Spaza shops are the heart and soul of many communities, and they have the potential to be so much more, thanks to technology. Mobile technology solutions can help these traders not only move more toward a more advanced trading marketplace, but also help them to become increasingly self-sustainable, spreading this into the communities at large. Sustainability, humanitarian growth and giving back to communities are becoming increasingly important topics of conversation. We need to look at ways of leveraging the technology we already have to help these community hearts and centres to become the pivot point for economic growth and development in South Africa.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-platform-for-growth">A platform for growth</h2>



One of the focuses for current technology solutions is on delivering improved ordering and stock management systems to help spazas have better and more product availability. While this is important in helping them to serve their communities with goods, there is far more power in the technology.



These platforms have the potential to expand from a business to business, to a business to community offering, that offers untold opportunities. They can be used as hubs of education, job creation and self-empowerment. The technology is there, but what we need is a change in mindset, from simply enabling the marketplace to showing the communities the direct positive impact that technology can have on their lives. We need to start engaging on the level of the ‘community place’ instead of just the marketplace.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">It&#8217;s not about ticking boxes</h2>



Enterprise and supplier development is an essential component of doing business in South Africa, as is Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE). The problem is that they have become tick-box exercises, simply a compliance process that holds up business if it is not complete. We need to take a step back and embrace the spirit of these initiatives, change the narrative around them so that we can bring the community back into focus and have an actual positive impact on communities that are lesser served.



There are unique ways that this funding can help empower and nurture merchants, giving them a platform where they can go and study mobile-friendly courseware on entrepreneurship, finance, merchandising, sales, and other tools to help them run a better business. This can be delivered through existing technology platforms, enabling spaza owners to better support their communities, with a positive spin-off effect to the community itself at large.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Altruism to the fore in 2022</h2>



Sustainable growth and development need a mind shift. We need to become more altruistic in the way we approach the channel – it is not about pushing product, but about creating community support, which will, in turn, drive sales if it is done in the right way. We need to work toward creating channels to allow funding from mandatory initiatives to start targeting our vulnerable communities. This is the only way to start making a real, meaningful and sustainable difference.



If we can channel the funds to the right communities for the right reason, we can make a significant difference. We need to bring the real spirit of Ubuntu back to Africa – it is not just a catchy buzzword like B-BBEE has become, but a movement that means so much more. Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu means that people are people because of other people, and the same spirit applies to the channel. From manufacturer, through to distribution, to retailers like spaza owners, the channel only exists because of the other parts. Spazas are at the heart of South Africa’s economy and they have massive power to create sustainable economic growth and development.

Andrew Dawson

Empowering spazas to be the pivot point for economic growth and development

The world is constantly changing, and business models need to adapt to these shifts. As we move further into the fourth industrial revolution (4IR), the old ways of working are becoming increasingly obsolete. The traditional concept of an eight-hour job where you clock in and clock out is no longer necessarily relevant, and the Covid-19 pandemic has both highlighted and accelerated this. With unemployment in South Africa on the rise, and businesses struggling to make ends meet with large permanent workforces, the time has come for a change. Temporary Employment Services (TES) are the ideal solution as the ‘gig economy’ becomes an increasingly attractive prospect in the country.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-trouble-with-permanence">The trouble with permanence</h2>



One of the major challenges businesses have faced over the last two years is maintaining large complements of permanent staff, in the wake of pandemic lockdowns that left many unable to operate for months at a time. Supply and demand, and business operations themselves, have fluctuated dramatically, and the inflexible nature of permanent staffing has made adapting to these fluctuations a difficult prospect. Businesses were forced to retrench or lay off staff, which then left everyone in a precarious position. It also made ramping up operations difficult when ‘business as usual’ was allowed to resume.



From an employee perspective, permanent jobs have also become less appealing, once again highlighted by Covid. They are inflexible, requiring employees to clock in and out at specific times and be present at work for the duration. With the pandemic and lockdowns and the ongoing instability, this lack of flexibility is a hindrance when things like healthcare and childcare need to be considered. For many people, the ability to have more flexible work with more flexible hours would be hugely beneficial, and would also enable them to potentially work at more than one job, which has become crucial in these times.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The growth of the gig economy</h2>



The ‘gig economy’ is described as ‘<a href="https://www.investec.com/en_za/focus/economy/rocking-the-gig-economy.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a labour market made up of short-term jobs, contracted or freelance work, as opposed to permanent, in-house jobs’</a>. It is by no means a new phenomenon, but the way the world is moving is bringing this concept to the fore, and the pandemic definitely highlighted its benefits.



For businesses, not having large permanent workforces removes a significant amount of overhead, which could save them during these turbulent times. It also allows businesses to scale their workforce up and down, based on demand, so that they are able to meet fluctuations head on. For employees, gigs have become increasingly popular as they can ensure a steady stream of income, even when permanent positions are not available.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How can a TES provider help?</h2>



One of the biggest challenges businesses face when it comes to the gig economy is accessing a pool of skills to support short-term employment solutions. Employees themselves may also have challenges finding flexible positions. TES providers are perfectly positioned to assist on both sides, as their entire service model is geared toward this.



For businesses, TES providers have large databases of employees looking for temporary employment, who have already been vetted and have a broad skills base. This means that businesses are able to access these skills on demand, creating an agile workforce that is ideal in these turbulent times. For employees, getting into a TES database gives them access to a wide range of opportunities, helping them to find work that suits their needs and helps them ensure an income.



The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for greater flexibility when it comes to employment, and the gig economy is growing, powered by technology and 4IR. TES providers are the perfect partner to support businesses and job seekers as we transition away from a world dominated by permanent full-time employment.

Jeandie 2

South African businesses can leverage the growing gig economy for sustainability

<div class="wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-center" style="grid-template-columns:30% auto"><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="531" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Sanda-Ojiambo-Headshot-AT-1-MB-1-820x531.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-415461 size-full" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Sanda-Ojiambo-Headshot-AT-1-MB-1-820x531.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Sanda-Ojiambo-Headshot-AT-1-MB-1-300x194.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Sanda-Ojiambo-Headshot-AT-1-MB-1-139x90.jpg 139w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Sanda-Ojiambo-Headshot-AT-1-MB-1-768x497.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Sanda-Ojiambo-Headshot-AT-1-MB-1-1536x994.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Sanda-Ojiambo-Headshot-AT-1-MB-1-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /></figure><div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
Responsible business practices can help companies big and small attract young talent and also new sources of finance to grow and thrive, writes Sanda Ojiambo
</div></div>



My experience of working in business in Kenya and now with the UN Global Compact, the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, is that sustainability works.&nbsp; It helps train the focus on key material issues for longer&nbsp;term success by providing an extended vision of the trajectory of a business. Sustainability is helping to fire up the best new business ideas on the continent. It is fostering innovation and is addressing some of our most pressing needs, such as the fight against climate change.



As the world bounces back from the ravages of the pandemic, Africa is uniquely positioned for far stronger growth. With 1.3 billion people and a combined gross domestic product of $3.5 trillion, Africa is the world’s biggest growth market.



Young people hold the key to unlocking Africa’s economic potential. With the youngest population in the world – almost 60 percent are aged under 25<a href="https://outlook.office.com/mail/inbox/id/AAQkAGFiYzVhNmEzLTE3ZTMtNDA1Mi05ZWRmLTYwY2JmMGU1NjMwNgAQAE9dE4qU6bxNoWj9eVMPEVA%3D#x_m_5939689320779943812__ftn1">[1]</a>&nbsp;– Africa is well placed to grow. And the best way to take advantage of the demographic dividend of a youthful population is to build a healthy, robust and resilient economy. This should start with ensuring access to vaccines and continue with a new focus on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which open new opportunities for business.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-realizing-the-vision-of-a-prosperous-africa">Realizing the vision of a prosperous Africa</h2>



Driving greater sustainability is Africa’s most significant growth opportunity. Meeting the SDG goals by 2030 means, among other things, connecting 570 million Africans who lack access to electricity at present<a href="https://outlook.office.com/mail/inbox/id/AAQkAGFiYzVhNmEzLTE3ZTMtNDA1Mi05ZWRmLTYwY2JmMGU1NjMwNgAQAE9dE4qU6bxNoWj9eVMPEVA%3D#x_m_5939689320779943812__ftn2">[2]</a>. &nbsp;It means making sure that more farm produce reaches markets in good condition.&nbsp; According to the Business and Sustainable Development Commission<a href="https://outlook.office.com/mail/inbox/id/AAQkAGFiYzVhNmEzLTE3ZTMtNDA1Mi05ZWRmLTYwY2JmMGU1NjMwNgAQAE9dE4qU6bxNoWj9eVMPEVA%3D#x_m_5939689320779943812__ftn3">[3]</a>, reducing food losses in the value chain would add $57 billion to farmers’ incomes. Efforts in this direction are already under way. Rwanda has reduced post-harvest losses by 60 percent with the introduction of small silos and crates for transport. In Nigeria, ColdHubs<a href="https://outlook.office.com/mail/inbox/id/AAQkAGFiYzVhNmEzLTE3ZTMtNDA1Mi05ZWRmLTYwY2JmMGU1NjMwNgAQAE9dE4qU6bxNoWj9eVMPEVA%3D#x_m_5939689320779943812__ftn4">[4]</a>&nbsp;provides solar-powered cold storage facilities that can extend the shelf-life of perishable foods from two to 21 days.



When you consider the opportunities for delivering sustainable cities, and for managing Africa’s vast natural resources sustainably, the Commission estimates that achieving the SDGs would unlock an economic prize of at least $1.1 trillion and create 85 million new jobs on the continent by 2030. One sector alone – affordable housing – could create more than 13 million jobs.



Adopting sustainable and responsible business models in line with the SDGs not only drives competitive advantage but also contributes to the creation of equitable and resilient societies, social good and climate resilience.



Employers who embrace sustainable principles and values are not only safeguarding the future of our continent, but they are also more likely to attract and retain a new generation of talented and socially conscious Africans who want to make a positive impact through their work.



If we can provide the right opportunities for our young people, we will be able to tap into their energy and ideas and create more employment and wealth across the continent. You don’t have to look far to find great examples of young entrepreneurs already showing the way.



My Green Home<a href="https://outlook.office.com/mail/inbox/id/AAQkAGFiYzVhNmEzLTE3ZTMtNDA1Mi05ZWRmLTYwY2JmMGU1NjMwNgAQAE9dE4qU6bxNoWj9eVMPEVA%3D#x_m_5939689320779943812__ftn5">[5]</a>, for example, an award-winning Rwandese company that makes building materials out of melted waste plastic and sand, evolved from a school project encouraging recycling. Greencare<a href="https://outlook.office.com/mail/inbox/id/AAQkAGFiYzVhNmEzLTE3ZTMtNDA1Mi05ZWRmLTYwY2JmMGU1NjMwNgAQAE9dE4qU6bxNoWj9eVMPEVA%3D#x_m_5939689320779943812__ftn6">[6]</a>, meanwhile, makes compost from biodegradable waste and was founded by a Rwandese university student. In Nigeria, Chanja Datti collects, sorts and packs recyclable material to be made into new packaging<a href="https://outlook.office.com/mail/inbox/id/AAQkAGFiYzVhNmEzLTE3ZTMtNDA1Mi05ZWRmLTYwY2JmMGU1NjMwNgAQAE9dE4qU6bxNoWj9eVMPEVA%3D#x_m_5939689320779943812__ftn7">[7]</a>. An SDG focus has allowed the Abuja-based recycling business to generate new income for youth and women micro-entrepreneurs, ensure healthy lives and a clean environment and make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.



Large companies are also creating value by adopting sound sustainability practices. South African mining company AngloGold Ashanti SA<a href="https://outlook.office.com/mail/inbox/id/AAQkAGFiYzVhNmEzLTE3ZTMtNDA1Mi05ZWRmLTYwY2JmMGU1NjMwNgAQAE9dE4qU6bxNoWj9eVMPEVA%3D#x_m_5939689320779943812__ftn8">[8]</a>&nbsp;and Kenyan telecommunications provider Safaricom<a href="https://outlook.office.com/mail/inbox/id/AAQkAGFiYzVhNmEzLTE3ZTMtNDA1Mi05ZWRmLTYwY2JmMGU1NjMwNgAQAE9dE4qU6bxNoWj9eVMPEVA%3D#x_m_5939689320779943812__ftn9">[9]</a>, for example, both now have responsible procurement policies. These set out&nbsp;standards suppliers must meet as a condition of doing business when it comes to respecting human and labor rights, protecting the environment, and helping the communities in which they operate. In Tunisia, Cogitel, a company that provides flexible packaging solutions for the food and beverage industry, has demonstrated improved financial returns and increased efficiency with efforts such as reduced energy consumption and lower waste generation<a href="https://outlook.office.com/mail/inbox/id/AAQkAGFiYzVhNmEzLTE3ZTMtNDA1Mi05ZWRmLTYwY2JmMGU1NjMwNgAQAE9dE4qU6bxNoWj9eVMPEVA%3D#x_m_5939689320779943812__ftn10">[10]</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Support for sustainability</h2>



For small and medium-sized companies, who struggle with day-to-day concerns, building more sustainable practices may seem daunting. But embracing these ideals can reduce their risk and boost their bottom line. As illustrated by My Green Home and Greencare, they can even be the basis of the business itself.



The UN Global Compact is here to work side by side with businesses big and small. Our newly launched Global Compact Africa Strategy aims to engage and build a cohort of businesses in Africa that are strong pillars of sustainability and responsible business practices.&nbsp;We have a strong and growing presence on the African continent with an initial&nbsp;ten Local Networks and a presence in 45 countries.&nbsp; The Local Networks drive a broad range of activities related to global, local and now African strategies to support growth and development.



These Local Networks<a href="https://outlook.office.com/mail/inbox/id/AAQkAGFiYzVhNmEzLTE3ZTMtNDA1Mi05ZWRmLTYwY2JmMGU1NjMwNgAQAE9dE4qU6bxNoWj9eVMPEVA%3D#x_m_5939689320779943812__ftn11">[11]</a>&nbsp;liaise with government and non-government organizations and have already had a significant impact, particularly in shaping national policies and best business practices.



In Kenya, for example, the Local Network coordinated the private sector&#8217;s participation and contribution towards the development of the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, the first ever plan to be developed in Africa. In South Africa, the Local Network aligns its priorities with those of the National Development Plan, supporting companies to integrate and deliver on the SDGs. In Tanzania, the Local Network was instrumental in ensuring the private sector was consulted when the government was putting together its latest five-year development plan, identifying key areas requiring intervention to help promote sustainability. Nigeria’s Local Network has brought business leaders, government officials and the UN together via its CEO Roundtable series to agree sector-specific SDG targets, standards and practical guidelines. And in Tunisia, the Local Network shared its experience and knowledge with members of parliament, helping to broaden the country’s Corporate Social Responsibility Law and National Strategy.



But the UN Global Compact’s work in Africa doesn’t just involve using Local Networks to influence government and policy. It works with companies to develop and integrate sustainability into their corporate strategies, which increasingly is the key to unlocking new sources of capital and being part of the global supply and value chain.



We welcome all companies who want to become champions of sustainable growth and invite them to join a Local Network. In my experience, companies with long-term sustainable strategies are rewarded by attracting the best talent and earning the greatest market share. As we look forward to COP27 in Egypt this year, we should also look forward to accelerating just and equitable climate transitions, including the creation of green business opportunities for the continent’s youth and for all members of society.&nbsp;Let us accelerate our actions towards.

Sanda Ojiambo Headshot AT 1 MB

Embracing sustainable business is key to accelerating Africa’s economic growth

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="473" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/AIM-for-Climate-Ministerial-820x473.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-415452" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/AIM-for-Climate-Ministerial-820x473.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/AIM-for-Climate-Ministerial-300x173.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/AIM-for-Climate-Ministerial-156x90.jpg 156w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/AIM-for-Climate-Ministerial-768x443.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/AIM-for-Climate-Ministerial-1536x887.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/AIM-for-Climate-Ministerial-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /></figure>



Dubai &#8211; UAE, 21 February, 2022 – The Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (<a href="http://www.aimforclimate.org">AIM for Climate</a>), a global initiative led by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United States (U.S.) with the support of over 140 government and non-government partners, announced a new target to raise investment commitments from $4 billion, pledged upon its launch in 2021, to $8 billion by the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. The ambitious investment goal was announced at AIM for Climate’s first Ministerial Meeting, held at Expo 2020 Dubai, where government partners discussed the initiative’s priorities and plans for COP27. At the meeting, AIM for Climate welcomed Chile, Costa Rica, Egypt, the European Commission, Guyana, Mozambique, and Turkey to its coalition, announced AIM for Climate Ideations, a new cooperation opportunity for partners, and 2022 focal areas for innovation sprints to be launched at COP27.&nbsp;



Her Excellency Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said: “Agriculture and food systems offer immense opportunities for global climate action. By catalyzing innovation in climate-smart agriculture, we can reduce harmful emissions and sequester carbon in the sector, sustainably increase productivity to feed a growing global population, and support farmers on the frontlines in building resilience and adapting to the impacts of climate change.&nbsp; While AIM for Climate has had a notable start at COP26, we are raising the bar to mobilize even greater investments and coordinated support to drive global food systems transformation. By working together and drawing on the diverse knowledge and experience of countries and actors across the value chain, we can enable a quantum leap in agricultural innovation and address our shared climate challenges.”



U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack added: “AIM for Climate government partners today demonstrated their strong commitment to work together to close the investment gap in climate-smart agriculture and food systems innovation, needed to address the twin challenges of global hunger and the climate crisis.&nbsp; We are proud of the wide range of AIM for Climate partners working to deliver impactful solutions for all people. AIM for Climate seeks to expand its network even farther with new participants from across the globe. The United States looks forward to welcoming all AIM for Climate partners to Washington, D.C., in the spring of 2023 for the AIM for Climate Summit to review our progress and chart out the important work ahead.”



At the ministerial meeting, AIM for Climate co-leads, the UAE and the U.S., launched <a href="https://aimforclimate.org/aim-for-climate-ideations/">AIM for Climate Ideations</a> to offer partners opportunities to host events and activities throughout the year in support of advancing the initiative’s objectives. These ideations will revolve around insight sharing, innovation collaboration, institutional capacity building, coordination or demonstration and deployment.&nbsp;



AIM for Climate government partners provide the crucial foundation of the initiative through a wave of new public investment in climate-smart agriculture and food systems innovation. But other sectors, including business, philanthropy and other non-government partners, are invited to build upon that foundation with innovation sprints – investments in specific, impactful, expedited efforts – or by providing critical knowledge for identifying investment gaps, challenges and opportunities for collaboration.



Representing $200 million of increased investments from non-government partners, AIM for Climate features nine <a href="https://www.aimforclimate.org/innovation-sprints/">innovation sprints</a>, with the newest addition of the IBM Sustainability Accelerator. AIM for Climate encourages anyone interested in learning more to get in touch with the innovation sprint points of contact noted on the website.



AIM for Climate is currently accepting innovation sprint proposals for 2022 and has identified four focal areas for innovation sprints to be launched at COP27: smallholder farmers in low- and middle-income countries, methane reduction, emerging technologies and agroecological research. Learn more about the 2022 AIM for Climate Innovation Sprint Focal Areas <a href="https://www.aimforclimate.org/innovation-sprints/">here</a>.



Launched at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), AIM for Climate galvanizes support and investments for climate-smart agriculture and food systems innovation to enable solutions at the intersection of global hunger and the climate crisis.

AIM for Climate Ministerial

AIM for Climate Seeks to Double Investment in Climate-Smart Agriculture and Food Systems Innovation by COP27

Historically in traditional West African countries, sexual violence, especially rape, was considered abominable and was highly sanctioned. However, due to colonialism, increasing urbanisation, and people moving away from traditional homesteads, traditional customs have waned including those protecting women from sexual violence. Today, sexual violence against women is increasing at an alarming rate. A United Nations study shows that in Sub-Saharan Africa, one in every three women in marriages or other partnerships with men suffer abuse. The report estimates that an average of one in four women in the world aged 15 to 49 (27%) have experienced physical or sexual violence from “intimate partners”. In Sub-Saharan Africa the figure climbs up to 33%. 



Many countries in West Africa have laws criminalising sexual violence against women but implementing those laws have been a challenge, and this needs to change now. Effective legislation and protection for women requires an ecosystem approach where women’s groups work with traditional institutions, government institutions, healthcare, men’s groups, law enforcement and social services to enable both justice to be rendered in cases of sexual violence and services to be provided for survivors of sexual violence.



In recognition of the urgent action required to address sexual violence in West Africa, during the 16 Days of Activism global campaign this past November, the Ford Foundation’s West Africa office partnered with the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) to seed a nearly US$4 million new fund initiative known as Kasa! Over the next five years, under the management of the African Women’s Development Fund, Kasa! aims to support local organisations in Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal to address sexual violence. Meaning ‘speak out’ in the Ghanaian language Twi, the Kasa fund will strengthen and support women’s rights organisations to raise awareness of sexual violence as a violation of human rights and rally support to combat it through a three-pronged approach of prevention, accountability and support (including post-rape care and comprehensive sexual violence services).



To prevent and reduce sexual violence, concerted efforts are required. There is a lot of work to be done and I am delighted that the Ford Foundation and OSIWA have taken the first bold step to reducing sexual violence in the region, but it is not enough. We are, therefore, asking other development partners, local philanthropies, governments at various levels and communities to also commit to the cause. Kasa! aims to raise a total of $10 million within the next five years and we can’t do this without bold new partners to join us in this fight.



Violence is a human rights violation with far-reaching implications for the individuals and for society as a whole. Many women and girls have been at the forefront of action to highlight and address the issues, but for us it is a necessity that ALL women be equipped with the confidence and knowledge to not only stand up, but end sexual violence.



ChiChi Aniagolu-Okoye (PhD) is the regional director for the Office of West Africa at the Ford Foundation, a global philanthropy organization with a $16 billion endowment. She oversees the foundation&#8217;s grantmaking in the region to promote human rights, democracy and social inclusion in West Africa. Follow her on Twitter @chichiaokoye.

CatherineChinedum[73063]

THE TIME TO END SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN WEST AFRICA IS NOW!

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="545" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/5878839880_ed8cef1c71_o-820x545.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-413337" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/5878839880_ed8cef1c71_o-820x545.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/5878839880_ed8cef1c71_o-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/5878839880_ed8cef1c71_o-135x90.jpg 135w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/5878839880_ed8cef1c71_o-768x511.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/5878839880_ed8cef1c71_o.jpg 842w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption>Olusegun Obasanjo, Former Nigerian President and Board Member of Africa&#8217;s Progress Panel</figcaption></figure>



I am the son of a proud, hard-working smallholder farmer. Some of my fondest childhood memories involve following papa to the fields where we grew cassava, maize, plantain, oil palm and other crops and helping him out around the farm. My father was considered the most successful farmer in our Yoruba village near Abeokuta in southwest Nigeria.



Unfortunately, a combination of population growth, land scarcity, soil degradation and political turmoil put paid to his farming business. I have seen many other farmers whose livelihoods fell victim to these same forces.



Like many youths in Africa, I moved to the city for greener pastures. When I was elected Nigeria’s president, the plight &#8211; and the importance &#8211; of our smallholder farmers was always close to my heart. Now that I have returned to my agricultural roots, the need for a new approach to help them deal with increasingly complex challenges has become even more apparent to me.



Smallholder farmers’ ability to grow nutritious food is threatened by a host of factors that are not of their own making, from economic downturns to armed conflicts. They are also poorly equipped to confront the extreme weather patterns that are already hitting agriculture hard, even though they have contributed the least to the climate crisis. Small-scale farmers, their families and communities are being pushed deeper into poverty, hunger and malnutrition.



Make no mistake &#8211; their struggle is our struggle. These farmers, who work on land no larger than two hectares, play a crucial role in ensuring food and nutrition security. Most of the world’s smallholder farmers are in Africa and Asia and they&nbsp;<a href="https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Examining-the-Climate-Finance-Gap-in-Small-Scale-Agriculture.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">produce</a>&nbsp;up to 80 percent of the food that is consumed locally.



Any disruption in their ability to deliver on the goals of food and nutrition security will directly and increasingly affect us, whereas helping them to become more productive and resilient will help build equitable, sustainable and nutritious food systems, that provide for everyone in Africa and Asia, and the whole world.



Despite their key contribution, these farmers lack access to crucial tools that would support sustainable production. They are also often overlooked in global and national policy discussions, which tend to be dominated by the interests of industrialised farming systems.



Faced with poor public sector support or resources, smallholder farmers have been forced to encroach into reserved land to grow their crops and graze their animals, leading, in some cases, to deforestation and environmental degradation.



With nearly 430 million Africans living in extreme poverty, one in five having gone to bed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fao.org/3/cb4831en/cb4831en.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hungry</a>&nbsp;in 2020, it is time to build a new consensus with and for smallholder farmers to help them adapt to climate change and manage shocks like the COVID-19 pandemic. Let’s invest in their resilience and capacity, and support them to scale up sustainable agricultural practices and enhance their productivity and incomes by 2030 as set out in&nbsp;<a href="https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/metadata/?Text=&amp;Goal=2&amp;Target=2.3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sustainable Development Goal target 2.3</a>.



Here are my five suggestions to world leaders, but particularly those in Africa, on how we can achieve this.



First, we must invest in and develop policies that are favorable to smallholder farmers, build resilience, promote sustainable production, and uphold the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Commitments: allocating 10% of national budgets to agriculture, improving access to finance, markets, extension services and usable technologies, especially for women and youth, modernising land tenure systems, and supporting other policies that allow small- and medium-sized enterprises to grow and thrive.



We should engage all stakeholders, especially smallholder farmers, to develop a long-term vision for food systems aligned with National Development Plans (NDPs) and budgets.&nbsp;<a href="https://elibrary.acbfpact.org/acbf/collect/acbf/index/assoc/HASH0103/2087c3d6/1c9ab831/e05e.dir/DMS%20008.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Good leaders learn from their predecessors</a>, continue building on good policies and use lessons to improve national policies and programs.



We should coordinate public and private actors within and across sectors to better align interventions and resource allocation to reach smallholder farmers.



Fourth, we must implement stronger accountability mechanisms linked to national and sub-national data systems, to enhance the design, monitoring, tracking and progress reporting of public and private sector actions.



Lastly, we must pledge to&nbsp;‘leave no one behind’. Supporting marginalised and vulnerable groups will go a long way towards combating poverty, hunger and climate change. Women make up 45-60% of the agricultural labour force in parts of Africa and Asia. According to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/agriculture/brief/women-farmers-getting-to-equal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Bank</a>, helping them access assets and inputs could increase yields on women-run farms by 20-30 percent. Youths under the age of 25 are nearly 40% of Africa’s working age population but more than 60% are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nepad.org/news/strengthening-rural-decent-jobs-africa" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">unemployed</a>.&nbsp;<a href="https://elibrary.acbfpact.org/acbf/collect/acbf/index/assoc/HASH0103/2087c3d6/1c9ab831/e05e.dir/DMS%20008.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Agriculture is the economic</a>&nbsp;sector that can employ millions of young people and enhance food security. Indigenous peoples have a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-26540-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">long, rich history</a>&nbsp;of sustainable, resilient, productive, and nature-positive food and farming systems. We can and should learn from them and help them protect their practices from the impacts of climate change.



There is an urgent need to make sure that smallholder farmers have a voice in the policy choices that governments will be making in the coming weeks, months and years.



There is no better time to develop a new consensus with them, because our very existence in this world depends on their ability to withstand the multiple pressures and shocks they now face.



H.E. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007 and now the CEO and founder of Obasanjo Farms Nigeria Limited. He is the Chair of the Africa Food Prize among many global positions he is holding.

5878839880_ed8cef1c71_o

The future of Africa’s food security needs a new consensus with smallholders

The word ‘technology’ is synonymous with growth, progress, development, and our future. Technology has been a critical enabler for innovation as well as our rapid intellectual growth. Today, the conversation about technology and its impact on our lives is more important than ever before as we recover from the severe disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It has enhanced many aspects of our lives from health to remote working to engineering and empowering major industries across the globe. As we head into 2022, technology is set to shape our lives even further. Here are the tech trends to keep an eye on.



<ol class="wp-block-list" type="1"><li>EDGE COMPUTING – SPEED OF LIGHT</li></ol>



Simply put, Edge Computing refers to using enterprise applications near the source of data, and it is transforming businesses by reducing latency issues and driving exponential growth in areas such as IoT, AR/VR, robotics, machine learning and telco network functions. In the current age of digital disruption, businesses need to optimise digital platforms and Edge Computing gives them the ability to conduct operations at the speed of light, thus addressing hefty workloads requiring quick processing without any downtime.



<ol class="wp-block-list" start="2"><li>CYBER SECURITY – MAKE IT OR BREAK IT FACTOR</li></ol>



The pandemic revealed the significance of protecting our physical and mental health as well as our digital health. For businesses, it is more crucial than ever before to protect themselves against cyber-attacks. Protecting systems, networks, programs, dataflows, employee information without disrupting the business flow and continuity is one of the most significant needs for organisations worldwide. Even though this aspect of Cyber Security has always played a dominant role in securing companies&#8217; future, it is only now, in the post-pandemic world, that Cyber Security is getting the attention it deserves. Going ahead, Cyber Security will prove to be a &#8216;make it or break it&#8217; factor, thus escalating the need for companies to turn to managed security services by third party providers.



<ol class="wp-block-list" start="3"><li>MULTI-CLOUD STRATEGY – THE MORE THE MERRIER</li></ol>



A strategy where businesses or organisations implement multiple clouds for storing their data instead of relying on just one cloud vendor. A multi-cloud strategy is beneficial for enterprises with geographical presence in various locations across the globe and for those who wish to avoid issues such as vendor lock-in. It is simple: the more, the merrier as each provider delivers different cloud options, thus enabling firms to take advantage of competitive solutions. They can pick the best supplier to fit the solutions or services they need based on requirements. For example, businesses can easily choose who they partner with for solutions depending on preference.&nbsp;



<ol class="wp-block-list" start="4"><li>NETWORK AUTOMATION – AGE OF AI</li></ol>



The process of automating various tasks involved in configuring, managing, testing, deploying, and operating physical and virtual devices within a network absolutely cannot be underestimated, given its drastic impact on altering the landscape of how businesses manage everyday tasks and operations. Not only does the automation of these repeated tasks streamline and optimise operations, but it also cuts costs and empowers team members to enhance their efficiency and productivity by saving time.



<ol class="wp-block-list" start="5"><li>IoT – A CLOSER CONNECT&nbsp;</li></ol>



While IoT (Internet of Things) has played a significant role in data collection thus far, it is predicted that the application of IoT based devices will increase manifold in the coming year. IoT devices will be used in decision-making processes, enhance connectivity, and bring forward another level of personalised experiences. For example, with the help of AI and IoT, retailers will deliver hyper-personalised experiences to their consumers depending on their likes, dislikes, preferences, tracking records and more. According to the report entitled: <a href="https://iot-analytics.com/state-of-the-iot-2020-12-billion-iot-connections-surpassing-non-iot-for-the-first-time/">State of the IoT 2020: 12 billion IoT connections, surpassing non-IoT for the first time</a> – it is expected that there will be more than 30 billion IoT connections by 2025, almost four IoT devices per person on average.



<ol class="wp-block-list" start="6"><li>HUMAN ELEMENT – POWER TO THE PEOPLE</li></ol>



As we speak about technology and its ground-breaking impact on our lives, we must not forget the reason technology exists in the first place, to empower humans. The juxtaposition between technology and the human element remains key to ensuring we progress in the right direction. Companies need to leverage automation and other tools to enhance employee performance instead of making it obsolete. Take, for instance, the evolution in the role of HR in a post-pandemic corporate world, and we will be incorrect if we say that this crucial employee segment is now becoming archaic and redundant. Instead, technology reinvents the wheel for HR processes and their role in an organisational setup. HR managers are now tasked with leveraging technology to their best to adapt to the new normal of hybrid and work-from-home culture. Thus, balancing the two will be crucial for organisations to determine their performance and success overall.



<ol class="wp-block-list" start="7"><li>5G – FROM CONSUMER TO CORPORATE</li></ol>



Cast an eye around in the mobile technology space and 5G is arguably one of its most enticing commodities. It’s currently deployed mainly for individual consumers, but this looks like it’s set to change over the next year. Given the enhancement it can give to different aspects of businesses – improved network speed, better latency, strengthening key aspect of the IoT – this shouldn’t come as a shock. While 5G may take some time to implement, its benefits make a safe bet for the private sector to invest in.



<ol class="wp-block-list" start="8"><li>FINTECH &#8211; THE RACE TO ADAPT</li></ol>



Perhaps the technology sector that’ll see the most disruption in the coming year is Fintech. Not only are banks and Fintech entities in a race to meet the needs of customers &#8211; they’re having to both adapt to new technologies and opportunities, while shaping the future of the sector. The growth and technology of high-frequency trading have altered global financial markets and between Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence – which can process myriad data sets – and the emergence of trends such as Banking-As-A-Service and the rise of digital banks, Fintech is likely to be one of the most exciting sectors to watch in the coming year.



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/DeonGeyser-image.png" alt="" class="wp-image-414945" width="499" height="400" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/DeonGeyser-image.png 718w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/DeonGeyser-image-300x240.png 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/DeonGeyser-image-112x90.png 112w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 499px) 100vw, 499px" /><figcaption>DEON GEYSER, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER LIQUID INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGIES SOUTH AFRICA</figcaption></figure></div>



Executive Profile



Deon Geyser was appointed the Chief Executive Officer of Liquid Intelligent Technologies South Africa and brings over 15 years&#8217; experience in the ICT and Telco space, having worked in different countries across the African continent. He is responsible for the leadership, strategy, and&nbsp;operations in the country.



Before joining Liquid South Africa, Geyser was the MD for Nokia Southern Africa (2015 – 2020); he was responsible for the complete P+L for Nokia in the 13 countries in his region of responsibility. During his tenure, he was involved in several 4G and 5G launches, Network Virtualisation and Software transformation programmes, Fibre to the Home deals, IP and Optical network deals, and large-scale Managed Services contracts.



Under his dynamic leadership, Nokia Southern Africa was recognised as one of the top-performing regions in the MEA market consecutively for six years. His guidance also ensured his team was afforded the CEO award for the Best Business Partner by the Vodacom CEO twice.



Over the years, he has helped organisations succeed by developing and executing targeted strategies that ensure improved stakeholder returns. His passion for building an organisation with a clear vision and goals is repeatedly showcased in the success of all organisations that he led, be it Nokia or Tigo Tanzania, between 2012 – 2014.



Geyser holds three degrees, a bachelor’s degree in Electronic Engineering, a bachelor&#8217;s degree in IT, and a master&#8217;s degree in Engineering Management from the University of Johannesburg. He was also a part-time lecturer on the subject &#8216;Information Systems&#8217; at the University of Johannesburg between 2001 – 2002.

DeonGeyser-image

TOP TECHNOLOGY TRENDS TO WATCH IN 2022

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="545" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/people-black-poverty-guinea-african-bissau-940174-pxhere.com_-820x545.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-414578" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/people-black-poverty-guinea-african-bissau-940174-pxhere.com_-820x545.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/people-black-poverty-guinea-african-bissau-940174-pxhere.com_-300x199.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/people-black-poverty-guinea-african-bissau-940174-pxhere.com_-136x90.jpg 136w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/people-black-poverty-guinea-african-bissau-940174-pxhere.com_-768x510.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/people-black-poverty-guinea-african-bissau-940174-pxhere.com_-1536x1020.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/people-black-poverty-guinea-african-bissau-940174-pxhere.com_-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption>Photo: via PxHere.com</figcaption></figure>



Africa is waging a very real “war on corruption” but now that foreign investment is needed more than ever before, our governments must do more to show the world this is not just a catchy soundbite, writes Edith Nakalema



The pandemic has made itself felt in Africa. A continent-wide dearth of vaccines forced economically damaging lockdowns on what are already some of the poorest countries in the world. Critical industrialization and wealth creation agendas have slowed or ground to a halt. Now, at last, economies are beginning to tentatively reopen, and governments are turning their attention to the question of economic recovery. But the new omicron variant is not the only threat casting a shadow over Africa’s prospects for rebuilding and regrowth.



Corruption, sadly, has long been a byword for doing business on the continent. All too often one hears tell of the <a href="https://disrupt-africa.com/2020/05/19/startups-must-apply-africa-discount-when-fundraising-helium-health/">“African Discount”</a> where fundraising startups and companies must lower their valuation for no other reason than being based in Africa. Foreign investment is now needed more than ever to drive ambitious economic recovery programmes, but the spectre of corruption turns otherwise interested investors away.



When you consider what Africa has to offer, this is a terrible waste. Our collective population is one of the world’s fastest-growing – projected to <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/1224205/forecast-of-the-total-population-of-africa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">double&nbsp;by&nbsp;2050</a> – and one of its youngest. The median age is <a href="https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/africa-population/">less than 20.</a> We are a continent of innovators and entrepreneurs – my home country of Uganda alone is the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M-Pesa">birthplace of mobile money</a>, a leader in electric vehicles – including <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2016/02/15/africa/africa-solar-bus-kiira-uganda/index.html">Africa’s first solar-powered bus</a> – and our students are helping to drive <a href="https://innovateuganda.com/ugandan-developers-are-driving-africas-health-tech-revolution-during-the-pandemic/">the African HealthTech revolution</a> that has flourished during the pandemic.



Just as importantly as new innovations, investment is now needed to inject life back into our industrialisation agenda, slowed by the pandemic. Like many African countries, agriculture dominates our economy – some 60% of Ugandans are employed by the sector. Many of these are smallholder farmers who lack sufficient access to crucial services like finance and banking. Our industrialisation programme, which seeks to shift our economy towards agro-processing while the country rises up the manufacturing value chain is critical therefore to raising millions out of poverty. Without sufficient foreign investment, the progress we made before the pandemic will be lost.



And Progress has been made. Africa has been waging a very real “war on corruption” for decades, but now we must do more to show the world – not to mention our own citizens – this is more than just a catchy soundbite. In Uganda, we have taken pains to do so. First, through policy. In 2010, our Whistleblower’s Act received presidential assent, providing additional means, protections and encouragement for whistleblowers to come forward. According to its latest report, the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) – one of our key anti-corruption agencies – has some <a href="https://www.igg.go.ug/updates/news/president-yoweri-museveni-launches-lifestyle-audit-campaign/">5000 active cases</a> of corruption reported by whistleblowers valued at around UGX 500bn ($141 million).



Second, we must establish the right institutions. The IGG is just one of eight anti-corruption agencies in Uganda, principal among which are IGG and State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SH-ACU). Since its inception in December 2018, the SH-ACU has <a href="file:///\\Users\benedictlynn\Downloads\AntiCorruption%20Report%202021online.pdf">recovered more than UGX 30 billion</a> ($8.5million), as part of ongoing investigations into corruption in our government and private sector, which are valued at a total of UGX 250 billion ($70.5 million). These efforts – and those of the IGG – were made possible through close collaboration and cooperation between all eight agencies.



Finally, anti-corruption efforts must be shown to be tackling even the most wealthy and politically powerful offenders. With the onus on Uganda’s courts to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that money was obtained through corrupt means, the biggest fish in government were often able to slip away. But just last month the President launched the “Lifestyle Audit Campaign” – an IGG initiative which turns the tables on those the courts find most difficult to prosecute, by requiring suspects who are in public office to account for wealth accumulated which is not commensurate with their known income.



Uganda is not alone in these kinds of initiatives and institutions, which have been growing steadily across the continent. And as they chip away at corruption the world seems to be taking note. The Ugandan delegation to Dubai Expo in October was able to secure <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/economy/2021/10/05/uganda-signs-business-deals-worth-650m-at-expo-2020-dubai/">some $650 million in investments</a> across a range of sectors in just two weeks. But this accounts for a fraction of the $4 billion we are seeking for our post-covid economic recovery and to fast-track our industrialization agenda.



Throughout the pandemic, Uganda was one of those African countries that chose to err on the side of caution, instigating some of the strictest and longest running lockdowns in Africa. Ugandans are entering 2022 with a newly opened economy and a sense of hope we haven’t enjoyed in nearly two years. But, if we do not maintain the momentum we’ve built in fighting corruption, it risks being all for nothing. Our allies and friends on the continent should take note. It is our children, our innovators, our entrepreneurs, our future wealth creators who will ultimately pay the price. And what a terrible waste of opportunity and talent that would be.



Colonel Edith Nakalema is Head of Uganda’s State House Anti-Corruption Unit based in Kampala

people-black-poverty-guinea-african-bissau-940174-pxhere.com_

If Africa is to alleviate poverty, our governments must do more to tackle corruption

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="462" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/blog-neo-banks-1-820x462.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-414561" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/blog-neo-banks-1-820x462.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/blog-neo-banks-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/blog-neo-banks-1-160x90.jpg 160w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/blog-neo-banks-1-768x433.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/blog-neo-banks-1.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /></figure>



Challenger banks and neobanks are well positioned to meet the challenges and reap the benefits of the new digital economy. As market disruptors, they are shaking up traditional branch-based banking systems and forcing the industry to become more competitive and agile.&nbsp;



The resulting changes are a big win for consumers who need banking services and not just banks. In fact, the impact of this banking evolution has been compared to the digital disruption in other sectors like Uber and Lyft’s transformation of transportation where similarly, consumers emerge as the primary winners.&nbsp;



So, what is in store for the innovators of the industry in 2022? Here are the trends to watch:



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-five-trends-influencing-challenger-banks-and-neobanks-in-2022">Five trends influencing challenger banks and neobanks in 2022</h2>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">1. Rise of the banking super-apps</h2>



Looking at the takeaways from <a href="https://www.ey.com/en_nl/banking-capital-markets/how-can-banks-transform-for-a-new-generation-of-customers">EY’s consumer banking survey</a>, today’s consumers do not expect a single financial service provider to meet all their requirements. What they do expect is a highly integrated experience among several providers and even across sectors.&nbsp;



By taking on an aggregator role, neobanks will likely load core services onto the baseline integration, creating a super-app.&nbsp;



Super-apps collate various services, including, but not limited to banking, insurance, mobile payments, and real estate on one platform. The app models are designed to offer a variety of services in a single integrated platform focused on simplifying customers’ lives.&nbsp;



Compared to traditional banking systems, super-apps have a high degree of customer-centricity, great user-experience design and integration to meet consumer needs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. Hyper-personalization and customer-centricity take center stage</h2>



Hyper-personalization has become a buzzword in the financial services industry. This entails using data analytics to deliver a service experience that is targeted to an audience of one &#8211; hyper-personalized &#8211; to deliver value to customers.



Challenger banks and neobanks can harness this through digital access and collaboration <a href="https://www.flybits.com/">within apps</a> and product offerings. By using AI and digital banking offers, they can cultivate the available data and utilize it to offer clients services unique to them.&nbsp;



This allows the neobanks and challenger banks to create product offerings and services that add value to their customers&#8217; everyday lives. .&nbsp;



An example of out-of-the-box banking is <a href="https://getmitto.com/en/co2/">Mitto</a>, which offers CO2 measuring services to track customers’ potential CO2 impact. Climate change is on everyone’s minds at the moment, and Mitto leans in on this to increase their relevance.&nbsp;



Although not something typically related to banking, this is an innovative way to incorporate social needs with financial services.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. Better customer journeys with data-driven predictive banking</h2>



With data at their fingertips, challenger banks and neobanks are perfectly positioned to add new age value to their customer base. Banking of the future requires these institutions to leave standardized customer journeys behind and instead turn to offer adaptive experiences.



A great customer experience is a journey and not a place. Forward-thinking banks should consider their data requirements for the future. They need to take steps now to secure this information with the idea of utilizing it to foster personalization tomorrow.



As more institutions tap into customer data platforms to garner practical insights around personalization, they will be able to create adaptive experiences to suit each customer’s needs. This will result in integrated services that appeal on an individual level, not just to a customer persona.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">4. Advanced analytics and AI deliver value to customers</h2>



<a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/mckinsey/industries/financial%20services/our%20insights/building%20the%20ai%20bank%20of%20the%20future/building-the-ai-bank-of-the-future.pdf">McKinsey research</a> estimates that advanced AI analytics has a potential annual incremental value for banks of $361.5 million. As a whole, combined traditional and advanced AI and analytics could be worth over $1 trillion annually. It comes as no surprise then that many realize the value in becoming AI-first. Analytics are set to be the backbone of customer experience.



Advanced analytics have provided customers with insightful data around their transactions, spending, and investments. Neobanks are packaging dashboard solutions with advanced interfaces and actionable insights into banking transactions on an individual basis.



Banks that are implementing the technology and tools can further enhance the customer experience by analyzing predictive reports. Analytics produce insights around customer behavior, purchasing preferences, transaction management, fraud detection, and more to ensure a personalized and secure customer experience.&nbsp;



<a href="https://www.flybits.com/">Flybits</a> is an example of an embedded service that unifies and contextualizes an app experience. Based on customer data, card spending, and partnership data, the AI-powered solution can provide tailored experiences to build customer awareness of benefits, services, and loyalty programs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">5. Growing appeal to niche markets</h2>



Challenger banks will continue to find the most success in niche markets. This means that they are targeting specific client bases and addressing their banking needs. These niches can be based on almost anything, from generation to business type.&nbsp;



By catering to these specific client bases and offering unique services, challenger banks build market share rapidly. They fill the service gaps that traditional banks are not set up to deliver on.



A great example is SMEs in MEA. Research shows that <a href="https://www.mastercardservices.com/en/reports-insights/open-finance-framework-arab-region-more-question-scope">32% of SMEs in the region</a> cite credit-provisioning as a major constraint. As a result, banks here are focusing on this as an important use- case in their journey to open finance to increase accessibility to this market.&nbsp;



Neobanks also have a big influence in this space as they can offer digital solutions that enhance life for a specific customer segment.&nbsp;



A prominent trend here is neobanks driving a shift with regard to youth and banking. As the world’s youth population grows, the future of banking is with the younger generation, particularly in the emerging markets of MEA where youth make up the majority of the population.&nbsp;



One example to look at is Liv Bank, a neobank in the UAE with its <a href="https://uat2.liv.me/">Liv Young</a> offering that targets teens and their financial health. The main focus of Liv is financial education. The mobile app functions as a digital wallet and allows young people to track their spending and set savings goals. These features enable younger generations to develop a sound understanding of their finances and gain financial autonomy, setting them up for healthier financial lives as adults.



Financial well-being is pivotal to banks surviving shifting economic tides. As we see a shift towards healthier banking trends, we see these smaller and more agile types of banks gaining significant market share. All of this is attractive to today’s younger, digital-native generation



Final thoughts



In an ever-changing landscape, challenger banks and neobanks are thinking outside the box. Taking note of market trends and adapting business strategies is key to competition.



Through the adoption of AI and personalized banking, financial institutions can create services that are hard to compete with. This is the challenge and opportunity presented by challenger banks and neobanks in the coming year.

blog-neo-banks-1

Challenger banks and neobanks: 5 trends to watch in 2022

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="547" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/50782991392_ee9fffe279_o-820x547.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-413212" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/50782991392_ee9fffe279_o-820x547.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/50782991392_ee9fffe279_o-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/50782991392_ee9fffe279_o-135x90.jpg 135w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/50782991392_ee9fffe279_o-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/50782991392_ee9fffe279_o-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/50782991392_ee9fffe279_o-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption>A heatlh worker preparing to extract a dose of vaccine from a vial.</figcaption></figure>



Today, fewer than one in every 10 adult people in Africa have been fully vaccinated, compared to the global average of nearly five in every 10 adults. We know that the stark differences in vaccine distribution between high-income and low- and middle-income countries are the main reasons for this. However, one of the most overlooked factors adding to the problem is the major inequities in vaccine distribution between and within African countries.



Comparing vaccination rates among African countries tells a surprising story. For example, Morocco and Tunisia, two of the most vaccinated countries on the continent, have fully vaccinated about half of their entire adult populations. In contrast, some of the least vaccinated countries like DRC, South Sudan and Chad have only fully vaccinated about one percent of their adult populations.



Currently, only five out of Africa’s 54 countries are on track to meet the target to vaccinate 40 percent of their populations by the end of 2021, according to the WHO. There are also major inequities in vaccination rates within specific countries. In Kenya, 25 percent of the capital Nairobi&#8217;s adult population is fully vaccinated, compared to less than two percent of adult people in the country’s least vaccinated regions. A third of Kenya’s 2.5 million fully vaccinated adults are also in the capital city.



Several factors are slowing down equitable vaccine distribution and uptake within Africa. First, the slow and unpredictable global supply has derailed well-laid out vaccination plans. National and facility level vaccine stock outs have affected rollout plans and uptake.



Second, most African countries are still working around the logistical barriers of distributing vaccines to remote areas, limiting their reach. Third, there is a shortage of syringes which are crucial to administering vaccines. UNICEF estimates the continent&#8217;s shortfall at 2.2 billion syringes. Lastly, vaccine hesitancy, which has intensified for COVID-19 vaccines, has rendered some countries less willing to get vaccinated than others.



The inequity in vaccine distribution among African countries, combined with the limited vaccine supply to the continent, means Africa is at risk of remaining behind in the global recovery. The situation is also undermining the global recovery. As most people on the continent remain unvaccinated, new coronavirus variants can easily emerge and trigger new waves globally. The emergence and spread of the Omicron variant is a case in point.



Africa must urgently work to break down barriers to vaccine inequity within its borders and vaccinate more people.



On the domestic front, African countries must address bottlenecks to vaccine distribution. This means working to strengthen their national COVID-19 rollout campaigns to address operational and logistical gaps and take deliberate steps to ensure that anyone who wants a vaccine can get it wherever and whenever they want it.



Africa must also double down on reducing the misinformation fuelling vaccine hesitancy. This means assessing where and why current campaigns have failed and emphasizing re-designing new strategies.



Lastly, Africa must develop the capability to manufacture its own vaccines. Scientists, healthcare workers, biotechnology companies, the private sector, investors and others must work under the guidance of the African Union’s Partnership for African Vaccine Manufacturing (PAVM) framework to manufacture 60 percent of all vaccines needed by 2040.



Only by getting vaccines to all that need them in Africa can the continent recover stronger.



Dr. Catherine Kyobutungi is an epidemiologist and the Executive Director of the African Population and Health Research Centre

General Photo: Vaccine

Vaccine Equity Within Africa Key for Continent’s Recovery

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="545" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/GettyImages-610580558-1-820x545.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-414436" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/GettyImages-610580558-1-820x545.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/GettyImages-610580558-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/GettyImages-610580558-1-135x90.jpg 135w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/GettyImages-610580558-1-768x511.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/GettyImages-610580558-1-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/GettyImages-610580558-1-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption>Young African woman collecting coffee berries from a coffee plant and carrying her little baby on back, Ethiopia, Africa. There are several species of Coffea &#8211; the coffee plant. The finest quality of Coffea being Arabica, which originated in the highlands of Ethiopia. Arabica represents almost 60% of the world’s coffee production..</figcaption></figure>



Urbanisation is a defining characteristic of the 21st century, particularly in Africa, which has the <a href="https://www.cfr.org/blog/africa-fastest-urbanizing-place-planet">fastest rate of urbanisation in the world</a>. Rapid development of cities across the continent is a major challenge for governments, demanding quick policy adaptation and infrastructure development. At its core, geospatial data represents a powerful a tool to support this transition.



With the global population expanding, and much of this growth <a href="https://www.brookings.edu/blog/africa-in-focus/2020/07/16/figures-of-the-week-africas-urbanization-dynamics/">expected to occur</a> in African cities, nations will increasingly see emerging opportunities for economic development. Nevertheless, urbanisation also presents challenges as municipal governments pursue sustainable and equitable development, in line with the <a href="https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/">UN’s Sustainable Development Goals</a> (SDGs).



While Africa is one of the <a href="http://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/306721565242541252/pdf/Overview.pdf">least urbanised</a> continents in the world today, by 2050, its cities will be home to an additional <a href="https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/development/africa-s-urbanisation-dynamics-2020_b6bccb81-en;jsessionid=8wwe6pSh8y922oo7K4nBneQL.ip-10-240-5-190">950 million</a> people. Driven by rapid economic changes and the fastest population growth in the world, in some African cities the <a href="https://borgenproject.org/sub-saharan-african-slums/">majority</a> of residents live in informal settlements such as slums and shanty towns. These informal settlements are often characterised by a lack of basic services and substandard housing. They also often mean insecure land tenure for the millions of people that live in them. Indeed, according to the World Bank, only <a href="https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2017/03/24/why-secure-land-rights-matter">30 percent</a> of the world’s population has legally registered rights to their land and homes.



So how can countries develop in a way that meets the SDGs, see economic returns, and in turn provide security to its citizens?



Geospatial data is a critical enabler for nations seeking to grow their economies, drive sustainable development, and support evidence-based decision making and policy setting. It will enable new and innovative uses of government data to solve problems and provide new infrastructure. Ordnance Survey has been working with authorities in Africa on pioneering projects that utilise the wealth of information and guidance that can be obtained through effective mapping.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="416" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/thumbnail_Zambia-base-map-2-©Ordnance-Survey-820x416.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-414437" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/thumbnail_Zambia-base-map-2-©Ordnance-Survey-820x416.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/thumbnail_Zambia-base-map-2-©Ordnance-Survey-300x152.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/thumbnail_Zambia-base-map-2-©Ordnance-Survey-160x81.jpg 160w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/thumbnail_Zambia-base-map-2-©Ordnance-Survey-768x390.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/thumbnail_Zambia-base-map-2-©Ordnance-Survey.jpg 1280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">More informed urban planning</h2>



Urbanisation without sufficient oversight can lead to unregulated expansion of informal settlements, urban sprawl and degradation in the quality of civic life. The key to urban infrastructure that works is effective planning. That means ensuring new infrastructure is built in the right place, to the right capacity, and works well with other systems around it. Up-to-date digital records regarding population density and land use can give urban administrators better insights into where residents are and what they might need.



Cross-sector planning and decision-making, informed by geospatial data and implemented by effective governance, are the most powerful tools available to help municipal governments make a success of their city. Using consistent geospatial frameworks enables the ability to make decisions based on similar criteria and with access to similar types of information, at both national and local government levels.



There are significant financial benefits to addressing the challenges of urbanisation before informal settlements become large and unmanageable, which is why cities are increasingly the focus of government policy. Retrofitting infrastructure after a settlement has emerged is up to <a href="https://www.theigc.org/reader/making-urban-land/land-policy-needed-coordinate-investment-settlement-private-sector-cannot-alone/">three times more expensive</a> than installation alongside housing construction.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Fighting urban poverty</h2>



Geospatial data is the way forward for city governments to fight against urban poverty. It can help transform informal settlements into economically active parts of the city. Geospatial information empowers evidence-based policy and practice which is also the best way to prevent parts of cities that are growing fast becoming permanent informal settlements.



Zambia has recently started to draft the government’s first National Urbanisation Plan with the support of UN Habitat and The International Growth Centre (IGC). The Ministry of Local Government wanted to promote prosperous, inclusive and resilient urban settlements, and ensure Zambia’s towns and cities become engines of national growth.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="453" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Lusaka-Zambia-video-still-3-820x453.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-414438" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Lusaka-Zambia-video-still-3-820x453.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Lusaka-Zambia-video-still-3-300x166.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Lusaka-Zambia-video-still-3-160x88.jpg 160w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Lusaka-Zambia-video-still-3-768x425.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Lusaka-Zambia-video-still-3-1536x849.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Lusaka-Zambia-video-still-3-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /></figure>



A collaboration between Ordnance Survey, the IGC and the Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA) was established to respond to the issue of insufficient spatial data, by piloting the creation of an <a href="https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/business-government/international/urbanisation/download-case-study?utm_medium=sponsored&amp;utm_source=cnbc+africa&amp;utm_campaign=urbanisation_nov21">automated base map of Lusaka in Zambia</a>, focusing on the identification of informal settlements. Currently, the base mapping in Zambia is not sufficiently up to date to provide a meaningful spatial data infrastructure foundation.



Using aerial imagery of Lusaka, Ordnance Survey generated a new base map using its advanced automated process which is faster and more resource efficient than traditional methods. The base map will provide a robust foundation for the integration of future census data and for a range of other functions including land administration. Together, this will enable the Ministry of Lands and the Zambian Government to better target investment in critical infrastructure and social services, upgrading informal settlements in order to provide for the most vulnerable city residents. Understanding key urbanisation trends is crucial for <a href="https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/files/meetings/iaeg-sdgs-meeting-11/6b.%20WGGI%20SDGs%20Geospatial%20Roadmap%20Outline.pdf">implementing and monitoring progress</a> against the SDGs, including efforts to <a href="https://www.un.org/development/desa/publications/2018-revision-of-world-urbanization-prospects.html">forge a new framework</a> of urban development. Zambia has therefore taken a step forward in meeting these targets.



Using consistent geospatial frameworks in different cities, and in the rural areas between cities, allows the lessons learned locally to be applied in other areas and at a national level. Due to technological innovation, it is easier than ever before to maximise the value of location data and build a city’s geospatial capabilities. Geospatial innovation is accelerating at great speed, and it is now possible to build a digital base map in a fraction of the time and for a fraction of the cost of mapping efforts in the 20th century. Building location data capabilities can show how specific cities are used and how its citizens behave. Establishing a good baseline of geospatial maturity will help make informed policy decisions and help demonstrate the results of those decisions to citizens and investors.



Every country is at a different stage of their approach to managing geospatial information. ‘Geospatial maturity’ is a term used to describe the level of sophistication that a country has in its ability to collect, manage and exploit geospatial information for the benefit of the nation. Ordnance Survey offers free geospatial maturity assessments, which is a tool that can help governments objectively understand how mature their geospatial capabilities are.



It is now easier and quicker than ever to build a country’s geospatial data capabilities. Ordnance Survey has 200 years of expertise as Britain’s national mapping agency, which, when combined with the speed and usability of modern technological innovation, can deliver a solution that harnesses a city’s potential. Ordnance Survey’s centuries of practice in building base maps that underpin growth and empower communities can help countries establish their own data capabilities, giving governments the tools needed for sustainable development.



<a href="https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/business-government/international/urbanisation/download-report?utm_medium=sponsored&amp;utm_source=cnbc+africa&amp;utm_campaign=urbanisation_nov21">Read the report</a> on building prosperous, sustainable and fairer cities with geospatial data.

Young African woman collecting coffee cherries, East Africa

The data secret that empowers cities

The past two years have been anything but normal. The global COVID-19 pandemic has affected every aspect of our lives, derailed plans and set goals back. Nowhere has this been more apparent than on the African continent. However, as we approach the end of the second year of the pandemic, we have had time to regroup, adapt, learn and grow. I argue that recent struggles have put a spotlight on lessons learned over the past decade and lit the path towards achieving the 2030 Development Goals (SDGs).



Over the last decade, Africa has undoubtedly been on a journey of development and transformation. Many African countries have made significant progress towards the 2030 goals, in building strong economies, strengthening democratic institutions, improving agriculture and reducing poverty. These strengths do not come without weaknesses, and the continent continues to battle against challenges such as



malaria, vaccine inequality or inadequate sanitation. A child born in Africa today is still at risk of not receiving a full, high-quality education or decent health care – and all of these issues have been exacerbated by the pandemic. This must change.



There is no one-size-fits-all approach to sustainable development, which is why we must also tailor our solutions. Any methods required to achieve real change need to take into consideration the development stage, socio-political, cultural and physical context, unique needs, and existing governance structures of individual countries.&nbsp;That is why we must foster African research and development and advocate for our own continent’s development. Only then can we achieve a collective, coordinated and cooperative approach&nbsp;to addressing Africa’s challenges.



Over the past two years, disruptions caused by the pandemic have highlighted the need for country ownership and African solidarity so that we no longer rely so heavily on foreign aid and funding. This has been abundantly clear in two sectors that we work in: malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), which have both made a comeback across the continent due to disruptions, supply shortages and overburdened healthcare systems.



We also can’t discount the importance of female leadership and representation. To ensure that Africa progresses in its transformation journey, where human rights and gender equality are central, women must be empowered to take on decision-making and leadership positions at all levels. That is why earlier this year we launched the <a href="https://voixessentielles.org/en/">Voix EssentiELLES initiative</a>, working with community organisations in Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal. Being part of a women-led organization, I am passionate about engaging women in the decision-making process, to ensure that policies are developed to better serve them and their unique issues.



As COVID-19 continues to loom across Africa, we’re at an important juncture. At the start of the pandemic, SDG-related investments in Africa fell by 51%. Although no one could have anticipated the pandemic, now is not the time to stand still; instead, we must focus on building back, and continuing onwards in our development journey – and women must be at the heart of this journey. While sub-Saharan Africa is the only region where women make up the majority of those who are self-employed, women also face significant barriers to growth. There are significant imbalances between men and women in access to funding, training and skills development, accessing professional networks and overall participation in competitive environments.



This imbalance was apparent when we launched the <a href="https://africayounginnovatorsforhealth.org/">Africa Young Innovators for Health Award</a> with <a href="https://www.ifpma.org/">IFPMA</a>. The Award program attracted over 300 applications, yet only 21% were from women. That is why, on the sidelines of this week’s <a href="http://forumgalienafrique.com/en/home-2/">Forum Galien Africa</a>, we decided to take concrete action by launching the Women Innovators Incubator. This program aims to address gender equality in the health innovation landscape by leveling the playing field and giving extraordinary women a chance to bring their projects to fruition. Women who participate in the program will be one step closer to building a scalable and sustainable business that seeks to tackle some of Africa’s most pressing healthcare challenges.



After all, who is better placed to solve African health problems than our own people? I believe that Africa must champion its own solutions and foster talents across the continent, as we move forward. Leading experts and civil society organizations are already playing a vital role in driving action and investment further, and we must continue to elevate their voices so that policymakers understand their concerns and proposed solutions.



Achieving the SDGs set by the world will indeed be a challenge for Africa, however I remain hopeful. With the world’s youngest population, we have the energy and the passion of youth on our side.



No longer can we do things the old way, it’s time instead we take an African approach to sustainable development. We already have so many talented people working hard to reshape Africa, and through continued investment and innovation, our dreams of achieving health and prosperity for all can become a reality. Although no one can predict what the next decade will hold, I know that through continued teamwork and partnership, and by utilizing the incredible talent that our continent has to offer, we will be able to end suffering for good and unlock a greater Africa for all.



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Yacine-Djibo_Speak-Up-Africa-820x547.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-414218" width="340" height="227" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Yacine-Djibo_Speak-Up-Africa-820x547.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Yacine-Djibo_Speak-Up-Africa-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Yacine-Djibo_Speak-Up-Africa-135x90.jpg 135w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Yacine-Djibo_Speak-Up-Africa-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Yacine-Djibo_Speak-Up-Africa-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Yacine-Djibo_Speak-Up-Africa.jpg 1643w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 340px) 100vw, 340px" /></figure></div>



Yacine Djibo, Founder and Executive Director of Speak Up Africa, a Senegal-based non-profit organization advocating for sustainable development in Africa.

Speak Up Africa Logo

Lessons from 2021: How we can accelerate sustainable development for Africa

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="547" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/IMG_1541-820x547.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-414253" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/IMG_1541-820x547.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/IMG_1541-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/IMG_1541-135x90.jpg 135w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/IMG_1541-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/IMG_1541-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/IMG_1541-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /></figure>



Africa has one of the world’s fastest-growing populations. Early 2021 the United Nations estimates that the continent has 1.38 billion inhabitants, which will grow to 2.5 billion by 2050. It’s also the world’s youngest continent, with almost 60% of the population under the age of 25.



More people are entering the labour force, which drives the growth of an emerging middle class. Young populations, together with rising incomes and increased purchasing power, provide huge opportunities for the continent’s auto industry. Consumers with more cash in their pockets will look for safe, convenient, reliable and environmentally friendly forms of transport, and will be more prepared to pay for after-purchase services.



In addition to the severe impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, economic growth across Africa has faced many challenges over the years, from lack of investment to insufficient manufacturing capabilities, skills shortages, infrastructure demands and unstable energy supply. The African Union noted that only 16% of goods manufactured in Africa are traded on the continent. With the introduction of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), the face of Africa is transforming, providing opportunities for free movement of goods and people. AfCFTA holds the capacity to reshape markets and economies and accelerate growth across more than 50 African countries. It can also play a major role in unlocking the continent’s automotive aftermarket potential.



The automotive aftermarket industry is the market for replacement motor vehicle parts, accessories, components and tools, after a vehicle has been sold to a consumer. It includes the repair services and maintenance that dealerships sell to consumers.



Today, there are approximately 60 million vehicles in operation on the continent, with an automotive aftermarket size estimated in excess of 30 billion Euro. Taking this into account, Africa has similar needs compared to matured markets like Europe. Such as:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>affordable and reliable parts to support sustainable daily vehicle repairs and maintenance</li><li>technical competencies and professional skills to understand the increasing complexity in the vehicle architecture</li><li>certified maintenance workshops to service all makes and models of vehicles with minimum standards</li><li>accessible vehicle diagnostic tools to diagnose vehicle status, and recommended repair guidelines</li><li>well-developed distribution networks to ensure part availability, not only in urban areas</li><li>accurate vehicle data to help assess real demand and improve forecasting</li></ul>



All of these needs have to be supported by relevant in-country regulatory and policy frameworks, to foster and unleash the potential of the local automotive aftermarket.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Overcoming obstacles and challenges</h2>



The automotive aftermarket industry is an important contributor for countries in Africa, helping to build economies, to improve road safety and to enrich the quality of life for all Africans. While it is undergoing an essential transformation, this industry sector also faces many challenges. These include but are not limited to:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>counterfeit or second-hand spare parts from scrap yards used as a cheaper alternative to buying genuine reliable parts</li><li>low offer of localised spare parts manufacturing</li><li>skill scarcity of mechanics, as well as mobility user awareness (e.g. total cost of ownership)</li><li>fragmented and undeveloped distribution network making affordable logistics challenging</li><li>lack of transparency in regard to imported used and new vehicles (e.g. origin data missing)</li><li>small volume of qualified repair or maintenance workshops</li><li>volatile trade barriers affecting imports</li></ul>



Despite all these challenges several opportunities exist, as the demand for quality, affordable automotive spare parts and maintenance services steadily increases through rapid urbanisation and the emerging middle class. This growing demand will in certain cases justify the need for the local manufacturing of vehicle components, in order to remain competitive. In addition, the ongoing mega trends, such as e-commerce, connectivity, electrification and digitalization, could become a game-changer for the development of the automotive aftermarket in Africa.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-leading-the-way-in-africa">Leading the way in Africa</h2>



Bosch was founded in Stuttgart in 1886 as a workshop for precision mechanics and electrical engineering, and it opened its first car service in Hamburg in 1921. In the past century, the Bosch Automotive Aftermarket organisation has established itself as the world’s largest brand-independent workshop network and has cemented its position as a reliable and innovative mobility partner.



The Bosch Automotive Aftermarket division has been present in Africa since 1951 and is today located in 6 countries, with local teams on the ground serving more than 40 African countries. The division’s business activities and solutions portfolio includes spare parts trading, maintenance workshop development, diagnostic support and technical training centre deployment.



As a key player in the automotive aftermarket sector, Bosch has done significant work in Africa in the past ten years to address the difficulties faced by the industry. While there are major challenges facing the automotive aftermarket, there is also considerable potential. By addressing the demands and obstacles of this industry, the automotive aftermarket can drive much-needed growth on the continent.



Watch our latest webinar: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1XI9Lo3C24&amp;t=111s" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Exploring the face of the Automotive Aftermarket in Africa &#8211; YouTube</a>.

IMG_1541

Unlocking Africa’s automotive aftermarket

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="547" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/T3RAUMGVOVIWTL4SGNEJIDP2SY-820x547.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-413466" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/T3RAUMGVOVIWTL4SGNEJIDP2SY-820x547.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/T3RAUMGVOVIWTL4SGNEJIDP2SY-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/T3RAUMGVOVIWTL4SGNEJIDP2SY-135x90.jpg 135w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/T3RAUMGVOVIWTL4SGNEJIDP2SY-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/T3RAUMGVOVIWTL4SGNEJIDP2SY.jpg 960w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption>People wait after receiving the AstraZeneca&#8217;s COVID-19 vaccine at the National Hospital in Abuja, Nigeria March 31, 2021. REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde</figcaption></figure>



COVID-19 mandatory vaccination could potentially accelerate vaccine uptake and the attainment of herd immunity, but a new study has found that only 40% of Africans support the idea.



It also found substantial vaccine hesitancy among Africans living in Africa as well as in the diaspora. Only 63% of participants would receive COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible, and an additional 5% would receive vaccines after considering their safety among earlier vaccinated individuals.



The findings of this cross-sectional online survey among African residents in 29 African countries and Africans in the diaspora are published in a peer-reviewed journal,&nbsp;PLOS One.



The researchers evaluated perceived SARS-CoV-2 risk and vaccine hesitancy among respondents and identified sociodemographic factors related to vaccine hesitancy. They also examined previous practices regarding vaccination as a significant predictor of future practices.



“We found that respondents’ risk perception was related to their attitude to COVID-19 vaccines. The odds of vaccine hesitancy was substantially low if participant’s perceived risk of infection or sickness was very high,” said Dr Shameem Jaumdally, co-author and senior research scientist at the University of Cape Town’s Lung Institute.



“Most respondents in our study (≥60%) knew at least one person infected with the coronavirus and believed that they had a medium to very high risk of being infected and developing severe illness. Nonetheless, vaccine hesitancy was high in our population – 26% believed the vaccines were unnecessary, and 43% believed alternatives to COVID-19 vaccination exist.”



Jaumdally said vaccine hesitancy was more common among young people than older adults and in rural areas compared to urban ones.



“The burden of COVID-19 was considerably less among young people, partly due to their lower risk of comorbidities. Urban residents experienced a more significant disease burden and suffered a greater economic impact as a result of the pandemic. The overall self-rated knowledge, perception, and awareness of vaccines were high in our study. Most respondents claimed to understand how vaccines work, the routes of vaccination, and which vaccines are recommended for adults,” he said.



Concerns about vaccine safety were common in the study, said Jaumdally.



“The majority of respondents were worried about the vaccines’ side effects, and many were even concerned that they might get infected with the coronavirus by obtaining the vaccine. Concerns about vaccine safety could strongly worsen any vaccines’ hesitancy, and planning for COVID-19 vaccination programs should proactively anticipate this challenge,” he said.



Jaumdally noted that many respondents advocated for information campaigns as part of vaccination programs.



“Respondents receive COVID-19 information from healthcare workers (51%), scientists (44%), news media (43%), and schools (41%); multi-channel information campaigns may therefore be beneficial for optimal coverage. Behavioural insights relating to social norms could guide these campaigns’ design,” he said.



“Respondents identified the value of convenience to improve the accessibility of vaccinations. Although many of them were willing to travel up to an hour to receive vaccines, they recommended vaccination at beneficiaries’ homes or offices. Addressing these “last-mile issues” could drastically reduce vaccine hesitancy.”

T3RAUMGVOVIWTL4SGNEJIDP2SY

Only 40% of Africans want COVID-19 jabs to be mandatory, study finds

Inflation is rising around the world. In sub-Saharan Africa, one item is driving the trend more than others: food prices. Food accounts for roughly 40 percent of the region’s consumption basket—a measure of goods and services used to measure consumer price index (CPI) inflation.



Food inflation increased throughout 2019, on average, across 25 countries in the region where monthly food price data are available. After remaining stable around 7–8 percent (year over year) since the beginning of the pandemic, food inflation started to rise again from April this year to some 10 percent in October. The chart below shows how food inflation is outpacing and contributing to the pick-up in overall consumer price inflation in sub-Saharan Africa, which rose to about 8 percent in October, up from around 5 percent in 2019.



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="539" height="539" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/a-rising-trend-cotw-ssa_crop.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-414001" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/a-rising-trend-cotw-ssa_crop.jpg 539w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/a-rising-trend-cotw-ssa_crop-300x300.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/a-rising-trend-cotw-ssa_crop-90x90.jpg 90w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 539px) 100vw, 539px" /></figure></div>



On a global scale, the recent increase in food inflation is attributed to rising oil prices (which raise fertilizer prices and transportation costs), droughts and export restrictions imposed by some major food exporters, and stockpiling in some countries. In addition, pandemic containment measures disrupted production and imports of seeds and fertilizers and caused labor shortages during planting seasons. Importantly, there is diversity across the region—food inflation in Chad is near zero but around 30 percent in Angola. This suggests that domestic factors such as weather and exchange rates are important contributors to food inflation in sub-Saharan African countries.



<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDUsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTEyMDYuNDk4NDMzMTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5pbWYub3JnL2VuL1B1YmxpY2F0aW9ucy9SRU8vU1NBL0lzc3Vlcy8yMDIxLzEwLzIxL3JlZ2lvbmFsLWVjb25vbWljLW91dGxvb2stZm9yLXN1Yi1zYWhhcmFuLWFmcmljYS1vY3RvYmVyLTIwMjE_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5In0.7m0v2cKAHFLtxux1LH_GKJ76wjSjA3hvH5WjnGE2-0o/s/1121717145/br/122388243242-l" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The outlook</a>&nbsp;is highly uncertain. Food inflation and CPI inflation could moderate if commodity prices ease and pandemic-induced global supply chain disruptions resolve. However, high food inflation could persist if inflation expectations become de-anchored or supply chain disruptions continue. Regionwide, average inflation is expected to edge up in 2021 before easing next year depending on commodity prices and the resolution of supply-demand mismatches.



Higher food inflation would worsen the situation for the countries already facing food insecurity and shortages with a disproportional impact on poor households. The number of undernourished persons in the region is projected to have increased by 20 percent in 2020, encompassing 264 million people.



Fighting food insecurity through targeted social assistance and insurance can help populations cope. Avoiding trade barriers and improving access to finance, seed stocks, insecticide, fertilizer, anti-erosion measures, and irrigation are also important.

South Africa Food Mushrooms Market Vegetables

Food Inflation in Sub-Saharan Africa

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="820" height="547" src="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Dr-Abdourahmane-Diallo-CEO-RBM-Partnership-to-End-Malaria-820x547.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-413976" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Dr-Abdourahmane-Diallo-CEO-RBM-Partnership-to-End-Malaria-820x547.jpg 820w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Dr-Abdourahmane-Diallo-CEO-RBM-Partnership-to-End-Malaria-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Dr-Abdourahmane-Diallo-CEO-RBM-Partnership-to-End-Malaria-135x90.jpg 135w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Dr-Abdourahmane-Diallo-CEO-RBM-Partnership-to-End-Malaria-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Dr-Abdourahmane-Diallo-CEO-RBM-Partnership-to-End-Malaria-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Dr-Abdourahmane-Diallo-CEO-RBM-Partnership-to-End-Malaria-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption>Dr Abdourahmane Diallo, CEO of the RBM Partnership to End Malaria</figcaption></figure>



While COVID-19 has rightly dominated headlines across the world over the past two years, another – much older and deadlier – disease arguably presents a more urgent challenge for Africa.



Today, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) annual World Malaria Report revealed the most accurate picture to date of the impact of malaria on the continent. Tragically, more people died of malaria in Africa in 2020 than from COVID-19.



Dating back millions of years, malaria remains the greatest and most persistent threat to public health across the continent, with Africa accounting for 96% of the 627,000 lives claimed by the disease globally in 2020. Disruptions to malaria programmes due to COVID-19 also caused two-thirds of additional malaria deaths, with a 12% overall increase in malaria deaths in 2020 compared to revised 2019 figures. Most malaria victims are children under the age of five.



However, the picture could have been much worse. Countries, partners and community health workers worked tirelessly to prevent the worst-case scenario – a potential doubling of malaria deaths that could have resulted from the pandemic disrupting life-saving malaria prevention and treatment programmes in sub-Saharan Africa last year alone. Long-term and new investments and close collaboration with countries and partners were critical to helping minimize COVID-19’s impact on malaria.



Today, nearly two years into the COVID-19 pandemic and after several years of sluggish progress, we are at a precarious junction. Now, more than ever, we must remain steadfast in our efforts to eradicate malaria, while at the same time helping countries build resilience to withstand future health emergencies.



Funding for global malaria control and elimination interventions fell drastically short of last year’s US$6.8 billion target, reaching only US$3.3 billion in 2020. This shortfall has resulted in thousands of lives lost to a preventable and treatable disease and means even greater investment is now needed if we are to achieve the 2030 targets for malaria.



But we should not be deterred, as our track record of past successes show that our strategy works. Since 2000, strong political commitment, an unprecedented injection of funding, and new and effective interventions have saved the lives of 10.6 million people and prevented 1.7 billion new malaria infections. In that time, 23 countries from every region worldwide achieved three consecutive years of zero malaria cases, with seven certified malaria-free by WHO in the last five years, despite the pandemic, proving that eradication is possible. More and more African countries are rolling out Zero Malaria Starts with Me campaigns and launching national End Malaria Councils and Funds to mobilize domestic resources in the fight against malaria.



We have a wide range of tools in our armoury that can be deployed to defeat malaria. WHO’s recent approval of the RTS,S vaccine for widespread use in children in high-burden settings, especially in Africa, will help save tens of thousands more children. The Gavi Board’s recent decision to fund malaria vaccine programmes will bring new vigour to the malaria fight. More and more high-burden countries are applying sub-national tailoring and using real-time data to ensure smarter and more effective surveillance that enables us to better target resources.



We have a robust pipeline of innovations &#8211; from next-generation nets to antimalarial medicines, to new malaria vaccines such as BioNTech’s mRNA vaccine &#8211; that, if accelerated, could deliver more effective and transformative tools within the decade. By maintaining these efforts, we can once again start to see a rapid decline in malaria deaths and infections while building resilience throughout local health systems.



These are just a few of the reasons why we must now see a significant increase in annual global malaria investments. We know that Africa shoulders the vast majority of the global burden, with some countries spending up to 40% of their health budgets on the fight against malaria. Eradicating malaria would free up resources and give them the capacity to deal with other existing and emerging diseases.



The return on this investment can be measured in economic terms too. A study by WHO showed that a country’s GDP could be boosted by 0.3% for every 10% reduction in malaria cases. This rises to an almost 2% increase in GDP for high-risk high-burden countries. The same study showed that malaria is responsible for an annual loss of US$12 billion dollars in productivity each year in Africa alone, drastically impeding the continent’s economic growth potential.



If we seize the opportunity and act with urgency, we can repeat and extend the success of malaria efforts in the early 21st century, saving millions of lives and driving economic recovery across the world’s most impoverished regions. The systems we put in place, the infrastructure we build and the innovations we develop and bring to scale will cement resilience against future disease outbreaks and pandemics. By doing so, we will usher in the end of malaria within a generation.

Dr-Abdourahmane-Diallo-CEO-RBM-Partnership-to-End-Malaria

Why the world must once again mobilize against malaria

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-boosting-the-capital-base-of-regional-development-finance-institutions-to-build-back-better">Boosting the capital base of regional development finance institutions to build back better</h2>



Almost 18 months into the COVID-19 pandemic, the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) board approved the issuance of new special drawing rights (SDRs) on August 2, 2021. The IMF proceeded with the allocation of these SDRs a few weeks later on August 23, 2021. SDRs are a composite currency unit based on a basket of leading currencies (US dollar, euro, Japanese yen, UK pound and Chinese yuan), that can be converted by IMF member countries into freely usable currencies to finance imports.



To date, the US$650 billion SDR allocation is the most ambitious and consequential global response to the pandemic by the international community, both in size and scope. It has benefited all IMF member countries and is the largest issuance in the Fund’s history. It is more than double the cumulative amount of SDRs issued during the IMF’s first 75 years and triple the amount injected by the Fund into the global financial system to bolster the foreign exchange reserves of its member countries during the 2008-09 financial crisis.



The unconditional SDR allocation provides breathing space on the balance sheets of all IMF member countries, especially the most vulnerable low-income countries, in proportion to their existing quotas in the Fund. It will help confront the monetary and fiscal challenges of the economic crisis induced by the pandemic. The allocation will also act as a financial multiplier, increasing the fiscal space in the short term and fortifying prospects for financial soundness and global financial stability in the medium and long term.



Across Africa, the newly issued SDRs will reduce countries’ exposure to exchange rate volatility and liquidity constraints associated with balance of payment pressures. They will help replenish dwindling foreign exchange reserves, which decreased by 27% in 2020, and finance essential imports such as COVID-19 vaccines. In addition to preventing liquidity crises from morphing into solvency crises, the newly issued SDRs will sustain investors’ confidence and improve the prospects of a synchronised global recovery.



However, the quota-based SDR issuance has constrained Africa’s allocation to about US$33 billion, which represents about 5% of the overall allocation. And the allocation is heavily skewed towards the largest economies on the continent: Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa. Together these three countries accounted for over 30% of the total allocation to the region, with South Africa receiving the largest amount of US$4.2 billion.



But across Africa the impact on foreign exchange reserves has been more significant, even though the allocation is markedly smaller than the amount received by other regions. For instance, the newly issued SDRs have more than doubled Zambia’s gross international reserves and raised Zimbabwe’s by more than sixfold. In contrast, it raised Egypt’s by just over 6%. In part this reflects the fact that the marginal allocation was always expected to be more impactful in low-income countries.



Compared to other regions, the SDR allocation to Africa is dismally low, however. The region’s amount is lower than the allocations to both France and Italy, which together received US$33.8 billion, representing over 5.2% of the total allocation. Collectively the European Union received US$139 billion (over 21% of the total allocation) and Asia received US$94 billion (15%). High-income countries, most of which enjoy the exorbitant privilege of issuing reserve currencies and do not need SDRs as much as low-income countries, received nearly US$400 billion. This represents about 60% of the total allocation (65% including China).



The low allocation of SDRs to the region is commensurate with its share of global gross domestic product (GDP) which ultimately determines IMF quotas. Africa accounts for a paltry 3% of global GDP at current price. In part, this reflects invariance in the drivers of growth and trade in a region which remains heavily commodity dependent. The latest United Nations Conference on Trade and Development biennial “Commodities and Development Report 2021” classified 45 countries as such. This structure of production highly exposes African countries to global volatility and adverse commodity terms of trade shocks. It also undermines growth, especially in a world where trade has been largely dominated by manufactured goods with increasing technological content.



Raising Africa’s quotas at the IMF and its share of the SDR allocation hinges on significantly boosting investment in the structural transformation of African economies. This will accelerate the diversification of exports for a speedy income convergence – as Asia has successfully done over the last few decades.



But across the developing world most regional development finance institutions (DFIs), which have a development mandate and are best placed to support economic transformation through the provision of long-term financing, are often constrained by capital. This leads to the persistent, impossible trade-off between the pursuit of development objectives and the mitigation of pressure on their capital base. African DFIs are not exempt from these challenges, especially considering the scale of financing gaps in a region where the chronic deficit of infrastructure across all sectors has been a major constraint to productivity growth and structural transformation for decades.



But DFIs in emerging and developing market economies should not have to choose between financing development and preserving capital adequacy ratios. The new SDR allocation provides the opportunity to strengthen the financial firepower of these regional DFIs in the pursuit of their dual objectives. The reallocation of newly issued SDRs towards fresh equity will strengthen the capital base of these banks and enable them to better deliver on their development mandates. In essence, this enables them to build back better post-pandemic to set the region on an irreversible path of increased diversification of sources of growth and trade.



In this regard, the steps taken by African leaders to reallocate a portion of their SDRs towards increasing the capital of its regional DFIs, such as African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), is a very positive development. Afreximbank has disbursed over US$9 billion since the outbreak of the pandemic to help its member countries deal with the immediate fall-out from COVID-19. In March 2021, Afreximbank issued a guarantee in an amount of US$2 billion that enabled African states to procure 400 million doses of Johnson &amp; Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. At the same time, Afreximbank has invested in the expansion of manufacturing output in the pharmaceutical industry, ensuring the region builds back better post-pandemic.



But strengthening the financial wherewithal of these DFIs should not be exclusively the responsibility of African governments, which are their main shareholders. It should also be supported by the international community which has been championing the delivery of sustainable development goals. Luckily, boosting the capital of these banks has been on the global development agenda for some time. A decade ago, recapitalizing these banks emerged as one of the key objectives in the recommendations outlined by G20 leaders to maintain key investment in sustainable development and set the world on a strong and synchronized recovery from the 2008-2009 global financial crisis. Doing so now is perhaps even more urgent, considering the scale and magnitude of the COVID-19 crisis.



“The best way to predict the future is to create it,” Abraham Lincoln once said. Putting the newly issued SDRs to good use across Africa will create a more predictable future for the region, one that is even more resilient to global shocks and volatility. Boosting the capital of African DFIs and accelerating the transformation of African economies through trade will be an important step in the creation of that future.

Opinion

Empowering spazas to be the pivot point for economic growth and development

South African businesses can leverage the growing gig economy for sustainability

Embracing sustainable business is key to accelerating Africa’s economic growth

AIM for Climate Seeks to Double Investment in Climate-Smart Agriculture and Food Systems Innovation by COP27

THE TIME TO END SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN WEST AFRICA IS NOW!

The future of Africa’s food security needs a new consensus with smallholders

TOP TECHNOLOGY TRENDS TO WATCH IN 2022

If Africa is to alleviate poverty, our governments must do more to tackle corruption

Challenger banks and neobanks: 5 trends to watch in 2022

Vaccine Equity Within Africa Key for Continent’s Recovery

The data secret that empowers cities

Lessons from 2021: How we can accelerate sustainable development for Africa

Unlocking Africa’s automotive aftermarket

Only 40% of Africans want COVID-19 jabs to be mandatory, study finds

Food Inflation in Sub-Saharan Africa

Why the world must once again mobilize against malaria

Putting SDRs to good use in Africa

News Tips

Advertise With Us

Opinion

Empowering spazas to be the pivot point for economic growth and development

South African businesses can leverage the growing gig economy for sustainability

Embracing sustainable business is key to accelerating Africa’s economic growth

AIM for Climate Seeks to Double Investment in Climate-Smart Agriculture and Food Systems Innovation by COP27

THE TIME TO END SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN WEST AFRICA IS NOW!

The future of Africa’s food security needs a new consensus with smallholders

TOP TECHNOLOGY TRENDS TO WATCH IN 2022

If Africa is to alleviate poverty, our governments must do more to tackle corruption

Challenger banks and neobanks: 5 trends to watch in 2022

Vaccine Equity Within Africa Key for Continent’s Recovery

The data secret that empowers cities

Lessons from 2021: How we can accelerate sustainable development for Africa

Unlocking Africa’s automotive aftermarket

Only 40% of Africans want COVID-19 jabs to be mandatory, study finds

Food Inflation in Sub-Saharan Africa

Why the world must once again mobilize against malaria

Putting SDRs to good use in Africa

News Tips

Advertise With Us

Newsletters