AfricaBusiness.com - Page 8 of 219

13Sep

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Business, Startups

African companies must recognise strategic M&A as the most viable exit strategy, says investment bank CEO

Founders can prepare diligently for M&A exits by identifying the right pools of buyers, stress-testing business plans and clearly defining value propositions Impacted by global economic issues and geopolitical tensions, African companies have faced a challenging 12 months in terms of VC-backed activity. However, for any founders considering their best route to a profitable exit, one option has emerged as the obvious choice: acquisition. This trend is highlighted by Pitchbook data evaluating the African VC ecosystem in Q1 2024, which revealed that of all the exits achieved across the period, each and every one was secured via acquisition. In contrast, no public listing or buyout deals were completed. According to Victor Basta, CEO and Founder of investment bank DAI Magister, African ...

11Sep

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Africa Travel, Business

THE NEW FACE OF BLEISURE TOURISM

How business-leisure travel has evolved In a world where the lines between work and play often blur, the tourism industry has witnessed a remarkable evolution in travel patterns since 2022. What began as a niche trend, 'bleisure' tourism—blending business and leisure—has now become a major driver in hospitality, adapting and thriving in our post-pandemic reality. Shaun Lamont, Managing Director of First Group Hotels and Resorts, shares some insights into how this phenomenon has transformed over the past two years and its impact on the hospitality industry. The Changing Landscape of Bleisure "Bleisure travel looks quite different now compared to two years ago," says Lamont. "We've seen a shift from predominantly domestic, extended-stay remote workers to a more diverse mix of travellers...

5Sep

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Kenya News, Tech

IDEX Biometrics and Vasmobile launch biometric school ID program in Africa

Vasmobile Fintelco is launching SkoolID, the African School ID and Smart Payment Card, based on the biometric card platform from IDEX Biometrics. The agreement and first production order represent a value of $1.4 million, with delivery starting in the fourth quarter of 2024. The multi-year agreement sets Vasmobile up to scale across Kenya in 2025 and further expansion into other parts of Africa as of 2026. Today Vasmobile is offering payment card solutions to schools with the support of the M-Pesa payment network. This new school ID will be upgraded to a biometric smart card, incorporating the IDEX biometric technology, including biometric solution, card operating system, and applets developed by Vasmobile. This is a world first use case for biometric smart cards. These cards will secure...

5Sep

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Africa Travel, Ghana News

Virgin Atlantic adds three new destinations for summer 2025

Airline will launch flights to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from March 2025 Flights to Accra, Ghana will operate for the first time since 2013, with launch in May 2025 Both routes will be on sale from 12 September 2024 Airline recently announced plans to return to Toronto, Canada, its first Canadian route in a decade Virgin Atlantic has announced new flying from London Heathrow, adding two new destinations of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and Accra, Ghana to its network for summer 2025. New route to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia For the first time, the airline will launch a daily service to King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The service aims to participate in the growth expected from Saudi Vision 2030. In 2023, annual trade between the UK and Saudi Arabia was worth £17.1 bill...

3Sep

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Real Estate, South Africa News

Construction of Club Med South Africa Progresses To 2026 Opening

Construction of Club Med's first Resort in South Africa is in full swing, and the excitement is building as it moves steadily toward its scheduled opening in July 2026. Officially named Club Med South Africa, this unique destination promises to deliver the perfect mix of beachside relaxation and safari experiences. Nestled alongside the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal, and bordered by vibrant wildlife reserves, the Resort will be an ideal escape for both international and local travelers looking for a blend of tranquility and adventure. Key Milestones and Construction Phases The scale of this development has necessitated a phased construction approach, allowing for multiple aspects of the project to advance simultaneously. The current focus is on three critical components: Hot...

3Sep

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

South Africa News, Startups

Embracing the entrepreneurial mindset: Lessons from the trenches

By Daniel Levy, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Flow In the business world, nothing stays the same for long. This makes an entrepreneurial mindset not just helpful, but essential. So what does it take? How can eager entrepreneurs tackle the complexities of the modern market and come out stronger? Having walked this path myself, I know the road to success is rocky and rarely straightforward. But I’ve found it's this unpredictability that best hones the skills and fuels ambition. Here are five learnings that have shaped my experience and continue to drive my leadership at Flow into new territories. 1. Blind luck might open a door, but it’s grit that turns luck into success Luck, they say, favours the prepared mind. In my experience, luck is just the spark – grit is the fuel that keeps the fire ...

28Aug

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Tech

Armata Cyber Security releases an all-in-one cybersecurity bundle for comprehensive enterprise security protection

Organisations need robust cybersecurity measures to ensure business continuity The IoT era introduces a new level of risk and threat management The bundle provides comprehensive protection across multiple touchpoints within the organisation Armata Cyber Security has developed an all-in-one cybersecurity bundle - designed to provide organisations with a comprehensive layer of protection against malware and ransomware attacks. The solution includes robust security, insurance and warranty protection that’s easy to use, manage and integrate within the business. Providing exceptional security resilience to the organisation, the product is designed to mitigate user error while enhancing overall operational security. “You need to look at how malware accesses your environment if you want...

28Aug

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Fintech, South Africa News

Remain vigilant in the face of increased banking scams urges the SAFPS

The end of the year is fast approaching, and with it, the festive season and general anticipation for that hard-earned vacation that many South Africans work so hard for during the year. While this is a time of good cheer and increased shopping activity to prepare for the December break, it is also a busy time for scammers who want to take advantage of this activity. Many South Africans have recently contacted a popular Johannesburg radio station reporting increased attempts at banking fraud, with scammers sometimes becoming increasingly aggressive and convincing. "This is not uncommon," warns Roy Retief, Head of Operations at the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS). Scammers generally tend to be more active during periods of increased consumer activity. It is essential to...

25Aug

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Tech

5 Game-Changing Sales Tools to Eliminate Pain Points and Explode Sales Growth

AI and other Tech are fast becoming the biggest sales enablers on the block Sales is a pressure game. You’re juggling leads, chasing targets, and dealing with the endless cycle of follow-ups. But high-performers don’t just work harder—they work smarter by leveraging tech that delivers results. Jacqueline van Rooijen, Owner and Business Growth Consultant at Ycagel, examines five common sales pain points that can be solved through easily accessible tools that anyone can start using today. Additionally, she provides real-world examples of companies that are achieving success with them. 1. Generic outreach with low conversion rates The Win: Personalise your Pitches with ChatGPT and Copy.ai The How: AI-powered content generators like ChatGPT and Copy.ai help you scale personalisation. Th...

22Aug

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Business, Fintech, Main

Tapping into India and Africa’s strengths to drive a financial revolution

Vinesh Kassen, Head of India Client Coverage at Absa CIB, explores how successful digitisation projects have revolutionised the way that India and Africa interact with financial services, and why leveraging both regions’ capabilities will help deepen ties. India and Africa are embarking on a new chapter. The newly appointed high commissioner of South Africa to India, Anil Sooklal, has been flying the flag for the India-Africa relationship on the global stage, commenting in a recent speech that the two regions share a “special relationship that has so much potential at every level”. The connection between the two continents is more than just a bilateral relationship; it is a partnership with the capability to shape the future of global trade. In many ways, Africa and India are like mirror...