Cambridge International qualifications are accepted at over 2,000 tertiary institutions across 160 countries, including top-ranking universities in the US, UK, Africa and across the globe.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="546" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/VC-Phakeng-173-2-820x546.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-419116" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/VC-Phakeng-173-2-820x546.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/VC-Phakeng-173-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/VC-Phakeng-173-2-135x90.jpg 135w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/VC-Phakeng-173-2-768x511.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/VC-Phakeng-173-2-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/VC-Phakeng-173-2-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption>Image credit: UCT Vice Chancellor, Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng &#8211; University of Cape Town</figcaption></figure>



As Africa’s leading university, the University of Cape Town has chosen to shoulder the responsibility to be at the forefront of transformation on the continent — a challenge they willingly embrace. Their mission is simple: to unleash Africa’s potential to help create a fair and just society.



It is their belief that the most important tool every African needs is an affordable, quality education – one that will qualify them for employment or a university degree. This is the only way to close the inequality gap. It is a necessity, not only for the university sector, but for everybody in the country.



This is why they chose to change the face of education in South Africa by launching <a href="http://www.uctonlinehighschool.com?utm_source=cnbc_africa&amp;utm_medium=editorial&amp;utm_campaign=CNBC-Africa">UCT Online High </a> <a href="http://www.uctonlinehighschool.com?utm_source=cnbc_africa&amp;utm_medium=editorial&amp;utm_campaign=CNBC-Africa">School</a> in 2022 — the most affordable online private school in South Africa; becoming the first University on the African continent to extend its expertise and impact to the secondary schooling market through an innovative online modality. This progressive school is purpose-built to allow South African learners to work towards achieving their National Senior Certificate from anywhere in the country.



UCT Online High School places emphasis on impeccable support, with each learner having access to a Support Coach throughout their entire school career. The offering is tailored to the learner by providing Structured Flexibility – a framework which allows learners to work anytime from anywhere, within well-defined boundaries. By placing Individual Mastery right at the centre of their philosophy, UCT Online High School ensures that each learner masters every module before moving on to the next one. That way they don’t progress with gaps in their tree of knowledge.



As part of their initial offering, they also launched UCT Online High School’s Free Curriculum with support from the Michael &amp; Susan Dell foundation. This entirely free online school platform allows any guardian, learner or educator to access their full CAPS (National Senior Certificate) curriculum — because money should not be a barrier to those wanting to learn.



A few months after its public launch in 2021, UCT Online High School was selected among the 12 Top Innovators in<a href="https://youtu.be/SUCP2VAmo1o"> </a>The WorldClass Education Challenge at the World Economic Forum’s Sustainable Development Impact Summit 2021. A digital platform to crowdsource solutions for the world&#8217;s most pressing issues, as outlined by the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). From almost 400 submissions, 12 notable innovators were selected – these individuals and their organisations have worked alongside Deloitte professionals to help address the global education crisis. UCT Online High School made the final selection of Top Innovators in Africa, cementing its impact at home, and abroad.



A year, and some 5,000 CAPS learners later, they are immensely pleased to be able to offer an additional curriculum in the form of the Cambridge Assessment International Education — the most affordable Cambridge International qualification in Africa at R3,300 per month (within South Africa) and US$230 per month (outside South Africa)! Cambridge International is one of the world’s most prestigious international curriculums, recognised by over 2,000 tertiary institutions worldwide, including all major local universities. With nearly a million learners in 10,000 schools in 160 countries, a Cambridge International qualification is a powerful global passport to the future. As the most affordable fully accredited Cambridge International school in Africa, UCT Online High School is proud to be able to offer this qualification to learners in South Africa and beyond. Starting with South Africa’s closest neighbours, they aim to expand their reach to the rest of the African continent in the near future. And they’re only getting started.



Admissions for the UCT Online High School’s Cambridge Assessment International Education are now open, with classes commencing in January 2023, after which learners will be able to enrol at any time, from wherever they are in the world. This new curriculum offers the full bouquet of Lower Secondary, IGCSE, AS and A levels at R3,300 per month (within South Africa) and US$230 per month (outside South Africa), but for 2023 we will be launching lower secondary and IGCSE, making it the most affordable fully accredited Cambridge International school in Africa. To offer a full break down:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Lower Secondary (years 8 &amp; 9, ages 12-14) provides learners with a broad curriculum, giving them a strong, well-rounded foundation.</li></ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Upper Secondary otherwise known as IGCSE (years 10 &amp; 11, ages 15-16) is the most popular international qualification for 15 &#8211; 16 years olds and focuses on core academic and language development. Our first set of IGCSE exams will be written in November 2024.</li></ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Cambridge Advanced, the AS and A levels qualifications (Years 12 &amp; 13, ages 17-18) is one of the strongest academic high school qualifications you can exit with, streamlining you into a focused career path. UCT Online High School is set to expand into AS/A levels in 2025.</li></ul>



For full list of FAQs please visit their website: <a href="https://www.uctonlinehighschool.com/frequently-asked-questions?utm_source=cnbc_africa&amp;utm_medium=editorial&amp;utm_campaign=CNBC-Africa">https://www.uctonlinehighschool.com/frequently-asked-questions</a>



For more information on UCT Online High School, please visit:<a href="http://www.uctonlinehighschool.com"> </a><a href="http://www.uctonlinehighschool.com?utm_source=cnbc_africa&amp;utm_medium=editorial&amp;utm_campaign=CNBC-Africa">www.uctonlinehighschool.com</a>.



‘If I may just say what an honour it is to partner with Cambridge Assessment International Education, one of the world’s most prestigious institutions. Together we are providing access to a truly world-class education from the comfort of one’s own home — not just to learners in our own country, but to those throughout Africa too.’, says Yandiswa Xhakaza, UCT Online High School Director &amp; Principal.



Christine Özden, Chief Executive of Cambridge Assessment International Education, says, ‘We are delighted to announce that UCT Online High School has joined our global community of Cambridge schools and we look forward to a long and productive relationship with them.’



In their tireless quest to innovate and be at the forefront of creating an equitable and innovative education system on the continent, the online high school also announces the launch of an Adult Matric programme delivered entirely online. The Adult Matric programme provides a second chance for those who were unable, or never given the opportunity, to write their National Senior Certificate when they were young — because it’s never too late to enable a better future for ourselves and our families.



<a href="https://bit.ly/3w91qOA">As per Youth Capital’s research</a>, and at any given time, there are about 250,000 people working towards a matric certificate outside the full-time, in-school system.Since an average of 800,000 candidates write matric examinations each year, this means that about a third of the total matric cohort are ‘on the fringe’ or ‘non-traditional’ learners. Yet, as second-chancers, the educational journeys of these non-traditional learners often go unrecognised. Despite their grit and perseverance, second chance matrics are rarely reported on publicly. UCT Online High School is here to celebrate and support these learners, and the Adult Matric programme offers a viable and affordable alternative for adults to study online, and part-time, towards their matric certificate.



A matric certificate can transform young and old people’s futures alike, by signalling their knowledge and skills to employers, creating pathways to further education, and ultimately improving their chances of finding work, keeping a job, and earning a higher salary.



UCT Online High School isn’t just a school, it’s the backbone of an entire ecosystem which has been designed to service learners from a broad range of socioeconomic and academic means. They believe in a brighter future for all, and they’re doing everything that they can to make it happen. They’re calling on future changemakers, young and old, to join their innovative learning journey and make their future official.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="UCT Vice-Chancellor announces UCT Online High School&#039;s Cambridge International curriculum" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yvzfVIenrnk?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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<iframe loading="lazy" title="We Own The Future (The Official UCT Online High School Song)" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ra6PcW_NiUU?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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VC Phakeng portraits

AFRICA’S MOST AFFORDABLE CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL QUALIFICATION LAUNCHED BY UCT ONLINE HIGH SCHOOL

The African cryptocurrency market is growing rapidly and has become a financial solution for many. While most crypto trading is P2P, few companies have the capacity to cater to high-net-worth individuals and corporates who seek to buy, sell or move large amounts of USDC and USDT stablecoin.



Yellow Card Financial, the fastest growing cryptocurrency company on the continent, provides a personalised trading facility through their world-class <a href="https://yellowcard.io/otc/">Crypto Over-The-Counter (OTC) desk</a> for those who seek to trade any volume worth over or&nbsp; from $50,000 to millions of dollars.



The OTC desk, launched in 2021, provides access to a massive global network in the 16 African countries where the company operates, including South Africa, Nigeria, Uganda, Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon, Botswana, Tanzania, Rwanda and Zambia, to name a few.



Yellow Card complies with global AML, Sanctions, FATF Travel Rule requirements, and <a href="https://academy.yellowcard.io/topics/how-kyc-protects-you-in-the-financial-space/">KYC</a> all of our customers across all jurisdictions. We are also registered on GoAML and with local Financial Intelligence Units in most of our jurisdictions to help report on AML, Sanctions, and Financial Crime matters.



One of Africa’s largest crypto markets is undoubtedly <a href="https://yellowcard.io/nigeria/">Nigeria</a>, cited in the 2021 Global Crypto Adoption Index among the top 20 countries with the fastest crypto growth.



Munachi Ogueke, CBO for Yellow Card Financial, says that despite challenges regarding regulation and currency availability, Yellow Card has consistently provided customers personalised service at competitive rates with no limits on trading volumes.



“One of the challenges customers face is the inability to buy USD with NGN. We have the solution in providing USDT as an alternative,” says Munachi.



Yellow Card has a wide range of liquidity providers, helping to serve customers with the most competitive rates for large transactions at a fraction of the cost of trading on an open exchange, paying fees and slippage.



“Our biggest competitive advantage is definitely our extremely deep liquidity pools that fill any order size anytime,” adds Munachi.



With a full range of fiat currencies available, the African blockchain leader can trade in the pair which suits each client’s needs. Currently, we sell or buy USDT and USDC for these currencies: US Dollar, South African Rand, Nigerian Naira, Botswana Pula, Ghanian Cedi, Ugandan Shilling, Kenyan Shilling, Zambian Kwacha, Central African Franc, Rwandan Franc and Tanzanian Shilling.



<a href="https://yellowcard.typeform.com/to/BD1xa3NX">Sign up</a> for a Yellow Card account today and experience a safe, secure, personalised, fast solution from the comfort of your home or workplace.



About Yellow Card Financial:



<a href="https://yellowcard.io/">Yellow Card Financial</a> was founded by Chris Maurice and Justin Poiroux and launched in Nigeria in 2018. Since then, the U.S. and Africa-based teams have sought to make cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDT Stablecoin accessible to anyone in Africa.



Among the company’s key mandates are to provide financial freedom for all through cryptocurrency and education on the market. Efforts like the <a href="https://academy.yellowcard.io/">Yellow Card Academy</a> that dispense information about cryptocurrency, blockchain technology, economics, and financial literacy do just that.



In 2021, Yellow Card announced a $15M Series A, the largest ever by an African cryptocurrency exchange.

Yellow-card

High Net Worth Individuals, Corporates and Institutions to Benefit from Yellow Card’s OTC Crypto Desk

Despite a string of supply-side shocks to the manufacturing sector, Justin Schmidt, Head of Manufacturing Sector at Absa Retail and Business Bank, found a positive mood and encouraging interactions at the 2022 Manufacturing Indaba.



The mood from delegates and exhibitors at the 2022 Manufacturing Indaba was more positive than what the data is indicating. “Overall, the conference had surprisingly strong attendance, with some great engagements across the manufacturing sub-sectors,” says Schmidt.



According to Absa’s Q2 Manufacturing Survey – published just a day before the Manufacturing Indaba opened at the Sandton Convention Centre – confidence levels in the sector dropped by 14 points from the first quarter of the year to 29 in the second, following a string of bad-news events.



“After surviving the past two years, manufacturers continued their recovery despite the headwinds,” says Schmidt. “However, the additional shocks caused by the floods in KwaZulu-Natal (Africa’s second-biggest manufacturing hub), the increased intensity of load shedding and the knock-on effects of the Russia-Ukraine war have weighed heavily on manufacturers. Unsurprisingly, that resulted in this knock to confidence.”&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spillover-effects">Spillover effects</h2>



The quarterly survey covers approximately 700 businesspeople in the manufacturing sector and was conducted by Stellenbosch University’s Bureau for Economic Research in May. The confidence index ranges between zero and 100, with zero reflecting an extreme lack of confidence and 100 extreme confidence, where all participants are satisfied with current business conditions.&nbsp;



The manufacturing sector’s seasonally adjusted output for April 2022, as published by Statistics South Africa, also fell by 5.4% month-on-month. At the same time, Absa’s survey indicated a drop in both domestic and export sales, with manufacturers noting insufficient demand as a more serious constraint to current activities than at the start of the year.&nbsp;



“As consumers feel the pinch of rising food and fuel prices, along with increasing interest rates, the manufacturing sector may experience the spillover effect of reduced disposable income resulting in lower demand,” Schmidt notes.



Load shedding has also taken its toll. For manufacturers, Stage 2 load shedding – while difficult – is manageable because it allows for planning and scheduling, and it tends to happen at night. However, when South Africa moves into Stage 4 (as it did in Q2) or higher, it is a lot more difficult and costly for manufacturers to operate.



“Power is both the biggest enabler of, and the biggest constraint on, South Africa’s manufacturing growth going forward,” says Schmidt. “We must solve the power crisis – and while we are seeing some positive moves there, it needs to happen much quicker.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Reigniting economic growth through manufacturing</h2>



Manufacturers are fully aware of the constraints on and hindrances to production with shortages of raw material ranked as their second largest constraint to activity. “There remain overarching concerns around supply chain uncertainty and rising prices,” says Schmidt.



The Manufacturing Indaba included breakaway sessions focused on precisely those issues: energy, transport and logistics, localisation – and, of course, value chain integration in the age of the African Continental Free Trade Area. It’s a busy sector, and one that – as the event’s theme underlined – has the potential to “reignite economic growth”.



With that big picture in mind, Schmidt says the short-term sentiment for South Africa’s manufacturing sector remains generally positive. “Looking further ahead, we need to see structural reforms taking place to see long-term growth and recovery,” he says. “But overall, it’s a positive sector. Manufacturing has survived the shocks of the past two years, and the sector was showing an unexpectedly strong recovery into Q1 2022. It’s reasonable to expect that it will survive those Q2 shocks and bounce back in time.”







Justin Schmidt Head of Manufacturing Sector at Absa Retail and Business Bank



“Power is both the biggest enabler of, and the biggest constraint on, South Africa’s manufacturing growth.” – Justin Schmidt | Head of Manufacturing Sector at Absa Retail and Business Bank

1017969-RBB-Manu-Indaba-Digi-Banner-Invite-1910x600_28-June

Mixed mood sets the tone at Manufacturing Indaba

The COVID-19 pandemic threw the world into disarray, but in Africa, life continues: Farmers farm, merchants sell, people apply for capital to create jobs and improve livelihoods, and a heightened need for access to healthcare underpins it all. But on a continent with widespread inequality, where over half of the population is still excluded from the formal economy, and one in three lacks formal proof of identity – the task to go from ‘survive’ to ‘thrive’, is an even greater challenge. This is particularly critical at a time when there is a global food crisis in the making.



Still, a silver lining exists. In villages, farms, cities, clinics and communities across Africa, a digital evolution is underfoot, one that started even before the pandemic. While there are significant gaps in infrastructure and internet access, mobile phones proliferate, making the continent fertile soil for the adoption of innovative solutions that create new value chains and wider access to financial tools.



Take farming for instance. In Africa, farmers face significant challenges, including limited access to markets, access to working capital to secure quality seeds and pesticides, and access to relevant financial tools to pay and get paid efficiently. Millions of farmers across Africa work incredibly hard to make a subsistence living. For whole communities to truly thrive, the people working the land need a sustainable farming model which helps farmers move from subsistence production to more commercial production and does so in way that is fair and transparent to all parties.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="547" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/3-820x547.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-418189" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/3-820x547.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/3-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/3-135x90.jpg 135w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/3-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/3-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption>Michael Froman (centre), vice chairman and president of strategic growth for Mastercard, tours the Masaka district in Uganda, to learn how Farm Pass is helping smallholder farmers at a local cooperative, the Kibinge Farmer Producer Organization access better prices. </figcaption></figure>



“In Sub-Saharan Africa, agriculture is the perhaps the most vital source of livelihoods, with over 60% of the population are smallholder farmers. Even more profound is that economic growth from agriculture is estimated to be between two to four times more effective at reducing extreme poverty than any other sector,” says Michael Froman, Mastercard vice chairman and president of strategic growth. “With greater investment, digitization and support, many countries have the potential to increase food production, reduce costly imports, promote rural livelihoods and reduce poverty. And Farm Pass can be a critical part of that equation.”



Farm Pass is a digital platform that Mastercard launched in 2015, bringing together various agri-sector stakeholders from the supply and demand sides in one agricultural marketplace. Smallholder farmers can access a stable marketplace with transparent pricing, enabling them to command higher prices, and quality inputs and agricultural advisory services to increase harvest productivity. It is&nbsp;transforming agricultural ecosystems and connecting farmers to the formal financial system, also providing them with a&nbsp;digital record that could support future loan applications. During the pandemic, farmers were able to sell produce at 25%-50% higher prices by connecting directly with buyers in Farm Pass, even though local markets were closed.



On his recent visit to the Masaka district in Uganda, where Robusta is the main coffee variety grown, Froman experienced the positive impact of Farm Pass first-hand in his interaction with farmers at a local cooperative, the Kibinge Farmer Producer Organization, which streamlines production efforts. At Kibinge, over 3,400 farmers have registered for Farm Pass. Across Africa, Farm Pass has already helped roughly 659,000 smallholder farmers access better prices.



Kibonde Christine Nabukeera, one of the Kibinge coffee farmers, says: “Before I used to spend money on transportation, but now I can sell my produce from home and wait for an update on my phone. Also, all the prices of e-Farm inputs are easily accessible, including the change in prices.”



“Before we launched Farm Pass, these farmers struggled with a long sales process, delayed payments and manual navigation of complicated paper trails, in addition to the risk that paper records could be lost,” continues Froman. “But now, these farmers are more optimistic about the potential of their farming operations. It shows the immense impact that digital inclusion can have in driving commerce and creating a path toward greater financial security. And the fact that it can be used offline as well as online is extremely valuable to smallholder farmers&nbsp;who often operate in low connectivity settings.”



Soon, more farmers will discover its benefits as a result of the partnership between Mastercard and Ecobank Group, which will see&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mastercard.com/news/perspectives/2022/mastercard-farm-pass-digital-farming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Farm Pass rolled out to 33 countries</a>&nbsp;across Sub-Saharan Africa, growing the award-winning digital solution’s footprint beyond Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania where it is currently live. And as more farmers move from&nbsp;subsistence to commercial farming, it will in turn stimulate agricultural growth, increase competitiveness, and improve food security in Africa – which has also experienced the knock-on effects of disrupted supply chains in the wake of the Ukraine crisis.



Farm Pass can also play a part in providing wider access to capital, given that only 3% of the agri-sector currently receive credit from banks. Access to working capital generally requires two things – proof of transactions and proof of ID. By integrating their operations with a payment system, Farm Pass enables smallholder farmers to build a digital transaction record that can facilitate the extension of formal credit or other financial services from banks and other institutions.



Lack of formal ID is a bigger problem, which affects access to services for many marginalized citizens. This is why Mastercard created&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mastercard.com/global/en/business/governments/community-pass.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Community Pass</a>, a shared interoperable digital platform that connects people in the most remote and underserved communities to service providers including banks, governments and healthcare providers. Community Pass establishes a functional identity&nbsp;by creating a unique digital ID, allowing access to credit and services that would otherwise be unattainable. Farm Pass is the agricultural solution sitting on the Community Pass platform.



This is helpful not just for the farmers who use Farm Pass, but also for the medical professionals who are keeping communities safe in the wake of the biggest pandemic in a century. The potential of Wellness Pass, another component of Community Pass, is why Froman’s next stop was in Addis Ababa, formalizing a new partnership between Mastercard, Gavi, JSI and the Ministry of Health in Ethiopia.



Wellness Pass tackles the problems created by fragmented and manual healthcare systems, including lack of interoperability, a reliance on paper-based medical records, and limited ability to verify care plans, which impairs data access for clinics, governments and patients. The solution facilitates digitizing health and vaccination records and makes them portable and available offline. It also uses biometric verification to preserve patient privacy and enable individuals to participate equitably in society – in this case, to receive much needed healthcare services and accurate record keeping of their medical history.&nbsp;For Ethiopia, it&nbsp;will&nbsp;strengthen the country’s public health response through secure Covid-19 vaccination tracking and offline portability of health records.



“In the wake of the pandemic, we quickly reconfigured the Wellness Pass tool from focusing on childhood vaccinations to tracking Covid-19 vaccinations so that societies could more easily cope with managing the virus,” says Froman.&nbsp;“Our hope is that Wellness Pass will reach one million Ethiopians in the next 15 months, improving the accessibility, affordability and quality of primary healthcare for residents. This is consistent with the 2025 Digital Ethiopia Strategy.”



Wider adoption of technology is driving innovation. But you can’t just pull a product off the shelf at headquarters and assume it’s going to work anywhere. It’s the way in which global expertise and know-how blend with a deep understanding of local communities and needs which has the potential to produce innovations with the greatest impact. It’s how Mastercard can deliver on its commitment to connect one billion people, 50 million small and micro businesses and 25 million women-run businesses to the digital economy by 2025.&nbsp;



“By connecting people and businesses to the digital economy with the help of our partners, Mastercard is working to enhance the financial security and wellbeing of communities. Driving sustainable, inclusive growth is central to who we are as a company and our commitment to “doing well by doing good.”

download

<a>Pass to Greater Prosperity: Advancing financial security and well-being across Africa through digital inclusion</a>

Africa is a continent that is bearing the brunt of the devastating impact of climate change, yet it has contributed the least to global emissions. The low carbon output reflects Africa’s crippling energy deficit which has stymied industrialisation and economic development.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="600" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/CNBC-article-2-_800x600.png" alt="" class="wp-image-417164" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/CNBC-article-2-_800x600.png 800w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/CNBC-article-2-_800x600-300x225.png 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/CNBC-article-2-_800x600-120x90.png 120w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/CNBC-article-2-_800x600-768x576.png 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption>Enlit Africa</figcaption></figure>



A new report from the Africa Finance Corporation sets out the continent’s stance of balancing the need for emissions reduction with critical development imperatives as Africa starts to look to net-zero.



<a href="https://www.enlit-africa.com/">Enlit Africa (the unifying brand for African Utility Week and POWERGEN Africa) invites you to join the conversation 7-9 June 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa</a><a href="https://www.enlit-africa.com/welcome">.</a> <a href="https://www.enlit-africa.com/the-event/attend">REGISTER TODAY</a>. 



“While renewable sources are the ultimate goal, Africa must also exploit its abundant reserves of natural gas as an essential transitional source of energy to support industrialisation – a position backed by the European Commission’s recent decision to classify natural gas as a form of green energy and a vital transition fuel in the path towards decarbonisation,” says the report.



A role for gas?



This is a position supported by <a href="https://www.enlit-africa.com/welcome">Enlit Africa 2022</a> (formerly African Utility Week and POWERGEN Africa), and one that will receive coverage at the event as delegates explore the topic of gas masterplans and the role of gas across the energy transition. <a href="https://www.enlit-africa.com/the-event/Learn/speakers">Speakers</a> sharing their thoughts on the role of gas include Thabang Audat, Chief Director: Planning, from the South African Department of Mineral Resources and Electricity. He is supported by Craig Morkel, Gas Economy Leadership Group Chairperson for the SA Oil and Gas Alliance, Hasnayn Ebrahim, MD, Africa Infrastructure Advisors and Maggy Shino, Petroleum Commissioner, Namibian Department of Minerals and Energy.



But the development of gas markets is not limited to that of natural gas only – but includes the possibilities to be explored through the development of a hydrogen market – not only as a source of primary energy, but also as a commodity for an export market.



Alternative fuels



This will form the basis of discussions at Enlit Africa around the development of a hydrogen market in Africa, plans to commercialise hydrogen and what the considerations are when it comes to pricing hydrogen.&nbsp; Joining this conversation are Siggi Huegemann, Chairman, African Hydrogen Partnership; Hendrik Louw, CEO, Northern Cape Economic Development, Trade and Investment Promotion Agency, and representative from the Department of Science and Innovation, South Africa



Attendees and exhibitors at Enlit Africa represent the leading suppliers, experts and energy professionals from Africa and around the world, offering an opportunity to network and engage with utilities, municipalities, OEMs, government, regulators, EPC, developers, financiers and the entire energy ecosystem. <a href="https://www.enlit-africa.com/the-event/attend">Register today.</a>



The UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction estimates that the cost of structural damage caused by natural disasters in Africa will climb to $145bn a year by 2030. The continent thus needs strong and resulting buildings to rebuild ocean and river defences and infrastructure in transport, construction of electricity grids and off-grid energy. This will in turn help develop sustainable mining and the circular economy that could drive growth and job creation.



The focus of the Energy Storage and Alternative Solutions sessions during Enlit Africa will focus on how alternative energy source such as renewable energies, are providing certainty and energy security to mines and other large industrial concerns, not only in the case of loadshedding, but also in response to the effects of climate change. However, the conversation will also focus on opportunities to utilise renewable energy to bring electricity to clinics and communities and how collaboration between mines and the communities surrounding them can be beneficial for all.



Innovation



In order to effect change, Africa-based institutions like the IFC need access to essential climate funds through financial innovation to support resilient building and investment in localised mass-scale manufacturing and processing. The IFC’s Green City Action Plan is one such initiative. Speaking at Enlit Africa,&nbsp; representatives from the IFC will share how, by working with the City of Ekhuruleni, they have developed a Green City Action Plan that sets out actions that can help CoE meet its climate mitigation and sustainability targets. The Green City Action Plan leverages a new IFC platform, APEX, which is supported by the APEX Online Application Tool that helps quantify and prioritise policy and investment solutions across four key sectors: energy, transport, water, and waste.



Innovative finance mechanisms and unpacking the reality of the just energy transition for Africa are topics of discussion at Enlit Africa. <a href="https://www.enlit-africa.com/the-event/attend">Register today</a>. 



Information about the programme, speaker line up, networking, roundtable and site visit opportunities can be found by visiting <a href="https://www.enlit-africa.com/programme">https://www.enlit-africa.com/programme</a>.



Back at the CTICC <a href="https://www.enlit-africa.com/welcome">Enlit Africa 2022</a> will return to the CTICC in Cape Town with a world-class exhibition, showcasing the latest technology and services on offer in the sector. Known for its compelling content and speakers, the organisers will not disappoint, with two keynotes and most of the content presented in speaking hubs on the expo floor. Conference delegates will also be able to enjoy the networking and site visits that the event has popularised for over two decades. Strict health and safety COVID-19 protocols will be observed. Industry support Eskom, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy and the City of Cape Town have been official hosting partners of the event for many years and 2022 will be no exception. <a href="https://www.esi-africa.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESI Africa</a>, the continent’s leading news provider for power and energy news, is the official host publication.



<a href="https://www.enlit-africa.com/welcome">Enlit Africa (formerly African Utility Week and POWERGEN Africa)</a> is Africa’s leading exhibition and conference, gathering the power and energy industry’s most influential professionals and decision makers from across the continent for three days of relevant, accredited technical and strategic conference seminars, valuable networking opportunities and access to world-class products and solutions.



Enlit Africa is organised by&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wearevuka.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Vuka Group&nbsp;</a>(formerly&nbsp;<a href="http://www.clarioneventsafrica.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Clarion Events Africa</a>), a leading Cape Town-based and multi-award-winning organiser of exhibitions, conferences and digital events across the continent in the infrastructure, energy, mining, mobility, ecommerce and CX sectors. Other well-known events by The Vuka Group include&nbsp;<a href="http://www.drcminingweek.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DRC Mining Week</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.africaminingforum.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Africa Mining Forum</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nigeriaminingweek.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nigeria Mining Week</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://generationehq.com/smarter-mobility-africa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Smarter Mobility Africa</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://ecommerce-africa.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ECOM</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://cemafricasummit.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CEM Africa</a>.



<a href="https://www.enlit-africa.com/">Enlit Africa (the unifying brand for African Utility Week and POWERGEN Africa) invites you to join the conversation 7-9 June 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa</a><a href="https://www.enlit-africa.com/welcome">.</a> <a href="https://www.enlit-africa.com/the-event/attend">Register today</a>.

CNBC-article-2-_800x600

The role of gas in Africa’s energy sector is just one of the strategic angles being pursued at Enlit Africa

Biased cultural norms, limited technology access, and biased teaching and learning materials perpetuate the STEM education imbalance between boys and girls.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="547" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Ghana_00693-1-820x547.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-417156" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Ghana_00693-1-820x547.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Ghana_00693-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Ghana_00693-1-135x90.jpg 135w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Ghana_00693-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Ghana_00693-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Ghana_00693-1-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /></figure>



Ensuring that girls receive a quality education is the most powerful investment we can make in our collective future. Educated women are more likely to marry at a later age, have fewer children, earn higher incomes and build better lives for themselves and their families. The World Bank has even said that without improvements in gender equality, <a href="https://blogs.worldbank.org/nasikiliza/how-empowering-women-can-help-end-poverty-africa">we will not reduce poverty</a> in Africa.



Addressing the under-representation of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses is a central part of improving girls&#8217; education in Africa. The choice could not be more clear: if Africa does not make significant progress in getting more girls in the sciences, its progress towards sustainable development will be compromised.



However, in many countries across the continent, <a href="https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/sites/teacheng/files/2022-04/Girls%27%20education%20and%20empowerment.pdf">social norms and traditions prevent</a> girls from pursuing educational opportunities. In Sudan, for instance, many families with children see girls’ priority as domestic chores over schoolwork. Evidence shows that African girls who spend 28 hours per week on household duties and caregiving attend school 25% less than those with just 10 hours of weekly domestic chores. In a continent where girls are far more often pressured to work in the home than boys are, it results in major gender disparities in learning.



Some will argue that technology could be the solution, providing digital access to learning that girls might not otherwise have. However, gender norms already limit girls’ access to technology, and have had a disproportionate<a href="https://www.britishcouncil.org/sites/default/files/sub-saharan_africa_education_series_21_july_r.pdf"> impact on their learning opportunities during the Covid-19 lockdowns</a>.



In Ethiopia, parents are more likely to deny girls access to mobile phones as they want to protect them from<a href="https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/sites/teacheng/files/2022-04/Girls%27%20education%20and%20empowerment.pdf"> exposure to unsafe content</a>. One <a href="https://www.girlsandmobile.org/">study</a> found that for boys, cost is the biggest barrier to mobile phone access, while for girls, social norms are the main constraint; a large majority of boys do not have to seek permission to use technology while nearly half of girls do.



Globally, the<a href="https://www.girlsandmobile.org/"> disparity between boys and girls</a> is so great that boys are 50% more likely to own a mobile phone than girls and more than half of girls have to borrow a mobile phone if they want access, compared with only 28% of boys.



There is also significant disparity in how girls and boys are treated in the classroom itself, especially in STEM subjects. Teachers often demonstrate the same gender biases as parents, sub-consciously encouraging boys ahead of girls by calling on them first or more often to answer science-related questions. Teaching materials and textbook examples further deepen the divide with more references to boys and male success than that of women and girls.



Data from the OECD reveals a strong correlation between 15-year-old boys&#8217; self-confidence in STEM subjects and their higher performance versus girls’. Yet boys&#8217; brains are no more effective at STEM problem-solving than girls&#8217;, and there are<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29484644/"> negligible gender differences in children’s maths skills</a>. What evidence does show, however, is that girls&#8217; self-perception, due to community pressures and biases, are the primary reason for girls succeeding less in many countries in STEM studies and careers.



The most immediate way to nurture their confidence in the sciences is to increase girls’ exposure to high-quality, inclusive science instruction in schools. Girls’ familiarity with STEM is a key part of building their self-confidence in it.



That’s why the British Council is tackling some of these issues in a drive to increase and sustain access, interest, participation and performance of girls in these subjects at all levels:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Making Coding Fun for Girls After-school coding clubs #LearningToCode are being piloted in Kenya and South Africa to give girls exposure and access to technology and build their confidence through fun activities in a creative and safe environment.</li><li>Training Teachers on Gender Inclusion Through teacher training across many African countries, in conjunction with ministries of education and teacher training colleges, we are skilling-up teachers to be more gender inclusive in the classroom and making them aware of biases and how they can affect girls.</li></ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Digital Skills in the Classroom We work with the Wikimedia Foundation in Ghana on our Skills for Success programme which is focused on building teacher training colleges capacity to skill-up teachers in digital technology so they can bring that to the kids in their classrooms. This is particularly important for girls who are less likely to get exposure to technology at home.</li><li>School Leadership Training We work with school leaders across Africa to teach more inclusive styles of school management, promoting reflective learning.</li></ul>



These are just some examples of the systems changes that can be achieved. We encourage aid agencies, ministries of education and other partners to consider the wide-reaching benefits of creating societies in which&nbsp;girls can achieve their potential in STEM.



The British Council welcomes the opportunity to co-create impactful, needs based education programmes in partnership with like-minded organisations.







Andrew Zerzan is the Deputy Regional Director and Director of Education, Arts &amp; Civil Society for British Council in Sub Saharan Africa.



Andrew is an international programme leader, passionate about finding solutions to complex social and cultural challenges. He has more than 15 years’ experience in international programme strategy, partnership development and project management.



Andrew joined the Council in 2014 and has held several roles including, Global Director of Education, Global Head of Business Delivery, and Director of Risk and Security.



Prior to joining British Council, Andrew worked with several organisations including the World Bank, Gates Foundation and Reed Elsevier plc. In 2004 he launched a start-up education business, pioneering a high-tech approach to learning and connecting people from different cultures and geographies.



Andrew was commended by the City of London for innovative risk management in the Risk Management Awards of 2014.



Andrew has experience of living and working in Europe, Africa and Asia, and is currently based in Nairobi with his family and dog. Andrew has weathered the pandemic appreciating the ingenuity of African youth to thrive regardless of the challenges they face.

Ghana_00693_British Council

Closing the gender gap in African STEM education

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="429" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/CNBC-image-820x429.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-416719" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/CNBC-image-820x429.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/CNBC-image-300x157.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/CNBC-image-160x84.jpg 160w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/CNBC-image-768x402.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/CNBC-image.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /></figure>



Market intermediaries, such as stock exchanges, central depository systems, and settlement systems, as well as anybody else allowed to conduct business under the Capital Markets Act of 2000, are subject to CMA oversight, licensing, and monitoring in Kenya.



As such, there are numerous benefits for traders in Kenya who choose to sign up with a Forex broker that is regulated by the CMA says Louis Schoeman from <a href="https://forexbrokers.ke/">Forex Brokers Kenya</a>.



To this end, the CMA ensures that every broker has operational customer service help. Therefore, if any issues emerge, the Kenyan consumer will be able to get help as fast as possible and through a reliable regulatory mechanism.



Accordingly, the CMA ensures that registered forex brokers do not engage in malpractices or fraudulent conduct that could harm their reputations in order to protect the interests of their traders.



Added to this, Kenyan forex traders can benefit from decreased fees and spreads as a result of the requirements set forth by this regulator. It is the duty of regulated forex brokers to ensure that Kenyan investors may reap the benefits of their currency market investments.



Only a handful of Forex brokers have received CMA licensing to date, and in this article we explore the 4 best options which also provide Kenyan traders with competitive trading conditions and a wealth of trading tools at their disposal.



<a href="https://one.exness.link/boarding/sign-up/a/v1hp2646" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Open a Free Trading Account Now</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-exinity-east-africa">1. Exinity East Africa</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-overview">Overview</h3>



Forex, CFDs, and stock investments are all provided by Exinity East Africa, which forms part of major brokerage firm, Exinity Limited.



Exinity Limited has been in the online trading business for more than two decades and now serves clients from more than 150 countries across the world.



Exinity, Alpari, and FXTM all fall under the umbrella of the Exinity Group, which also owns the payment provider AcruPay. To date, the company has grown from a single MetaTrader broker in Limassol, Cyprus, to holding major offices around the world.



Forex, CFD, and stock trading products are available to nearly two million customers through this network. The broker is licensed by the FSRA in the United Arab Emirates, the FSC in Mauritius, and the CMA in Kenya to conduct business.



Users of Exinity can choose from a variety of capital and speculative market options. These range from long-term investors to swing traders, arbitrageurs, and scalpers, and everything in between.



Customers of Exinity have access to a variety of trading platforms and account options. The firm&#8217;s own mobile app, which is supported on both Apple (iOS) and Android (APK) devices, available for account holders around the world, and features an integrated analyst sentiment indicator and market research tools.



Pros and Cons



<figure class="wp-block-table aligncenter"><table><tbody><tr><td>Pros Full MetaTrader suite available Negative balance protection provided Multi-regulated</td><td>Cons Cryptos not available </td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



Features



<figure class="wp-block-table aligncenter"><table><tbody><tr><td>Feature</td><td>Information</td></tr><tr><td>Regulation</td><td>CMA, FSRA, FCA</td></tr><tr><td>Minimum deposit from</td><td>$20</td></tr><tr><td>Average spread from</td><td>0.5 pips</td></tr><tr><td>Commissions from</td><td>$2 per lot for Forex</td></tr><tr><td>Deposit/Withdrawal Fee</td><td>None</td></tr><tr><td>Maximum Leverage</td><td>1:200</td></tr><tr><td>Bonuses</td><td>Yes</td></tr><tr><td>Customer Support</td><td>24/5</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. Scope Markets</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Overview</h3>



The feature-rich MT5 platform for desktop, web, and mobile devices is offered by Scope Markets, a regulated trading broker, to provide online Forex and CFD trading to Kenyan clients.



Retail and institutional traders in Kenya can use Scope Markets&#8217; online trading services, which include FX and CFD trading.



These clients can choose from a variety of trading options that the broker offers and that are all compliant, adaptable, economical, and focused on them.



As such, clients have access to a wide range of global markets, including stocks, indices, currency, commodities, and CFDs.



The management team at Scope Markets has been in the financial industry for over two decades and has developed numerous long-term relationships. Fast execution, minimal slippage, and tight spreads are among the features that benefit their clients in Kenya and around the world.



Pros and Cons



<figure class="wp-block-table aligncenter"><table><tbody><tr><td>Pros MetaTrader 5 available Excellent educational resources Well-regulated</td><td>Cons Demo account not currently available </td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



Features



<figure class="wp-block-table aligncenter"><table><tbody><tr><td>Feature</td><td>Information</td></tr><tr><td>Regulation</td><td>CMA, CySEC, FSCA</td></tr><tr><td>Minimum deposit from</td><td>$500</td></tr><tr><td>Average spread from</td><td>0.9 pips</td></tr><tr><td>Commissions from</td><td>Variable</td></tr><tr><td>Deposit/Withdrawal Fee</td><td>$35 per withdrawal</td></tr><tr><td>Maximum Leverage</td><td>1:30 retail/1:100 professional</td></tr><tr><td>Bonuses</td><td>None</td></tr><tr><td>Customer Support</td><td>24/5</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>







You might like: <a href="https://forexbroker.ng/forex-brokers/best-forex-trading-apps/">Best Trading Apps in Nigeria</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. FXPesa</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Overview</h3>



Founded in 2019, FXPesa is a relatively young forex and CFD broker. The company has headquarters in Nairobi, as well as a number of branch offices across the country.



A subsidiary of EGM Securities Limited, FXPesa is regulated by the Kenyan Capital Markets Authority (CMA). The parent firm, which is regulated by the CMA and is well-known in the industry, is deemed trustworthy by Kenyans.



In addition to currency pairs, indexes and commodities, FXPesa also offers shares and other financial products. As a result, it&#8217;s a good option for novice currency traders because it offers access to more currencies than many of its rivals.



Traders can also benefit from lower spreads by upgrading to a premium account.



FXPesa has both a web platform and a desktop trading tool for PC, called FXPesa Trader, which may be used to trade currencies.



There&#8217;s no software to download or set up while using the web-based platform. You&#8217;ll have full access to all FX and CFD markets after you log in with your account information. The interface is straightforward and easy to use, and it comes equipped with all the necessary resources.



The MetaTrader 4 (MT4) platform is also accessible in addition to the proprietary platform. Automated trading, trading signals, complex charts, and research and analysis tools are all included in MT4&#8217;s feature set, making it a good choice for both newbies and more experienced traders.



Pros and Cons



<figure class="wp-block-table aligncenter"><table><tbody><tr><td>Pros MetaTrader 4 available Proprietary trading platform available Good selection of trading assets</td><td>Cons Not the tightest spreads in the industry </td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



Features



<figure class="wp-block-table aligncenter"><table><tbody><tr><td>Feature</td><td>Information</td></tr><tr><td>Regulation</td><td>CMA</td></tr><tr><td>Minimum deposit from</td><td>$5</td></tr><tr><td>Average spread from</td><td>1.4 pips</td></tr><tr><td>Commissions from</td><td>None</td></tr><tr><td>Deposit/Withdrawal Fee</td><td>1% on e-wallets</td></tr><tr><td>Maximum Leverage</td><td>1:400</td></tr><tr><td>Bonuses</td><td>30% deposit bonus</td></tr><tr><td>Customer Support</td><td>24/5</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>







<h2 class="wp-block-heading">4. Pepperstone</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Overview</h3>



After launching in 2010, <a href="https://forexsuggest.com/pepperstone-review/">Pepperstone</a> Group has become one of the leading online brokerages in the industry, with the ability to trade in a wide range of markets, including forex, equities, indices, metals and even cryptocurrencies.



Traders in Kenya of a variety of skill levels can benefit from a wide range of trading options, including desktop, mobile, and web-based platforms, an extensive product catalogue, and a variety of account kinds.



Pros and Cons



<figure class="wp-block-table aligncenter"><table><tbody><tr><td>Pros No minimum deposit Low trading fees for forex No added costs for withdrawals or deposits </td><td>Cons Limited number of instruments No additional research tools </td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



Features



<figure class="wp-block-table aligncenter"><table><tbody><tr><td>Feature</td><td>Information</td></tr><tr><td>Regulation</td><td>FCA, ASIC</td></tr><tr><td>Minimum deposit from</td><td>AUD200</td></tr><tr><td>Average spread from</td><td>0.4 pips</td></tr><tr><td>Commissions from</td><td>$3.76 commission per lot per trade</td></tr><tr><td>Deposit/Withdrawal Fee</td><td>None</td></tr><tr><td>Maximum Leverage</td><td>1:500</td></tr><tr><td>Bonuses</td><td>None</td></tr><tr><td>Customer Support</td><td>24/5</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>

CNBC-image

4 Best CMA-Regulated Forex Brokers in Kenya

<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="628" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/CNBC-article-option-1.png" alt="" class="wp-image-416689" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/CNBC-article-option-1.png 1200w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/CNBC-article-option-1-300x157.png 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/CNBC-article-option-1-820x429.png 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/CNBC-article-option-1-160x84.png 160w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/CNBC-article-option-1-768x402.png 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /></figure></div>



COP26 was a ‘mixed bag’ for developing countries, unlocking some much-needed funding mechanisms, even as it under-delivered in other areas. The issue of funding is one that has been high on the international agenda for many years, along with the shortfall between pledges made to aid with climate adaption and mitigation and what was actually realised.



Coming away from COP26, the shift in the discussion around financing was highlighted by an agreement between the United State,&nbsp;France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the European Union (EU) and South Africa to decarbonise South Africa’s energy sector and finance mitigation measures to protect against job losses in the sector.



A just energy transition



As the largest emitter of carbon in Africa, South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) deal will demonstrate that a shift from a heavily coal-dependant country to a decarbonised one is not only possible, but that it can be done without sacrificing economic growth.



The keynote sessions of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.enlit-africa.com/welcome">Enlit Africa [formerly African Utility Week and POWERGEN Africa]&nbsp;[7-9 June 2022]</a>, will focus on understanding the finance options, the priorities and the roadmap of the&nbsp;JETP. But more importantly,&nbsp;the discussions expand the conversation across the continent, asking how finance of that magnitude can be mobilised to support Africa’s energy transition.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://bit.ly/3MwqMM9">REGISTER HERE TO ATTEND AS A DELEGATE</a></h2>



It&#8217;s all about collaboration



The theme for this year’s event – Collaboration to fast forward Africa’s energy transition – recognises that collaborative efforts will&nbsp;drive the energy transition. Collaboration between public sector and private sector; between utilities, regulators and government; across generation to distribution, from manufacturer to financier to end user &#8211; all have a role to play in ensuring the energy system of tomorrow is sustainable, affordable and achievable.



More broadly, the realities of Africa in transition need to be considered and carefully planned to avoid a multitude of challenges. These include not adding to the debt burden of African countries in order to meet climate ambitions; and recognition that as the continent that contributes the least to global emissions, Africa is in a unique position to ask for meaningful financial and technical contributions from the international community.



Attendees and exhibitors at Enlit Africa represent the leading suppliers, experts and energy professionals from Africa and around the world, offering an opportunity to network and engage with utilities, municipalities, OEMs, government, regulators, EPC, developers, financiers and the entire energy ecosystem.



A deep dive into topics of importance



Conference sessions focused on alternative funding mechanisms and public private partnerships will address some of the questions around financing, while roundtable discussions will provide an opportunity for attendees to dig deeper into the plethora of climate funds and opportunities for impact investment and discuss the ever important question of risk allocation and mitigation.



Generation from both traditional and renewable energy will include&nbsp;discussions on efforts being made to convert existing power generation plant,&nbsp;electrification projects and alternative generation options such as offshore wind and hybrid systems. The attendees will also discuss how disruptive renewable energy systems are providing an element of security for industrial and commercial concerns around the continent as a means of addressing power outages and unreliable supply.



Commercial and industrial delegates will get to explore the role of energy storage,&nbsp;wheeling tariffs at municipalities and self-generation. All of these discussions will provide tangible, actionable steps for those entities interested in generating their own electricity and explain how energy storage will underpin the shift to more renewable energy integration for municipalities, utilities and private generators.



Information about the programme, speaker line up, networking, roundtable and site visit opportunities can be found by visiting <a href="https://www.enlit-africa.com/the-event/Learn/programme">https://www.enlit-africa.com/the-event/Learn/programme</a>



Disruptive technologies



An entire section of the programme will be dedicated to the role of storage in the power sector, including how to&nbsp;integrate battery energy storage systems [BESS] at a municipal level,&nbsp;storage, renewable energy and society; and the role that new generation and storage is playing in Africa’s mining sector.



Appreciating the technical, financial and logistical opportunities and areas of caution will provide utilities, governments and all power sector players the ability to plan an energy transition that addresses the objectives of SDG7 and meets Nationally Determined Contributions announced during COP26. Additionally, it will also open up avenues for new business models. Specifically, the conference will focus on the development of the hydrogen economy, understanding the development of national hydrogen strategies and the economic structures and pricing that will support it.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-register-here-for-free-exhibition-pass"><a href="https://bit.ly/3LlkZsH">REGISTER HERE FOR FREE EXHIBITION PASS</a></h2>



Back at the CTICC <a href="https://www.enlit-africa.com/welcome">Enlit Africa</a> will return to the CTICC in Cape Town with a world-class exhibition, showcasing the latest technology and services on offer in the sector. Known for its compelling content and speakers, the organisers will not disappoint, with two keynotes and most of the content presented in speaking hubs on the expo floor. Conference delegates will also be able to enjoy the networking and site visits that the event has popularised for over two decades. Strict health and safety COVID-19 protocols will be observed.



 Industry support Eskom, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy and the City of Cape Town have been official hosting partners of the event for many years and 2022 will be no exception. <a href="https://www.esi-africa.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESI Africa</a>, the continent’s leading news provider for power and energy news, is the official host publication.



<a href="https://www.enlit-africa.com/welcome">Enlit Africa (formerly African Utility Week and POWERGEN Africa)</a> is Africa’s leading exhibition and conference, gathering the power and energy industry’s most influential professionals and decision makers from across the continent for three days of relevant, accredited technical and strategic conference seminars, valuable networking opportunities and access to world-class products and solutions.



<a href="https://www.enlit-africa.com/welcome">Enlit Africa</a> is organised by&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wearevuka.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Vuka Group&nbsp;</a>(formerly&nbsp;<a href="http://www.clarioneventsafrica.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Clarion Events Africa</a>), a leading Cape Town-based and multi-award-winning organiser of exhibitions, conferences and digital events across the continent in the infrastructure, energy, mining, mobility, ecommerce and CX sectors. Other well-known events by The Vuka Group include&nbsp;<a href="http://www.drcminingweek.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DRC Mining Week</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.africaminingforum.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Africa Mining Forum</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nigeriaminingweek.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nigeria Mining Week</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://generationehq.com/smarter-mobility-africa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Smarter Mobility Africa</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://ecommerce-africa.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ECOM</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://cemafricasummit.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CEM Africa</a>.



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ENLIT AFRICA TO ADDRESS AFRICAN POWER SECTOR CONCERNS AROUND ENERGY TRANSITION

<figure class="wp-block-image alignwide size-full"><a href="https://www.pps.co.za/reports/highlights-for-2021"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="740" height="416" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/740-x-416.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-416433" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/740-x-416.jpg 740w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/740-x-416-300x169.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/740-x-416-160x90.jpg 160w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px" /></a></figure>



Johannesburg, 12 April 2022 – The Professional Provident Society (PPS Insurance Company), the financial services company focused solely on providing financial solutions for graduate professionals, has ended its 2021 financial year in a favourable position amid an increase in life insurance claims payments in the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, exceeding anything witnessed in its 80-year history.



While claims reduced operating profit, PPS credits its performance to its ability to stay true to its purpose of assisting professionals in protecting their income and assets and enhancing their financial security. This is a testament to the strength of PPS’s unique mutuality model, which continued to provide a high level of stability in a very unpredictable environment. In 2021, PPS was able to return enormous value to members through meeting claims and making special benefit allocations to the members’ Profit-Share Accounts due to its solid business strategy, fiscal management and long-term investment approach.



“Given the extraordinary events of the past two years, our focus was on paying valid claims. We were able to go further than our competitors were able to. This allowed us to assist our members as much and as fairly as possible,” says Izak Smit, PPS Group CEO.



“In 2021, the Group paid R6.1 billion in total benefits to members, up 27% from the R4.8 billion in 2020. With PPS’s strong balance sheet and solvency ratio, we were able to absorb this increase (excluding investment returns) without dipping into negative territory” adds Smit.&nbsp;



Sickness and Life claims amounted to R4.3 billion in 2021, up 36% on the R3.1 billion in 2020. Of this, PPS paid almost 12 000 COVID-19-related claims – or one in 12 members – amounting to R1.4 billion. There were 11&nbsp;587 COVID-19 sickness claims at R424 million in total. COVID-19 death claims at 193 totalled R975 million in 2021.



Commenting on the performance, Smit says: “Although the claims increased, PPS was still able to allocate R5.5 billion as Profit-Share to our members with qualifying products this year (R2.2&nbsp;billion in 2020). Contributing to this was a great year in the investment markets where our assets performed brilliantly. At PPS, we follow a well-diversified and long-term approach in our investment strategy. This long-term view is a competitive investment edge for PPS. Like a good financial adviser would caution, it is important to remember that past performance is no guarantee of future results.”



Smit adds that new business is the lifeblood of a life assurance business, with the annual premium income of new business written in 2021 in South Africa and Namibia increasing by 23%.



The Group’s insurance gross earned premiums was up 4.7% on the R5.1 billion of 2020. The financial impact of the second and third waves of COVID-19 was felt in 2021. The effects of the third wave came through in the claims experience in the third and fourth quarters of 2021.



All the subsidiaries showed good growth. PPS Investments, which reached its 15-year milestone, has grown into a significant business, recording another excellent year. Gross new investment flows to PPS Investments were R7.1 billion. Surplus before interest and tax of R103 million was up 57% in 2021 This growth is due to fiscal discipline in expense management, good new business and individual fund performance.



We believe in innovating according to the evolving needs of graduate professionals to bolster their benefits and savings capabilities across product portfolios. We are passionate about investing in developing the next generation of professionals who will have a profound impact on South Africa’s future.



Through the University Support, Bursary, Graduate Development and the Learned, Engaged, Accelerated Professionals Work-Readiness (LEAP) &nbsp;programmes, the PPS Foundation makes career journeys a reality.



Looking ahead, Smit says:



“PPS remains in a strong financial position to honour future long-term commitments to our members. We continue to be grateful to our employees and members for their loyalty and our financial adviser network for their immense contribution. There can be no doubt that our shared resilience is what has guided our actions and decisions in supporting and returning value to our members”.



Ends



About PPS



PPS boasts in excess of 150 000 members who enjoy access to a comprehensive suite of financial and healthcare products that are specifically tailored to meet the needs of graduate professionals.



PPS is the largest South African company of its kind, exclusively for graduate professionals, that still embraces an ethos of mutuality, which means that it exists solely for the benefit of its members. Thus, PPS members with qualifying products from PPS Insurance, PPS Investments, PPS Short-Term Insurance and Profmed share in the profits of PPS Insurance, PPS Investments, PPS Short-Term Insurance and PPS Healthcare Administrators via annual allocations to the unique PPS Profit-Share Account. PPS membership provides access to the following tried, tested and trusted products and services: PPS Life Insurance, PPS Short-Term Insurance, PPS Financial Advisory, PPS Investments and Profmed Medical Scheme. Visit www.pps.co.za for more information.&nbsp;



PPS is a licensed insurer conducting life insurance business, a licensed controlling company and an authorised FSP.

PPS ENDS YEAR POSITIVELY DESPITE INCREASED CLAIMS IN YEAR TWO OF PANDEMIC

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="258" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Insights-Resources-and-energy-1910x600-1-820x258.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-413451" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Insights-Resources-and-energy-1910x600-1-820x258.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Insights-Resources-and-energy-1910x600-1-300x94.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Insights-Resources-and-energy-1910x600-1-160x50.jpg 160w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Insights-Resources-and-energy-1910x600-1-768x241.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Insights-Resources-and-energy-1910x600-1-1536x483.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Insights-Resources-and-energy-1910x600-1.jpg 1910w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /></figure>



In 2019, the International Energy Agency (IEA) released a <a href="mailto:https://www.iea.org/reports/africa-energy-outlook-2019">report</a> highlighting that one in two people born between then and 2040 would be on the African continent which would overtake both China and India as the most populous region in the world. This growth presents both a challenge and opportunity as stakeholders review the role of the resources and energy sector in driving sustainable and responsible growth.



While Africa has many challenges and is regularly positioned as playing second-fiddle to the likes of China and India who have dominated the BRICs narrative for the last decade, we cannot ignore some of the themes playing out:&nbsp;



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Africa is emerging as a global force in oil and gas markets and its growth in oil and energy demand is forecast to outstrip China in the coming years. </li><li>As African populations become more mobile, car fleets are expected to double. The so-called “motorisation rate” estimates that the African continent only has 42 cars per 1000 individuals, compared to the global average of 182 in developed markets. Many of these have poor fuel efficiency designs and this increase in demand will drive adoption of cleaner technology. </li><li>Africa is expected to be the third largest natural gas market in the world and the emergence of the “Hydrogen Economy” and innovative players like JSE-listed Renergen are likely to drive this energy shift materially. </li><li>The Angolan Sovereign Wealth Fund is expected to benefit from its investment in a UK-based rare earths processing facility supplied by an Angolan deposit &#8211;&nbsp; one of only three major producers outside of China – and this is expected to be driven by electric vehicles and clean energy trends bringing much needed revenue into Angola. </li><li>More than 70% of the worlds Cobalt reserves are mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) which has been described as the “Saudi Arabia of the electric vehicle age”. </li><li>Zimbabwe and the DRC are home to two of the ten largest lithium deposits in the world and with the global lithium <a href="mailto:https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/lithium-ion-battery-market-49714593.html">battery market</a> expected to grow from $41bn in 2020 to $116bn in 2030, this represents an opportunity for these countries to attract foreign investment.</li></ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Major commodity trading houses are ramping up their investments in Africa to incorporate niche commodities including lithium, biofuels and other renewable energy spin-offs and this theme is leading to improved price discovery and interest in the African energy market as it transitions from fossil fuels to clean energy over time.</li></ul>



These are just a handful of the exciting themes playing out now, but the natural question comes in: Will Africa simply be an extractive market where foreign investors reap the benefits, but the local communities lose out?



Based on our extensive analysis of the continent, we believe the answer to this question is a resounding “no”. Local content regulations and beneficiation should be the focus for many governments to ensure inclusive economic growth for the continent.



While the mining and resources sectors are significant in terms of opportunity size, it now accounts for the minority of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) coming into the continent. Long-term investors are bulking up investment in the likes of telecommunications and downstream support services as well as other critical infrastructure such as water, energy and transport. The number of LNG and planned LNG projects in Mozambique, Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt, Mauritania and Senegal are evidence that Africa is preparing for the energy transition. <a href="mailto:https://www.ey.com/en_gl/tax/why-africa-is-becoming-a-bigger-player-in-the-global-economy">Research</a> out of consulting firm EY captures this trend at a practical level where they showed that extractive activities accounted for more than half of FDI each year between 2005 and 2011. But between 2011 and 2018, this trend had fallen every year, leading Rod Wolfenden – EY Africa Markets Leader – commented as follows:



“The big building blocks are now in place. Africans are the beneficiaries, but so are the next wave of investors, who will have an easier time developing their projects.”



These building blocks are translating into big, exciting projects that will ultimately have a transformative impact on the African continent and its energy mix. The UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Accords are adding further impetus to these investments.&nbsp;



Morocco has built the world’s largest concentrated solar energy farm which is estimated to have a reduction of CO2 emissions in Morocco by as much as 800&nbsp;000t per year.



The second largest project is in Egypt where a $4bn investment is expected to prevent two million tonnes of CO2 emissions each year.



Nigeria has set itself an ambitious goal of transitioning its energy mix to 30% renewables by 2030, while South Africa is regarded as a trailblazer in the renewable and clean energy spaces.



Africa is taking its place in the global resource market and we as Africa’s leading Pan-African banking group believe that our combination of industry insights and financial solutions position us to be the banker of choice for entrepreneurs who want to add to the building blocks of the future.

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Where does Africa fit into the global resource mix?

Representing Africa’s premier energy event, African Energy Week 2021 comprises an interactive exhibition and networking conference with the sole focus to address the continent’s energy challenges, enhance multi-sector investment, and drive Africa into a new era of energy and economic growth.



African Energy Week (AEW) 2021, organized by the African Energy Chamber (AEC) and hosted in partnership with South Africa’s Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, represents the AEC’s annual conference and Africa’s premier energy event. With a strong mandate to make energy poverty history by 2030, AEW 2021 – taking place on the 9th-12th of November 2021 at the V&amp;A Waterfront in Cape Town – unites global and African energy stakeholders, providing a collaborative platform for discussions on Africa’s energy future.



AEW 2021 comprises a four-day high-level networking experience, which will host delegations and ministers from Africa’s top energy markets, as well as executives from both the private and public sector. The event will not only be transformative for the continent’s energy sector, but facilitate a much-needed economic recovery in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.



What makes AEW 2021 both a unique and innovative conference is the event structure. The AEC has created and utilized the revolutionary African Energy Village concept &#8211; comprising a hub of venues designed to host over 2,000 delegates &#8211; to ensure the safety of attendees, while enabling participants to maximize on the event’s comprehensive program. Taking place across multiple venues at the V&amp;A Waterfront, AEW 2021 is not only critical for collaborative energy sector dialogue – providing more session and function opportunities compared to traditional conference structures – but creates fundamental opportunities for both the tourism and business sectors, ensuring conference benefits extend into the wider economy. &nbsp;&nbsp;



The primary objective of AEW 2021 is to give and emphasize African stakeholders voices in global energy dialogue, whether it be on oil and gas, financing, or the energy transition. The conference is dedicated to the continent and its people, and not only places African narratives, ideas, and solutions at the center of conversation, but ensures they take a leading role in dialogue.



“The AEC is committed to Africa’s energy security, independence, and growth, and through AEW 2021, is focused on facilitating partnerships and deals, driving Africa-directed investments, and accelerating multi-sector energy developments across the continent. Africa is rich with resources and with a young, willing population, coupled with established enabling environments and demonstrated political will, the continent is well on its way to realize its full energy and economic potential,” stated NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC.



Notwithstanding the role of renewables in the transition to a clean energy future, the African Energy Chamber firmly believes that oil and gas will continue to play a critical role in eradicating energy poverty and driving socio-economic growth across the continent. With valuable hydrocarbon resources awaiting exploitation and investment, Africa is well positioned to use oil and gas developments as a catalyst for sustainable economic growth, and AEW 2021 seeks to emphasize this.



“Oil and gas will continue to be needed and essential for promoting global socio-economic development, especially in energy poor countries, mostly in Africa and specifically in sub-Saharan Africa. Africa should not relent on vigorously pursuing the development of its oil and gas industry, and increasing production to meet our increasing needs in order to improve access to regular energy for our economic advancement. I have no doubt that the future of Africa’s oil and gas industry is still bright despite the global energy transition uptake,” stated H.E. Chief Timipre Sylva, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, the Federal Republic of Nigeria.



The AEC has reiterated and continues to promote the African position on the future of the continent’s energy sector, and by advocating personal responsibility, free markets, individual liberty, and an enabling environment for investors, AEW 2021 promotes multi-sector investment and integration as an ideal way to enhance local capacity and reduce the reliance on foreign aid.



“Rather than abandon the continent in the face of a challenge, the AEC has reaffirmed their commitment to African people, African business, and African energy, and will use AEW 2021 to give African people a voice in global energy dialogue, expand their participation in the continent’s energy growth, and maximize socio-economic benefits associated with the sector’s transformation,” added Sergio Pugliese, President of the African Energy Chamber in Angola.



Emphasizing the African position in global energy dialogue, AEW 2021 is proud to host industry delegations, movers and shakers, and African energy leaders from across the continent. Ministerial confirmations from resource-rich nations including Ghana, South Africa, Senegal, Nigeria, Angola, Niger, South Sudan, Namibia, Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, Mozambique, Equatorial Guinea, the Republic of Congo, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, all confirm the value of AEW 2021 and the importance of ensuring the discussion on Africa remains in Africa.



Meanwhile, Africa’s premier energy event has seen commitments made by esteemed oil and gas organizations such as the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, the African Petroleum Producers Organization, the African Refiners and Distributors Association, the African Development Bank, and many more. Promoting collaboration, integration, and a cooperative approach to energy sector growth, AEW 2021 will promote the role of every industry in Africa’s energy sector, recognizing the value that each energy form has in driving socio-economic growth.



What’s more, AEW 2021 recognizes the value of Africa-international partnerships and collaboration, emphasizing the role that international financiers and stakeholders will play in investing in African opportunities, transferring critical skills, and accelerating oil and gas developments across the continent. By providing a suitable platform for networking, engagement, and dealmaking, AEW 2021 will facilitate the deals that will drive Africa’s energy growth, and by proxy, enhance partnerships and domestic capacity. In light of the lucrative opportunities in Africa, international delegations from Germany, Russia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Norway and Canada, have all committed to AEW 2021.



Finally, with the COVID-19 pandemic bringing new and profound challenges to large-scale events in 2021, AEW 2021 is committed to the health and safety of delegates and staff. AEW 2021 has not taken the pandemic lightly, and by implementing strict mitigation measures including testing facilities – provided in partnership with Health Passport Worldwide – sanitizing stations, limited function attendance, and a multi-venue approach, the event is prepared to welcome delegates, speakers, exhibitors and more to AEW 2021 in Cape Town.



AEW 2021, in partnership with South Africa’s Department of Mineral Resources and Energy DMRE, is the AEC’s annual conference, exhibition and networking event. AEW 2021 unites African energy stakeholders with investors and international partners to drive industry growth and development and promote Africa as the destination for energy investments.



For more information about Africa’s premier energy event, please visit www.aew2021.com or www.energychamber.org and/or reach out directly to Amina Williams at <a href="mailto:amina.williams@energychamber.org">amina.williams@energychamber.org</a>



For registration related enquiries, please contact <a href="mailto:registration@aew2021.com">registration@aew2021.com</a> &nbsp;&nbsp;



For sales-related enquiries, please contact <a href="mailto:sales@aew2021.com">sales@aew2021.com</a> &nbsp;



For media-related enquiries, please contact <a href="mailto:media@aew2021.com">media@aew2021.com</a> &nbsp;



For speaker opportunity-related enquiries, please contact <a href="mailto:speakers@aew2021.com">speakers@aew2021.com</a>

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Making Energy Poverty History by 2030: African Energy Week 2021 Unites African Oil, Gas and Renewable Energy Leaders to Discuss the Future of the Continent’s Energy Sector

We’ve all been there. You’ve got a big presentation coming up and need the data to back up your findings,&nbsp;but you don’t have time to convert vast tables of data into eye-catching visualisations. Or you want to drill down into your KPIs to delve into the details, but the data is already out of date.



While data is undoubtedly a goldmine of insights into the state of your business, unlocking those insights can be time-consuming, complex, and difficult to do at scale.



For clothing retailer PEP, issues like these are resolved more efficiently and cost effectively since using the visual analytics platform, Tableau.



Let’s take a closer look at how PEP empowered its team with fast, efficient access to the latest data around stock management.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-getting-a-handle-on-rejected-stock">Getting a handle on rejected stock.</h2>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="547" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/warehouse-820x547.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-412541" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/warehouse-820x547.jpeg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/warehouse-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/warehouse-135x90.jpeg 135w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/warehouse-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/warehouse-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/warehouse-scaled.jpeg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption>Worker with scanner making review of goods in warehouse</figcaption></figure></div>



PEP is Africa’s biggest and most trusted single brand retailer. It employs 17,000 people, operates around 2,400 retail stores, and sells 760 million products a year. Behind the scenes, it has three distribution centres and 13 transport centres occupying more than 250,000m2 — to put that in perspective, that’s the size of 46 football fields.



Three groups of stakeholders at PEP require insights into rejected stock to handle dead stock management.



The first group affected by dead stock was the finance team. They had to write off rejected stock – which amounts to approximately millions of Rands. The stock takes up essential storage space in distribution centres or requires a third party to store it, resulting in a huge potential loss of revenue.



<a></a>For this team to get a handle on rejected stock means potentially recouping some of that money by issuing a claim to the supplier.



Next is the quality assurance team — they act as the liaison between the distribution centres and Head Office. They require a consolidated view on the data to manage the rejected stock and be aware of what happened between the two departments, keeping a centralised view of Head Office lodging claims and the distribution centres storing stock.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">Finally, the supply chain team needs accurate data to reflect the whereabouts of stock in the distribution centres, which is no joke when you’ve got 250,000m2 of inventory to track, plus storage space.</blockquote>







Step 1: automating time-consuming processes.



Data on rejected stock comes from two database systems — an on-premise Oracle database and a Google cloud environment — and 12 main tables. To get actionable insights that support decision making, it needs to be combined with data from six supplementary tables with information on the product, supplier, location, and retail calendar.



“As you can imagine, putting all that data together was tedious and complex, and it was becoming expensive because we had to involve our team of developers to extract data before we could clean it up and present it,” said Izak Visagie, Systems Analyst at PEP.



The company turned to Tableau to automate these time-consuming manual processes and help unlock actionable insights faster and more effectively, as well as to extract and prepare the data for visualisation and analysis.



“Tableau makes data visualisation painless from start to finish. We didn’t have to do any scripting, coding, or programming to get started. It was just drag and drop to connect to the databases and pull in the right tables,” Visagie explained.



Step 2: creating and sharing workbooks.



When the data was ready for visualisation, Visagie passed it to his colleague Sharon Pather, Information Analyst, who created a workbook on Tableau Server. “Tableau is fairly new to me, and I’m really enjoying the journey so far,” she commented. “You can clearly see the rejected stock and with the help of Tableau it’s much more visually appealing.”



She created a minimum viable product (MVP) solution for users to test and discover their data. She could adapt and change the MVP solution quickly and easily as requirements shifted. They could even test the data integrity of new flows without having to start over. Visagie was particularly impressed with the dashboard’s real-time preview of what the final data output would look like.



Sharing workbooks for wider collaboration and analysis helped the team to realise the value of a data-driven culture and see the potential for other use cases across the business. Users can choose who to share it with and adjust permissions so people only have access to the data they need. “The workbook is very clean and simple. We can give colleagues across departments everything they need to analyse data and find out everything they need to know about rejected stock,” added Visagie.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Empowering users to do more with less.</h2>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="547" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/store-820x547.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-412540" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/store-820x547.jpeg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/store-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/store-135x90.jpeg 135w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/store-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/store-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/store-scaled.jpeg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /></figure></div>



Using Tableau, PEP has empowered users with self-serve access to the latest data to get better visibility of rejected stock. They can share that data with a wider audience, and the whole process is much faster than ever before. But what impact does that have on the business?



Well, the team handled their own data requirements without having to bring in developers to extract and combine it. Which means the development team is free to focus on other, more exciting things — and our team is empowered to do more.







<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">They also automated the entire process, which means they can get the latest data in 15 minutes instead of three days — a massive time saving. And finally, with better visibility of the stock, the company was able to recoup costs amounting to 30 million Rands in the first eight months of using Tableau.</blockquote>



“The solution has empowered the stakeholders to make smarter decisions based on the latest data,” concluded Pather. “We’re really proud of the value we can add to the business – and this was just our first use case! We can’t wait to roll out Tableau to support more of our business needs.”



To learn how Tableau could empower your team with smarter visual analytics, read more <a href="https://www.tableau.com/en-gb/trial/tableau-software?utm_campaign_id=2017049&amp;utm_campaign=Prospecting-CORE-ALL-ALL-ALL-ALL&amp;utm_medium=Paid+Search&amp;utm_source=Google+Search&amp;utm_language=EN&amp;utm_country=UKI&amp;kw=tableau&amp;adgroup=CTX-Brand-Core-EN-E-control&amp;adused=324776970708&amp;matchtype=e&amp;placement=&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQiAnKeCBhDPARIsAFDTLTKukDGkcy2KSer8C01hikd3DYIEtwAUT5Z2WDg5MMCd_g9Z80P4OjoaAhD8EALw_wcB&amp;gclsrc=aw.ds">here</a>.

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How Retail giant PEP adopted a data culture — and saved millions of Rands in the process

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The Eastern Cape Province is yours to Explore

Africa’s energy stakes are at a tipping point. We are on the edge of walking knowingly into quicksand by repeating habitual modes of thinking. We must rise from our silo-induced sink holes with new and aligned conversations about generation and distribution of energy on our continent. Professor Lwazi Ngubevana, Director: African Energy Leadership Centre (AELC) at Wits Business School starts the conversation to put divergent agendas on the same page.



In order for leaders to take this forward, he says, all decisions need to be data driven.



The starting point is to ask, “How do we move Africa’s energy from a crisis mindset to a solutions-focused mindset? What we need is a consolidated African decision making basis and strategic plan to take us away from multi-agenda interests to more cohesive community and environmental considerations.”



New energy leaders will have to take stock of, but not be driven by, political considerations when it comes to decision making in the energy and power sectors, and instead leverage data to drive their strategies.



Ngubevana explains, “It is imperative that we don’t take decisions solely based on political implications. For example, if the data reflects that renewable is more cost effective and sustainable than fossil fuel, then that is where we should be going. If the data says that global warming is happening at an accelerated pace compared to what our previous models showed, then we need to make our decisions faster based on that intelligence.”



It is going to take boldness from leaders across all sectors, driven by a commitment to make the transformation, he adds.



Data, he points out, informs the integrity of a decision. Whilst there is an overload in terms of how much data is available, organisations need to be able to harness the facts. In other words, they need to have trusted data-savvy teams who can sift through the noise.



“I see this data source approach as an opportunity,” he says, while acknowledging that it is a complex situation as business leaders have to make decisions based on the needs of different stakeholders.



He notes, however, that there has been an enabling shift in that lobbyists are making more headway and shareholder value has begun to be defined slightly differently. “Corporate value is now being seen from a holistic, societal perspective and there is a moral responsibility for leaders to think of the bigger picture,” he explains.



Ngubevana notes that if organisations are to become energy leaders of integrity, they also need to be pragmatic in their approach.



It is a balancing act which is not always easy, but in pragmatism, you must avoid hypocrisy, he believes. For example, do not shout about going green and then underhandedly support a cause that is in clear violation of green principles.



“It really is an integrity issue,” he says. “If you are an organisation aiming to go green, you’ve got to walk your talk. Every organisation should have a sustainability chief, a champion who reports directly to the board and is integral to the company’s financial and people management strategies.”



Again, consistently keep an eye on the data, he emphasises, and ensure in-depth knowledge within your strategic and operational teams, particularly in terms of developing technologies. Know how these emerging innovators are progressing and from where the demand is going to come.



In addition, it is important to have a clear picture of supply and demand. Understand how the country is developing versus where you are operating, and what the political environment means for the business.



“As Africans, we must put smart cities back onto our agenda for active greenfield development. Energy must fit into the entire picture of our societies, and even the most pragmatic approaches in the harshest of realities must be based on the data,” concludes Ngubevana.



Become an African Energy Leader in Africa, for Africa



The objective of sustainability is for people, planet and profits (the so-called 3 P’s) to synergistically work together. Both the <a href="https://www.wbs.ac.za/academic-programmes/postgraduate-diploma-in-energy-leadership/">Postgraduate Diploma</a> and <a href="https://www.wbs.ac.za/academic-programmes/masters-of-management/mm-in-the-field-of-energy-leadership/">Master of Management in the field of Energy Leadership</a>, provided by the African Energy Leadership Centre (AELC) at WBS, are centred around this goal.



The AELC believes that there is no better time than now to power the economy by developing the next generation of energy leaders in South Africa and Africa. Under the leadership of Professor Ngubevana, these new curricula talk to sustainability as a whole, decarbonisation, and a mutual systems thinking and approach to the African energy sector.



These specialist programmes are tailored not only for engineers but provide leadership growth for professionals in every field.



Apply now for the Postgraduate Diploma or Master of Management in the field of Energy Leadership from Wits Business School, the first specialist postgraduate programmes of their kind on the African continent. <a href="https://www.wbs.ac.za/academic-programmes/">Learn more here</a>.

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Africa’s new energy future relies on data-based decision making

The ‘new normal’ we are living in has introduced new risks to the business world, with some risks intensifying to a level that no business owner can afford to ignore. Key risks such as cybercrime and climate disasters are &nbsp;some of the notable ones. We have seen a surge in cybercrime attempts, and the record year-on-year surge in natural disasters such as hurricanes and fires demands attention. This article will focus on risks that pose a direct threat to every organisation. The focus is more on risks that have a direct impact on an organisation’s people, property and equipment, with eventual material downside risk on earnings and profit.



It might seem mundane to talk about risks such as fires and explosions, but just consider the damage caused by the Beirut port explosion – it totalled US$15billion. And that’s excluding the US$1,5 billion in insured losses and the loss in productivity that followed. With fires and explosions being the top cause of losses for business worldwide five years in a row until the end of 2018 and resulting in 9 500 insurance claims totalling over US$15 billion, can any organisation afford not to revisit its insurance cover? When was the last time you did a due diligence on your organisation’s short-term cover?The test should not only be whether you have cover in place, but it should also focus on the scope of the cover. What are the conditions? It pays to have a subject matter expert scrutinise your insurance.



In a world riddled with uncertainty, every organisation needs to review just how comprehensive its insurance is. Just consider the uncertainty that climate change and subsequent natural disasters bring to the insurance world; for instance, in 2020 there was a 40% increase in natural catastrophes totalling US$80 billion in insurance losses. Throw in the impact and uncertainty that Covid-19 brings and uncertainty for many an actuary model skyrockets, needing insurers to review their position. This is why it’s important to stay abreast of the scope, relevance and affordability of your organisation’s cover. &nbsp;



The pandemic brought changes that will stay with us for a long time, if not into perpetuity. Just look at the paradigm shift about how and where we work. Many organisations are embracing the remote working revolution to the benefit of their employees – well, most of them (our hearts go out to the extroverts)! Families are connecting more often, no matter how many time zones the radio waves must cross, and there has been a notable increase in online shopping. And if you think about it, all this technology was available before the pandemic. But it took the pandemic to trigger the use of this technology at mass scale.



And as we continue in the digital era, we can’t ignore some of the bad it brings as well. With the exponential growth of digital adoption come more IT vulnerabilities. At the peak of the first lockdown in April 2020, the FBI reported a 300% increase in incidents. The latest estimate is that cybercrime is now costing the global economy more than US$1 trillion. This is up 50% from 2019 levels. Already high in frequency, ransomware incidents are becoming more damaging, increasingly targeting large companies with sophisticated attacks and hefty extortion demands.



Nedbank Business Banking provides a range of solutions that will enable your organisation to counter the onslaught of cyberattacks. For instance, if you receive a notification from a supplier or client stating that their bank account details have changed, you can verify the new account details before making payment, by using our account verification service. This solution allows you to verify that the bank account belongs to the correct recipient and is valid, thereby reducing fraudulent payments and collections. You can also activate notification services on your Nedbank Business bank accounts to receive instant alerts to changes in your bank account balance and status.



Of all the risks mentioned, not one can be perceived as being more of a threat to any organisation’s most important asset – its people – than Covid-19 and its dangerous and vaccine-resistant mutations. This risk trumped all other risks to take the number one spot for 2021. There are several important questions the management of any organisation should ask. And it starts at the top. For instance: is there a signed agreement in place determining what should happen to the organisation in the event of the death or permanent disability of one of the owners? When was the last time this agreement was reviewed? The relevance of these questions becomes even more prominent when there are sureties or loan accounts in place, or staff who play a key role in the success of the organisation. The questions, of course, need to expand to all the people in the organisation. Do you have a medical aid scheme for your employees, and a solution in place that adequately provides for retirement and for your employees’ families in the event of an employee’s disability or death?



We know that each organisation is unique with its own needs and risks, and we will design a suitable solution for your organisation that takes into account your unique risk appetites. We have access to multiple suppliers nationally, so you can rest assured that you will get the best possible solution for your organisation. Our risk advisors call on clients at their convenience. Not only will you have a dedicated broker, but also a team that is always there to help. Our range of solutions extends beyond commercial insurance; we cater for the business owners’ personal needs, as well as the needs of your employees, through our various distribution channels.



Talk to your business manager or contact us at <a href="mailto:business@nedbank.co.za">business@nedbank.co.za</a> for more information and assistance.

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Let Nedbank help you manage organisational risks in the new normal

Connected phones can save lives and secure food



In Africa, the internet of things (IoT) plays an increasingly important role in sectors like agriculture and healthcare.



Traditionally the provider of voice, data connectivity and mobile payments solutions, the telecommunication sector is now using technology to build an entire ecosystem around the individual consumer. Ultra-modern technologies and applications that leverage our hyper-connected lives are being piloted as commerce, the full range of financial services with social media and entertainment all conducted and consumed on one platform.



In the developed world, IoT enables Smart cities, homes, manufacturing and a range of other connected industries and services. In developing Africa, it’s enhancing livelihood security and access to basic healthcare services. &nbsp;&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Agriculture:</h2>



Agriculture in Africa is being affected by climate change and water shortages, yet there is a growing population in need of sustainable food security and greater financial inclusion.



According to GSMA, mobile subscriber penetration in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2020 was 46% and is expected to reach 50% by 2025. More importantly, smartphone adoption was at 48% in 2020 and is expected to reach 64% by 2025. It’s not uncommon in Africa to have access to a mobile phone but not to water or electricity.



These high levels of connectivity and cell phone penetration means that farmers can benefit from real-time data. This can materially enhance crop yields, soil quality analysis, resource management, tracking of livestock, farm security management, sustainable pest control and reduction of post-harvest wastage.



To leverage the power of the internet of things, MTN, present <a></a><a>in 19 African countries, has partnered with Aotoso Technology in a proof-of-concept process to provide connected collars for cattle in the Sudanese cattle market. Using sim cards on the collar and their cell phones, farmers can get vital information about the cattle, which they can use to inform feeding and breeding strategies as well as prevention of cattle theft.</a>



Orange, present in 16 countries in Africa, has co-developed Wazihub. Wazihub is an IoT innovation project that helps mainly informal sector farmers with monitoring their livestock and crops for better disease detection and irrigation strategies.



Vodacom, present in 7 countries in Africa, has MyFarmWeb which collects data from multiple IoT sensors across the farm, the data is then collated centrally on an App and can be used to make crucial decisions. There are 77 Farms in the eastern Free State province of South Africa that use MyFarmWeb and its precision farming technology to gather data in farming corn, soybeans and sugar beans.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="800" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/absa_insights_TMT_bbc-banner_1200x1200-800x800.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-411877" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/absa_insights_TMT_bbc-banner_1200x1200-800x800.jpg 800w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/absa_insights_TMT_bbc-banner_1200x1200-300x300.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/absa_insights_TMT_bbc-banner_1200x1200-90x90.jpg 90w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/absa_insights_TMT_bbc-banner_1200x1200-768x768.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/absa_insights_TMT_bbc-banner_1200x1200.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-healthcare">Healthcare:</h2>



Another area where IoT can have profound impacts in Africa, is healthcare. Covid-19 accelerated digitalisation across all industries, none more so than healthcare. In South Africa, regulations were relaxed for virtual consultations and also now allow virtual medicine prescriptions.



Vodacom’s technology subsidiary IoT.nxt developed a thermal camera to help businesses track and manage the spread of COVID-19.



Another Vodacom company called Mezzanine, developed mVacciNation solution – an electronic health record solution that supports vaccination coverage. South Africa’s national Department of Health uses mVacciNation to support its COVID-19 vaccination programme. Mezzanine, through IoT, also helps actively track movements and stock levels of PPE and other vital healthcare materials.



Hospital Group Netcare, notes a trend of participatory health and care where patients are increasingly shifting towards wellbeing, wellness, convenience and integrated personalised health care. IoT serves as an important enabler of this trend. &nbsp;



IoT can literally save lives while democratising access to quality healthcare services and support. For example, MTN has a strategic partnership with Quro Medical who operate a tele-medicine service in South Africa. Connected by MTNs IoT suite of products, Quro has created a platform which enables the remote monitoring of patients’ vital signs. Patients wear various light, compact biosensors which collect vital signs and connect to a smartphone. This information can be tracked by a team of healthcare professionals. Healthcare services can be delivered without patients having to travel long distances to and from clinics and hospitals. This alleviates pressure on hospitals and creates greater convenience for patients.



In Côte d’Ivoire, Orange, along with various other partners are making strides in HIV patient monitoring and treatments as well as vaccine programmes for young children particularly in areas of historically low uptake. IoT is not without its challenges. Given the sheer volume of personal and business data being collected, analysed and stored, cyber security as well as protection of personal information becomes paramount. Scepticism and lack of full understanding on IoT could result in slower adoption. In Africa, high unemployment also plays into the decision on whether to fast track IoT adoption or not. Roll-out of 5G, which requires appropriate Spectrum, is also important for the rate of adoption of IoT.&nbsp; One thing for sure is that IoT will become part of the fabric of society, the pace of adoption remains to be seen. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

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How telecommunication companies are using technology in agriculture and healthcare in Africa

The ongoing impact of the pandemic is forcing business leaders to look for innovative ways to respond and adapt to rapidly changing environments to sustain their organisations. In the face of so much uncertainty, the need to invest in upskilling staff, encouraging new ways of thinking and equipping people with the tools that will keep them and their companies agile, engaged – and adapting – is critical. Not only will a motivated and skilled workforce be key in boosting performance now and post-pandemic, it can cost an average of <a href="https://www.enrich.org/blog/The-true-cost-of-employee-turnover-financial-wellness-enrich">six to nine months of an employee’s salary</a> to replace them, according to the Society for Human Resource Management. Now more than ever, it is essential for organisations to have an ambitious learning and development strategy in place, which is linked directly to the strategy of their business and what they want to achieve in the future.



One of the advantages of a well-designed training programme is that it can help translate the natural energy and ideas of an organisation’s people into solutions that work on the ground. Some South African companies are leading the way in this regard. The Sanlam Group, South Africa’s largest financial services group and the largest insurance firm in Africa, for example, credits its learning strategy with several key developments that have helped to keep the company at the leading edge over the past few years, and almost certainly gave it an edge during the pandemic.



Over the past four years, the company has invested in sending its senior managers on a customised leadership development learning journey — a innovative three-way collaboration between Sanlam, the <a href="https://bit.ly/3zK3Oec">University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB)</a> and the <a href="https://bit.ly/2UNY6ZZ">Hasso Plattner School of Design Thinking (d-School)</a> — that combines leadership development with design thinking (a methodology using more creative and flexible approaches to solution finding). Feedback from the Leadership Development Initiative suggests that it has had a transformative impact as leaders learn to collaborate across traditional boundaries and lead solution finding processes with greater levels of courage and creative confidence.



Dr Nadine Mayers, course convenor of the Sanlam Advanced Leadership Certificate in Design Thinking at the UCT GSB explains that organisations across the world have great ideas and amazing solutions, but many are unable to land these as successful innovations in their organisations. “Landing multi-stakeholder innovations in a complex, uncertain world, requires a committed process of unlearning former pathways to success and embracing new ways of thinking and doing,” she says.



<a href="https://bit.ly/3xjXVTr">Customised programmes</a>, as their name suggests, are <a href="https://bit.ly/3xjXVmp">executive education programmes</a> that are custom designed&nbsp;to help organisations meet their own particular challenges. They can be aligned with a company’s business strategy and goals, as well as for the specific competency gaps within the organisation, to ensure relevance and clear outcomes and can be a great way to make sure that scarce resources are spent smartly. Organisations are able to choose exactly what they need so programmes can be adapted from existing short courses for continuing professional development or designed from the ground up.



Rayner Canning, Business Development Director at the UCT GSB, says the school, through its experienced team of Learning Design Partners, works closely with corporates to co-create effective training interventions, helping them to think through the problems they face and design the best solution. “Through our extensive local and international networks, we seek to ensure the best faculty and most relevant SME’s (subject matter experts) are available to our clients. In designing and developing programmes that work, we’re able to leverage current thinking and practice from across the ecosystem of the UCT GSB — notably from our world-class faculty, as well as from associated centres of excellence such as the <a href="https://bit.ly/2UNY6ZZ">d-School</a> and the <a href="https://bit.ly/2Wo5wTT">Centre for Coaching</a>. This depth of expertise, along with the UCT GSB’s agility and client-centric attitude is going to become ever more important as we transition into a post-COVID-19 world.”



One of the key attractions of <a href="https://bit.ly/3xjXVmp">executive education programmes</a> is the networking opportunities they provide. The advantages of meeting people from different organisations are obvious, but the benefits of getting to know colleagues better should not be overlooked. This is particularly relevant for multinational companies with staff operating in different geographies – while they may work for the same organisation, the cultures and market pressures in each geography varies significantly. <a href="https://bit.ly/3xjXVTr">Customised (in-company) programmes</a> allow not only for networking, but provide opportunities for greater understanding of cultures, people and market conditions that are present across such organisations. Authenticity, collaboration and trust are going to be essential for success in the future, so strengthening an internal network among colleagues, and across roles and divisions can improve employee engagement and impact an organisation’s bottom line.



Customised programme solutions by their very nature target specific learning outcomes that can be measured through increased workplace application of the new skills (both hard and soft) acquired. These targeted training solutions also allow corporates to better manage the work environment, which is often hostile to new ways of working and problem solving. They are thus able to prepare the work environment for the influx of new skills and behaviours by creating safe spaces for experimentation and application of what has been learnt.



“At the UCT GSB, we spend a lot of time working closely with clients before, during and after programmes to understand what’s working and what’s perhaps not working as well,” Canning explains. “This gives us insight very quickly into how to pivot, adapt and update materials and learning methodologies as clients’ business needs shift and as the programmes unfold.”



The <a href="https://bit.ly/3zK3Oec">UCT GSB</a> was ranked 56 in the world and number one in South Africa for its <a href="https://bit.ly/3xjXVTr">Customised Executive Education programmes</a> in the 2020 Financial Times Ranking – widely regarded as a leading benchmark of quality and relevance for business schools worldwide. It also became the first business school in Africa to win a Gold Excellence In Practice Award from the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) for a case study on its long-standing partnership with Standard Bank to deliver a Masterclass in Strategic Client Management Programme (MSCMP) for its corporate and investment banking (CIB) managers across Africa.

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