Author: Alex

During the quarter, there have been notable out-performers across the market. Standard Group (+35.7%), Jubilee Holdings (+11.6%), Flame Tree Group (+9.9%) and BOC Gases (+8.6%) gave investors the best returns so far in the quarter. This was against the general market return of 2.4% and -3.9% on the NASI and NSE-20, …

2021 stands to be a critical year for Africa, and for that matter, African tech companies and African start-ups.  

We will take a look at specific start-ups in Africa from North, South, East and West Africa.   

With the continent’s progression towards development, these specific African countries are playing a big role in doing just that. Without further delay let’s begin with Mali’s specific start-up which is OKO Finance. 

Also Read: Microsoft 4Afrika launch Entrepreneurship programme for start

There are still a number of countries around the globe that are still feeling the effects of the pandemic, one of which includes Zambia, an African country that took a massive hit from the outbreak and does not seem to be improving. Although the country is going through a rough time post COVID-19 right now, it was already struggling before due to its being in massive debt. Having borrowed $12bn from international creditors, it has now become the latest country to default on its debts, after talks with its creditors hit an impasse.  

Zambia, in the north of Southern Africa and home to about 18 million people, has built its development over an abundance …

HOW DONORS CAN DRIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA THROUGH A NEW MODEL OF PHILANTHROPY 

Foreign aid has been a key driver for social and economic growth, as well as bridging the domestic development financing gap in Africa. Unfortunately, the continent has not utilized the tremendous value of philanthropy to unlock market shaping and economic growth opportunities as it should. Countries in Africa therefore need to rethink how they approach development financing by exploring philanthropy as a tool for the scale-up of impactful solutions driven by market-based, self-sustaining approaches. 

One of the ways economies in the global south progressively leap out of poverty is by opening up spaces for more innovative use of philanthropic capital to spark up the ecosystem for innovation that delivers sustainable economic and social value. 

Patient capital is an interesting new trend in development that is changing the way the world looks at…

By Benard Ayieko 

A complete state of physical, mental and social well-being that includes the absence of illnesses is one of the most valued things by human beings. It is no doubt that every human being will strive to avoid or alleviate illnesses to maintain a sound state of physical and mental health. Good health plays a pivotal role in promoting and safeguarding economic growth and development of a nation. In fact, citizens’ health has a direct bearing on economic growth and development of a nation.  

There is no doubt that Africa bears a heavy disease burden which is a major source of its economic drawback. Most economies in Africa have been ravaged by diseases and currently some causing most deaths in Africa per 100,000 people per year include HIV/AIDS, diarrhoeal diseases, malaria, ischemic heart disease, meningitis, tuberculosis, diabetes mellitus, neonatal sepsis and infections, cirrhosis of the liver and epilepsy. …

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought into sharp focus governance on the African continent. The response from one country to another has differed and those that have fared well are those with strong discipline and efficient systems of governance. They are also countries where governments enjoy a high degree of trust from their citizens.  

Here are six key lessons that need to be highlighted that might serve as a blueprint on how to govern better.

Also read: How Africa controlled the spread of the global pandemic and reversed the trend

“Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishments”. The first lesson to be drawn is that you need leaders who are disciplined and can run government business with a certain degree of strictness. There are many on the continent who want to do the right thing but who lack discipline and are pulled in different directions. Just like …

The Next Great Data Market 

In the last decade the field of data analytics has revolutionized the way business is conducted in the industrialized world. Data collection and analysis have allowed companies to boost efficiency and innovation and better tailor services to reflect consumer needs.  Likewise, mobile phone apps have created new opportunities for collaboration and investment and allowed for crossover between sectors.  

However, these rapid changes have barely made a splash in Africa, where only about 1% of the world’s research data is produced.  This is changing rapidly and the current dearth of data analytics means that there’s huge unrealized business potential waiting to be tapped, especially for first movers.  This is in large part because data analytics is not just a useful tool but rather a disruptive, market altering paradigm.  In the Western tech sector, the vast stores of data built up by giants like Google, Amazon and …

Co-operatives in Africa have played an integral role to make an indelible footprint in the lives of millions of members across the continent. They have been identified as key vehicles in the ultimate realization and achievement of Africa’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  

The era of digital disruption together with the introduction of challenge 2025, has birthed the 21st century African co-operative, swiftly reinventing it from the traditional analogue model.  

Most Co-operatives have been at the forefront of eradicating poverty, by creating employment to millions of people, directly or indirectly across the continent. In addition, many have been been entirely responsible for transforming national economies inculcating modern agricultural methods to increase productivity, and enabling the continent to feed itself whilst exporting; boosting industrialization, manufacturing and value addition; bolstering education, health and nutrition to name a few of …

How does financial illiteracy impact your business and your personal wealth? Perhaps a good deal more than you might think. 

The readership of The Exchange is, of course, highly financially literate – this readership is at the other end of the scale to the majority of the population here in Africa. I believe that one of the ten top reasons that sub Saharan Africa fails to fulfil its potential is the financial illiteracy of its population and that we must change this if we are to change Africa for the better.  

Financial literacy has fallen around the world over the past 30 years. As a British businessman I am appalled at how badly we equip our children in the UK for a world order built entirely on economic foundations. There is a direct proven statistical link between financial literacy, Gross Domestic Product, home ownership, health and poverty. It is no …

The 33rd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) was held from 9th to 10th February 2020 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The theme was, “Silencing the Guns: Creating Conducive Conditions for Africa’s Development”.  

In his opening address, the newly elected Chairperson of the African Union H.E. President Cyril Ramaphosa of the Republic of South Africa outlined key priority areas that will drive Africa’s growth within the framework of Agenda 2063. The Chairperson’s address focused on: deepening unity in Africa, advancing inclusive economic growth and sustainable development, ensuring political and economic unity, good governance and peace, supporting integration, industrialization, economic development, trade and investment, development of an appropriate strategy for the fourth industrial revolution, economic and financial inclusion for women and mainstreaming the interests of women, conflict resolution and championing the position of Africa as a strong and influential …