Defaulting Municipalities Impact South Africa’s Service Delivery
Debt owed to South African towns and cities almost doubled over the past five years, weighing on municipal finances and increasing the risk that the supply of basic services such as water and electricity will be disrupted. Consumers owed municipalities $14.8 billion by the end the financial year through June 30, according to data the […]
No Fewer than 120 Textile Companies in Nigeria have Ceased to Exist
This after the government pumped billions of public funds to rescue them. The Nigerian government has floated a series of funding schemes totalling over $1.18bn in the last 30 years to salvage the local textile industry, according to public information from government institutions, including the Central Bank of Nigeria. Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration (1999-2007) launched a […]
Unlike Many other African Countries, Ride-hailing Apps are not Yet Common in Senegal
Tech has been slow to take off in the former French colony—a general trend for Francophone Africa compared to Anglophone equivalents. But this is beginning to change as several startups make inroads into the untapped market over the last year—and the competition is heating up. Companies have erected giant billboards overlooking many of Dakar’s raised […]
Even with a Massive Solar Field, Gas is Still Egypt’s Preferred Choice
The International Energy Agency (IEA) reckons Egypt is one of the world’s best regions for solar. Some companies agree, having invested in projects such as the Benban solar park, one of the world’s largest, 650km (400 miles) south of Cairo. Egypt’s government has also tried to boost rooftop solar power by offering homeowners generous incentives. […]
The Future of Logistics on the Continent
Africa’s largest e-commerce company Jumia has started using Zipline’s drones for home deliveries, adding an aerial dimension to the online retailer’s increasingly efficient logistics system. The move stems from Jumia’s push to be the go-to platform for Africans ordering everyday items. “Whether they’re ordering electronics, fashion, health, and beauty, or other categories, Zipline’s instant logistics […]
Lusaka’s Plans to Get Out of the Bonds of Debt
Zambia has secured a $1.3bn IMF bailout package, enabling the African nation to advance talks with creditors on exiting a default that will test how Beijing handles the souring of its loans to developing nations. The three-year bailout “will help re-establish sustainability through fiscal adjustment and debt restructuring” through a “homegrown economic reform plan” formulated […]
The Top 100 Most Admired Brands in Africa
As countries and consumers look at local solutions following the pandemic and with the acceleration of AfCFTA’s goal of driving greater intra-African trade, African brands are starting to re-assert their position in the Brand Africa 100: Africa’s Best Brands ranking. Upstart brands such as South Africa’s lifestyle footwear brands, Bathu (#52) and Drip (#65) – […]
Leading Construction Event Zeros In On Collaborative Solutions For Business Growth
Stakeholder’s Engagement Forum looks to break down barriers for a better future Despite a prolonged period of declining value due to Covid disruption and delays, the South African construction industry looks set for a reversal of fortune in 2022, with forecasts predicting a 9.1% real-term expansion. In the 2022 Construction Industry Outlook Survey, key strategic initiatives identified […]
From a Severely Poor Child to a Multi-Millionaire: The Story of SimoLife!
In 1997, at the age of 9, a young kid would see a computer for the first time. He was blown away when he entered the cyber cafe with his uncle and saw all these alienating machines. Even more blown away when his uncle explained to him: “I’m texting people from Canada, Japan, France, Egypt…” […]
