Features | Business in Africa

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Business in Africa

New cold planer sets new standards for road building, rehabilitation

1st November 2024 Used for the first time in South Africa on the rehabilitation of the R21 highway in Gauteng last month, specialised equipment manufacturer Astec’s RX-600ex cold planer is “poised to set new standards in road construction and rehabilitation”. Astec materials and infrastructure solutions product... →

Bühler tackles food security challenges in Africa

By: Lynne Davies 1st November 2024 With Africa's rapidly growing population, ensuring food security has become a critical mission for Bühler, a leading provider of engineering solutions. The company’s primary focus is on improving access to staple foods such as grain, ensuring these essential resources are safe and readily... →

SEW-EURODRIVE’s global sustainability strategy in Africa

By: Shannon de Ryhove 1st November 2024 Power transmission solutions and drive technology manufacturer SEW-EURODRIVE aims to align its global sustainability strategy with the unique needs of African industries. “SEW-EURODRIVE's global strategy, which focuses on sustainability and responsible sourcing, is easily adaptable to local... →

SEW-EURODRIVE’s products allow for reduced raw material consumption, increased stock-keeping and enhanced application flexibility and efficiency

Summit highlights commitment to health

By: Lynne Davies 1st November 2024 France-headquartered multinational food products corporation Danone used its Danone Impact Summit 2024 – held last month – to reaffirm its commitment to health, through food, for as many people as possible, while preserving and regenerating nature, and helping people and communities to thrive.... →

The above image depicts Danone GM Hendrik Born

HENDRIK BORN Danone already has well-established affiliates and has achieved its goal of providing healthier and tasty food options because it works with dietitians and researchers

Company advancing agriculture objectives

By: Simone Liedtke 3rd November 2023 Amid mounting environmental challenges and the impact of climate change on crop yields and quality, Canadian multinational McCain Foods is embracing so-called regenerative agriculture. This ecosystem-based approach is at the heart of the company's efforts, and aims to transform farming practices... →

CROP CHALLENGE Climate extremes have adversely affected potato crops worldwide

Firm creating largest pan-African data centre footprint

By: Trent Roebeck 3rd November 2023 The digitisation of African economies requires infrastructure, and Africa Data Centres (ADC) aims to make access to fully operational and protected data centres a reality for small, medium-sized and large enterprises that operate on the African continent – at present and for years to come. ADC... →

TESH DURVASULA ADC CEO Tesh Durvasula is connecting African businesses to the digital future

PPPs can boost rural development

3rd November 2023 In rural areas, infrastructure development should entail more than merely meeting basic communication, energy, sanitation, transport, and water infrastructure needs. Gap Infrastructure Corporation CEO Roelof van den Berg asserts that members of both government and the private sector ought to make... →

An image of Gap Infrastructure Corporation CEO Roelof van den Berg

ROELOF VAN DEN BERG While the government has an abundance of workers and funding, the private sector brings the technical expertise and project management planning that is often lacking

Boiler, steam generator supplier servicing businesses across Africa

By: Trent Roebeck 3rd November 2023 After a successful showcase of its product offerings at the first Boiler World Africa exhibition in Nairobi, Kenya, in August 2023, Steam Generation shows no signs of slowing its business of supplying “world-class” boilers and steam generators to clients throughout African. Another one of Steam... →

An image of CERTUSS steam generators installed at a brewery

EIGHT CERTUSS STEAM GENERATORS Steam Generation installed CERTUSS steam generators at a brewery in Ghana

Company brings battery products to Africa

By: Trent Roebeck 3rd November 2023 Following three successful exhibitions in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, energy storage battery products producer Hinen has introduced its products to the African continent in 2023. The Hinen Company was afforded the opportunity to raise brand awareness and generate interest among consumers,... →

An image of one of the Hinen H6000E inverter

HINEN H6000E INVERTER Hinen produces an array of energy storage products like the H6000E

Systems assist with loadshedding woes

By: Sabrina Jardim 4th November 2022 The current energy crisis sweeping South Africa has increased the need for reserve power, whereby complete management systems can help manage different energy sources, says power management company Eaton Africa power quality product manager Jaco du Plooy. He explains that, while solar power is... →

An image depicting a man, Jaco du Plooy, wearing a suit

JACO DU PLOOY Du Plooy expects AI technology to be deployed on a larger scale by local businesses within the next two to three years

Loadshedding impacting small businesses

By: Sabrina Jardim 4th November 2022 While startup opportunities are prominent in South Africa, local businesses face reduced productivity and production, owing to disruptions caused by loadshedding, says research and consulting firm Frost & Sullivan consultant Patrick Prestele. Loadshedding causes challenges for businesses, such as... →

An image depicting a light bulb with a tree growing inside it

Photo by Adobe
POWER OUTAGES While SMMEs are encouraged to invest in alternative power solutions, some businesses are unable to afford them, making it difficult to remain operational during power outages

African startups creating new opportunities – consultancy

4th November 2022 Africa’s startup ecosystem – driven by the younger generations that are heralding a new digital age full of opportunities and attracting foreign investors – is primarily driven by entrepreneurial activity that, in turn, is spurred on because of socioeconomic challenges such as high unemployment... →

An image depicting the globe with Africa illuminated

Photo by Adobe
CHANGE DRIVERS Prestele says the youth in Africa are using innovation to change the basis of several sectors, including banking and finance, health, education and agriculture

Automation necessary for Africa’s competitiveness

By: Sabrina Jardim 4th November 2022 With global manufacturers embracing power management automation, the African market needs to follow suit to remain competitive, says power management company Eaton Africa power management and control components field product manager Devan Reddy. While the manufacturing sector requires... →

An image depicting a smiling man, Devan Reddy, wearing a suit

DEVAN REDDY To promote automation in the African mining sector, Eaton provides holistic solutions for its clients to make the implementation process more appealing and efficient

Business leaders emphasise sustainability

By: Sabrina Jardim 4th November 2022 The Shared Value Africa Initiative and global organisation the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) held a business leadership discussion on September 1, in Sandton in Gauteng, on the importance of moving beyond compliance to build sustainable businesses. The aim of the discussion was to provide... →

An image depicting a woman, Franziska Spörri, giving a speech

Photo by Donna Slater
FRANZISKA SPÖRRI SECO aims to support South Africa in achieving a sustainable future and in increasing the country’s competitiveness

Increased food safety concerns require better sterilisation tech

29th October 2021 Food safety is one of the major concerns of participants in the supply chain of agricultural commodities, says steam and heat technology company Steam Generation Africa MD John Rundle. “Exporters and packers are challenged by the increasingly stringent standards imposed by their customers and... →

A photo of Napasol’s pasteurisation technology

PASTEURISATION SOLUTION This pasteurisation solution for low moisture foods sees dry, saturated steam applied for a short time without adding moisture.

Data management challenges can be surmounted

By: Darren Parker 29th October 2021 In terms of data management in Africa, businesses primarily face storage, maintenance and regulatory challenges, but these can be overcome, says data management company Commvault Africa channel lead Gerhard Fourie. Storing and using vast volumes of data without crashing systems is an ongoing... →

A photo of Commvault regional sales executive Bar Hori

BAR HORI Data is one of the most important assets, if not the most important asset, of an organisation

Business in Africa has to deal with greater compliance demands

By: Darren Parker 29th October 2021 African governments are demanding greater levels of compliance from businesses, which has resulted in a noticeable increase in red tape and bureaucracy owing to poor execution by officials, says consulting engineering and scientist firm SRK Consulting South Africa MD Vis Reddy. Among its... →

A photo of SRK Consulting South Africa MD Vis Reddy

VIS REDDY SRK Consulting expects the growth in agriculture to bring its own set of impacts on resources, such as water

Opportunities arise from noncore asset disposals

By: Darren Parker 29th October 2021 The strain caused by Covid-19 has encouraged larger companies to focus on balance sheet management and sell off noncore assets to ease their debt burdens, says private equity firm Agile Capital CEO Tshego Sefolo. He tells Engineering News that disposing of noncore assets has created several... →

A photo of Agile Capital CEO Tshego Sefolo

TSHEGO SEFOLO The African Continental Free Trade Agreement should bring opportunities for easier trade and better flow of goods across the continent

Transport infrastructure key to African economic growth

By: Darren Parker 29th October 2021 Improved transport infrastructure in Africa would contribute significantly to unlocking the continent’s economic potential, says diversified chemicals group Omnia Holdings group CEO Seelan Gobalsamy. He says there is considerable agricultural potential in East Africa, which exports products... →

Supplier hedge against volatile market

By: Darren Parker 29th October 2021 A significant portion of steel supplier Tradecore Steel’s business stems from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, although the company does business in Kenya and Ghana as well. Tradecore Steel director Anthony Hoare says this has been the strategy pursued since the inception... →

Pandemic highlights investment opportunities

By: Halima Frost 4th June 2021 Covid-19 has highlighted the importance of strengthening supply chains in Africa to reduce reliance on other continents, where possible, private equity investment firm Agile Capital principal dealmaker Liz Kolobe tells Engineering News. Therefore, the company has announced that it is open to... →

LIZ KOLOBE Agile Capital has announced that it is open to exploring new opportunities and is looking to deploy the capital it has available in its fourth private equity fund

Sub-Saharan Africa rebound significantly lower than globally

By: Halima Frost 4th June 2021 A smaller contraction in 2020 and a sharper growth rebound in 2021 have led to predictions of a global rebound of about 5.6%; however, sub-Saharan Africa will lag behind, with the slowest recovery rate of about 3%, said data research and analytics company Fitch Solutions Country Risk & Industry... →

PLUGGED IN The sub-Saharan Africa recovery is on on trend with the rest of the world

Local service provider to supply machine for Beitbridge project

By: Halima Frost 4th June 2021 Bulk earthworks, demolitions and civil engineering service provider Icon Group has been awarded a contract to supply its three-sided impact roller to the expansion project at the Beitbridge border post, in Zimbabwe. The three-sided impact roller will be used to compact in-situ and construct bulk... →

TRIPLE POWER The three-sided impact roller will be used to compact in-situ and construct bulk earthworks

Port upgrade strengthens Horn of Africa trade

By: Halima Frost 4th June 2021 The Berbera port, operated and managed by multinational logistics company Dubai Ports (DP) World, is undergoing a multifaceted upgrade valued at $442-million. The upgrade will expand the port, as well as develop a logistical platform and a free zone to strengthen the port’s position as a key... →

SHIP SHAPE The upgrades to the Berbera port in Somaliland will allow for more containers and larger ships to dock

Company set for expansion despite difficulties

By: Mamaili Mamaila 30th October 2020 Despite Africa’s holding much promise in terms of business development, the business dynamics in African countries have been severely affected by the effects of Covid-19. →

DANIEL PETROV Africa is the future and remains so, even in a depressed economic environment

Difficulties heightened during pandemic, company forges ahead

By: Mamaili Mamaila 30th October 2020 South Africa’s subdued economic growth has been well recorded – even prior to the pandemic, says industrial equipment supplier Verder Pumps South Africa MD Darryl Macdougall. →

CHECK THIS OUT Verder Pumps South Africa also launched the new Verder HI-Clean AODD and EODD pumps earlier this month, with more announcements planned heading into 2021

Private-sector investment key amid challenges

By: Mamaili Mamaila 30th October 2020 From an economic perspective, the Covid-19 pandemic has not affected countries in Africa, apart from South Africa, as much as countries on other continents. →

GET IT TOGETHER While there is so much potential in Africa, political certainty is required in conjunction with more streamlined procurement processes

Covid-19 compounds challenges in Africa

By: Tracy Hancock 12th June 2020 The legislation put in place amid the Covid-19 pandemic is compounding the “exceptionally challenging” business environment already faced by companies when operating in Africa, where each country presents its own challenges, says Macsteel Exports senior branch manager Adrian Isemonger. He... →

AFRICAN REACH Macsteel Exports supplies sub-Saharan Africa with the broadest range of carbon steel, stainless steel, specialty steels, aluminum products and value-added processes to all industry sectors

Africa still viable for business

By: Tracy Hancock 12th June 2020 It is possible to work in most African countries, provided there is an investor-friendly fiscal regime, the correct asset, a diverse management team and a flexible execution strategy, says mining consultancy Madini’s Andries Cilliers. Madini has supported African mining projects for the past 20... →

GUINEA-FOCUSED
Madini is focused on Guinea, where it has been involved from first drill hole through to production at Alufer Mining’s Bel Air Mining bauxite project

Photo by Credit: Alufer Mining
GUINEA-FOCUSED Madini is focused on Guinea, where it has been involved from first drill hole through to production at Alufer Mining’s Bel Air Mining bauxite project

Cogen technology heating up in Africa

By: Tracy Hancock 12th June 2020 South Africa needs to realise that the rest of Africa is becoming more business friendly, and it may no longer be the sole gateway to Africa, which is showing noticeable demand for co-generation (co-gen) technology, says heat generation technology specialist Steam Generation commercial director... →

PLANTATION POTENTIAL Steam Generation receives many enquiries from Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania, which is known for its tea plantations that present potential for the supply of biomass and co-gen technology

Great demand for infection control across Africa

By: Tracy Hancock 12th June 2020 The demand for infection control solutions manufacturer SteriTech’s products has increased significantly across Africa since the Covid-19 outbreak, but so have the company’s lead times. “Demand in the rest of Africa existed prior to the outbreak and was steadily growing at a rate just slightly... →

SOUGHT-AFTER SteriTech has increased its production capacity twenty-fold to meet demand across Africa

CFTA should take lessons from failed agreements

22nd October 2019 The architects of the proposed African Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) should learn from the failed Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), says Export Credit Insurance Corporation senior economist Tsidiso Disenyana. The FTAA, which had been in the process of being negotiated by 34 diverse... →

TRADERS WITHOUT BORDERS The African CFTA could lead to the biggest free trade zone on the planet

CFTA should take lessons from failed agreements

18th October 2019 The architects of the proposed African Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) should learn from the failed Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), says Export Credit Insurance Corporation senior economist Tsidiso Disenyana. The FTAA, which had been in the process of being negotiated by 34 diverse... →

TRADERS WITHOUT BORDERS The African CFTA could lead to the biggest free trade zone on the planet

Counterfeiting remains a challenge in Africa

By: Darren Parker 18th October 2019 Counterfeiting remains a significant challenge for multinational brands aiming to legitimately penetrate the African market, but anti-counterfeit laws and measures are gaining traction in Africa. “A number of African countries do not have sufficient intellectual property protection; however,... →

MADE IN CHINA Most counterfeit goods sold in Africa are imported from China or other Eastern countries

Crowdfunding on the rise in Africa

By: Darren Parker 18th October 2019 Amid the prediction that about $300-billion will have been raised globally through online crowdfunding mechanisms by 2025, crowdfunding in South Africa is gaining traction as an increasingly viable option for raising capital. Other African countries are also not far behind in its adoption.... →

LEANA DE BEER Online crowdfunding may be a twenty-first century concept, but it finds its roots in traditions that go back centuries

Obstacles mar property investment opportunities

By: Darren Parker 18th October 2019 The level of corruption is one of several factors foreign investors consider in deciding which African countries to develop, says financial services company Nedbank Corporate Investment Banking Africa property finance divisional executive Gerhard Zeelie. “African governments need to take stock of... →

GERHARD ZEELIE Investors should opt for a mediocre opportunity in a corruption-free region, rather than a great opportunity in a heavily corrupt region

Urbanisation prompts investment opportunities

By: Jessica Oosthuizen 3rd May 2019 Urbanisation in Africa will increase significantly, compared with the rest of the world, and this will result in several significant investment opportunities, says fully black-owned private equity company Agile Capital CEO Tshego Sefolo. These investment opportunities will manifest in the... →

Photo by Creamer Media
AFRICAN POSSIBILITIES Agile Capital is actively looking to invest in new opportunities in Africa

Company takes top spot at enterprise and supplier development awards

3rd May 2019 After being named as a finalist in the eighteenth annual Top Empowerment Awards by media company Topco Media and Communications, professional services company Turner & Townsend was honoured with an award in the enterprise and supplier development category at the event last month. The Top... →

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