New Format Promises Enhanced Networking, Hands-on Workshops, Interactive Insights and Country Showcases

This year’s event will offer invaluable opportunities for delegates to connect with top decision-makers, explore new partnerships, and gain insights from industry leaders

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, November 28, 2024/APO Group/ — 

The Africa Hospitality Investment Forum (AHIF), Africa’s premier conference for tourism and hospitality investment, is gearing up for its 2025 edition in Cape Town. Taking place from 17 to 19 June at The Westin Cape Town, AHIF 2025 will introduce an innovative, dynamic format aimed at fostering new partnerships and facilitating deals within Africa’s rapidly expanding hospitality sector – one of the world’s fastest-growing markets.

Cape Town, known for its stunning landscapes and vibrant visitor economy, provides the perfect backdrop for AHIF’s annual gathering. Moreover, the South African hospitality industry is projected to grow from USD 1.36 billion in 2024 to USD 1.68 billion by 2029, driven by increasing traveller numbers and a resurgence post-COVID-19. 

Matthew Weihs, Managing Director of The Bench, the organiser of AHIF, commented: “We are excited to bring AHIF to Cape Town, a city that embodies the energy and potential of African hospitality. This year’s event will offer invaluable opportunities for delegates to connect with top decision-makers, explore new partnerships, and gain insights from industry leaders. AHIF is where the future of African hospitality is shaped. By offering delegates the chance to explore Cape Town, we are adding a unique layer of value to their participation. The connections made and the insights gained from these hands-on experiences will be invaluable as we work together to drive investment and development across Africa.”

The new format, which is focused on networking and tailored insights, has been carefully designed to go beyond the conference rooms, introducing country pavilions from across Africa to showcase the latest opportunities in the region to investors. The advantages of the new format include personalised itineraries, hands-on workshops, roundtables, enhanced networking, and insights on economic trends. Focused on C-level hospitality and tourism investment decision-makers, AHIF continues to be exclusively focused on those who are shaping the future of hospitality in Africa.

Daniel Silke, political economist, emphasised the potential impact of AHIF: “The Africa Hospitality Investment Forum is taken seriously as an industry-leading event globally. It addresses one of the most intriguing and exciting markets, Africa, where growth rates remain high, and demographic shifts, urbanisation, and an increase in air connectivity are driving substantial interest from hotel groups. AHIF stands out not just for the expert speakers and deep insights, but also for fostering personal connections that are invaluable in this dynamic industry.”

With opportunities growing at an unprecedented rate, AHIF is more than a meeting; it’s a catalyst for action, insight, and strategic partnerships that are shaping the continent’s hospitality future.

For more information, visit www.AHIF.com

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Bench.

By enhancing public expenditure management, the project aims to deliver critical public services and infrastructure while creating a more favorable business environment that encourages private sector growth

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, November 27, 2024/APO Group/ — 

The African Development Bank (AfDB) (www.AfDB.org) and the Government of Libya are pleased to announce the signing of a new grant agreement aimed at strengthening public financial management (PFM) systems in Libya. The agreement, signed on Monday, 18 November 2024, underscores the continued commitment of both institutions to fostering economic growth and strengthening private sector development in Africa through sustainable and impactful investments. 

This initiative is part of the Fund for African Private Sector Assistance (FAPA), a Trust Fund supported by the Government of Japan and managed by the Bank that provides grants to support the implementation of AfDB’s Private Sector Development Strategy. Through capacity building and technical assistance, FAPA helps improve the business environment, strengthens financial systems, promotes the development of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and facilitates trade across African nations. 

The primary goal of the “Strengthening Enabling Business Environment through Public Financial Management Support Project” (SEBE-PFM) is to modernize Libya’s public financial management systems. By enhancing public expenditure management, the project aims to deliver critical public services and infrastructure while creating a more favorable business environment that encourages private sector growth. 

Japan is committed to cooperate and collaborate further with the Libyan Government and its people to strengthen its nation as well as institutions

Ms Malinne Blomberg, Deputy Director General of the African Development Bank in North Africa, emphasized the significance of the project, stating: “This project, valued at USD 1 million, is the result of strategic collaboration and a concrete investment in Libya’s future, made possible through the generous support of the Government of Japan.” 

Libya, with significant financial assets, prioritizes the establishment of a robust PFM system. Through the African Development Bank’s project, Libya will benefit from a comprehensive Public Financial Management (PFM) Reform Strategy that emphasizes digitization, transparency, and accountability. The project’s objectives include improving the effectiveness of public expenditure, enhancing competition, and promoting greater efficiency in public procurement processes. 

This project will also focus on strengthening the institutional framework for Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and reforming State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), which are key drivers for private sector development in the country. With a total allocation of USD 1 million, the project will span over a period of three years (2024–2027), providing technical support and expertise to advance PFM reforms. 

Key activities under the project will include an IT Infrastructure Assessment, Data Center Feasibility Study, Enterprise Architecture Planning (EAP), and Integrated Financial Management and Information System (IFMIS) Readiness Assessment. These activities are essential to the modernization of Libya’s financial systems, ensuring greater efficiency, transparency, and improved public service delivery. 

The signing ceremony was attended by Dr Khalild Al-Mabrouk, Minister of Finance of Libya, who confirmed that the reform of Public Financial Management is a key priority for the Government and Mr Masaki Amadera, Deputy Head of Mission/Special Coordinator for Libya, Embassy of Japan in Libya, who highlighted Japan’s role, stating: “Japan is committed to cooperate and collaborate further with the Libyan Government and its people to strengthen its nation as well as institutions. This would lead to further stability and prosperity in Libya.” 

Through this project, the African Development Bank and the Government of Japan are reaffirming their shared vision of fostering economic growth, improving governance, and supporting the private sector across Africa. In Libya, the digitization of public finance is critical for unlocking new opportunities for development, paving the way for greater stability and prosperity. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Leading Business Aviation Company Invested in Connecting Global Investments to Regional Opportunities

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, November 27, 2024/APO Group/ — 

VistaJet (www.VistaJet.com/), the world’s first and only global business aviation company, has reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to connecting the international investor community with markets in East and South Africa. This commitment was highlighted during its VistaJet East and South Africa Static Display Roadshow. Given their status as leading centers for economic development and innovation, Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Nairobi were selected as the host cities for the end-of-year Static Display Roadshow in the region.

Building on VistaJet’s substantial growth in the region, the East and South Africa Roadshow is a vital part of our strategy to serve as a logistics and aviation partner

After a successful inaugural roadshow in West Africa during the second quarter of 2024, VistaJet continued to expand the company’s offering focused on Africa. VistaJet has significantly enhanced its offerings in Africa, achieving a remarkable 103% increase in New Program Hours Sold and a 29% rise in total hours flown across the continent in the first half of 2024.

Commenting on VistaJet’s commitment to business in Africa, Phillippe Scalabrini, VistaJet’s President of Europe and Africa, said: “Building on VistaJet’s substantial growth in the region, the East and South Africa Roadshow is a vital part of our strategy to serve as a logistics and aviation partner that supports the success of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement. VistaJet is dedicated to playing a crucial role in connecting global funding to these regions’ economic and entrepreneurial opportunities, as Africa offers significant growth potential for international ventures. We showcased our Global 7500 aircraft to link these regions with the rest of the world and facilitate unlocking this growth potential, to support the region’s economic development further.”

VistaJet provided a valuable opportunity to connect with key media representatives and private stakeholders during the roadshow. The company reaffirmed its offerings during these events and showcased the Global 7500 aircraft.  This aircraft is designed to provide up to 17 hours of non-stop global connectivity, effectively linking Africa with the rest of the world. VistaJet is dedicated to meet the growing demand for reliable and efficient business aviation in Africa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VistaJet.