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Engineering firm Pini Group expands operations into Africa
Pini Group has had a longstanding interest in Africa and has recently participated in several significant projects in Senegal, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
Africa Business Communities seeks columnists in Egypt and Dubai
We are keen on contributors with originality, creativity, versatility and an eye for interesting trends across the sectors that we cover including banking and finance, tech, energy, agribusiness and trade.
Kenya breaks ground for world’s first green garment factory made from upcycled containers
With its innovative construction, and use of solar energy and rainwater harvesting, the new garment and textile center is expected to save an estimated 18 tons of CO2 annually.
Africa Business Communities launches operations in the Middle East
The company supports doing business in Africa through marketing and communication services, custom media productions and market research and has the largest LinkedIn community in Africa with over 1.2 million followers.
Kotler Impact presents the Essentials of Modern Marketing, Nigeria Edition 2024
This is the world's first marketing book around market-specific stories from Nigeria, to be published in November 2024 on Amazon and launched in Lagos.
L'Oréal is the world’s most valuable cosmetics brand, report
The iconic French brand continues to outshine its competitors, boasting a brand value approximately 80% higher than its closest rival.
Corporate communications agency LCH Consultancy appoints Evelyne Wangui as Director of media relations
As Director of Content and Media Relations, she will be pivotal in strengthening strategic services across the African region.
Pan-African legal firm Centurion Law Group rebrands as CLG
The rebrand aligns closely with the firm’s mission to consolidate its position as the leading legal practice and business advisor in an ever-evolving energy environment.
MENA region leads global growth in luxury travel, report
The appetite for new experiences in unexplored destinations, micro-trips and ‘bleisure’ will likely drive the growth of the global luxury travel market
African Union and Google Africa launch campaign to celebrate the creative economy
In celebration of Africa Month,YouTube creators across Africa are invited to share short videos capturing their unique perspectives using the #DiscoverMyAfrica hashtag.
EIB’s Water Sector Fund invests €10 million to support innovative businesses in Africa and Asia
W2AF is a “water-focused” blended finance impact fund targeting sustainable and scalable solutions that improve access to safe, affordable drinking water for underserved populations, mainly in Sub-Saharan Africa and South and Southeast Asia.
Nexgen Packaging opens African headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya
Nexgen Packaging, a global provider of apparel brand identification and packaging products, has announced the grand opening of its African headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.
MTN selects M&C Saatchi Abel as its global marketing partner
M&C Saatchi Abel was selected following a meticulous process for their expertise in fostering growth and enhancing brand value for multinational corporations.
[Zoom Event, April 11 2024] Global Strategies for Success in Africa: Overcoming FX and Payment Hurdles
This event explores the vast potential and unique challenges of expanding businesses in Africa, focusing on mastering international pitches, understanding cultural nuances, and crafting pitches that highlight unique value propositions.
[Kenya] Mombasa green entrepreneurs launch Zero Waste Festival
Zero Waste Fest culminated a week-long digital campaign dubbed #BeatPlasticPollution aimed at addressing the plastic pollution menace in Mombasa.
Mastercard and Women Choice expand partnership to invest in women entrepreneurs
Women Choice - an international organization dedicated to advancing women's personal and professional development - launched the pilot cohort in 2023.The next cohorts will be participating in the new programs this year and will aim to impact 50,000 women.
Unilever accelerates Growth Action Plan by launching productivity programme
Unilever has announced steps to accelerate its Growth Action Plan (GAP) through the separation of Ice Cream and the launch of a major productivity programme.
Nissan Africa announces regional appointments
Jordi Vila, currently Nissan Divisional Vice President Marketing and Sales Europe has been appointed as President Nissan Africa, as DVP.
Mark-Anthony Johnson: Is Africa splitting in two?
Mark-Anthony Johnson: Is Africa splitting in two?
Africa’s vibrant and sustainable creations
In many African communities, creativity knows no bounds. A unique and fascinating trend has emerged, where individuals repurpose flip-flops into remarkable crafts.
Nissan Navara to fly the flag up through Africa in daring expedition
Dubbed Nissan Daring Africa 2024, the expedition will visit Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania and Kenya before ending in Egypt.
[Webinar] Complimentary expert session for Telecom leaders and Startups in Africa, March 21
Designed for telecom leaders and startups, thia event offers invaluable strategies for expanding services, managing FX risks, enhancing cross-border payments, and establishing credibility in the international arena.
Xsolla unveils new payment methods for gamers in Africa
This move addresses the unique financial landscape of Africa, where a significant portion of the population, particularly in regions like Ghana and Uganda, remains unbanked.
Southern African tourism stakeholders to get new regional disaster risk management and crisis communication plan
The SADC Business Council Tourism Alliance has concluded the successful completion of a pilot project on tourism disaster risk management and crisis communication for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
IATA announces first signatories to Air Cargo Digitalization Leadership Charter
The Digitalization Leadership Charter aims to accelerate the air cargo industry’s digitalization journey by committing to five key guiding principles.
Village Capital unveils programme targeting African startups focused on greentech
The programme is designed to advance innovative and sustainable solutions, actively contributing towards building resilience and mitigating the effects of climate change across Africa.
AFC Joins Ecobank and Soto Gallery to Host +234Art International Art Exhibition to empower African artists
AFC has joined forces with Ecobank Nigeria and Soto Gallery to host the +234Art Fair, a 10-day international exhibition intended as a springboard to promote Africa’s art and its artists.
[Column] Farai Bayai Ncube: Bridging gender gaps in Africa’s creative sectors
The Creative DNA programme, initially successful in Kenya with three completed cohorts, has expanded to Ethiopia, Senegal, and Uganda, and plans to launch in more sub-Saharan African countries.
IATA partners with Smart Freight Centre on carbon emission calculations
The two organizations will focus efforts on developing the cargo component of IATA’s CO2 Connect offering, which successfully launched its passenger version in 2022.
DP World launches global freight forwarding network
In response to increasing disruptions to global trade – from climate change, geopolitics and macroeconomic challenges – DP World has embarked on a bold initiative to bolster its commitment to its customers.
Zambia validates blue economy strategy
The strategy will guide the nation in advancing knowledge on biotechnology, environmental sustainability and ecosystem services.
IBM commits $45 million towards resilient cities
IBM also announced that it would increase investment in the pro-bono social impact program by 50%.
Global HR company Deel to acquire African payroll firm PaySpace
Global HR company Deel has announced that it is acquiring African-based payroll and HR solution company PaySpace for an undisclosed amount. It is one of Deel’s largest acquisitions to date.
Aviation experts push for a Model Bilateral Air Services Agreement
Aviation officials from the Eastern Africa-Southern Africa and Indian Ocean region are making steady progress in reviewing and having a model Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) that conforms with the provisions of the Yamoussoukro Decision of 1999.
IATA and The Weather Company to provide enhanced turbulence-related weather data to airlines
With this enhancement, participating airlines will soon be able to access Eddy Dissipation Rate (EDR) turbulence data directly through Fusion and Pilotbrief tools by The Weather Company.
Lilium Group and Didier Drogba Foundation are now co-owners of Team Drogba in the E1 World Championship
Lilium Group, the parent company of Vista Group the African financial services group, and the Didier Drogba Foundation announce that they are co-owners of Team Drogba in the E1 World Championship.
DFC reaffirms commitment to scaling investment in African infrastructure and critical minerals
Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) Nisha Biswal traveled to South Africa and Zambia as part of the largest U.S. government delegation to Mining Indaba and the first Lobito Corridor Investors Forum and to deepen DFC’s investments on the continent.
TradeMark Africa partners with global organizations to boost international trade
With TMA funding of $4 million, IOTA developed TLIP, a system built on the distributed ledger technology providing a transparent and secure electronic exchange of trade information in international supply chains.
Uber is the world's most valuable mobility brand, study
Uber remains the world's most valuable mobility brand, with a 28% increase in brand value to $29.7 billion, according to the latest report by Brand Finance, the global brand valuation consultancy.
African healthtech shows resilience with mere 2% decline in funding while broader tech ecosystem plunges in 2023, report
Healthcare consulting firm Salient Advisory has launched its latest Intelligence Report, presenting findings on funding activity, covering grant, equity, and debt investments for African healthtech startups in 2023
Canon and MindMe International partner to empower Kenyan youth through creative storytelling
This collaboration aims to empower marginalized communities through sustainable development, with a focus on fostering positive change in young individuals' lives.
Digital commerce in Africa to expand 25% per year by 2026, report
Africa has emerged as a frontier for the new online consumer class, representing an estimated 10 million new consumers in 2024 and trailing only Asia as a region. This is according to the new annual Beyond Borders digital payments and commerce report by EBANX
TradeMark Africa receives $63 million from Netherlands to advance sustainable trade
This strategic investment will fuel TradeMark Africa’s Strategy 3, covering the period till 2030, aimed at driving green, sustainable economic growth, fostering innovative trade practices, and promoting inclusive trade across Africa.
Vodacom, Safaricom hit 200 million subscribers
Vodacom Group’s subscriber base including Safaricom has now surpassed 200 million for the first time, having previously achieved 100 million customers in 2018.
15% of companies in the Middle East, Turkiye, Africa region do not train employees on IT
According to Kaspersky’s Business Digitization survey, only 29% of companies surveyed in the Middle East, Turkiye, and Africa (META) region organised training on cybersecurity for their employees.
Global access solutions provider ASSA ABLOY acquires South African security communication equipment maker Amecor
ASSA ABLOY has signed an agreement to acquire Amecor (Pty) Ltd, a South African manufacturer of security communication equipment in the South African security market.
Critical infrastructure sees most cyber incidents due to lack of budget, report
18% of companies in the Middle East, Turkiye and Africa (META) region have experienced cyber incidents due to insufficient cybersecurity investment in the last two years, according to a recent study by Kaspersky.
Mastercard partners with CarbonSifr to advance climate action in MENA region
The innovation-driven partnership aims to equip small businesses in the region with innovative tools to measure, reduce and compensate for their carbon footprint.
[South Africa] Ninety percent of CEOs are waiting for GenAI to move past the hype, report
Seventy-one percent of global executives surveyed say they plan to increase tech investments in 2024—an 11-point jump from 2023—and even more (85%) plan to increase their spending on AI and GenAI.
23% of companies in the META region suffered from malicious actions by staff, report
A Kaspersky study found that in the past two years, 78% of companies surveyed in the META region have faced cyber incidents in different forms, 23% of which were caused by deliberate malicious behaviour by employees
CAF concludes extensive global TV-Broadcast agreements
CAF concludes extensive global TV-Broadcast agreements ahead of the kick-off of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023.
Tomorrow.io and MTN partner to deliver weather early warnings
Through this partnership, MTN’s vast customer base will be able to receive early warning notifications about severe weather events, generated through Tomorrow.io’s weather intelligence and Microsoft Azure.
47% of companies in the Middle East, Turkiye, Africa region plan to outsource cybersecurity, report
Company bosses are boosting their cybersecurity following an alarming increase in cyberattacks, a new study commissioned by Kaspersky has found.
[Column] Hassan Egeh: What does it mean for Somalia to join East Africa Communities (EAC)?
Somalia was admitted into the East African Community (EAC) on Friday Novermber24, 2023 the eighth member of the bloc as it seeks to expand free trade across the region.
UNIDO and Orange partner to transform Egypt's mobile and network through circular solutions
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and Orange have joined forces to support over the next two years the establishment of a viable business model for high-quality standard secondary market of mobile devices and networks/IT equipment in Egypt.
Only a fifth of companies are on track for net zero, report
Over a third (38%) say they cannot make further investments in decarbonization in the current economic environment, according to new research from Accenture.
Generative AI skills gap slowing down AI adoption EMEA region, report
Organisations in the EMEA region plan to embrace AI solutions but are slowed by a generative AI skills gap. This is according to a new report released by hybrid multi-cloud computing provider Nutanix.
OPEC Fund commits $21 million to enhance water supply in Rwanda
The OPEC Fund loan complements a US$143.3 financing package provided together with the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (AFDF), the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) and the Export-Import Bank of Hungary.
Retailers are struggling to deal with ransomware attacks, Sophos report
After surveying 3,000 IT/cybersecurity leaders in organizations with between 100 and 5,000 employees (including 355 from the retail sector), across 14 countries in the Americas, EMEA and Asia Pacific Sophos found that only 26% of retail organizations this past year were able to disrupt a ransomware attack.
Western Australia to host 24th WTTC Global Summit after Kigali
During the closing session of the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Global Summit in Kigali, Western Australia was announced as the host for 2024, marking the first time the event will visit Oceania.
75% of healthcare organisations lose data to ransomware attacks, Sophos report
Cybercriminals successfully encrypted data in nearly 75% of ransomware attacks on healthcare organisations. This is according to the The State of Ransomware in Healthcare 2023 report released by cybersecurity firm Sophos.
[Kenya] Mombasa Plastics Prize unveils the start of incubator to support growth of sustainable businesses
Building on the success of the initial phase, the incubator aims to support teams from the initial phase of the project to create sustainable businesses that significantly impact the mitigation of marine plastic waste pollution in Mombasa County's informal settlements.
Kenya among top countries receiving most DDOS attacks amid ongoing geopolitical unrest
Kenya has been listed among the top five countries hit by distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks in the first half of 2023. Other countries include France, Germany, Italy, and Saudi Arabia
[South Africa] Companies acknowledge inadequate budgets to address the root cause of breaches, J2 Software survey
A recent survey revealed that 58% of organisations believe their budgets allocated to manage insider risks are insufficient to effectively mitigate the increasing costs and frequency of security incidents instigated by individuals within the organisation.
JSE partners with Xpansiv to launch voluntary carbon market to advance South Africa’s carbon credit capabilities
This sustainability initiative will allow local participants to buy or sell carbon credits and renewable energy certificates that are held in either local or global registries.
Global ad company Entravision enters into a global partnership with Pinterest
Entravision, a global advertising solutions, media and technology company serving clients across more than 40 countries, has entered into an international sales partnership with Pinterest, the visual inspiration platform.
Most consumers in Kenya likely to miss common fraud warning signs, Visa study
Despite being scam-savvy, a new study by Visa has revealed that most consumers in Kenya are likely to be at risk of becoming victims of fraud.
[Column] Anthony Mwangi: Functioning ORGWARE a panacea for Kenya economic transformation
The term describes the framework conditions for Information Technology (IT) projects that are neither part of the hardware nor software but are necessary to achieve the project goals.
Dalberg Advisors appoints Lillian Kidane as new Regional Director for Africa
Dalberg Advisors, a global impact consultancy committed to building a more inclusive and sustainable world, has appointed Lillian Kidane as the new Regional Director for Africa region.
80% of SMEs in South Africa project similar or increased revenue in 2023, Mastercard report
From surviving to thriving in the post-COVID world, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa are projecting similar or increased revenues in 2023.
[Column] Moses Anibaba: Building connections and opportunities for young Africans
The next generation is essential to the continent’s development and to global shared interests in creating a safer, healthier, and more prosperous future for us all.
Mobile threats in the Middle East, Turkiye, Africa region rise in Q2 2023
The number of mobile threat detections particularly in the Middle East, Turkiye, and Africa region increased by 5% in Q2 2023 compared to Q2 2022.
Mastercard partners with Alerzo to digitize SMEs in the Nigerian FMCG space
This partnership aims to empower businesses by offering digital payment solutions, financial training, and access to credit, ultimately leading to increased sustainability and success in the market.
43% of employees in META region afraid of losing job due to lack of digital skills, report
Among those who think they are most likely to lose their job because of the lack of digital skills within the next 5 years are department heads (29%) and top managers (15%).
BFA Global, FSD Africa And IUCN Launch a $1 million initiative powering ocean sustainability in Africa
Thiis initiative, made possible through funding from FSD Africa and the Canadian Government, builds on TECA’s (Triggering Exponential Climate Action) expertise in fostering blue innovation over the last year through a successful pilot wave supported by FSD Africa.
Modern trends in investment platforms: How technology is shaping our investment world
Let the power of AI drive your financial success and watch your dreams take flight.
[Column] Marlene Mutimawase: Promoting women's leadership for land restoration in Africa
African Union in partnership with the Government of Kenya and Africa Climate Summit brings together leaders from governments, businesses, international organizations, and civil society to showcase a diverse range of bold innovative climate actions taking place across Africa.
IFC invests $11.5 billion for Africa’s green transition and job creation
IFC made $11.5 billion in investments between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023, across 40 countries, the largest ever annual commitment for the continent.
[Chronique]Frida Frans: L'impact des coups d'État sur les accords de commerce et la stabilité économique en Afrique de l'Ouest
La récente série de coups d'État en Afrique de l'Ouest a entraîné des bouleversements politiques dans la région. Ces coups d'État survenus au Mali, en Guinée, au Burkina Faso et au Niger se caractérisent par des changements soudains et souvent violents à la tête du pays.
Tagger Media expands into South Africa via partnership with Tribeez
Tagger Media, the global technology player making influencer marketing more intelligent, has announced its expansion into South Africa through an exclusive partnership with Tribeez, an influencer marketing and social intelligence agency based in Cape Town.
[Column] Chika Idoko: Bridging the divide: Confronting Socioeconomic inequality In Sub-Saharan Africa
As leaders who support mainstreaming equality, diversity, and inclusion, we aim to ensure that every individual, regardless of their background, enjoys the same rights, opportunities, and dignity.
[Column] Dickson Naftali: Harnessing Africa’s youth population for inclusive growth
By empowering Africa’s youth and creating an enabling environment, we can transform the continent’s food systems and unlock its economic potential.
[South Africa] Financial Sector surpasses the National Average as Data Breach Costs Reach R73.1 Million
The average data breach cost for South African organizations reached R49.45 million in 2023 – an all-time high according to the IBM Security annual Cost of a Data Breach Report.
Nigeria trails South Africa and Kenya in Africa’s B2B payment revolution
Nigeria trails South Africa and Kenya in the development of key B2B payment processes across Africa, including the adoption of electronic bank transfers, speed of processing invoices and payment automation.
Kenya experiences 82% increase in cyber-attacks, Liquid C2 Cybersecurity Report
Cyber-attacks on Kenyan businesses increased by 82 percent according to a cybersecurity report released by Liquid C2, a business unit of Liquid Intelligent Technologies.
Award scheme recognizes Kenyan entrepreneurs fighting marine plastics problems
The awards, which showcased the most effective solutions to tackle Mombasa’s marine plastics problem, were the culmination of a six-month initiative funded by USAID and Global Affairs Canada.
Safaricom profits decline to Ksh.52.48 billion
Kenya’s leading telco Safaricom profits stood at Ksh.52.48 billion in the full year ended March 2023, down from Ksh.67.49 billion recorded in the previous period.
Africa had more than 270 million mobile apps users as of December 2022, report
As of December 2022, the total number of monthly active users of mobile apps in Africa exceeded 270 million, a 14% increase compared to the beginning of the year.
The driving forces: Major industries impacting the African economy
Despite the challenges it's facing, Africa is home to some of the world’s fastest economies. With a fast-growing population and a wealth of natural resources, it has become an attractive destination for investors to capitalize on its untapped potential.
[Column] Anthony Mwangi: Why accelerating circular economy is a no brainer for Kenya
The concept of a circular economy is increasingly being recognized globally as crucial for achieving global sustainability goals.
Boomplay announces new ad options across African markets
Africa-facing music streaming and download platform, Boomplay has officially announced the roll-out of its partnership product offerings, allowing artists, brands and potential advertisers to optimize towards more precise exposure and visibility.
Kenya lost Ksh 3.6 billion to cyber criminals in 2022, report
Kenya’s losses to cyber criminals reached Ksh 3.6 billion (USD 36 million) in 2022, compared to Nigeria and South Africa where they are nearly tenfold at Ksh 50 billion (USD 500 million) and Ksh 57 billion (USD 570 million) respectively.
TerraPay raises $100 million in series B funding to expand global payments infrastructure
TerraPay, a global payments infrastructure company, has successfully closed its Series B equity financing round, raising in excess of $100 million in equity and debt financing.
Eni launches Sustainable Supply Chain Finance programme to support access to credit for companies committed to sustainable development
It is designed for Eni suppliers to receive advance payments from the scheme’s financial partners.
eco.business Fund receives $67 million from BMZ and KfW to support sustainable practices in sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America
The eco.business Fund has received investments for an aggregate amount of USD 67 million from its strategic partners, the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), acting through KfW Development Bank (KfW), and KfW on its own behalf.
[ChatGPT Biography] Tayo Oviosu, founder of Paga
Artificial Intelligence is taking the world by storm. As an experiment, Africa Business Communities is publishing a series of 100 biographies of the most successful entrepreneurs in Africa. We only ask the questions and let ChatGPT write.
[ChatGPT Biography] Jason Njoku, Founder iROKOtv
Artificial Intelligence is taking the world by storm. As an experiment, Africa Business Communities is publishing a series of 100 biographies of the most successful entrepreneurs in Africa. We only ask the questions and let ChatGPT write.
[ChatGPT Biography] Mo Ibrahim, Founder of Celtel International
Artificial Intelligence is taking the world by storm. As an experiment, Africa Business Communities is publishing a series of 100 biographies of the most successful entrepreneurs in Africa. We only ask the questions and let ChatGPT write.
[ChatGPT Biography] Ashish Thakkar, Founder Mara Group
Artificial Intelligence is taking the world by storm. As an experiment, Africa Business Communities is publishing a series of 100 biographies of the most successful entrepreneurs in Africa. We only ask the questions and let ChatGPT write.
[ChatGPT Biography] Strive Masiyiwa: Founder of Econet Wireless
Artificial Intelligence is taking the world by storm. As an experiment, Africa Business Communities is publishing a series of 100 biographies of the most successful entrepreneurs in Africa. We only ask the questions and let ChatGPT write.
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COLUMNS.
[Column] Louis Avenant: Trends for African telcos in 2024
Africa’s vibrant telco sector is set for a bumper year in 2024 as it expands operations and broadens service offerings ...read full column here
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[Column] Virodh Sunderlall: What to expect from South Africa’s cybersecurity landscape in 2024
As widely reported last year, South Africa received the most cybersecurity threats on the continent by far ...read full column here
[Column] Stephen Bottger: The power of data analytics to revolutionise public safety
The use of applications, technology and data analytics can play a significant role in public safety globally ...read full column here
INTERVIEWS.
[Interview] Chester Wisniewski, Director of Global Field CTO, Sophos
Chester Wisniewski, the Director of Global Field CTO at Sophos, emphasizes several key trends and predictions for the cybersecurity realm in the coming year … read full interview here
[Interview]: Daniel Otu, Koa’s Production and Operations Director & the factory project lead
Daniel Otu, Koa’s Production and Operations Director & the factory project lead, touched on the challenges faced, the importance of sustainability, the role of local culture, and the lessons that shaped Koa’s future vision … read full interview here
[Interview] Oluwole Eweje, CEO-WATT Renewables Corporation
We provide sustainability for communities, especially communities that have very few businesses … read full interview here