Connect with us

Business

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

Published

on

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.

Business

Invest Africa and Premier Invest Announce Strategic Partnership to Catalyse Investment in Africa

Published

on

This partnership will leverage key events for the global Africa-focused investment community, bringing together investors and corporates who are committed to the continent’s progress

LONDON, United Kingdom, November 13, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Invest Africa (www.InvestAfrica.com), the leading pan-African business platform, is proud to announce a strategic partnership with Premier Invest, a global investment conglomerate, aimed at driving transformative investment into Africa. This collaboration is set to identify and unlock new avenues for growth, innovation, and sustainable development across the continent through a series of targeted engagements, including The Africa Debate in London and the UAE, as well as Invest Africa’s Mining Series, held alongside the annual Mining Indaba conference.

This partnership with Invest Africa marks a significant milestone for Premier Invest as we seek to deepen our engagement in Africa and other emerging markets

As Africa stands on the brink of a new era of economic transformation, this partnership will leverage key events for the global Africa-focused investment community, bringing together investors and corporates who are committed to the continent’s progress and prosperity.

Chantelé Carrington, CEO of Invest Africa, commented on the partnership: ”Africa is entering a pivotal phase of economic transformation, and ensuring that the right investment and expertise are directed to the continent is crucial. Our partnership with Premier Invest is a great step towards this objective. By tapping into our expansive network, strategic communications, and robust events programme, we look forward to working alongside Premier Invest to channel the much-needed investment flows that will drive Africa’s growth.”

Rene Awambeng, Managing Partner of Premier Invest, added: “This partnership with Invest Africa marks a significant milestone for Premier Invest as we seek to deepen our engagement in Africa and other emerging markets. Invest Africa’s unrivalled network and market insights will be invaluable as we work together not only to identify and capture high-growth opportunities but also to contribute meaningfully to the economic development of the regions we serve, particularly across Africa.”

This partnership exemplifies the shared commitment of Invest Africa and Premier Invest to harness the full potential of capital in Africa and beyond. By uniting our strengths, we are laying the groundwork for transformative investments that will fuel economic growth and development for years to come.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Invest Africa.

Continue Reading

Business

Apex Announces Strategic Partnership with Dematic to Revolutionise Warehouse Automation in Southern Africa

Published

on

This collaboration aims to address the growing demand for high-quality, efficient logistics solutions across Southern Africa, enabling businesses to streamline their operations

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

Apex (www.Apex-rts.co.za), a Southern African leader in warehouse management and automation solutions, has entered a strategic partnership with Dematic, a leading global provider of automated material handling systems and software. The partnership allows Apex to represent Dematic in the region, offering clients internationally renowned automation and software solutions, backed by local expertise. This collaboration aims to address the growing demand for high-quality, efficient logistics solutions across Southern Africa, enabling businesses to streamline their operations with world-class technologies.

“Partnering with Dematic is a natural extension of our long-standing relationship, and we are thrilled to expand our offering with their advanced automation solutions,” said Alan Richard, Director of Apex. “This partnership enables us to provide our clients with the best-in-class international products, supported locally with our deep knowledge of the African market. Together, we are poised to create innovative, scalable solutions that meet the needs of businesses in this region.”

This partnership enables us to provide our clients with the best-in-class international products, supported locally with our deep knowledge of the African market

This partnership will not only enhance Apex’s current offerings but also open new market opportunities. Both companies are committed to achieving significant market share growth over the next three years, with a robust sales plan currently in development. The partnership will also include joint marketing initiatives and client roadshows to demonstrate the combined value of Apex and Dematic’s solutions.

Benefits for Clients and Market Impact

This partnership offers clients across Southern Africa access to world-class technologies that optimise supply chains, reduce costs, and improve warehouse efficiency. With Apex’s local expertise and Dematic’s international standards, the collaboration is set to deliver advanced automation solutions tailored to the region.

Michael Bradshaw, Vice President of Solutions Development at Dematic, commented, “Partnering with Apex allows us to tap into a growing market and leverage their understanding of local business needs. By combining this with Dematic’s advanced automation solutions and global expertise, we will enable local businesses to undertake supply chain automation projects, from small to large, with confidence.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Apex Real-Time Solutions.

Continue Reading

Business

Orange announces the winners of the 14th edition of the Orange Social Venture Prize in Africa and the Middle East (OSVP)

Published

on

5 of the 1,600 candidates from 17 countries won awards at the international ceremony

CASABLANCA, Morocco, November 12, 2024/APO Group/ — 

The winners of the 14th edition of OSVP, which recognizes and supports startups whose technological solutions have a positive social impact in Africa and the Middle East, were announced at the international ceremony. The event took place at the Royal Mansour in Casablanca and was attended by many prominent guests, including Christel Heydemann, CEO of the Orange Group, Jérôme Hénique, CEO of Orange Africa and Middle East (www.Orange.com), as well as Younes Sekkouri, Minister of Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Employment and Skills.

Since 2011, OSVP has been at the heart of Orange’s strategy to contribute to the development of the entrepreneurial ecosystem and the inclusive growth of the countries where the Group operates in Africa and the Middle East. Most of the proposed solutions address issues critical to community development, such as education, health, agriculture, the environment, and e-commerce.

5 of the 1,600 candidates from 17 countries won awards at the international ceremony. This was the first time in OSVP’s history that the ceremony was held in Morocco.

For the International Grand Prize, which recognizes the top three technology-based projects with a social or environmental impact, the winners are:

  • 1st prize of €25,000: SAVEY (Morocco) – SAVEY is a digital and logistics solution to combat food waste. It is a real-time gateway between unsold inventory from manufacturers, big box stores, corner stores and consumer demand.
  • 2nd prize of €15,000: WeFix (Tunisia) – WeFix offers a digital solution to help individuals and businesses sustainably manage their electronics and appliances from start to finish.
  • 3rd prize of €10,000: Cocoa Shield (Côte d’Ivoire) – Cocoa Shield provides a solution that combines artificial intelligence with Internet of Things (IoT) devices to monitor and track cocoa crops and combat the diseases that affect them.

For the special prizes, the winners are:

  • For the €20,000 International Women’s Prize, which is awarded to a startup whose high-impact project is led by a woman: MyTindy (Morocco) – MyTindy is an online platform that connects artisans with customers around the world, enabling them to sell their products directly and autonomously.
  • For the €10,000 Coup de Cœur prize, which is awarded to a project that stands out for its originality: Intella (Egypt) – Intella offers a solution that bridges the gap between global advances in artificial intelligence and the Arabic-speaking world through one of the world’s most accurate multi-dialect Arabic speech-to-text transcription engines.

Since the program’s inception, nearly 15,000 applications have been received and more than 500 entrepreneurs have been supported and rewarded, including about a hundred internationally.

With a focus on high-impact, sustainable innovation, the 14th edition certainly delivered on its promises and highlighted the growing contribution of women to the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Africa and the Middle East. OSVP winners in the 17 countries will receive support from Orange Digital Centers in Africa, the Middle East and Europe, with hopes of taking their business beyond the borders of their respective countries.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Orange Middle East and Africa.

Continue Reading

Trending

Exit mobile version