Considered the most entrepreneurial continent in the world, Africa is also home to the highest proportion of women entrepreneurs globally, with 58% of the continent’s self-employed population being women, who contribute some 13% of Africa&#8217;s total GDP. According to the 2022 Mastercard Index of Women Entrepreneurs, South Africa is one of only 12 economies across the globe where women&#8217;s entrepreneurial activity rates increased during the previous year, despite the impact of Covid19. “The growth of this sector and its potential has not gone unnoticed by Access Bank, and we are committed to advancing entrepreneurship – especially ‘Womenpreneurs’ – to continue encouraging what Access Bank South Africa sees as the country’s economic backbone,” says Sugendhree Reddy, CEO of Access Bank South Africa.



It was with this in mind that two large and well-loved local brands &#8211; Jacaranda FM and Access Bank South Africa came together to provide a broad platform to businesswomen in South Africa in the form of a competition called “Womenpreneur – Her Perfect Pitch” offering prizes to the value of approximately R2 million in business assistance during Women’s Month, August 2023.



Deirdre King, Managing Director at Jacaranda FM emphasises the importance of women supporting and learning from one another. Deirdre encourages businesswomen to uplift and inspire their peers while confidently claiming their rightful space in the entrepreneurial space. “This campaign drives tangible business and marketing assistance, layered with access to mentorship for the finalists. Last year, our finalists shared that the transfer of knowledge and experience from women leaders within Jacaranda FM and Access Bank was the most coveted part of this magnificent prize,” says King.



This high-profile event shows both brands’ commitment to women in the entrepreneurial space in South Africa, with ‘Womenpreneur &#8211; Her Perfect Pitch’ offering priceless and life-changing business experience for the winners.



The entrants’ experience will encourage other women to reach for the stars, while enabling Access Bank to tap into a diverse pool of talented and driven female entrepreneurs, potentially identifying promising investment opportunities or forging long-term business relationships.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crossing-the-great-divide">Crossing the great divide</h2>



The bank&#8217;s commitment to nurturing the growth of local businesses and contributing to economic development in South Africa is seated in the knowledge that the country is “talent-rich but fiscally needful”, according to Sugendhree.



The WEF’s 2022 Gender Gap Report noted that it would take a shocking 151 years to close global economic gender gaps without a massive and speedy change.



“Solutions must come from the corporate and private sectors who have the wherewithal to advance female employment, and we believe that creating opportunities like ‘Womenpreneur – Her Perfect Pitch’ are important stepping stones to generating enthusiasm among entrepreneurs and providing a platform for finance and business knowledge,” says Reddy



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">&nbsp;HOW TO ENTER</h2>



<ol class="wp-block-list" type="1">
<li>Head on over to <a href="https://southafrica.accessbankplc.com/womenpreneur/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://southafrica.accessbankplc.com/womenpreneur/</a> to enter electronically from 1 to 31 August 2023.</li>



<li>Complete the form and upload your documents.</li>



<li>If you are successful, you will be notified that you are in the Top 30 Womenpreneurs and invited to a breakfast networking event with a special guest speaker.</li>



<li>The Top 10 successful women will be invited to the judging event that will take place on 19 October in the pitching den.</li>
</ol>



Winners will be announced at a gala event to be held in November, Jacaranda FM and Access Bank South Africa are looking forward to seeing the pitches of the special and vital part of the South African economy, Womenpreneurs.

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Women get opportunity to pitch their plan and close the pay gap

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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="413" height="308" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/pasted-image-0-1.png" alt="" class="wp-image-425493" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/pasted-image-0-1.png 413w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/pasted-image-0-1-300x224.png 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/pasted-image-0-1-121x90.png 121w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 413px) 100vw, 413px" /></figure></div>


Without wanting to stimulate undue concern businesses should seriously consider the potential of future pandemic outbreaks and prepare ahead to build up their operational resilience. This is a strong, and well-qualified message from Carla Jordan, CEO of corporate underwriter Emerald Africa, a underwriting managing agent within Santam Specialist.



Through its alliance with Munich Re and its AA-rated security with New Reinsurance Company Ltd (NewRe), which is owned by Munich Re, Emerald is now launching a stand-alone Non-Damage Business Interruption solution covering disease outbreaks for the South African corporate sector.



Recent statistics produced by independent data modellers, such as Airfinity, substantiate the reason for the launch, in August 2023, of Emeralds first-to-market pandemic product domestically. “What this data tells us is there is an approximately 25-30% chance of another pandemic of the same or greater magnitude than Covid-19 within the next 10 years. That percentage jumps to over 50% within 25 years.”



International Health Regulations empower the World Health Organisation to act as the pre-eminent global body for surveillance of disease outbreaks and their potential implications on public health.&nbsp; Should a disease outbreak develop into an extraordinary event, which is considered a public health risk internationally, the WHO will declare a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), prompting member states to initiate their public health response. This framework forms the basis for the policy’s triggers.



Jordan explains that factors such as climate change, deforestation, urbanisation and greater global mobility are all increasing the frequency of disease outbreaks that may develop into a significant global threat<s>.</s> As was revealed during the Covid-19 pandemic, the economic impact of a pandemic is devastating, which exacerbates the already vulnerable South African society, where employers and employees, and society at large, have been heavily burdened by load shedding, riots, and devastating floods.”



The need for a risk transfer solution to mitigate a future pandemic outbreak has, therefore, never been more crucial. After the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic passed, a vast number of global court cases debated whether Covid-19 loss claims constituted a direct physical loss under a commercial insurance policy. In most SA cases the courts’ rulings went against the insurance industry resulting in insurers excluding, from their policies, any cover related to pandemic-induced non-physical damage, to ensure their risk appetite is not curtailed or impaired.



&#8220;This unfortunate but necessary decision has left corporate SA without cover against the next pandemic,” says Jordan, “and, as the research and history shows, there will definitely be more such outbreaks in the future.”



With that in mind, Emerald’s&nbsp; Pandemic Protection cover is a facilitator for insurers and clients to better forward-manage risk in the next pandemic.&nbsp; Hans Schollenberger, Executive Head: Underwriting and Risk for Emerald says that corporate SA’s survival through such an event will depend on such a policy.&nbsp; “Business SA should be asking itself whether, without such a policy,&nbsp; it can manage the negative economic impacts, which include loss of gross profits or earnings; the wage roll; debt obligations; employee benefits; cash flow; and contingent loss from suppliers and customers.. The likely answer is no!”



This is where the ‘parametric ‘part of the policy comes in. Parametric solutions are popular because they respond to variables, be that how much cover an organisation wants or can afford, and their planned strategic response to mitigate risk.&nbsp; “We are very strong on risk benefits,” says Schollenberger. “This includes companies doing everything they can to slow the spread of a pandemic, such as encouraging vaccinations and abiding by regulations.



“The period of the insurance policy is typically 12 months, paid annually, and claims must be submitted as a sworn affidavit by two company directors. Once approved, the claim pays out within 30 days, providing the insured with much needed liquidity to ensure the business can remain a going concern, and thereby avoiding long claims adjustment processes.



“How much cover to buy is, therefore, of key importance,” says Schollenberger. “In terms of pricing it may make sense, for example, to have 10% self-retention as a company and buy 90% cover. However, Emerald recognises that each organisation is unique unto itself, which is why our offering&nbsp; accommodates the extent and will of an organisation’s capacity to invest in their resilience against a future pandemic.”

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Unique Business Interruption policy covers corporates’ future pandemic losses

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="619" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/BEN_6642-820x619.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-426603" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/BEN_6642-820x619.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/BEN_6642-300x226.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/BEN_6642-119x90.jpg 119w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/BEN_6642-768x579.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/BEN_6642-1536x1159.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/BEN_6642-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /></figure>



The Choppies Big Birthday Bonanza competition commenced in 2003 as an appreciative gesture to the company’s loyal customers in countries where Choppies operates .The core mandate of the competition is to thank customers for their unwavering support to the company since its inception 37 years ago in Botswana in the small town of Lobatse.



The competition, arguably the biggest in Botswana has seen over 200 plus lucky customers walking away with brand new cars since 2003. An edition of cash prizes was introduced in 2018 where in addition to 10 brand new Toyota Etios cars, 40 lucky customers walked away happy with P25,000.00 each . The competition got bigger and better as cash prize winners increased in quantity and weekly and monthly draws were held to get more customers to win big with Bonanza.



As Choppies we are always delighted and privileged to serve the 188 million consumers who walk through our doors every year. Our success is deeply intertwined with the livelihoods of individuals and businesses in our communities.



Bonanza is another noble form of corporate responsibility that Choppies undertakes to serve its customers and Batswana at large. The competition is not only centred on appreciating customers but also rewards the efforts of staff in each competition edition. Choppies staff has walked away with brand new cars and cash prizes throughout the years.



In the spirit of celebrating our birthday this year, Choppies has once again launched its 20th edition of the Choppies Big Birthday Bonanza .5 customers will walk away with 5 Brand new Nissan Navara bakkies, 96 customers will win P 15,000.00 each, lucky customers will win P2, 000.00 Choppies gift vouchers monthly and P1, 500 gift vouchers weekly (P500 for three customers per week).



The competition would not be possible without the support of choppies trusted suppliers who continuously render their support on an annual basis.



The tag line for this year’s bonanza competition is #20 YEARS OF BONANZA.

BEN_6642

Choppies Big Birthday Bonanza Turns 20

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="546" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AOG-President-podium--820x546.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-426560" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AOG-President-podium--820x546.jpeg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AOG-President-podium--300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AOG-President-podium--135x90.jpeg 135w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AOG-President-podium--768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AOG-President-podium-.jpeg 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /></figure>



Now in its fourth edition, the Angola Oil &amp; Gas conference builds on its success as a premier investment platform to attract a fresh slate of capital into the country’s oil and gas industry.



Angola is on the precipice of becoming a regional hub for oil and gas owing to sizeable developments across the entire energy value chain. From exploration campaigns to downstream refining facilities to regional distribution systems, the southern African country is making great strides towards maximizing its oil and gas for the betterment of the regional population. While progress has been made to date, efforts to strengthen the hydrocarbon value chain, bolster diversification and stimulate the development of the entire economic landscape have identified an investment gap in the country, with foreign capital essential for meeting Angola’s development objectives.



Stepping into this picture, the country’s premier event for the oil and gas sector, the Angola Oil &amp; Gas (AOG) conference – the 2023 edition of which is set to take place from September 13-14 – unites Angolan policymakers and energy companies with global investors, providing a platform where potential investors are directly connected with Angolan opportunities. The event capitalizes on its position as the official meeting place for the Angolan energy sector to showcase investment opportunities; identify key areas with potential for growth; offer insights into regulatory procedures and fiscal terms; while addressing environmental and social concerns. The event serves as a catalyst for investment in Angola at a time when capital is needed most.



But why Angola and why now? Since initial discoveries of oil and gas in 1955, the country has made considerable efforts to position itself as the premier destination for large-scale oil and gas investments. The revelation of sizeable hydrocarbon deposits quickly attracted a strong slate of players, and now, the country boasts a highly competitive assortment of both Angolan and foreign oil and gas firms. Global energy majors to the likes of TotalEnergies, Chevron and ExxonMobil are active while independents such as Azule Energy – a joint venture between bp and Eni – Afentra, Somoil and many others continue to spearhead development – most of which will be represented during this year’s event. Despite this pool of oil and gas players, the country’s attractiveness for new investment is only growing.



On the oil front, while Angola has positioned itself as the biggest producer in Africa, efforts to unlock the potential of untapped acreage in the Kwanza, Namibe and Lower Congo basins have opened up lucrative opportunities for upstream players. Recently implemented tax incentives and emerging partnership opportunities are enticing E&amp;P companies worldwide. Additionally, Angola’s national concessionaire the National Oil, Gas and Biofuels Agency (ANPG) is poised to launch its next licensing round this year, with 12 blocks on offer in the onshore basins of Lower Congo and Kwanza. The round represents part of the country’s six-year licensing strategy launched in 2019. AOG 2023 will connect E&amp;P companies looking at investing in Angolan exploration with the relevant policymakers through dedicated upstream panels and investor forums. The ANPG is a partner of the event, and is inviting interested players to participate in this important forum.



Downstream, the government plans to establish the country as a regional hub for oil and gas, advancing energy security and industrialization through refining, distribution and export investments. Three refinery developments are underway – Lobito, Soyo and Cabinda – as well as the construction of regional pipeline systems and domestic manufacturing facilities. To consolidate the country’s regional stronghold, further investment is needed in downstream facilities. Angola’s Oil Derivatives Regulatory Institute and National Oil Company Sonangol are also partners of AOG 2023, advancing opportunities for downstream dialogue and deals.



Angola’s natural gas industry represents one of the fastest growing sectors in the country. Objectives to monetize resources require sizeable investments across various fields including upstream E&amp;P; Liquefied Natural Gas; power generation; and more. AOG 2023 features gas-focused panel discussions aimed at showcasing investment opportunities, addressing challenges to development and triggering new partnerships and financial commitments. The country has 11 trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas reserves, most of which remain untapped. Investing in Angolan gas is investing in the sustainable development of the country, and the AOG 2023 conference is the place to sign deals.



Meanwhile, the AOG 2023 program goes beyond oil and gas to cover key industries such as critical minerals, renewable energies and power and technology. Under the theme, ‘Energy Security, Decarbonization and Sustainable Development,’ the event aligns closely with the national agenda to diversify the Angolan economy, trigger a just and inclusive energy transition while prioritizing energy security through low-carbon hydrocarbon developments. As such, the event integrates the energy and mining sectors of Angola, serving as a bridge between policymakers and investors. AOG 2023 is the gateway to a lucrative energy market.&nbsp;&nbsp;



Speaking during last year’s edition, Angola’s Minister of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas Diamantino Azevedo stated that, “We can contribute towards and improve the infrastructure in our country, and we can also be the principal actors of the so-called energy transition, which may be spearheaded by our hydrocarbon industry. I would like to assure you that investing in our country will result in win-win relationships and I would like to invite you to come back to Angola.”



The multifaceted structure of AOG 2023 offers delegates a unique mix of networking opportunities and dialogue sessions, ensuring attendees gain relevant insights into the Angolan energy market while connecting with the players and policymakers that will support market entry and expansion. There is still time to secure your participation at the biggest gathering of energy stakeholders in Angola. Visit <a href="http://www.angolaoilangas.com">www.angolaoilangas.com</a> for more information about how you can get involved as a delegate, speaker, sponsor or partner.

AOG-President-podium-

Angola Oil & Gas 2023 Represents a Catalyst for Investment

Whether society has come to terms with it or not, consumers are the driving force of a successful business. From the mom-and-pop shop to the conglomerate, the supply of potential customers is abundant, allowing everyone a slice of the pie. Businesses have the luxury of being able to produce so much, sadly leading to immense waste. This has caused a need for regulators to discover better ways for these producers to squander less. New laws in the United States and European Union incentivize green practices. Yet companies have difficulty complying with these new laws and revert back to old habits like purchasing raw materials instead of recycled ones. Not only does it hurt their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) scores, but it forces them to depend upon expensive outsourcing.



In order for businesses to follow these green rules, they need trustworthy ways to verify the authenticity and ethicality of chosen materials. Manufacturers struggle to ascertain the life cycle of textiles, such as plastics and fabrics. What’s missing in this equation is an accurate device, indicating how many times each substance has been recycled.



Without a transparent way to understand these materials, manufacturers turn toward raw plastics–adding to the infinite wasteland. This slows progress for any company trying to practice true and sustainable business in this current economy, but there is a new solution looking to disrupt and enhance the manufacturing industries.



Security Matters (SMX) LTD (NASDAQ: SMX; SMXWW) is a groundbreaking technology company that delivers the key to ethical and efficient production–both physically and digitally. The physical system marks and detects an invisible molecular tag embedded within a material, which causes no alteration to its structure. The tag is then read by the digital side of the technology to track, verify, grade, and sort the usable materials. This information is entered into a blockchain system online for future storage and reference. When that piece of material is recycled, the system takes into account this change and produces different possible uses of the material in its new state. The journey of a material becomes crystal clear, which the company describes as giving materials memory,



The SMX database provides clear and concise information on the material taking away the need for human auditing and accounting. More than half of companies in the United States <a href="https://sustainabilitymag.com/articles/50-of-american-companies-exaggerate-sustainability-efforts">overstate their green initiatives</a>, and the SMX technology gets rid of the guessing game so everyone has peace of mind.



With a tenured board of directors, led by CEO Haggai “H” Alon, SMX looks to revolutionize the way manufacturing works. The technology was originally created by the Israeli government as a defense mechanism, but soon the applications became limitless. With over 100 patents in various stages, SMX presents companies the ability to combine both climate-economics and circular economy into their business model, the perfect combination to reach their sustainability KPI&#8217;s.



While the company seeks to implement its technology in various sectors, current energy is being invested in the gold market. From mine to shop, SMX wants to deliver transparent and accurate information needed to make sustainable choices. Especially with regard to gold, these challenges of ethicality are filled with ambiguity. With the ability to integrate the technology into any segment of the gold procurement process, SMX can guarantee the origin and state of all gold materials. This means smaller mining companies will have a greater ability to enter their materials into the supply chain. They can compete with larger mines and processing plants, providing their materials to the same audience.



Being able to use recycled textiles, not just as a property, but as a piece of data allows leaders to make sounder judgments and expand their operations. It solves the issue of extra waste due to negligence and greater growth for a company to reuse all of their resources in their own company.  But that isn’t all SMX has to offer.



With SMX’s technology, companies can verifiably show they are working to create more sustainable practices. With new regulations coming out of the United States, European Union, and United Kingdom, and monetary incentives tailored toward higher ESG scores, businesses need a silver bullet to keep them active and competitive. One change these governments seek to make is an increase of circular economies within their countries, and SMX can foster a smooth transition for businesses. Fashion brands won&#8217;t have to worry if their cotton is from an ethical source since the SMX marker within the piece of cotton indicates its life cycle, structure, and origin source. The manufacturer who has to throw away the material they once thought was unusable, now can enter it into the SMX system to see its most appropriate reuse. Linear economies will now become circular.



SMX looks to be a leader through the transition into the 5th Industrial revolution: <a href="https://levity.ai/blog/leadership-ai">the synthesis of human business and intelligent systems.</a> This technology will send reverberations throughout all industries. From cotton to cobalt, and plastic to gold, manufacturing with clear, efficient, and sustainable aims will never be easier. Creating a technology with large scalability will cause many to seek out its use. It’s difficult to believe that a single technology could change industries, but NASDAQ has said that SMX’s technology is a <a href="https://www.nasdaq.com/press-release/smx-to-begin-nasdaq-trading-march-8-upon-successfully-closing-its-business">“segment creator”</a>. SMX encourages all businesses to enter into the circular economy making the obstacles laid out by regulation miniscule.



The world is changing, and with each implementation of technology, industry changes alongside. From Japan to America, companies look to create more sustainable practices that will help create a better future. However, to make those ideas into reality, leaders, and corporations need to start today. In the vein of Fleetwood Mac, CEO Haggai “H” Alon says, “Don’t stop thinking about tomorrow.”

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SMX: The New Technological Answer to Sustainable Business Practices

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="547" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Summit-Photos-2-820x547.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-426362" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Summit-Photos-2-820x547.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Summit-Photos-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Summit-Photos-2-135x90.jpg 135w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Summit-Photos-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Summit-Photos-2.jpg 1095w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: via World Bank</figcaption></figure>



The working-age population in Africa is expected to grow by 450 million by 2035. In fact, Africa is the only region in the world where the workforce will continue to grow in the coming decades. By 2075, one out of three people of working age will be African.



How can the continent harness this enormous potential to accelerate economic growth and achieve greater prosperity for billions of people?



One answer is human capital which is key to creating and accessing good quality jobs.



Human capital is the health, education, and skills that people accumulate over their lifetime and which allows them to reach their full potential. With quality education and relevant skills, Africa’s young people can contribute to putting the continent on more inclusive and prosperous growth trajectory. This will require political and financial commitment at all levels, and from all stakeholders.



Over the last 20 years, Africa has made tremendous progress. Over 100 million more children in sub-Saharan Africa are in school. Gender parity in primary education has been achieved. And between 2009 and 2021, education spending in the region has almost doubled.



However, Africa continues to battle a learning crisis. Millions of children are out of school, and most of those in school are falling behind on key learning indicators such as reading, writing and basic math. The percentage of 10-year-olds unable to understand a simple text is projected to be approaching 89 percent after the COVID pandemic.



The current education system is at capacity, and the demand will only increase. Africa will represent over 40 percent of the school-age population in low- and middle-income countries by 2050. The population growth presents significant fiscal pressure on governments including on public service delivery, early childhood development interventions, and sustained investment in accessible and quality education for all, especially for women and girls.



Making bold investments in the continent’s young people is a matter of choices and priorities – not destiny. These large number of young, working-age Africans can be a source of growth and stability – if equipped with the necessary health, education, and opportunities to realize their potential. On the other hand, the same cohort could become a source of instability due to unmet aspirations. The choices African countries make today will determine their future.



Now is the time for Africa to invest in its people, in this unique moment in Africa’s demographic history – countered by fiscal pressures and huge needs of the African people. It will require strong country and regional commitment to the development of human capital. Africa’s leaders recognize this and know that greater progress is possible.



Given this time-sensitive window, African Heads of State are convening at the <a></a><a href="https://www.worldbank.org/en/events/2023/07/25/africa-human-capital-heads-of-state-summit">Africa Human Capital Heads of State Summit</a> on July 25-26 in Dar es Salaam to discuss this agenda as a top of the line priority. 



African leaders know that they will not be able to deliver change without building political momentum in the region. The summit will be vital for ensuring that countries accelerate investments in people and ensure a better future for all.



Human capital is necessary for people to maximize the opportunities of today and the jobs of tomorrow. Healthy, education, skilled and innovative people are better prepared to take advantage of job opportunities and to create jobs for not only for themselves, but also for others in our rapidly changing world.



Every month, 3.7 million young people enter the work force. The onset of digital technology, climate change, and migration have resulted in both disruptions and opportunities in a rapidly evolving global job market. Recently, COVID-19, climate change, and conflict and have increased unemployment globally, particularly for youth. This risks setting back hard-won gains in human capital and will drag down future job prospects.



While all countries require a skilled workforce and robust job creation, 84 percent of the 5 billion people who make up today’s working age population live in developing countries. Too many of them – 7 out of 10 – work in the low-productivity informal sector, earning little and facing significant risks.



There is an imperative to increase job quality in terms of productivity, earnings, and security – especially for women, youth, and the most vulnerable. These groups represent an untapped reservoir that must be leveraged for economic transformation.



Complementing foundational education and skills development with lifelong up-skilling and re-skilling can build the talent needed by employers and the needs of the self-employed.



Since the <a href="https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/worldbank-africa-human-capital-plan">Africa Human Capital Plan</a> was launched in 2019, the World Bank’s commitments in human development operations in Africa have reached a historic $34 billion, with $11.5 billion new investments championing women and girls. Much of the funds are delivered through the World Bank’s <a href="https://ida.worldbank.org/en/home">International Development Association (IDA),</a> our fund for the poorest countries that provides support to 39 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa – with human capital as one of its special themes. And just in 2023, the World Bank has invested $87 billion globally to support better jobs outcomes, especially for women and youth.



In partnership, several countries have made progress benefitting millions of people from these investments that they have made:



In Tanzania, <a href="https://projects.worldbank.org/en/projects-operations/project-detail/P169165?lang=en">the Productive Social Safety Net II project</a> has supported <a href="https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2019/09/12/five-million-tanzanians-to-benefit-from-improved-safety-nets">over five million Tanzanians</a> through providing job opportunities for their parents and incentives to keep their children in school – and attend health check-ups to strengthen their children’s human capital foundation. The program now covers all villages in the country 



The Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) major education reforms, supported by <a href="https://projects.worldbank.org/en/projects-operations/project-detail/P172341">a World Bank project</a>, have showcased consistent results: an additional 2.3 million students were enrolled in public primary schools in project provinces, in school year 2021-22 and 58,000 new teachers have been hired.



In Nigeria, Edo state saw an opportunity to further the development of its digital education drive and used WhatsApp, among other platforms, to organize e-classes. Through its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2021/12/08/remote-learning-during-covid-19-lockdown-is-preventing-learning-loss-in-nigeria">EdoBEST initiative</a>, more than 11,000 teachers received rigorous training and 7,000 virtual classrooms were created.&nbsp;



<a href="https://www.worldbank.org/en/events/2022/09/20/the-african-centers-of-excellence-a-pathway-towards-sustainable-development">The Africa Centers of Excellence project (ACEs</a>) is the first large scale regional program in the higher education sector in Africa. It addresses higher-level skills and innovative research requirements for the continent’s priority development sectors. The centers, geared towards international standards, deliver quality training that helps to fulfill labor market demands on the continent.



The <a href="https://www.worldbank.org/en/events/2023/07/25/africa-human-capital-heads-of-state-summit">Africa Human Capital Heads of State Summit</a> will conclude with commitments from the participating countries to prioritize investments in people, especially on learning, skills and health. It will be essential to work with all stakeholders to ensure there are sufficient resources to fulfill the aspirations and ambitions of Africa’s young people.

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Unleashing Jobs and Growth through Human Capital in Africa

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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/0008_Carla-Jordan-Edit-1-1-820x785.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-426163" width="615" height="589" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/0008_Carla-Jordan-Edit-1-1-820x785.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/0008_Carla-Jordan-Edit-1-1-300x287.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/0008_Carla-Jordan-Edit-1-1-94x90.jpg 94w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/0008_Carla-Jordan-Edit-1-1-768x735.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/0008_Carla-Jordan-Edit-1-1-1536x1471.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/0008_Carla-Jordan-Edit-1-1-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 615px) 100vw, 615px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Carla Jordan, CEO of Emerald SA</figcaption></figure></div>


It has taken Emerald SA, a specialist division of Santam, only 23 years to build the largest and most successful corporate underwriting business in Africa. While the above-average market growth achieved over the past five years may appear to be remarkable, it is not astonishing, “given we work to an ethos of taking opportunities when they present themselves, regardless of the negative triggers in the environment,” says Emerald SA CEO Carla Jordan.



“It may be that on the back of the pandemic, riots, floods and high inflation, insurers have had no option but to push for increased rates and premiums, but we are cognisant of how much our corporate clients can and can’t absorb in terms of increases, and this is where we excel – in finding the balance between rising reinsurance costs and our clients’ changing needs.”



International reinsurers are concerned, and rightly so, given the impending threat of a complete collapse of South Africa’s national power grid. Yet, while not denying that the loadshedding regime rings alarm bells, Jordan says that this, again, presents opportunities for Emerald to deepen its penetration into Africa, particularly tapping into renewable energy programmes .



“Developments and status changes allow us to look for new ways to improve and grow the business and innovate products that respond to Africa’s challenges. For example, our response to COVID-19 was to pilot a policy that will allow clients to recoup costs, or the additional costs incurred by a business during a pandemic/epidemic crisis.”



&nbsp;When their new policy launches in August, it will be a first-to-market offering from Emerald: a fully customisable solution to protect companies against the catastrophic economic effects resulting from a pandemic/ epidemic crisis, such as business interruption and lost revenue – thereby future-proofing businesses against unknowns. “With some 200 epidemic outbreaks and five new diseases being revealed annually, there exists a very real threat to business resilience,” says Jordan. “With this policy, we will be able to structure, price and underwrite cover for our clients that align to their risk strategy, helping them to build financial security.”



This innovative product is demonstrative of the game-changer attitude that Emerald is renowned for. “By working with the extensive Sanlam Pan Africa network, we have a real advantage in that we have the ability to mobilise premiums from up to 36 African nations, which is critical to underwriting multiterritorial pan-African accounts,” says Jordan. Emerald’s business model is a high-premium, low-volume operation, Jordan confirms. “We have the ability to take substantial lead lines and utilise our broad facultative reinsurance relationships to place large capacity behind risks. While certain accounts have many complexities, this model allows us to punch well above our weight.”



It also helps that Emerald has the ability to underwrite risks outside South Africa using a Standard &amp; Poor’s (S&amp;P) AA rating, which is higher than SA’s current sovereign rating of BB-. This has been facilitated by Santam and Emerald entering into a credit wrap agreement with Swiss-based New Reinsurance Company Limited (NewRe), a subsidiary of Munich Re. While Emerald can estimate that it currently accounts for in excess of 30% of the SA corporate property market share, the African market presents a far more diverse range of industries. “Largely, we will continue to focus on mining, heavy industry, ports (both marine and air), telecoms, and the big-scale property market. And again, the renewable energy sector is exciting,” says Jordan. To do this effectively, Emerald will be partnering with local insurers and tapping into global conglomerates that have operations on the continent. “My message is that Emerald is strong, engaged, and delivers as a market differentiator,” Jordan concludes.



For corporate property and affiliated engineering risk solutions, visit santam.co.za/products/specialist/corporateproperty.

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Emerald SA progressively launching new products and business in Africa

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Our world is unrecognisable from that of just a few decades ago and great strides have been made to reduce disparities hampering global growth and prosperity. However, new challenges have arisen and we have yet to find answers to so many vexing questions. These include climate change, poverty and inequality, access to education, and environmental degradation with an alarming loss of biodiversity. These obstacles can sometimes seem insurmountable, but the North-West University (NWU) is geared towards bridging societal divides and tackling these challenges head-on.



One of the ways the NWU is accomplishing this is through its commitment to actively supporting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through its research and innovation, its support of global citizenship and its multitude of collaborations and partnerships. This is aided by the university’s pledge to educate and create awareness of the needs of society, and by cementing its institutional culture of responsibility and care.&nbsp;



The United Nations’ SDGs were adopted by 193 countries in 2015 and are a shared plan to end extreme poverty, reduce inequality and protect the planet. There are 17 of these goals, which range from ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and the promotion of lifelong learning opportunities for all, to ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns, guaranteeing the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all, and protecting, restoring and promoting sustainable use of our various ecosystems.&nbsp;&nbsp;



Since his inauguration as principal and vice-chancellor of the NWU, Prof Bismark Tyobeka has been unequivocal in his support of these objectives, and the university continues to position itself as an integral cog that delivers sustainable solutions to problems both locally and abroad.



It is no simple task, but one the NWU does not shy away from.



“There are no easy answers to these difficult but pertinent questions. However, it is important that we create environments in which discourse thrives to find solutions, in which research is aimed at having a discernible impact and in which teaching and learning goals include delivering graduates with the intent to make a difference. Yes, we face a multitude of challenges, some of great magnitude, but it is our responsibility as an institution of higher education to do everything in our power to promote prosperity in all spheres of society,” explains Prof Tyobeka.



The first SDG is titled “No poverty” and is explained as the endeavour to end poverty in all its forms everywhere. At the NWU, the eradication of poverty is a target that never leaves the university’s sights. It is a mammoth, complex task, but one that permeates every fibre of the university’s make-up.



The NWU has three pillars that support its resolve, namely research, teaching and learning, and its many community engagement initiatives. “By equipping students with the knowledge to conduct research that makes an impact, by collaborating with our communities and by fostering lasting partnerships, sustainable solutions to the problems of poverty are within our reach,” says Prof Tyobeka.



Here the SDG of “Zero hunger”, which calls for an end to hunger, the achievement of food security, improved nutrition and the promotion of sustainable agriculture, comes to the fore. Prof Tyobeka says: “A healthy, thriving agricultural sector is integrally linked to the current and future fortunes of the country. Countless areas of our society depend on this sector, and without it pressing matters like food security cannot be addressed. The NWU is injecting its expertise into this sector through applied research that develops innovative methods to ensure food security and safety. In the face of climate change, the university is also examining the contribution of agricultural systems to household food security, as well as to the technical and socio-economic dynamics of food security.”



Each of the United Nations’ 17 SDGs is of cardinal importance and these are but two examples of how the NWU is using its expertise to help achieve every one of them. &nbsp;

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Towards a sustainable future with the North-West University

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<figure class="aligncenter size-medium"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="300" height="300" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/20181017-Pierre-Herben-BW-704x102493-1-300x300.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-425943" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/20181017-Pierre-Herben-BW-704x102493-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/20181017-Pierre-Herben-BW-704x102493-1-800x800.jpg 800w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/20181017-Pierre-Herben-BW-704x102493-1-90x90.jpg 90w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/20181017-Pierre-Herben-BW-704x102493-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/20181017-Pierre-Herben-BW-704x102493-1-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/20181017-Pierre-Herben-BW-704x102493-1-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pierre Herben, Group Head – Carbon Neutrality, Anglo American</figcaption></figure></div>


Much like the roots of a tree, South Africa&#8217;s energy infrastructure is planted where it finds nutrients. Historically, this has been in the Mpumalanga province, where 83% of the nation&#8217;s coal helps fuel a fleet of power plants and significant transmission infrastructure. Yet, across the country, there is also an abundance of renewable resources – plentiful sun and wind. Therefore new ‘roots’ and transmission connecting the western part of the country are key to enable the country’s next economic and social development phase, which will undoubtedly depend on accessing clean, reliable, and affordable energy.



Renewable energy access is not only fundamental to supporting inclusive growth, livelihoods, and better health outcomes in the future – it must also be harnessed now if the country is to escape the grips of the current energy crisis.



South Africa is well-positioned to capitalise on this energy shift. In addition to its wealth of renewable resources and the critical minerals required for the decarbonisation of the global economy, it has a young population that can propel this transition when matched with the right skills and opportunities.



Given that existing energy generating infrastructure is at &#8211; or nearing &#8211; its end of economic lifecycle, combined with national and global imperatives to decarbonize, supplementing existing energy infrastructure with renewable energy is mission-critical to safeguarding the country&#8217;s future.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-building-for-now-and-the-future">Building for Now and the Future</h2>



In this regard, I am glad for the progress that government has made to toward liberalising the renewable energy sector to date.



Last year&#8217;s introduction of an &#8220;unrestricted&#8221; licensing threshold for energy projects is a welcome intervention, and equally, plans to update the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) and to review existing limits on local embedded generation procurement will unlock the potential for rapid expansion of power generation capacity; while policies to enable the energy transition are being addressed by the National Energy Crisis Committee (NECOM).



However, the wheels of government must now turn faster than ever – beyond the energy crisis and toward an energy transition that provides security for growth and prosperity in the long term.&nbsp;



According to&nbsp;Economist Impact (EI)&nbsp;report,&nbsp;Powering Progress: Policy shifts and economic frameworks to enable South Africa&#8217;s energy transition,&nbsp;only well-coordinated, progressive, and fundamental changes to the country&#8217;s energy mix will provide the best route to a prosperous low-carbon future and energy security.&nbsp;



A critical area that needs urgent focus remains grid development, access, and connectivity. This is a crippling issue &#8211; some 6.3GW of renewable energy capacity procured by government through the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP), could not find grid access, while a further 7400 MW of renewable energy procured from the private sector could not be allocated (under REIPPP Bid Window 6) due to unavailable grid access.



According to research commissioned by the&nbsp;National Business Institute (NBI), at least 190GW of renewable energy is needed by 2050 to decarbonise the power sector and realise South Africa&#8217;s low-carbon ambitions.



The mining industry has already started doing its part to answer the call for clean energy with a pipeline of over 6.5GW of sustainable energy projects.&nbsp; At Anglo American, together with our partners at EDFR, we have created Envusa Energy, set to deliver 3-5 GW renewable energy ecosystem across South Africa.



This energy ecosystem will meet not only Anglo American’s decarbonisation needs but also help to driver of economic development within South Africa&#8217;s renewable energy sector, supporting the country&#8217;s broader just energy transition.



Across many other industries, companies are on the same path – signalling a commitment to not only making the energy transition real but&nbsp;just and inclusive,&nbsp;too.



To support this future growth, greater grid availability will be critical to delivering renewable energy projects for public and private investments.&nbsp;



There has never been a more important time for the development of public-private partnerships between the government and business, marrying private-sector financing and technical expertise with efficient and simplified government processes to develop much-needed grid connection capacity. This is especially so in areas like the Northern, Eastern and Western Cape regions, which will enable the delivery of utility-scale renewable energy resources.



This decentralisation of energy resources across the country will have several advantages. It will enable access to affordable electricity, build more resilient and energy-secure communities, enable physical and digital infrastructure improvements to meaningfully reduce inequality, and contribute to a business operating environment suitable for attracting investment and economic growth across the country.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A people-centric Just Energy Transition</h2>



Given South Africa&#8217;s dependence on fossil fuels, shifting to a low-carbon future presents opportunities and risks for those reliant on carbon-intensive industries. For this reason, a pathway to a successful energy transition must ensure that people and communities dependent on these industries are not left behind.



Achieving this level of the energy transition will entail transformational and systemic change, which no individual, company or entity can deliver alone.&nbsp;



According to the Economist Impact report, as many as a million jobs could be generated through renewable energy projects by 2050 &#8211; more than three times the number of jobs possibly at risk in the transition.&nbsp;



Making this a reality will require unprecedented levels of engagement and collaboration between government, communities, civil society, labour, and business. Working together, a just transition can be realized by building up people’s resilience through progressive skills development and job opportunities created by access to affordable, decentralised, and diverse renewable energy — especially in secondary and tertiary industries.



By moving decisively to address gaps across the country’s energy landscape, South Africa can begin laying the foundation for a sustainable and inclusive energy future.

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Building Better – Renewable Energy for Today and the Future

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ACCRA, 23&nbsp;JUNE 2023:&nbsp;The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and Ghana Railway Company, the national railway operator of Ghana, have signed a project preparation facility Head of Terms agreement and Pre-Mandate Letter to finance the development and implementation of an integrated 299-kilometer (“km”) standard gauge railway network that connects Ghana’s western corridor to the Port of Takoradi and provides an essential link to external markets.



The Heads of Terms was signed by Mrs Kanayo Awani – Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade Bank at Afreximbank and Dr Michael Anyetei – Managing Director, Ghana Railways Company Limited. Under the Heads of Terms of the project preparation facility, the Bank will avail early-stage project preparatory funding to finance the preparation of bankable feasibility studies. The Pre-Mandate Letter appoints Afreximbank to perform certain tasks in advance of the project attaining bankability aimed at raising the debt facility amount, currently estimated at US$ 2.1 billion.



Under the terms of the agreements, signed during the Afreximbank Annual Meetings (AAM2023), Afreximbank committed to prescribe financial solutions, including project preparatory support, project financing, syndication and financial advisory services, and risk bearing instruments, to enable the project attain a timeous financial close.



The Bank believes that pursuing railway investments along the continent’s trade corridors would expand existing capacities and create new routes, links and pathways for value-added goods to be transported from manufacturing and processing areas to regional and global markets, thereby promoting intra-African trade within the AfCFTA context. This is evidenced by new mining projects and expansion of existing mining projects being planned in the country that stand to benefit from the project through more efficient and competitive transportation of imports and exports thereby boosting trade, regional integration and overall economic development.



Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, said, “The Western Railway Corridor project is a vital transport network for Ghana, and Afreximbank’s support is in line with our commitment to help member countries address key trade-enabling infrastructure bottlenecks through private sector-led investments that will unlock significant pent-up demand for Ghanaian mineral and agricultural commodities in regional and international markets. Am particularly thrilled that in this project, Afreximbank and its partners are pioneering our innovative non-recourse project finance solution premised on freight volumes and not member countries debt-carrying capacity. Such novel approaches present concrete&nbsp;steps Afreximbank is taking towards paving the way for member countries economic transformation. We look forward to rolling out this solution to other member countries across the continent.”



The project, when fully implemented, is expected to reduce transport costs by 30 per cent, increase the safety and reliability of transport services, and stimulate Ghanaian trade and economic growth.&nbsp;&nbsp;About 5,000 jobs are expected to be created directly during the implementation phase, with another 50,000 indirect opportunities created along the railway corridor in addition to the training of 400 citizens of Ghana to participate in all levels of the project implementation. The railway line will also facilitate the export of minerals and commodities resulting in at least US$ 950 million of trade per annum.

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Afreximbank and Ghana Railway Company to develop Western Railway Corridor to boost Trade and Industry

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Accra, 21 June 2023: &#8211; The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in collaboration with the AfCFTA yesterday in Accra launched the Africa Trade Gateway (ATG), a suite of five digital platforms that have been designed as a single window to enable the Bank better deliver on its mandate by providing critical services to support and promote African trade and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).



Launched by Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade Bank, of Afreximbank on the sidelines of the ongoing 30th Afreximbank Annual Meetings (AAM2023), in the presence of Dr Ernest Addison, Governor-Bank of Ghana and Mrs Emily Mburu-Ndoria, Director-Directorate of Trade in Services, Investment, IPR and Digital Trade, AfCFTA who represented HE Wamkele Mene, Secretary General, AfCFTA, the gateway digital ecosystem comprises the MANSA (due diligence platform), the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), the TRADAR Club, the Africa Trade Exchange (ATEX) and ATG Connect.



Addressing guests at the launch, Ms. Awani said that Afreximbank’s digital evolution was part of its deliberate strategic response to address Africa’s key challenges to accelerate the pace of development and foster economic prosperity for Africans using and applying digital technologies and business models.



“Each one of our digital interventions is designed to address clearly identified challenges and barriers for those seeking to engage in African trade and investment. I am pleased that each intervention has been successfully transformed from concept to reality and commend the hard work of our colleagues and partners in achieving these milestones. But to consolidate results, maximize net effects, achieve greater efficiencies, drive higher synergistic value, quicken regional integration, extend and create new access markets and accelerate digital economy in Africa, the Bank is introducing customer-centric Africa Trade Gateway.”



She described ATG as the gateway into a definitive digital ecosystem made for Africa’s trade, supported by Afreximbank and the AfCFTA in collaboration with their partners, to answer the needs of businesses, governments and stakeholders by enabling trade, commerce and investment.



With the ATG,&nbsp; customers could complete all their transactions within one window, explained Ms. Awani.



MANSA, Africa’s due diligence platform, provides a single source of primary data required for the conduct of customer due diligence on African entities, financial institutions, corporates and SMEs. It also provides complementary collection of information on investment in Africa, country profiles and traded products/services of African countries.



PAPSS was established to enable efficient payment for intra-African trade in national currencies, promoting intra-African trade, minimising risk and contributing to financial integration across Africa. In July 2019, African Union heads of state meeting in Niamey, adopted PAPSS as the payment and settlement system to support the implementation of the AfCFTA. It currently operates out of Cairo.



TRADAR Club, is member-driven network aimed at empowering international businesses and executives to transform trade and investments in Africa through trusted trade intelligence and advisory services through innovative digital tools and networking opportunities, helping members to discover new markets; grow their business; save time; access dedicated expert support; post and respond to new business opportunities; network; meet business/trading partners, etc.&nbsp; Membership is open to global industry leaders, African and foreign businesses, intergovernmental organisations, policy makers and others committed to unlocking growth and development in Africa.



ATEX is a B2B and B2G e-commerce platform launched at the 54th Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development in Dakar in May 2022, to help small and medium scale and large African businesses to tap into new markets in Africa and to facilitate the optimisation of their supply chains. It enables procurement in bulk for basic commodities to ensure access to suppliers in a transparent manner.



ATG Connect serves to connect business service providers across Africa. It provides freight and logistics connectivity solutions which allow for frictionless connecting and matching of freight/ logistics requests with freight and logistics providers listed on the platform. Customers can get quotes for the pickup and delivery of goods to and from any location in Africa at a very competitive price.



The launch ceremony included presentations on the services available under the various digital platforms and a panel discussion by the heads of the platforms during which they discussed the services they offered in support of trade across Africa and the implementation of the AfCFTA.

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Afreximbank launches Africa Trade Gateway, a single window for digital services

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<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
ACCRA, 19 JUNE 2023: The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and ARISE Integrate Industrial Platforms (ARISE IIP) today in Accra signed a term sheet for a US$400 million tranche under a proposed US$1 billion global credit facility to support ARISE IIP in the development of industrial parks and Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in several African countries and to avail funding to meet trade finance requirements and to finance capital expenditure in support of expansion of operating Industrial Parks..



Signed by Ms. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade Bank, for Afreximbank, and Gagan Gupta, CEO ARISE IIP, for the company, at the ongoing Afreximbank Annual Meetings, the facility represents a continuation of the support provided by the Bank to ARISE IIP with close to US$700 million availed to the company over the past decade for the development of industrial parks and special economic zones in Gabon, Togo and Benin.



Afreximbank has also invested in ARISE IIP through its Fund for Export Development in Africa which availed a convertible loan to ARISE IIP in 2022.



Afreximbank is cognizant that most economies with the fastest growing exports have well-developed SEZ programmes which have led to employment creation. SEZs also help to structurally transform economies away from informality, promoting industrialization and supporting the growth of Intra-African trade and investments.



The ceremony also featured the signing and entry into force of a collaboration agreement between Malawi and ARISE IIP for the design, development, and operation of two world-class industrial parks and SEZs in Lilongwe and Blantyre to assist in closing gaps in industrial infrastructure to support the country’s focus on export manufacturing to transform its economy and generate jobs. The two projects are expected to attract investment exceeding US$900 million and generate around 200,000 direct and indirect jobs in the country.



Afreximbank supported the Government of Malawi to develop the projects from early stages up to bankability, including providing financing and technical assistance through its Project Preparation and Export Development departments.



The collaboration agreement addresses infrastructure gaps as the Government of Malawi seeks to accelerate structural transformation away from primary commodity exports to value addition.



In addition, Afreximbank and the Government of Malawi signed the renewal of an existing MOU geared towards the swift implementation of industrial projects, mega farms and an Export Trading Company. These initiatives are expected to generate investments exceeding US$1.5 billion in the short to medium term, with Afreximbank expected to provide advisory services to support effective implementation of the integrated development strategy, facilitating twinning and matching services to attract African direct investment, introducing and supporting African EPC companies.
</blockquote>

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ARIISE, AFREXIMBANK SIGN TERM SHEET FOR US$400 MILLION FACILITY FOR INDUSTRIAL PARKS

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The inaugural awards ceremony comes as African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) celebrates its 30th anniversary this year



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Aliko Dangote GCON, Chairman &amp; CEO of Dangote Group wins the Afreximbank Founder of the Year Award having recently opened his $19bn petrochemicals plant and Africa’s largest refinery</li>



<li>Ethiopian Airlines, which distributed critical medical equipment and vaccines across the continent, wins the Pan-African Business of the Year Award. MTN and Elsewedy Electrical were also recognised for their pan-African achievements</li>



<li>Industry greats Zimbabwean Strive Masiyiwa and the Togolese Koffi Gervais Djondo receive Special Recognition awards for their outstanding contribution to the transformation of African business and industry</li>



<li>National Bank of Egypt, First Bank of Nigeria and Coris Bank all recognised for their contribution towards trade finance</li>
</ul>



19th of June 2023, Accra, Ghana – At a Gala Dinner attended by leading dignitaries, the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), which this year celebrates its 30th anniversary, hosted the inaugural Pan-African Business and Development Awards in association with the Business Council for Africa, in Accra, Ghana.



The Pan-African Business and Development Awards were designed to celebrate and recognise the excellence of outstanding organisations and individuals within the African business and finance sectors.



The evening recognised some leaders in African business, and Aliko Dangote (GCON) won the Afreximbank Founder of the Year in recognition of his extraordinary achievements building one of Africa’s leading industrial groups with a truly pan-African footprint. This comes on the back of the recent official opening of his $19bn petrochemicals plant and Africa’s largest refinery, which received substantial support from Afreximbank.



Two other greats of industry, the Zimbabwean Strive Masiyiwa and the Togolese Koffi Gervais Djondo were also recognised for their outstanding contributions to African business and industry. Masiyiwa is the founder of Liquid Intelligent Technologies, which has the largest network of fibre optic cables on the continent, Cassava Technologies, and Econet, the largest telecoms and mobile payment operator in Zimbabwe. Djondo helped found Ecobank, the leading African group in terms of footprint, as well as regional airline Asky.



The Pan-African Business of the year went to Ethiopian Airlines which has had phenomenal success and showcases the best of Africa: a profitable and well run airline that rose up to the challenge of Covid, working alongside Afreximbank and the Africa CDC to distribute critical medical equipment and vaccines across the continent.



Telecoms operator MTN and Egyptian business ElSewedy were also given Special Recognitions in this category. MTN was recognised for transforming the Africa telecoms sector and ElSewedy for its role in the Africa infrastructure sector. ElSewedy and Afreximbank have built a strong relationship that has seen its group become a true continental champion and part of a consortium of African banks and private sector companies that are building the multi-billion dollar Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project in Tanzania.



Three banks were recognised in the Financial Institutions of the Year category. National Bank of Egypt, First Bank of Nigeria and Coris Bank, an important regional player in West Africa that started off in Burkina Faso, were chosen based on their volume of trade finance facilities they have utilised.



Eight recognition awards were also handed to some staff members of Afreximbank to acknowledge their long service at the Bank, including Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board, who has been at the Bank for over 29 years.



Commenting on the Awards ceremony, he said: “Tonight we are recognising so many outstanding leaders. Having joined the Bank in 1994, I have been fortunate to have worked with so many of them, and to have seen them grow. We have supported them during this journey and they have helped make the Bank what it is today. These are the mutually beneficial partnerships that will help transform the continent we so love. At Afreximbank, contributing to Africa’s development is a lifetime vocation, as I know it is for all those that we have recognised tonight.”



In recognising these leaders and institutions, Arnold Ekpe, chair of the BCA and former Group CEO of Ecobank, said: “Too often our business leaders do not get the praise they deserve. Succeeding in business on the continent is not always easy, but it is rewarding and more importantly it is possible to build strong, profitable businesses that are globally competitive. Our winners tonight have demonstrated this.”



The Awards were launched by Afreximbank in association the BCA, and this year’s Awards were organised in collaboration with IC Publications and Brand Communications. They were launched to recognise those organisations and leaders that epitomise the Pan-African spirit by leading the way in building substantive and transformational cross border businesses.



&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; WINNERS



Pan-African Business of the Year



Winner: Ethiopian Airlines



Special Recognition:



ElSewedy Electricals



MTN Group



Afreximbank Founder of the Year



Winner: Aliko Dangote [GCON], Chairman &amp; CEO, Dangote Group



Special Recognition:



Koffi Gervais Djondo, Founder, Ecobank, Founder, Asky Airlines



Strive Masiyiwa, Founder Liquid Intelligent Technologies, Founder, Econet Global and Econet Media, Founder, Cassava Technologies



Financial Institutions of the Year



National Bank of Egypt



First Bank of Nigeria



Coris Bank

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Titans of business recognised at the Afreximbank Pan-African Business and Development Awards

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/MicrosoftTeams-image-27-820x429.png" alt="" class="wp-image-425609" width="615" height="322" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/MicrosoftTeams-image-27-820x429.png 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/MicrosoftTeams-image-27-300x157.png 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/MicrosoftTeams-image-27-160x84.png 160w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/MicrosoftTeams-image-27-768x402.png 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/MicrosoftTeams-image-27-1536x804.png 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/MicrosoftTeams-image-27.png 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 615px) 100vw, 615px" /></figure>



MultiChoice Africa Holdings (“MultiChoice Africa”) has demonstrated remarkable resilience and achieved profitability, solidifying its position as a leader in African entertainment.



With the release of MultiChoice Group&#8217;s (MCG) FY2023 financial results, MultiChoice Africa proudly announces its return to profitability, marking a significant milestone in the company&#8217;s journey.



Despite challenging market conditions, MultiChoice Africa&#8217;s unwavering dedication to telling African stories and its ongoing investment in local content has been a driving force behind its success in a highly competitive sector. It has demonstrated its commitment to growing, amplifying and multiplying Africa through the power of entertainment, the power of its stakeholders and the power of its people, evident through this promising set of results.



&#8220;Our industry has faced numerous challenges in recent times,&#8221; says Fhulufhelo Badugela, Chief Executive Officer of MultiChoice Africa. &#8220;However, we have risen above these challenges, leveraging our strengths to overcome them, and that is something we take great pride in.&#8221;



Over the past financial year, MultiChoice&#8217;s Rest of Africa business not only returned to profitability but also expanded its consumer services ecosystem. With the FIFA World Cup and popular local content such as Big Brother Naija, the Rest of Africa business witnessed substantial growth, adding 1.4 million 90-day active subscribers and reaching over 14 million households across the continent.



Driven by its commitment to local storytelling, the broader MultiChoice Group invested in local content, empowering African talent and fostering a thriving creative industry. In its financial year 2023, local content accounted for 50% of the Group’s total general entertainment spend, surpassing this target one year earlier than expected. The group&#8217;s local content library now boasts over 76,000 hours, with local content production delivering a 9% year-on-year increase to 6,587 hours.



Despite liquidity challenges in Nigeria, MultiChoice Africa successfully repatriated cash throughout the year. The company also launched five additional local channels across the continent, including Uganda, Ethiopia, and Ghana, while popular shows continued to achieve record viewership across various platforms.



As Africa&#8217;s unrivalled champion in sports entertainment, MultiChoice Africa delivered the best action from across the globe to its fans through SuperSport. The company&#8217;s highlights included the live broadcast of all 64 FIFA World Cup matches, accompanied by local language commentary in 11 languages across eight markets.



Furthermore, the MultiChoice Group has partnered with Comcast&#8217;s NBC Universal and Sky to drive Showmax&#8217;s market leadership in streaming on the continent. This partnership will ensure customers have access to a more diverse range of local and international content, supported by Peacock&#8217;s world-class, scalable platform.



In May MultiChoice announced a joint venture called Moment, which will be offering expanded payment infrastructure across Africa. Moment aims to transform the African payments landscape by making digital payments more accessible and reliable for domestic, cross-border and global payments.



&#8220;With the investments made over the past year, we are on track to transform from a traditional pay-TV platform to a broader ecosystem underpinned by technology.&#8221;



By continuing to invest in African stories, MultiChoice Africa is committed to cementing its position as a platform for local storytellers, celebrating and sharing the rich heritage and cultural tapestry of the continent with the world.



&#8220;As we navigate this ever-evolving industry, we stand strong, ready to deliver compelling African content that captures the hearts and minds of audiences across the continent,&#8221; concludes Badugela. &#8220;We are excited about our prospects and remain dedicated to making significant strides toward a profitable future as Africa&#8217;s most loved storyteller.&#8221;

MicrosoftTeams-image-27

MultiChoice Africa Returns to Profitability, Affirms Commitment to African Entertainment

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="531" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/AAM-2023-day-one-820x531.png" alt="" class="wp-image-425549" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/AAM-2023-day-one-820x531.png 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/AAM-2023-day-one-300x194.png 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/AAM-2023-day-one-139x90.png 139w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/AAM-2023-day-one-768x497.png 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/AAM-2023-day-one.png 1510w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /></figure>



Accra, 18 June 2023: – The 30th Annual General Meetings of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) opened in Accra today with speakers highlighting the need for Africa to boost intra-African trade and integration in the face of the challenges resulting from the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic and the adverse economic challenges due to the Ukraine crisis and other global conflicts.



The Afreximbank Annual Meetings (AAM2023), which end on 21 June, is also being held to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Afreximbank.



Mohamed Ahmed Maait, Minister of Finance of Egypt and Chairman of the Afreximbank Annual Meetings, who was represented by Gamal Negm, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Egypt, told participants that Africans must work collaboratively towards finding integrated solutions to the new challenges confronting the continent.



Mr. Maait lauded Afreximbank for playing a significant role in developing and implementing solutions to address the challenges confronting Africa and expressed the hope that AAM2023 would lead to even more constructive solutions to Africa’s problems, describing the Bank as one of the African institutions delivering on the African Union’s (AU) Vision 2063.



Earlier, Dr. Honorable Ernest Yedu Addison, Governor of the Bank of Ghana, delivering his welcome remarks, said that Ghana represented the most appropriate venue for the celebration of Afreximbank’s 30th anniversary, given the Bank’s role in developing and promoting African trade and the fact that Ghana was the home of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat.



Dr. Addison said that Afreximbank had been very supportive of Ghana and had, over the years, provided more than two billion dollars to support the Ghanaian economy.



He commended Afreximbank for the approach it adopted in its work which emphasised a collaborative approach in dealing with other continental institutions.



In his contribution, Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, said that with the inclusion of a vision for an integrated African market in the founding treaty of the OAU, the founding fathers of the AU had foreseen the need for Afreximbank.



That vision had been grounded in the objective of the integration of African trade finance, he noted.



Describing Afreximbank and the AfCFTA as twins born 30 years apart, Mr. Mene noted that if trade barriers were eliminated but there was no trade finance, all the efforts would come to nothing. At the same time, if trade finance was available but trade barriers persisted and prevented trade, then all the efforts would still have been wasted.



Mr. Mene commended the support and collaboration which Afreximbank had provided for the&nbsp; implementation of the AfCFTA, including the introduction of the AfCFTA Adjustment Fund and the establishment of the Pan-African Payment and settlement System (PAPPS). That support was critical as Africa sought to rely on itself to create a better future, he added,



Delivering a keynote to kick off the first panel session of the day, Mahamadou Issoufou, former President of Niger, said that with Africa accounting for a significant proportion of the world’s arable land, it was time for the continent to be able to feed itself, noting that a focus on agriculture and agro-industrtialisation would also lead to creation of employment.



Mr. Issoufou commended Afreximbank for its support for the AfCFTA project, which had included supplying indispensable personnel, in addition to making investments, such as the AfCFTA Adjustment Fund to help countries adapt to the AfCFTA and improve their ability to compete in the new trade regime for which the Bank had already provided $1 billion.



Afreximbank had also launched PAPSS in order to allow for intra-African trade payments to be done in local currencies, he noted. It had also introduced the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF), a platform for exchange which Africa needed in order to meet the needs of the AfCFTA.



The morning also featured panel sessions on: Turbo-charging implementation of the AfCFTA; Building prosperity for Africans: the challenges of peace and security; and What would it take for Africa to feed itself – overcoming the challenges of food security for sustainable development in Africa; as well as a conversation with Aliko Dangote, Group President/Chief Executive of Dangote Group.

AAM-2023-day-one

Afreximbank’s Annual Meetings 2023 opens in Accra with calls for more intra-African trade

African Agriculture, Inc. (AAGR) is a US-based for-profit entity addressing the expanding regional and global challenges of food security and the resilience of food and food supply chain systems.



AAGR is primarily a producer of necessary staples for cattle feed, primarily alfalfa, looking to expand existing production for local, regional, and export consumption from its current operations in West Africa. A critical component of livestock feed, and therefore food security, alfalfa hay currently commands record high prices.



Impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Russian-Ukraine war and the severe drought since 2021 in the Western US, one of the largest alfalfa production areas in the world, the global market is poised to grow significantly. The company seeks to expand plant-based protein source production, through collaboration with local farming collectives, providing nutrition for local and regional consumption, and simultaneously driving export-based revenue and corporate profitability.



The company is confident it addresses numerous United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in its approach (albeit accidentally), as it diversifies its production offering, and exposure to climates and regions across the African continent.



“We recognized that we had a very unique geographical location to produce alfalfa,” says Chairman and CEO, Alan Kessler. “Not only is the Sahara sun a perfect operational partner–the old adage to make hay while the sun shines–but the abundance of cattle in the Sahel, quoted as over 200 million heads of cattle provides a massive market opportunity both locally and regionally for our product.”



“Local dairy and beef production is evolving as a consequence of the scaled production of our product, developing local food access, and minimizing the economic waste of imports and foreign exchange utilization. As the company looked beyond alfalfa, the key was to look for reasons for yield discrepancies in agricultural production in say, Western Europe, and that of the African continent,” he adds.



“Consistent power, farming management, machinery and capital access, logistics, agronomy, soil understanding need to be addressed. I am very proud of the experienced management team and board of directors all of whom have substantial operational experience on the African continent. We are all aligned and driven to achieve our vision.”



After considerable investment in infrastructure and feasibility studies, AAGR began its commercial alfalfa operations early in 2022 and is already seeing considerable success in transforming desert-like arid conditions to ideal growing conditions for alfalfa. AAGR is already achieving worldclass yields and quality, and is working to expand its capital base to increase its production capability.



In 2021, AAGR signed an agreement with Louisiana State University’s Agcenter to bolster education and training in Senegal. Additionally, AAGR recently signed a letter of intent with the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University (MSU), to further develop the fields of soil science, agronomy, cattle nutrition, emissions, and animal genetics in Mauritania, an area of development for AAGR.



“The opportunity to work with US tertiary institutions with vast agricultural knowledge is a great pathway for skills transfer and development,” says Kessler. The company aspires to be positioned at the nexus of precision agriculture, yield optimization, and climate-smart approaches, on a continent that possesses the optimal growth conditions to address global food security challenges.



“African assets have historically been ascribed an Africa discount by global investors, given lack of liquidity in local capital markets, lack of strategic exit options, and historically challenged governance structures. Given Africa’s superior sun exposure, water purity, scalable land, extended and consistent



growing seasons that mitigate supply chain disruptions, a young and motivated local population, with a legacy in agriculture, and growing improving logistical capabilities, African agricultural opportunities should command an investment premium,” Kessler concludes.



In terms of impact, AAGR is dedicated to its local communities by partnership, creating employment and providing sustainable development. Like its icon the Baobab tree, the group believes in the ecosystem and the community which it fosters. In Senegal, this is apparent in their local land program which allocate 2000 hectares to the population of the villages of the Ndiael Reserve (Inter-Villagers Association living inside) each year. These lands are divided equally between the company’s two main local Communes of Ronkh and Ngnith. In addition, AAGR grants village organizations the distribution of alfalfa for their livestock feed. Moreover, they have implemented a maternal health program, “Shuttle for Sonograms” Before this shuttle, pregnant woman had to walk 52 kilometers on degraded roads to get Sonograms. The group now takes them in company shuttle buses to get necessary care. AAGR is currently working to repair schools, donate computers, reopen health facilities, and construct the Great Mosque of the Commune of Ngnith which covers 74 villages. They have started a dental program, working with a high school student group from the United States to boost dental awareness and provided the basics of dental health for 15,000 people. Officially they work for sports and community cohesion, via the local sports teams. AAGR defines their success in the growth of local communities. The private sector investment is anticipated to contribute to employment and economic development directly, and will include a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program that will enhance the agricultural and agronomy tertiary education at ENFVA (Ecole Nationale de Formation et de Vulgarisation Agricole), an established agricultural education center in the city of Kaédi, and a women&#8217;s reinsertion program in Mauritania. <a href="http://www.africanagriculture.com">www.africanagriculture.com</a>

AA-1

Making Hay Under The African Sun

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="546" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Brian-Mpono-Oceans-UMhlanga-Mixed-Use-Development-CEO-820x546.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-424889" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Brian-Mpono-Oceans-UMhlanga-Mixed-Use-Development-CEO-820x546.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Brian-Mpono-Oceans-UMhlanga-Mixed-Use-Development-CEO-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Brian-Mpono-Oceans-UMhlanga-Mixed-Use-Development-CEO-135x90.jpg 135w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Brian-Mpono-Oceans-UMhlanga-Mixed-Use-Development-CEO-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Brian-Mpono-Oceans-UMhlanga-Mixed-Use-Development-CEO.jpg 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /></figure>



From humble beginnings, Brian didn’t settle into the welder role that was thrust upon him at the age of 16. Instead, he used this hunger to transform his destiny. After graduating from the University of KwaZulu-Natal with a Bachelor of Human Sciences in Media Communications and Management, he worked his career as a marketing, PR, and communications professional followed, but the entrepreneurial bug bit and in 2009, Brian started his own Biodiesel (500,000liter per month processing &amp; refinery plant) business in 2009. Staking his claim as the first young black South African in the renewable energies market, a title that also saw him develop and lead a series of infrastructure projects in the sector.&nbsp;



His foray into energy landed him an introduction to Vivian Reddy. Brian worked his way up to being Head of Corporate Affairs, Chief of Staff to Executive Director of Edison Power. His high ambitious character from the day he walked through the doors of Vivian Reddy’s offices, he equally grew to be an integral part of Vivian Reddy’s flagship development that is the R4,3bn International Award-Winning Oceans Umhlanga Mixed-Use Development. Starting off by spearheading the IPO (under a billion rand Capital Raising) for the hotel portion (officially called Radisson Blu Hotel Durban Umhlanga). It is the biggest private mixed-use development in South Africa. Being the voice and face of the game changing investment, Brian serves as the Group Corporate Affairs Executive [CEO] for entire Oceans Umhlanga Development, in KZN he’s become known affectionately as “Mr. Oceans” and in very serious senior&nbsp; Corporate &amp; Professional circles he’s referred to as Vivian Reddy’s Right-Hand Man who travels the world advocating for not just the business hes involved in but the business of tourism, foreign &amp; local investment into the city of durban; whos overall focus has been to grow and build the 45year old Edison Corporation empire founded by business titan Vivian Reddy.



Brian Mpono is also the Group Marketing Executive for the Technodyn Group, a group of companies working in the dynamic Information Technology industry. In his role, he brings together the overall marketing strategy and market voice of the different businesses and creates cohesion between its brands to facilitate its business strategy. Technodyn IFS being the biggest in the group of companies.&nbsp; A disruptor with a keen sense for business and a DNA entrenched in innovation, Brian is a serial entrepreneur and consummate marketing professional, melding his expertise to multiple industries with great success. At the Technodyn Group of Companies, he uses his extensive understanding of business, passion for mentorship, and dedication to socio-economic development, to drive the organisation into new markets while helping clients realise the value of leveraging data and technology to unearth the secrets to success their businesses hold. He travels Africa for TDG, the biggest tech infrastructure company in Africa, which bought the rights for Africa of two multi billion dollar European and US tech companies to unearth the vast potential on the African continent. It’s products service the entire US Navy, the majority of the aviation world runs on the tech that TDG deploys in Africa.&nbsp;



An energetic, pioneering, and passionate speaker, Brian has continued his personal growth and attended the Gordon Institute of Business Science. His trophy cabinet boasts accolades such as inclusion in the 60 Most Enterprising South African, Sowetan Top 100 Bosses, finalist in the Under 35 Maverick Award for High-End Innovation, and a Disruptor in The Young Independents: Mzanzi100.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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