Author: Contributor
by Moses Mudzwiti Technology has enabled the continuation of efforts to increase trade and tourism between India and Africa. Undeterred by the novel coronavirus pandemic that is ravaging many countries, India and African representatives have resolved to strengthen ties. A recent virtual India Africa Economic Forum examined the growth possibilities of trade and tourism between these old trading partners, whose social and economic ties date back thousands of years. These potential projects include the development of a VIP airport in Zimbabwe, smart cities in African countries, and the establishment of a furniture corridor. The India Africa Trade Council and the Indian…
By Andrea Tucker South Africans are increasingly looking to greener pastures within our country’s borders in search of a better quality of life away from the stresses of big cities. Semigration, or moving from one part of the country to another, is firmly in the spotlight as COVID-19 makes working remotely de rigueur. While semigration is nothing new, many of the barriers preventing people from taking the leap have virtually diminished overnight. Small businesses and large corporates alike have had to rethink their operating models along with expectations of their workforce, and many have seen improved productivity due to the…
By Christiaan Engelbrecht Forming the backbone of the economy, SMEs serve as a critical engine of economic growth, generating employment and fostering innovation. In South Africa, SMEs contribute nearly 98.5% of the number of formal firms in the economy, who employ under a third of the country’s workforce across all sectors. The COVID-19 crisis and the economic downturn has had a severe impact on this important business segment. Our SMEs have had to steer through unprecedented challenges, including disruptions to supply chains, changing market conditions, and new ways of working. While lockdown regulations in South Africa have eased, many SMEs…
As South Africa joins the global community in commemorating 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, Avon Justine has amplified its ongoing fight against gender-based violence. The global beauty and cosmetics brand is pledging part of the revenue generated from the sale of products to non-governmental organisations that are at the forefront of combating the scourge of domestic violence and abuse of children. This initiative to raise funds to support survivors of gender-based violence builds on Avon’s $1 million (R15 million) commitment to support frontline services during initial lockdowns. These limited edition products that are earmarked…
By Greg Nott and Tristan Marot Africa is a unique continent. From its diverse cultures and languages, to its extremes in wealth and development – but one consistent variable across the region is opportunity. Since the start of the century, what has been clear is that the next couple of decades are Africa’s for the taking, and take it we shall. The wide breadth of development taking place on the continent is staggering. From massive infrastructure projects such as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, Grand Inga Dam or the Maputo–Katembe Bridge to the massive economic growth seen in countries such…
by Antonio Bruni e-retailers need to radically reconfigure their product delivery models. During the recent global lockdowns, it was reported that online orders for groceries from the likes of OneCart, Bottles App and Buyfresh had increased as much as 30 times. Both on-demand and next day delivery models required improved delivery systems and significantly more staff to manage order fulfilment and on time dispatching. The market for innovative delivery has grown considerably as consumers demand faster delivery. According to PWC Global Consumer Insights Survey 2020, shoppers would pay for delivery of groceries that took less than two hours. When choosing…
By Nick Durrant Building a mobile app could be costly and time consuming, especially when developing a cross-platform business app for Android and iOS. However, with React Native, it is now possible to develop these apps using a common code base and reducing your cost of development. React Native is the ideal solution for building affordable high-performing business apps and is a tech stack that is used by leading global organisations. It is a framework that simplifies cross-platform app development without compromising on the user experience (UX) design or user interface (UI). It also requires less development time, offers simple…
By Wangeci Migwi, Amy Giliam and Nicole Rodel With the climate crisis threatening over half of the global GDP, there can be no business-as-usual when the world begins to plan for a recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, we have a unique opportunity to change our relationship with nature by shifting our development pathway to one that is equitable and sustainable. Development Finance Institutions may be the “visible hand” that can guide and finance the future we want – but Africa will remain under the proverbial thumb of skyrocketing debt and climate catastrophe if the new vision of development financing…
By Kabelo Makwane Internet of Things (IoT) refers to any object or device that is connected to the internet. This rapidly expanding set of “things,” which capture, send and receive data, includes cars, appliances, smart watches, lighting, home assistants, home security, and more. It’s predicted that by 2025, there will be 41.6 billion units of IoT connected devices worldwide. Internet-connected devices can make us more efficient, save time and money, and allow us connectivity from almost anywhere, but they also require that we share more information than ever. The security of this information, and the security of these devices, is…
by Margaret Nienaber In a strange new world characterised by physical distance, we are rediscovering the value of real human connections – between colleagues, clients, communities, families and friends. Importantly, the pandemic has reaffirmed our belief that digital technology can help us to become more human and connected, not less. Standard Bank Wealth has expedited its digital innovations amid the crisis, yet we have been equally focused on the need to be thoughtful, empathetic and kind in our interactions at a time when anxiety and uncertainty about the future is elevated. To keep the communication lines open from the start…