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African Energy Week (AEW) 2024: Cross-Continental, Regional Collaboration Key to Reduce Supply Chain Disruptions

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African Energy Week

Cross-continental and regional collaboration is essential to mitigate supply chain disruptions impacting Africa’s trade routes, as highlighted by industry leaders during an Africa Global Logistics sponsored session at AEW: Invest in African Energies 2024

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, November 10, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Most of Africa’s trade is carried out via sea routes. Geopolitical conflicts, however, including the war in Ukraine and attacks on commercial shipping vessels in the red sea, have caused detours and delays, impacting on maritime trade to and from Africa.

This new wave of disruption follows the unprecedented global logistics crunch caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD), this compounds the challenges caused by reduced ship transits in the Panama Canals where water levels have been impacted by drought.

During a panel discussion at African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2024, sponsored by logistics and port operations company Africa Global Logistics (AGL), valuable insights were shared on how to mitigate some of the impacts of supply-chain disruptions and how to proactively navigate the evolving logistics landscape in Africa.

Ashutosh Singh, Head of Energy Transition at S&P Global Commodity Insights, set the tone of the discussion as the panel moderator. Panelists included Thomas Bonnetain, Oil & Gas Director at AGL; Dennis Malkoc, Business Development Manager at global shipping company Universal Africa Lines Netherlands B.V; Leonid Shlyakhturov, Executive Director of “FESCO Integrated Transport”, Rosatom; and Björn Larsson, Senior Project Manager at international subsea services company DOF Subsea.

Unpacking some of the more recent supply chain disruptions being experienced, Bonnetain noted a surge in the cost of international transport to bring material into Africa and much longer lead times to bring equipment to project sites. Disruption of the Suez Canal has led to the rerouting of vessels around the African continent, causing delays at African ports due to a rise in demand for port services. This results in increased project costs and causes project delays in Africa, said Bonnetain.

Active in 47 African countries, AGL operates in energy, mining, and power generation sectors across the continent. Bonnetain said Africa is in desperate need for investment to modernize its logistics network and build capacity at ports, on road and via rail. To assist the modernization of Africa’s logistics infrastructure, AGL has an over $500 million investment plan each year, and is a primary player in public-private partnerships in Africa to help the continent’s much needed transformation, Bonnetain said.

We are at the heart of African transformation

AGL has also invested in the Port of Lobito – the second largest port in Angola – to increase the attractiveness of the terminal and to contribute to the economic and social development of the region. “We are at the heart of African transformation,” Bonnetain said.

Speaking on some of the challenges faced at African ports, Malkoc said that commercial ports owned and operated by local port authorities “are a big concern for us”, citing delays and quay congestion resulting in higher cargo costs. This is due to a lack of investment and organisation at the port, he believes.

Offering a practical example of how Africa could reduce supply chain disruptions and make trade more efficient, Shlyakhturov used China and Russia’s cross-continental collaboration as a model that Africa could adopt to improve both regional trade as well as cross-continental trade. He said trade between China and Moscow is supported by five diversified routes between the countries including road, sea, and rail trade routes.

Elaborating on how to streamline trade with Africa, Larsson said the harmonization of regulatory frameworks along shipping routes, specifically for the movement of equipment, personnel, oil and gas and energy products via sea, would go a long way.

The panel discussion formed part of AEW: Invest in African Energies’ ‘Energy Transition Summit’. The summit aims to address African countries’ diverse challenges and opportunities, by highlighting the critical pathways to achieve a balanced and equitable energy future in Africa.

AGL is a Diamond Sponsor of the AEW: Invest in African Energies 2024 conference, which is being held in Cape Town this week.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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From Boomers to Zoomers: how retailers and eCommerce firms can boost sales and loyalty

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Infobip

New Infobip research reveals generational shopping preferences ahead of Black Friday

CASABLANCA, Morocco, November 13, 2024/APO Group/ — 

New research from global communication platform Infobip (www.Infobip.com) highlights how different generations want to communicate with businesses and brands ahead of Black Friday. When at least 86% of all generations expect targeted and relevant communications, according to Infobip’s research, retailers need a personalized approach for each generation of shoppers.

Black Friday is the start of the Christmas shopping season. Millions of consumers search for deals online, providing retailers with a growing opportunity to increase sales and strengthen brand presence. Even a 5% increase in customer retention can boost profits by more than 25%, according to management consultancy Bain & Company.

However, brands must get customer communications right to enhance loyalty and grow sales

However, creating an appropriate omnichannel strategy to communicate with consumers across four generations can be challenging. Get it wrong and brands may lose sales or even loyal customers. Infobip’s Generational Messaging Trends Report reveals the communication preferences of each generation:

  • Baby boomers: are less accepting of repetitive content where, 40% want more varied communications versus 8% of Gen Z, but favor chat apps more than Gen X (68% compared to 57%) 
  • Generation X: 73% of Gen X prefer to receive product and service updates compared with just 55% of Gen Z
  • Millennials: younger generations are more open to new communication channels, where 60% of millennials are happy to make purchases through chatbots
  • Generation Z: 83% expect a brand to understand them as individuals, and 65% want a two-way dialogue with the brands they buy from

Ivan Ostojić, Chief Business Officer at Infobip, said: “Our research shows that most shoppers, no matter their age, want brands to engage with them like with a friend through conversational channels and say it will increase their loyalty. However, brands must get customer communications right to enhance loyalty and grow sales. That’s why Infobip has analyzed what each generation prefers and published a new report and a playbook to help retailers and ecommerce firms make the most of the shopping season.”

Read the report: https://apo-opa.co/3CnAvod

Recent award wins include:

  • Infobip named a Leader in the Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS) 2024 for the second year running (June 2024)
  • Infobip named to Fast Company’s Annual List of the World’s Most Innovative Companies (March 2024)
  • Infobip ranked as number one Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS) provider, in the inaugural MetriRank CPaaS Report from Metrigy (Dec 2023)
  • Omdia Ranks Infobip as Leader for the second year running in its CPaaS Universe Report (Nov 2023)
  • Infobip named a Leader in the Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS) 2023 (Sept 2023)
  • Infobip named a Leader in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Communications Platform-as-a-Service (CPaaS) 2023 Vendor Assessment (May 2023)
  • Infobip named a leader in the CPaaS Leaderboard, Juniper Research (March 2024)
  • Infobip named a leader in the CCaaS Leaderboard, Juniper Research (Dec 2023)
  • Infobip named a leader in the Juniper Customer Data Platform Leaderboard Report (July 2023)

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Infobip.

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CPHI Middle East Attracts Global Hub Players as Region Advances BioTech and Pharma Capabilities

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CPHI

Industry experts, influencers, and pioneers from the world’s top pharmaceutical hubs will gather at the inaugural CPHI Middle East – the most comprehensive pharma convention in the region

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, November 13, 2024/APO Group/ —

  • Industry experts from across 100 countries will descend on Riyadh this December for launch event of most comprehensive pharma convention in the region
  • Stage set for international collaboration, upscaling, and regional market entries, while health and environmental interplay come under the microscope

Industry trailblazers from over 100 nations across Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe, and the Middle East will gather in Riyadh this December to collaborate on advancing the future of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors in Saudi and other countries like Jordan, Morocco and Armenia.

Industry experts, influencers, and pioneers from the world’s top pharmaceutical hubs will gather at the inaugural CPHI Middle East – the most comprehensive pharma convention in the region – when it runs at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Convention Centre from December 10-12. The landmark event, which has the support of the Saudi Ministry of Health, will be a dynamic platform for international collaboration, where local, regional, and international professionals can interact, share insights, and forge meaningful business partnerships.    

“The geographic footprint of both the exhibitor profile and conference speaker platform holds the promise of transformative outcomes of groundbreaking ideas and collaborative initiatives,” said Mundhir Al-Hakim, Exhibition Director of CPHI Middle East. “The event’s diverse lineup includes the biggest names in pharmaceutical manufacturing, biotech development, and contract and clinical services who are poised to revolutionise the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare delivery.

“CPHI Middle East is not just a regional event; it’s a global stage for the pharmaceutical industry. With over 70 per cent international participation, we’re creating a truly global hub for knowledge sharing, partnership building, and innovation, said Mundhir Al-Hakim.

The event will spotlight international collaboration via its comprehensive knowledge-sharing programme, which spans four stages dedicated to The Future of Pharma, Innovation, Next-Gen Bio, and Discovery. All four are designed to accentuate the latest trends, with delegates gaining valuable insights into current challenges and opportunities shaping the pharmaceutical sector.

With more than 30,000 visitors and 400 exhibitors anticipated across 30,000 square-metres of exhibition space, CPHI Middle East will be where the future of pharma unites

Many prominent speakers are set to speak at the event next month, discussing a wide range of current and pressing topics around the future of healthcare, biotech, incentivising and investing in R&D, commercial sector growth, and innovations driving the next generation of pharmaceutical advancements. Professor Peter Pitts, President and Co-Founder of the Centre for Medicine in the Public Interest and a visiting Professor at the University of Paris School of Medicine with experience as a former member of the US Food & Drug Administration, will be bringing a wealth of knowledge to discussions on the urgency of sound science and post-pandemic healthcare policy.

The global experts will network with regional influencers including Mosaed Alkolief, Strategy Advisor at the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties; Dr Hana Sboul, Secretary General of the Jordanian Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers; Dr Abdelali Hauudi, Chairman of Strategy & Business Development at King Abdullah International Medical Research Centre, Saudi Arabia; and Chokri Jeribi, President of the Chamber of CRO Tunisia. International companies will also be presenting successful case studies of their thriving businesses in KSA at the event.

International exhibitors like Sartorius, Julphar, Zeta Pharma, Caregen, Sartorius, SimSon Pharma Ltd, Soficopharm, UNT Pharmaceuticals, Berry Global and many more will line up alongside some of the Middle East and North Africa’s biggest industry names. The geographic interplay will set the groundwork for the event to prove a hive of international collaboration for active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) discovery and production planning across the MENA region, the world’s fifth-largest pharma market and one that is projected to grow at an annual rate of 10 per cent over the next eight years. CPHI Middle East will connect global suppliers of raw materials, machinery, packaging solutions, and contract services with regional visitors and partners.

The event is also seen as an unparalleled opportunity for global leaders to scout partners that can help them establish a presence in Saudi Arabia, where the pharmaceutical market is projected to reach US$11.5 billion by 2032. The Kingdom’s National United Procurement Company (NUPCO) requires bidders to have a registered Saudi office, creating a landscape ripe for partnerships that can boost domestic pharma production to its national vision targets from the current 20 per cent to 40 per cent by 2030. Healthcare and life sciences are among the most significant sectors in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

The event will also focus on Saudi Arabia’s ambitions to be a global biotech leader, with the country planning to achieve self-sufficiency in vaccine production, biomanufacturing, and genomics.

Organised by Tahaluf, the Kingdom’s fastest-growing business event organiser, CPHI Middle East marks a significant milestone for the region’s rapidly expanding pharma sector. Partnered with the Events Investment Fund, the event aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, prioritising healthcare and life sciences as key sectors.

“We expect this event to be a melting pot of ideas and partnerships,” added Al-Hakim. “With more than 30,000 visitors and 400 exhibitors anticipated across 30,000 square-metres of exhibition space, CPHI Middle East will be where the future of pharma unites to build partnerships that extend across the Middle East and the world.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of CPHI Middle East.

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Liquid C2’s Secure360 uses an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered cyber security approach against the evolving threat landscape for African businesses

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Liquid

Secure360 employs proactive intelligence-driven threat mitigation strategies that prioritises prevention and preparedness rather than reactive remediation

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, November 13, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Liquid C2, a business of Cassava Technologies, a leading pan-African technology group, has introduced Secure360, a comprehensive combination of cyber security services and solutions designed to address the growing complexity of cyber threats across the continent.

Secure360 encompasses four key domains: Governance, Risk, and Compliance; Cyber Threat Assurance; Cyber Defence Services; and Cyber Security Solutions.

Unlike traditional reactive methods, Secure360 employs proactive intelligence-driven threat mitigation strategies that prioritises prevention and preparedness rather than reactive remediation, empowering businesses to stay ahead in an ever-evolving digital environment. Additionally, it offers a holistic, multi-layered defence in-depth approach, enabling customers to achieve end-to-end security, safeguard critical data, mitigate risk, and maintain legislative and regulatory compliance.

Secure360 sees our team of experts and consultants working with our customers to develop bespoke end-to-end solutions and services

According to Oswald Jumira, Chief Executive Officer of Liquid C2, “Working with clients across the continent, we’ve seen firsthand how traditional, siloed approaches to security are no longer sufficient. African businesses need holistic, proactive defence strategies that integrate AI, machine learning, and advanced threat protection. Secure360 sees our team of experts and consultants working with our customers to develop bespoke end-to-end solutions and services. The result is a powerful cyber security proposition”.

Working on the ‘assume compromise’ premise, Secure360 pre-emptively addresses all aspects of security across an organisation’s digital environment. It integrates governance, risk, and compliance, cyber threat assurance, cyber defence, and cyber security solutions to defend against a broad spectrum of cyber threats. This approach ensures that every layer of an organisation’s infrastructure is secure, from networks and applications to data and user access, endpoints, servers, mobile devices, cloud, and supporting infrastructure and operations. From initial testing and assessment to continuous management and monitoring, all aspects of the process are managed.

A recent Gartner survey (https://apo-opa.co/3Z1dO1U) found that 75% of organisations are consolidating their security vendors to streamline operations and improve risk management. Aligned with this trend, Secure360’s consolidated solutions enable cohesive and integrated security operations, which drive efficiencies, particularly response times, and establish situational awareness through threat intelligence. This consolidation simplifies security management, enhances visibility, and allows for quicker responses to threats.

Firmly positioning itself as a key cyber security player in the Middle East and Africa market, Liquid C2 will focus on several exciting value-added services in the coming year. Businesses can look forward to reaping the benefits of the company’s expertise in cyber defence services, securing AI, secure digital transformation, cost-effective event ingestion, and modernised risk and compliance-based assurance and situational awareness enabled reporting.

In the last two years, through its matrix of Cyber Security Fusion Centres (CFSC) located across Africa and the Middle East, Liquid C2 is yet again demonstrating how data-driven solutions, backed by deep industry expertise, are crucial to navigating complex threats while securing and future-proofing organisations in Africa’s dynamic cyber landscape.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Liquid Intelligent Technologies.

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