South Africa

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South Africa is failing to provide hundreds of thousands of older people access to basic care and support services. The cumulative impact of racial discrimination under apartheid still affects older people today, and government policies are compounding this legacy. The government should carry out the Older Persons Act, which guarantees the rights of older people and provides for community- and home-based care and support services.

South Africa is failing to provide hundreds of thousands of older people access to basic care and support services, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. Many face risks to their physical well-being and safety and experience profound distress and fear at the prospect of being forced to live, and die, in an institution.

The 68-page report, “‘This Government is Failing Me Too': South Africa Compounds Legacy of Apartheid for Older People,” details the government's failure to effectively carry out the Older Persons Act, a post-apartheid law that guarantees the rights of older people and provides for community- and home-based care and support services. These services would enable older people to continue to live in their own homes with the support they are entitled to.

“Older people have been overlooked by a government that has neglected their rights,” said Noma Masiko-Mpaka, South Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch. “The South African government should act promptly to make the Older Persons Act meaningful, not just words on paper. Older people have a right to live with dignity.”

Between September 2022 and May 2023, Human Rights Watch interviewed sixty-three older people in Eastern Cape, Gauteng, and Western Cape provinces, seven non-profit service providers, three volunteer community organizers, one non-profit community caregiver, two family caregivers, and one government social worker. Human Rights Watch also consulted forty-five South African researchers, academics, lawyers, non-profit service providers, human rights experts, and members of older people's organizations and two international academics, and reviewed national legislation and reports by governments, academics, international bodies, and local groups.

Older people in South Africa today spent at least half their lives under an apartheid regime, whose racial segregation policies denied the majority of black African, coloured, and Indian/Asian people a good standard of education, decent work, and the ability to save for older age. The cumulative impact of that racial discrimination still affects older people today. Human Rights Watch found that current government policies are compounding this legacy.  

South Africa has more than five and a half million people age 60 or older. Many of them do not have adequate financial and other support to live a dignified life.

Ben Zolile, 75, lives in River Park, Johannesburg. He says his health goes “up and down.” He used to eat lunch each day at a service center for older people but now cannot make the trip due to bad knees. “No one comes to my house,” he said. “There are no other services that come to my home.”

Human Rights Watch found that the Department of Social Development has failed to allocate sufficient resources for community- and home-based care and support services and for the non-profit organizations contracted to deliver them. Furthermore, the government's current targets for delivering services leave hundreds of thousands of eligible older people without access.

“Every week, every month [older people] come and apply,” said Nosiphiwo Tetana, who manages a service center for older people in Dimbaza, Eastern Cape. “And we have to turn them away as we can't overload the budget.”

The situation is further exacerbated by the government's restrictions on how funding can be spent, the lack of a system to determine who is entitled to care and support, an over-reliance on family members to provide support, disparities in provincial governments' service plans, and insufficient numbers of social workers.

Human Rights Watch found that the situation was particularly bleak for people requiring full-time care and support at home. The Grant-in-Aid, the social security entitlement designed to cover the costs of full-time home-based care and support, is woefully inadequate. Under the grant, older people receive R500 (US$27) per month, which would cover less than the R610 (US$32) cost of a single day of care, based on the national minimum wage.

Moreover, few older people interviewed even knew about the grant. Of those who did, some wrongly thought they did not qualify.

The family of Nozala Ndoyana, 84, was unaware of the Grant-in-Aid. Ndoyana lives in Gwaba village, 36 km from East London, with her youngest daughter, Pamela, who washes her mother, cooks her breakfast, and leaves for work, for up to 12 hours a day.

Pamela, 47, constantly worries about her mother when she is at work. “Even though I make her food, she may not think to eat it, and go without food all day,” she said. Sometimes Nozala wanders away from their house. If the neighbors see her, they will assist her, but there is no one to be with her all day. Pamela said they would apply for the grant. “But,” she said, “I don't think I can find someone who can look after her for R500 a month.” 

Older people require adequate housing to live independently in the community. Yet Human Rights Watch found that older people are often unable to afford private rent or repairs, including to make their housing more accessible. Some feel unsafe in their homes. Others have waited decades for state-subsidized housing.

Bahija J., 75, has been on the waiting list for 40 years and has been renting a house in disrepair and with no hot water in Cape Town since 1996. “The previous government failed me, and now this government is failing me too,” she said.

South Africa is obligated under national and international human rights law to ensure that older people, including those with limited mobility and those requiring support with daily activities, can live independently in the community with access to community- and home-based support services and adequate housing to enable them to remain in their homes.

“Government policies are failing older people and sending a strong signal that the dignity of those who sacrificed so much for South Africa's freedom no longer matters,” said Masiko-Mpaka. “The Department of Social Development should allocate sufficient funding to deliver community- and home-based care and support services so that older people can live independently in their homes and communities.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Human Rights Watch (HRW).

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President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday, 29 June 2023, participate at the 8th Southern Africa Customs Union (SACU) Heads of State and Government Summit in the Kingdom of Eswatini. 

The President‘s working visit at the SACU Heads of State and Government Summit is at the invitation of the current Chair of SACU, His Majesty King Mswati III, and the iNgwenyama of the Kingdom of Eswatini. 

The 8th SACU Heads of State and Government Summit will be preceded by the meeting of the Council of Ministers taking place on 27 – 28 June 2023. The Council of Ministers meeting will reflect and update on the status of the implementation of the SACU Strategic Plan 2022- 2027, of which the Heads of State and Government will provide political and strategic guidance. 

The SACU Strategic Plan 2022- 2027, which will be in its first year of review since being adopted at the 7th SACU Heads of State and Government Summit is centered on six pillars, namely;  Industrialisation, Export and Investment Promotion, Trade Facilitation and Logistics, Implementation and Leveraging of The AFCFTA Opportunities, Trade Relations/Unified Engagement with Third Parties, Finance and Resource Mobilisation and Effectiveness of SACU Institutions.

Established in 1910, SACU is the oldest Customs Union in the world and has since its agreed new dispensation by its five members states (Eswatini, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa) in 2002 assumed the status of an international organisation which facilitates compliance with the World Trade Organization treaty in pursuit of its goal of regional economic integration. 

President Cyril Ramaphosa will lead a delegation comprising Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ebrahim Patel; Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Thoko Didiza; Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana; and the South African Revenue Service Commissioner, Edward Kieswetter. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency: Republic of South Africa.

By NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber (www.EnergyChamber.org)

Although Africa's natural gas production is expected to remain relatively flat over the next two years — increasing only slightly, from 268 billion cubic meters (bcm) today to 272 bcm in 2025 — there's room for optimism about the continent's potential, according to the African Energy Chamber's (AEC) “The State of African Energy Q1 2023 Report.”

For Africa to move forward and grow its natural gas output, a two-pronged approach is required: Gas producers must continue to pump from existing fields while countries with new discoveries must get these undeveloped projects to the final investment decision (FID) stage as quickly as possible.

A Worrying Decline in Production

Here's the reason for the urgency: Many of Africa's existing gas production fields, particularly those in the north and west, are maturing or in decline, meaning they are quickly reaching the end of their productive lives. For example, Nigeria, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea currently account for 85% of the total gas output from the West Africa region, and volume is expected to remain the same until 2025. After that, levels will gradually decline: to 75% by 2030, 70% by 2035, and 60% by 2040. Although these fields are considered crucial for sustained production, the need for new projects to come online is critical to prevent a stall in output.

Fortunately, many major new gas finds have been announced in recent years, including finds in Senegal, Mauritania, Angola, Ghana, South Africa, Namibia, and the Ivory Coast. In Namibia alone, Shell's Graff discovery holds approximately 2 billion barrels of oil equivalent (BOE). These new gas discoveries will, however, remain dormant potential unless African governments and gas producers come together quickly to forge realistic actionable plans to capitalize on these vast new resources. Otherwise, new hopes will simply fade into the past as yet more symbols of lost opportunity.

Some Good News

These fields along with newly discovered pre-final investment decision (FID) projects have the potential to supercharge output and allow Africa to realize its enormous natural gas potential. As the AEC report notes, any new production growth expected over the next decade will come from both pre-FID potential — such as emerging upstream economies like Mozambique, Tanzania, Mauritania, Senegal, South Africa, and Ethiopia — as well as from mature producers like Nigeria, Libya, and Algeria.

At a very conservative forecast, production from these pre-FID projects is expected to double year-on-year from 2025 to 2029, with a continued gradual increase until around the late 2030s. Currently, just over 10% of Africa's gas production comes from these pre-FID volumes and will increase to over half of the total output. Therefore, these volumes play a critical role in the continent's natural gas export aspirations, and in becoming a true player in international markets.

There is also great excitement building around the growth of Africa's liquefied natural gas (LNG) export business. As “The State of African Energy Q1 2023 Report” asserts:

“Africa LNG export infrastructure also is shaping in a similar way to the natural gas forecast. Between the bigger producers like Algeria, Nigeria and Egypt, Algeria and Egypt are expected to maintain their existing LNG infrastructure capacity of about 29 million tonnes per annum (MMtpa) and 12.7 MMtpa, respectively. Nigeria's plans involve increasing its LNG infrastructure capacity from the existing 22 MMtpa to 30 MMtpa via the Nigeria LNG (NLNG) Train 7 development and further marginally to just over 31 MMtpa via UTM Offshore's FLNG project.”

Some further good news is Mozambique's aspirations to increase its LNG export capacity from its current 3.4 MMtpa to about 43.5 MMtpa by the end of the next decade — by far the largest increase the contentment is likely to see if all the obstacles can be overcome. Lastly, the BP-Kosmos-owned LNG project in the waters off Senegal and Mauritania is also expected to see an increase in the cumulative capacity output of both countries from the current 2.5 MMtpa to 22.5 MMpta overall capacity by the end of the next decade.

As I have written before, for these projects to get off the ground and go online, African governments must do all they can to eliminate any restrictive red tape to ensure speedy turnarounds between hydrocarbon discoveries and FID. Otherwise, their countries will miss out on the major benefits their vast natural gas resources offer.

Natural Gas Will Benefit Africa, its People, and the Planet

Natural will be a key investment topic at the African Energy Week in Cape Town, South Africa from October 16th to 20^th. Despite living on a continent with an abundance of untapped natural gas resources, energy poverty is a daily reality for over 600 million Africans. By harnessing our vast hydrocarbon resources, it's possible to transform the quality of these people's lives, industrialize their economies, build gas-to-power plants, create jobs, and provide energy for clean cooking.

Fortunately, we are seeing a movement in the right direction. Around a dozen African countries are now generating their own electricity with gas they either produce themselves or import.

In addition to having the potential to resolve energy poverty in Africa, natural gas is indispensable in many industries. Natural gas, for example, plays a key role in the production of fertilizers used internationally to grow the food that sustains the entire global population.

Since the Russia-Ukraine conflict started in early 2022, both food and fertilizer prices shot up significantly as Russia started shutting down its gas supplies, thereby limiting fertilizer production and creating a low-supply, high-demand market globally, which left many farmers unable to afford the fertilizers necessary to grow crops. According to the UN, more than 60 countries are now struggling to import food, many of which are African states. Not only can Africa itself benefit by developing its natural gas resources, but it also appears to have an obligation to do so to secure domestic and global food supplies.

Natural gas can also be used as a feedstock for liquid transport fuels, paraffin, base oils, and naphtha, which can generate additional revenues to help build infrastructure, set up new businesses, and bring down unemployment levels. Exporting natural gas as feedstock also has many other great advantages.

Gas feedstock can be used in residential and commercial heating, and used as fuel in manufacturing, food processing, and chemical production. Natural gas feedstock can also be used in combined heat and power (CHP) systems, which simultaneously produce electricity and utilize the wasted heat in other industrial processes, thereby increasing overall efficiency. Natural gas also can be used to produce hydrogen, which is needed in various industries including refineries, ammonia production, and the emerging hydrogen economy. African leaders have a responsibility to explore the uses of natural gas and capitalize on export deals with major players in these industries.

Developing Africa's natural gas resources will create a plethora of new fiscal opportunities. It will also empower the continent's residents to make a good living, which in turn, will stimulate and diversify economies through sustained long-term growth.

It is very clear to me that Africa's natural gas production is on the verge of cosmic growth, but I must reiterate what I have many times before: Africa's new natural gas discoveries will remain just that — discoveries — until leaders start taking a proactive approach to quickly developing and capitalizing on them. At the moment, however, nations are still not fully reaping the enormous benefits of their dormant resources.

I urge all African leaders to do the right thing for themselves and their people. Utilize the unique and lucrative opportunities natural gas offers, monetize your gas, grow your economies, and allow your people access to energy and a decent standard of living.

For more information about the African Energy Chamber's new report, visit https://EnergyChamber.org.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

The Africa's Business Heroes (ABH) (https://www.AfricaBusinessHeroes.org) Prize Competition, a philanthropic initiative sponsored by the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Philanthropy to recognize and uplift African entrepreneurs, has announced the top 50 finalists (https://apo-opa.info/3PvMAML) for its 2023 edition. With a remarkable 27,267 applications, ABH this year has seen the highest number of submissions since its inception in 2019, reflecting the growing entrepreneurial spirit in Africa.

ABH continues to garner a remarkable level of reach and engagement across Africa, with applicants hailing from all 54 African countries this year. West Africa emerged as the frontrunner, representing 43% of the total applications received. Francophone countries accounted for 27% of all applications, the highest in ABH's history.

Following an intense round of assessment by 256 judges from more than 40 countries, the top 50 finalists have been selected from 20 countries across 13 different industries, led by agriculture, education and training, and healthcare. The finalists are aged 36 on average, with 38% of them being female and 62% male. Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt and South Africa account for the most top 50 candidates and, for the first time, applicants from Sierra Leone are represented in the top 50, which to date cover 33 out of 54 African countries. A panel of over 50 round-two judges will now embark on interviewing these candidates to select the top 20.

“We would like to express our sincere appreciation to all the entrepreneurs and judges who participated in this edition of the Africa's Business Heroes Prize Competition. We are honored to see the overwhelming response, which is a testament to the rising potential of Africa's entrepreneur ecosystem,” said Jason Pau, Executive Director of International Programs, Jack Ma Foundation. “The top 50 finalists represent the incredible potential and talent that exists in Africa, and we believe there are more surprises underway for this edition. As our judging process moves forward and our fifth anniversary event series unfolds, we invite all our supporters to stay connected and follow ABH closely.”

This year, all the top 50 finalists will be invited to join the Alibaba Netpreneur Masterclass Global Edition 2023 to be conducted online by Alibaba Global Initiatives (AGI) from late July to late August, to acquire insights into how to harness digital technology to drive their business growth.

The top 20 finalists of ABH 2023 will be announced in July and the top 10 finalists in September. The return of a large-scale Grand Finale and Summit, during which the top 10 candidates will pitch live to global business legends to secure their share of the final award, is slated to take place in Kigali, Rwanda on November 23-24, 2023.

Every year, ABH spotlights outstanding participants through traditional media and social media channels, including providing significant exposure to the top 10 finalists via the ABH Show, which features the ABH journey of the previous edition's top 10 finalists and their entrepreneurial stories. The first episode of the 2023 ABH Show was recently released and is available here (https://apo-opa.info/3Mf3nBB).

As part of reaching its five-year milestone this year, ABH will be publishing a fifth-anniversary impact report to showcase the growth and impact of the prize competition on African entrepreneurs over the years, and reflect on the applicants, winners and stakeholders who have been integral to its success.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH).

For more information about the ABH 2023 finalists and to follow their ABH journey, please visit ABH's official website (https://AfricaBusinessHeroes.org) and follow ABH on Twitter (https://apo-opa.info/3KY3OQs), LinkedIn (https://apo-opa.info/3L1Cgda), Instagram (https://apo-opa.info/3KZTXKa), Facebook (https://apo-opa.info/3ylgNE9) and YouTube (https://apo-opa.info/3YDG5bH).

Press Contact:
Africa's Business Heroes Press Room: abh.press@list.alibaba-inc.com

For media inquiries or interview requests, please contact:
English: Tracy Walakira tracy.walakira@apo-opa.com
French/Arabic: Malika Bouayad malika.bouayad@apo-opa.com

About Africa's Business Heroes:
The Africa's Business Heroes Prize Competition is a philanthropic initiative sponsored by the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Philanthropy. It aims to support, inspire and enable the next generation of African entrepreneurs across all sectors who are building a brighter future for the continent, by offering grant funding, training programs and support for the development of an entrepreneurial ecosystem. Over a 10-year period, each year the ABH Prize Competition and Show features 10 entrepreneur finalists as they pitch their business to win a share of US$1.5 million in grant money.

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President Cyril Ramaphosa will attend and participate in the New Global Financing Pact Summit to be held in Paris, France on 22 – 23 June 2023 at the invitation of his counterpart, the President of the Republic of France, His Excellency Emmanuel Macron. 

Under the theme “Towards More Commitments to Meet the 2030 Agenda” the Summit aims to build a new contract between the North and the South, to facilitate access to financing by the vulnerable countries.

It builds on previous and ongoing work, which includes the Review of the Capital Adequacy Frameworks of the Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs); The Bridgetown Initiative, the World Bank (WB) Evolution Roadmap; and the Vulnerable 20 (V20) Accra to Marrakech Agenda.

The Summit's ambition is to bring together several agendas: (climate, development, debt) and to propose innovative solutions to address these issues. This has been unpacked into the following objectives of the Summit:

I.  Increasing fiscal space and mobilizing liquidity.
II.  Unlocking finance for the private sector in Low-Income Countries.
III.  Scaling up investment in green infrastructures.
IV.  Designing innovative financial solutions for climate vulnerability.

The Summit also aims to set a new shared agenda which will be outlined in a Heads of State and Government Vision Statement on a New Global Financing Pact as well as to deliver a set of new commitments and concrete results.

The Summit also intends to catalyze an ambitious agenda for upcoming 2023 international events with the aim to push for concrete results on these occasions.

Although not aligned with the existing multilateral processes, the Paris Summit will provide a selected group of countries a platform to reach agreements on issues that can be used to influence the outcomes of the discussions in other international and multilateral platforms, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Summit, G20 Summit, World Bank/International Monitory Fund Annual Meetings, the 28th Conference of the Parties on Climate Change (COP 28), among others.

More than 30 Heads of State and Government are confirmed to attend the Paris Summit, from Brazil, Germany; The European Union (EU) - President of the European Commission; the People's Republic of China (at Prime Minister level); Barbados; Sri Lanka and Cuba.

Other countries confirmed to attend the Summit include Benin;  Gabon; Madagascar; Mauritius; Mozambique; Senegal; Tunisia; Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo; the Union of Comoros, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Islamic Republic of Mauritania; the Federal Republic of Nigeria as well as the Togolese Republic.

President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by Ministers Naledi Pandor of International Relations and Cooperation and Enoch Godongwana of Finance as well as senior Government officials.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency: Republic of South Africa.

Filippo Bof, Head of Business Development at Shell Trading and Shipping will play a pivotal role in highlighting Africa as a thriving energy frontier during the African Energy Week. His contributions will focus on the company's collaborative initiatives with refiners to accelerate investments in the sector.

Shell, a prominent British multinational oil and gas company with a significant presence in Africa, is intensifying its efforts in exploration and production (E&P), refining, trading, marketing, and distribution activities on the continent. Recognizing Shell's commitment, the African Energy Chamber (AEC) is delighted to announce the participation of Filippo Bof, Head of Business Development at Shell Trading and Shipping Company, a subsidiary of Shell, as a speaker at the esteemed African Energy Week (AEW). As Africa's premier energy event, scheduled for October 16-20, 2023, in Cape Town, AEW will serve as a platform for influential African leaders and global influencers to shape the future of Africa's energy landscape.

Bof, with his extensive experience at Shell and Shell Trading and Shipping and a deep understanding of the African energy sector, emerges as a key contributor to the growth of the industry in Africa. His tenure at Shell began as a Commercial Interface and Trading Manager, where he played a vital role in shaping commercial strategies and managing trading activities. His contributions led to his promotion as a Business Development Manager and then Head of Business Development at Shell Trading and Shipping, where he further honed his skills in identifying growth opportunities and driving business expansion.

Prior to his time at Shell, Bof has had a decade's worth of experience at Eni, another major player in the energy sector. As an Oil Export and Shipping Manager at Eni Nigeria, he demonstrated his expertise in managing export operations and coordinating shipping activities. Bof's proficiency in the field earned him the role of Upstream Commercial Area Coordinator, where he oversaw commercial activities and played a pivotal role in maximizing value from upstream operations.

With this experience, he has forged strong partnerships with producers and refiners across the region. Bof's expertise spans various areas, including providing commercial support, financing, working capital, terminalling, and logistics solutions. This experience is particularly important in Africa's energy sector as Shell has a presence in many African countries, including Egypt, Mauritania, South Africa, Nigeria and Namibia to name a few. As Africa's energy sector is projected to grow, having expertise and effective management is vital for capitalizing on this growth and achieving successful outcomes regarding exploring, producing, refining, and trading oil and gas products.

Strengthening its presence in the MSGBC region, Shell signed an E&P contract with the Ministry of Petroleum, Mines and Energy in February to conduct exploration activities in Block C2 offshore Mauritania. As part of the agreement, Shell now holds a 75% stake in the block, while the Mauritanian government retains a 25% share. Block C2 is positioned to the south of Block C10, where Shell is currently conducting exploration activities, and to the east of Block C8, which has witnessed substantial discoveries. Shell Trading and Shipping's involvement in this would include leveraging its expertise in trading and optimization of energy commodities in support of the exploration activities in the region.

Another noteworthy achievement by Shell is the discovery of light oil in Namibia's Orange Basin, in the Graff – 1X Well, located block 2913A. By partnering with Qatar Energy and the national petroleum corporation of Namibia on this discovery, the company is demonstrating its commitment to partnerships and collaborations to drive the sector forward. Meanwhile its presence and range of services in South Africa spans over more than a century, primarily involved in the downstream sector of the energy industry. This includes activities such as refining, distribution and marketing of petroleum products. Shell operates the Sapref refinery, jointly owned by Shell and bp, one of the largest refineries in South Africa, which processes crude oil into various refined products like gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and lubricants. With the advancements in these countries, Shell Trading and Shipping harnesses their expertise in trading, shipping, and logistics to play a vital role in the facilitation of the distribution of these petroleum products.

Stepping into this picture, at AEW Bof will provide valuable insights into Shell's business development in Africa and he will share expertise on various aspects, including commercial support, financing, working capital, terminalling, and logistics.

"The Chamber is delighted with the attendance of Bof and the presence of Shell at the AEW. It highlights the importance of collaboration between local and international entities in unlocking Africa's energy potential. Shell's presence in Africa demonstrates the significant opportunities the continent offers in terms of energy resources and trading activities. The company also understands the vital role that hydrocarbons will continue to play in Africa's energy sector in order to meet its fuel and electricity needs,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC, adding that “The participation by Shell – represented by Bof, underscores the commitment to drive sustainable development, maximize value, and foster mutually beneficial partnerships within the African energy sector."

African Energy Week (AEW) is the African Energy Chamber's (AEC) interactive exhibition and networking event, established in 2021, that seeks to unite African energy stakeholders, drive industry growth and development, and promote Africa as the destination for African-focused events. For further information on the African Energy Week 2023 conference, click the link below:

https://apo-opa.info/3XfAhWB

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Due to urgent government commitments, Deputy President Paul Mashatlile is no longer able to attend the opening session of the 11^th SA AIDS Conference scheduled to take place from 20-23 June 2023, where he was expected to deliver the Opening Address.

Deputy President Mashatile was scheduled to address the conference today, Tuesday, 20 June 2023, in his capacity as Chairperson of the South African National Aids Council (SANAC).

The conference provides a platform for stakeholders to take stock of the South African HIV/AIDS, TB and STIs response and to deliberate on emerging priorities as the country forges ahead with efforts and strategies to eliminate HIV as a public health threat.

The Deputy President has requested the Minister of Health to deliver the Opening Address on his behalf.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency: Republic of South Africa.

By NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber (www.EnergyChamber.org)

The world is watching Namibia. To be more specific, the energy world is watching. Ever since oil and gas majors Shell (United Kingdom) and TotalEnergies (France) announced massive hydrocarbon discoveries in Namibia's offshore Orange Basin in 2022, interest in additional exploration in the Southern African country has been intense. And so has curiosity about how quickly Shell, TotalEnergies, and their partners will be able to finalize various field development agreements with Namibia and move on to production. Will their negotiations stall, as we're seeing all too often in African nations, or will the process move forward smoothly?

One of the reasons the 2022 Orange Basin finds were so exciting — in addition to sheer size, with as much as three billion barrels of oil combined — was the fact that Namibian exploration efforts up to then had been fairly disappointing. Only about 15 wells had been drilled before Shell's discovery at the Graff-1 well and TotalEnergies' Venus 1-X find, and none of those earlier efforts yielded commercial quantities of oil or gas. That means the Orange Basin discoveries represent Namibia's first chance to show oil and gas companies what they can expect after announcing discoveries there.

Now is the time for Namibia's leadership to show it respects the billions of dollars companies spend on oil and gas production. One of the most practical ways for Namibia to do that is to update its petroleum contracts: They need language that protects oil and gas companies' investments. Namibia's contracts should include what's known as a fiscal stability clause, which would clearly state that if Namibia were to make legislative or regulatory changes — such as new tax requirements — the energy companies signing the contract would be protected from negative economic impacts.

Depending on the language of the clause— also known as an “economic rebalancing” or “equalization clause” — contracting companies might be exempt from new tax codes or compensated to make up for legislation that adds to their expenses such as new labor or environmental laws. What matters is, in the end, the companies' return on investment would not be impacted by changes that occurred after their deal was finalized.

For Namibia, a newcomer to oil and gas deals, adding a fiscal stability clause to petroleum contracts will be key to retaining the energy industry's intense interest.

This Clause Carries a Lot of Weight

Guaranteeing oil and gas companies' investments is hardly a new or radical measure. Fiscal stability clauses are common practice and in place in such countries as Guyana, Mozambique, Mexico, and Angola. While I cannot produce a study that proves that these countries have attracted more investment as a result of their clauses, I do know this: When a developing country fails to offer the clauses, they're giving oil and gas companies reason to limit investments there.

In a recent paper on financial stability clauses, international consulting company Deloitte commented on the clauses' value.

“Stabilisation clauses enhance certainty and predictability which are key ingredients for the success of long term investment projects,” the report states. “Petroleum exploitation is capital intensive and recouping the investment takes much longer than most sectors. Any subsequent changes in the laws of the host state may significantly alter the economics of the economics of a project.”

For international oil companies (IOCs), investing in a country without a fiscal stability clause is quite a gamble in an already risky industry.

I realize that Namibia has already taken measures to ensure an enabling environment for upstream activity, including making updates to its tax laws, and I applaud those actions. Namibia's legal framework and oil and gas code, in general, are considered investor-friendly. But guaranteeing companies' investments is a critical next step.

Time is Precious

Not only does Namibia need to add a fiscal stability clause to its petroleum agreements, it needs to do it now. Otherwise, there is a possibility that the issue of financial risk will come up during contract negotiations with Shell, TotalEnergies, and their partners. And that, in turn, could lead to costly project delays, a topic the African Energy Chamber addresses extensively in its soon-to-be-released “The State of African Energy 2023 1Q Report.”

I encourage Namibian authorities to learn from the delays that have taken place in Mozambique's offshore Rovuma Basin. Natural gas discoveries totaling as much as 17 billion barrels of oil equivalent (boe) were announced in the early to mid-2010s, but Mozambique's negotiations with operators, including Italian energy major Eni and U.S. firm Anadarko, have dragged on for years. As a result, the only project to be completed so far is the Coral Sul floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) project, fed by Coral Field. The FLNG saw a final investment decision (FID) in mid-2017, followed by construction getting underway in 2018 and the project shipping its first cargo in November 2022. This is a positive step, but imagine the economic and energy security benefits Mozambique's natural gas could have yielded without such extensive delays.

Then there's the example of the massive oil discoveries made by Tullow Oil in Uganda and Ghana, announced about three months apart from one another in 2006 and 2007. Tullow Oil began producing oil from its Jubilee Field discovery in Ghana in 2010. Contrast that with Tullow's Lake Albert Rift Basin discovery in Uganda. After more than a decade of disputes with the government and no progress, Tullow sold all of its Ugandan assets to Total (now TotalEnergies) in 2020.

In 2021, TotalEnergies concluded final agreements to launch Lake Albert resources development, including the Tilenga and Kingfisher upstream oil projects and the construction of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) in Uganda and Tanzania. TotalEnergies continues to move these projects forward in collaboration with China National Offshore Oil Corporation and Uganda National Oil Company. Unfortunately, climate concerns and net-zero emissions aspirations have made driving oil and gas projects forward considerably more challenging than it was in 2006. TotalEnergies is under heavy pressure from environmental activities to abandon its plans for oil production and the pipeline.  Its has been 15 years of value and revenue lost for Uganda. Critical issues like this will come up at the African Energy Week in Cape Town, South Africa from October 16th to 20th and investors and governments have to find solutions working hand in hand with each other.

So Much to Gain

Not only will a fiscal stability clause in Namibian petroleum agreements help prevent delays with TotalEnergies (as well as with Shell, which announced another large Orange Basin discovery in 2023), acting decisively to protect companies' investments will also position Namibia for more exploration.

The Orange Basin is one of several Namibian (and South African) locations of interest to IOCs.

Eco Atlantic's deep water Walvis Basin blocks (among others) and in particular Osprey prospect drilling target in Block 2012A of the Walvis Basin, for example, was described as one of Africa's most promising high-impact wells last December.

Meanwhile, Global Petroleum, Namcor, and Aloe Investments are expected to begin exploration in Block 2011A of the Walvis Basin this year. Tower Resources, Maurel and Prom, Exxon Mobil, Oranto Petroleum, Woodside Energy, Chevron, Galp, Recon Africa are currently carrying out a lot of Exploration work in various acreages in the country and moving towards possible drilling soon.

Namibia's offshore Luderitz Basin and Namib Basin, along with the onshore Owambo and Karoo basins, offer great potential as well. But, again, interest could dry up quickly if companies begin to perceive Namibia as a risky country for investments.

BW Kudu, a wholly owned subsidiary of BW Energy and the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor), is bullish about Kudu Gas today more than before and is working tirelessly to get first gas in 2026. I love this project because domestic gas production could deal with Namibia's energy poverty and energy security issues. Namibia currently imports about 60% of its domestic electricity needs.

Calls for Change

The African Energy Chamber is not the first to urge Namibia to take steps to guarantee oil and gas companies' investments. This topic came up in 2020, before the large Orange Basin discoveries.

Uaapi Utjavari, then chairperson of the Namibia Petroleum Operators Association (NAMPOA), wrote to Namibian Minister of Mines and Energy Tom Alweendo to describe the role that fiscal guarantee clauses could play in supporting ongoing investment in Namibian's fledgling oil and gas sector. NAMPOA recommended a legal/fiscal/commercial framework that balanced the needs of the country and investors.

“There is a fundamental need for a stable and sustainable business environment so the country and the investors are able to plan ahead and rely on terms agreed upon,” Utjavari wrote. “An economic rebalancing provision provides appropriate security around economic terms, which are critical for large-scale multi-billion dollars project investment/bankability, while not infringing the host country's sovereignty and are a common feature in many petroleum contracts globally.”

The recommendations NAMPOA made in 2020 still make sense for Namibia today.

The African Energy Chamber would like to see Namibia reap all of the benefits its natural resources can offer, from increased energy security to industrialization and economic growth. Namibia can do that — if it shows a watching energy industry that the country is committed to helping companies realize a reasonable return on their investments. Adding a fiscal stability clause to its contracts is the right move. I encourage Namibia to act now.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

“Democratic governance in Africa is facing severe headwinds, particularly at the level of supply,” Afrobarometer (www.Afrobarometer.org) board chair E. Gyimah-Boadi warned Thursday at a conference in Accra organised by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).

Themed "African governance futures: Strengthening democratic resilience amid disruption,” the conference brought together more than 80 governance experts from across the African continent to discuss the latest developments in the governance sector.

Speaking on “The future Africans want,” Gyimah-Boadi shed light on the aspirations of African citizens as well as challenges and their implications for democratic governance on the continent. Sharing insights from the latest Afrobarometer data, based on surveys in 36 African countries in 2021/2022, he noted that a majority of Africans prefer democracy over any other system of government and endorse democratic norms, institutions, and practices such as multiparty competition, constitutional limits on presidential tenure, and free media. However, while the desire to live under governments that are democratic and accountable remains fairly strong among Africans, some worrying trends have emerged as popular subscription to democratic norms and institutions has waned in several countries.

“Between 2014/2015 and 2021/2022, support for democracy has steeply dropped in several countries: Mali, Burkina Faso, South Africa, and Guinea, respectively by 36, 26, 21, and 15 percentage points,” Gyimah-Boadi said.

He also highlighted a softening stance toward the role of the military in national politics. While a solid majority still reject military rule, the level of opposition has declined significantly over the past decade. Only three of the 30 countries surveyed consistently between 2014 and 2022 show increases in popular rejection of military rule, and a slim majority (53%) are willing to countenance military intervention if elected officials abuse their power. Tolerance for military intervention is higher among young people (56% of those aged 18-36 years) than among older citizens (46% of those aged 56 years and above).

“Distressingly, this pro-military-intervention sentiment is a clear majority opinion in 22 out of the 36 countries surveyed, and this view is highly pronounced in Mali, Tunisia, Guinea, Tanzania, Côte d'Ivoire,” he said. “Given their numerical superiority across the continent, it must be deeply concerning that younger Africans are more likely than their elders to express their readiness for military intervention – if need be.”

Highlighting the disparity between citizen aspirations and the supply of democratic governance, Gyimah-Boadi stressed that levels of satisfaction with the functioning of democracy have declined drastically in many countries. He emphasised the urgent need for governments to bridge this gap, deliver accountable governance, and address the concerns of their citizens.

"The wind of democratic decline appears to be gathering momentum across Africa," he warned. "The ability of governments to deliver democracy and accountable governance continues to lag behind the expectations of their citizens, setting the scene for confrontations between ordinary Africans and their domestic political authorities in the coming years. It is crucial for governments to prioritise democratic values, strengthen institutions, and meet the expectations of their people."

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afrobarometer.

For more information, please contact:
Josephine Appiah-Nyamekye Sanny
Tel: +233243240933
Email: jappiah@afrobarometer.org
Visit us online at www.Afrobarometer.org.

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About Afrobarometer:
Afrobarometer (AB) is a trusted source of high-quality data and analysis on what Africans are thinking. With an unmatched track record of 350,000+ interviews in 41 countries, representing the views of about 75% of the African population, AB is leading the charge to bridge the continent's data gap. AB data inform many global indices, such as the Ibrahim Index of African Governance, Transparency International's Global Corruption Barometer, and the World Bank's Worldwide Governance Indicators. The data are also used for country risk analyses and by credit rating and forecasting agencies such as the Economist Intelligence Unit. All AB data sets are publicly available on the website (https://www.Afrobarometer.org/) and may be analysed free of charge using AB's online data analysis tool (https://apo-opa.info/3lVrwlT).

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President Ramaphosa has today, 18 June 2023, concluded a two-days working visit to the Ukraine and the Russian Federation where African leaders proposed a path for peace to the 16 month long conflict between the two countries. 

The proposal presented by African leaders on a mission to Ukraine and Russia has created a foundation for future engagements that will contribute to a road to peace and resolution to the devastating conflict. 

The African Heads of States and Government asserted several key elements that are vital in starting a path to peace. 

Some of the elements include the de-escalation of the conflict; release of the prisoners of war and children, adherence to the principle of the UN Charter on Sovereignty; ensuring that there is humanitarian support for those in need and post war reconstruction amongst others .

The Peace  Mission to Ukraine and Russia has wrapped up its first round of engagements with both warring parties to the conflict. 

President Ramaphosa is encouraged by the warm reception that the delegation received from the Presidents of Ukraine and Russia. 

The President will further reflect on the engagements by the African Peace Mission on his weekly newsletter on Monday. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency: Republic of South Africa.

The African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO), the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and Deputy Ministers from South Africa and Zimbabwe reiterated the important role of partnerships in addressing energy poverty and advancing energy security in Africa during the country's official energy summit, South Sudan Oil & Power (SSOP) (https://apo-opa.info/43Zsqyp) – organized by Energy Capital and Power (https://www.EnergyCapitalPower.com) and taking place this week in Juba.

The respective heads of APPO and OPEC emphasized that with South Sudan representing the only major oil producer in East Africa, the country's 3.5 billion barrels of reserves play a critical role in facilitating energy security, both in the country and across the East African market, and by unlocking capital and collaboration, the country's standing as the engine of East African growth will be realized. 

In his opening address, APPO Secretary General H.E. Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim stated that “Now more than ever, South Sudan needs to attract investments, develop local content in oil and gas technology and expertise, and find lasting markets for its oil and gas.” In this scenario, innovative capital solutions and collaboration are key drivers, and H.E. Dr. Farouk believes that, “the Republic of South Sudan could not find a better place to build international partnerships, attract investment and technology, and improve the performance of the South Sudanese energy sector and the broader East African sector than with APPO.”

OPEC reiterated similar sentiments, with Mhammed Mouraia, Statistical Systems Coordinator, Data Services Department, Research Division at OPEC stating that “South Sudan's proven reserves are 3.5 billion barrels, offering the opportunity to generate energy security and drive economic growth. To utilize these resources, we recognize the need for stakeholders to work together. OPEC's contribution in this regard is sustainable oil market stability.”

For South Africa, the country represents a critical partner, and the southern African nation is making strides towards strengthening bilateral relations. The country's DDG for Mining, Mineral and Energy Policy Development at the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, Ntokozo Ngcwabe, remarked that South-South collaboration has been key for maximizing resources, and that to address energy poverty, “let us replicate these partnerships across the continent and awaken the great potential that lies beneath our soils. Addressing energy poverty must include the monetization of all our resources, including oil and gas.”

Meanwhile, representing an untapped market in its own right, South Sudanese expertise will be key for helping Zimbabwe unlock the full potential of its resources. The country has kickstarted an exploration campaign of its own, and with the support of South Sudan, the country is well positioned to drive successful upstream campaigns.

Zimbabwe's Deputy Minister of Energy and Power Development, Hon. Magna Mudyiwa remarked that, “Zimbabwe is currently exploring for oil and gas in the northern part of the country,” and that, “As we explore, there is urgency for expertise and technology to support the development of resources. Zimbabwe has a lot to learn from South Sudan who has done a lot of exploration before us. South Sudan is an amazing case study and can offer advice on regulations, structures and law, handling of environmental issues that rise due to oil and gas production, and appropriate technology for optimized oil recovery.”

As such, collaboration will play an important part in maximizing Africa's oil and gas resources.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

DoshFX (www.DoshFX.io), the disruptive straightforward crypto exchange, is shaking up the South African financial landscape and spearheading a movement toward financial inclusion and empowerment. With a mission to provide accessible digital asset solutions, DoshFX (https://apo-opa.info/3XfoFmA) is set to transform the lives of the unbanked, emerging, and marginalized communities across the nation.

South Africa has long grappled with financial exclusion, stemming from a history of segregation and limited access to formal financial services. Despite significant progress, a considerable number of South Africans remain unbanked, hindering economic opportunities and perpetuating inequality. Recognizing this pressing need, Saud Ally (https://apo-opa.info/3X8nYeE), the visionary founder and CEO of eZaga Holdings, joined forces with Jeetu Kataria, renowned global fintech and blockchain evangelist, and the CEO of Digital Financial Exchange-DIFX (https://apo-opa.info/3N9tyZB), a leading global multi-asset trading platform, to launch DoshFX, a truly South African-centric digital assets exchange.

Digital assets have gained remarkable traction in Africa, and South Africa stands at the forefront of this growing trend. With over 1.5 million cryptocurrency users, South Africa boasts the highest number of digital asset enthusiasts on the continent. The adoption of digital assets is driven by factors such as increased internet accessibility, a thriving mobile phone market, and the rising popularity of cryptocurrencies in the region. The recent volatility (https://apo-opa.info/3NaZOvh) faced by the South African Rand due to the ongoing gloomy outlook of economic data, worsening load shedding and political environment has also showcased the imminent need for the availability and accessibility of alternative assets.

This is why, DoshFX's emergence is a response to the growing demand for secure and regulated digital asset exchange systems needed in an environment where so many unregulated and questionable characters operate. Understanding the importance of both financial security and regulatory compliance, eZaga and Digital Financial Exchange-DIFX have collaborated to create a user-friendly, reliable, and secure platform that combines the best of traditional banking security with the revolutionary spirit of cryptocurrencies.

"We are dedicated to bringing straightforward crypto solutions right to the doorsteps of those who need it most," says Saud Ally, founder and CEO of eZaga Holdings. "DoshFX is not just a crypto exchange; it is a catalyst for change and advancement, enabling South Africans to chart their financial destinies."

The launch of DoshFX marks a significant milestone in the quest for financial inclusivity. By leveraging the power of digital assets, DoshFX empowers South Africans to store value, make secure international payments, and overcome the limitations imposed by traditional financial institutions. Adding on to the mission of financial inclusivity, one of the core values of DoshFX is education. The platform is committed to providing comprehensive education to the South African community, particularly those who can benefit the most from alternative financial systems. By equipping the unbanked, marginalized, yet highly eager-to-learn members of society with knowledge about cryptocurrencies and digital assets, DoshFX aims to foster economic empowerment and financial freedom for individuals, families, and communities.

As DoshFX sets its sights on reshaping the financial landscape, South Africans can now embrace the world of digital assets with confidence and most importantly through a regulated entity. To learn more about DoshFX and join the movement (https://apo-opa.info/3NaZVXJ) toward financial empowerment, visit www.DoshFX.io

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of DoshFX.

Media Contact:
Rose Perinchery
pr@doshfx.io

About DoshFX:
DoshFX is a first-of-its-kind regulated authorized Financial Services Provider offering crypto services in South Africa.  With a mission to make cryptocurrencies easily accessible for all, through its fast, secure, and legal crypto exchange services. DoshFX is an authorized Juristic representative of eZaga FX an authorized financial services provider. FSP No. 44133. Investing in cryptocurrency may result in a loss of capital as the value may fluctuate. Ts&Cs apply.

To start your straightforward journey into digital asset investments, download the app now from the Android (https://apo-opa.info/467xhzo), iOS (https://apo-opa.info/3XfpaNu), or Google Play Store (https://apo-opa.info/3JaQB5d), or visit us at DoshFX.io.

For too many years, African hospitality leaders have worked incredibly hard to maintain operational standards when critical products are unavailable to be sourced on time due to a myriad of reasons, from changing trade restrictions, poor transport infrastructure, currency fluctuations, and supply chain breakages.

This week leaders across the hospitality sector have descended into Nairobi city, the vibrant capital of Kenya and hub of East Africa, to join the annual African Hospitality Investment Forum (AHIF) (www.AHIF.com) to discuss growth opportunities in the region, and to share their learnings from the last year including developments across the trade and operational landscape. Attending is Toggle Market's CEO, Fuad Sajdi, and VP of Africa, Abraham Muthogo Kamau, where they have been leading discussions on leveraging local and regional sourcing, and the innovative ways the sector is reducing operational costs.

Supply chain challenges in Africa have been one of the primary obstacles for economic growth and diversification, with businesses continuing to pay inflated prices for nearly every consumable and operational product that is not locally grown or manufactured – where even then it is more profitable to export outside the continent than to cater to the regional market due to weak intra-trade regulations.

Today there are promising signs that this status quo is changing fast.

The African hospitality industry is in the throes of a massive transformation. The catalysts? Ground-breaking trade measures, rapidly evolving technology, and a fresh generation of visionary leaders. These forces are challenging the traditional "business as usual" mindset and reshaping the African hospitality landscape.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the largest free trade area globally since the formation of the World Trade Organization, is set to significantly bolster intra-African trade. By reducing trade barriers, it allows a more fluid movement of goods, services, and people across borders. The ripple effect will be profound, with the hospitality sector one of the many industries reaping the benefits of this regional integration.

Breaking with the Past

The lessons of the Covid-19 pandemic have been harshest on the world's largest continent which has for so long relied on suppliers in far flung countries, most heavily on goods from China, European Union (EU) countries, United States and India.

Take for instance South Africa which remains the largest importing country in Africa at 17% of all imports in the region. Its largest import partners in 2023 were China at 21.9%, followed by United States at 8.8%, Germany at 7.3%, India 5.8% and the UAE 3.6%.[1] The next largest importing countries are Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco, Kenya and Ghana.

The elephant in the room is that Intra-African trade still stands at only 15.2%, a poor showing when compared with intra-continental trade figures for America, Asia, and Europe, which stand at 47%, 61%, and 67%, respectively, and which should be at the head of the pan regional efforts to support trade and business. Much of this is due to multiple trade restrictions that exist in the region and between neighbouring countries for instance.

The recent World Bank 2022 AfCFTA report[2] shows that the borders between African countries rank among the most restrictive in the world and is the main reason there is relatively little intra-African trade and investment.

The impact of this in real terms is putting the break on the growth of regional businesses while limiting the flow of the international supply chain which in turn heavily relies on intra-African trade routes (where goods are transported across several borders by land routes) due to poor infrastructure and lack of trade and custom harmonisation.

For locally grown African hospitality investors and operators, the supply chain challenges remain acute, and ramifications have meant consistent delays in the growing pipeline of projects, along with sometimes turbulent price fluctuations on shipping and logistics services, as well as effects of weakened domestic currencies.

Our research across Toggle Hospitality clients in Africa has shown examples of multiple duties paid in this way to receive goods crossing several borders resulting in highly inflated pricing for essential products and equipment.

Trade Cooperation and Collaboration

The good news is that there are signs across all industry sectors of more joined up thinking and increased regional cooperation. For instance, amongst East African nations there has been a noticeable increase in activities across both government backed and private sector efforts through the multiple alliances that exist such as the East Africa Business Council, the East African Chamber of Commerce and Trade, and the East African Association.

In addition, the highly lauded and anticipated rollout of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement is geared to be the largest free trade region in the world based on the number of countries – at once connecting 1.3 billion people across 55 countries with a combined gross domestic product (GDP) valued at US$3.4 trillion and with a major potential as well to lift over 30 million people out of the poverty line.

For this to succeed there will need to be mutual and significant policy reforms and trade facilitation measures to reduce red tape, simplify customs procedures, and make it easier for African businesses to integrate into global supply chains. The upside is a boost of income gains around $300 billion.

The role of technology and the importance of a knowledge-based economy will increasingly be a driving force for transforming economic prosperity. The latest report from UNCTAD has warned that neglecting the high knowledge-intensive services, such as information and communications technology services and financial services, will be a key reason holding back export diversification in Africa.[3]

A new generation of hospitality leaders in Africa making waves

One of the most exciting outcomes of more regional integration is the rise of home-grown hotel chains that are now expanding beyond their respective national borders. In 2022, intra-African travel accounted for 40% of the total number of hotel guests in the continent, up from 34% in 2019, according to the African Development Bank. This increase is partly attributable to the easing of travel restrictions and the growth of African hotel chains.

The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), forecasts 134 million visitors by 2035. These figures make it the second fastest growing region in tourism after Asia Pacific.

This new wave of hospitality brands is being led by a dynamic generation of African leaders who understand the local markets and are at the forefront of developing more viable value-based networks and forging stronger regional partnerships. These individuals are harnessing the benefits of the AfCFTA, using innovative practices to enhance the hospitality experience with a unique African flavour that can cater better to the African consumer needs while at the same time offering global standards of service. For example, today over 80 percent of safari lodges in South Africa are managed by indigenous brands and a part of the tourism sector that generates around 70 percent of hospitality revenue. This segment is growing rapidly across the region.

"There is a major paradigm shift taking place with progressive trade policies and cutting-edge technology. This new generation of leaders are poised to redefine the essence of hospitality in Africa. We are delighted to be participating this year at AHIF 2023 which continues year on year to help shape the African hospitality industry and spotlight investment opportunities," said Abraham Muthogo Kamau, VP of Africa at Toggle Market.

Technology is a driving force behind this transformation. Digitization is permeating every facet of the hospitality experience from reservation systems to room service, with growing numbers of hotels now using a form of smart-room technology or employing AI-driven services such as chatbots for customer service and offering mobile apps for reservations and in-stay services.

The integration of technology has also enhanced efficiency and sustainability within the sector. African hotels can see up to 30% increase in energy efficiency and 25% reduction in water usage, thanks to the adoption of smart technologies.

Although Africa only receives 5% of the regional share of worldwide tourism[4] this number is rising after the Covid slump with 2022 seeing 47 million tourists returning to the continent after the high of 69 million in 2019.  UNWTO forecasts 134 million visitors by 2035 making it the second fastest growing region in tourism after Asia Pacific. There is also robust and growing domestic tourism within Africa as increasingly middle-class families and younger travellers opt for more local and regional travel.

The supply chain, too, has been revolutionized by both trade facilitations and technology.

A recent survey revealed that the average lead time for supply delivery dropped by 15% in 2022. This improvement is due to more streamlined cross-border processes and the implementation of digital supply chain management systems. Moreover, the increased use of this technology has led to more resilient and responsive systems. More hotel chains can now track their supply deliveries in real-time, forecast demand more accurately, and react swiftly to changes in the market.

The wave of change isn't confined to the large chains alone. It's being felt in every corner of the industry, from boutique hotels in Accra that blend modern design with traditional Ghanian culture, to eco-friendly lodges in the Maasai Mara that champion sustainable tourism.  

As intra-African trade continues to flourish and the technological landscape evolves, the African hospitality sector is preparing for an exhilarating future. This new era is being ushered in by ambitious, tech-savvy leaders who are ready to shake off the old and bring forth the new.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Toggle Hospitality Insights.

Press Contact:
Toggle Hospitality
Muna Khogali
muna@togglemarket.com

AHIF
Ali ShahidMarketing Director
ali.shahid@benchevents.com

Social media:
Toggle Market:
Linkedin: https://apo-opa.info/3p2QPo5
Twitter: https://apo-opa.info/3NthvYs
Instagram: https://apo-opa.info/3p2M8uw
YouTube Channel: https://apo-opa.info/3PhrGkp

Toggle Hospitality:
Linkedin: https://apo-opa.info/3qLGXiS
Twitter: https://apo-opa.info/3PbX8jW 
Instagram: https://apo-opa.info/464vRGc

AHIF:
Linkedin: https://apo-opa.info/3JAlh03
Twitter: https://apo-opa.info/43E9YvG
Instagram: https://apo-opa.info/43CnAHS

About Toggle Market and Toggle Hospitality:
Toggle Market is a developer and operator of cross border multi-tenant supply chain infrastructure and SaaS enabled trade and finance technology with initial industry focus on the hospitality, healthcare and education industries. Toggle Hospitality is its first and premier platform currently available for business.
Website: www.ToggleMarket.com

Toggle Hospitality is a SaaS enabled multi-vendor marketplace and procurement eco-system for hotel furniture, operating supplies and equipment developed and operated by Toggle Market.  Toggle Hospitality enables the sourcing of operating supplies, fixtures, furniture and specialist equipment directly from manufacturers. Our eco-systems are engineered to boost efficiency, reduce time, cost, environmental waste and the stress that comes with the complex nature of such multi-vendor cross border transactions.

Website: www.ToggleHospitality.com

About AHIF 2023:
INSPIRE. INVEST. IMPACT. Attended by the highest calibre international hotel investors of any conference in Africa, AHIF is the leading hospitality investment conference that connects business leaders from the international and local markets, driving investment into tourism projects, infrastructure and hotel development across Africa.

Website: www.AHIF.com

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Dr Ntombi Sigwebela joined the organization on 1 June 2023. Based in Johannesburg, South Africa, she will lead FIND (https://www.FINDdx.org/) operations across the region

FIND announced today that Dr Ntombenhle Mhlongo-Sigwebela, known as “Ntombi”, has joined the organization to lead FIND operations across the Southern Africa region.

Based in Johannesburg, South Africa, Dr Sigwebela is a South African medical doctor with over 20 years of experience in the field of infectious diseases of public health importance, including tuberculosis (TB) and HIV. She began her career as a clinical investigator in multi-country clinical trials for HIV drugs and HIV service delivery demonstration projects that informed the roll out of antiretroviral drugs in South Africa. She then moved into various leadership roles including Chief of Party at Right to Care, and Regional Director of Aquity Innovations, University Research Company (URC).

A passionate advocate for the health and well-being of people living with TB, HIV and other diseases of public health concern, Dr Sigwebela has served on advisory committees for organizations including the World Health Organization and the South African National Department of Health. She has contributed to the development of various TB-related guidelines in various Southern African countries, as well as the South Africa TB National Strategic Plan (2007–2011), and the South Africa HIV/TB National Strategic Plan (2012–2016).

Dr Sigwebela is also a frequent speaker at conferences and events on topics related to TB, HIV, and other infectious diseases.

FIND opened a regional office in South Africa in 2014, to work with partners towards advancing diagnostic access and improving health outcomes in the region. Strategic priorities include aiding achievement of universal health coverage (UHC) aligned with the goals of South Africa's National Health Insurance (NHI), reducing the country's quadruple disease burden, and strengthening health systems. FIND is committed to enhancing the quality of primary healthcare services across the region, in recognition of the importance of patient-centred testing and care in achieving UHC.

Dr Sanjay Sarin, FIND Vice President, Access, said: “Ntombi has a wealth of expertise in operations management, resource mobilization and health programme management, working across the Southern Africa region and globally. We are excited to welcome her to our team – working hand-in-hand with countries, her leadership will help us tailor our approaches to their specific needs in diagnostic testing, to ensure that our programmatic activities can have sustainable impact.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of FIND.

Media contact:
Sarah-Jane Loveday, Director, Communications
M: +41 79 431 62 44
media@finddx.org

About FIND:
FIND is accelerating equitable access to reliable diagnosis around the world. We are working to close critical testing gaps that leave people at risk from preventable and treatable illnesses, enable effective disease surveillance, and build sustainable, resilient health systems. In partnership with WHO, other global health agencies and the G20/G7, we are driving progress towards global health security and universal health coverage. We are a WHO Collaborating Centre for Laboratory Strengthening and Diagnostic Technology Evaluation. For more information, please visit www.FINDx.org/