Business

Digital news publisher, Insurance Biz Africa, is proud to announce the launch of a series of pan-African webinar sessions whose objectives are to take an unprecedented deep dive into the forces reshaping the insurance industry across Africa and the world.

The 8-part series, themed: "Innovate. Adapt. Insure the Future", hosted by Insurance Biz Africa, will feature two-hour webinars designed to unpack the most pressing risks, opportunities, and regulatory changes facing insurers across Africa and beyond.

“This is a pivotal moment for the insurance industry. The annual webinar series will provide crucial insights into topics from AI and climate risk to ESG, equipping professionals and regulators to navigate volatility with confidence. The series is designed to ignite long-lasting conversations around pertinent areas of insurance and reinsurance upon which the industry can build solutions,” says Insurance Biz Africa Founding Editor and Managing Director of New Africa Business News Services (NABNS), Kwanele Sibanda.

“At NABNS, we believe the time is ripe for bold conversations and collaborative thinking. Our series will not only educate but spark innovation, ensuring insurance and reinsurance remain pillars of economic resilience,” adds Kwanele.

“Kicking off with Insuring Against Civil Unrests on the 23^rd of July, the timing couldn't have been more perfect, especially seeing what is currently happening across Africa in countries like Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Togo, Mali and Lybia because of political tensions. This 2-hour session will see Sasria, the only riots and civil unrests insurer in South Africa present a case study in reflection of South Africa's July 2021 civil unrests. Sasria will also participate in the panel of experts,” concludes Kwanele.

Insurance Webinar Master Series 2025 Themes & Dates:

• Webinar 1

22 July 2025 - Insuring Against Unrest: Lessons from SA's July 2021 Riots and the Evolving Role of Insurers and Reinsurers

• Webinar 2

05 August 2025 – Cybersecurity and Systemic Risk: Building Insurance Resilience in the Digital Era

Discuss insurance solutions for large-scale cyber events affecting entire economies.

• Webinar 3

14 August 2025 – The Future of Underwriting: Leveraging AI, Data, and Automation Across the Insurance Value Chain

Explore how AI and advanced analytics can revolutionize underwriting precision and speed.

• Webinar 4:

26 August 2025 – Bridging the Protection Gap: Innovations in Inclusive Insurance and Risk Transfer
Innovative products, partnerships, and risk mechanisms that extend protection to underserved markets.

• Webinar 5

04 September 2025 – ESG and Sustainable Insurance: From Compliance to Competitive Advantage
Move beyond ESG box-ticking towards long-term, sustainable profitability.

• Webinar 6

18 September 2025 – Index Insurance and Alternative Risk Transfer: Unlocking Scalable, Transparent Risk Solutions

Examine new models to insure communities and sectors exposed to systemic risks.

• Webinar 7:

30 September 2025 – Navigating AI and Digital Disruption in Life Insurance: Risks, Rewards & Regulation

Balance the transformative potential of AI with evolving consumer protection frameworks.

• Webinar 8:

09 October 2025 – Climate Change and Capital Strain: Managing Volatility in a New Risk Era

Understand how insurers can adapt capital models amid climate-driven losses.

Bonus Session:

October 2025 – Insurtech and Distribution: Reimagining Customer Engagement in Insurance

Explore new technologies reshaping sales, service, and product design.

Each session will bring together industry leaders presenting case studies and learnings, global experts, and policymakers engaging in robust discussions, live Q&As, and actionable insights.

Registration & Sponsorship Opportunities:

Insurance companies, brokers, reinsurers, regulators, and service providers are encouraged to register early or partner as sponsors to showcase leadership in this high-impact series.

For more details, registration, or sponsorship opportunities, visit: https://apo-opa.co/44yEOZH or contact info@insurancebiz.co.za

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of New Africa Business News Services.

Additional Information:
To Register: https://apo-opa.co/4nIgBrg
Insurance Biz Africa: https://apo-opa.co/4kzR4hb

Contact:
Issued By: New Africa Business News Services (NABNS)
Contact: Kwanele Sibanda
Email: Kwanele@nabns.com
Tel: +27 27 71 316 8517

About Insurance Biz Africa:
Insurance Biz Africa is South Africa's premier digital news platform dedicated to the insurance, reinsurance, and wealth management sectors. Launched in 2013, the publication offers in-depth industry coverage, expert insights, executive interviews, and regulatory updates to a targeted audience of professionals, decision-makers, and thought leaders. It is owned and published by New Africa Business News Services (NABNS), a division of SAEN Media (Pty) Ltd. The publication adheres to the Press Council of South Africa's Code of Ethics and remains committed to journalistic integrity and excellence in financial reporting.

Algeria is working towards increasing its share of trade with other African countries by tapping into opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

In a keynote address during the Algeria Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2025 Business Roadshow, Algeria's Minister of Foreign Trade and Export Promotion, H.E. Prof. Kamal Rezig stated that this includes enhancing continental connectivity through infrastructure projects such as the Trans-Sahara Highway and the Zouerate Road project linking the Tindouf border with Mauritania and the Nigeria-Algeria gas pipeline and fibre optic cable.

“In order to improve the business climate in Algeria, the State has endeavoured to ensure a stable, transparent, stimulating and attractive economic and institutional environment for investment. This is in addition to ensuring stability of legislation that regulates local and foreign investment, and simplifying administrative procedures, development and strengthening of the banking system, the capital market and the insurance sector, as well as development of human resources capabilities and skills, with the aim of adapting its economy to global transformations,” H.E. Rezig said, adding that besides developing key sectors, the country is also promoting exports in the continent within the framework of AfCFTA.

In 2024, Algeria's share of total intra-African trade stood at 2.2%, marginally growing from 1.9% in 2022, according to African Trade Report 2025 (http://apo-opa.co/44BzJhH). Mineral fuels and oils make up 91.5% of its exports. The country's top-five African export partners in 2023 based on volumes are Tunisia (70.7%), South Africa (6.7%), Cote d'Ivoire (3.6%), Nigeria (3.1%) and Senegal (2.7%) states the Country at a Glance: Algeria 2024 report (http://apo-opa.co/4m4chRF) while its top-five import partners  are Mauritania (38.8%), Tunisia (32.7%), Cote d'Ivoire (9%), Morocco (6%) and Uganda (2.2%).

The Algeria IATF2025 Business Roadshow focused on promoting intra-African trade, bringing together government officials, the trade community, including businesses, investors, and executives from African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank). Hosted by Afreximbank, in collaboration with the Government of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, the roadshow was one of the five roadshows hosted in key cities including Accra, Nairobi, Johannesburg, and Lagos in the run up to the fourth edition of IATF, Africa's premier trade and investment event that is held biennially, scheduled to take place in Algiers, Algeria, from 4 – 10 September 2025 hosted by the Government of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria. IATF provides a platform for businesses to showcase goods and exchange trade and investment information within the continent's single market.

The Chairman of IATF2025 Advisory Council and former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, H.E. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo said that intra-African trade presents a huge opportunity for African economies to enhance their resilience in today's rapidly changing world.

“Through the IATF, the largest, go-to trade and investment fair on the continent, Africa needs to join hands and build on the gains that have been achieved so far in promoting trade with itself under the AfCFTA framework. AfCFTA provides an opportunity for the continent to achieve economic emancipation and self-reliance and build the Africa We Want. This will help unlock the continent's vast potential while accelerating industrialisation and job creation,” H.E. Obasanjo added.

The past three editions of IATF have attracted over 70,000 participants and 4,500 exhibitors, and hosted buyers and sellers from over 130 countries, generating more than $100 billion in trade and investment deals. This provides a glimpse of the immense potential that exists for intra-African trade and investment.

Afreximbank's Executive Vice-President, Intra-African Trade & Export Development, Mrs Kanayo Awani noted that whereas conventional wisdom attributes Africa's low intra-continental trade to infrastructure deficits, a more fundamental barrier is the lack of access to trade and market information.

“Afreximbank launched the IATF —not merely as an exhibition but as a marketplace for the AfCFTA and a platform to close the trade information gap. Since its inception in 2018, IATF has held three resoundingly successful fairs. In these fairs, Algeria showed up strongly and directly benefited from facilitated trade and investment deals worth over $2 billion. Now, Algeria has the opportunity to host the fourth edition. As Africa's largest country by land and the fourth-largest economy by GDP, Algeria has both the duty and the opportunity to lead. Algeria's competitive advantages—energy, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, financial services, light manufacturing, ICT, and automotive assembly—are all primed for scale and export across the continent,” Mrs Awani said. She challenged businesses and government agencies in Algeria and the North African region to take centre stage at IATF2025, where over 2,000 exhibitors from Africa and beyond will showcase their products to more than 35,000 visitors and buyers from over 140 countries, resulting in trade and investment deals in excess of US$44 billion.

IATF2025 will feature a trade exhibition by countries and businesses; and the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme spotlighting cultural industries with a dedicated exhibition and summit on fashion, music, film, arts and craft, sports, literature, gastronomy and culinary arts. It will also include a four-day Trade and Investment Forum featuring leading African and international speakers; and the Africa Automotive Show for auto manufacturers, assemblers, original equipment manufacturers and component suppliers. Special Days will highlight countries, public and private sector entities, tourism, cultural attractions, and Global Africa Day celebrating ties with the African diaspora. Additional activities include business-to-business and business-to-government matchmaking, the AU Youth Start-Up programme, the Africa Research and Innovation Hub, and the African Sub-Sovereign Governments Network (AfSNET) to promote local trade and cultural exchanges. The IATF Virtual platform is also live, connecting exhibitors and visitors year-round.

Planning for IATF2025 is in top gear with significant progress made in ensuring a seamless logistical experience and delivering a successful event.

The theme of Algeria IATF2025 Business Roadshow was ‘Harnessing Regional and Continental Value Chains: Accelerating Africa's Industrialisation and Global Competitiveness under the AfCFTA'. It was also attended by H.E Ms. Baleka Mbete, the founder of NaLHISA and former Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa; H.E Zitouny El-Tayeb, Minister of Internal Trade; H.E. Selma Mansouri, the Secretary of State to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, in charge of African Affairs; H.E. Moses Vilakati, AU Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment and Acting Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals; and Mr. Jean Louis-EKRA, former President of Afreximbank and Deputy Chair of the Intra-African Trade Fair Advisory Council.

To participate in IATF2025 please visit www.IntrAfricanTradeFair.com. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

Media contact: 
media@intrafricatradefair.com 
press@afreximbank.com

About the Intra-African Trade Fair:
Organised by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) is intended to provide a unique platform for facilitating trade and investment information exchange in support of increased intra-African trade and investment, especially in the context of implementing the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). IATF brings together continental and global players to showcase and exhibit their goods and services and to explore business and investment opportunities in the continent. It also provides a platform to share trade, investment and market information with stakeholders and allows participants to discuss and identify solutions to the challenges confronting intra-African trade and investment. In addition to African participants, the Trade Fair is also open to businesses and investors from non-African countries interested in doing business in Africa and in supporting the continent's transformation through industrialisation and export development. 

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Kholo Capital Mezzanine Debt Fund I (“Kholo Capital”) (www.KholoCapital.com) announced today the injection of a R200 million mezzanine debt growth funding facility into Bayport Securitisation (“Bayport South Africa” or “Bayport SA”) to support the roll out of the Bayport SA Financial Wellness Solutions Programme. Bayport SA is committed to alleviating employee over-indebtedness in South Africa and promoting long-term financial wellness of employees. This is achieved by offering them with practical debt solutions, which include debt reduction through negotiating settlement terms and discounts with creditors, halting legal action where possible, and improving employees' credit scores, through its financial wellness solutions programme.

Through the Bayport SA Financial Wellness Programme, Bayport SA addresses the widespread issue of over-indebtedness among South African employees. By providing tailored debt reductions (wherein the benefit of all settlement discounts negotiated with creditors is passed to the employees), debt consolidation and rehabilitation solutions, Bayport enables employees to regain financial stability and improve their long-term financial standing. The programme includes structured debt management processes and financial literacy initiatives, ensuring that employees not only reduce their debt obligations and debt repayments resulting in financial breathing room but also develop healthier long-term financial habits.

Recent market data indicates that more than 60% of employed individuals in South Africa are struggling with over-indebtedness, while less than 14% of the South African population can afford to retire. Alarmingly, an average of 74% of income is spent on debt repayments, with 49% of all consumers falling more than one month behind on at least one loan. These findings highlight a critical socioeconomic issue that not only affects individual well-being and family units, but also impacts workplace productivity, stability, and staff morale.

As a vital component of its initiative, Bayport SA offers employees, through partnerships with employers, a structured 10-week financial wellness journey aimed at providing both immediate relief and fostering long-term behavioural change. Employees can expect significant improvements in monthly cash flow (i.e., including significant debt reduction), enhanced expense management, and the ability to effectively plan for future financial milestones. The program includes personal financial health assessments, individualized coaching, and practical exercises to build sustainable financial habits. Additionally, employees engage in peer-led group sessions that promote accountability and support the development of effective money management practices.

To further amplify the financial wellness program's impact, Bayport SA supplies a range of digital tools and support services. These include a gamified financial wellness app that facilitates goal tracking and provides access to educational resources, along with one-on-one sessions with personal money coaches throughout the journey. The Bayport SA Academy offers online financial education and workshops to enhance financial literacy, while structured emergency credit facilities provide responsible short-term relief as an alternative to high-cost payday loans.

Bayport SA is currently in partnership with more 70 employers across various industries in South Africa, including blue-chip corporations in FMCG, financial services, telecommunications, automotive, and mining sectors, as well as government entities at local, provincial, and national levels.

Mokgome Mogoba, Managing Partner and Founder at Kholo Capital, remarked: “The positive ESG and social impact on the South African society by Bayport SA is substantial as the company provides significant debt relief to over-indebted employees. We are very passionate about financial inclusion and this investment achieves that. Bayport SA's intervention in the South African economy is significant and measurable. Settlement discounts negotiated with creditors on behalf of employees can range between 25% and 80% of the total debt amount outstanding. The average increase in monthly disposable income is R7,450, representing 32.8% of the average basic salary of R22,865. This increase in financial flexibility is directly correlated with a substantial reduction in the total debt amount outstanding and reduction in monthly debt repayment obligations.”                                                                                                                        

Zaheer Cassim, Managing Partner and Founder at Kholo Capital, asserted: “Bayport SA's securitization program, is one of the best in South Africa. There has never been any payment defaults or covenant breaches, even during the challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic. The securitization program is supported by leading South African institutional investors and South African banks. Bayport SA is also highly regarded for its first-class management team, transparent reporting practices and strong management engagement, with regular investor reporting and quarterly meetings with investors. The business is supported by strong shareholders of reference which include the Public Investment Corporation (PIC). We are very pleased with this investment in Bayport SA, and we look forward to supporting this highly talented and highly motivated management team in their vision to grow the business, by providing financial wellness solutions to the South African people.”

Alfred Ramosedi, Chief Executive Officer of Bayport SA, commented: “We are proud to partner with Kholo Capital, whose commitment to impact investing aligns seamlessly with our mission to drive meaningful financial change. As one of South Africa's leading financial wellness companies, this funding will enable us to scale our reach and deepen our impact – empowering even more South Africans with the tools and support to break free from debt and build financially resilient futures.”

Norton Rose Fulbright acted as legal counsel to Kholo Capital and Werksmans acted as legal counsel for Bayport SA.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kholo Capital.

Notes to Editors

About R1,4 billion Kholo Capital Mezzanine Debt Fund I

Please keep Kholo Capital Mezzanine Debt in mind whenever equity funding is needed, we can plug some of the equity funding gap with mezzanine debt loan funding (subordinated loans) so that shareholders don't give up too much equity and don't suffer too much equity dilution.

The R1,4bn Kholo Capital Mezzanine Debt Fund provides mezzanine debt funding R70m to R205m to medium sized businesses generating minimum R25m EBITDA per annum. We can invest in all sectors including real estate (but excluding primary mining, resources, commodities, primary farming, micro lending, gambling, ammunition, hard liquor and tobacco). However, we can invest in mining services/products, mining logistics/transportation, mineral processing, and Agri-processing.

We provide growth capital and acquisition funding to mid-market companies with operations in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland, or Lesotho. Investment tenor 4 to 7yrs targeting returns above 17% (interest rate plus equity upside). Leverage up to 3,5x to 4x Total Debt (senior debt and mezzanine debt) to EBITDA and/or up to 80% LTV.

Kholo Capital is passionate about investing in sectors of the Southern African economy with high social impact including financial inclusion, affordable housing, healthcare, education, renewable energy, food security, ICT, and infrastructure. Our guiding business principles include commitment to add sustainable value to our investee companies and to adhere to the best ESG practices. The Fund uses the United Nation's 17 Sustainable Development Goals as guiding principles with key focus on those linked to job creation and sustainable growth.

We also fund share buy backs, refinancing of shareholder loans and dividend recaps. We also fund management buy-outs, leveraged buyouts and private equity buy-outs.

We can also pay down portion of senior debt bank funding especially where the senior debt has steep capital repayments, in order to create cashflow headroom for the business. Mezzanine debt loan funding is typically 5-6yr flexible bullet loan funding with capital repayable right at the end on the maturity of the loan. The business only has to service interest payments during the loan tenor thereby creating cashflow headroom and the business can re-invest the excess cashflows for growth.

Business or project must be generating minimum R25m EBITDA per annum at the time of investment. Meaning we can't fund greenfield projects or new developments on a ring-fenced basis. We can look at greenfield opportunities or new projects provided there is an external guarantee (i.e., third party guarantee) from a business (i.e., balance sheet) that generates the minimum R25m EBITDA. The guarantee can fall away once the business meets the threshold and covenants are met.

Also, we can't fund distressed assets or big turnarounds.

Kholo Capital is a specialist alternative investment fund management company with deep experience and track record in private markets. It was founded in 2020 by Mokgome Mogoba and Zaheer Cassim. The Kholo Capital investment team has more than 100 years of collective credit and investment experience and is highly skilled in senior debt, mezzanine debt and private equity. The investment team has a strong track record in the credit and investment space and has invested in excess of R50bn of mezzanine debt, private equity and senior debt investment transactions in over 90 transactions in more than 10 African countries. Kholo Capital is managed by a cohesive, dynamic and nimble team and the management team has worked together over the last 21 years.

Website: www.KholoCapital.com

Website: www.Bayport.co.za

For more information contact:
Mokgome Mogoba
Managing Partner – Kholo Capital Mezzanine Debt Fund I
mokgome@kholocapital.com
Tel: +27-79-631-5860

Zaheer Cassim
Managing Partner – Kholo Capital Mezzanine Debt Fund I
zaheer@kholocapital.com
Tel: +27-83-786-0845

Liquid Intelligent Technologies (Liquid) (https://Liquid.Tech/), a business of Cassava Technologies, a global technology leader of African heritage, has announced that twenty young entrepreneurs have graduated from its Youth Tech Entrepreneurship Programme. The year-long programme, currently running in the Eastern Cape and North West Province, aims to address youth unemployment through advanced digital skills development and entrepreneurial support.  

The graduates received their certificates of completion at Liquid's head office in Johannesburg on 25 June. The event culminated in four technology start-ups pitching their businesses to a panel of industry judges. ProLink (https://apo-opa.co/44AgPrA), a digital platform for connecting users with verified contractors in Mthatha, emerged as the winning start-up, securing R100,000 in seed funding and a 12-month business support package. 

“This programme proves the impact of investing intentionally in South Africa's youth. By equipping young people with future-fit skills and entrepreneurial capabilities, Cassava Technologies is proud to support grassroots innovation that addresses real-world challenges. For us, it's about empowering the country's youth, not only to participate in the digital future, but actively shape it. Well done to all the graduates and the pitching start-ups, and congratulations to ProLink,” said Ziaad Suleman, CEO of Cassava Technologies in South Africa and Botswana.  

The programme has already begun delivering tangible results. ProLink has created two new employment opportunities, and Okuhle Badli, COO of Otomex Innovations and founder of Nhanha Technologies, has been appointed Co-Chair for AI, Digital Innovation, Education, and Future of Work for Y20 South Africa 2025, the official youth engagement group of the G20. 

“This graduation and pitchathon represent the unlocking of potential and the enabling of a generation of digital entrepreneurs. These young innovators are building solutions that have the potential to scale nationally and across the continent. Along with our implementation partner Deviare, Liquid South Africa is proud to provide the resources to enable this,” said Valencia Risaba, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Liquid Intelligent Technologies South Africa.  

The other start-ups pitching their businesses were Otomex Innovations, which leverages AI to support mental health and well-being; The Eye of Tech, which expands access to digital skills in rural areas; and HerdTrace, a female-led agritech solution transforming livestock management.  

Participants received MICTSETA-accredited training in artificial intelligence and software development, along with comprehensive pre-incubation support designed to translate innovative ideas into commercially viable enterprises. All the start-ups secured Azure credits via the Microsoft Founders Hub.  

Initiatives like the Youth Tech Entrepreneurship Programme underscore Liquid South Africa's unwavering commitment to equipping young people with the technical and business skills necessary to thrive in the digital future. As South Africa celebrates Youth Month, it also represents a firm commitment to ensure that the country's youth can contribute meaningfully to the empowerment of themselves and their communities.  

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Liquid Intelligent Technologies.

About Liquid Intelligent Technologies:
Liquid Intelligent Technologies is a business of Cassava Technologies (Cassava), a technology company of African heritage with operations in 40-plus markets across Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, where the Cassava group companies operate. Liquid has firmly established itself as the leading provider of pan-African digital infrastructure with a 110,000 km-long fibre broadband network and satellite connectivity that provides high-speed access to the Internet anywhere in Africa. Liquid is also leveraging its digital network to provide Cloud and Cyber Security solutions through strategic partnerships with leading global players. Liquid is a comprehensive technology solutions group that provides customised digital solutions to public and private sector enterprises and SMEs across the continent.  

For more information, visit https://www.Liquid.Tech/.