Inadequate infrastructure and preparation could hinder Africa’s Covid-19 vaccine rollout &#8211; and delay an end to the global pandemic



Rwanda’s vaccine rollout provides blueprint for effective vaccine deployment



A new report from the Tony Blair Institute says a lack of adequate infrastructure and preparation among some African governments risks hindering mass Covid-19 vaccination programmes – and points to the early success of Rwanda’s vaccine rollout as a blueprint for effective deployment.



According to the WHO Africa Vaccine Readiness tracker, just 51 per cent of 46 countries assessed are equipped overall to deliver vaccines to their populations.



The new TBI report – Vaccinating Africa: What Governments Can Learn from Rwanda’s Effective Rollout – says that if countries are not equipped to implement mass vaccinations, the consequences will be far-reaching:



Given that the order in which COVAX ships available vaccines is based on readiness, there is a risk of further delays to arrivals of COVID-19 vaccines to countries which are not prepared. An inadequate cold chain will lead to vaccine spoilage and unreached communities. An inadequately trained workforce and uninformed public will lead to vaccine wastage. Premature expiration of vaccines will result in financial loss from the investment in those doses as well as in underserved communities, lower coverage rates and, ultimately, a slower timetable to reaching population immunity. The inability to efficiently deliver vaccines to the population means the virus will continue to spread, causing needless excess morbidity and death. It could also mean the segmentation of lower-coverage countries from the global economy, leading to huge economic losses and exacerbating global inequities. With every new transmission, the virus has an opportunity to mutate. The longer the virus is allowed to spread, the more probable a mutation will occur that renders existing vaccine regimens ineffective.



TBI’s Senior Africa Covid-19 Adviser Elizabeth Smith said:



“The stakes are high and there are risks at every step along the way. Governments must ensure that the enormous efforts to develop a vaccine are not undercut by insufficient efforts to deploy them.



“Although there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach, Rwanda’s early success – based on leadership and collaboration across government, agile last-mile delivery, proactive communications strategies and acceleration of digital record keeping and new technology infrastructure – can provide a blueprint for governments on the co-ordination necessary for successful vaccine delivery.



“The pandemic ends with successful global vaccine deployment. No country is safe from Covid-19 until the world achieves population immunity.”



Rwanda’s early success in vaccination rollout – the four pillars of effective deployment



Whole-of-government coordination – Rwanda’s whole-of-government approach was instrumental in the successful transport of AstraZeneca vaccines from the central distribution hub in Kigali to 14 remote areas of the country within 24 hours on 4 March and with little advance notice. In Kigali, the Ministry of Health organised the allocation of vaccines, which were then transferred to hospital vehicles and Ministry of Defence helicopters. The Ministry of Defence helicopters transported the vaccines to the district hospitals. From there, with the support of the Rwanda police, the vaccines were distributed to area health centres. The effective cross-government coordination ensured that Rwanda would be ready to begin administering vaccinations across the country the next day.



A tailored delivery approach – The Rwandan government conducted a mass, rapid national screening process to calculate how many vaccines would be needed in each community, according to its prioritisation list. It also completed a cold-chain capacity assessment in late 2020, enabling it to identify areas that would be more suited to certain vaccines than others. health-care workers administering shots were recruited and trained in advance of the rollout, with a training surge and checklists ensuring that workers were on standby and ready the moment the vaccines arrived.



Digital data and technology infrastructure – As part of its rollout, Rwanda is pushing to digitise its record keeping on health countrywide. Though getting staff trained on and accustomed to a new system can create initial process lags, still, the vast majority of vaccinations were tracked in real time in a digital database that makes data available to decision-makers and citizens. In Rwanda, vaccinations were reported multiple times a day by health centres and districts to give the National Covid-19 Task Force, command post, head of state and cabinet a picture of the rollout.



Proactive communication with the public – Since the first COVAX shipment arrived on 3 March, the government of Rwanda has kept the public informed of the progress of deployment. Daily updates from the Ministry of Health and government of Rwanda on Twitter, TV and radio have allowed every citizen a window into the rollout operations. A key element included in the updates is the identification of the priority groups getting vaccinated that day with photos. Regular newspaper articles and nightly radio interviews also track updates. Trusted community leaders have also been utilised to help those invited for vaccination know where to go and to understand the benefits of vaccination on their collective community.

Vaccinating Africa: What Governments Can Learn from Rwanda’s Effective Rollout

Cairo/Kigali/Addis Ababa, 22 March 2021: – The second Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2021) is now set to take place from 8 to 14 December 2021. African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the African Union (AU) and the Government of Rwanda have decided to shift the date of the continental trade fair, which was previously scheduled to hold from 6 to 12 September 2021, to allow for a broader roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines across the continent and ensure that the event is held under the most optimal health conditions.



The decision was&nbsp;made at the extraordinary meeting of the IATF2021 Advisory Council held virtually on 18 March 2021. The new date will enable organizers to take stock of all the latest safety precautions, allow for wider roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines and to put in place effective COVID-19 safety and prevention protocols.



Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, IATF2021 Advisory Council Chairman and former President of Nigeria, said that the new date would also give countries and businesses more time to prepare for IATF2021.



“Our intent is that all participants garner the full benefits of the abundant networking, trade and investment opportunities that will arise at IATF2021. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a lot of enthusiasm for the event. The extra time given to preparatory activities and effective roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines will allow IATF2021 to be held under favourable conditions, giving more confidence to participating governments, exhibitors, buyers, conference delegates and other visitors,” said Chief Obasanjo. “IATF2021 will bring together continental and global players to showcase and exhibit their goods and services, and explore business and investment opportunities enabled by the single market created by the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) to accelerate Africa’s integration and industrialisation agenda,” he added.



Organised by Afreximbank in collaboration with the African Union and hosted by the Government of Rwanda, IATF2021 will play a crucial role in assisting and enabling businesses and corporates across Africa to share trade and market information and conclude business deals that are critical in supporting the implementation of the AfCFTA.



About the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2021)



The second edition of the biennial Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) will take place in Kigali from 8 to 14 December 2021. IATF2021 will provide a platform that will allow trade under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement. It will serve as a marketplace that will bring together continental and global buyers and sellers. It will enable stakeholders to share trade, investment and market information as well as trade finance and trade facilitation solutions designed to support intra-African trade and African economic integration. In addition to establishing a business-to-business and a business-to-government exchange platform for business deals and advisory services, IATF2021 will also operate IATF2021 Virtual, an interactive online platform accessible to all. It will also focus on Africa’s creative economy as well as the automotive industry with dedicated programs. A Conference will run alongside the exhibition and will feature high-profile speakers and panellists addressing topical issues relating to trade, trade finance, payments, trade facilitation, trade-enabling infrastructure, trade standards, industrialization, regional value chains and investment.



To register as a delegate or as an exhibitor for IATF2021 please visit:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.intrafricantradefair.com/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">www.intrafricantradefair.com</a>



Media Contact: Amadou Labba Sall;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:asall@afreximbank.com" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">asall@afreximbank.com</a>The contents of this e-mail and of any attachments are confidential and privileged and are intended for the attention and use solely of the addressee(s). The contents do not necessarily represent the official view(s) of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank). In the event that you are not named as an addressee, please notify the sender immediately, permanently delete the e-mail and any attachments, and do not disclose, disseminate, store or circulate either in whole or partial the contents of this e-mail or any attachments. Afreximbank will not accept any liability whatsoever for any loss or damage by reason of viruses affecting this e-mail.

Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2021) New Date Confirmed

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="547" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Prof-Oramah-at-Jubilee-House-820x547.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-398833" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Prof-Oramah-at-Jubilee-House-820x547.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Prof-Oramah-at-Jubilee-House-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Prof-Oramah-at-Jubilee-House-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Prof-Oramah-at-Jubilee-House-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Prof-Oramah-at-Jubilee-House.jpg 1620w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption>From left to right, Governor of the Central Bank of Ghana, Dr. Ernest Addison; President of Afreximbank, Prof. Benedict Oramah; President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Nana Akufo-Addo; Secretary-General of AfCFTA, Mr. Wamkele Mene; Minister of Trade &amp; Industries of Ghana, Mr. Alan Kyerematen; President of Ghana’s Representative at the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Charles Adu Boahen.</figcaption></figure>



Accra, 5 March 2021: – The President of African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) Prof. Benedict Oramah and the Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Mr. Wamkele Mene called on His Excellency Nana Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House in Accra.



As the Champion of the African Union Financial Institutions, the meeting was to brief President Nana Akufo-Addo on progress on the deployment of the Pan-African Payments and Settlements System (PAPSS) which is on track and scheduled to commence piloting in April, and to be fully launched in June 2021. An update on transactions funded by Afreximbank in Ghana was also provided.



Speaking at the meeting, Prof. Benedict Oramah said that Afreximbank has approved an amount of US$500 million to support the clearing and settlement for PAPSS in the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ) countries where the pilot will be implemented. It is envisaged that an amount of US$3 billion will be required to support the system upon full continent-wide implementation.



“On behalf of the Board of Afreximbank, I thank and commend His Excellency Nana Akufo-Addo for endorsing PAPSS as a critical instrument for full AfCFTA implementation and boosting intra-regional trade. PAPSS will be rolled out across the continent to facilitate trade, removing major constraints to Africa’s regional payment systems. We count on President Akufo-Addo’s continuous strong support for integration to the BCEAO once integration with the central banks in the WAMZ region is completed, thereby achieving full ECOWAS integration”, added Prof. Oramah.



Afreximbank is in advanced discussions with other countries and regional payment systems including COMESA REPSS, Zimbabwe and Angola, for connection to the system post pilot phase.



Prof. Oramah also briefed President Akufo-Addo on the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), a private equity investment entity whose primary objective is to facilitate Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flows into Africa’s trade and export sectors.



He added that the AfCFTA Adjustment Facility, which Afreximbank is supporting the African Union and the AfCFTA Secretariat to develop, will among other things, cushion African Governments from the AfCFTA-induced tariff revenue loss and allow countries to make smooth adjustments to the AfCFTA. It will provide medium term financing for countries as well as the private sector to build efficient trade facilitating infrastructure, expand and retool their productive capabilities, build new ones as well as retrain and develop needed skills to drive the expected industrialisation to effectively boost intra-African trade under the Free Trade Agreement. The Board of Afreximbank has already approved the participation of the Bank to the tune of US$1 billion.



On the African Union-supported effort for increasing the capitalization of Afreximbank, Prof. Oramah sought the support of H.E. Nana Akufo-Addo as a champion, and the participation of the Republic of Ghana.



In his response, President Akufo-Addo commended Afreximbank for advancing the course of developing the African continent through Trade and Industrialisation. He reaffirmed that PAPSS could be effective in terms of its ability to facilitate trade and investment in the ECOWAS region, and said it was good to hear that the pilot project was on course. He stated that the role of Afreximbank as the enabler of intra-Africa trade for the development of the continent was exceptional and should be supported by all.

Prof Oramah at Jubilee House

African Export-Import Bank and AfCFTA call on President of the Republic of Ghana H.E. Nana Akufo-Addo on the Pan-African Payments and Settlements System (PAPSS).

Mastercard and MTN today announced a strategic partnership to enable millions of consumers in 16 countries across Africa to make global e-commerce payments safely and securely.



Through a Mastercard virtual payment solution linked to MTN MoMo (Mobile Money) wallets, consumers and merchants can engage with brands and businesses abroad through digital commerce, extending their reach to an international marketplace and unlocking a host of opportunities.



Across Sub-Saharan Africa, mobile devices are the primary channel used to connect to the internet. According to GSMA, by 2025, it is estimated that there will be 300 million more people using their devices to access internet services. In light of this significant growth, mobile financial services have become the dominant form of digital payments, with twice as many mobile money accounts as bank accounts in the region. As a result,&nbsp; consumers increasingly expect to have access to a broader range of digital financial services.



However, consumers and merchants are mostly restricted to a local base of online and offline businesses, therefore curtailing customers’ ability to engage in global commerce. Through this strategic partnership, MTN customers with a Mastercard virtual payment solution linked to their MoMo wallets can make payments to global online merchants through a seamless and secure digital payment experience on websites and mobile applications. The service is available regardless of whether or not the customer has a bank account.



The solution will enable consumers to explore and shop at well-known global e-commerce brands and pay quickly and securely for leisure shopping, travel, accommodation, entertainment, streaming services and more. It will also allow small business owners to purchase from suppliers abroad and pay with the virtual payment solution.



“We are very excited about this partnership with Mastercard, which is another step in realizing our ambition to build Africa’s largest fintech platform, accelerating economic and social development through digital innovation to the benefit of citizens across the continent and beyond,” said MTN Group Chief Digital and Fintech Officer Serigne Dioum.



“This noteworthy partnership is another step to enable our customers to participate in the global economy. We are resolute that accelerated financial inclusion is a potent enabler of socio-economic development that empowers the most vulnerable in society,” he concluded.



Amnah Ajmal, Executive Vice President for Market Development, Mastercard Middle East and Africa,&nbsp;said: “This significant milestone will enable millions of MTN customers to benefit from global digital commerce and drive digital and financial inclusion across Africa through easy and secure access to financial services.



“At Mastercard, our innovation strategy is based on partnerships and collaboration. This agreement with MTN shows that we can deliver innovative digital solutions that have a far-reaching impact and realize the true potential of inclusive growth across the continent. Partnering with MTN allows us to accelerate our global pledge to connect 1 billion people to the digital economy by 2025, bringing us closer to a world beyond cash.”



MTN and Mastercard first launched the digital payment solution in 2018 for MoMo customers. MTN, the largest mobile network operator, is the most admired African brand and the most valuable telecoms brand in Africa.&nbsp;



The company will extend the virtual payment solution offering throughout its Fintech footprint. The expansion of this payment solution will play a significant role in driving the growth of digital inclusion and e-commerce thus increasing MTN MoMo customer inclusion into the global economy.



Initially designed to facilitate the transfer of cash between mobile users, MTN’s MoMo offering is now much broader &#8211; including loans, insurance, remittances and payments.

In this photo illustration the Mastercard logo is displayed

Mastercard and MTN empower millions to make payments on global platforms, advancing digital financial inclusion

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The education system in Africa buckled under the demands of hard lock-downs due to the pandemic. With universities and schools required to close, learning institutions had to embrace technology and move to online teaching. This has left parents and students reeling amid concerns that the quality of education may suffer and that high student dropouts would result from this e-learning shift.  



COVID-19 has brought the socio-economic divide into sharp focus and highlighted the risk of learning loss at the lower end of the education spectrum. At the same time, universities grappled with aligning high quality and socially distant learning while maintaining a viable business model, which promulgated the urgency to implement integrating digital transformation into the education system. The world of work, already in flux prior to the pandemic, is set to change dramatically, demanding new skills sets from graduates. Educators have to be innovative, flexible and forward-thinking to stay relevant and equip the new generation for the demands of the future.&nbsp;



According to the McKinsey Global Institute, 20-30% of the working-age population in the United States and the European Union was engaged in technology-enabled and on-demand, independent work before COVID-19 and that number is expected to grow.&nbsp;



“Much of the developed world has been able to quickly shift learning to online platforms thanks to the pervasive high-speed internet connectivity and broad use of internet-enabled devices in those markets. In Africa, too many children simply don’t have that option. Public and private sector organisations will need to build on the success that has been achieved over the past years to bring digital skills learning to more of the continent’s youth. Such efforts should focus not only on expanding access to technology among especially rural communities, but on equipping teachers and educators with the tools and knowledge they need to be effective digital learning champions. The investments we make in training our youth today will pay huge dividends as we steer through the coming years and decades.” said Cathy Smith, Managing Director, SAP Africa.



Through a series of expert panel discussions, CNBC Africa; leader in business, financial data, news and insight, in partnership with FORBES AFRICA and prominent sponsors across the education and tech industries, will be hosting their first virtual&nbsp;6th&nbsp;Annual Future of Education Summit. The event is aimed at unpacking learning models, entrepreneurial “innovativity” within education and to unravel the changing landscape of the work environment.&nbsp;&nbsp;



“Education is one of the cornerstones in the development of a country. Given Africa&#8217;s growth, it is becoming increasingly important to focus on matching future opportunities with proper capacity building. The Forum on Education which is now in its sixth year is a platform that debates the needs with useful solutions for the future by bringing together a wide range of thought leaders. This year is our first virtual summit and we are looking forward to an interesting discussion on issues that have been compounded by COVID 19.” said Rakesh Wahi, Founder of the Future of Education Summit, and Co-Founder of the ABN Group.&nbsp;



How do we engage and retain students, digitally, and create differentiation? What is the best way forward to pursue new markets, monetize assets, restructure business models, or accelerate digital learning environments? These are some of the critical questions that will be addressed during the virtual conference, set to take place on the 26th&nbsp;of November from 12:00 CAT. &nbsp;



Speaker line-up: &nbsp;



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Rakesh Wahi,&nbsp;Founder of the Future of Education Summit, Co-Founder, ABN Group.&nbsp;</li><li>Dion Shango, Chief Executive Officer, PwC South Africa&nbsp;</li><li>Cathy Smith, Managing Director, SAP Africa</li><li>Prof. Zaheer Hamid, Academic Director, MANCOSA&nbsp;</li><li>Prof. Seth Kunin Deputy Vice Chancellor International, Curtin University&nbsp;</li><li>Prof. Malcolm McIver, Provost,&nbsp;&nbsp;Lancaster University: Ghana&nbsp;</li><li>Prof. Gary Martin, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Institute of Management: Western Australia&nbsp;</li><li>Dean McCoubrey, Founder of MySociaLife&nbsp;</li><li>Omar Farooqui, Founder of Coded Minds&nbsp;</li><li>Dan Adkins, Group CEO, Transnational Academic Group&nbsp;</li><li>Prof. Mark Smith, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Southampton&nbsp;</li><li>Sunil Geness, Director of Government Affairs, CSR and Global Sustainability Lead, SAP Africa&nbsp;</li><li>Anita Nel, CEO of Innovus and Chief Director: Innovation and Business Development, Stellenbosch University</li><li>Jon Foster-Pedley, Dean, Henley Business School&nbsp;</li><li>Bethan Grillo, MD: Global Purpose, Corporate Responsibility, New World New Skills, PwC United Kingdom</li></ul>



CNBC Africa’s virtual platform allows attendees who register and watch its free events, to take part in discussions via Q&amp;A sessions, and also get the opportunity to network with other attendees.&nbsp;



For more information on the Future of Education Virtual Summit or to register for the event, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://bit.ly/3kFJ4Ms" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">https://bit.ly/3kFJ4Ms</a>, or follow us @cnbcafrica, @forbesafrica for more updates.&nbsp;

Outlook-rav1ulyd

The inevitability of digital education and Africa’s readiness to adapt post-COVID

PRESS RELEASE&nbsp;



For Immediate Release 



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10 November 2020&nbsp;



The healthcare sector is on&nbsp;the&nbsp;brink of large-scale disruption.&nbsp;Even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit South Africa, the healthcare system was in need of radical change. Philips,&nbsp;a global leader in health technology, is set to release its Future Health Index (FHI) 2020 South Africa report. Philips’s annual (FHI) report, a survey based on the responses from almost 3,000 younger healthcare professionals across 15 countries,&nbsp;critically&nbsp;introspects&nbsp;the readiness of the next generation of healthcare professionals and their capability to manage the future of our healthcare system. A key finding that is of great concern is the high percentage of young healthcare professionals who are not satisfied with their working conditions and are considering leaving their careers, due to work-related stress.&nbsp;



These findings, if not brought to the attention of key decision-makers and solutions deciphered, could have severe consequences detrimental to the already burdened sector. This has steered&nbsp;Philips to use its annual health symposium&nbsp;with FORBES AFRICA&nbsp;as a platform to discuss these critical&nbsp;aspects.&nbsp;“While change won’t happen overnight, these findings give healthcare leaders serious incentives to tackle some of the pain points they must address today in order to drive successful outcomes down the line,” says Jasper Westerink, CEO, Philips Africa.&nbsp;



The 5th&nbsp;annual FORBES&nbsp;AFRICA&nbsp;Philips Future of Health Virtual Conference aims to unpack hard-hitting facts, and delve into viable solutions to the current problems experienced in South Africa’s healthcare sector.&nbsp;Spread over two&nbsp;insightful evenings, the summit will host ingenious minds across the healthcare industry to engage in much-needed debate.&nbsp;



“This year marks the 5th&nbsp;annual partnership between FORBES AFRICA and Philips hosting the Future of Health summit. The global challenges brought on by the pandemic demand that we address major shortfalls in various industries, but more specifically, the healthcare sector. This summit provides us with a platform to ask important questions, formulate solutions, and ultimately illuminate and enable the next generation of healthcare professionals and ensure that they are not logging out of the system,” says Renuka Methil, Managing Editor, FORBES AFRICA &amp; FORBES WOMAN AFRICA.&nbsp;



The theme for the summit is&nbsp;“Next Generation Healthcare in South Africa – Balancing Workforce Expectations &amp; Health System Realities.”,&nbsp;and will&nbsp;feature as the&nbsp;guest of honour, South Africa’s&nbsp;Honourable Minister of Health, Dr. Zweli Mkhize,&nbsp;along with the following esteemed panelists:&nbsp;&nbsp;



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Dr. Nokukhanya Khanyile,&nbsp;Vice&nbsp;President:&nbsp;Mental Matters&nbsp;</li><li>Dr. Shakira Choonara,&nbsp;African Union Youth Advisory Council&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Jasper Westerink,&nbsp;CEO:&nbsp;Philips Africa&nbsp;</li><li>Saul Kornik, Co-founder &amp; CEO:&nbsp;Healthforce&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Dr. Lenias Hwenda, Founder &amp; CEO:&nbsp;Medicines for Africa&nbsp;</li><li>Romulen&nbsp;Pillay, MD:&nbsp;Philips South Africa&nbsp;</li><li>Andrew Davies, CEO: Signapps&nbsp;</li><li>Joel Ugborogho, Founder and CEO: CenHealth&nbsp;</li><li>Daniel Wiese, Managing Director: Healthcare Technologies&nbsp;</li><li>Quinton Zunga, CEO: RH Bophelo&nbsp;</li><li>Beatrice Mutali, UNFPA Representative: South Africa and Country Director (eSwatini and Botswana Country Offices)&nbsp;</li><li>Prof. Andrew K L Robinson: Deputy Dean for Strategy &amp; Business Development, Faculty of Health Sciences:&nbsp;&nbsp;North-West University (NWU)&nbsp;</li><li>Dr. Yvette Lazarus, Rheumatologist: Morningside Mediclinic&nbsp;</li><li>Prof. Terrence Kommal, Founder Chairman and CEO: Medical Expert Consulting Group; Chairman: SA Veterans Investment Group&nbsp; &nbsp;The summit will take place on the 10th&nbsp;of November, from 18:30 – 20:30 PM, and on the 11th&nbsp;of November, from 18:00 – 20:00 PM. The opening evening will address topics such as Africa’s healthcare needs post-COVID, delving into the proposed National Health Insurance (NHI); the transformative power of technology; which will focus on the important role technology will play in strengthening the system, highlighted through the lens of the Future of Health Index (FHI) 2020 report, with the last panel focusing on healthcare infrastructure, unravelling the need to strengthen and improve existing systems and structures within the healthcare industry. The second and final evening of the summit will unpack critical issues like gaps in healthcare education and training and creating ideal healthcare working environments.&nbsp;</li></ul>



For more information on the FORBES&nbsp;AFRICA&nbsp;Philips Future of Health Summit or to register for the event, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://cvent.me/QRywkx,or" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://cvent.me/QRywkx,or</a>&nbsp;follow us @forbesafrica, @cnbcafrica or @PhilipsSAfrica for more updates.&nbsp;

Romulen Pillay

Transforming South African healthcare by empowering future frontline workers

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The IMC and ABN recently concluded an MOU to host the first virtual India-Africa Summit 2020. The summit is aimed at looking at bilateral economic and business opportunities between the countries in Sub Sahara Africa and India. The event scheduled from 4th to 6th November 2020, is being planned at a time when all economies are reeling from the impact of Covid-19 and need to learn from each other and recalibrate partnerships for mutual benefit through a rapidly evolving world.



“India has been a historic strategic partner to all African economies and given the impediments caused by the pandemic we felt that our media platforms could provide a platform for much needed dialogue on sharing experiences and evaluating future opportunities. Consequently, the partnership with the IMC could not have come at a better time as governments and businesses need to work closer together to build mutual inter-dependence” said Roberta Naicker, Group Managing Director, ABN Group. “The summit will be simultaneously broadcast live on CNBC Africa to 26 million households across Sub Sahara Africa” she added.



“Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his July 2018 state visit to Uganda highlighted a vision for bilateral and multilateral partnership based on 10 guiding principles, pronouncing partnership with Africa a top priority for India. A rapidly progressing Africa and resurging India can provide a boost to South-South Cooperation, especially at a time of challenges caused by Coronavirus and changing geopolitical landscape. We believe that collaboration with ABN Group will act as a catalyst to strengthen India-Africa partnership on multiple fronts,” said Rajiv Podar, President of IMC. “The combined markets of 2.5 billion people and GDP of $5.5 trillion and close cultural ties offer a great untapped potential for trade and investment between India and Africa. This summit will explore these potential and deliberate on ways to transform relations,” he added
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Issued on behalf of:</h2>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IMC)</h2>



Established in 1907 and having its headquarter in Mumbai, The IMC is an apex Chamber of commerce, trade and Industry in the western India with its membership base of 5000 members and over 150 trade associations affiliated to it. Together, it represents and advocates interests of over 400000 business and industry establishments from diverse sectors of industry. It has 26 industry-specific committees of experts through which the IMC provides policy inputs and recommendations at various levels of government authorities and organizes interactive dialogues, workshops, seminars, business conferences and other activities where eminent business and government leaders engage with its members on a wide range of issues to create conducive opinion and environment for sustainable economic development.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">ABN Group</h2>



Africa Business News (ABN) is home to CNBC Africa and Forbes Africa and is a leading aggregator and distributor of business and economic news across the 48 countries in Sub Sahara Africa. The channel is broadcast on DSTV Channel 410 and through other distribution platforms to include Canal Plus, Star Sat as well as available online on www.cnbcafrica.com

IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IMC) and Africa Business News (CNBC Africa) launch Indo-Africa Virtual Summit 2020

CNBC Africa has appointed veteran journalist, Godfrey Mutizwa, as its Chief Editor. Mutizwa takes over from Chris Bishop who after more than a decade with the ABN Group, has announced that he will be stepping down at the end of October after which he is planning on returning to the UK. “Chris has been a great asset to our business and has served the organization in different roles including Managing Editor of Forbes Africa. While his departure is a great loss for our company, we wish him the very best in his future endeavours” says Roberta Naicker, Group Managing Director of ABN Group.   



Mutizwa is a familiar face at the ABN Group, as he was a former Chief-Editor at CNBC Africa, where he was responsible for overseeing all aspects of programming for the channel. His mandate included implementation of CNBC Africa’s editorial policies, coordinating the African bureaus, training and mentorship of journalists, reporters and producers. Mutizwa has covered the African business story for the past 29 years across various print and broadcast platforms, working for both regional and international media. He understands the potential of African economies and markets and has participated in key stakeholder events across the continent.  



 “Godfrey’s input has always been of great value to ABN, his extensive industry knowledge and experience, sheer passion for journalism, his ability to tell the African story, and his familiarity with the CNBC Africa brand, made him the perfect candidate for the position. We are looking forward to this new journey with Godfrey when he takes over the reins on the 1st of November.” added Ms Roberta Naicker.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="437" height="437" src="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/godfrey.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-381760" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/godfrey.jpg 437w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/godfrey-300x300.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/godfrey-150x150.jpg 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 437px) 100vw, 437px" /><figcaption>Godfrey Mutizwa, newly appointed Chief Editor; CNBC Africa</figcaption></figure>

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Godfrey Mutizwa Appointed As Chief Editor For Cnbc Africa

More than 13 years on from its first live broadcast, an interview with President Thabo Mbeki on June 1 2007, CNBC Africa, along with its sister publication Forbes Africa, are on the move. The parent company Africa Business News (ABN) is set to leave its home in Stella Street, Sandton, to move across the road to 155 West Street. 



 “An important lesson from the pandemic is the future of workspaces. We have carried out an assessment of our future requirements from a business and technology perspective and believe that it is inefficient to make changes at our current location. To achieve our goal of a more methodical workspace, after 13 years of countless memories shared at our offices at Stella Road, we are looking forward to relocating to our new home, 155 West Street, Sandton. We anticipate that the new offices will officially be available for occupation from 01 November 2020 and I look forward to welcoming our guests to our new premises”. Says Roberta Naicker, Managing Director of the ABN Group.



 &#8220;ABN’s flagship brands, CNBC Africa and Forbes Africa, recently hosted a first-of-its-kind virtual Pan African summit, The Future of Work, which attracted a global audience of more than 2000 attendees, from over 100 countries. The event was simultaneously broadcast live to 16 million households across Sub Sahara Africa. “As we navigate the challenges of a rapidly evolving industry further disrupted by COVID-19, our focus remains on using this crisis as an opportunity to catalyse change by leveraging our strengths for the future, both as a conventional broadcaster and a digital media company. This relocation that is part of our long-term strategic plan, will augment ABN’s efforts to provide a safe and conducive working environment for our staff, and will continue to provide our clients and viewers with unremitting, insightful, engaging and thought provoking content, through innovative digital and broadcasting solutions.” Ms Naicker added.

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CNBC Africa and Forbes Africa on the move

Covid-19 has forced businesses globally to re-evaluate their business models and to adapt to new working environments. As whole industries adjust and new ones are born, many occupations will undergo a fundamental transformation. Technological, socio-economic, geopolitical and demographic developments and the interactions between them will generate new categories of jobs and occupations while partly or wholly displacing others. Given the rapid pace of change, business model disruptions are resulting in near-simultaneous impact on employment, demanding new skill sets and it is critical for businesses to stay ahead of these trends and changes.



Through a series of expert panel discussions, CNBC Africa; a leader in business, financial data, news and insight, in partnership with Forbes Africa and prominent sponsors, will be hosting a first-of-its-kind virtual Pan African summit on 20 August 2020.&nbsp;The Future of Work Virtual Conference aims to find solutions to the crisis in Africa’s work and job system, and to drive home the need for a much more effective implementation strategy.&nbsp;The day-long summit is a must for all business owners, C-suite decision makers, tech specialists, and leaders in digital innovation and development to &nbsp;attend.



“This pandemic has also forced us as a media company to find alternative means to broadcast captivating and informative content, while adhering to Government’s health and safety protocols, and to identify digital platforms that would allow us to keep our viewers informed. Using the power of technology and our newsroom, we are able to connect the continent through live in-person and online virtual experiences.” Says Roberta Naicker, Managing Director of the ABN Group. “This virtual conference, consisting of industry leading panellists, will examine how technology will enable digital transformation and change the way we work in the future.” She further added.



What will organisations look like after the pandemic? How will we collaborate and conduct business? What productivity gains can we unlock through robotic process automation, AI and cloud computing. What are the new threats companies need to identify and mitigate against? These are some of the critical questions that will be addressed, with themes like cybersecurity, cloud computing and Artificial Intelligence (AI), forming the main focal points of this half-day virtual conference, set to take place on the 20th of August.



Attendees will be able to register to attend this virtual event, and watch it live for free. Allowing them to take part in the day’s discussions via Q&amp;A sessions, and also get the opportunity to network with other attendees.



For more information on the Future of Work Virtual Conference or to register for the event, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=&amp;msgid=0&amp;act=111111&amp;c=1681970&amp;destination=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnbcafrica.com%2Ffuture-of-work%2F&amp;cf=6110&amp;v=d3ee25f19e2ebbb1e9b4e0501db0b4f9469428a24a6c8c47b959fdd2f2db63f2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.cnbcafrica.com/future-of-work/</a>, or follow us @cnbcafrica for more updates

Redefining Africa’s Workforce Through Digital Transformation

CNBC Africa that was launched with a lot of fanfare on 1 June 2007 celebrates its 13th birthday today. The channel broadcasts 8 hours of original African business continent each day through its bureaus in Johannesburg, Lagos and Kigali. Over the last 13 years, CNBC Africa has become the leading voice in business and economic news across Sub Sahara Africa and has helped change the narrative of the African continent; away from the rhetoric’s of gloom to one of a continent on the rise.







<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-style-large td_quote_box td_box_center is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">The journey has been a game changer in the business news genre as the channel has showcased business and economic news on the continent. We could not have achieved this without the commitment of the executive team and staff at CNBC Africa who have been the corner stone of our achievement<cite>Roberta Naicker, Managing Director</cite></blockquote>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignfull size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1110" height="391" src="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/0-1-1-e1590950197560-1110x391.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-372832" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/0-1-1-e1590950197560-1110x391.jpg 1110w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/0-1-1-e1590950197560-300x106.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/0-1-1-e1590950197560-768x271.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/0-1-1-e1590950197560-696x245.jpg 696w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/0-1-1-e1590950197560-1068x376.jpg 1068w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/0-1-1-e1590950197560-600x211.jpg 600w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/0-1-1-e1590950197560.jpg 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1110px) 100vw, 1110px" /></figure>



The industry has evolved over the last decade as both content creation and distribution have radically transformed. “Although we were the first server based TV station in Sub Sahara Africa that was not enough as we had to realign our processes, modernize our equipment, train our staff and consolidate the operation to meet the challenges that we were faced with” said Sid Wahi, Director, CNBC Africa. Wahi further added that distribution had to be addressed as it has been a major gap in Sub Sahara Africa. From just being on DSTV in 2007, the channel is widely available, on almost every platform in Africa reaching, 16 million homes.



COVID 19 has been a major test of the channels resolve; on one hand news media is considered an essential service, but on the other, there is little support in the form of advertising and sponsorships during this pandemic. Like all media companies, we have reached out to a lot of our long-time clients to stand by us during this extremely challenging time. The post Covid 19 era will herald a new operating model as the experience has catalyzed transformation of the business making it more productive and efficient.&nbsp;

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Vaccinating Africa: What Governments Can Learn from Rwanda’s Effective Rollout

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IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IMC) and Africa Business News (CNBC Africa) launch Indo-Africa Virtual Summit 2020

Godfrey Mutizwa Appointed As Chief Editor For Cnbc Africa

CNBC Africa and Forbes Africa on the move

Redefining Africa’s Workforce Through Digital Transformation

CNBC AFRICA CELEBRATES 13TH BIRTHDAY on June 1st 2020

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