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Business in Africa

Tech, fashion showcased in iconic African designs

By: Natasha Odendaal 19th October 2018 A successful campaign aimed at bringing to life the transformative capabilities of data has revealed the combination of the power of technology and fashion and turned a concept into a dialogue. A thought-provoking project under the bannered theme “Fabric” undertaken by Siemens in August... →

Private-equity firm seeks out opportunities in Africa

By: Natasha Odendaal 19th October 2018 Fully black-owned private equity company Agile Capital is actively seeking to invest millions of rands into diverse sectors and companies with a solid presence across Africa. The pan-African group, formed in 2016 following the management buy-out of Zico Capital, has available capital of about... →

African Chemicals Imbizo registers impressive growth

By: Natasha Odendaal 19th October 2018 The fourth African Chemicals Imbizo, to be held in Durban from October 24 to 25, is expected to be the largest one in its four-year history. Starting as a modest concept of meetings between members of the Durban Chemicals Cluster (DCC) – a public-private partnership between eThekwini municipality... →

University hosts Africa’s first virtual reality press conference

By: Natasha Odendaal 19th October 2018 As Singularity University (SU) works to prepare global leaders and organisations for the future, it has showcased Africa’s first virtual reality (VR) conference, hosting SU leaders from around the world to discuss, in real-time, SU’s global vision and how to future-proof Africa. While SU global’s... →

Luxembourg Protocol can reshape African rail industry

By: Natasha Odendaal 19th October 2018 The adoption of the Luxembourg Protocol to the Cape Town Convention can be a solution to unlocking billions of dollars of investments from private investors into Africa’s rail industry. The new treaty, which will provide a Luxembourg-based central international registry of ownership of railway... →

South African mint shines in Africa

By: Natasha Odendaal 19th October 2018 The South African Mint’s (SA Mint’s) master craft and secure manufacturing has made it one of the top preferred manufacturers of coins and coin blanks in the world, and a valuable partner across Africa. The famous producer of circulation and commemorative coins has, on its CV, an impressive list... →

Imbizo to promote green chemistry in South Africa

By: Natasha Odendaal 19th October 2018 The National Cleaner Production Centre of South Africa (NCPC-SA) is working steadily behind the scenes to promote and develop the concept of green chemistry, as part of a global initiative driven by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and Yale University’s Center for... →

Investment underpins African expansion

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 4th May 2018 Private equity fund Agile Capital’s investment in consulting and engineering services business Bluhm Burton Engineering Group (BBE Group) serves as a prime example of the company’s strategy to aggressively drive expansion into African markets through its portfolio of companies, Agile Capital CEO... →

TSHEGO SEFOLO The investment in BBE Group represents an exciting opportunity for Agile to invest in a mining support services business with high growth potential

Open, informed approach imperative in African ventures

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 4th May 2018 It is important that companies take an open approach when operating and expanding in Africa by undertaking credible market research to fully understand local conditions, posits independent market research company Ask Afrika account director Jean Moolman. “While traditionally, South Africa is... →

AFRICA IS NOT A COUNTRY African countries are diverse, and it is important to understand local conditions before conducting business

Trade shows, expos significant to investment into Africa

By: Zandile Mavuso 4th May 2018 In its fifty-second year of serving the automotive industry in Portugal and internationally, Portuguese automotive suppliers association Afia believes that being involved in trade shows, conferences and expos plays a significant role in creating relationships with countries such as South Africa. →

Uganda presents growth opportunities for companies

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 4th May 2018 Owing to the type of foreign direct investment prevalent in the country, the working climate in Uganda is becoming more competitive, which presents a number of opportunities for companies, says integrated infrastructure delivery company AECOM Uganda MD Bridget Ssamula. “The biggest opportunities... →

BRIDGET SSAMULA The biggest opportunities for Uganda lie in the oil and gas sector

Businesses must take action to drive inclusive growth in Africa

By: Robyn Wilkinson 20th October 2017 There is a need for a new social narrative that balances generating profits with building social capital to drive inclusive economic growth in Africa, says management consultant IQbusiness CEO Adam Craker. →

ADAM CRAKER South Africa must focus on building a strong home economy if it is to be a participant in regional or continental growth

Clarifying sustainability reporting imperative for modern business

By: Robyn Wilkinson 20th October 2017 A clear and shared sustainability reporting framework is integral for enabling companies to demonstrate a positive impact on not only the economies but also the societies and environments in which they operate, says independent international organisation Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) CE Tim... →

Photo by Bloomberg
DRIVING GROWTH GRI is assisting SMEs in Africa to gain access to global value chains by building their capacities for corporate sustainability management and reporting

Company expands African footprint to pursue major projects

By: Robyn Wilkinson 20th October 2017 Despite slowing economic growth, political challenges and associated declining investor confidence in many parts of Africa, global project management consultancy Turner & Townsend continues to strengthen its network on the continent as it pursues major projects in mining, oil and gas,... →

STRATEGIC BASE With several of Turner & Townsend’s multinational clients based in Nairobi, the city was an obvious choice for the location of a new hub

Digital disruption to drive financial inclusion in Africa

20th October 2017 Digital disruption in the financial services sector is likely to gain further momentum and lead to exciting new business models that will facilitate financial inclusion in Africa, says advisory services provider Deloitte Africa financial services industry leader Roger Verster. →

Photo by Bloomberg
DIGITAL DISRUPTION Mobile wallet solution m-Pesa is now available in ten countries and has a customer base of about 30-million active users

New business model drives group’s resurgence in Africa

By: Robyn Wilkinson 20th October 2017 Economic growth in Africa is ensuring a steady demand for infrastructure development and by tailoring its business model to access this demand, engineering services provider ELB Group has enhanced its activities on the continent and announced a return to profitability. →

ACCESSING NEW MARKETS ELB has been focused predominately on the mineral and metals market and diversification will enable it to better protect its balance sheet during future commodity downturns

New security solution effective for African banks

By: Robyn Wilkinson 20th October 2017 Technology solutions providers Mint Management Technologies and Microsoft are finalising the first version of an anti-money-laundering (AML) solution to help protect African financial institutions from illegal activities without enforcing cumbersome administration processes on clients. →

PRIORITISING PROTECTION Countries are finding it increasingly difficult to participate in the global economy if they are not engaged in some form of anti-money laundering programme

Software solutions key to business growth in Africa

By: Robyn Wilkinson 20th October 2017 As Africa’s business sector grows in line with a rapidly expanding population, effective software services are becoming evermore vital to helping companies serve their markets on the continent and globally, says open source software solutions provider SUSE Africa regional manager Matthew Lee. →

MATTHEW LEE With the rise of cloud computing, big data and social networking, many businesses are shifting from being a 100% solely run proprietary environment

SBS Tanks

By: Zandile Mavuso 4th August 2017 As a proudly ISO 9001:2008 accredited company, tank manufacturer SBS Tanks is truly an industry leader in liquid storage not only in sub-Saharan Africa, but in the rest of the continent as well. →

Company expands in key African markets

By: Robyn Wilkinson 5th May 2017 Despite challenging macroeconomic headwinds causing a slowdown in consumer spending in many African markets in 2016, packaging company Nampak remains confident of the demographic fundamentals underpinning long-term packaging growth on the continent. →

ANDRE DE RUYTER Nampak aims to uphold good relationships with all relevant authorities and contribute meaningfully to the manufacturing sector in the African countries in which it operates

Report identifies key areas for growth in Africa

By: Robyn Wilkinson 5th May 2017 Well-balanced economies that have shown steady performance over an extended period present key opportunities for growth and development in Africa, while those with high political risk will continue to fail to instill confidence in foreign direct investors, says trade credit insurer Coface. →

Intra-African trade and investment to drive long-term development

By: Robyn Wilkinson 5th May 2017 While the current reality is that many African countries have become reliant on foreign direct investment (FDI) to implement their development plans, the longer-term goal should be for these countries to become self-sufficient, says Thomson Reuters Africa corporates and partnerships head Kamal... →

PROMOTING ECONOMIC GROWTH African countries need to become more self-sufficient, relying on a network of neighbouring countries and regional trade blocks to support their growth

Company to extend financial services into East and West Africa

By: Robyn Wilkinson 5th May 2017 As part of its strategic ambition to position itself as a leading Pan-African financial services leader, specialised financial services group Alexander Forbes is exploring opportunities for expansion in East and West Africa, as well as further afield in greenfield countries such as Morocco. →

Economic uncertainty affects African imports

By: Robyn Wilkinson 5th May 2017 As global economic volatility places pressure on importers in many African countries, more businesses are investigating the option of trade finance, currently regarded as a broader import finance solution rather than just a transactional one, says South African import transaction specialist... →

ADAM ORLIN Companies cannot afford to fall into a routine when it comes to the latest market developments

Wireless communication to drive economic growth in Africa

By: Robyn Wilkinson 5th May 2017 Large-scale information communication technology (ICT) investment can play a crucial role in fuelling gross domestic product growth through increased economic activity, innovation and productivity, but government, the private sector, donors and civil society need to take bolder steps to... →

IMPROVED CONNECTIVITY Foreign direct investment and improvements to telecommunications infrastructure have spurred a boom in information communication technology spending in Africa

High potential for investments in Africa

By: Simone Liedtke 14th October 2016 The African continent, as an emerging and relatively underdeveloped market, displays a significant lag in investment, particularly in primary sectors such as infrastructure. This presents a unique opportunity for investors with a focused approach wanting to generate superior returns, says private... →

INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT Africa displays a significant lag in investment, particularly in primary sectors such as infrastructure

Growing demand in Africa for knowledge & education

By: Simone Liedtke 14th October 2016 SUSE Enterprise Linux is in the process of training and educating its African region partners, such as South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and Botswana, to apply new open-source technologies efficiently in Africa. →

SANDER HUYTS The SUSE Linux system is operational and secure so that all enterprises can use it

Innovation to provide solutions for African businesses

By: Simone Liedtke 14th October 2016 Businesses in Africa are facing a variety of challenges, which has led professional services firms like KPMG to constantly invest in innovative products to provide solutions for businesses. →

BENSON MWESIGWA To date, KPMG has delivered 85 000 l of water as part of Operation Hydrate

Hard currency availability a challenge for cross-border trade in Africa

By: Simone Liedtke 14th October 2016 An issue that has come into sharp focus for businesses in Africa is the shortage of available hard currency as most capital projects on the continent tend to be funded in US dollars although they may generate their revenue in local currency, says Export Credit Insurance Corporation of South... →

MANDISI NKUHLU The company enables export trade from South Africa to the rest of the world and also supports cross-border investments

Wireless infrastructure prominent growth enabler for African continent

By: Simone Liedtke 14th October 2016 With noticeable developments regarding unified policies in the African Union, wireless vendor Ruckus Wireless believes that the key goal of an Africa-wide standardised telecommunications policy should be to stimulate growth by springboarding Africa into a position that would allow for much easier... →

Health strategy envisions African expansion

29th April 2016 The global public health (GPH) strategy of multinational medical and global public health organization Johnson & Johnson (J&J) will be implemented in South Africa from where it will be taken further into Africa. →

CAPE TOWN The first J&J public health operation facility in Africa has been built in Cape Town, in South Africa

Africa’s growth potential showing consistency

29th April 2016 Economic growth in Africa is expected to average over 4% in the next five years, according to accountancy and finance body the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). →

Volvo transfers Moroccan operations to SMT

29th April 2016 Vehicle manufacturer Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has announced that it is separating its business within Volvo Maroc SA to a long-standing West and Central Africa distribution partner SMT group. →

Job creation, energy cost reduction key to achieving AU vision

29th April 2016 In order to achieve the African Union’s (AU’s) vision of an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena by 2063, it is imperative to source innovative means to reduce the costs of sustainable energy and mobility and,... →

PPC CEMENT The modernisation of the industry will help drive growth in Africa

Barloworld expands into Southern Africa

29th April 2016 Machinery and global brands distributor Barloworld Equipment group has invested $14-million in its equipment operations in the city of Kitwe, in Zambia. →

S African suppliers penetrate African market

29th April 2016 Global flooring tile producer Interface is using the resources of its South African suppliers to spearhead an intensified marketing drive into sub-Saharan Africa, says Interface director Julien Fanton. →

JULIEN FANTON Interior designers are using Interface floor tiles when working in Africa

SA quantity surveyors should look to Africa for new projects

29th April 2016 Project management company Synergy Property Solutions (Synergy) says South African quantity surveyors should expand their operations to include African countries, as there are vast business opportunities in Africa, and it can assist them overcome the cyclical slumps in the South African economy. →

Business opportunities in Africa outweigh risks – JCCI

By: Pimani Baloyi 8th May 2015 The opportunities for companies to prosper in Africa far outweigh the risks associated with doing business on the continent, says Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI). This is because several African countries are showing commitment to addressing challenges, such as infrastructure... →

FAY MUKADDAM Companies need to understand the business environment of a prospective African country in which they aim to conduct business

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Africa’s air cargo sector needs trade and aviation liberalisation to reach full potential

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Digital initiatives could unlock trillions in value for SA, research shows

Siemens focusing on adapting to the ‘future of work’

Minister says spectrum policy directive should be issued this month

Patented solution aims to free up working capital for construction firms

Sanedi signs contract with SolarTurtle to develop next-gen solar kiosks

Technology disruption becoming the business of technology

Nokia secures thirtieth commercial 5G deal

Supportive policy held up as key to unlocking Africa’s auto ambitions

Competition Commission to extend data inquiry investigation

Denel to stop manufacturing parts for Airbus A400M aircraft

Long-running trade dispute between aerospace giants ends with victory for Airbus

Technology helping financial firms to modernise risk management practices

Near-miss ‘Day Zero’ should serve as lesson to water-scarce SA

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