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[Nigeria] Wärtsilä signs service agreement to maintain power plant at Mangal Industries cement facility
Technology group Wärtsilä has signed a ten-year Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Agreement for a captive power plant providing the energy for a Nigerian cement producing facility.
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.
[South Africa] Volkswagen announces R4 billion investment in Kariega plant
The changes being made in preparation for the production of the new SUV also affords training and upskilling opportunities for Volkswagen Group Africa’s production employees.
Global asset manager Rohatyn Group sells South Africa-based Portfolio Company BevCo to Varun Beverages
The company operates five manufacturing facilities across South Africa with an installed capacity of 3,600 bottles per minute
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.
German manufacturer Karcher invests €3 million in the Kenyan market
This investment was made to operationalize the business into a full subsidiary, which includes a regional distribution center at the Freight Forwarders Solutions warehouse, Tatu City, the 5,000-acre mixed-use Special Economic Zone (SEZ) on Nairobi's doorstep, positioning Kenya as a hub for East Africa.
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.
[Column] Anthony Mwangi: Road towards gainful employment in Kenya: The Dual TVET approach
The evolving employment landscape demands a fresh perspective, one that champions the pragmatic alternative of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
[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.
IBM commits $45 million towards resilient cities
IBM also announced that it would increase investment in the pro-bono social impact program by 50%.
Heineken invests R2.3bn in its returnable bottling programme in South Africa
The move, which will see the Heineken beer brand move into returnable glass, aligns to the company’s global ambition of net zero carbon by 2040 as per the Dutch Brewers’ “Brew a Better World” strategy.
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
[Kenya] KAM, Unilever launch Business Growth Programme to empower SMEs in manufacturing
The programme, which KAM kicked off in 2016, aims to provide manufacturing SMEs with the necessary tools, resources, and guidance to enhance their competitiveness, expand their market reach, and drive sustainable growth.
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.
[Kenya] KenGen diversifies into offering testing services to industries
The accreditation of the calibration centre will not only contribute to KenGen’s financial sustainability but also position the company as a leader in calibration services regionally and globally.
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.
United Manganese of Kalahari (UMK) has announced reduction in manganese production
United Manganese of Kalahari (UMK) announced that, in response to the worsening market conditions, it will reduce the production of manganese ore and concomitant to that, the sale of its ore products, for the time being.
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.
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.
Volkswagen signs agreement with Government of Egypt for strategic co-operation viability study of shared automotive painting facility
Volkswagen and Government of Egypt have signed an agreement to work together to develop a feasibility study on a shared automotive painting facility within the East Port Said Industrial Zone in the East Port Said Automotive Zone in Cairo.
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.
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 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
[Free Webinar] The Verto Hour: Streamlining Payments for Manufacturers and Suppliers in Eastern and Western Africa
Join this webinar that empowers both manufacturers and suppliers operating in African markets with valuable insights and actionable strategies to streamline their payment processes and ensure uninterrupted supply chain continuity.
[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.
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.
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.
Power tools manufacturer STIHL East Africa grows regional footprint one year into operation
The transformation into STIHL East Africa Limited, launched in August 2022, is attributed to the region's growing demand for power tools.
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.
Eurorepar enters the South African automotive spare parts industry
The launch of Eurorepar comes with the backing of Stellantis. From a network that stretches across 40 countries, Eurorepar is synonymous with diversity, offering an impressive array of more than 15 000 part numbers.
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%).
Stellantis invests ZAR 3 billion in a greenfield manufacturing facility in South Africa
The manufacturing plant will be built in the South African Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Coega situated near Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape province of South 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] Anthony Mwangi: Kenya’s green manufacturing for a sustainable future
Over the last 18 years, KAM, in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, has made tremendous efforts to promote energy efficiency in manufacturing.
Sergio Vieira appointed Vice President of Coca-Cola Africa
Coca-Cola Africa has welcomed Sergio Vieira as the new Vice President of Franchise Operations, South Africa. Vieira joins the Coca-Cola Africa Operating Unit (AOU) in Johannesburg.
[Column] Rajan Shah: Strengthening local value chains key to Kenya’s transformation
The government, through the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), has committed to drive economic and inclusive growth through agricultural value chain approach.
[Column] Rajan Shah: Rethinking Kenya’s export strategy key for economic prosperity
Historically, the transformative growth of industrialized nations has been propelled by exports.
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] 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.
KAM, ICCA launch initiative on safe handling of chemicals
Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) in partnership with International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA) has launched the Responsible Care Kenya Initiative.
[Column] Pankaj Bedi: Transform Kenyan human capital for sustainable growth
For any business, one of the most critical components of enhancing productivity and giving the company a competitive edge is a skilled and highly efficient workforce. The most industrialized nations attribute their development to a highly skilled workforce, among other factors.
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.
Volkswagen signs deal with Government of Rwanda to establish a modern farm with electric tractors
As part of the MoU, the Government of Rwanda has agreed to provide land in Gashora (Bugesera District) for the project, as well as to assist with permitting and licensing requirements of the project.
Kenya Association of Manufacturers hosts trade and investment mission in DR Congo
Manufacturers from Kenya have called for export-led manufacturing growth to increase the sector’s contribution to the GDP from the current 7.8% to 20% by 2030.
Xylem launches international pump manufacturing site in Egypt
Xylem, the global water technology provider, and its regional partner, the Tiba Manzalawi Group, have announced the launch of its new joint-venture manufacturing site, the Xylem Egypt Plant, that will provide world-class water solutions and brands to the region.
STIHL EA sets eyes on localizing its product development with $100 million investment
Power tools manufacturer STIHL East Africa has announced it will invest Sh100 million in local accessories manufacturing every year as it seeks to localise its product development in the region.
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] Pankaj Bedi: High production costs hurting Kenya’s apparel exports
A Cabinet communique dated 6th December 2022 highlighted government’s plan to drive Kenya’s export-led growth.
Global tyre manufacturer Goodyear seeks to expand to Zambia and DR Congo
As part of its growth strategy, Goodyear Middle East & Africa (MEA) is actively seeking the right distributor & service provider to expand its reach within Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Naspers, Takealot and Media24 join the South African Plastics Pact to reduce plastic waste across value chain
Naspers, and its subsidiary businesses, Takealot and Media24, have joined the South African Plastics Pact by creating a circular economy for plastics.
[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.
Dangote industries lists N300bn series 1 and 2 Bonds on Nigerian Exchange
The Group Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Industries Limited, Mr Olakunle Alake has expressed delight upon the completion of the listing of the firm’s N300bn series 1 and 2 Bonds on Nigerian Exchange Limited, commending the depth of capital market.
South African Competition Tribunal approves Heineken acquiring control of Distell and Namibia Breweries
In November 2021, Heineken announced its intention to acquire control of Distell and Namibia Breweries Limited (‘NBL’), which were to be combined with Heineken South Africa (‘HSA’) into a new Heineken majority-owned business (Newco).
[ChatGPT Biography] Eric Kinoti, founder of Shade Systems
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] Manu Chandaria, Founder of Comcraft 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] 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] 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] 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] 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.
[ChatGPT Biography] Mike Adenuga, Founder of Globacom
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] Vimal Shah, CEO of Bidco Africa
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. We publish the results unedited.
[ChatGPT Biography] Aliko Dangote, Founder of Dangote 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. We publish the results unedited - just to learn and see what Artificial Intelligence can bring us in its rapid development.
[Column] Anthony Mwangi: Why Kenya needs a stable and predictable tax regime
The importance of predictable and stable policies in driving the realization of a country’s socio-economic goals cannot be over emphasized.
[Interview] Fedir Ted Martynov, CEO, CARMACHAIN, Nigeria
Ted Martynov leads CARMACHAIN, a fintech outfit operating in Nigeria that enables credit data for lenders in markets underserved by credit bureaus.
[Column] Rajan Shah: Proposed EGMS Tax hike threatens Kenya’s economic growth
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has proposed an increment of excise duty which as Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) are deeply concerned about.
[Nigeria Business Week] Andrea Ayemoba: Digitization on all fronts, tech takes the lead
There is an obvious, increasing amount of technology awareness, and appeals for more extensive technology trainings in Nigeria.
[Interview] Chris Okoro, CEO, Eunisell Interlinked, Nigeria
Chris Okoro is an entrepreneur and business strategist skilled in the Financial Services and Engineering sector. He's currently the Managing Director and CEO of Eunisell Interlinked Plc., Nigeria.
[East Africa Business Week] Bob Koigi: Improving business competitiveness in the region: The case of TradeMark Africa
As it rebrands to TradeMark Africa, TMA, in its bid to grow its continental footprint, aid for trade institution formerly known as TradeMark East, boasts of having made a lasting mark in East Africa where it has operated for over ten years.
[Column] Anthony Mwangi: Let’s tackle illicit trade head on
The recent crackdown on various forms of illicit goods revealed the extent to which criminal networks have proliferated in our nation and posed a threat to the lives and safety of all citizens.
[Nigeria Business Week] Andrea Ayemoba: Investments take priority over all
With global inflation spiraling out of control, every country is working harder than ever to welcome new enterprise and business. Nigeria made great progress in this in recent months.
[Column] Moagi Bodibe: How to build brand relevance in the metaverse
The conventional playbook businesses refer to for customer acquisition and engagement is now obsolete. In the metaverse, where the rules of engagement are still largely undefined, this gap presents itself as a double-edged sword.
[Column] Anthony Mwangi: Reinvigorate Kenyan textiles and apparel sector to create jobs
This might surprise you, but Kenya is one of the global suppliers of big fashion brands in America.
[East Africa Business Week] Bob Koigi: Boosting small businesses’ competitivity in the region
Small businesses are the engine of the East African economic growth, employing millions and opening up the member states to interact with each other through seamless trade.
[Nigeria Business Week] Andrea Ayemoba: Local fintech spreads to East Africa, oil and gas find major milestone
Nigeria, like other countries of the world, is going through some economically turbulent times. Inflation is on the rise (recently pegged at 21.9%) and local startups are directly impacted by financial crises on the other side of the world.
[East Africa Business Week] Bob Koigi: Region warms up to the hospitality industry’s expansion binge
Global respected hotel brands are expanding their footprint and have identified Africa as a key investment destination with the East African region catching their attention for its MICE, business and leisure growth potential.
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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