initiatives that are helping to drive forward the continent’s ESG agenda and the crucial role of financial institutions in supporting Africa’s potential to step onto the global stage as a green energy hub. According to a survey by the African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association, some 97% of respondents believe that environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles are a key consideration when making decisions on investments. ESG, it seems, is now as important in developing Africa as it is in mature markets such as Europe and North America.  ...
What African companies “need to look like” today to raise $50m+
Business, Main

What African companies “need to look like” today to raise $50m+

By Risana Zitha, Managing Director and Head of Africa at DAI Magister Prior to 2022, African growth companies had begun raising $50m+ equity rounds regularly for the first time in history, mainly in fintech but increasingly in sectors such as logistics, education, and healthcare. Since the market downturn, those large rounds have slowed to a trickle, even though today there are more African companies than ever before who are truly “eligible” to raise that kind of capital. This growing cohort, alongside a larger group aiming to raise rounds in excess of $25 million, share the common question, “what will I need to look like now to aspire to raise that kind of funding to continue growing?”. The question is even more pressing today since many successful businesses have already raised interna...
New AppsFlyer Report Reveals eCommerce App Industry’s Resilience as Marketing Spend for Attracting New Shoppers to Apps Approaches $5 Billion
Business, Main

New AppsFlyer Report Reveals eCommerce App Industry’s Resilience as Marketing Spend for Attracting New Shoppers to Apps Approaches $5 Billion

Despite 25% plunge in spending in 2022 amid economic downturn, AppsFlyer’s 2023 State of eCommerce report showcases some positive retail global trends in a shifting economic landscape  AppsFlyer today released the 2023 edition of its State of eCommerce App Marketing report, an in-depth look at key global industry trends to guide retail marketers in building a mobile-first experience that drives engagement and sales for the second half of 2023, especially during the peak holiday season. While retail marketers continue operating in an uncertain economic landscape, last year’s Q4 holiday shopping season, which saw more in-app purchases by consumers compared to Q4 in 2021, should provide a glimmer of hope. Consumer spending on shopping apps climbed 37% in Q4 2022 compared to Q3 2022, 30% hig...
Business, Main, South Africa News

Positivity lies on a foundation of sustainability

Sustainability is more than a box to tick, it is the foundation of a more positive and economically inclusive future for South Africa, says Jonas Bogoshi, Chief Executive Officer at BCX. Sustainability has become the foundation for business growth and economic prosperity. The World Bank believes that organisations focusing on sustainability through measurable objectives and aligned environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals can change the wealth of a nation. Investopedia believes it is a route organisation can take to improve their own long-term viability while improving their investment profile and making a measurable contribution to society. And the Green Business Bureau, along with McKinsey, believe that achieving the objectives of a sustainable business is challenging, but has t...
Business, Main

Challenges in protecting and enforcing Intellectual Property in the African continent

By Daniel Anti, Bird & Bird daniel.anti@twobirds.com In this article we consider some of the challenges brands and individuals face in the protection and enforcement of their Intellectual Property (IP) in Africa. Here are some for consideration: Convoluted network of legal frameworks and lack of harmonization in IP laws and practice Currently there is no single uniform IP system or laws across the continent. There have been efforts to harmonise IP practices regionally through organisations such as the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) and the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI). A number of countries are also signed up to international treaties, systems and agreements which provide for rules on IP rights such as the TRIPS Agreement o...
Business, Main

The Importance of Intellectual Property for The African Continent & Why Brands Should Be Paying Attention

By Daniel Anti, Bird & Bird daniel.anti@twobirds.com There’s no doubt that Intellectual Property (IP) is a key driver in the promotion and creation of innovation, economic growth and, some might argue, a ‘better world’. For the continent of Africa, there has for a time now been (and no doubt we will continue to see) a sharp surge in technological advancement and economic transformation which has led to and resulted from the creation of IP. Whilst the continent itself consists of a vast number of countries, and there are individual and specific considerations (political, systematic, historical and other wise) for each of them which should never be ignored, the innovation trend nonetheless taken as a whole is on an upward curve. Brands within Africa and outside of it should conside...
Main

Robust Governance and Planned Succession are Key for African Family Businesses

Faizal Bhana, Director – Middle East, Africa and India, Jersey Finance  The pandemic underscored the importance of integrating the next generation, or NextGen, into the family business. Many families experienced tragedies, losing their patriarch or matriarch, propelling their next generation to senior roles, for some reluctantly. Succession planning and governance for families has been back in the spotlight since, highlighting its critical importance for business continuity.  At the same time, regulatory and political landscapes are becoming increasingly complex and those working to advise families must adapt and be ready to navigate an ever-changing business environment. Family businesses in Africa make a considerable contribution to the economic prosperity of the continent and this is...
Main

Africa: Resilience in the private equity market

By Angela Simpson and Lydia Shadrach-Razzino, Partners and Co-heads of the Corporate/M&A Practice, Baker McKenzie Johannesburg Private markets in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) have seen a continuous rise in activity since the COVID 19 pandemic. The latest AVCA Private Capital Activity Report 2022 revealed that USD 7.6 billion of private capital was invested in 2022, resulting in a 3% growth in deal value across the continent last year, after a similarly upbeat 2021. According to the report, 37% of the deal volume came from multi-region investments. Challenges, risks and resilience This resilience is despite the impact of numerous crises over the last couple of years, especially the looming global recession, supply chain disruptions and soaring energy prices. These factors have led to fea...
Business, Main

The African Private Equity Market’s role in the continent’s exciting transformation

By Angela Simpson and Lydia Shadrach-Razzino, Partners and Co-heads of the Corporate/M&A Practice at Baker McKenzie in Johannesburg The impact of global geopolitical and economic turbulence and the challenges of the pandemic have led private equity (PE) investors to carefully assess which sectors are expected to do well in Africa and where they can find high quality assets at the right price. Healthcare, technology, media and telecommunications (TMT), energy, infrastructure and financials have emerged as the most active sectors by value in Africa in the last few years, with PE investment in general rising substantially despite economic challenges. Rapid innovative developments in these sectors have attracted the attention of PE investors, and it is clear that the continent is open for...