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From crisis to catalyst: Nairobi’s hospitality sector is thriving

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Nairobi’s infrastructure has grown significantly, sparking investment not only in the hospitality sector but broadly across all real estate asset classes

NAIROBI, Kenya, April 10, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Hospitality has bounced back remarkably after the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, emerging as one of the best-performing asset classes in 2023. This resurgence is particularly notable in Nairobi. The strategic position of Kenya’s capital city serves as an East African hub for various industries, including corporate, government, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions), embassies and tourism, which makes it an attractive destination for hospitality and residence brands. The increasing and diversifying demand for accommodation is creating meaningful opportunities for market expansion and business growth.

This buoyant view reflects the insights of the thought leaders who will explore opportunities in East Africa’s fastest growing and most resurgent sector at the 11th annual East Africa Property Investment (EAPI) Summit Hospitality & Residences Forum on 17 and April 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya. The forum will cover key hospitality trends, from greening to financing, development, resorts, safari, and more, creating a crucial platform for stakeholders in the hospitality and residence sectors.

The event will convene at the landmark Radisson Blu Upperhill, which recently received an EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiency) rating, showcasing East Africa’s potential for sustainable and efficient hospitality development.

Radisson Hotel Group is the lead sponsor of the EAPI Hospitality Forum, and its Senior Director, Development – Sub-Sahara Africa, Daniel Trappler, is a guest speaker at the gathering. Looking at the hospitality market, Trappler reports that demand drivers are creating the need for accommodation in Nairobi — both short stay and long stay. “As demand continues to grow in all segments, this has balanced the influx of international and regional brands developing over the past decade, sidestepping the potential risk of oversupply. Hotel operators can continue to benefit from good business by operating hotels in the East African hub.”

Trappler highlights that hospitality is a key economic driver, employment creator and focal property type in regions throughout East Africa.

Fiona Craw, JLL’s Vice President – Hotels & Hospitality Group, Sub-Saharan Africa, reports that JLL is seeing growing interest from investors, especially in markets such as Nairobi and Zanzibar. Craw also notes that private equity funds have been key in driving the transaction market in Nairobi over the past 48 months. “Hotels globally are emerging as a preferred asset class with global revenue per available room (RevPAR) recovering well, driven by strengthening urban performance. While the hospitality sector was the most severely affected by the pandemic, it has been one of the fastest asset classes to recover across Africa and East Africa.”

While the hospitality sector was the most severely affected by the pandemic, it has been one of the fastest asset classes to recover across Africa and East Africa

Even so, Craw points out that access to capital for hotel developments will remain challenging in the short term. The resultant significantly lower pipeline of new developments across the region has created a strong performance narrative for existing hotels. “This was evident in 2023 with the Nairobi hotel market achieving higher occupancies and average daily rates than in 2019 pre-pandemic,” says Craw, adding, “A key change driving demand is accessibility.”

Nairobi’s infrastructure has grown significantly, sparking investment not only in the hospitality sector but broadly across all real estate asset classes. A game changer for the Nairobi hotel market was the opening of the Express Way in 2022, creating ease of access between Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Westlands, the key commercial hub. “As a result, hospitality brands have been increasing their presence over the years, with all the key operators and brands actively looking at expanding their portfolio not only in Nairobi but across secondary cities in Kenya,” reveals Craw.

This expansion is opening doors for development-focused regions to construct hotels designed and operated for high efficiency, resulting in utilities cost savings for owners, lower future regulatory capex requirements and better access to green funding. “Moreover, embedding environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles into hotel management agreements aligns the goals of the property owners and operators since investors and stakeholders are paying more attention to these aspects in the hospitality sector.” Africa is rapidly advancing in sustainable hotel practices.

Focusing on the short-term rental and residence sectors in Nairobi, Eleni Georgopoulou, Founder and CEO of YourHost Ltd, says demand is growing significantly, driven by factors such as economic growth, improved transport connectivity, the burgeoning middle class, and online booking platforms. “The likes of Airbnb, Booking.com, and VRBO have revolutionised the hospitality industry. People now have access to a wide range of accommodation options, including short-term rentals, making it more convenient and accessible to both domestic and international travellers.”

While demand is being met with adequate supply, and there are concerted efforts to continually improve the experiences at these properties, Georgopoulou notes that there is still room to do more. “It is crucial to ensure that there are enough properties to cater to a wide range of budgets and preferences to ensure customer satisfaction. Developers are actively constructing new properties and refurbishing existing ones to meet travellers’ changing preferences. They are introducing fresh, modern designs, prioritising and expanding their guest services, instilling guest confidence with robust security measures, embracing sustainability practices and green principles, and integrating smart technology to make stays seamless.”

Commenting on Radisson Hotel Group’s sponsorship of the event, Trappler says, “Radisson Hotel Group is proud to sponsor this year’s EAPI Hospitality Forum, which is a strong platform to display the growth of the market and further understand how its players are performing and evolving. As our group pushes more to enter both the Tanzania/Zanzibar and Ugandan markets, meeting players from these regions is hugely valuable, and not just those from the hospitality space, but also the larger real estate sector in general.”

The Hospitality & Residences Forum of the 11th East Africa Property Investment Summit will take place on 17 April 2024 at Radisson Blu, Upper Hill, Nairobi, Kenya. For more information and to book a place at the EAPI Summit visit https://EAPISummit.com.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of API Events.

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Good Nature Agro named one of Africa’s Fastest Growing Companies of 2024

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May 17, 2024

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Good Nature Agro

Good Nature Agro has for the last 3 years been focusing on aggregating legume seed and commodity needs in the wider Southern and Central African region

CHIPATA, Zambia, May 17, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Good Nature Agro (https://GoodNatureAgro.com/), the Zambian company helping smallholder farmers reach the middle class, has been recognized by the Financial Times in the annual ranking of Africa’s Fastest Growing Companies of 2024, focused on identifying top performers in Africa’s private sector. This ranking places Good Nature Agro as number 44 on the list and the only Zambian company in the top 50.

The company has accomplished this feat through measured and consistent growth in their legume seed and commodity business lines, while increasing incomes for the more than 20,000 smallholder farmers with which they work.

We are exporting high-value beans, soya beans and groundnuts to food processors in South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Botswana

2024 also marks the 10th  anniversary of Good Nature Agro. Starting in 2014 with just 40 smallholder farmers in Kasenengwa District, Zambia, the company’s founders have remained committed to the company’s mission since day one. Today, Good Nature Agro farmers are present in all provinces of Zambia and the company has expanded its offerings to Malawi. The company has two active processing plants in Lusaka and Chipata, Zambia, an active seed breeding program and lab space, a proprietary digital platform for farmer and customer engagement, and more than 175 full-time employees. Good Nature Agro is also building a state-of-the-art export and processing facility in the Lusaka South Multi-Facility Zone(MFEZ).

Good Nature Agro Co-fonder and CEO, Carl Jensen, is thrilled with the news of the ranking, “We are proud to be included on the list, and we intend to use this opportunity to highlight our work with smallholders and the strength and potential of the Zambian agricultural economy. Credit for the strides we have made over the last 10 years goes to the hard work of our farmers, team, investors, and partners. Collectively, we are primed for a leap forward, and we will work tirelessly to move more smallholder farmers into the middle-class and emergent farmers towards generational wealth.”

On top of training, financing and production with Zambian farmers, Good Nature Agro has for the last 3 years been focusing on aggregating legume seed and commodity needs in the wider Southern and Central African region. “Being a Zambian-born and based company has strategically placed us to fulfill grain needs from beyond Zambian borders. We are exporting high-value beans, soya beans and groundnuts to food processors in South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Botswana, and we continue to prospect both production and supply in the Eastern African region. We are looking to onboard more customers and anyone looking for a reliable supply of legume seeds and commodities in and beyond the region. The Financial Times listing affirms our constant commitment to growth and service to our farmers and customers” said Sunday Silungwe, Founder and Director of Communications.

Representing Zambia alongside Good Nature Agro on the list are  Zamseed (#91) and Zambeef Products (#113). The list of Africa’s fastest-growing companies, compiled by Financial Times in collaboration with Statista, a research and database company, highlights advanced, modern, and thriving businesses in Africa fueling the global economy in the 21st century. The list showcases the growth of private companies across different sectors and offers a brief overview of the recent corporate landscape where technology, Fintech, and other businesses have had to adapt to a challenging environment. Good Nature Agro salutes all other companies represented as peers and examples of resilience and job creation.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Good Nature Agro.

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Entire Canon Colorado Roll-to-Roll Printer Range Now Supported by SAi Flexi RIP Software

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May 17, 2024

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Canon

Capable of driving up to five printers simultaneously and any number of cutters, SAi Flexi offers a complete all-in-one solution for designing, printing, cutting and print & cut

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, May 17, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Canon’s (https://en.Canon-CNA.com) entire UVgel roll-to-roll printer range, comprising the Colorado 1600 series and the new Colorado M-series, is now compatible with SAi Flexi, the all-in-one design, print and cut software for sign and print providers. Flexi Complete, the latest version of the RIP software, supports all Colorado models for seamless integration into a sophisticated production workflow.

SA International (SAi), a leader in design-to-production software, has released Flexi Complete, which includes drivers for the whole Colorado range (1630, 1640, 1650, M3 [W] and M5 [W]) and supports both white and multilayer printing. The new software drivers also support Canon’s FLXfinish+ technology, which enables customers to print matte, gloss or mixed matte and gloss on the same print, without the need for additional varnish.

SAi Flexi

Capable of driving up to five printers simultaneously and any number of cutters, SAi Flexi offers a complete all-in-one solution for designing, printing, cutting and print & cut. With the addition of the cross-platform ‘Flexi Designer’, it delivers a versatile experience, giving users a seamless workflow from design to production. An easy-to-use white printing workflow, that allows for the creation and customisation of white layers, comes as standard in all versions of SAi Flexi. The software incorporates a robust 64-bit RIP architecture that ensures optimal performance and precision in advanced colour management, spot colour mapping, Pantone matching, true-shape nesting, and banner finishing.

Scalable and modular Colorado M-series

The Colorado M-series is a modular 1.6m roll-to-roll printer with two speed configurations that is also available with Canon UVgel white ink, boosting the printer’s exceptional productivity and substantially expanding the range of applications customers can create.

PSPs already utilising SAi Flexi software can now capture the benefits of UVgel by adding Canon Colorado printers to their production floor without changing their workflow

The unique formulation of Canon’s UVgel ink facilitates the fast build-up of dense and opaque white images in fewer passes than conventional printing technologies, while printed output retains its original whiteness over time. The particular properties of UVgel also eliminate many of the production, nozzle-cleaning and maintenance challenges commonly associated with white ink, while delivering smooth, error-free printing, reducing ink usage and waste, and increasing productivity.

Mathew Faulkner, Director, Marketing & Innovation, Wide Format Printing Group, Canon EMEA: “Canon believes in open systems, which enable partners and customers to integrate Canon printers in their workflow by offering an Application Programming Interface (API) and a Software Development Kit (SDK). It allowed SAi to create a driver for the Colorado printers supporting the full functionality within the shortest timeframe. And means that our sales partners offering SAi as their preferred RIP software can now provide their customers with an integrated solution – SAi Flexi driving our Canon Colorado printers. In addition, PSPs already utilising SAi Flexi software can now capture the benefits of UVgel by adding Canon Colorado printers to their production floor without changing their workflow.”

Radisa Peric, Flexi Product Manager at SA International, comments:

“We are proud to offer our wide customer base the full support of the Colorado UVgel roll-to-roll printer range. SAi Flexi software is omnipresent in sign and print shops worldwide so the ability for our customers to use their preferred software with their Colorado printers is a win-win partnership.”

The Colorado M-series will be showcased at drupa 2024 on Canon’s stand in Hall 8A, B41-1 – B41-8. More information can be found on Canon’s Large Format printing solutions on the website https://apo-opa.co/4bitykQ.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA).

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GITEX AFRICA 2024 powers cross continental quest for an Artificial Intelligence (AI) future as region prepares for new digital era

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May 17, 2024

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GITEX AFRICA

70 percent surge in year-on-year growth at Africa’s largest tech and start-up show in Morocco supercharges the epic African race to define its own digital dynasty

MARRAKECH, Morocco, May 16, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Africa’s meteoric rise as an emergent international force in digital transformation coupled with the epic AI opportunity sweeping the globe is set to propel a new era of public-private sector investment collaboration when the continent’s largest tech and start-up event opens in Morocco this month.

The 2nd edition of GITEX AFRICA, from 29-31 May 2024 in the vibrant city of Marrakech, shall converge global leaders and experts, governments, businesses, big tech, start-ups, investors, and academia from 130 countries to catalyse partnerships and advance the future ambitions of a continent determined to elevate its entrepreneurial innovation economy.

Under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI of the Kingdom of Morocco, May God Assist Him, GITEX AFRICA is held under the authority of the Moroccan Ministry of Digital Transition and Administration Reform in partnership with the Digital Development Agency (ADD).

Africa’s blockbuster tech showpiece event is organised by KAOUN International, the overseas affiliate of Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), which organises GITEX GLOBAL in the UAE, the world’s largest and most trusted tech and start-up event.

With the final preparations underway for a purpose-built mega venue in the heart of Marrakech, GITEX AFRICA 2024 will span 21 halls featuring 1,400 international exhibiting companies – a 70 percent year-on-year increase over the event’s record-breaking debut 2023. 

This is the year of the AI phenomenon and its tantalising all-purpose capabilities to transform diverse sectors, from cybersecurity, cloud and IoT, to finance, telecoms, agriculture, and education, amplifying hopes of greater prosperity in the world’s second most populous continent.  AI’s impact on health tech has also spurred the launch of World Future Health Africa, accelerating the continent’s ascending digital health revolution.

More than 700 of the most outstanding global start-ups from 45 countries, including 200 Moroccan start-ups, will also feature at GITEX AFRICA’s North Star Africa start-up showcase, turbo-charging a great investment revival in a resilient and vibrant start-up ecosystem that is estimated to raise US$10 billion in VC funds by 2025.

These award-winning game-changers will connect with 350 investors from 35 countries with US$200 billion worth of assets under management. Now the vital barometer of tech’s massive cross-continental advances, GITEX AFRICA 2024 shall unify the global tech community’s commitment to accelerate a responsible future in the world’s burgeoning Silicon Valley. 

Addressing media at the show’s official preview press conference this Wednesday, May 15, was H.E Dr Ghita Mezzour, Minister of the Moroccan Ministry of Digital Transition and Administration Reform; Sidi Mohammed Drissi Melyani, the General Director of ADD; and Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of organiser KAOUN International.

In attendance were GITEX AFRICA’s official institutional partners: the ANRT (Moroccan National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency), ONDA (National Airports Office), OCP, Royal Air Maroc, ONCF (Moroccan National Railway Office), and the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM).

The second edition of GITEX AFRICA Morocco falls within the framework of the unwavering efforts made by our country in the field of digital transition

Ms. Ghita Mezzour, Moroccan Minister of Digital Transition and Administration Reform, said: “The second edition of GITEX AFRICA Morocco falls within the framework of the unwavering efforts made by our country in the field of digital transition, in alignment with the Royal Directives of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, May God Assist Him, who stressed on the importance to optimally leverage the enormous development opportunities digital transition provides for African countries.” Adding: “This edition will further consolidate Morocco’s position as a regional digital hub, thus creating an environment conducive to attracting more investments and stimulating job creation. “

Mr. Sidi Mohammed Drissi Melyani, said: “This 2nd edition of GITEX AFRICA Morocco is even more ambitious and inclusive, as it responds first and foremost to the enthusiasm it has aroused around the world, and in more ways than one has affirmed Morocco’s positioning as a key hub in the world of technological innovation and the attractiveness of foreign investment in the promising digital sector. This year, just as many themes and sector niches will be highlighted, such as AI, reflecting the growing interest in the new global professions of technological innovation”.

Igniting talent development, catalysing a Pan-African tech rush

AI’s existential prospects and ability to leap-frog traditional barriers of economic development in Africa will dominate discussions at GITEX AFRICA 2024, catalysing a trans-continental tech rush across diverse industries, from cloud and IOT, cybersecurity, digital health, and future finance, to consumer tech, digital cities, and telecoms.

Tech leaders estimate the AI boom will add US$1.2 trillion to Africa’s economy by 2030, boosting the continent’s GDP by 5.6 percent, and accelerating the need for urgent digital discourses to deploy the shape shifting tech that is both sustainable and ethical.

Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of KAOUN International, said: “The recent developments in AI have created new opportunities and impetus for Africa in its digital transformation mission.

“Hosted in a continent adept at leapfrogging in critical industries, GITEX AFRICA Morocco presents governments, business leaders and talents with unparalleled access to new information and expert knowledge, and big opportunities in digital convergence. This shall empower them to co-create new strategies and solutions for the betterment of society.”

Government ministers, digital visionaries tackle Africa’s pressing tech challenges   

Africa’s most progressive leadership conference programme will meanwhile gather 450-plus speakers from 70 countries, to debate, scrutinise, and tackle the greatest tech challenges and opportunities in the world’s second largest continent with bold ambitions to co-create and define its own Pan-African digital roadmap.

The GITEX AFRICA Digital Summit returns, leading ten conference stages comprising 280-plus hours of mind-stretching content advancing Africa’s digital movement. Impactful agendas will explore government policy and regulation, connectivity, digital cities and future finance, cybersecurity and health tech’s transformative opportunity, along with fast-tracking the world’s most exciting start-up ecosystem and challenging the realities of AI mania.

GITEX AFRICA 2024 is open from 10:00am to 6:00pm. Admission is for pre-registered trade professionals only with a special invitation for students aged 16 years and older on day three. More information is available at www.GITEXAFRICA.com.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of GITEX Africa.

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