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Ghana: Report warns that climate risks could cost Ghana’s transport sector $3.9 billion, but roadmap offers hope

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African Development Bank

The potential damage of $3.9 billion is thrice the investment of $1.3 billion made in the sector in 2019, according to the study

ACCRA, Ghana, March 25, 2022/ — A new report (https://bit.ly/3IGhhrt) estimates that by 2050 climate risks could cause damage worth $3.9 billion in Ghana’s transport sector. But the report also offers a roadmap that could prevent the worst from happening. It also highlights extensive efforts by the government to counter climate risks.

The potential damage of $3.9 billion is thrice the investment of $1.3 billion made in the sector in 2019, according to the study. The research was led by the national Ministry of Science, Environment, Technology and Innovation, in partnership with the Global Center on Adaptation. It reflects efforts by the government of Ghana to assess the threat that climate change poses to infrastructure assets. It also mentions government efforts to prioritize adaptation investments to mitigate the climate risks facing Ghana’s infrastructure in the energy, transport, and water sectors.

“Extreme weather and rapid changes to Ghana’s climate present a profound risk to key sectors of Ghana’s socio-economic development. Infrastructure in these sectors are the bedrock of the country’s economic growth and development,” said Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, Ghanaian Minister of Science, Environment, Technology and Innovation, at the launch of the report.

“Ghana: Roadmap for Resilient Infrastructure in a Changing Climate” (https://bit.ly/3DpvhoB) was carried out under the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (https://bit.ly/3tFhdEb), a partnership of the African Development Bank Group and the Global Center on Adaptation, with support from the United Nations Office for Project Services, the United Nations Environment Program, and the University of Oxford’s Environmental Change Institute.

The report estimates that increased drought threatens the future energy availability of about a quarter of a million people in rural Ghana, owing to a reliance on wood fuel for household use. Equally, climate risks threaten major components of electricity generation and transmission due to droughts and flooding.

To avert a climate crisis, the national assessment proposes 35 adaptation options for funders and investors to invest in Ghana’s future, offering impactful, evidence-based adaptation projects and enabling environment interventions.

“Given how we know the climate crisis is evolving, these are very alarming statistics. But this is not the full story. For us, at the Global Center on Adaptation, the real story on climate adaptation in Africa is a story of resilience, of responsibility, of solidarity, of opportunities for a safer, greener, more prosperous continent. It is this story that is captured in the roadmap we are launching today,” said Professor Patrick Verkooijen, CEO of the Global Center on Adaptation.

The assessment provides a roadmap for addressing risks through targeted adaptation options in the built and natural environments, including nature-based solutions. It also defines institutional interventions required to ensure the optimum effectiveness of adaptation measures in the country.

“This report will further enrich our dialogue and enhance the overall impact of investments in resilient, green infrastructure that are central to tackling the damaging effects of climate change,” said Eyerusalem Fasika, the African Development Bank’s Country Manager in Ghana. She said the report would inform the Bank’s next country strategy for Ghana.

Ghana has experienced severe droughts and flooding in the last two decades, some of which have had severe economic and social impacts. The projected impacts of climate change are likely to intensify pressure on the country’s existing dam infrastructure, yielding severe consequences for river runoff, which could affect over 1.3 million people, mostly women and children, the report indicates.

“Climate impacts are projected to lead to increased investment for infrastructure, particularly water storage, flood defenses, and water supply and sanitation, but, in the long run, investment in adaptation will reduce the need for costly retrofitting while reducing upfront costs,” said Anthony Nyong, Senior Regional Director for Africa at the Global Center on Adaptation.

Please find photos of the launch here (https://bit.ly/3LgpiVy).


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

Business

Feel the Hybrid Off-road Capabilities: Global Media and Users First Trial of JETOUR T1 and T2 i-DM

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JETOUR T1

At the event, the JETOUR T1 and T2 i-DM impressed everyone with their exterior design, as well as performance such as chassis tuning, stability and suspension

FUZHOU, China, November 15, 2024/APO Group/ — 

On November 9, the test drive session of the JETOUR Global Travel+ Conference 2024 (www.JETOURGlobal.com) for international media and users went smoothly at the Ruyi Lake Off-Road Course in Pingtan, Fujian Province. With a full product lineup of eight vehicles on site, including JETOUR’s family and off-road series, JETOUR invited guests to test drive its key models – the JETOUR T1 and JETOUR T2 i-DM.

International media and key opinion leaders from the Middle East, Asia Pacific, Central and South America, Africa and the CIS attended the event. With the theme “TRAVEL WORLDWIDE”, the event featured a variety of paved and unpaved road challenges, including hard challenges such as straight-line acceleration, slalom test and bumpy roads, as well as a variety of complex road conditions such as humps, cross-axle tests, bomb craters and gentle slopes, which comprehensively demonstrated the performance of JETOUR’s urban off-road products.

Thumb-up by Media and Users: Strong Power, Precise Handling and Stunning Appearance

At the event, the JETOUR T1 and T2 i-DM impressed everyone with their exterior design, as well as performance such as chassis tuning, stability and suspension.

“JETOUR products are great. They look sophisticated and beautiful!”

“Powerful and safe at the same time.”

“The driving experience is thrilling and at least a decade ahead!”

“The car is super stable. It handles perfectly!”

“The Slalom test is amazing!”

“It’s awesome!”

The driving experience is thrilling and at least a decade ahead

The international media and users who participated for the first time in the test drive of the new product gave high marks to JETOUR’s ability to cope with the complex conditions of the road test, which included bumps, cross axles, bomb craters, and gentle slopes. They also developed a more intuitive understanding of JETOUR’s all-round off-road genes and high-performance driving dynamics.

The JETOUR T1, which just won the Red Dot Award in October for its outstanding design, features MacPherson independent front suspension and multi-link independent rear suspension for both urban and rough road conditions. With a 28° approach angle and 29° departure angle, a minimum ground clearance of 190 mm and a wading depth of 600 mm, the JETOUR T1 offers class-leading off-road capability and the power to cope with unpaved road conditions. It can also be equipped with an optional towing package that includes a 1600kg towing capacity, tow hook and electrical connection.

The JETOUR T2 i-DM, the first model based on the JETOUR Super Hybrid Off-Road Platform, embodies versatility, energy efficiency, intelligent cockpit, and state-of-the-art electronic architecture. In terms of off-road capability, it also features a four-wheel independent suspension combining MacPherson independent front suspension and multilink independent rear suspension. Both the JETOUR T2 and T2 i-DM feature a 180-degree transparent underbody system and a 700 mm wading depth.

Experience multiple driving modes with comfort

Equipped with the XWD fully automatic intelligent four-wheel drive system, the JETOUR test fleet can switch between a variety of driving modes, including Sport, Standard, Economy, Snow, Mud, Rock and X, to adapt to different terrains and driving conditions and easily handle all possible scenarios. The X mode, in particular, integrates intelligence into the off-road modes and covers multiple driving scenarios, allowing the driver to switch faster and more precisely.

JETOUR T2 i-DM, equipped with full speed domain acceleration (1.5TD+Dual motors+3DHT), has a maximum effective thermal efficiency of over 44.5%, and has a power of 115kw with a maximum torque of 220N·m, featuring fast acceleration, stable at medium speed, and fuel economy at high speed. In terms of performance, JETOUR’s Super Hybrid Technology (i-DM) combines a high-efficiency hybrid-specific engine, a hybrid-specific transmission and highly efficient battery safety system to provide strong performance and excellent fuel economy.

During the test drive, media from various regions showed strong interest in JETOUR cars and were eager to know the timeline for introducing these models in their respective markets.

JETOUR is accelerating the pace of new energy product launches. The T2 i-DM would be launched in December 2024, starting JETOUR’s full hybridization in global market. In the future, JETOUR will launch more products on the hybrid platform in different segments. For JETOUR, the vision is clear: to be a global leading brand in hybrid off-road vehicles.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of JETOUR.

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VistaJet Continues Expansion Plans in East and South Africa

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VistaJet

The African Roadshow Reaffirms Commitment Towards the Region’s Economic Development 

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, November 4, 2024/APO Group/ — 

VistaJet (www.VistaJet.com), the world’s first and only global business aviation company, is set to organize its first-ever East and South Africa Static Display Roadshow, showcasing its flagship aircraft, the Bombardier Global 7500. The event will commence in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, followed by a landing in South Africa’s top business centers, Johannesburg and Cape Town.  Nairobi’s positioning as East Africa’s tech and business hub, along with Johannesburg and Cape Town’s role in South Africa’s mature aviation market, have made these cities essential focal points for VistaJet’s growth strategy. The roadshow will engage with prospective and existing clients and the local media, serving as a platform to share VistaJet’s ongoing expansion and dedication to support the region’s economic transformation as set out in the AcFTA agreement. This roadshow follows the monumental success of its West African edition (https://apo-opa.co/3CnKLg3), held earlier in May. 

According to the Middle East and North Africa Business Aviation Association (MEBAA), the number of business jets operating in Africa is expected to grow by 8% annually over the next five years. Currently, there are 418 jets on the continent, with South Africa having the largest business aircraft fleet, followed by Kenya and Nigeria. The ongoing growth of private aviation in Africa has also benefited the continent’s employment rates, with air transport contributing significantly to 7.7 million jobs and $63 billion in Gross Domestic Product (GDP).   

Elsewhere, The 2024 Africa Wealth Report by Henley & Partners (https://apo-opa.co/40yhzxc) reveals that the total investable wealth on the African continent stands at US2.5tn and that the millionaire population is expected to increase by 65% over the next ten years, fueled by strong growth in key sectors such as fintech, business process outsourcing, software development, rare metals mining, green tech, media and entertainment, and wealth management. The ‘Big 5’ wealth markets (https://apo-opa.co/40wbGR6) — South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya, and Morocco — collectively account for 56% of Africa’s high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) and over 90% of its billionaires.  

VistaJet offers the world’s most extensive range of business jets and in the past 14 years it has built a strong African network, transforming business aviation in the region. During the East and South Africa Roadshow, VistaJet will showcase the Bombardier Global 7500, the largest and longest-range business jet and offers unbeatable global connectivity, flying up to 17 hours non-stop. Vista has 18 in the fleet – the world’s largest fleet of Global 7500. Precision-engineered wings provide an exceptionally smooth ride in the large cabin, with four separate living spaces, including a permanent stateroom, this jet is perfectly suited for business or a family dynamic. In the first half of 2024, across Africa, Vista’s Global 7500 flight hours increased +33% – this aircraft is becoming increasingly more popular across the continent.  The Global 7500 is popular for connecting African cities, such as Cape Town to Accra and Johannesburg to Cairo and international routes such as Africa and Asia, demonstrating a strong sentiment to increasing investment between the African and Asian continents (https://apo-opa.co/4fcKzPk).   

An impressive Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) for 20 years has made Vista the largest provider of on demand business flights in the world. And the trajectory is not changing — over the last 18 months, while the private aviation industry as a whole experienced a leveling out in demand following the post-COVID boom, Vista expanded its global footprint and as of July 2024, has gained an additional 50 basis points of total market share year-over-year, with its share of the market rising to approximately 5% of the total market.  With an addressable market of over 24,000 business jets around the globe, as well as broader spectrum of aspirational fliers, there is also significantly more scope and opportunity for the Group to capture further market share over the next two decades.  

VistaJet’s main expansion plan objective is to enhance Africa’s economic growth by increasing regional investments and facilitating overall growth

In 1H 2024, Vista was once again experiencing exceptional growth – with total flight hours up +14% year-over-year – an incredible result, especially when compared to a global market that contracted by 2% over the same period.  

The VistaJet Program membership has been the biggest contributor to this growth, recording +19% growth in Program hours and a +18% increase in number of Members. The first half of 2024 continued this trajectory, marked by: 

  • Double-Digit Growth in Flight Hours: Vista recorded a significant increase in flight hours compared to 1H 2023, a direct result of Vista’s strategic foresight and market understanding. 
  • Membership Surge: 2024 has seen a substantial Membership growth as clients gravitated towards Vista’s flexible subscription-based model, reinforcing Vista’s client-first approach. 
  • Africa Success: The African continent remains a priority market for Vista with impressive growth in the first half of 2024. Africa reported strong flight activity with a +103% increase in the New Program Hours Sold and a +29% increase in total hours flown year-over-year: East Africa specifically experiencing a +46% increase in total hours flown; and South Africa, a +79% increase in total hours flown. 

With over a decade of operations in East and South Africa, VistaJet continues to play a vital role in supporting development in these sub-regions by facilitating global investments and connecting decision-makers, corporations, and business executives. Vista’s global fleet of iconic silver and red jets means its African clients will never be stranded with guaranteed availability in as little as 24 hours’ notice, no matter where they are going in the world. Global coverage, covering 96% of the globe also means knowing how to operate in over 2,700 airports, making journeys to every destination safe and reliable. VistaJet’s flexibility is unparalleled for its expanding African client base.  

Commenting on the business expansion plans, VistaJet’s President of Europe and Africa, Philippe Scalabrini, stated: “Building on the momentum of the West Africa Roadshow, we are pleased to announce the East and South Africa Roadshow.  VistaJet is committed to offering top rate, exclusive services to its extensive client network in this critical region. In response to the growing demand, we have deployed three dedicated aircraft while upholding our exceptional standards. VistaJet’s main expansion plan objective is to enhance Africa’s economic growth by increasing regional investments and facilitating overall growth.” 

VistaJet was founded 20 years ago and has established itself as the world’s leading global business aviation company. With a client base consisting mainly of corporate leaders and Ultra-High-Net-Worth Individuals, VistaJet aims to simplify air travel by offering privacy, reliability, flexibility, efficiency, anonymity, and safety. The Cabin Hosts, trained by the British Butler Institute and MedAire, deliver the highest service standards.  Flying with VistaJet is a better alternative to ownership – offering a lower cost per hour, and a larger coverage area; as well as preferrable to brokerage – due to higher safety, and unique consistency of service; and often commercial – thanks to scheduling flexibility, and non-stop connections across airports around the world.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VistaJet.

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inDrive remains the world’s second most downloaded ride-hailing app and ranks as fourth most downloaded travel app worldwide

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inDrive

inDrive hits record growth, dominating in Africa and worldwide with over 66 million downloads in 2023

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, January 23, 2024/APO Group/ — 

inDrive (www.inDrive.com), a global mobility and urban services platform operating across 46 countries globally including 9 countries in Africa has been named  was the world’s second most downloaded ride-hailing app in 2023, retaining this accolade for a second consecutive year, according to data.ai. inDrive also achieved a notable milestone, ranking as the fourth most downloaded application worldwide in the Travel category.

inDrive was also the most downloaded ride-hailing app in 13 countries with a combined population of over 559 million in 2023

Total downloads of the inDrive app amounted to 66.6 million in 2023, based on Google Play and App Store (China is iOS only) data.ai said. 

InDrive continues to enjoy robust growth as it adds new services, including finance, freight, and courier delivery. It’s also expanding its core ridesharing offering to new geographies. Over the past year, inDrive launched in more than 8 cities across Africa, as well as two in the U.S. region. Furthermore, inDrive has agreed to start adding electric motorcycles to its fleet in the APAC region and has obtained the local regulator’s permission to offer its services there. While scaling quickly, inDrive leverages its unique peer-to-peer pricing model to challenge the lack of affordable transportation options and limited earning opportunities, thereby addressing various types of injustice. This remains inDrive’s overarching mission.

Arsen Tomsky, inDrive founder and CEO, said: “We are delighted that inDrive has maintained its position as the second most downloaded ride-hailing app globally, a testament to the incredible efforts of our team and the trust our users place in us. At inDrive, our super mission is to challenge injustice, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to providing reliable mobility services at a fair price, as we create meaningful earning opportunities for people across communities where we operate. As we celebrate this milestone, we remember that we measure inDrive’s success not simply by the number of downloads, but by the wider impact we make on our communities and on the world at large.”

inDrive was also the most downloaded ride-hailing app in 13 countries with a combined population of over 559 million  in 2023, including markets like Pakistan, Columbia, Egypt, Peru and, Morocco  according to data.ai

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of inDrive.

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