Foreign direct investment (FDI) in African countries has experienced notable growth and diversification between 2015 and 2024, creating a dynamic environment rich with opportunities for business graduates.

This expanded report provides a detailed analysis of recent African FDI trends, geographic distribution, key sectors, major multinational investors, public-private partnerships (PPPs), and the implications of these developments for career paths and entrepreneurship in Africa.

From 2015 onward, Africa witnessed increased FDI inflows after a dip around 2020 due to global economic disruptions.

By 2021, the continent attracted a record $83 billion of FDI, more than doubling results from 2020, yet representing roughly 5.2% of global FDI.

This rise was backed by robust investments in energy, infrastructure, and digital technology.

Projections continue to show strong investment momentum with energy and gas sector projects alone rising to approximately $120 billion in 2022 from $24 billion in 2021, an indication of large-scale capital injections into Africa's power and energy infrastructure.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), connecting 1.3 billion people with a combined GDP near $3.4 trillion, is pivotal in enhancing intra-regional trade and investment, thereby encouraging a more integrated and larger market attractive to foreign investors.

Despite these positive trends, challenges such as uneven development, risk perception, national debt burdens, and skills gaps remain to be addressed to fully harness Africa’s investment potential.

Geographically, investments are distributed mainly across Southern, West, and East Africa, with North Africa experiencing a slight decline in FDI.

South Africa dominates in absolute FDI amounts, attracting more than $40.9 billion in 2021.

Egypt remains a top destination in North Africa, with inflows more than doubling to $11 billion in 2022.

Beyond high-profile countries, regional blocs reveal significant growth: West Africa's Economic and Monetary Union (WEMU) doubled its FDI to about $5.2 billion in 2022, and East Africa's Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) increased FDI by 14% to roughly $22 billion.

The East African Community meanwhile saw a 9% growth in FDI, reaching $3.8 billion.

These figures highlight the growing importance of regional economic integration facilitating FDI flows.

Key economies outside the headline cases include Nigeria and Ghana in West Africa, Kenya and Tanzania in East Africa, and Morocco and Mozambique in other sub-regions.

The United Kingdom leads European investment, followed by France and the Netherlands, while China remains highly active, particularly through its Belt and Road Initiative focusing on infrastructure, energy, and manufacturing projects.

In terms of sectors, foreign investors have broadened their focus beyond traditional mineral extraction to areas with higher growth potential and strategic importance.

Energy—especially renewable energy—has become a substantial target, with major projects totaling about $120 billion in 2022, including landmark initiatives like Morocco’s $20 billion wind energy export to the UK.

Mining remains vital, with investments targeting copper, cobalt, lithium, and platinum, essential for global technology supply chains.

Telecommunications and digital infrastructure investment expand alongside Africa’s rapid mobile and internet adoption.

Fintech is booming, with projected revenues of $30 billion by 2025, supported by a thriving ecosystem of startups and unicorns.

Pharmaceutical manufacturing is growing, driven by rising demand and capacity-building efforts to reduce import dependence.

Manufacturing sectors are projected to double, underpinning Africa’s ambition for import substitution and industrial development.

Infrastructure investments—across transport, logistics, and digital platforms—have surged by over 50% in value, supported through stimulus packages and public-private collaborations.

These multi-sectoral investments offer a broad canvas for business-related careers.

Prominent multinational corporations and investment firms active in Africa since 2018 span numerous industries and regions.

British International Investment Plc (BII) has pledged $60 billion over five years, channeling funds into renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and women-led enterprises—primarily in Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, and Egypt.

The Saudi Public Investment Fund expanded its footprint in Egypt’s fertilizer, container handling, and finance sectors through acquisition stakes.

European investment firms like Vortex Hermes commit hundreds of millions of euros to renewable energy projects across Africa and Europe.

Financial and tech-focused private equity firms such as Novastar Ventures are investing in East African startups specializing in electric vehicles, artificial intelligence, and fintech.

Global ICT companies including Dell and Nvidia have launched skills development programs supporting startup growth and digital innovation.

Other notable companies with significant operations include Dana Gas in oil and gas, as well as firms deeply involved in pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and fintech.

These investors demonstrate a strategic orientation toward sectors with transformative potential aligning with sustainable development and technological advancement.

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) have multiplied in Africa recently, adding layers of complexity and opportunity in economic development.

Transportation infrastructure projects like Zimbabwe’s Beitbridge-Victoria Falls highway rehabilitation illustrate how PPPs leverage private sector expertise and capital for critical national assets, improving design, construction, and operational capacity.

Tunisia’s activation of funds to support infrastructure PPPs fosters sustainable growth and inclusive development.

China’s PPP investments have expanded rapidly, with over 10,000 warehousing projects and extensive capital deployed, reflecting confidence in African logistics and trade infrastructure.

Across sectors such as energy transition, urban development, and water services, PPPs integrate legal and performance management standards to enhance transparency and accountability, mitigating risks for private investors.

These projects contribute directly to job creation, technical skills development, and ecosystem strengthening.

For business students, gaining insight into PPP frameworks offers avenues in policy development, project finance, contract management, and operational leadership within both public and private domains of Africa’s expanding infrastructure landscape.

The alignment of these investment and PPP trends with job creation and entrepreneurship is particularly significant for business graduates.

The fintech sector’s rapid expansion demands skills in financial technology development, business model innovation, regulatory compliance, and customer experience design.

Renewable energy and infrastructure sectors require proficiencies in project finance, supply chain logistics, sustainability management, and stakeholder engagement.

Technology companies and investment programs, including Nvidia’s skill-building initiatives and Egypt’s Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA) entrepreneurial support, create pipelines for talent development and startup incubation.

In East Africa, the rise of venture capital investment in startups such as NewGlobe Education and Komaza illustrates a maturing entrepreneurial ecosystem where business knowledge underpins scaling and innovation.

PPP-driven projects offer roles ranging from policy advising and financial modeling to public relations and operational coordination.

Programs like CHEP’s Step Up empower SMEs and women entrepreneurs through strategic partnerships with firms like Tiger Brands, increasing market accessibility and business management capacity.

Consequently, career opportunities span corporate roles in finance, innovation, and management; entrepreneurial ventures; consulting in governance and development; and public sector positions shaping Africa’s growth framework.

In summary, Africa’s foreign investment landscape is both expanding and evolving, with concentrated flows into Southern, East, and West Africa’s largest economies and dynamic sectors such as renewable energy, fintech, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and infrastructure.

Significant multinational investors from the UK, US, China, Europe, and the Middle East continue to inject capital and expertise, supported by rising PPP activities that foster sustainable development and public service delivery.

The interplay of these developments presents a fertile ground for business graduates to pursue diverse career paths, including investment analysis, project management, entrepreneurship, innovation strategy, and policy advisory roles.

Understanding the contours of African investment trends can empower students to strategically position themselves as valuable contributors to the continent’s economic transformation and long-term prosperity.

Thus, given the FDI dynamics, sector diversification, and collaborative investment mechanisms currently shaping Africa, business students are advised to cultivate skills in finance, technology, sustainable development, stakeholder engagement, and entrepreneurial leadership to maximize their impact in a continent offering unprecedented growth and career potential.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) in African countries has experienced notable growth and diversification between 2015 and 2024, creating a dynamic environment rich with opportunities for business graduates.

Title:

Content: FDI flows to North Africa down 5% in 2021
Foreign direct investment to North Africa fell 5 percent to $9.3 billion for the whole of 2021, according to a report on “Investing in the World ” released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) on June 9, 2022.
These investments, towards Tunisia, improved slightly from $652 million in 2020 to $660 million in 2021.
The same investment to Morocco increased by 52 percent to 2.2 billion dollars in 2021, compared with a 12 percent drop to 1.5 billion dollars in Egypt.
Despite the decline in these investments in Egypt, it remains the second country to benefit from the inflow of foreign direct investment in Africa.
According to the same report, the flow of foreign direct investment in Africa reached a record level of $83 billion for the whole of 2021, more than double the investment achieved for the whole of 2020.
Despite this significant growth, the flow of investment to Africa in 2021 represented only 5.2 percent of the global total, compared to 4.1 percent in 2020.
Most African countries saw a slight increase in foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2021.
These investments developed in South, East and West Africa, while they maintained their previous levels in Central Africa, while declining in North Africa.
Europeans remain the most important investors in Africa, led by investors from the United Kingdom ($65 billion) and France ($60 billion).
Increased investments in renewable energy
Despite the overall positive trend of foreign direct investment towards Africa, the announcement of new projects remained weak at $39 billion and shows only a weak recovery compared to $32 billion recorded in 2020 and less than $77 billion recorded in 2019.
In parallel, the number of international projects in the field of renewable energies in Africa increased to an estimated 71 projects, almost double the 36 projects completed in 2011.
Among these projects is a $20 billion project that aims to export wind energy to the UK from Morocco.
By laying 3,800 km of submarine cables.

What trends are emerging for African startups in 2022?

This expanded report provides a detailed analysis of recent African FDI trends, geographic distribution, key sectors, major multinational investors, public-private partnerships (PPPs), and the implications of these developments for career paths and entrepreneurship in Africa.

Title:

Content: South Africa supports calls for global co-operation to boost trade and address economic challenges and climate change

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Johannesburg, South Africa – 23 January 2023: The 53rd Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, concluded on Friday, 20 January 2023. World leaders and corporate executives expressed hope that the looming recession facing the global economy could be avoided if countries collaborated to boost global trade and investment.

A high-level South African government and business delegation has returned home from the meeting more upbeat than before that the current economic slowdown and rising inflation could be resolved if nations addressed global supply disruptions that are leading to commodity shortages and driving up energy and food prices.

The delegation was led by Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, who was accompanied by leaders of South Africa’s major corporations operating in various sectors of the economy. The delegation also included Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ebrahim Patel; Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Naledi Pandor; and Minister of Human Settlements, Mmamoloko Kubayi.

This year’s WEF Annual Meeting was held under the theme “Cooperation in a Fragmented World” and covered many interconnected topics including the impact of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war on the commodity markets, skyrocketing cost of living caused by rising inflation and monetary policy tightening by central banks, climate change, and the growing impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on workplaces and labour markets.

“The South African delegation did a fantastic job in Davos where it sold our country to global investors as a favourable market to do business and invest in. Notwithstanding the energy supply constraints that our country is currently grappling with, South Africa remains an attractive investment destination given its excellent infrastructure, sophisticated financial markets, and a skilled workforce,” says Sithembile Ntombela, Acting CEO of Brand South Africa.

The South African government is currently implementing structural reforms that have opened the energy sector to private investment to boost energy generation and bring an end to load-shedding that is constraining the economy.

“The structural reforms that are currently being implemented by the government are making progress in removing investment bottlenecks and reducing the cost of doing business. These reforms will enable South Africa, a preferred destination by local investors and global multinationals looking to expand across Africa, to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA),” says Ntombela.

The AfCFTA, which officially launched in 2021, will create the world’s largest free trade area, stimulate intra-African trade, develop regional value chains, and promote industrialisation across the continent.

The AfCFTA Secretariat and WEF revealed in a report unveiled at this year’s Davos meeting that AfCFTA is projected to create single market that will grow to 1.7 billion people and $6.7 trillion in consumer and business spending by 2030.

By 2050, the continent is estimated to be home to 2.5 billion people and a market with a combined business and consumer spending of $16.12 trillion.

The report titled “A New Era for Global Business and Investment in Africa” lists four high-potential sectors that hold lucrative opportunities for companies looking to invest in Africa.

These sectors are automotive, agriculture and agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, and transport and logistics, which are all expected to see rapid growth in terms of production and trade volumes under AfCFTA.

“Given that South Africa is the most industrialised and sophisticated economy in Africa, it is well positioned to take advantage of opportunities presented by AfCFTA. The development of the free trade area will require massive investment in logistics and telecommunications infrastructure to reduce the cost of doing business and enable free movement of people, goods and services,” explains Ntombela.

With the green energy transition and digital transition in full motion around the world, the delegation that represented South Africa at WEF2023 expressed support for calls to reskill and upskill workforces, particularly the youth, to prepare them for future workplaces and to mitigate job losses.

The delegation is impressed by the progress made by the WEF’s Reskilling Revolution; an initiative launched in 2020 to empower 1 billion people. So far, the initiative has reached 350 million people.

Climate change also took centre stage at WEF with world leaders and business executives committing themselves to supporting the implementation of the Paris Agreement, which calls on all countries to cut carbon emissions to limit global warming to around 1.5 degrees celsius and strive towards attaining net zero emissions by 2050.

This commitment requires countries and businesses to move away from using fossil fuel energy sources like coal and crude oil and adopting clean and environmentally friendly energy sources such as wind and solar power.

The launch of the new Coalition of Trade Ministers on Climate, which brings together over 50 countries, was also a highlight of this year’s  WEF annual meeting.

The coalition aims to tackle climate change by promoting trade and investment that encourages adoption of goods, services, and technologies that mitigate climate change in both developed and developing countries.

“However, the global challenges that were highlighted at WEF 2023 cannot be resolved in a fragmented world in which countries are pulling in different directions. These challenges require collaboration and unity by the nations of the world, where counties are working together to find solutions in an integrated global economy,” concludes Ntombela.

Ends/////

Issued by Brand South Africa

Notes to the Editor

Contact: Phindi Mathebula

Email:phindilem@brandsouthafrica.com

Mobile number: +27 64 890 7414

About Brand South Africa

Brand South Africa is the official marketing agency of South Africa, with a mandate to build the country’s brand reputation, to improve its global competitiveness. Its aim is also to build pride and patriotism among South Africans, to contribute to social cohesion and nation brand ambassadorship.

This electronic communication and the attached file(s) are subject to a disclaimer which can be viewed at https://www.brandsouthafrica.com/terms-and-conditions . If you are unable to view the disclaimer, please email info@brandsouthafrica.com for a copy.

From 2015 onward, Africa witnessed increased FDI inflows after a dip around 2020 due to global economic disruptions.

Title:

Content: Global foreign direct investment reached US $1.65 trillion last year
January 20, 2022 23: 51
Eastern Network Television
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(Photo by Getty Images)
Foreign media reported that the latest report of the United Nations shows that global foreign direct investment (FDI) surged by 77% year-on-year last year to US $1.65 trillion, far higher than US $929 billion in 2020, but the distribution of overseas funds is uneven, mainly concentrated in the developed countries of the United States and Europe, accounting for nearly three-quarters, followed by the developing countries and the poorest countries.
According to the report, FDI from rich countries was estimated at $777.7 billion last year, three times as much as in 2020.
Benefiting from the surge in cross-border M & A transactions, FDI in the United States increased by 114% compared to 2020, and in Europe by more than 80%.
FDI inflows to developing countries last year increased by 30% year-on-year to close to US $870 billion, including accelerated growth in East and Southeast Asia, a return to near pre-pandemic levels in Latin America and the Caribbean, and an increase in West Asia.
There was also more foreign capital flowing into Africa last year than in 2020, with most companies seeing an increase in FDI.
In terms of industry, construction was the big winner last year, with the number of financing increased by 53% year-on-year and the amount of money also surging by 91%, mostly from high-income regions and Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.

By 2021, the continent attracted a record $83 billion of FDI, more than doubling results from 2020, yet representing roughly 5.2% of global FDI.

This rise was backed by robust investments in energy, infrastructure, and digital technology.

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Content: British International Investment Plc (BII) aims to invest $60 billion in Africa over the coming five years, Bloomberg reported on July 27th.

The investments will be made in several fields including renewable power and digital infrastructure, along with supporting women-owned businesses.

BII will pay attention to the powerhouse markets in Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, and Egypt, with the investments being focused on the private sector.

The support plan, which is a part of a global program worth $10 billion, covers a $76 million contribution to a $500 million fund being arranged by Old Mutual Ltd’s African Infrastructure Investment Managers.

For his part, BII’s CEO Nick O’Donohoe said in an interview that his fully-owned company by the UK has been a major investor in power, particularly renewable energy, in Africa over the past three or four years.

Copyright © 2022 Arab Finance Brokerage Company All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).

What trends are emerging for African startups in 2022?

Which sectors are Chinese investments in Africa focusing on?

Projections continue to show strong investment momentum with energy and gas sector projects alone rising to approximately $120 billion in 2022 from $24 billion in 2021, an indication of large-scale capital injections into Africa's power and energy infrastructure.

Title:

Content: AFED: EGYPT RECEIVED $5.1 BILLION INVESTMENTS IN 2021
GDP growth is expected to rise to 4.4% this year
Abdulrahman Abu Al-Enein
6: 52 AM, Wednesday, 31 May 23
Recent data issued by the African Development Bank (AfDB) revealed that Egypt ranked second in terms of foreign direct investment flows in the continent in 2021 and attracted nearly $5.1 billion.
According to the Africa Economies Outlook 2023, South Africa was the largest recipient of foreign direct investment in 2021 with investments of more than $40.9 billion, nearly half of the total inflows to the continent in that year, followed by Egypt and Mozambique, which each attracted nearly $5.1 billion, representing about 6.2% of the total volume.
In the same context, the report expected Egypt ’ s GDP growth rate to decline to 4.4% this year from 6.6% estimated last year, and to rise to 5.1% next year.
The report pointed out that the inflation rate rose from 4.5% in the fiscal year 2020 / 2021 to 8.5% in the fiscal year 2021 / 2022 due to the rise in food and energy prices globally and the devaluation of the pound against the dollar.
He said that the current account deficit shrank to 3.5% of GDP in the fiscal year 2021 / 2022 compared to 4.4% in the previous fiscal year 2020 / 2021 due to the rise of tourism revenues to 10.7 billion dollars against 4.9 billion dollars, respectively.
The African Development Bank pointed out that the banking sector remains profitable and well capitalized, noting that the rate of non-performing loans reached 3.2% in June 2022, explaining that subsidies and social protection programs have reduced the impact of high food and energy prices on vulnerable families.
The Minister of Planning Hala Al-Said said in previous statements that despite the current effects of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, which is likely to spread over the next year, the Egyptian economy is expected to grow by 4.2% by the end of the current fiscal year 2023-2022.
Al-Saeed said that with the development of inflationary trends in the Egyptian economy and despite the success of the state in curbing it and reducing it from very high levels (25% in 2017-2016) to less than 5% in 2021-2020, the rate increased to about 15% in 2022, and continued to rise, especially after the Russian-Ukrainian crisis.
Foreign direct investment in Mozambique increased by 68% in 2021, the report said, noting that these investments were largely directed to green projects in the energy sector.
Nigeria accounted for 5.8% of FDI inflows to Africa and Ethiopia 5.1% despite economic challenges.
The bulk of foreign direct investment in these countries is increasingly going to clean energy resource projects.
Mauritius and South Africa recorded the largest outflows in 2021, but a few countries recorded net inflows, including Egypt ($18 billion) and Nigeria ($5.9 billion).
The Bank estimates that capital flight through net investment outflows continued in 2022 at around $28 billion, which is close to the 2021 level due to higher interest rates linked to deflationary monetary policies in developed countries.
Official development assistance (ODA) to Africa stabilized at $65 billion in 2021 after the previous 28 percent jump in 2020.
The significant increase in such assistance since 2020 reflected the support provided by the international community to help African governments address the humanitarian, social and economic impacts of the coronavirus epidemic and the difficult global economic conditions.
The African countries that saw the largest increase in ODA in 2021 included Egypt (428%), Equatorial Guinea (115%), Angola (109%), Gabon (82%) and Sudan (60%).
The report pointed out that official development assistance to Egypt during 2021 amounted to about 8.2 billion dollars, Ethiopia 4 billion dollars, Sudan 3.8 billion dollars, the Democratic Republic of the Congo 3.5 billion dollars, Nigeria 3.4 billion dollars, and Kenya 3.1 billion dollars.
African countries need to leverage this external support to address existing vulnerabilities and build more resilient economies, given the risks that advanced economies are reallocating resources for reconstruction and humanitarian assistance in Ukraine at the expense of meeting the continent ’ s official development assistance commitments.
Ukraine received $16.1 billion in net official development assistance (ODA), equivalent to 7.8 percent of the total aid resources provided last year.
It is noteworthy that the report was launched in light of the annual meetings of the African Development Bank Group held under the auspices of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi in Sharm El Sheikh from 22 to 26 May.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), connecting 1.3 billion people with a combined GDP near $3.4 trillion, is pivotal in enhancing intra-regional trade and investment, thereby encouraging a more integrated and larger market attractive to foreign investors.

Title:

Content: Global investors waiting to pour in money in Africa to firewall China

By IANS | Published: August 2, 2021 02:09 PM2021-08-02T14:09:05+5:302021-08-02T14:25:34+5:30

New Delhi, Aug 2: After a tepid inflow of foreign direct investments (FDI) into Africa in 2020 amid the ...

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New Delhi, Aug 2: After a tepid inflow of foreign direct investments (FDI) into Africa in 2020 amid the Covid-19, investors are once again warming up to the continent. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), FDI flows into Africa declined by 16 per cent in 2020 to $40 billion, from $47 billion in 2019.

China, the primary investor in the continent, has also slowed down its investments into the continent leaving an opportunity for other investors.

While the UNCTAD projected FDI inflow into Africa to grow this year, it said that the slow vaccine roll-out programme is a cause for concern. According to UNCTAD, FDI to the continent is projected to grow by only 5 per cent in 2021. But analysts said Africa as an investment destination has led to "an unprecedented curiosity" among other countries, which are now aggressively looking to mute China's dominance in the continent.

"Africa is critical in the new geopolitical and geo-economic contours. The continent, with its vast natural resources, offers a ready growth platform," an analyst told India Narrative.

According to a study published by Brookings Institution last week, Africa is home to 17 per cent of the world population. However, by 2050, it will have 26 per cent of the global population 2.53 billion people. "If Africa is not successfully integrated into the global economy, there could be a major threat to global prosperity and stability," the study said, adding that by 2050, the continent will be home to an estimated $16.12 trillion of combined consumer and business spending.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) – the mega trade could give a push to intra-continental investment.

Touted as one of the biggest trade deals in the world, the AfCTA aims to create a single market comprising 1.3 billion people with a combined GDP of about $3.4 trillion.

Meanwhile, the US may have woken up late in recognising the potential of Africa but is making all attempts to make up for the lost time.

The Group of Seven or G7 has already decided to support US President Joe Biden's proposal of carving out a mega infrastructure plan under the "Build Back Better World" (B3W) initiative, expected to bring in transparency and sustainability. Besides, the initiative will be carried out only in consultation with local communities.

The G7 in its meeting in June also announced that it will increase its support to the Indo Pacific and Africa. "We resolve to collaborate with partners around the world, including in the Indo-Pacific and Africa, to actively promote these shared values for the good of all," said the statement.

India too has pressed the pedal on investments in the region. Sources said that the still-born Asia Africa Growth Corridor—the mega infrastructure project that was launched in 2017 to connect Asia and Africa must be revived.

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace noted that Chinese financiers committed $153 billion to African public sector borrowers between 2000 and 2019. "After rapid growth in the 2000s, annual lending commitments to Africa peaked in 2013, the year the BRI was launched. By 2019, though, new Chinese loan commitments amounted to only $7 billion to the continent, down 30 percent from $9.9 billion in 2018," it said.

Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor

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What trends are emerging for African startups in 2022?

Despite these positive trends, challenges such as uneven development, risk perception, national debt burdens, and skills gaps remain to be addressed to fully harness Africa’s investment potential.

Title:

Content: Last month, it signed a 30-year concession agreement with the Tanzania Port Authority to operate and modernize the multi-purpose port of Dar es Salaam in the presence of Samia Solho Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania.
This promising agreement is expected to yield immediate positive results, including the start of DB World ’ s operation and modernization of a range of berths located in Tanzania ’ s busiest ports.
This step reflects our commitment to opening the door to the commercial capabilities and potential that characterize the entire continent.
Tanzania is one of the main pillars of the East African trading bloc, with its strategic location on the Indian Ocean and its wealth of natural resources, making it a major player in the regional and global economy.
Historically, the port of Dar es Salaam has played a central role in the transport of imports and exports between neighbouring landlocked countries, such as Uganda and Rwanda.
But the region ’ s infrastructure is a barrier to rapid economic progress in Africa and Tanzania.
A study by the African Infrastructure Consortium shows that poor infrastructure adds between 30% and 40% to the costs of goods traded between African countries.
As a result, intra-African trade is only 13%, according to the African Union, while in the case of intra-EU trade, it is about 60%, according to the European Commission.
Infrastructure modernization in Africa is hampered by many structural challenges and issues, from feasibility studies and poor business plans to delays in obtaining licenses and approvals, lack of agreement on risk allocation and poor delivery services. Increased and enhanced investment and cooperation efforts are key to bridging this gap and opening the way for Africa ’ s supply chain infrastructure.
DP World follows the same development goals as Africa: for example, Tanzania aims to become a middle-income economy by 2025, an economic vision that will spur promising partnerships.
By aligning our objectives and investments with Tanzania ’ s national transport policy, we can strengthen our commitment through concession agreements, such as the one we signed on 22 October aimed at transforming Dar es Salaam Port into a world-class trade gateway.
Over the next five years, we will invest more than US $250 million in the port to modernize its operations and improve cargo clearance, transport and logistics services across Tanzania and the hinterland of the port.
Improving the port ’ s efficiency and accessibility will provide opportunities to handle larger vessels and shipping lines. This will reduce shipping costs for importers and exporters. This will help lower prices for Tanzanian consumers for goods ranging from food and clothing to high-tech machinery. The port ’ s modernization will also enhance Dar es Salaam ’ s role as the gateway to the copper belt in Central Africa. Exports of copper and other metals will grow in importance to meet growing global energy demand as the world races to reduce carbon emissions.
The World Bank estimates that sub-Saharan Africa needs to invest approximately 7.1% of its GDP each year in infrastructure to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
However, current investments amount to half that amount, so boosting the flow of private funds into infrastructure has become critical to supporting the economic goals of countries like Tanzania.
DP World ’ s commitment to the continent is not limited to East Africa: in the Horn of Africa, for example, our investment in the Berbera Economic Zone and the modernization of the Berbera Port have created opportunities for Somaliland and its neighbouring countries, including over 100 million people in Ethiopia.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, we have begun construction of Banana Port, the country ’ s first deepwater port, and our largest port investment in Africa is the US $1 billion development of Ndayan Port in Senegal, which we began construction last year.
These steps are part of our commitment to continue our efforts to transform Kigali, Rwanda, into a major logistics hub in East Africa and to open international trade for businesses in South Africa via Maputo, Mozambique.
We recognize the role of supply chains in accelerating economies.
Through cooperation, investment and commitment between the public and private sectors, we can develop and manage infrastructure that contributes to the development of local economies such as Tanzania ’ s and accelerate Africa ’ s potential as a trading powerhouse.

Geographically, investments are distributed mainly across Southern, West, and East Africa, with North Africa experiencing a slight decline in FDI.

South Africa dominates in absolute FDI amounts, attracting more than $40.9 billion in 2021.

Egypt remains a top destination in North Africa, with inflows more than doubling to $11 billion in 2022.

Title:

Content: Chairman of the Board of Directors and Editors
I'm sorry.
Mohamad Elbaz
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Editors
I'm sorry.
Mohamad Elbaz
It has reached $11 billion.
UN highlights doubling of foreign direct investment in Egypt
The United Nations Trade and Development Board (UNCTAD) said in its annual report on foreign direct investment flows for the year 2022, on Wednesday in Geneva, that Egypt witnessed an increase in foreign direct investment more than doubled to $11 billion as a result of increased cross-border M & A sales.
Investment flows to Africa fell to $45 billion in 2022 from a record $80 billion in 2021 and accounted for 3.5 percent of global foreign direct investment, the report said, adding that international project financing deals targeting Africa showed a 47 percent drop in value.
The report pointed out that the number of announcements of new projects increased by 39% to 766, and that six of the 15 largest new investment mega projects (those worth more than $10 billion) announced in 2022 were in Africa, stressing that Egypt witnessed an increase in foreign direct investment more than doubled to $11 billion as a result of increased cross-border M & A sales.
The number of new projects has more than doubled to 161, and the value of international project financing transactions has increased by two-thirds to $24 billion.
FDI inflows have risen over the past five years in four of the continent ’ s regional economic groupings, with FDI in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) growing by 14% to $22 billion, and inflows also rising in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) (quadrupled to $10 billion) and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WEMU) (doubled to $5.2 billion). East African Community (up 9% to $3.8 billion).
According to the report, the largest increase in 2022 was in new field projects announced in energy and gas supply (to $120 billion from $24 billion in 2021), and the value of projects in construction and extractive industries rose to $24 billion and $21 billion, respectively, while the information and communication sector recorded the largest number of projects.
European investors remain by far the largest owners of FDI in Africa, led by the United Kingdom ($60 billion), France ($54 billion) and the Netherlands ($54 billion).

Which African countries are driving the venture capital ecosystem?

Beyond high-profile countries, regional blocs reveal significant growth: West Africa's Economic and Monetary Union (WEMU) doubled its FDI to about $5.2 billion in 2022, and East Africa's Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) increased FDI by 14% to roughly $22 billion.

What trends are emerging for African startups in 2022?

The East African Community meanwhile saw a 9% growth in FDI, reaching $3.8 billion.

What trends are emerging for African startups in 2022?

These figures highlight the growing importance of regional economic integration facilitating FDI flows.

Title:

Content: People 's Network > > International
The magnetic force of attracting foreign investment in Arab countries is enhanced (global hot spot)
This reporter is ordinary.
August 10, 2023 08: 55 | Source: People's Daily Overseas Edition
Small number
A Yemeni Airlines passenger plane carrying about 270 people took off from Sana'a International Airport to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coastal city.
It was the first commercial flight in seven years from Yemen's Houthi-controlled capital to Saudi Arabia.
Photo Passengers waiting at Sana'a International Airport.
Xinhua / Reuters
Recently, the Arab Investment Guarantee and Export Credit Agency released the 38th Annual Investment Environment Report for the Arab States in 2023 (hereinafter referred to as the "Report").
According to the report, the number of direct foreign investment projects entering the Arab countries in 2022 increased by 74% to 1,617 projects, and the amount of investment increased by 358% to 200 billion US dollars.
This trend is expected to continue in 2023.
Increased investment attractiveness
The report published by the Arab Agency for Investment Guarantee and Export Credit, citing data from the FDI Markets database, shows that the number of foreign projects entering the region increased by 28 per cent in the first quarter of 2023 compared with the same period in 2022, and the amount of investment increased by 70 per cent to $74 billion.
According to the report, the UAE attracted 923 foreign direct investment projects last year, ranking first among Arab countries.
From an industry perspective, the renewable energy industry ranked first in investment spending, accounting for 60% of the total; the software industry led in the number of projects, accounting for 23.4% of the total.
The report pointed out that in 2022, inter-Arab investment continued to maintain a growth trend, with the number of investment projects increasing by 84% to 245, and the amount of investment increased by 623% to 45.6 billion US dollars.
In May this year, at the UAE International Investment Conference, the British “Investment Monitoring ” company released a report entitled“ Greenfield Investment in the Middle East and Africa in 2022 ”, saying that foreign direct investment in all regions of the world in 2022 is on the rise.
Compared with before the epidemic, the Middle East and Africa region has become the fastest growing region in the world to attract foreign direct investment, and the Middle East has almost doubled its foreign direct investment, while the African region has increased by one third.
According to the report, more than 100 countries and regions invested in the Middle East last year.
The UAE, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Egypt and Qatar are the top five countries in the region.
“We see the Middle East emerging as a major destination for companies and business investors seeking growth opportunities across a wide range of industries. ” Mamern Sbergh, president of Encounter Middle East, has a long-standing interest in the region ’ s economic dynamics.
He said that in recent years, the Middle East has continued to show openness to foreign investors and the overall trend of investment environment has been positive.
Li Weijian, a researcher at the Institute of Foreign Policy Studies of the Shanghai Institute of International Studies, said in an interview with our reporter that in the past, there was also partial cooperation among Arab countries, but the scale was not large; now, there are overall changes in cooperation among Arab countries, which are of particular concern.
Zhang Chuchu, associate professor of the School of International Relations and Public Affairs of Fudan University and deputy director of the Middle East Research Center, said in an interview with our reporter that Arab countries have two characteristics: First, the proportion of investment in the global South is increasing; Second, the field of attracting direct foreign investment is more diversified.
Huge development potential
"The attraction of investment is a barometer of the political security environment and the economic development environment of a region and a country," Li said. "In the external environment, the influence and leading role of the United States in the region has decreased, and the strategic autonomy of Arab countries has increased.
The Arab countries have clearly recognized that the biggest challenge facing them is how to develop their economies, not security threats from one country.
In addition, the Arab countries are also actively creating a favorable regional environment in order to get rid of the single oil economic model and attract foreign investment.
Arab countries have a unique advantage in attracting foreign investment.
Zhang Chuchu said that one is the geographical advantage.
The Arab countries straddle the two continents of Asia and Africa, connecting the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean, and guarding the key maritime transportation routes of East and West, are an important plate and key force in the current global pattern, and are also an important hub connecting the three continents of Asia, Europe and Africa.
The second is market value.
Arab countries include the world's fastest-growing economies such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, as well as countries with large population densities such as Egypt, and most Arab countries have a relatively high proportion of young people, and the regional market is full of vitality and potential.
The third is energy status.
Arab countries include a large number of oil and gas producers.
4 is political support.
The Arab countries are committed to transforming the single economic structure, putting forward strategic plans such as the Saudi Vision 2030, the UAE Vision 2030, Kuwait Vision 2035, and Egypt Economic Revitalization Plan to achieve economic diversification and enhance economic development momentum, and the demand for infrastructure and high-tech industries has increased sharply.
In recent months, there has been a wave of reconciliation in the Middle East, and the Middle East pattern has undergone profound adjustments: Saudi Arabia and Iran have restored diplomatic relations, the peace process in Yemen has made positive progress, Qatar and Bahrain have decided to restore diplomatic relations, Turkey and Egypt have improved bilateral relations, and Syria has returned to the Arab League summit.
"Traditionally, the attention of the international community to the Arab countries has been focused on the political and security fields, and the attention of the local economy has been focused on the energy industry.
Zhang said that with the steady progress of the Middle East reconciliation trend, some Arab countries have made the improvement of people's livelihood a priority agenda, which not only promotes pragmatic cooperation among countries, but also provides a stable environment for regional economic cooperation and development.
"The trend of reconciliation in the Middle East is not sudden, but is based on the strategic needs and geopolitical changes of the Middle East countries. It is not a temporary phenomenon, but a long-term trend." Li Weijian said that the impact of the Middle East "reconciliation tide" on the economic development of Arab countries should not be underestimated. Geopolitically nervous and deterred investors want to seize the opportunity and increase their willingness to invest in Arab countries.
"Arab countries' economic development is on the right track, economic cooperation is constantly close, and geopolitical relations in the Middle East will further ease," Li said.
The economic outlook is positive.
According to the Global Data Regional and Global Risk Index (GCRI), the UAE maintained its position as the lowest risk country in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the previous quarter.
Saudi Arabia ranked third, followed by Qatar and Kuwait, which ranked fourth and fifth respectively.
According to the Global Economic Outlook released by the World Bank, the economic prospects of the Arab countries in 2023 and 2024 are generally optimistic.
The World Bank report forecasts economic growth of 3.5 per cent and 2.7 per cent in the Middle East and North Africa region; the report of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia forecasts GDP growth of 4.5 per cent and 3.4 per cent in the Arab countries.
According to the Economic and Social Development Survey of the Arab Region released by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, unemployment in the Arab region will decline slightly in 2023; inflation is likely to fall to 8% and 4.5% in the next two years.
Zhang said that the increase in direct foreign investment will help promote the economic growth of Arab countries, alleviate the long-term problems of infrastructure and science and technology deficits faced by many countries in the region, and also provide support for the diversification and modernization of the regional economy.
The political stability of the Arab countries has been increasing, and the enthusiasm of all countries to seek new impetus for economic growth has been increasing.
In this context, the confidence of the international community in the economic prospects of the Arab countries has increased significantly.
However, the problem of uneven development within the Arab countries cannot be ignored.
According to a report released by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), the economic growth of Arab countries is quite different, with some countries benefiting from soaring energy prices and some countries suffering from rising energy costs, food shortages and declining international aid inflows.
"Arab countries have not only an imbalance in industrial structure, but also an imbalance in regional development, which stems from internal factors such as national development plans, as well as external factors such as continuous external intervention, regional conflicts, and poor economic environment," Zhang said.
Sabih stressed the need for Arab countries to implement comprehensive plans to improve the political, economic and institutional investment climate as soon as possible.
"At present, the Arab countries are aware of the deep challenges of their own development and are trying to carry out regional reconciliation and strengthen strategic autonomy on the one hand, so as to provide favorable conditions for their economic transformation and industrial upgrading," Zhang said.
In addition, the region needs to improve the regional economic cooperation mechanism, and increase efforts to introduce diversified elements of economic development, including foreign capital, technology and manpower, to enrich its own industrial chain, so as to promote the economic and social modernization of the region.
Li Weijian said that in the future, to continue to enhance the attractiveness of investment and economic development, Arab countries need to do a good job in the following aspects: First, to ensure the stability and security of the economic development environment; second, to emancipate the mind, adjust the economic development structure, and promote diversified economic development; third, explore the establishment of contradictions and coordination mechanisms to create good conditions for cooperation among regional countries.
(Edited by: Wang Yuheng, Cui Yue)
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Key economies outside the headline cases include Nigeria and Ghana in West Africa, Kenya and Tanzania in East Africa, and Morocco and Mozambique in other sub-regions.

Title:

Content:
BusinessDay

Opportunities in volatile trade environment, the AfCFTA perspective

Trade Finance is the fundamental driver of economies around the globe. Regardless of economic cycles and the implications of macro events such as the financial crises in 2007 and 2008, Brexit, the economies of all countries around the world continue to be driven by parties trading commercially in exchange of goods.

Therefore, smooth settlement of commercial contracts and a smooth exchange of goods to satisfy the demands of the end consumers is paramount.

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic caused a huge disruption to all sectors of global economy most especially international trade in goods and services, which dipped by about 10 percent in 2020 because of the lockdown in many parts of the world and the disruption in production, supply chain and consumption.

Further effects of the COVID-19 were the limitations in the movement of goods and services as well as people, huge demurrage payments due to delays in receipt of negotiated sets of documents for clearing at the ports.

According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Secretariat calculations on national statistics, it was noted that international trade began to recover slowly for a lot of the major economies during Q3’ 2020, while a noticeable general recovery happened in Q4’ 2020.

In Nigeria, a significant 57.60 percent increase was noted in foreign trade goods when comparing 2021 with 2020. This was according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

Africa’s growth in trade

The fast growth of population and markets in Africa offers businesses several opportunities despite the slow growth globally.

Investments and innovations from businesses within Africa are necessary to meet the ever-growing demand for goods and services, infrastructure gap closure, job creation and poverty alleviation.

African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has created a borderless market worth $3.4 trillion. This would reduce contraction in growth caused by COVID-19, reduce inequality and poverty trends, and encourage an inclusive continental growth.

Africa’s current population of around 1.2 billion people is projected to reach 1.7 billion by 2030. It has been noted that 34 percent of households in Africa live below the international poverty line of $1.9 per day.

Also, approximately 40 percent of the total wealth belongs to 0.0001 percent of Africa’s population, according to a report issued by the UNCTAD. The pandemic has worsened the case of vulnerabilities and inequalities of marginalised people, leading to an additional 37 million people in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) living in extreme poverty.

Data from the African Development Bank (AfDB) show that the continent’s current untapped export potential amounts to $21.9 billion. It is expected that an export potential of $9.2 billion would be realised through a partial tariff liberalisation plan of AfCFTA over the next five years.

Also critical is enhanced pan-African collaboration in service export, which will play a key role to deliver on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

According to the World Bank, by 2030, the largest consumer markets will include Nigeria, Egypt, and South Africa.

Lucrative opportunities in countries like Algeria, Angola, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia, and Tanzania, among others in Africa. Ethiopia, as an example, is reportedly one of the fastest-growing economies in the world over the past decade, with an average annual growth of 10.5 percent GDP from 2005-06 to 2015-16

Opportunities in ICT and mobile access

The rapid diffusion of ICTs in Africa over the past decade has facilitated access to consumers in new and varied ways.

Africa is currently the fastest-growing mobile telecom market in the world, averaging roughly 30 percent increase in mobile phone connections per year since 2000, and recently overtaking Latin America to become the world’s second-largest mobile market behind Asia

SSA experienced the world’s fastest rate of new broadband connections between the years 2008 and 2015.

Also, with the introduction of many players in the telecom space, mobile data traffic is expected to increase in multiple folds between 2017 and 2022. Mobile money accounts that are active are close to 120 million users, which is over 50 percent of the global total.

This has reduced usage of traditional banking products. It is expected that this would allow companies to improve their productivity, increase transaction speed, and access other markets. It could additionally increase the continent’s GDP by 2025 by over $300bn.

Agricultural resource growth

Africa has always been known for her riches in agriculture and mineral resources. Though this has not been translated into economic growth, shared wealth, innovations and further investments can change the picture.

The sector can create exciting growth opportunities for businesses. Africa can produce what it eats and move to the top of the food value chain globally. Agro-industrialisation would add value to what is being produced.

Industrialisation in Africa

The timely intervention on the industrial development of Africa is a welcome development. Africa is probably the least diversified in the world, with minimal progress recorded over the last two decades on industrialisation.

It is suggested that African industries have the opportunity to double production to nearly $1 trillion within a decade. Three-quarters of that growth is likely to come from manufacturing to substitute imports and meet rapidly growing local demand.

Urbanisation

Africa’s urban growth is the fastest in the world. The continent’s population is projected to double between now and 2050.

It is expected that Two-thirds of this growth will happen in the urban areas. 30 years from now, the cities will house an additional 950 million people globally.

There are lots of opportunities that come with this, as well as challenges for businesses, citizens and the government of Africa.

Read also: Beyond ECOWAS, 18 months of AfCFTA yet to show in Nigeria’s exports

There is a need to revamp political development agendas and improve policy decision-making. The implications of this have lasting consequences over generations.

These trends are promoting a spike in sector developments such as in pharmaceuticals, financial services, education, healthcare and so on.

Payment solution – PAPSS

By simplifying cross-border transactions and reducing the dependency on hard currencies, intra-African trade is boosted significantly and promotes the implementation of the AfCFTA, which is a force for African governments to address their infrastructure needs as well as to overhaul regulation relating to tariffs, bilateral trade, cross-border initiatives and capital flows.

The Pan African Payment and Settlement Systems (PAPSS) is a central Financial Market Infrastructure (FMI) that supports payment arrangements for the purpose of expanding the international trade of African States, and to facilitate central bank’s economic and financial integration.

PAPSS is currently live in the West African states Monetary Zone (WAMZ) in the following countries: Nigeria, the Gambia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ghana, and Guinea. Engagements are ongoing with all African Central Banks and all regional payment institutions.

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The United Kingdom leads European investment, followed by France and the Netherlands, while China remains highly active, particularly through its Belt and Road Initiative focusing on infrastructure, energy, and manufacturing projects.

Title:

Content: People 's Network > > International
Promoting economic recovery for the benefit of all peoples (Destiny and Common · Global Development Initiative)
April 10, 2022 05: 25 | Source: People's Daily - People's Daily
Small number
On February 20, the China-Europe train (Yuxinou) loaded with fine chemical products departed from Chongqing Orchard Port for Duisburg, Germany.
The picture shows the loading operation site of Chongqing Orchard Port.
Photo by Xinhua reporter Tang Yi
Exhibitors promote goods via webcast at the 17th China-ASEAN Expo.
Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Lu Po-an
The new headquarters building of the Ethiopian Commercial Bank, the tallest building in East Africa, was officially completed in Addis Ababa on February 13.
Photo by Wang Ping, Xinhua News Agency
The 300-megawatt photovoltaic power generation project in Argentina, built by a Chinese company, is more than 4,000 meters above sea level, which has changed the history of local dependence on provincial power supply and improved the lives of the people.
Xinhua News Agency issued
The complex and ever-changing international situation and the delayed and repeated COVID-19 epidemic have posed enormous challenges to global economic development.
From deepening infrastructure investment cooperation to strengthening digital economy cooperation, China has always been committed to working together with other countries to tackle challenges and play an important role in promoting global development.
Contribute to the smooth supply chain of the Eurasian industrial chain
Our reporter Niu Ruifei
Recently, the China-Europe train (Qilu) from Qingdao arrived in Mannheim, Germany, carrying goods such as chemical raw materials, vehicle parts and daily necessities.
The China-Europe train (Qilu) Qingdao, China - Mannheim, Germany is another new route of the China-Europe train.
Faced with the impact of the new crown pneumonia epidemic, China-Europe trains operated safely and steadily, with 15,000 trains operating in 2021, transporting 1.46 million TEU of goods, an increase of 22% and 29% respectively, and reaching 180 cities in 23 countries in Europe.
Since the outbreak of the epidemic, rising logistics and time costs have posed great challenges for many companies in Europe.
As a result of the epidemic, global shipping prices have soared and ports are congested, and the advantages of railway transportation have become more prominent.
According to the data, the price of a standard container transported by train in Central Europe is far lower than the average cost of transportation on the main shipping routes.
According to the Danish logistics company DSV, the railway transport time from China to Europe is half of the time required by sea, and the transport cost is 1 / 4 of that of air transport.
Reduced shipping times allow companies to respond more quickly to rapidly changing market demands.
Xavier van der Popen, head of Central Europe freight trains at SNCF, said that the number of freight trains between France and China doubled between 2019 and 2021 and he is hopeful about the future development of Central Europe trains.
According to his estimate, by 2030, the capacity of the Central European train will be twice that of the current one.
As an important carrier of the Belt and Road Initiative, China-Europe Class has made important contributions to the stability and smooth supply chain of the industrial chain of countries and regions along the route, deepening China-EU economic and trade cooperation and promoting regional economic recovery.
As the world's largest trading power, China has played an active role in stabilizing global supply chains and curbing inflation, injecting more stability into China-EU economic and trade development.
In Belgium, China Lingang Group Zeebrugge Modern Industrial Park was started construction at the end of June last year, and the logistics and trade business scope of the park will cover new energy vehicles, cross-border e-commerce, cold chain transportation, etc. In Greece, the annual throughput of Piraeus Port operated by COSCO Shipping Group continues to increase, creating more than 10,000 direct and indirect jobs for the local...
Against the background of the repeated global epidemic and the slowdown of the world economic recovery, the scale of China-EU bilateral trade showed a rapid growth momentum in 2021, and economic and trade cooperation in many fields showed great vitality and great potential.
Data from the General Administration of Customs of China show that in terms of US dollars, the total value of imports and exports between China and the EU in 2021 reached 828.11 billion US dollars, an increase of 27.5% over the previous year.
China will continue to maintain the status of the EU's largest trading partner, and the EU is China's second largest trading partner.
"China 's stable economic development and vigorous promotion of high-quality co-construction of the Belt and Road with countries in the region have made important contributions to the stability and smooth supply chain of the Eurasian industrial chain." Felix Valdivieso, chairman of the China Studies Center of IE University in Spain, believes that promoting regional connectivity is the basis for strengthening economic and trade exchanges and cooperation.
Addressing Africa ’ s Industrialization and Urbanization Needs
This reporter Wan Yu
In Tanzania's northeastern port city of Tanga, the Maweni Cement Plant has recently been upgraded and put into operation.
Since the new product was launched, it has been widely praised by local customers with its advantages of high strength, short initial setting time, rapid demoulding and high cost performance.
Today, the cement plant has a daily sales volume of more than 3,300 tons of cement and 1,000 tons of clinker, which has become the second largest cement manufacturer in Tanzania.
"Many government infrastructure projects are using our products," said Anita Moussi, administrative assistant at the Martini Cement Plant, cheerfully.
In May 2020, after receiving the joint investment of the China-Africa Development Fund and Huaxin Cement Co., Ltd., Marwini Cement Plant started environmental upgrading and built a new energy-saving and environment-friendly grinding station with an annual output of 1.6 million tons.
Tanzanian Ambassador to China Mberwa Kerouki said that the project has brought advanced technology, promoted local economic development and created jobs, and played a positive role in promoting the friendly development of Tanzania-China relations.
The Maweni Cement Plant is a key project of the China-Africa Development Fund to complete investment acquisition, technological transformation, expansion and put into operation during the period of COVID-19 prevention and control.
As an important result of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum and China's first non-equity investment fund, the China-Africa Development Fund has helped African countries improve their comprehensive social development and create endogenous impetus for Africa's economic development.
By the end of 2021, the China-Africa Development Fund had invested nearly $6 billion in 37 African countries and mobilized Chinese enterprises to invest and finance $27 billion in Africa.
Investment and financing cooperation is one of the highlights of China-Africa cooperation in recent years, which has injected vitality into Africa's economic and social development.
By the end of 2020, China's investment stock in Africa exceeded $43.4 billion, involving more than 50 African countries.
China has become the fourth largest source of investment in Africa, and more than 3,500 Chinese enterprises have taken root in Africa, and private enterprises have gradually become the main force of investment in Africa, employing more than 80 percent of local employees in Africa, directly and indirectly creating millions of jobs.
South African National Planning Commission member Miriam Altman believes that investment from China helps Africa better integrate into global value chains.
Chinese enterprises not only bring high-quality and moderately priced products and equipment to the local area, but also bring more investment, management experience and innovation vitality, and connect with the needs of Africa's industrialization and urbanization, which has effectively promoted the local economic development.
Under the framework of China-Africa cooperation, Chinese enterprises are investing in Africa in traditional areas such as infrastructure, manufacturing, energy and minerals, and industrial processing, while also focusing on the development and cooperation in new areas such as high-tech manufacturing, medical and pharmaceutical, digital economy and aviation.
Renfu Africa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., which is jointly invested by Hubei Renfu Pharmaceutical Group and the China-Africa Development Fund in Mali, is one of the most advanced modern pharmaceutical factories in West Africa.
The commissioning of the pharmaceutical plant has led to a significant reduction in the price of basic medicines on the Malian market.
During the epidemic prevention and control period, pharmaceutical companies have made every effort to ensure normal production, greatly alleviating the shortage of drugs in Mali and neighboring countries, and providing strong support to the epidemic prevention work in West Africa.
Vera Songgui, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, said that under the background of epidemic prevention and control, China has continued to promote investment by enterprises in Africa, creating many jobs for African countries, and promoting Africa's economic recovery and development.
At the same time, both sides are concerned about and committed to achieving sustainable development, and cooperation between Africa and China will become closer and deeper in the future.
Deepening digital technology cooperation with ASEAN countries
Our reporter Sun Guangyong
In a 20,000 square meter logistics warehouse on the outskirts of Bangkok, local employee Wichai tapped a computer screen at his station, and the goods on the shelves were sent to his work desk by multiple automatic guided transport vehicles, and then sent to the truck through the conveyor belt.
In two days, the goods will reach consumers across Thailand.
This is the largest automated warehousing system in Southeast Asia, built by Cainiao and Thai express company Lightingda, with an average daily processing capacity of 6,000 orders and a maximum daily processing capacity of 20,000 orders.
At the same time, the logistics and warehousing links have been automated. The advanced technology from China has made the logistics and warehousing links lower error rate, higher warehousing efficiency and higher delivery capacity, which has completely changed the predicament that the picking speed has not kept pace with the growth of orders.
In recent years, Thailand's e-commerce market has developed rapidly, as one of the largest express delivery companies in Thailand, Lightning has more than 2,000 outlets in the local area, with a daily delivery of more than 2 million orders, covering most countries in Southeast Asia.
With the continuous growth of e-commerce transactions, the shortcomings of the original logistics and warehousing system have gradually emerged.
In order to change this situation, local e-commerce platforms, while carrying out cross-border trade with Chinese enterprises, introduce mature technical experience and operating models, improve technology, logistics and payment systems, and introduce new marketing models such as live broadcast into the Southeast Asian e-commerce market.
“Chinese companies helping Thailand build a smart digital logistics center will not only improve logistics efficiency between the two countries, but also help Thailand become a regional logistics hub, serving Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam, ” said Di Weijie, founder and COO of Lightning Tower.
The Thai government has been committed to promoting the digital transformation of various industries and the development of the digital economy to enhance the country ’ s competitiveness.
Prime Minister Prayuth said that advanced information and communication technologies and digital innovation play an important role in supporting Thailand ’ s economic resilience and sustainable development.
The development of the digital economy is an important driving force for the economic transformation and upgrading of ASEAN countries such as Thailand, and the digital logistics cooperation between China and ASEAN countries is a microcosm of the digital economic cooperation between the two sides. cooperation in areas such as application.
"China is at the forefront of the development of digital infrastructure and is an ideal partner for ASEAN to promote the development of the region's digital economy," said Lin Yuhui, secretary-general of ASEAN.
Strengthening digital connectivity between ASEAN and China is conducive to maintaining the vitality and competitiveness of the regional economy.
At present, China and ASEAN are seizing the opportunity of a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation to create more new cooperation highlights in areas such as smart cities, 5G, artificial intelligence, e-commerce, big data, and blockchain.
A large number of Chinese 5G, data center and cloud service providers have launched and landed related projects in ASEAN countries, providing tremendous support for the establishment and improvement of digital ecosystems, e-commerce and payment platforms.
Singapore's Lianhe Zaobao newspaper pointed out that Chinese technology companies have many leading technologies in areas such as artificial intelligence, big data and financial technology.
By partnering with Chinese companies, local companies can enhance their technological capabilities and catalyze more innovative solutions, leading to more growth opportunities.
"Digital development is one of the three key areas of ASEAN Economic Community construction. It is related to the economic recovery and sustainable development of ASEAN countries. Cooperation with China has promoted the economic and social development of the region."
Enhancing endogenous development momentum in Latin American countries
This reporter Li Xiaoxia
In the province of Huanuco, in the hinterland of the Peruvian Andes, several large equipment are working intensively, and the asphalt is evenly spread to the designated site, and the roller compactor is compacting back and forth, and the new asphalt pavement is gradually forming.
The project is an extension of the Huanuco to Huayanco highway linking Peru's mountainous regions with the country's main foreign trade center.
After the completion of the expansion project, the 236-kilometer highway will also be connected to the Pan-American Highway, greatly improving local traffic conditions and benefiting nearly 300,000 people in 243 towns along the route.
“Under the framework of the joint construction of the Belt and Road, cooperation between Peru and China has been continuously strengthened, and 25% of Peru ’ s foreign direct investment will come from China in 2020. ”
These investments have strongly promoted Peru's economic and social development and brought benefits to the local people, "said Carlos Aquino, director of the Center for Asian Studies at the National University of San Marcos in Peru.
Vanuke to Vajanco highway expansion project is a microcosm of China-Latin America infrastructure investment cooperation.
In Argentina, Chinese enterprises invested in the construction of Argentina's Helios wind power project spread in the country's mountains, deserts and coastal areas, effectively promoting the development of environmental protection and energy transformation in the country, while providing more than 1,000 jobs. After obtaining the concession of the Talka-Chilan section of the Chilean Highway 5, the company expanded and renovated the existing road with a total length of about 195 kilometers, and set up 13 new electronic toll collection systems, which alleviated the regional traffic pressure and promoted the economic growth of the areas along the project.
In recent years, the cooperation between China and Latin American countries in building the "Belt and Road" has continued to deepen, and the Latin American region has become the second largest destination for China's foreign investment, with more than 2,700 Chinese enterprises in Latin America.
In the past 20 years, China has put 138 infrastructure projects into use or under construction in Latin America, with a total investment of more than 94 billion US dollars, creating more than 600,000 jobs in the region.
Since the outbreak of the epidemic, the economic and social development of all countries in the world, especially developing countries, has been seriously affected, and the Latin American region has suffered a serious economic recession.
The epidemic has not slowed down the development momentum of China-Latin America economic and trade cooperation, and the cooperation between the two sides in the field of infrastructure investment has been in line with the development needs of the Latin American region, and has also provided support for Latin American countries to enhance their endogenous development momentum and economic and social development resilience.
Ernesto Santibáñez, a scholar in the Department of Industrial Engineering at the University of Talca in Chile, believes that the demand for high-quality infrastructure and advanced technologies in Latin America is increasing, and the exchange of products, technologies and services between Latin America and China is becoming closer, especially China's investment in the infrastructure field of Latin American countries continues to promote the development of the region.
At present, China strongly supports the development of digital industries, and orderly promotes the application of digital technologies such as 5G, big data and Internet of Things and the construction of new types of infrastructure. "Cooperation between Latin America and China in green, low-carbon, digital infrastructure and other fields has broad development space, which will promote sustainable development in Latin America," said Ignacio Martinez, an expert on international issues at the National Autonomous University of Mexico.
With the signing of the "Belt and Road" cooperation document between China and many Latin American countries, China-Latin America cooperation will be comprehensively promoted in the future.
Aquino pointed out that China's economy is growing rapidly and steadily, and it is transforming to high-quality development.
As the second largest trading partner in Latin America and a major source of investment for many Latin American countries, China's economic development is having a positive impact on the Latin American region. "A developing China will benefit the world," Aquino said.
Layout: Cai Huawei
People 's Daily (April 10, 2022 07 edition)
(Editor: Bai Yu, Zhao Xinyue)
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Which European countries lead investment in Africa?

In terms of sectors, foreign investors have broadened their focus beyond traditional mineral extraction to areas with higher growth potential and strategic importance.

Title:

Content: East Africa’s evolving venture capital industry

Novastar invested in Kenyan tech-enabled forestry company Komaza in July 2020.

By Niraj Varia, partner at Novastar Ventures

When we set up Novastar seven years ago the concept of venture capital in East Africa was a slightly crazy idea. Impact investing was one thing but it took a long time to convince investors that it was possible to deliver impact and financial returns at an early stage. Today, that argument has been made and the market is undoubtedly maturing.

Two prevailing trends point to this growing maturity. First, we see specialisation amongst both investors and start-ups. Early on there was an attitude of “we don’t know if it’s going to work, let’s be open to anything and give it a go”; today firms are singular in their focus. A great example on the investor side is Mobility 54, a corporate VC backed by Toyota Tsusho Group, which invests solely in mobility solutions for Africa. In turn, Africa-based entrepreneurs have zeroed in on sophisticated solutions to endemic problems. In the past few months alone we have spent time with 10 electric vehicle companies, two companies using AI applied technologies, and a score of marketplaces working to disintermediate broken supply chains. Meanwhile, as we know, fintech is thriving. This level of entrepreneurial activity, and the growing sector expertise that sits behind it, is good news for the East African venture ecosystem and ambitious businesses across Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia.

The second indicator of market maturity is an increasing separation between impact and venture funds. In the past, if you invested early stage you were probably an impact investor whereas now there are increasing numbers of investors, both individual and institutional, who believe you can invest early to make money. Similarly, there are investors trying to have impact by doing more than just investing in SMEs. The industry no longer lazily bundles ‘early stage’ as impact and venture.

African venture capital is emerging as a distinct asset class. Venture is a very different animal to private equity; our work is not about the deep analysis of a single company in a sector and its financials but rather a judgement of individuals and teams. Almost by definition anything that we get excited about has huge amount of potential and almost no track record. That demands a different way of thinking and a particular sort of investment team.

And there is something distinctive about venture in Africa compared to more developed markets. This is a set of countries where there is massive untapped opportunity in every sector, and challenges in every part of the value chain. The entrepreneurs we work with seek to boldly transform the continent in a fundamental way – to change the way pharma works or disrupt the fertiliser industry, to come up with a new model for agri procurement or introduce innovative sanitation models in overcrowded informal settlements. Through our investments, we show it is possible to be equally committed to the financials and the impact. In our geographies, commercial success and impact at scale are mutually reinforcing because the companies we back are fixing huge problems, not making incremental gains in established industries. This impact finds voice in the stories of customer – whether that’s a family in Kibera getting on to the internet for the first time, a newly married couple buying a sofa for their new home, or a schoolboy being able to access a safe, clean toilet on his way to school.

A couple of examples help demonstrate the opportunity we see every day. One is NewGlobe Education, which started in Kenya expanded into Uganda, and today operates in five countries with over 2,000 schools and more than 780,000 current active pupils. Novastar was one of the first investors in NewGlobe and we’ve since been joined by the Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative and US VC firm NEA, amongst others. A second example is Komaza, whose unique microforestry approach pays farmers to grow tiny plots of trees for wood. Komaza does three things: it generates commercial return, brings enormous social benefit to farmers and their families, and sets up a unique environmental impact story. Both NewGlobe and Komaza share tech enabled operating models and work directly with low income communities on extraordinarily thin margins. These are themes which unite the Novastar portfolio and capture our thesis that you can secure tremendous social impact as well as strong financial returns.

We are not fundraising at the moment, but during the past 12 months we have definitely seen a spike in inbound interest from places like the West Coast, Hong Kong, Singapore and Europe as firms seek co-investment opportunities. This confirms East and West Africa is slowly being recognised at a global level. In turn, the DFIs are increasingly setting up their own internal venture arms, for example British International Investment. Their comfort with the ‘risk’ of venture in Africa now feels secure.

In 2014, Novastar set out to catalyse a new asset class in East Africa. We bear the scars and have the learnt the lessons from the 22 investments we have made since then. Our strong networks have brought in co-investors behind us, both third parties and our own LPs. We remain utterly true to our mission: to back amazing businesses which serve the common good, make money and as a direct consequence transform entire sectors. But we cannot do it alone.

More and more companies are providing early stage funding, be they angels or venture funds, but securing series A and B funding in East Africa remains very tough. Finding an investor willing to write the US$8 million – $15 million cheques needed to support rapidly growing but still unprofitable businesses is hard work. The second challenge is debt, start-ups in East Africa have to raise a lot more capital than they should because they are financing growth – capex or inventory, using equity. In addition, all of our companies have to try and fix entire value chains as they scale; this makes them more capital intensive as they have to iterate more and build much more expertise in their teams. That is why the series A and B rounds are so crucial. We welcome new entrants to this market. The handful of exits that have taken place so far are a cause of unique celebration; over the next three years, there will be more, enough, we think, that they will become cause for routine celebration.”

This article was first published in the East Africa Private Equity Industry Survey, produced by EY and EAVCA.

Energy—especially renewable energy—has become a substantial target, with major projects totaling about $120 billion in 2022, including landmark initiatives like Morocco’s $20 billion wind energy export to the UK.

Mining remains vital, with investments targeting copper, cobalt, lithium, and platinum, essential for global technology supply chains.

Telecommunications and digital infrastructure investment expand alongside Africa’s rapid mobile and internet adoption.

Which sectors are Chinese investments in Africa focusing on?

Which sectors received the most foreign investment?

Fintech is booming, with projected revenues of $30 billion by 2025, supported by a thriving ecosystem of startups and unicorns.

Title:

Content: When asked for his views on diversification as a strategy for portfolio management, Warren Buffett responded, “diversification is protection against ignorance”. Instead of a diversified portfolio, the Oracle of Omaha famously prefers a concentrated one, composed of a few sectors he has rigorously studied.

The UK’s investment strategy for the African continent is seemingly straight out of the Buffett playbook. As of 2020, the UK holds $65bn in total foreign direct investment (FDI) stock in Africa, second only to China. The vast majority of the portfolio is in oil, gas, mining and financial services.

In 2022 five new oil and gas deals worth £2.1bn were struck at the UK-Africa summit. In stark contrast, just £161m (8% of the total summit commitments) were invested in clean energy. One may agree with the UK’s strategy, suggesting that there aren’t many other high-yield investments to be made other than in oil majors, legacy miners and grey-haired banks. And besides, who would disagree with Buffett’s dictum? He is the sixth-wealthiest person in the world after all.

The truth of the matter is that Buffett would not be as wealthy as he is without adapting to changes in market trends, technologies and geopolitics. In May he sold his remaining stake in chip manufacturer TSMC due to geopolitical considerations (TSMC is based in Taiwan). A concentrated portfolio does not mean a stagnant one. It is this insight that the UK is overlooking, setting itself up to miss opportunities in those new industries rapidly taking shape across the world’s youngest and most promising continent.

Two trends are shaping markets across the continent. One of these is the adoption of financial technologies and the other is increased demand for healthcare, a consequence of Africa’s population boom and rising standards of living.

Fintech sector

McKinsey, a consultancy, estimated that revenues in the African fintech sector could surge eight times their current value to $30bn by 2025. Between 2020 and 2021 alone, the number of tech start-ups tripled to 5,200 companies. In 2021, seven of the 10 newly minted African unicorns (private companies valued over $1bn) are fintechs. As more Africans get connected and as digital identification verification models mature, fintechs will scale and profits will follow.

The second sector is pharmaceuticals. As Africa’s population grows and incomes rise, more money will be spent on healthcare. Within this sector, the Covid-19 pandemic laid bare the worrisome state of Africa’s vaccine and therapeutic manufacturing capabilities. Estimates vary, but some assessments forecast vaccine demand to double in volume from about 1-billion doses now to more than 2.7-billion doses by 2040. Industries adjacent to pharmaceuticals such as logistics, packaging and protective equipment are likely to cash in on increased private and public healthcare expenditure.

There are some positive signs that the newly revamped British International Investment (BII), formally the Commonwealth Development Corporation, is adjusting its investments because of these market trends. In 2020, the BII made a $150m investment in Kelix bio, a pan-African pharmaceutical platform focusing on manufacturing and marketing. It also executed a $20m, four-year structured credit deal with Moove, a fintech company that provides customers with cheaper access to vehicles.

Risk premium

These steps are positive but they are small. Inward FDI for Africa remains pitiful. Last year set a record for the continent, bringing in $83bn. To put this in context, the City of London in 2020 hit $831bn in FDI (10 times that of a continent of 54 countries), according to the Office of National Statistics.

What to make of this all? At least two insights. First, the UK should look to new sectors, taking bold bets in companies leading the fintech and pharmaceutical sectors. The second insight is that Africa’s risk premium is overpriced. There is opportunity beyond the industries of the 20th century; one just needs to look for them.

• Nott works for a venture facility for public benefit and is based in London. He writes in his personal capacity. You can follow his writing on Twitter @TheAfricaBrief.

Picture: 123RF

Pharmaceutical manufacturing is growing, driven by rising demand and capacity-building efforts to reduce import dependence.

Which sectors received the most foreign investment?

Manufacturing sectors are projected to double, underpinning Africa’s ambition for import substitution and industrial development.

Infrastructure investments—across transport, logistics, and digital platforms—have surged by over 50% in value, supported through stimulus packages and public-private collaborations.

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U.S., North Korea back five years ago, Biden won't talk about North Korea, hints at restarting nuclear tests
China says US ship "Bamford" into the South China Sea, expelled from the United States denied
Global FDI reached US $1.65 trillion last year, surpassing pre-pandemic levels
According to the latest report of the United Nations, global foreign direct investment (FDI) surged 77% last year from the previous year, rebounding strongly from the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic and surpassing the pre-epidemic level, but the distribution of overseas funds is uneven, mainly concentrated in the developed countries of Europe and the United States, followed by the developing countries, and the poorest countries.
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) released data on the 19th, the total overseas investment of global enterprises in 2021 reached 1.65 trillion US dollars, up from 929 billion US dollars in 2020, of which nearly three-quarters went to developed countries.
According to the report, FDI from rich countries reached an estimated $777.7 billion last year, three times the previous year.
FDI in the United States jumped 114% from the previous year, and in Europe by more than 80%, thanks to the surge in cross-border M & A transactions (M & A).
FDI inflows to developing countries increased by 30 per cent last year to close to $870 billion, including accelerated growth in East and Southeast Asia, a return to near pre-pandemic levels in Latin America and the Caribbean, and an increase in West Asia.
As for the poorest countries, more foreign capital flowed into Africa last year than in the previous year.
FDI by most African firms has increased.
In terms of industry, driven by favorable long-term financing conditions, economic stimulus packages and overseas investment plans, the infrastructure sector was a big winner last year, with financing increasing by 53% in several years and 91% in value, mostly in high-income regions and in Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.
In contrast, new investment in industry and global value chains was weak last year.
The number of greenfield investments announced last year was almost flat (down 1% year-on-year), but the amount increased slightly by 7%.
New investment plans in global value chain-intensive industries, such as electronics, fell further.
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These multi-sectoral investments offer a broad canvas for business-related careers.

Prominent multinational corporations and investment firms active in Africa since 2018 span numerous industries and regions.

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Content: The driving force behind Afribiz Invest

AFRIBIZ INVEST: An eminent African entrepreneur and a passionate philanthropist, Mr. Collen Mashawana

An eminent African Entrepreneur and a passionate philanthropist.

JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – AS the current Executive Chairman of Afribiz Invest, Dr. Collen Mashawana is responsible for creating continental business opportunities across the various infrastructure spaces, with a particular reference to sectors critical to the Africa’s economic development.

In addition to being a successful entrepreneur, Collen firmly believes in the culture of giving back and has also been able to leverage his business network to advocate for social change. He established the Collen Mashawana Foundation to create a vehicle focused on the welfare of the marginalised groups in respect of the elderly, child- headed-homes and people living with disability.

Personal Profile
INTRODUCTION
The driving force behind Afribiz Invest.
UNDER PRESIDENT COLLEN MASHAWANA, AFRIBIZ INVEST’S VISION IS CLEAR. TO BE ONE OF AFRICA’S LARGEST INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

CCollen’s career began at Microsoft South Africa after obtaining a Diploma in Information Technology (IT).

In 2022 hIeNDcompleted his Masters in Business Administration from Henley Business School. In 2018, Collen was honoured by the Department of Social Development with an Award of Entrepreneur of the Year through the South African Men of the Year.

Collen Mashawana has further been nominated as one of the 100 most influential Africans for 2020 by the Reputation Poll International which features 47 women and 53 men. His education and experience prepared him well to provide him with a broad understanding of the South African technology and business landscape that would later position him to devise feasible solutions to relevant problems in South Africa.

He has over the years devoted a lot of time in understanding Government’s service delivery mandates and is currently one of the most critical thinkers and notable leaders in the South African business environment. This has informed his strategic approach for Afribiz Invest, an Investment Company he founded in 2005 with the aim of making a meaningful contribution to the economy of South Africa.

Afribiz Invest is an investment company investing in the African continent’s strategic sectors, with a focus on infrastructural space. The company has shown considerable growth despite the world challenges and employs more than 500 people, while simultaneously empowering thousands more. This is driven by its ambitious mission to create value and drive economic transformation across the African continent.

In South Africa the company is involved in different mega mixed development projects like the Rama City in the North West of Pretoria and the West Rand Mega Park. The two projects have a development value of over R30 billion set to create over 50 000 jobs. In 2022 they expanded into the UAE market and partnered with Al Hatmy in Dubai which is a design and engineering consultancy firm operating in the UAE for the past 40 years.

Personal Profile
Under Afribiz Invest, Collen has consolidated his businesses into a single holding company, focusing on Consulting Services, Construction, Property Development, Energy, ICT, Mining, Training, Security and Financial Services with over 20 subsidiary companies within the infrastructure space.

The House Appeal Initiative was also launched to provide hundreds of people with safe
shelter. Not only has this

You have to dream big philanthropist and be different to be able to set yourself apart, that’s what we’re doing.”

Through Afribiz Invest’s subsidiary entities, he has built over 40,000 houses for the less fortunate, which was driven by the impact that these houses will have on humanity. It is this drive that ensures he goes out himself and oversees the building of these houses; that food is distributed to the less fortunate and that Health Care is provided for those who cannot afford it. His entrepreneurial path amounts to a full portrait of impressive anecdotes.

These vehement gusts of undertakings touch on all the main points that make up Collen Mashawana’s exemplary life. He also partnered on philanthropic initiatives through the Collen Mashawana Foundation which aims to aid the lower disadvantaged demographics.

The Collen Mashawana Foundation was specifically established to create a vehicle that strives to enhance equality and social inclusion for all.

One of 100 most influential Africans for 2020 Reputation Poll International
The Collen Mashawana Foundation is an African-based NGO founded by Collen Mashawana.

It has over the past 11 years contributed millions of Rands to a wide range of meaningful causes including disaster relief, food & water security, housing and integrated care for the elderly, people living with a disability and child-headed homes. More specifically, during the COVID-19 crisis in the year 2020, the Foundation reached out to aid communities that were most affected by the pandemic by handing out over 10 000 food parcels in Limpopo, Gauteng, the Northern Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal.

Personal Profile
The House Appeal Initiative was also launched to provide hundreds of people with safe shelter. Not only has this philanthropist invested a substantial portion of his own resources, but he has also helped put in place a charge for other individuals to do the same through the “One-Brick-At-A-Time” and invited local businesses and members of the community to join forces by donating building materials, furniture, and solar panels for the vulnerable groups. The Foundation has more significantly played a role in aiding the victims of the KZN floods who were left vulnerable to poverty.

Through the KZN Rebuild Intervention Project, the Collen Mashawana Foundation stepped up efforts in prioritising people who were displaced by the heavy floods. The Foundation has built them safe houses and restored normalcy to hundreds of families.

It was also identified through the various initiatives implemented or supported by the Collen Mashawana Foundation that there was a lack of equitable access to water. In response to this, the Foundation launched a water relief program that seeks to prioritise women who fall under the elderly category to provide them with safe and clean water.

The programme also assists communities with no access to clean water by providing purified boreholes. In addition to some of these notable programmes, the Collen Mashawana Foundation joined hands with the Old Mutual Foundation and the Centre for Mental Wellness and Leadership to address Sexual Gender Based Violence Femicide (SGBVF). The program which was launched in Thohoyandou in 2022 was an intervention for violence.

“One Brick At A Time”
Through the agency of the ‘One Brick At At Time ‘ flagship campaign, the Collen Mashawana Foundation has built 100’s of homes for the disadvantaged, with a vested interested in the elderly, child-headed homes, and those living with disabilities.

perpetrated against a person’s will based on gender norms and unequal power relationships. Along with his incredible generosity as a philanthropist, Collen Mashawana is also known for his humility and commitment to social equality, showing that he has strong values and knows what it takes to create an extraordinary life.

During Collen’s notable career, he has served as a transdisciplinary Executive and a Board Member of Multinational companies in the Construction, Engineering, and IT Sectors, namely, Dimension Data, Internet Solution and Group Five, successfully contributing to the industry’s roadmap for a world changed by COVID-19. There is certainly a parallel between his career and his philanthropy journey, which has led to his remarkable impact in society.

Personal Profile
“The Beauty of Life does not depend on how happy you are but on how happy others can be because of you.”

Raised from a business background with humble beginnings, Collen always had a natural inclination for business endeavours, and as such, has left a territory of valuable experiences which has touched many lives.

Collen describes his professional journey as ‘exciting’ but notes that he has also encountered obstacles along the way. Overcoming these challenges is in-keeping with the great crises of life, wherein we are brought face to face with certain challenges and called upon to make decisions of such importance that they often require a complete reversion of ideas and ideals, even of our most cherished principles as hitherto conceived.

It takes a certain amount of character to overcome life’s challenging vicissitudes, but very much in-keeping with the general note of his career, Collen has persisted unchanged by virtue of upholding the highest moral ideals with unflinching candour.

– CAJ News

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Which countries are actively investing in Africa besides China?

British International Investment Plc (BII) has pledged $60 billion over five years, channeling funds into renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and women-led enterprises—primarily in Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, and Egypt.

What trends are emerging for African startups in 2022?

Which European countries lead investment in Africa?

Which countries are preferred FDI destinations in Africa?

The Saudi Public Investment Fund expanded its footprint in Egypt’s fertilizer, container handling, and finance sectors through acquisition stakes.

Title:

Content: Saudi sovereign fund aims to acquire minority stake in BTECH
The Fund is interested in executing acquisition deals on other companies belonging to the private sector
The Judge's Faith
8: 45 AM, Tuesday, 16 Aug 22
Al-Mal learned from well-informed sources that the Saudi sovereign fund intends to invest in the company “BTECH ” specialized in the sale and distribution of electrical and electronic devices through the acquisition of a minority stake indirectly.
The sources said that the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) is interested in investing in the retail sector in the local market, and is studying a range of opportunities in other sectors such as health and education, adding that it will implement several additional deals following the purchases made on four shares listed in the stock exchange during the coming period for the shares of government entities.
The Saudi-Egyptian Investment Company, which is wholly owned by the Sovereign Fund, acquired minority stakes owned by the Egyptian government in four listed companies: Abu Qir for Fertilizers and Chemical Industries, Misr for Fertilizers Production, Alexandria for Container and Cargo Handling, and E Finance for Financial and Digital Investments with a total value of $1.3 billion.
She added that the Saudi sovereign is interested in carrying out acquisitions of other companies belonging to the private sector as well, in addition to buying stakes in entities from the government.
She said that the details of the deal are expected to be announced in the coming period, adding that there is a local financial consulting firm to manage the process, preferring not to disclose the value of the investments that will be pumped during the current stage.
In 2017, BTC announced the signing of a partnership contract worth EGP 300 million with Development Partners International, one of the largest specialized financial investment companies in Africa, which manages a business portfolio of $1.1 billion, in which the English entity acquires a 33.33% stake, while Khattab aspires to others, including President Mahmoud. The company.
On Monday, BTC launched its new Dell application, which aims to regulate trade in electronics and home appliances and provide a digital tool for small sellers to buy and resell products in bulk with payment facilities.

Which African countries are driving the venture capital ecosystem?

European investment firms like Vortex Hermes commit hundreds of millions of euros to renewable energy projects across Africa and Europe.

Title:

Content: Stock Exchange & Companies
Vortex Hermes injects €625 million into Spanish energy company
Vortex Hermes reveals details of new partnership
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EFG Hermes announced that Vortex, a renewable energy company, has entered into a final agreement with Spanish energy company Ignis Energy Holdings.
Vortex Hermes said in a disclosure sent to the exchange on Monday that the agreement includes Vortex Energy Company pumping 625 million euros into Ignis, a Spanish company through its subsidiary Vortex Energy IV and partner investors.
Vortex is managed by the direct investment sector of EFG Hermes, and this amount is to be injected into the Spanish company through a series of financial operations subject to specific conditions that will be implemented in the coming years.
These funds allow Spanish company Ignis to fund its own growth and expansion plans for its mass transformation into integrated autonomous renewable power plants in Spain and other geographies.
The agreement will also allow Vortex Energy to own and manage an increasing stake in the projects being developed by the Spanish company.
Vortex Hermes: The deal is subject to regulatory approval in Spain
Karim Moussa, CEO of Vortex, said that Ignis has an exceptionally experienced team working on an ambitious plan to establish integrated international independent renewable energy plants in the coming years.
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Moussa pointed out that this deal is subject to the approval of the Spanish regulatory authorities and meet predetermined conditions.
Founded in 2014, Vortex Energy is a global renewable energy investment platform sponsored by EFG Hermes Direct Investment and managed by Luxembourg-based Beaufort Investments.
Beaufort Investments has a team of 15 highly qualified private equity experts in infrastructure and renewable energy projects to manage all Vortex ’ s projects and investments.
Vortex carried out a series of investment deals worth about 1.3 billion euros by the end of 2020, bringing its portfolio of renewable energy (solar and wind) to 822 MW in the UK, Spain, France, Portugal and Belgium markets.
The company has an integrated operating team in London as well as an investment team at its new headquarters in Abu Dhabi Global Market.
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The Group ’ s research sector tops the ranking of the best research company in the emerging markets
EFG Hermes is one of the largest non-bank investment and financial services companies in the Middle East and Africa, operating in 13 emerging and start-up markets across four continents, covering 75 of the world ’ s fastest growing and most attractive markets.
The group specializes in non-bank finance, such as factoring, leasing, consumer finance and microfinance, and is preparing in the coming months to enter the banking world in Egypt in partnership with Egypt ’ s sovereign wealth fund.
The group ’ s research sector topped the list of top early-market research firms and the second in the Middle East and North Africa, according to the Institutional Investor Survey 2021.
Hermes said in a statement on September 30 that its lead in the start-up markets extended for the fourth year in a row, noting that it ranked seventh in the emerging markets in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Read also « Auf Egypt » intends to put on the stock exchange to finance its expansion in the Gulf worth $10 million
Five analysts from EFG Hermes ’ research team were also ranked in the top 16 in the Middle East and North Africa and three in the top five in the emerging markets.
The Group ’ s research sector covers more than 300 companies in 22 different countries, benefiting from its direct presence in the markets of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kenya, Nigeria, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
The sector also supports the initial public offerings (IPOs) in which EFG Hermes is mainly involved, in light of the significant growth of capital market activities in the markets in which the company operates.
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Which countries are actively investing in Africa besides China?

Financial and tech-focused private equity firms such as Novastar Ventures are investing in East African startups specializing in electric vehicles, artificial intelligence, and fintech.

What trends are emerging for African startups in 2022?

Global ICT companies including Dell and Nvidia have launched skills development programs supporting startup growth and digital innovation.

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Content: Dubai Financial Centre establishes itself as a preferred destination for major financial institutions
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The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) continues to establish itself as a key player in the global financial arena, thanks to its continued growth momentum and its attraction to leading international companies and outstanding talent.
By offering an advanced legal and regulatory environment, attractive tax benefits, support for fintech innovation, and future trends towards greater digitization and sustainability, the Centre seeks to establish itself as a preferred destination for global institutions in the years ahead.
This continued momentum reflects the strategic vision of the Government of Dubai in strengthening its position as a global hub for trade and business, and underlines the role of the Centre in achieving this vision.
A key destination
Today, it is a major destination for international companies looking to expand in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA) region. Today, it is home to major companies including major financial institutions, banks, investment companies, asset management, insurance companies, legal services and consulting firms. This diversity contributes to a dynamic and multifaceted environment that promotes innovation and development in financial services.
With Dubai ’ s strategic geographical location linking East and West and enabling companies to access global markets effectively, the DIFC is an excellent starting point for companies wishing to enter the region ’ s emerging markets.
DIFC is also promoting innovation and financial technology (FinTech) as part of its growth strategy, providing a supportive environment for fintech startups through funding programs, accelerators, co-working spaces, and creative and supportive initiatives.
Expanding Companies
The list of major global financial firms joining the centre continues to expand day by day, with the centre home to the majority of important and established financial institutions around the world, from BlackRock to Julius Baer, Franklin Templeton, Edmund de Rothschild, St. James Place, Hudson Bay Capital, Nomura Singapore.
Africa Specialty Risks, a reinsurance group focused on the markets of Africa and the Middle East, confirms Dubai ’ s continued rise as a global hub for the insurance and reinsurance sector, as the emirate is today the deepest reinsurance market between London and Singapore.
Attractive environment
Alliance Bernstein, founded in 1967 in Tennessee, USA, now manages $759 billion in assets, has more than 4,700 employees and offices in 27 countries and jurisdictions around the world.
Banca del Sempione Ltd is the private Swiss bank, founded in Lugano in 1960 and offering specialist advice to families, wealthy people and investors, as well as the global investment firm Balyasni Asset Management, founded in 2001, with more than $20 billion in assets under management, employing more than 1,900 people in 20 offices in the United States, Canada, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
These big global names underscore the attractive legal and legislative environment that DIFC enjoys, prompting the world ’ s largest asset management companies to find a foothold in the center thanks to its sophisticated and independent legal framework and advanced financial regulations that ensure investor protection and facilitate operations.
These institutions seek to provide diversified investment solutions tailored to the needs of both individual and institutional clients, thus strengthening the position of Markaz as a key asset management destination in the region.
Private banks are also an integral part of the Centre ’ s financial landscape, as these institutions seek to provide specialized financial services to high net worth individuals and businesses, including wealth management, financial planning and financial advisory.
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Other notable companies with significant operations include Dana Gas in oil and gas, as well as firms deeply involved in pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and fintech.

These investors demonstrate a strategic orientation toward sectors with transformative potential aligning with sustainable development and technological advancement.

Which sectors are Chinese investments in Africa focusing on?

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) have multiplied in Africa recently, adding layers of complexity and opportunity in economic development.

Transportation infrastructure projects like Zimbabwe’s Beitbridge-Victoria Falls highway rehabilitation illustrate how PPPs leverage private sector expertise and capital for critical national assets, improving design, construction, and operational capacity.

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Content: People 's Daily Online > > Economy and Technology
Before November 2021, 478 projects were started, with an investment of nearly 900 billion yuan.
PPP growth is important.
Our reporter Wu Yadong
January 10, 2022 08: 48 | Source: Economic Daily
Small number
Original title: PPP stable growth important grasp
According to the data of the national PPP comprehensive information platform management library project released by the government and social capital cooperation center of the Ministry of Finance, in the first 11 months of 2021, 595 new PPP warehousing projects, with an investment value of 117.73 billion yuan, a decrease of 390.5 billion yuan, a decrease of 24.9%; 527 contracted landed projects and an investment value of 1210.3 billion yuan, an increase of 49.6 billion yuan, an increase of 4.3%; The figure rose to 31.2 billion yuan, or 3.6 percent, from a year earlier.
Although the amount of investment in new warehousing projects has decreased, the amount of investment in contracted landed projects and the amount of investment in construction projects have increased steadily.
The central economic work conference proposed that infrastructure investment should be appropriately advanced.
By guiding the investment of social capital and stimulating the vitality of private investment, the PPP model has played an important role in helping to implement major national strategies, especially in supporting infrastructure construction, and ushering in new development opportunities.
Entering a new phase of development
The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games will be held soon, and the Winter Olympic venues will become the focus. The National Speed Skating Hall, located in Beijing Aosen Park, is built and operated with PPP mode by introducing social capital such as Shoukai Group and Beijing Urban Construction Group.
"The PPP model, attracting social capital to participate in the construction and operation of the Winter Olympics venues, can attract social forces, ease the pressure on government funds, and more importantly, give full play to its comprehensive and professional advantages in investment and financing, construction, operation and management, and improve the quality and efficiency of public services," said Wu satellite, vice president of the University of International Economics and Trade.
Since 2014, PPP has accumulated 10,209 warehousing projects with an investment of 16.1 trillion yuan; 7,618 contracted landed projects with an investment of 12.7 trillion yuan, with a contract landing rate of 78.8%; 4,748 construction projects have been started, with an investment of 7.5 trillion yuan, and a construction rate of 46.6%.
After several years of exploration, the PPP market has gradually matured and entered a stage of standardized and stable development.
Wu satellite analysis, PPP in the past few years by easing access, breaking monopoly, introducing competition, encouraging innovation, adhering to performance orientation, coordinating the two resources of the government market, promoting the quality of public service supply, efficiency change, and power change.
After practice and exploration, the PPP model has become an important starting point for China's steady growth, promoting reform, adjusting structure and benefiting people.
According to Li Wei, partner of KPMG Consulting (China) Co., Ltd. government and infrastructure consulting, the PPP model continues to promote the transformation of government functions, simplify work processes, strengthen management level, improve service quality, strengthen joint consultation and sharing, vigorously promote information disclosure, optimize business environment, and improve government governance capacity and level.
"Moderate advance" has a dry head
The PPP model provides services through market competition, and its strict project demonstration and the calculation of the government ’ s affordability eliminates excessive infrastructure investment that is out of touch with actual demand, which is conducive to achieving “moderately ahead ”.
In fact, in recent years, infrastructure construction in various fields has been active in the form of PPP models.
Taking the "two new and one heavy" (new infrastructure, new urbanization, transportation and water conservancy construction major projects) as an example, in November 2021, 473 new warehousing projects with an investment of 1035.1 billion yuan; 395 signed landing projects with an investment of 997.2 billion yuan; 405 construction projects started with an investment of 782.2 billion yuan.
The top five new projects include transportation, transportation, 236.7 billion yuan for municipal projects, 75.9 billion yuan for comprehensive urban development, 47 billion yuan for ecological construction and environmental protection, and 29.8 billion yuan for sheltered housing projects.
"By guiding social capital, the PPP model can not only solve the financial needs of infrastructure investment projects, especially major projects, but also encourage innovation and exploration in the application of terminals, but also greatly strengthen the role of government 'referees', play a role in the appropriate position, and more respect for the law of technology development and market law," Fang said.
On the one hand, the PPP model can stimulate the vitality of private investment, leverage social capital to increase the provision of public infrastructure, appropriately advance infrastructure investment, and give full play to the role of government investment in cross-cycle and counter-cyclical macro-control of the economy. "No,"
Supervision of “Long Teeth ”
Standardized development can go far, and information disclosure is an important starting point for standardized and orderly PPP work.
A few days ago, the Ministry of Finance issued the "Measures for the Management of Information Disclosure of Comprehensive Information Platform of the Government and Social Capital Cooperation (PPP)" to promote the whole life cycle of PPP projects to operate under the sun.
Compared with the previous relevant provisions, the Measures expand the scope of information entering the main body, and optimize the original single-party entry by the financial department, the implementation agencies, social capital, financial institutions, project companies, consulting agencies and other parties to enter the division of labor, while compacting the main responsibility of the financial department's information disclosure.
In addition, in line with the requirements of performance management, performance management and public supervision, increase project information, especially information on the implementation phase of the project, and increase information on project participants such as experts and financial institutions.
"Through the standard of the" Measures ", for the whole life cycle management of PPP projects, its information is more transparent, fair and impartial, can further improve the efficiency of PPP project management, and promote the scientific, standardized and sustainable development of China's PPP market," said Zhao Guohua, director of the PPP Research Center of Shanghai Jiaotong University.
Strengthening PPP information disclosure can promote information symmetry among PPP project participants such as governments, social capital, financial institutions, and advisory bodies, enhance market transparency, reduce market transaction costs, and improve the efficiency of market resource allocation.
“Participating in PPP project investment and operation is a major decision for social capital, and it can even be said that it is a major decision at the corporate strategic level. ”
In order to ensure the quality of decision-making, social capital needs effective, truthful, comprehensive and timely information and the correct analysis of information as the basis for its decision-making. "
The Ministry of Finance PPP expert library Fan Yongfang said.
Chen Jiawei of the credit management department of Agricultural Bank of China also believes that the Measures comprehensively standardize the specific information that financial departments, project implementation agencies, project companies, social capital, financial institutions and other PPP project participants should disclose in the preparation, procurement, and implementation stages of PPP projects, "which will greatly help financial institutions to use comprehensive information platform information for pre-loan due diligence and post-loan management."
To promote the disclosure of PPP information, the key is to make supervision and management "long teeth".
To this end, the "Measures" clarify the project information update time requirements, require in the preparation, procurement phase of the management library project, the project information update cycle shall not exceed 6 months; in the implementation phase of the management library project, the project information update cycle shall not exceed 12 months.
Keeping the bottom line at risk is crucial.
In order to prevent individual PPP projects from deliberately avoiding supervision and increasing the hidden debt risk of local governments by not entering the library and not updating information in a timely manner, the Measures clearly stipulates that projects that are not included in the management library and implemented in the name of PPP, as well as projects that violate the information disclosure management requirements of the Measures and are not rectified within the deadline, shall not arrange financial funds related to PPP projects.
"The Measures clarify the PPP information update cycle and aging node, and put forward more stringent rectification requirements and regulatory measures to make PPP project management more transparent and promote the more healthy development of the PPP market," Zhao Guohua said.
(Edited by: Luo Zhi, Chen Jian)
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Tunisia’s activation of funds to support infrastructure PPPs fosters sustainable growth and inclusive development.

Title:

Content: ‘Govt targeting 10 000km roads rehab’

Source: ‘Govt targeting 10 000km roads rehab’ | Newsday (News)

BY STAFF REPORTER
GOVERNMENT is targeting to rehabilitate 10 000km of road infrastructure countrywide, including major highways to ensure achievement of world-class road network in line with Vision 2030, Transport deputy minister Mike Madiro has said.

Madiro said this last week in Parliament in response to questions by MPs on government’s initiatives to repair the country’s dilapidated road infrastructure, as well as the upgrading of the Beitbridge-Victoria Falls Highway.

In February this year, government declared the country’s roads a state of national disaster after most of them, including bridges, were destroyed by incessant rains that hit the country last year.

“The government is targeting to rehabilitate 10 000km of roads countrywide. This initiative has seen the rehabilitation of major roads and highways throughout the country,” Madiro said.

“The Beitbridge-Victoria Falls Road rehabilitation project is being undertaken under a public-private-partnership (PPPs) arrangement. What this means is that there is to exist a co-operative arrangement between the public and private sector built on the expertise of each partner, which best meets clearly defined needs through the appropriate allocation of resources, risks and the wards.

He added: “This entails a procurement method, where government invites the public sector for a contractual relationship in order to design, construct, finance, manage and take the operational risk of the public sector infrastructure facilities, in this case road infrastructure. PPPs are increasingly seen as a mechanism to develop infrastructure on a cost-effective and sustainable basis and if properly managed, PPPs have a potential to unlock the much-needed financial resources to fund public projects.”

Madiro said the Transport and Infrastructural Development ministry had appointed a project proponent who is currently on the ground undertaking a feasibility study and the financial arrangement would be submitted to the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency for its consideration and approval.

“There is considerable progress and the project is on track. Allow me to share timelines of major milestones on the project. By December 2021, there will be the submission of the first report of the feasibility study. By end of February 2022, the final report of the feasibility study will be submitted.”

The deputy minister said approval processes and financial closure would be done in not more than three months, adding that by June 2022, rehabilitation of the Beitbridge-Victoria Falls Highway would commence.

The post ‘Govt targeting 10 000km roads rehab’ appeared first on NewsDay Zimbabwe.

China’s PPP investments have expanded rapidly, with over 10,000 warehousing projects and extensive capital deployed, reflecting confidence in African logistics and trade infrastructure.

Across sectors such as energy transition, urban development, and water services, PPPs integrate legal and performance management standards to enhance transparency and accountability, mitigating risks for private investors.

These projects contribute directly to job creation, technical skills development, and ecosystem strengthening.

Title:

Content: General Supervision
Elham Aboul Fath
Editor-in-Chief
Thank you for your patience.
General Supervision
Elham Aboul Fath
Editor-in-Chief
Thank you for your patience.
Head of the United Nations Investment and Technology Promotion Office to Echo of the Country: The challenges of the region have affected the Arab youth.
We are working to promote entrepreneurship for its role in development.
Head of the Investment and Technology Promotion Office (ITPO) of UNIDO to echo the country:
The International Entrepreneurship Forum was held with the Arab Summit in a logical response to developments in the region
The International Entrepreneurship Forum will submit its recommendations to Arab leaders and the United Nations General Assembly
Entrepreneurship Forum Aims to Address Global Challenges and Economic Empowerment
Political instability and conflict have a direct impact on youth and the entrepreneurial environment
We need a comprehensive strategy to address the region ’ s challenges facing youth and entrepreneurs
We have many areas to coordinate with the Arab League to serve the youth of the region
The role of entrepreneurship projects is essential in sustainable development and economically, socially and environmentally influential
We work to build the capacities and skills of Arab youth and entrepreneurs and provide them with comprehensive support
The problems of the region have affected the youth and we are working to raise awareness of entrepreneurship
The Arab region, like other regions of the world, is witnessing a state of activity and interest in entrepreneurship projects more than ever before, as the concept of entrepreneurship is gaining momentum in the Arab region, taking advantage of the ICT and its important role in accelerating business growth, as well as the great role that entrepreneurs can play in the future, and what they can offer to drive development.
This is why the United Nations attaches great importance to entrepreneurship, through many of its organs, notably the Investment and Technology Promotion Office of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
The Investment and Technology Promotion Office (ITPO) of the Organization (UNIDO) pays great attention to entrepreneurship projects in the Middle East and Africa, with the Arab region at the heart, through the organization of several major events, foremost of which is the Global Forum for Entrepreneurs and Investment, which took an international character under the umbrella of the United Nations. This coming May coincides with the 33rd Arab Summit, which will be hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain.
On the International Entrepreneurs Forum, the details of the fifth session of the Forum, the status of entrepreneurship projects in the Arab region and what they can offer in order to advance development, and the close cooperation between the Investment and Technology Promotion Office and the League of Arab States to serve the countries of the region, the country had this dialogue with Dr. Hashim Hussein, Head of the Investment and Technology Promotion Office of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
To the text of the dialogue:
The forum is one of the most important global events to support entrepreneurship.
When did the first version start and where did it go?
The first edition of the International Forum of Entrepreneurs (IFE) was launched in 2015, and since then we have been holding its sessions every two years continuously for a decade. It was the only exception during the period of the Corona pandemic. Through its secretariat in Bahrain and in close cooperation with various partners, the Forum has succeeded in reaching an international reference as a pioneer of knowledge on entrepreneurship, innovation and investments. A distinguished international leader of entrepreneurs working under the umbrella of the United Nations, and its international partnerships with similar organizations including other regional and national, which has achieved all this through our continuous work under the slogan “Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Investment ”.
What are the details of the fifth edition of the International Entrepreneurship Forum and its files?
The fifth edition of the International Entrepreneurs Forum 2024 (WEIF), which was launched at the headquarters of the Arab League on 22 January, will be held in the Bahraini capital Manama from 14 to 16 May, in conjunction with the Arab Leaders Summit 2024, in close cooperation between the Investment and Technology Promotion Office of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization in Bahrain, the League of Arab States, the Union of Arab Chambers, the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, and the International Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Local, regional and other international institutions under the theme “Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through Promoting Innovation and Economic Growth for Small and Medium Enterprises ”, aspires to examine ways to address global challenges through economic empowerment, including poverty, inequality, climate change, peace and justice, in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Innovation can lead to the development of new technologies, products and services that address social and environmental challenges. Economic growth can provide the resources needed to invest in sustainable development initiatives. Promoting innovation and economic growth requires many steps, including encouraging entrepreneurship. Promoting partnerships and knowledge sharing, investing in research and development to develop new technologies that can help solve some of the world ’ s most pressing problems and create a culture that supports innovation, all of which can create a more sustainable and equitable world for all by promoting innovation and economic growth.
Why the timing of the forum was chosen in conjunction with the 33rd Arab Summit
What are the implications of this synchronization?
The choice to synchronize the International Entrepreneurship Forum with the Arab Summit and the Arab Leaders Meeting in the Bahraini capital Manama was not spontaneous or arbitrary, but rather a logical response to the developments taking place in the global arena in general, and the Arab region in particular. Effectiveness and Feasibility.
We are aware, and we are certain that the League of Arab States shares our belief that joining forces would better address problems, and in more meaningful ways. On this basis, we have jointly identified our common denominators and found that the synchronization of the two events will enable us to travel the distances of development of Arab youth and entrepreneurs faster, at lower cost, and will achieve better results to address the problems of the future. It will then be submitted to the United Nations General Assembly.
What role can entrepreneurship play in sustainable development?
Entrepreneurship plays an important role in sustainable development, affecting economic, social and environmental dimensions in direct and indirect ways. It involves generating innovative solutions to sustainability challenges, creating jobs, and contributing to economic growth in a way that respects and preserves resources for future generations. Entrepreneurship can also promote social inclusion by providing employment and empowerment to marginalized groups, including women, minorities and people with disabilities, which supports the social pillar of sustainable development. Some entrepreneurs have a particular focus on environmental sustainability, launching businesses that directly contribute to conserving resources, reducing pollution, and improving biodiversity. sustainable.
How does the expansion of entrepreneurship projects affect the process of sustainable development?
Entrepreneurship contributes directly to economic sustainability by reducing unemployment and improving living standards, and finding innovative solutions to environmental problems through direct development of products and services that reduce waste, improve energy efficiency, and reduce carbon footprint. Entrepreneurs can influence public behavior and companies towards more sustainable practices, economic diversification through the introduction of new industries or the activation of sectors with sustainable practices, which can reduce dependence on environmentally harmful industries, influence policies and raise awareness. Entrepreneurs can play a role in advocating sustainable policies and raising awareness about sustainability issues, and shape societal standards and policies towards sustainable development. Indirect.
What is the main focus of UNIDO ’ s efforts to support entrepreneurship projects in the Arab region?
The Investment and Technology Promotion Offices (ITPOs) of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) have played an important role in promoting entrepreneurship in the Arab region. ITPOs serve as intermediaries that bring together Arab entrepreneurs with potential investors and technology providers globally, as well as promote investment opportunities and identify, validate and disseminate promising investment opportunities in the Arab region to international investors. In addition, the United Nations Investment Promotion Offices (IPOs) support trade negotiations, providing expert guidance and support to entrepreneurs throughout the negotiation process.
The United Nations Investment and Technology Promotion Offices (ITPOs) in the Arab region build the capacity and skills of young entrepreneurs through training, workshops and mentorship by connecting entrepreneurs with experienced mentors and trainers and providing guidance and personal support throughout their journey. Officials from Arab countries receive practical training in the field of investment promotion, allowing them to effectively attract foreign direct investment and encourage local companies, in addition to building bridges with other UNIDO networks focusing on industrial development, innovation and small business development, providing comprehensive support to entrepreneurs. young people in the Arab region.
ITPOs have become a key partner in promoting a vibrant entrepreneurship ecosystem in the Arab region.
How did you manage to achieve that?
ITPOs work in the Arab States by tailoring their interventions to the specific needs and contexts of each country, working closely with local governments, business associations and other stakeholders to ensure that their programmes are aligned with national development priorities. The success of ITPOs often depends on strong partnerships with the private sector, academia and civil society organizations. Promote a vibrant and innovative entrepreneurship ecosystem across the Arab region, contributing to economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development.
The Arab region faces many problems that affect youth and entrepreneurship projects.
How did you identify these problems and how did you deal with them?
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region faces diverse and complex social and economic challenges, which have a significant impact on Arab youth and entrepreneurs, among them high unemployment rates that have risen alarmingly across the MENA region, often exceeding 20%, due to shrinking job opportunities, income insecurity, brain drain as skilled Arab youth seek employment abroad, skills mismatch and limited quality. Innovation and productivity gaps hinder business competitiveness, lack of access to finance and investment. Entrepreneurs, especially young people and innovators, have difficulty accessing finance due to bureaucratic obstacles, limited credit options, risk-averse financial institutions, political instability and conflict that disrupt economies, destroy infrastructure, and displace populations. Fear, uncertainty and violence discourage investment, hinder business activity and limit opportunities for economic progress. Gender inequality, social barriers and additional challenges for women entrepreneurs in some countries, such as discriminatory standards, limited access to networks, and difficulties in accessing finance, leave half of the population underutilized, hindering inclusive economic growth and social development.
How can these challenges be addressed to increase the active participation of youth and entrepreneurs in the Arab region?
These challenges are interconnected and vary across the region, yet addressing them effectively requires comprehensive strategies focusing on a number of axes, including improving education and training in modern agricultural skills, equipping youth with relevant skills, promoting entrepreneurship education, enhancing access to finance and investment for young and innovative businesses, promoting political stability and security, investing in peaceful conflict resolution and inclusive governance to create a stable corporate environment. By addressing these challenges and fostering a more supportive environment, the MENA region can unleash the potential of youth and entrepreneurs, leading to a more prosperous and equitable future.
The Arab League is the great incubator and the Arab House.
Is there coordination and cooperation with them to expand youth and entrepreneurship projects?
There are large areas of positive intersection between the Investment and Technology Promotion Office (UNIDO) and the League of Arab States, specifically when dealing with the issues of economic empowerment of youth, and one of the most important areas of cooperation in which coordination can be achieved with similar organizations of the Arab League in developing innovative and inclusive educational and training programs. This should be extended to technical institutes and training institutions, in addition to the possibility of developing programs to empower women, youth and entrepreneurs through the development of joint programs and the drawing of integrated plans, in addition to the possibility of technical qualification. This is achieved by encouraging young people to engage in skills development programs based on technology science and digitalization, benefiting from creative projects, including artificial intelligence and related.

What is the impact of Chinese companies on jobs in Africa?

For business students, gaining insight into PPP frameworks offers avenues in policy development, project finance, contract management, and operational leadership within both public and private domains of Africa’s expanding infrastructure landscape.

Title:

Content: How to start your own business in the crisis told NCE experts
1610
Ksenia Voronina
Photo and video by Gabit Koschanov
Any time is good for business, experts of the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs believe.
In turn, the NCE through the entrepreneurs service centers (TSOP) - at the regional level and the entrepreneurs support centers (TSOs) - at the district level provide services for service support and information support, which allows you to maximize the coverage of the active business community of the country, as well as help domestic entrepreneurs to develop their business.
During the meeting held in Astana with experts of the business service support department of Atameken NCE, Kazpravda.kz asked to give recommendations to novice businessmen who decided to open their own business in the difficult time of the global economic crisis.
According to expert Yuri Besedin, the current situation also opens up many new opportunities.
“Any time is good for business, except war.
The fact that the world is now in crisis is also a kind of era of new opportunities.
I would like to note that in times of crisis, when competition is tougher, you need to work with information – to increase your knowledge, follow events, study marketing research.
Previously, an entrepreneur, starting any type of activity in Kazakhstan, was doomed to success, because all niches were free.
There is no such thing now, almost all niches are occupied.
However, last year NCE carried out a lot of work - marketing research (by the link in the section "business school" - Approx. ed.), the results of which we posted on the website.
You can look and decide whether it is worth it or not.
We did research on 20 industries.
Previously, there was no access to such information, a businessman had to order a business plan for money, marketing research, which are not cheap.
All of this is now freely available.
The study can be viewed independently.
According to the business plan, contact our CPP, where they can teach all the basics, make a business plan, and thereby reduce some costs.
Because any information costs money, and NPP provides it for free, ” Besedin said.
In addition, the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs provides legal and accounting services, as well as advice on various issues, free of charge.
Detailed comment by Yuri Besedin and Arnur Darbaev watch the video
In general, in 2015, 35,000 Kazakhstanis received services in entrepreneurs ’ service centers opened throughout the country, and about 212,000 received services in entrepreneurs ’ support centers.
More than 15 thousand entrepreneurs and people who expressed a desire to start their own business have studied at the business school.
"Business School" includes projects "Business Advisor", "Business Growth" and project training using the principles of mentoring.
Currently, business classes have been created in all regions that meet all standards, coaches have been recruited.
The expert of the department Yerlan Mustafin spoke in more detail about the new directions.
"The direction" Business communications "involves the training of business leaders in management skills, enterprise development strategy, marketing, communications, customer orientation, foreign economic activity.
During the year, 500 people are trained, receive certificates.
The international partner of the SPE in this program is the German center GIZ, which from these 500 selects for itself projects that can work together with German enterprises.
People who are interviewed are sent for a free foreign internship.
During the month they visit leading German enterprises.
Some entrepreneurs go out with one business idea, meet with German colleagues, there they change their mind and open another enterprise together with the Germans.
This year we will send 52 people to Germany under this program.
After the internship, we hold a conference where we discuss what projects were.
And in the future we help to implement them: we are negotiating with the German side and helping these people to realize their experience gained during the internship, ” he said.
The Senior Signors project, according to Mustafin, involves attracting highly qualified specialists from abroad to Kazakhstani enterprises.
See the detailed comment by Erlan Mustafin on the video.
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The alignment of these investment and PPP trends with job creation and entrepreneurship is particularly significant for business graduates.

The fintech sector’s rapid expansion demands skills in financial technology development, business model innovation, regulatory compliance, and customer experience design.

Title:

Content: New report explores skills, learning trends and career paths
The report is based on the insights and information of a group of investment and human resources experts in various international markets including the UAE.
Abu Dhabi – The Chartered Financial Analyst Institute (CFA), the global association of investment experts, has launched the fourth report in the Future of Work in Investment Management series, highlighting three themes, including career context, job content and investment culture.
Jobs in the financial services sector are constantly changing with the development of technologies and the emergence of hybrid business models.
The Future of Work in Investment Management: The Future of Skills and Learning draws on data from a CFA Institute survey to identify the skills and learning equation needed to prepare talent and build careers for employees in the fast-changing investment industry.
The report highlights the current gaps between the supply and demand of skills in the investment sector, investigating the prevailing learning trends and introducing the necessary changes to investment teams to enhance their access to the diverse talents and integrated capabilities offered by specialized skills.
The four-part report series is based on information from more than 11,000 investment experts globally in three questionnaires, as well as data from leaders of 41 investment companies with more than 230,000 employees.
More than 100 investment and human resources professionals within the investment management industry provided qualitative data through virtual panel discussions in the UAE, UK, US, Australia, Canada, China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland and Uruguay.
Fewer than half of respondents reported receiving support from their employers to develop new skills for their work.
Skills gaps are mainly in the areas of artificial intelligence, machine learning, decentralized financial services and sustainability, where the gap between the learning side and the availability of expertise varies.
Expectations of significant changes in CEOs and positions in fintech, information technology, trade, sales and accounting are high.
Commenting on this, William Tohme, CFA Institute ’ s regional president for the Middle East and North Africa, said: “We need to reassess the ways companies maintain business in a dynamic and ever-evolving investment environment.
Investment companies should also rethink their talent development programs to seek and retain the best talent in a competitive investment sector, with a strong focus on ongoing development programs led by them.
Investing in professional development allows employees to keep abreast of emerging technological developments in the sector and acquire the personal skills needed in everyday jobs, such as the ability to negotiate and persuade, which are increasingly important in the new work environment. ”
Highlights of results:
Impact of new analysis methods on job roles: More than a third of CFA Institute survey respondents reported a dramatic change in their roles within 5-10 years, driven mainly by new analytics tools such as artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Skills track: Technical skills are important at the beginning of a career, while other types of skills become more important over time, such as interpersonal, leadership and integrated skills, which combine in-depth experience in one area with broader experience in other areas and the ability to link them.
Most in-demand skills: New sources of data affect the skills needed for investment decision-making.
Key skills discussed by investment experts include comprehensive understanding of artificial intelligence, machine learning and building expertise on sustainability issues, while key soft skills revolve around the ability to influence, persuade and negotiate.
The new work environment has added increasing importance to a range of skills including time management, direct communication and familiarity, requiring managers and leaders to have the right skills to succeed in a flexible and spaced work environment.
Availability of expertise and areas of development: Investment experts are interested in learning new skills despite their time constraints, and 16 popular fields of expertise currently record significant differences between the desire to learn and actually experience it.
For example, three people express interest in learning AI skills versus only one person actually learning them.
Twenty percent of respondents say they are currently learning skills in artificial intelligence and machine learning, indicating the importance of these tools in changing the investment landscape of the future.
Sustainability and the visualization of data topped the list for increased employee interest in the past two years.
Talent factors: Employers are looking for employees who combine skills and experience with determination and willingness to work.
The Future of Work in Investment Management: The Future of Skills and Learning report can be viewed in full by visiting [link].
# Government Data
- Done.

Renewable energy and infrastructure sectors require proficiencies in project finance, supply chain logistics, sustainability management, and stakeholder engagement.

Title:

Content: Below are the remarks of Senegal President and Chairperson of the African Union Macky Sall as prepared for delivery at an Atlantic Council dinner in Washington on December 12, 2022, ahead of the US-Africa Leaders Summit.

Dear colleagues, ministers, members of Congress, ambassadors, representatives of the private sector, the academia, and civil society; dear guests.

I would like to thank the [chairman] of the Atlantic Council, Mr. John Rogers, and its CEO, Mr. Frederick Kempe, for their kind invitation, as well as my compatriot, Ambassador Rama Yade, who has been following up on this for several weeks. I greet and thank all the colleagues, personalities, and other guests gathered here.

I appreciate the efforts that the Atlantic Council has been making for several decades in the analysis and reflection on global issues and challenges facing the world. In my opinion, the place of Africa in contemporary international relations is one of these issues.

More than sixty years after our independence, Africa is still hemmed in on the world stage, and prejudices against the continent remain tenacious. We must therefore continue to advocate, explain, deconstruct unfounded narratives, demand justice and equity, and re-establish historical truths.

Sixty years ago, the vast majority of African countries gained their independence after five hundred years of slavery and colonization. This handicap is unparalleled in the history of humankind. But Africa is still here, alive and resilient.

My view is that despite this historical wrong and the challenges of the day, Africa is moving generally in the right direction. It is true that the cumulative effects of the COVID pandemic and the war in Ukraine have seriously slowed down the dynamics of African growth, which has been regularly higher than the world average in recent years, but the momentum of Africa’s emergence seems irreversible to me.

It is up to us to support this ambition for progress in the fully assumed responsibility of an Africa that does not have any complexes, that makes its own story, carries its own vision of the world, makes its choices in its best interests, and builds its own destiny.

In a way, I can echo here what the founding fathers of the United States Declaration of Independence affirmed 246 years ago, by saying the time has come for Africa to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature’s God entitle her.

And Africa has the potential to assume that station, with its thirty million square kilometers, 1.4 billion inhabitants, large water reserves, 60 percent of the world’s undeveloped arable land, 40 percent of the world’s gold reserves, 85-95 percent of the world’s chromium and platinum group metal reserves, 85 percent of the world’s phosphate reserves, more than 50 percent of the world’s cobalt reserves, one third of the world’s bauxite reserves, 12 percent of the world’s oil reserves, and a world-class new gas calling.

What we need today is to work on improving the conditions for exploiting these resources.

This requires qualified human capital in sufficient numbers, by further developing technical and vocational training at all levels so that our countries can have human resources capable of supporting the structural transformation of their economies. Without quality human capital, the demographic dividend will be more of a handicap that hinders our development efforts than a force that supports our economies.

The pursuit of Africa’s integration seems to me to be just as fundamental, not only at the political level, but also at the economic and commercial levels. This has been the purpose of the gradual establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area, to which the African Union devoted an Extraordinary Summit on November 25.

But beyond the texts, it is also through infrastructure that we will be able to enable the free movement of people and goods, which is essential for integration. With the Program for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA), we want to invest more in the construction of roads, highways, ports, airports, and railroads in order to catch up in this area.

I must say that for a long time, several countries and partner institutions showed little interest in this strategic sector. Today, everyone realizes that the development of such profitable infrastructures is an important niche of opportunities for investors and host countries, especially through PPPs.

All our partners, old and new, are welcome on these projects. While keeping their traditional friendships, our countries are also opening up to new horizons. Openness is the very meaning of history.

Beyond our national and continental responsibilities, Africa’s place in the international system also depends on fairer and more equitable global governance. This is what the advocacy that I have been leading since the beginning of my mandate at the head of the African Union on several fronts is all about.

First, for the consistent financing of African economies, we believe it is necessary for the OECD to reform the conditions of access to export credit, by relaxing the rules on credit rates and the duration of grace periods and repayment periods. This would make it possible to mobilize more resources for the financing of development projects, including through private investment and public-private partnerships.

Second, we need to do more to combat abusive tax holidays, tax evasion, and tax optimization, which deprive our countries of significant financial resources, even though taxes should be paid where the activity generates wealth. It is fortunate that, at the initiative of the United States, the OECD adopted in October 2021 a landmark agreement on a 15 percent global minimum tax. This is a significant step in the fight against irregular tax practices that contribute to tax base erosion.

In addition, we need to do more on improving the assessment methods of rating agencies. It has been noted that African countries continue to be penalized by an exaggerated perception of risk that increases insurance premiums and the cost of investment.

The 2022 Financing for Sustainable Development Report published last April by some sixty international institutions, including the IMF and the World Bank, also noted the limitations of these assessments and recommended that the assessment criteria better reflect the real situation of each country.

Finally, we want a fair and equitable energy transition that enables our countries to use their own resources to address their industrialization needs at competitive costs and ensure universal access to electricity, of which more than six hundred million Africans are still deprived. As noted at COP27, when it comes to climate change adaptation, it is our countries that tend to finance their green projects, including infrastructure, through debt, as agreed financial commitments to support developing countries’ adaptation efforts have been slow to materialize.

In addition to these economic, financial, and environmental considerations, we are advocating for a more equitable representation of Africa in global governance bodies such as the United Nations Security Council and the G20, so that its interests are better taken into account.

Finally, what Africa is calling for in terms of a different vision of the world is not a revolution, but a simple evolution for more justice and equity in international relations. It is a legitimate demand to which we want to associate all our friends and partners. I hope that the Atlantic Council will help to amplify this advocacy.

These are the few remarks I would like to make here, while waiting to deliver Africa’s message to our summit. Thank you for your attention.

Further reading

Technology companies and investment programs, including Nvidia’s skill-building initiatives and Egypt’s Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA) entrepreneurial support, create pipelines for talent development and startup incubation.

Which African countries are driving the venture capital ecosystem?

In East Africa, the rise of venture capital investment in startups such as NewGlobe Education and Komaza illustrates a maturing entrepreneurial ecosystem where business knowledge underpins scaling and innovation.

What trends are emerging for African startups in 2022?

PPP-driven projects offer roles ranging from policy advising and financial modeling to public relations and operational coordination.

Programs like CHEP’s Step Up empower SMEs and women entrepreneurs through strategic partnerships with firms like Tiger Brands, increasing market accessibility and business management capacity.

Title:

Content: Friday, August 5, 2022

Initiative could see your small business partnering with big companies such as Tiger Brands

CHEP’s Step Up: Empowering SMMEs initiative will allow small businesses to expand operations through networking and partnerships.

Published 1h ago

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It is a known fact that Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) are the lifeline of the South African economy.

SMMEs make up more than 98% of South African businesses.

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They are also responsible for the employment of 50 to 60% of the active workforce contributing to the country’s economy.

Despite being absolutely necessary for South Africa’s growth and sustainability, SMMEs are also the most at risk, having faced the full impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the July 2021 riots in Kwa-Zulu Natal and Gauteng, and the rising cost of living, with little cover or security.

A company that sustainably moves goods, optimizing over 300 000 supply chains throughout the world, CHEP has announced an initiative to help expose small businesses to big brand manufacturing organisations such as Tiger Brands.

CHEP’s Step Up: Empowering SMMEs initiative will allow small businesses to expand operations through networking and partnerships.

“At CHEP, we believe in collaborating with our customers to grow the economy. So, when the pandemic hit in 2020, we made the strategic decision to expand our solutions so that we could also focus on SMMEs across Africa,” says Hermann Haupt, Vice President at CHEP Sub Sahara Africa.

“Our Step Up initiative allows CHEP to play a significant role in developing South Africa's SMMEs while delivering sustainable, profitable growth for the economy.”

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CHEP said it holds good relationships with several major manufacturers across the country, which puts it in a good position to open doors for South African SMMEs.

By providing the necessary resources, it can support emerging customers and partners that are still adjusting to supply-chain dynamics.

“The support given to SMMEs will not just be to provide a helping hand to navigate the complexities of supply chains. It will also facilitate key introductions with our network of suppliers, manufacturers and retailers,” adds Haupt.

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Throughout the country, there is greater awareness amongst larger companies that they need to collaborate closely with their SMME supply chains to compete in global markets.

There is recognition that the development of collaborative relationships along the supply chain is not only compatible with success but can also be a driver of it.

Tiger Brands, through its Venture Capital Fund, has come on board as the first partner to join CHEP in their Step Up: Empowering SMME initiative.

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“We’re always on the lookout for innovative, founder-led, high-potential, high-growth companies. We are excited, through this partnership with CHEP, for the opportunity to hear and see from the selected SMMEs, offer our insight, and also take the opportunity to learn from them,” says Barati Mahloele, Tiger Brands Venture Capital Fund Director.

The Tiger Brands Venture Capital Fund was launched in mid-2021 and its first investment was made in early 2022.

The aim of the fund is to drive growth for Tiger Brands by investing in innovative businesses based in sub-Saharan Africa which offer healthier eating options in line with the latest consumer movements towards Health and Nutrition, Snackification and Economical Food Options.

Within a few months of launching, the investment vehicle received more than 500 expressions of interest from eligible businesses operating within the FoodTech and AgriTech sector, where its focus is.

By combining the expertise, perspectives and skills of different people and organisations, all parties involved in the Step Up: Empowering SMMEs initiative are now better able to innovate and grow.

The initiative from CHEP also provides opportunities to access work not normally available to individual companies, potentially increasing market share and supporting a healthy supply chain.

“The fund will assist entrepreneurs in securing the much-needed capital and capability required to grow their businesses, while also helping our business explore new opportunities locally and across the African continent,” adds Mahloele.

“It’s a mutually beneficial partnership, where we learn from these businesses while also offering our capital and expertise.”

Through this collaboration to empower and develop SMMEs, CHEP will help small businesses compete with larger brands by combining knowledge, consumer reach, and technology.

Having implemented more than 80 value-based solutions, including supplier integration and one-way pallet conversion within CHEP’s small business development initiative in the past year, the company’s dedication to developing SMMEs is evident.

Through its broad portfolio of partners across sectors, CHEP has managed to help SMMEs make it onto the shelves of retail stores and expand their national footprints.

BUSINESS REPORT

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What are the outcomes of increased agricultural investments in Africa?

Consequently, career opportunities span corporate roles in finance, innovation, and management; entrepreneurial ventures; consulting in governance and development; and public sector positions shaping Africa’s growth framework.

In summary, Africa’s foreign investment landscape is both expanding and evolving, with concentrated flows into Southern, East, and West Africa’s largest economies and dynamic sectors such as renewable energy, fintech, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and infrastructure.

What trends are emerging for African startups in 2022?

Significant multinational investors from the UK, US, China, Europe, and the Middle East continue to inject capital and expertise, supported by rising PPP activities that foster sustainable development and public service delivery.

Title:

Content: Tuesday 11th June 2024 Abu Dhabi UAE
Prayer times
News Highlights
Today 's Issue
Today 's Issue
ECONOMY
CEO of the company to « Union »: « Global Holding » plans to raise its investment to 62 billion dirhams
CEO of the company to « Union »: « Global Holding » plans to raise its investment to 62 billion dirhams
June 11, 2024 01: 14
Yousef Al Bastanji (Abu Dhabi)
Seyed Basar Shoaib, CEO of IHC, said that IHC plans to increase annual investments in business development or new acquisitions from AED 58 billion to AED 62 billion across various sectors and geographies, pointing out that 20% of annual investments are allocated to the mining sector.
Shoaib told Al-Ittihad that Alameya Holding is studying different strategies, stressing that the focus is currently on the transition from traditional energy sources to the use of renewable and sustainable energy, including copper, cobalt and nickel, noting that the company plans to enter South American markets soon, after its successes in African markets.
Business Diversification
Shoaib said: “We always seek to identify opportunities that align with our long-term growth goals and contribute to the strength and resilience of our overall portfolio.
Over the coming years, we look forward to exploring the prospect of diversifying our business into areas other than copper, leveraging our mining expertise and strengthening our commitment to responsible and constructive resource development. ”
This could include targeted investments in other metals and a shift from traditional energy sources to clean and sustainable energy, such as cobalt, nickel, rare earth elements, manganese, graphite and 3T metals, which are used in modern technological industries and play a vital role in emerging industries, such as renewable energy, electric vehicles and advanced technologies.
Promising investments
“We are very optimistic about our promising investments in mining, which is one of the latest business segments in our subsidiary 2pointzero portfolio, which includes International Resources Holding, a company that specializes in key resources such as copper, cobalt, nickel, T3 metals (tin, tantalum, tungsten), manganese and graphite. ”
In March this year, International Resources Holding completed the acquisition of a 51% stake in Mopane Copper Mines in Zambia in a deal worth $1.1 billion, pointing out that the company is in advanced stages of exploration to start nickel mining operations in Burundi, as well as exploration projects targeting various minerals in Tanzania and Kenya.
Mining Investments
Regarding the value of Global Holding ’ s investments in the overall mining sector in Africa, Shoaib pointed out that the company currently owns a 51% stake in the Mubani Copper Mines, which was acquired in a $1.1 billion deal through International Resources Holding, noting that the company ’ s strategy in enriching and expanding its portfolio includes a careful assessment of market movement, technological progress and global trends in the field of important minerals.
On his expectations regarding the company ’ s start to receive revenues and revenues from these acquisitions and its expected impact on the company ’ s profits during the current year or next year, Shoaib said that the company ’ s financial performance achieved strong figures at the beginning of 2024, where the net profit of the company during the first three months ended March 31 increased 87.6% after recording $2.2 billion (AED 8.02 billion), almost double the amount of AED 4.27 billion recorded in the same period last year. Revenues jumped from AED 15.74 billion to AED 19.29 billion, an increase of 22.5%, underpinned by strong performance across our core business segments, including real estate and construction, marine and dredging, technology and construction.
Wheel of Growth
Global Holding ’ s ambitious plans in the mining sector reflect our goal to achieve US $1 billion (AED 3.67 billion) in revenue from mining acquisitions this year. This strategic investment confirms our firm ’ s commitment to maintaining a prominent position in the mining sector. The company ’ s investments will contribute significantly to the Group ’ s continued growth in the future.
All rights reserved to Union News Center 2024 ©

What trends are emerging for African startups in 2022?

Which European countries lead investment in Africa?

Which countries are actively investing in Africa besides China?

The interplay of these developments presents a fertile ground for business graduates to pursue diverse career paths, including investment analysis, project management, entrepreneurship, innovation strategy, and policy advisory roles.

Understanding the contours of African investment trends can empower students to strategically position themselves as valuable contributors to the continent’s economic transformation and long-term prosperity.

Title:

Content: AFK: One Of The Few ETFs Investing In Africa

Unlocking Alpha
570 Followers

Summary

  • AFK provides exposure to publicly-listed companies doing business in Africa.
  • AFK is trading at less than 10x earnings, which is fairly valued in my opinion given the specific risks associated with emerging markets.
  • As the probability of a global recession is now higher than a few months ago, I would personally be patient and wait for better opportunities in Europe and North America.

Investment Thesis

With some of the fastest-growing economies in the world, African nations are playing an increasingly significant role in the global economy. The population is young and rapidly growing, and household incomes and consumption are projected to rise. According to the WEF, more than 40% of Africans would be in the middle or upper classes by 2030, leading to increased demand for products and services. As a result, household spending is predicted to reach $2.5 trillion in 2030, more than double the 2015 figure ($1.1 trillion). The continent is also home to an abundance of natural resources. For instance, it has huge, untapped reserves of natural gas and oil and largely unexploited hydroelectric power. In this article, I will review the VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF (NYSEARCA:AFK), which provides exposure to publicly-listed companies doing business in Africa.

Strategy Details

The VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF tracks the performance of the MVIS GDP Africa Index. "The index includes local listings of companies that are incorporated in Africa and listings of companies incorporated outside of Africa but that have at least 50% of their revenues coming from Africa."

If you want to learn more about the strategy, please click here.

Portfolio Composition

The index places a high weight on the Financial sector (representing around 32% of the index), followed by Materials (accounting for 29%) and Communication Services (representing around 21% of the fund). The largest three sectors have a combined allocation of approximately 82%.

In terms of geographical allocation, nearly ~34% of the fund is invested in South Africa, followed by Nigeria (~11.7%) and Morocco (~10.7%). It is interesting to see that AFK doesn't rank countries by GDP, but rather by how well the capital markets are developed in those countries. Egypt, for instance, which is the second-largest African economy by nominal GDP comes only 8th on the list, with 5% of total assets.

~41% of the portfolio is invested in mid-cap blend issuers, characterized as mid-sized companies where neither growth nor value characteristics predominate. Mid-cap issuers are generally defined as companies with a market capitalization between $2 billion and $8 billion. The second-largest allocation is mid-cap growth equities. It is interesting to see that AFK allocates approximately 77% of total assets to small and mid-cap issuers, which generally have a larger runway to grow than large-cap issuers and can therefore provide higher returns over the long term. That said, small and mid-cap stocks generally have higher betas, thus I think it is important to see if you are comfortable with a higher level of volatility before purchasing AFK.

The fund is currently invested in ~79 different stocks. The top ten holding account for ~42%, with no single stock weighting more than 6%. All in all, AFK is well-diversified and has a very low level of unsystematic risk as a result. However, I think it is important to highlight the fact that AFK doesn't diversify the emerging market risk. In other words, all countries included in this basket are emerging economies and by owning AFK, you are facing some undiversifiable risks specific to emerging markets.

Since we are dealing with equities, one important characteristic is the portfolio's valuation. According to data from Morningstar, AFK currently trades at a price-to-book ratio of ~1.7 and a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.5. This is extremely cheap if you compare it to developed markets which generally trade at over 14x earnings.

However, this countries come with a unique set of challenges. For instance, if you look at the countries with the highest inflation rate in the world, African countries are overweighted in that list. The same goes for other crucial metrics such as unemployment. In my opinion, AFK's valuation fairly reflects the fundamentals of the underlying economies and deserves a discount relative to developed markets and other emerging markets that are in a better shape.

Is The ETF Right for Me?

I have compared AFK's total returns against the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) over the last 5 years to assess which one was a better investment. Over that period, both funds had similar results, with EEM slightly outperforming AFK.

To put AKF's results into perspective, a $100 investment 5 years ago in this ETF would now be worth ~$105.04. This represents a compound annual growth rate of ~0.99%, including dividends, which is a mediocre absolute return in my opinion.

If we take a step back and look at the 10-year total return, the results don't change much. EEM came on top once again, outperforming AFK since early 2015. I think it is worth noting fact that AFK failed to deliver positive returns over 10 years despite a good dividend yield and low valuations. I think this is a good example where low valuations are not enough to make a fund/stock a great investment and that you need additional factors that will contribute to its success.

Lastly, with a rising dollar and the potential for a global recession increasing, I would personally avoid investing in emerging markets at the moment, since I believe better opportunities will be available in Europe and North America over the next months.

Key Takeaways

AFK provides exposure to publicly-listed companies doing business in Africa. For many investors, Africa's young and rapidly growing economy represents a lucrative market. AFK is trading at less than 10x earnings, which is fairly valued in my opinion given the specific risks associated with emerging markets. As the probability of a global recession is now higher than a few months ago, I would personally be patient and wait for better opportunities in Europe and North America.

This article was written by

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About me: Value-oriented investor, seeking low-risk investments with the potential to deliver high returns. I like to analyze commodities, ETFs, and cash-flow positive businesses that have a moat and growth opportunities.
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Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

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Thus, given the FDI dynamics, sector diversification, and collaborative investment mechanisms currently shaping Africa, business students are advised to cultivate skills in finance, technology, sustainable development, stakeholder engagement, and entrepreneurial leadership to maximize their impact in a continent offering unprecedented growth and career potential.

Title:

Content: Chairman of the Board of Directors and Editors
I'm sorry.
Mohamad Elbaz
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Editors
I'm sorry.
Mohamad Elbaz
Al-Mashat delivers a speech at the regional workshop on the exchange of experiences in the field of entrepreneurship promotion
Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation, delivered the opening speech at the Regional Workshop on Sharing Experiences in Entrepreneurship Promotion, organized by the African Development Bank (AfDB) within the framework of the Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Consulting Initiative, which was launched in 2019 by the Bank through its Regional Office for North Africa to support the sector in Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco.
In her video speech, the Minister of International Cooperation stressed the importance of the initiative launched by the African Development Bank as part of efforts to support entrepreneurship and small and medium enterprises in the North African region, and the importance of the workshop in strengthening regional partnerships, sharing best practices, exploring innovative solutions in the field of entrepreneurship, including the informal sector and enhancing impact investment.
Egypt is continuing to strengthen its efforts with multilateral and bilateral development partners to support the role played by the private sector as well as medium and small companies and entrepreneurs to create jobs, increase employment rates and support economic growth.
In line with the recommendations of the Economic Conference Egypt 2022, the Ministry of International Cooperation has launched Hafez platform for financial and technical support for the private sector, which is the first integrated platform linking financial and non-financial services provided by multilateral and bilateral development partners to the local and foreign private sector to support development efforts in Egypt. A key pillar of inclusive and sustainable growth, and the largest supporter of the labor market through the creation of more employment opportunities in various fields, indicating the readiness of the Ministry through the African Development Bank initiative to exchange experiences with countries in the continent of Africa on the mechanism of launching the platform.
She pointed out that international partners have made available over the past four years from 2020 to 2023 about $10.3 billion in financing, whether in the form of development financing or investments to the private sector, in addition to technical support, although there are some challenges that prevented some companies from knowing what development partners provide services to the private sector.
Digitization, innovation and entrepreneurship are at the forefront of the Ministry of International Cooperation ’ s current portfolio includes 36 projects worth about $1 billion that contribute to the implementation of 12 Sustainable Development Goals, she said, adding that regional interest in supporting entrepreneurship, start-ups and small projects can enhance South-South cooperation efforts between countries.
The African Development Bank ’ s EInA initiative guides public policies to promote entrepreneurship and support small and medium enterprises (SMEs), improve the design of programs that support SMEs, and develop innovative solutions to address the challenges that prevent companies from scaling up and achieving sustainability.