Creating a disruption-proof supply chain in Africa

The impact of the pandemic on global supply chains has prompted governments around the world to look at ways to fix the broken links. In Africa, the launch of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), has provided the continent with new opportunities to strengthen its regional supply chain. Virusha Subban, Head of Indirect Tax at […]

Africa is leading the way in mobile money, and it will change banking as we know it

By Mark Dankworth, President International at Ukheshe Technologies Mobile transacting is fast becoming the golden egg of financial services – and nowhere more so than in Africa. According to the Global System for Mobile Communications’ (GSMA) 2021 State of the Industry Report on Mobile Money, the number of registered mobile money accounts grew by 12.7% globally […]

Creating inclusive workplaces to boost mental health

Zama Zaca, Head of New Business at Tetris South Africa, shares some design tips on how to make workspaces more inclusive and improve employee mental wellness of employees. Mental health has been in the spotlight recently, with people under strain from the ongoing COVID-19 crisis and top athletes opening up about their mental health struggles […]

Energy transition-a new path to power in Africa

Africa currently sits on the cusp of a transition into a new energy paradigm, one in which technological and commercial innovations are delivering increasingly decentralised power to the people of the continent in new ways. A recent White Paper released by global management consultancy company Kearney outlines the overarching strategic considerations for African utilities to […]

Cleaning up SA’s pharmaceutical industry

The global cleanroom technology market size is expected to reach USD 5.0 billion by 2028 and is expected to expand at a rate of 5.4% over the forecast period. Key factors driving market growth is growing compliance with stringent regulatory standards for new product approvals and increased awareness about contamination-free products.[i] Despite the Covid-19 pandemic […]

Resilience is the mother of all virtues… and the key to unlocking successful independent power projects in Nigeria

By Nicolas Mathon, Director, Project Development, Africa and Europe, Wärtsilä Energy The successful completion of the Azura Edo 450 MW gas-fired power project in 2016 was hailed at the time as setting the blueprint for future independent power projects in Nigeria. The $900 million plant, which gathered 20 international banks and equity financing partners from more than […]

New global tax rules will help address imbalances in tax revenue in Africa

By Denny Da Silva, Associate Director, Tax, Baker McKenzie, Johannesburg One hundred and thirty six of the 140 members of the OECD G20 Inclusive Framework, including South Africa, have agreed on a new set of global tax rules that will reform the world’s tax system. Notably, two African countries that are members of the Inclusive […]

The rise of African tech unicorns

African unicorns have made big news in recent months, with four startups having recently reached a $1 billion valuation or more this year alone, taking the total up to seven. Two of the new entrants are in fintech, one in edtech, and one in general technology. These and other technology-enabled sectors are where emerging market […]

Adenia acquires leading grower of premium roses in Kenya

Adenia Partners, a private equity firm investing in Africa, has acquired a majority stake in Altilands SA, the parent company of Red Lands Roses (“Red Lands”), a leading grower of premium fresh-cut roses in Kenya. Red Lands is internationally recognized for its green horticultural practices that respect people and the environment. Financial terms of the transaction […]

GITEX GLOBAL x Ai Everything, world’s biggest and most collaborative tech event of 2021, set to drive international transformation

GITEX Global x Ai Everything, the world’s most influential technology sourcing and networking event of 2021, is returning for its 41st edition at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from 17th-21st October as the United Arab Emirates prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary. GITEX GLOBAL x Ai Everything will be the world’s most complete, experiential technology […]

FSD Africa backs fintech pioneer to build a new platform aimed at increasing access to carbon markets

FSD Africa, the UK Government’s flagship financial sector programme in Africa, is making an initial investment (£650,000) in a highly innovative digital solution connecting carbon credits from small-scale green projects across the global south to international buyers. The investment will deliver funding through the test phase of the solution being developed by Nick Hughes, who […]

Peach Payments expands into Mauritius, serves as key event sponsor at Africa FinTech Festival

Peach Payments is pleased to announce that it has set up an office in Mauritius recently in pursuit of its pan-African expansion strategy. As a FinTech start-up that was set up in South Africa in 2012 and expanded into Kenya in 2018, the company is set to make a significant contribution to the pan-African FinTech landscape […]

New case study on digitalisation of financial service providers to serve low-income customers

This new publication explores the answers to the question: How best to digitalise a financial institution? The case study draws upon management consulting literature to assess digitalisation strategies in a pragmatic way. It assesses three leading African financial organisations against this framework: Al Barid Bank, Morocco; Equity Bank, Kenya; and Consolidated Bank, Ghana. The World […]

Africa to take center stage at GITEX Global 2021 – Save the date to the exclusive B2B tech gathering

The countdown has begun. From October 17-21, over 100,000 B2B tech players, including industry leaders, key influencers, public-sector stakeholders, 4000 exhibitors, and government officials from Africa and every corner of the world, will converge at the biggest tech show of the year in Dubai to discover the latest innovations and connect with 400 high-level investors […]

ONOMO Hotels Group opens its first hotel in Kampala, Uganda consolidating its investment in East Africa

This new hotel marks a milestone in the group’s growth in East-Africa, and brings its footprint to 22 hotels in 13 countries in Africa ONOMO Hotels Group continues its development in East Africa and opens its first hotel in Uganda. In line with the group’s strategy of opening hotels in the heart of iconic African […]

Africa: tax implications of digital transformation in the consumer goods and retail sector

By Jana Botha, Tax Consultant, and Prenisha Govender, Associate, Tax Practice, Baker McKenzie Johannesburg The pandemic-fuelled growth of the digital economy and unabated demand for online retail products across Africa have led to extensive disruption in the Consumer Goods and Retail Sector (CG&R) sector. Due to a growth in demand for online retail, CG&R companies […]

TLcom Announces 3rd Africa Tech Female Founder Summit

Julia Gillard, Former Prime Minister of Australia & Chair of Andela, announced as keynote speaker  TLcom Capital, the Africa-focussed venture capital firm, has officially announced the launch of the 2021 Africa Tech Female Founder Summit, which will be held virtually on Wednesday 13th October 2021. The keynote session is headlined by Julia Gillard, former Prime […]

DPI raises one of the largest Africa funds at US$900m to invest in innovation-led companies

Development Partners International (DPI), a premier investment firm focused on Africa, announced on 4th October that African Development Partners III Fund (ADP III), has exceeded its US$800 million target, and is set to hold a final close at US$900 million, with an additional US$250m of dedicated co-investment capital. This brings a total of US$1.15 billion […]

Kenya Plastics Pact launches to tackle plastics waste in the country

An ambitious, new collaborative initiative to tackle plastics waste and pollution has today launched in Kenya. The Kenya Plastics Pact (KPP) will bring together stakeholders across the plastics value chain to create a circular economy for plastics. The Pact brings together businesses, governments, researchers, NGOs, civil society, informal waste sector players, and other stakeholders across […]

Canon revolutionises 180° VR with its innovative 3D VR system and Canon RF 5.2mm F2.8L DUAL FISHEYE lens

The ground-breaking new EOS VR SYSTEM includes the world’s first lens for digital interchangeable lens cameras enabling 180° VR shooting with one camera to a single sensor Canon Europe today announces the latest innovation in the EOS R System – a pioneering new virtual reality capture solution that leverages the superior capabilities of the RF […]

EXPO 2020 DUBAI: FIRST BIG INVESTMENT DEAL ANNOUNCED BY UGANDA

Participant country starts Expo 2020 Dubai investment rush by signing deals worth USD 650m in the first big investment announcement of Expo Investments are across sectors including healthcare, energy and transportation Ugandan Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Hon. Matia Kasaija signs a series of investment deals that will generate jobs and economic growth […]

Over Half World’s Population Now Using Mobile Internet

But More Work Needs to be Done to Bridge the Digital Divide  GSMA Research Shows 3.4 Billion People Do Not Use Mobile Internet Despite Living in Areas with Mobile Broadband Coverage   The GSMA has launched its global State of Mobile Internet Connectivity Report 2021 showing that, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, more than half of the […]