What do Uber, Netflix and TikTok have in common?



It’s one word.



And working out how to remove it will become the most important strategic discussion for CEOs across the globe in the coming years.



It should already be the most important word.



And that word is friction.



The companies I named at the start are all early examples of how you can have global success by removing friction from your customer’s lives.



Uber, for example, removes friction by making it much easier and faster to pick up a ride than the metered taxi model it replaced.



Netflix removes friction by delivering quality, binge- able content without delaying consumer gratification with adverts or timetables.



And TikTok takes it to another level by removing the friction of viewers needing to spend time choosing what to watch. Its algorithm calculates what people want based on how they interact with the app. In fact, the more you think about it, the more obvious it becomes that the best companies are masters at removing friction. Google (frictionless search), Wise (frictionless  cross- border payments) and Amazon (frictionless shopping) are just three more examples.



On the other hand, the brands we love to hate are the ones that waste our most precious asset. Time.



For example, don’t you get frustrated with the excessive form-filling when hiring a car, queueing at a bank branch, or holding for a call center agent?



I know I do.



Fortunately, this is all about to change, and companies that have clung on to life like limpets despite wasting millions of hours of their customers’ lives will have to adapt to survive because of the widespread adoption of large language models, like ChatGPT.



Take the example of Klarna, a leading global payments and shopping service.



On February 27 2024, they announced that their new AI assistant had handled two-thirds of customer chats in its first month. That’s the equivalent workload of 700 full-time agents, which equates to an estimated



$40-million improvement in their bottom line. They went on to say that the AI agents were on par with customer satisfaction scores, were more accurate in errand resolution (leading to a 25% drop in repeat inquiries) and were able to resolve queries in less than two minutes, compared to the previous 11.



You don’t have to be a call center expert to understand that these are just staggering improvements which showcase the potential of moving from human to artificial intelligence. And you have to remember that this is version 0.1, and we should expect exponential improvements over the next few years.



In fact, the idea that a machine will be able to better communicate with humans in a more personalized, knowledgeable, and empathetic manner is no longer just science fiction. It’s fast becoming a science fact. 



Having just spent a wasted hour on the phone with my internet service provider, I can’t wait. I would pay extra to be able to deal with a bot that listens to my problems, understands my history, is able to take decisions without escalating, can respond not just in my language but in my accent or dialect and is able to pick up on any number of visual and audio queues to better understand me and make me feel valued and appreciated. Perhaps even loved.



And if this leads to hours-long call times because customers feel compelled to share their personal trials and tribulations, why not?



After all, our buying decisions are based on emotions, and who better to exploit that than a machine?



Because unlike human agents, the virtual kind are available 24/7 in every single corner of the globe and they know more about us than any human ever can.



These are not just my fantasies. The markets agree. When Klarna shared its AI successes, it was reported that a leading traditional call center company saw its share price drop in just one day.



CEOs now have no choice but to switch their investments from human to artificial intelligence to provide frictionless services.



The benefits for investors and customers are clear. It’s equally obvious that the millions of knowledge workers who operate today’s phones will have to find new vocations, and they will have to find them fast.



Which begs one big question. Do we really want a frictionless world if the cost is that human capital becomes worthless

TikTok To Be Banned From UK Government Phones

Remove This To Win, But Beware Of The Consequences

There’s mythology and mystery in the mix as gaming developers tap into the rich history of Africa telling stories that go way back in time.



The African gaming market sits on the cusp of global potential as studios shake up Western foundations with mythology, mystery and inclusivity.



In Nigeria, Maliyo Games has partnered with Disney to create a mobile game for an animated series called Iwájú. Mekan Games in Kenya launched a hypercasual game called The President which became the number one mobile game in the United States in 2022 with more than 10 million downloads. Kiro’o Games from Cameroon is a thriving studio producing games, animations and applications. 



And, in South Africa, there’s Khumo Moerane who collaborated with Leti Arts from Ghana to create a game demo called Karmzah Run about a superheroine archaeologist with cerebral palsy. Leti Arts’ game Sweave was recently accepted into the Gameloft platform. Moerane’s parent company is ITTHYNK Gaming and his studio is called Disputed People.



They are also developing an entirely new gaming franchise in South



Africa called PRYDE: The Lion of Africa which is based on African gods and mythology, and is still in development.



“Folklore and mythology are the cultural artifacts of our ancestors. They tell us what our ancient cultures valued and what lessons and morals were so important to them; they wanted to pass them on to future generations,” says Moerane to FORBES AFRICA. “These mythologies give us insight into how our ancestors saw themselves in relation to other people, the land and their spirituality, alongside the flora and fauna of Africa.



“The game taps into the stories that comprise the rich history of Africa as part of the studio’s commitment to celebrating the continent. “We want to reignite the awesome that is Africa.



Remember the wonder and joy of the epic godly powers within us and, in the process, awaken the world to the real magic that sits here, in Africa. These stories have survived despite all the turmoil that has befallen the continent and we want to carry them forward.”



The game is an ambitious one but it has energized Moerane and the people he’s collaborating with to create it because it is Africa- centric. The world is starting to pay attention to African games and the talented people creating them. There’s an energy in the sector that may yet shift the narrative away from Africa being a place where big companies come to sell their games.



“The value has traditionally been concentrated in Europe, America and China as companies do what they can to create games that appeal to those markets,” says Moerane . “I think that’s the tricky part for Africa – how can gaming within this market gain traction and visibility?”



For gamers in Africa, it’s a question most would like answered. Other than South Africans used as ‘bad guys’ in games like Uncharted, or locations across Africa used to enhance the thrill of a game filled with American accents, there are few games that connect directly with the local gamer. Since the first monsters stepped through a portal (Half-Life) or the first space marine battled the forces of hell in space (Doom), gamers in Africa have had little representation.



“I’ve been gaming for years, and it hit me that I’ve never actually played a game with an African hero or set with African mythology. This was an awakening for me,” says Moerane . “It has inspired my work on PRYDE: The Lion of Africa. 



“It has been a challenge – we’ve had to find the right talent to help us. We’ve collaborated with students and with people who want a chance to use their skills to create a game because they love gaming. We’ve also connected with people at game jams, like the one in Kenya. But what we really need is business people who have the acumen to run a studio. Corporate-minded people to support the creatives so this industry can soar,” hopes Moerane.

Khumo Moerane; image supplied

Gaming Gains: The Tech Tapping Into African History

The milestone speaks for itself: it’s the 10th anniversary of FORBES AFRICA’S 30 under 30 list, and just like the honorees who have come before them, the class of 2024 too are driven by impact. Profits aside, it’s about achieving success with innovation, influence and individuality. They aren’t looking to fill big shoes but rather lace up their own and forge ahead with giant strides, leading by example and leaving an indelible path for the changemakers to come.



Words and Curation:&nbsp;Chanel Retief Additional research and reporting:&nbsp;Nicole Pillay&nbsp;With inputs from:&nbsp;Oluwatomisin Amokeoja Art Direction and Layout: Lucy Nkosi |&nbsp;Photography:&nbsp;Katlego Mokubyane |&nbsp;Photography Assistant:&nbsp;Sbusiso Sigidi |&nbsp;Studio:&nbsp;NewKatz Studio, Johannesburg |&nbsp;Styling: Deneal Van Wyk |&nbsp;Outfits supplied by: B Mashilo Designs, DFLO, Franc Elis, Ephymol and Preview Accessories |&nbsp;Hair &amp; Makeup:&nbsp;SnehhOnline Beauty



&#8220;Entrepreneurship is in my blood,” Vimbai Masiyiwa tells FORBES AFRICA. “I grew up watching my parents work hard to build their businesses, and I knew that it was something I intrinsically wanted to do.”



As the daughter of African billionaire Strive Masiyiwa (with a real time net worth of $1.9 billion as per Forbes on March 22, 2024) and Tsitsi Masiyiwa, she knew that there would be pressure on her to succeed. Diagnosed with cancer at “a pivotal stage” of her education made her reevaluate what she really wanted to do with her life and career. 



“This moment catalyzed me to change direction with a focus on creating a meaningful business of my own,” says the cancer survivor today.Determination helped her launch Batoka Africa, which, for Masiyiwa, is the culmination of four years of ideating, fundraising, building and growing.



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In 2019, she had the vision to turn Batoka into a successful social enterprise tourism business with an entirely new property component, which she spearheaded.Masiyiwa required a $4 million capital investment to build the property and while she could leverage existing staff and resources, a signifi cant component required fundraising. 



From 2019 to 2021, it was one of her biggest challenges.



“I am a believer in building great agile teams that have the ability to succeed, no matter the hurdles. Working with my incredible team on the ground and collaborators from all over the continent (with the majority of them being women) meant that we pulled together in the worst of times,” says the young Zimbabwean entrepreneur.

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Under 30: Zimbabwean Entrepreneur Vimbai Masiyiwa On Learning From Her Famous Parents

&nbsp;The milestone speaks for itself: it’s the 10th anniversary of FORBES AFRICA’S 30 under 30 list, and just like the honorees who have come before them, the class of 2024 too are driven by impact. Profits aside, it’s about achieving success with innovation, influence and individuality. They aren’t looking to fill big shoes but rather lace up their own and forge ahead with giant strides, leading by example and leaving an indelible path for the changemakers to come.



Words and Curation: Chanel Retief Additional research and reporting: Nicole Pillay With inputs from: Oluwatomisin Amokeoja Art Direction and Layout: Lucy Nkosi | Photography: Katlego Mokubyane | Photography Assistant: Sbusiso Sigidi | Studio: NewKatz Studio, Johannesburg | Styling: Deneal Van Wyk | Outfits supplied by: B Mashilo Designs, DFLO, Franc Elis, Ephymol and Preview Accessories | Hair &amp; Makeup: SnehhOnline Beauty



TEN YEARS, of uncovering some of the most influential and iconic young people on the continent. Ten years, of shining the spotlight on business innovators and tech trailblazers impacting their communities, countries and the continent.



Ten years, of profiling record-breakers, history-makers and risk-takers determined to rewrite the narrative on Africa. The 10th anniversary of FORBES AFRICA’s 30 Under 30 list is testament to the unmistakable potential and talent pool that exists on a continent boasting the world’s youngest population, and their role in together crafting Africa’s growth story.



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Building a business and a brand, and consistently creating change on the continent, as a 20-something, is no mean feat. And it’s perhaps their path-breaking innovations and against-all-odds resilience that’s leading the rest of the world to Africa as the next frontier. The world is becoming more African. The whole continent of Africa, with 54 countries, is home to 1.45 billion people, and the economies are being driven by a growing young population.



The United Nations states in a report that 70% of sub-Saharan Africa is under the age of 30; and that more than a third of the world’s young people will live in Africa by 2050.Experts also stipulate that the future of Africa’s wealth is young and female, and they hold the greatest potential for investment prospects. 



The 2023 Africa Wealth Report, published by Henley &amp; Partners in partnership with New World Wealth, reports that the total investable wealth currently held on the African continent amounts to $2.4 trillion, and its millionaire population is expected to rise by 42% over the next 10 years. Whatever the numbers, over the last decade, we have recorded this and more of Africa’s appetite and tireless tenacity for growth and prosperity, with the youth spearheading that narrative, never veering away from the heartwarming concept of ubuntu (compassion and humanity) bringing the continent and its communities together. We can’t wait to see what the next decade will unfold.



Editor’s note: The list follows no particular order



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center" id="h-methodology">METHODOLOGY </h2>



The nomination process began late 2023, as over a thousand applications came through. Part of the rigorous reporting and vetting process also involved going through social media profiles, police clearance reports, reference letters from financial institutions and testimonials from the colleagues, collaborators, business partners and employees of short-listed nominees. Background checks were conducted on potential candidates, which included reviewing documentation to ensure there are no criminal records, troubling lawsuits/bankruptcies, and/or allegations of crime, misconduct, sexual harassment/abuse or fraud. For the 2024 list, FORBES AFRICA, for the fifth year running, partnered with audit fi rm SNG Grant Thornton to assess company financials from losses to growth margins to overall revenue and profits since incorporation. In addition to the research and reporting of the editorial team, FORBES AFRICA also depended on a panel of high-profile judges and independent subject-matter experts to ensure that only Africa’s most merit-worthy make it to the final list. Instead of having only one adjudicator per category (Business, Technology, Health/Science, Creatives and Sports), we also sought the help of past list-makers – our illustrious 30 Under 30 alumni – to judge potential finalists. This list is only but a small indication of the wealth of young talent that exists on the continent and they will no doubt be unraveled on these pages in the months and years to come.



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<ol>
<li>Alex Mativo, 29, Kenya CEO and Co-founder, E-LAB, Nanasi and Duck Industry: Multiple ventures</li>



<li>Ann-Kathrin Joos, 28, South Africa CEO and Founder, Standard Beauty Industry: Beauty</li>



<li>Vimbai Masiyiwa, 29, Zimbabwe CEO, Batoka Hospitality Industry: Tourism</li>



<li>Andrew Ddembe, 28, Uganda Co-founder and CEO, MobiKlinic Industry: Healthtech</li>



<li>Chad Jones, 28, South Africa Social Media Content Creator and Brand Influencer Industry: Social media</li>



<li>Adedamola Oyinlola Adefolahan (Fireboy DML), 28, Nigeria Singer-songwriter Industry: Entertainment&nbsp;</li>



<li>Tyla Laura Seethal, 22, South Africa Singer-Songwriter Industry: Entertainment</li>



<li>Ayushi Chandaria, 26, Kenya Founder, Design Thinking Program (Kenya) Industry: Education</li>



<li>Ama Qamata, 25, South Africa Actress, Producer Industry: Entertainment</li>



<li>Daniel Novitzkas, 28, South Africa Co-founder and Chairman of the Board, Specno Industry: Software Development and Technology Solutions</li>



<li>Prisca Wegesa Magori, 29, Tanzania CEO and Co-founder, TenTen Explore and Smart EFD Industry: Software Development</li>



<li>Luke Mostert, 27, South Africa Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer, CatalyzU Industry: EdTech &amp; JobTech</li>



<li>Arooj Sheikh, 28, Kenya Founder and CEO, Beyond Kenyan Bars Sector: Social development</li>



<li>Kenneth M. Njeru, 25, Kenya Director and Founder, Africa Afya Healthcare Industry: Health Investment Services</li>



<li>Cayley Jorgensen, 29, South Africa CEO and Founder, Ingage Support; Registered Counselor Sector: Mental health</li>



<li>Hildah Magaia, 29, South Africa Forward for Mazatlán F.C Femenil and Banyana Banyana Industry: Sport – Football</li>



<li>Victor Osimhen, 25, Nigeria Footballer and Striker for Super Eagles Industry: Sport – Football</li>



<li>Tobi Amusan, 26, Nigeria Track and Field Athlete Industry: Sport – Athletics</li>



<li>Damian Willemse, 25, South Africa Stormers and Springboks rugby player Industry: Sport – Rugby</li>



<li>Ricardo Lognath, 29, South Africa Co-Founder and CEO, Omninela Medical</li>



<li>Nicolas Lognath, 27, South Africa Co-Founder and Director, Omninela Medical Industry: Healthcare/E-commerce</li>



<li>Ruth Erikan James, 29, Nigeria Founder, Veekee James Industry: Fashion</li>



<li>Shaun Maswanganyi, 23, South Africa Track and Field Athlete Industry: Sport – Athletics</li>



<li>Jeremiah Thoronka, 24, Sierra Leone Founder and CEO, Optim Energy Sector: Climate Change and Sustainability (Social Impact)</li>



<li>Calvin Usiri, 28, Tanzania Co-founder and CTO, Ramani Industry: Geographic Information Systems (GIS)</li>



<li>Peace Wutawunashe, 27, Zimbabwe Founder, Trigershot Engineering Industry: Solar/Renewable Energy</li>



<li>Esethu Cenga, 29, South Africa Co-founder and CEO, Rewoven Industry: Fashion</li>



<li>Josiah Akinloye, 29, Nigeria Founder and CEO, Mainlogix Technology Industry: Automation and Technology</li>



<li>Abioye Oyetunji, 29, Ghana Founder and CEO, FXKudi Industry: Fintech</li>



<li>Nadine Roos, 27, South Africa South African Rugby Union (Springboks) and Sevens player Industry: Sport &#8211; Rugby</li>
</ol>



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<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="512" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/U30Africa-Social-Twitter_1024x512.png" alt="" class="wp-image-61447" style="width:592px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/U30Africa-Social-Twitter_1024x512.png 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/U30Africa-Social-Twitter_1024x512-300x150.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/U30Africa-Social-Twitter_1024x512-768x384.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div>


<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"> 



<ul>
<li>Registration is still open for the Forbes Under 30 Summit in Botswana! Join us on May 5 &#8211; 8 as we bring together the most successful young entrepreneurs from around the globe. The experience promises to be unbeatable.<a href="https://www.forbes.com/connect/event/2024-forbes-under-30-summit-africa?promo=NLFORBESAFRICA"> Secure your spot at the best rate toda</a>y.</li>
</ul>

final Under30

MEET THE CLASS OF 2024: Passion, Purpose And A Decade Of The 30 Under 30 List

There is a thin line between innovation and abuse. A look at how large language models (LLMs) are making cybercriminals even better at mastering the art of deception.



What you can do with generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT or Gemini from Google DeepMind is phenomenal. It’s never been easier to translate text, brainstorm ideas or even write or debug code… but have you stopped to consider that because it’s significantly easier for the everyday person to use AI, cybercriminals are also using this type of technology to their advantage?



Here’s the thing – cybercriminals love ChatGPT. There are even clones of the large language model (LLM) on the dark web for hackers like XXXGPT, FraudGPT and WormGPT (which was shut down by its developers because of overwhelming media attention).



According to Check Point Research, there is a massive underground market for premium ChatGPT accounts. “Cybercriminals use ChatGPT clones but the most common LLM they’re using is ChatGPT because it is the easiest. It’s the one that has the API,” says Sergey Shykevich, a threat intelligence group manager at Check Point Research. One of the reasons cybercriminals are after premium ChatGPT accounts is that the service isn’t available in countries like North Korea, China, Iran and Russia. “The cybercriminals have to bypass different restrictions but when you use the API or a premium account, the restrictions are much lower than the free, user interface.”



THE DEEP, DARK WEB



A Kaspersky study looking into how cybercriminals are using AI on the dark web picked up that hackers are using language models to not only develop malicious products but obtain information. With the help of AI phishing, a type of social engineering scam, it’s becoming significantly harder to detect. Emails that were once filled with tell-tale spelling mistakes and grammatical errors are now indistinguishable from legitimate correspondence. 



“Now, all the spam phishing services use ChatGPT to randomize email,” adds Shykevich. “Many of the anti- spam engines are based on this data. If they find a lot of emails that are similar, they will automatically label them as malicious but with AI, you can run a campaign consisting of hundreds of thousands of phishing emails, all randomized by automated tools.”



Vladislav Tushkanov, a lead data scientist at Kaspersky explains that generative AI, like other types of technology, are tools with dual use. “You can do a lot of cool stuff with these tools… but there are also some applications that can be interesting for cybercriminals. The most obvious use is fraud – creating believable voice fake to lure people into sending money,” says Tushkanov. “What our Digital Footprint intelligence found on the dark web are posts saying ‘ChatGPT is my best buddy’ and ‘when I do my work, I always consult ChatGPT – it’s so useful’. This is a real post from a cybercriminal that we saw on a hacker forum.”



Greg van der Gaast is a former hacker, FBI operative and the MD of Sequoia Consulting. His take on cybersecurity is a little bit different. “If you’re not vulnerable to what cybercriminals are trying to exploit using AI, if you have good build processes and architecture, they’re not a threat to you,” he says.



For van der Gaast, one of the main problems with the cybersecurity industry at large is that it is focussed on risk management. 



“If I leave a bag of grain in my front garden, I’m not surprised that 10,000 mice show up three days later. The solution isn’t for me to buy 10,000 mousetraps, it’s to store my grain better and invest in a couple of mousetraps,” he says.



“To keep storing your grain in the same place and keep flinging mousetraps is ridiculous. The only reason there are so many threats is that there are so many organizations with vulnerabilities that they’re not addressing. They’re just risk- managing them instead.”



Looking at AI from a hacker’s perspective, van der Gaast says that the best thing about AI is not having to think. “AI allows [a hacker] to work a lot more efficiently. So, if you’re out doing reconnaissance or trying to break into stuff, AI speeds up the workflow,” he explains. “With AI, a cybercriminal could pace an attack in a way that it goes around detection algorithms.”



This is why van der Gaast believes that instead of playing catch up and never solving the problem at large, AI could be used to think intelligently about where the issue is coming from in the first place. 



“No one is looking at the root causes. Stop looking at the severity and start looking at the reasons behind why you have a vulnerability in the first place,” he recommends.



“Start seeing security issues as quality issues because that’s what a security vulnerability is – it’s a defect in code and configuration, how a system is built. Don’t have the vulnerability and then the threat won’t be a threat to you.”



With the hype surrounding generative AI, it isn’t a surprise that cybercriminals want to get in on the action. Over and above smarter phishing emails and messages, scammers have managed to lure those curious about LLMs with adverts to download enhanced versions that don’t really exist. There are also a number of fake ChatGPT apps which imitate OpenAI’s free features at a fee. Often referred to as fleeceware, these apps overwhelm users with adverts until they cave in and pay for a subscription.



“We are now in a race between the good guys and the bad guys,” says Shykevich. “It’s still too early to call who is on the winning side. We still don’t see the bad guys using AI for really sophisticated malware or something crazy. The defender side is a bit better. We have the advantage and I hope it will remain peaceful.”

Artificial Intelligence Technology Background

The Dark Side of AI And The Art Of Deception

Artificial intelligence is even reshaping the way we grieve. A fascinating look at grieftech chatbots and how some companies are creating vast archives of human experience to provide comfort and connection after a loved one’s passing.



For California-based Justin Harrison, it all began when two major life events coincided. He was in a near-fatal motorbike accident and around the same time, his mother was diagnosed with stage 4 gallbladder cancer. “They didn’t know whether or not I was going to pull through. I was pretty badly hurt. Later, my dad told me a story about him talking to me fresh out of surgery and he said I was talking absolute nonsense. I didn’t make any sense,” says Harrison. “So, he kept asking me the same question over and over again and even though I couldn’t answer it coherently, I started to get really annoyed that he was asking the same question again and again. He said that’s how he knew I was okay.”



Harrison had an aha moment. Throughout his mother’s illness, what he cared about – what he was worried he would miss – was how she would respond to him. “There’s thousands of versions of us and it all depends on who you’re talking to at the time. Everyone experiences a slightly different version of you,” he says And this is how You, Only Virtual (YOV) came to be, Harrison’s AI, grieftech startup where people never have to say goodbye to their loved ones. 



“I created this for my mother, for me to stay connected. I think that eventually this kind of technology is going to redefine how we look at death,” he explains. YOV is a platform where someone can build a ‘Versona’ – a digital representation of someone’s personality using communication datasets. This could include text messages, phone calls, virtual meetings – any voice or text data which is then uploaded and analysed. 



“In the backend, what we’re looking for are patterns and one of the things that I’ve learned in this process is that humans are incredibly predictable,” explains Harrison. “I also learned this from going through five years of messages and conversations and calls with my mom. I knew what I was going to say before I read the next line.”


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Justin-Harrison-of-YOV-with-his-mom-image-supplied-768x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-61783" style="width:498px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Justin-Harrison-of-YOV-with-his-mom-image-supplied-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Justin-Harrison-of-YOV-with-his-mom-image-supplied-225x300.jpg 225w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Justin-Harrison-of-YOV-with-his-mom-image-supplied-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Justin-Harrison-of-YOV-with-his-mom-image-supplied-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Justin-Harrison-of-YOV-with-his-mom-image-supplied-scaled.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Justin Harrison of YOV with his mom; image supplied</figcaption></figure></div>


YOV uses AI to aggregate the nuances in the conversations to understand what makes it authentic. The end result is similar to a chatbot, but the responses are unique because of the personal data provided.



COMFORT THROUGH CONVERSATIONS



“We probably store the least consequential data,” laughs Harrison. “A Versona doesn’t do much for anybody except the person looking for that experience.” 



Interacting with a Versona is about comfort and connectivity. It’s an incredibly personal experience that Harrison believes will alter how people grieve. 



“I look at grief and death itself as a problem to be solved,” says Harrison. “We spend billions of dollars trying to circumvent everything that kills us. It is absolutely ridiculous to me that all the way up until someone dies, we’re trying to stop that… but then somebody dies and everyone is like, well that’s nature and we just have to get used to it.”



After years of studying psychology, Harrison’s understanding of grief is linked to how people talk about moving on. He says that the real tragedy of death is that you lose a version of yourself – the person you were when you were with them. 



“People will say that when this person died, a part of me also died but it didn’t. It’s still there. It’s sitting alone,” he says. “For me, grief is ultimately yearning because there’s a big component of your personality that can no longer express itself. You were accustomed to engaging in a certain way and I think that if we can provide an outlet where at least that part of you can come out a little bit, it relieves some of the tragedy from loss.”



VIDEOS THAT TALK BACK



Harrison isn’t alone if you look at the number of grieftech startups popping up. From ‘ghostbots’ specifically designed to help with closure to an AI chatbot called Replika that alleviates loneliness by becoming your best friend, the intersection of machines and human interaction is shifting. Even the tech giants are finding ways to monetize grief with Amazon announcing that its virtual assistant, Alexa, will soon be able to read aloud in a deceased loved one’s voice – all the platform requires is a short recording from that person. Another company, StoryFile, based in Los Angeles in the United States, is taking conversational AI a step further by using video.



The idea for StoryFile actually goes back to 2010 when its co-founders, Heather Maio-Smith and Stephen Smith, were creating an exhibit with Holocaust survivors with the University of Southern California’s Shoah Center. Maio- Smith realized that the one-on-one interaction she was having with Rose Schindler (who passed away in February last year) wouldn’t be something Schindler’s grandchildren would experience. Seven years later, they launched StoryFile, a platform that turns video into two-way conversations, and Conversa AI, their conversational video engine.



“We’ve harnessed AI to make the experience as similar as possible to having a conversation with the person,” says Smith, StoryFile’s chairman. “One of the biggest challenges now is the public’s wariness of AI due to stories about generative AI hallucinations and so on — so we are very clear. The conversational videos of your loved ones won’t make up new things to say, the recorded material essentially becomes a unique LLM and when you interact with one of our files in the future it will only pull information from that.”



DIGITAL IMMORTALITY



While there have been ethical concerns around grieftech (such as the fact that there is a lack of consent from the deceased individual and how ‘staying in touch’ could affect mental health going forward), Smith says that people have preserved the legacy of loved ones in different ways since the beginning of history. It started with telling each other stories around the campfire. 



“No one tells people how often to flip through a photo album or listen to that last voice mail they’ve kept on their phone… it’s up to people to decide how to use their conversational videos,” he says. “Some may decide not to access it for months or years after the loved one has passed – but people tell us they have comfort in the fact that it’s there for them, that the stories, the jokes, the expressions in the eyes, are not lost forever.”



For StoryFile’s co-founders, it comes down to the fact that they believe every person’s story is worth preserving. 



“Heather and I don’t just want to harness this conversational video idea for business or grief use but to create a vast archive of human experience. We believe eventually a billion people will have created an AI-driven conversational video that will become an asset to all of humanity, a very human database of experience,” he says. “We didn’t come from Silicon Valley to do this – we’re historians, theologians, documentarians… We are here because we recognize the importance of being good ancestors and helping others do that too.”

StoryFile is a platform that turns video into two-way conversations; image supplied

Not Lost Forever: The Rise Of Grieftech, For Comfort And Connection

The milestone speaks for itself: it’s the 10th anniversary of FORBES AFRICA’S 30 under 30 list, and just like the honorees who have come before them, the class of 2024 too are driven by impact. Profits aside, it’s about achieving success with innovation, influence and individuality. They aren’t looking to fill big shoes but rather lace up their own and forge ahead with giant strides, leading by example and leaving an indelible path for the changemakers to come.



Words and Curation: Chanel Retief Additional research and reporting: Nicole Pillay With inputs from: Oluwatomisin Amokeoja Art Direction and Layout: Lucy Nkosi | Photography: Katlego Mokubyane | Photography Assistant: Sbusiso Sigidi | Studio: NewKatz Studio, Johannesburg | Styling: Deneal Van Wyk | Outfits supplied by: B Mashilo Designs, DFLO, Franc Elis, Ephymol and Preview Accessories | Hair &amp; Makeup: SnehhOnline Beauty



How does one go from working nine to five as a software engineer to becoming one of South Africa’s most-beloved social media influencers? Just ask Chad Jones. Known for his quirky dance videos with his parents, he gained popularity on social media during the Covid-19 pandemic. Scrolling through Facebook one day, he saw TikTok videos on the platform. 



“I decided to download the app just to see what it was about. After a few hours of scrolling, all that popped up on my page were these short, catchy dances that looked fun. I created my account and asked my parents to join me for a [brief] dance,” he says.



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Having convinced his parents to join in on his Gqom and Amapiano-style dances (even going as far as bribing his father with a PlayStation game in order to get him to participate), his family has become fan favorites. “Now people ask where they are when I post videos,” Jones laughs. 



Almost four years later, Jones has forged his path as a content creator, and even has his parents on his payroll. “I pay them now. And they make a pretty decent amount of extra cash. Coming from [the] background I am from, it’s a wholesome feeling being able to do that for my family,” he says.

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Under 30: The South African Content Creator With The Right Moves

The milestone speaks for itself: it’s the 10th anniversary of FORBES AFRICA’S 30 under 30 list, and just like the honorees who have come before them, the class of 2024 too are driven by impact. Profits aside, it’s about achieving success with innovation, influence and individuality. They aren’t looking to fill big shoes but rather lace up their own and forge ahead with giant strides, leading by example and leaving an indelible path for the changemakers to come.



Words and Curation:&nbsp;Chanel Retief Additional research and reporting:&nbsp;Nicole Pillay&nbsp;With inputs from:&nbsp;Oluwatomisin Amokeoja Art Direction and Layout: Lucy Nkosi |&nbsp;Photography:&nbsp;Katlego Mokubyane |&nbsp;Photography Assistant:&nbsp;Sbusiso Sigidi |&nbsp;Studio:&nbsp;NewKatz Studio, Johannesburg |&nbsp;Styling: Deneal Van Wyk |&nbsp;Outfits supplied by: B Mashilo Designs, DFLO, Franc Elis, Ephymol and Preview Accessories |&nbsp;Hair &amp; Makeup:&nbsp;SnehhOnline Beauty



From East Africa’s largest economy to England, Alex Mativo dared to dream. In 2014, at just 19 years old, he founded E-LAB, a startup aimed at eradicating electronic waste in Africa and transforming it into products used in the fashion and interior design industries.



For Mativo, it wasn’t just about eliminating 4,000 tons of waste from Africa’s communities but also creating thousands of jobs for artisans in the process. 



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The late Queen Elizabeth II celebrated Mativo for his work with E-LAB, presenting him with one of the Queen’s Young Leader Awards in 2016. 



“Starting E-LAB at 19 without capital and business experience was my most challenging endeavor,” Mativo tells FORBES AFRICA. 



“While my peers were joining university, I was fighting an environmental hazard in my hometown of Athi River (a town outside Nairobi). Electronic waste was unregulated, which led to factories discarding mountains of e-waste in my backyard.” 



His innovative nature didn’t stop there.Mativo’s latest venture, Duck, is a natural evolution of another one of his businesses – Nanasi, an operating system that helps restaurants seamlessly manage online and offline orders, payments, and operations. Duck expands its reach by tackling a notable challenge: data scarcity in Africa’s vast informal retail sector.



“As a FORBES AFRICA 30 Under 30 honoree, I would gain a platform to amplify my message and inspire the next wave of changemakers to build ventures that solve real African problems,” Mativo adds. 



As a judge of the Business and Technology categories of the 30 Under 30 list, Amini founder Kate Kallot comments on him: “[Alex is] showing quite a lot of resilience, which is the single-most important attribute in business.”

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Under 30: Kenyan Founder On Building Ventures To Solve Africa’s Problems

It’s an auditory crisis. The perfect mimicry of the human voice by artificial intelligence (AI) used by criminals to access organizations, discredit governments and leaders, steal data and money, and exploit people and companies. A woman was tricked into thinking her daughter had been kidnapped – the terrified voice on the end of the call was an AI fake. An employee in a multinational enterprise was conned into paying cybercriminals $25 million because he believed he was talking to the company’s Chief Financial Officer and Tom Hanks’ voice was cloned to sell dental plans.



If a fraudster can mimic someone’s voice, they can bypass security checks designed to use voice biometrics. They can fool people into believing that they’re talking to a trusted friend and colleague. They can slide past security barriers and connect with people because their fakes are so good, nobody can tell the difference.



“It’s the trust factor,” explains Adrianus Warmenhoven, cybersecurity expert at NordVPN. “As humans we have implicit trust anchors – I can read your body language when I see you, I can hear inflections and reactions in your voice on the phone and these anchor trust between us. These were developed by being in school, going to work, seeing people. Now they’re being used by criminals to make connections and successful scams.”



Voice is easy to start with. It can be trained easily and there are plenty of applications online. Anyone can download an AI and clone someone’s voice. The technology capable of converting voice to text, text to voice and then applying it to anything from fake bank calls through to scams designed to phish passwords or con family members is readily available.



“How accurately can you pick up someone’s voice? Are the slight tonal differences not just background noise? What if they’ve told you they’re not feeling well? The last two are the highest contributors, accounting for more than 80% of the threats we are seeing in terms of how voice recognition can be compromised,” says Vukosi Sambo, Executive – Head of Data Insights and AIat AfroCentric. 



“We are also seeing instances where someone records a person’s voice and then uses it to authenticate themselves as that person to gain access to information or systems.” 



Getting hold of a person’s voice isn’t difficult either. Cybercriminals simply turn to the one thing they’ve used to hone their craft for years – social media. As Ryan Mer, CEO of eftsure Africa, points out: “People post videos on social media, they share voice notes on WhatsApp, and in the business space, key people have some form of media, whether it’s an interview on TV, radio or a podcast.”



The technology is capable of generating a legitimate voice profile using only a few seconds of these videos and voice snippets. Then, that voice can be used to get in touch with people in the business, especially the finance team, to swindle them out of sensitive information or get them to perform certain tasks. It’s not always a case of getting someone to transfer millions, it can also be trying to access the system for data that can be sold for millions, or to infiltrate a business to commit long-term fraud from within.



Anyone can go onto the dark web and, for a small fee, ask for a deep fake video saying whatever they want. Nobody is going to ask how this will be used. Nobody will care about the repercussions of its use. It is also very likely the next creator of millionaires and billionaires who have used AI to achieve their financial goals, as nefarious as those may be.



Sambo adds: “It’s important to understand what the organization is entitled to in terms of collecting and storing voice data. If you’re not careful, you could infringe individual rights in light of the AI threat. Can companies that record calls for quality and security purposes really protect themselves from this perspective?”



“Considering how this technology is available to anybody these days for next to nothing, security has to take a multi- layered approach,” says Lance Fanaroff, co-founder of iiDENTIFii. “You need to manage access control based on who has access to what; focus on individual access tools such as two-factor authentication and biometrics; and then invest into technologies designed to identify and mitigate potential threats on a granular, individual, level.”



There is a positive side to the conversation – the technologies designed to tackle the threats are evolving just as rapidly. They’re more resilient and alert, capable of adapting to the potential deep fake risks with agility. However, there is only so much a company can do to protect its people and its systems. As Kabelo Makwane, Managing Executive: Cloud, Hosting &amp; Security at Vodacom Business Africa, concludes: “What has become important now is finding the right balance between leveraging the technology, not locking down systems, and still finding a way of layering security so there remains space for growth and productivity.”

Asian woman using smartphone surrounded by beams of light. Metaverse and Artificial Intelligence

AI Has Stolen Your Voice… And Why It’s An Auditory Crisis

January 2024. Deloitte Canada signed an agreement with Canada Post as its outsourced IT service provider. Vodafone signed a 10-year deal with Microsoft. Eviden signed a $2.8 billion five-year agreement, also with Microsoft. Welcome to the coming of age of IT outsourcing as companies fill the gaps in talent, tech and growth with service providers that can meet their varied demands. According to Gartner, the growth in IT services spend will see it become the largest segment of IT spend for the first time at 8.7% and $1.5 trillion. &nbsp;



This change in spend and focus is also changing the role of the Chief Information Officer (CIO). Always a strategic and skilled thinker with one foot in the future, the CIO’s value proposition is shifting to become more that of the conductor of a vast IT orchestra of commoditized services, support and talent.



“With technology advancing at speed, the increasing demands on robust cybersecurity, and the cost-cutting demands that come with operating in Africa, outsourcing is definitely gaining traction on the continent,” says Michélle Janse van Rensburg, a digital transformation specialist in South Africa. “It allows for the CIO to gain access to niche skills and services that they can then orchestrate from within.”



CIOs are being given the space to get even closer to the business and address business problems at speed and to deftly navigate the talent challenge that remains just that – a challenge. According to Gartner’s forecast, the cost of salaries is expected to rise by 6% which means CIOs are spending more money on fewer employees at a time when they need more hands on digital decks. Outsourced means access to people when almost 60% of IT pros are looking for jobs other than the ones they currently have under their CIOs.



While this talent shift may yet change in the future – although Gartner predicts this is unlikely to happen – the CIO today has to find a way of modifying their approaches so they can better capture the value within their existing workforce while leveraging the skillsets from an array of service providers.



“The CIO is not just the custodian of IT, but the mind behind how to use these as a catalyst for business growth,” says Vishal Barapatre, Group Chief Technology Officer at In2IT Technologies in South Africa. “It is the CIO who will determine whether the business will manage 10 or more vendors, or if the company will consolidate spend into two. They are ultimately the ones who ensure there is solid engagement and service delivery across all vendors and that timelines are met and costs reduced. Their strength lies in accelerating initiatives across multiple vendors and projects.”



The adjustment to, as CIO puts it ‘Orchestrator in Chief’, is also allowing for the CIO to become more flexible, giving them room to stretch into their own skillsets and capabilities. As outsourced teams take on the admin and support, the CIO has the space to focus on innovation, technology changes, and how the business can benefit from new solutions and approaches.



“There is also the added value of having access to a global IT market,” says Koen Matthijssen, CTO at Fetola in Africa. “Many European companies now look to Africa for their talent, not just because of the rates, but because of their skills and maturity. The same applies in reverse – African companies can capture global talent to boost their own technology innovation and maturity.”



The CIO is then as much a strategic advisor as cultural melting pot manager, a person capable of weaving every personality and nationality into the fabric of the organisation. As Alan Turnley-Jones, CEO of Dimension Data Middle East and Africa, concludes: “CIOs are business partners with clear strategic advisory and a deep understanding of what they need their outsourcing partner to provide.”

Application developers at work.

How The IT Outsourcing Trend Is Changing The Role Of The CIO: An Africa Perspective

The milestone speaks for itself: it’s the 10th anniversary of FORBES AFRICA’S 30 under 30 list, and just like the honorees who have come before them, the class of 2024 too are driven by impact. Profits aside, it’s about achieving success with innovation, influence and individuality. They aren’t looking to fill big shoes but rather lace up their own and forge ahead with giant strides, leading by example and leaving an indelible path for the changemakers to come.



Words and Curation:&nbsp;Chanel Retief Additional research and reporting:&nbsp;Nicole Pillay&nbsp;With inputs from:&nbsp;Oluwatomisin Amokeoja Art Direction and Layout: Lucy Nkosi |&nbsp;Photography:&nbsp;Katlego Mokubyane |&nbsp;Photography Assistant:&nbsp;Sbusiso Sigidi |&nbsp;Studio:&nbsp;NewKatz Studio, Johannesburg |&nbsp;Styling: Deneal Van Wyk |&nbsp;Outfits supplied by: B Mashilo Designs, DFLO, Franc Elis, Ephymol and Preview Accessories |&nbsp;Hair &amp; Makeup:&nbsp;SnehhOnline Beauty



Known to the world as the actress who brought Puleng Khumalo to life in the Netflix original series Blood and Water, Ama Qamata describes this “passion project” as something she wanted to see do really well. 



“I was in varsity, and dropped out in my second year,” Qamata says to FORBES AFRICA. 



“And I really was new to the industry. It was my first time doing something that big. And I just remember the shooting being so stressful. I guess my mentality the whole time was ‘I just need to show up and give my best’. I remember at the Queen Sono premiere, the CEO of Netflix, Ted Sarandos, met me and said, ‘oh, I’m not worried about the show’.”



Sarandos was right. Months later, when the show premiered in May 2020, it ranked number one in South Africa, France, The Bahamas, Libya, Jamaica, Trinidad, and Kenya. It is also the fi rst South African show to reach number one in the United States.



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“When it came out, it was insane. I didn’t even have time to process it because I was working,” Qamata laughs. 



In a 2023 report released by the streaming platform, Netflix stipulated that since entering key countries in sub-Saharan Africa, it has contributed across economic sector value chains within and adjacent to the cultural and creative industries and stakeholder ecosystems. It has contributed “directly” to job creation, skills development, and capacity-building in the local creative industry. 



“It’s about time. I think we have the most creative people in the world,” Qamata adds. “We have such beautiful stories, and what I love about our stories is that they are so raw… what we offer, the world has not seen yet.”

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Under 30: South African Actress On The Raw Power Of Our Stories

<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
True power is living the realization that you are your own healer, hero, leader.” – quoted by Diego Perez
</blockquote>



Indeed, success has always been built on that simple principle. The African story of the recent past has belied that. This needs to be regained and reinforced.



I was in Lusaka some weeks ago attending the launch of the Lobito Corridor project; an ambitious rail line brought together for deliverance by the mighty United States (U.S.), the beleaguered European Union, three ambitious African nations and two of Africa’s premier institutions, the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and African Development Bank (AfDB).



They unveiled plans to link the copper-rich regions of Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the Angolan port of Lobito. A corridor replete with hopes. A smooth trade route from the world’s richest copper belt to the Atlantic Ocean to facilitate the transportation essential in the region, fostering business and trade.



This is in perfect harmony with Washington’s increased soft-power strategy reflecting a broader geopolitical intent to strengthen ties with Africa.



Not that this is altruistic though. The global clean energy transition requires significant amounts of critical minerals vital to the manufacturing of solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicles, batteries etc. And they are crucially essential in several applications of the defence, ICT and pharmaceutical industries.



Add to that the U.S.’s Inflation Reduction Act and the pressure to bring manufacturing back to American shores.



To make America great again will need raw materials from across the Atlantic. Interestingly, the accelerated pace of the transition will require six times more mineral inputs by 2040.



But the net-zero objectives of the Global North will not be achieved without Africa’s green minerals.



Africa holds substantial reserves  of bauxite, chromium, cobalt, copper, gold, iron, lithium, manganese, platinum, uranium and more.



Thus, the great race ahead; strap on your belts for the ride.



Yet, China’s present dominance is all-pervading at the moment; positioned as they are with its longer history and sheer size of investments in the core sectors in Africa.



Overall, China has spent more than a trillion dollars in projects to secure the supply of key resources.



Therein lies the ‘once-in-a- lifetime’ opportunity.



Usually, when elephants fight, the grass suffers.



This time around, the African savannah holds the strings to the entertainment ahead.



For African leaders, the question is less about the U.S. or China but more about what Africa can negotiate out of its resource advantage.



Africa must capitalize on its mineral endowments to drive transformative sustainable growth, economic diversification, and local and regional development through value-added processing and manufacturing; it must optimize the resource value to underpin productive transformation, integration into global trade systems and development of local industries.



Sustainable mining as a catalyst for the local procurement of goods and services, the shared use of infrastructure as well as an anchor for renewable energy development is a fair aspiration.



Yet it is crucial to ensure that all this does not come at the detriment of African communities, bearing the brunt of vested interests, pollution, and environmental damage.



A substantial amount of critical minerals is to be found in areas of rich biodiversity, fragility, and conflict, as well as lands traditionally belonging to indigenous peoples.



But events have conspired in Africa’s favor.



We hold the key to solving significant global challenges.



Hence, we should be agnostic and seek partners that will drive our economic objectives as equals in the global fight for equity and prosperity.



African institutions such as the AFC are at the forefront of embedding these priorities into policies.



The continued success will hinge on: a) balancing the criticality of access to mineral resources with the African perspective on environmental and social risks; b) improved infrastructure for local value addition, refining, processing, and developing local downstream industries; and c) inspiring international cooperation to shift from historically-exploitive, extractive and export-driven models into sustainable investments, technology transfer, capacity-building and financing models that lift the continent meaningfully.



If mining fails to be a catalyst for sustainable development supporting renewable power generation, local procurement and infrastructure, we will have failed.



The Lobito Corridor promises to be that potent example where the corridors of power ensured that it’s not another rail line to transport our riches but will enrich us, the people on the continent, in its wake. And thus, help to solve the world’s problems while serving its own people.



Diplomacy and negotiations change. All of that needs the ‘self-belief’ that it’s our tryst with our destiny and we have to run with it ourselves.

ELECTRIC VEHICLES CONGO MINING COBALT

Digging Deep: Why Africa Must Capitalize On Its Mineral Endowments

On April 7, world leaders, including several Heads of State such as South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa and former United States President Bill Clinton, joined Rwanda for the 30th commemoration of the genocide against the Tutsi. Known as Kwibuka30 and held under the theme Remember-Unite-Renew, it honored the memory of the victims of the genocide and reflected on the country’s three-decade journey of national unity, reconciliation, economic growth and development.



This date in 1994 had seen the merciless massacre of over a million Tutsis. In just 100 days, men, women, children and even the elderly, were indiscriminately killed. Their only crime was their ethnicity.



In the ceremony held at the Kigali Genocide Memorial – the final resting place for over 250,000 victims – Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame and First Lady Jeanette Kagame lit the Flame of Remembrance that will burn for the next 100 days. At the BK Arena, a somber ceremony marked the opening of a week of remembrance. In the middle of the arena was a stunning, well-lit tree-like decorative piece that the organizers described as: “The tree’s branches and foliage represent the protection that targeted families could not find, during the genocide, and that Rwandans today can count on. The upright trunk echoes the aspirations of the young generation, reinforced by the internal light and flowing sap of life within. The roots illustrate the memory of the past that we must preserve, our shared Rwandan culture on which we are all anchored, and from which we draw inspiration and strength, to reach for the sky, as we build a brighter future.”



Young Rwandan artists retold the country’s story through moving contemporary song and dance performances, demonstrating how Rwanda has risen from the ashes over the years and is rebuilding, brick by brick.



Many in the arena could not hold back tears as Marie Louise Ayinkamiye, a survivor, shared her testimony. She was only 11 years old when the genocide happened. Her father and four siblings were brutally killed. Ayinkamiye said that though the impact of the genocide continued long after the killings stopped, survivors had to tap into their inner strength and forge ahead with courage and determination. “We survivors are strong. We will build the country together,” she said.



In a heartfelt message to the nation, President Kagame began by condoling with the genocide survivors and thanking them for agreeing to bear the burden of reconciliation.



“Today, our hearts are filled with grief and gratitude in equal measure. We remember our dead, and are also grateful for what Rwanda has become. To the survivors among us, we are in your debt. We asked you to do the impossible by carrying the burden of reconciliation on your shoulders. And you continue to do the impossible for our nation, every single day, and we thank you.”



On the way forward and the country’s future, the President said that the youth are Rwanda’s source of hope and confidence. “Only a new generation of young people has the ability to renew and redeem a nation after a genocide. Our job was to provide the space and the tools for them to break the cycle. And they have. Nearly three-quarters of Rwandans today are under age 35. They either have no memory of the genocide, or were not yet born. Our youth are the guardians of our future and the foundation of our unity, with a mindset that is totally different from the generation before.”



To conclude his remarks, the President made a strong statement: “Our people will never — and I mean never — be left for dead again.”



The international community has been accused of failing Rwanda in her hour of need. Clinton called the genocide the biggest failure of his administration. Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, paid his tribute: “The genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda 30 years ago is a stain on our collective consciousness and a brutal reminder of the legacy of colonialism and the consequences of hate speech.”



As part of the commemoration, four genocide memorial sites in Rwanda were added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, in a historic decision that was well-received in Rwanda. At the same time, iconic monuments in various cities around the world, were lit in colors of the Rwandan flag, as part of a joint Rwanda-UNESCO initiative in collective memory of the genocide against the Tutsi.

Kwibuka30 at the BK Arena; image supplied

Remembering The Pain And Lessons Learned: Rwanda Honors Historic Anniversary Of The Genocide Against The Tutsi

Lauded as the key to Africa’s economic fortunes, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has been met with much excitement. Indeed, this area holds great economic promise for the continent but there are some glaring gaps that require consideration – particularly from a social dimension. Established in 2018 by the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, AfCFTA entails the creation of a consolidated marketplace for goods and services throughout the African continent. 



According to a 2022 World Bank report, this agreement could generate vast economic benefits, embracing 1.3 billion people and a combined GDP of $3.4 trillion. If fully implemented, the agreement is expected to increase income by 9% by 2035 and help uplift 50 million individuals from extreme poverty. It aims to boost intra-African trade, promote industrialization, foster economic diversification, and ultimately lead to increased economic growth and job creation. As the agreement outlines, this integration will be strengthened and underpinned by allowing the free movement of individuals across the continent.



Yet, there has been little consideration of the impact of this movement on social security, an important policy tool that addresses socio-economic challenges, contributes to long-term development, and promotes a more equitable and resilient society. 



In Africa, particularly, its impact cannot be overlooked.



Without the necessary safeguards in place, the AfCFTA exists as nothing more than a romantic ideal. Intra-African migration has increased by 30% in the last decade and is on an upward trajectory. However, existing systems may find themselves under strain as demographics shift and the demand for services and support transcends traditional geographical boundaries under AfCFTA. As it stands with current policies, African migrant workers and their families may lose their social security benefits when they return to their home nations because these benefits are often limited to specific territories. 



Compounding these concerns is the limited scope of social security coverage on the continent. According to the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) World Social Protection Report, only 17.4% of the population in Africa receives at least one social protection benefit compared to 46.9% globally. This low level of access to social protection is attributed to the labor market structure on the continent and limited domestic resources allocated to social protection. As AfCFTA takes hold, there is a need for social security coordination to expand social protection coverage, especially for migrant workers and their families.



There are some considerations. First, it should guarantee the equal treatment of all workers in order to prevent unfair discrimination against migrant workers. Second, it must consider all elements of a worker’s career to ensure comprehensive insurance coverage and the determination of benefits. Third, there should be a recognition that residency, employment, or economic activity in one state allows for the acquired rights and benefits to be upheld in another state. 



Fourth, the applicable laws should be established to prevent double benefits or double obligation to contribute towards a social security scheme. Fifth, these efforts must make social security benefits transferable or exportable by reducing restrictions on the payment of benefits and receipt of services when workers reside in a different country. In this regard, African countries should adopt crucial policy measures to develop the social dimension of this area by ratifying and implementing the existing ILO conventions and recommendations regarding migration and social security. 



The equality of treatment, among other principles and standards, should be incorporated into domestic law. Moreover, African countries must also conclude social security agreements to coordinate and ensure the portability of social security rights and benefits. In this regard, bilateral labor arrangements or Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) should include social security provisions. Additionally, unilateral measures developed by sending and receiving countries must be taken, such as the inclusion of national social protection floors. Beyond social security, the social dimension should include initiatives that address practical obstacles to the AfCFTA, such as language barriers, xenophobia, exorbitant cross-border remittance fees, and lack of information and awareness.



As researcher and postdoctoral fellow Balkissa Diallo argues, “For the true elimination of trade barriers, AfCFTA efforts must embed the facilitation of African migration into their structures — and also consider existing dynamics that prevent this from happening.”



If AfCFTA has any real hope of succeeding, it must also integrate with society beyond the economic policies and trade agreements.

Safaricom Plc Headquarters and Kiosks Ahead of Earnings

Developing Further The Social Dimension Of The African Continental Free Trade Area

An exclusive interview with renowned Kenya-born land- scape architect and pioneer of sustainable tourism Hitesh Mehta. His other fascinating career? Representing East Africa and Kenya in first-class cricket and playing in three ICC World Cup tournaments in the late 1970s and 1980s.



A global authority on sustainable tourism, including the planning and design of eco-lodges in Africa, Hitesh Mehta wears Africa on his sleeve. He is also credited with creating environmental- and social- friendly master plans for many national parks and protected areas on the continent.



This writer first met Mehta at a lecture, Africa–The First World, in Miami, Florida, where he spoke about the achievements of Africa and its inhabitants over the course of several millennia.



<div class="wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile" style="grid-template-columns:65% auto"><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Mehta-is-known-for-his-work-in-the-protected-areas-of-the-Democratic-Republic-of-the-Congo-image-supplied-768x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-61627 size-full" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Mehta-is-known-for-his-work-in-the-protected-areas-of-the-Democratic-Republic-of-the-Congo-image-supplied-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Mehta-is-known-for-his-work-in-the-protected-areas-of-the-Democratic-Republic-of-the-Congo-image-supplied-225x300.jpg 225w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Mehta-is-known-for-his-work-in-the-protected-areas-of-the-Democratic-Republic-of-the-Congo-image-supplied-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Mehta-is-known-for-his-work-in-the-protected-areas-of-the-Democratic-Republic-of-the-Congo-image-supplied.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure><div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
Mehta with the Batwa tribe of Semiki forest in western Uganda (image supplied)
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Mehta was born in Nairobi of Indian parents, and attended the University of Nairobi where he obtained a degree in architecture in 1985. After receiving the Aga Khan Scholarship, he attained a master’s degree in landscape architecture from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1989. Furthermore, he also represented East Africa and Kenya in first- class cricket and played in three ICC World Cup tournaments in the late 1970s and 1980s as an all-rounder. Mehta has consulted in 67 countries across six continents and is a recipient of multiple international awards for the physical planning of protected areas, for building design, site-planning, and landscape architecture. He shares more highlights in this interview with FORBES AFRICA:



Q. You have had an amazing career as a landscape architect especially working in Africa with national parks to create a sustainable tourism environment. How do you define landscape architecture?



A: Landscape architecture involves the planning, design, management and nurturing of built and natural environments in an eco-friendly manner. Everything outside a closed environment, for example, a building, is landscape architecture: plazas, gardens, campuses, national parks, and other protected areas.



Q. What inspired you to choose this profession, which is relatively a new profession compared to the architecture of buildings?



A: Typically, training in architecture schools involves the design of buildings, interiors, and elevations. I realized that it was important for me to understand ‘outside’ areas to be a conscious designer. My education in Berkeley, a leader in the field at that time, helped me become a holistic designer where I could design the inside and outside at the same time.



Q. Has growing up in Africa had an impact on your work?



A: Tremendously! I grew up close to a forested area in Nairobi where visits from small mammals and sightings of leopards were common. Growing up in Africa, I was exposed to material poverty and that made me truly understand what it took to survive and live off the land. Five years after starting my office, I realized that architecture is not about building glitzy structures for the rich but about creating sustainable livelihoods for those who are marginalized and underprivileged. This realization has led me to work with over 30 indigenous peoples the world over.



Q: You have worked in many countries on behalf of the World Bank, International Finance Corporation (IFC), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ), National Geographic, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), African Wildlife Foundation, to name a few. What projects have you done in Africa lately?



A: I am currently working on several projects; in Liberia and in Kenya. My firm HM Design is creating a protected area master plan for the East Nimba Nature Reserve, in northern Liberia. 



The key aspects of the projects include the protection of endangered species such as the western chimpanzee, the sustainable development of local people, and ecotourism. In addition, we are designing ‘One Health’ centers, a concept initiated by One Health Alliance and the Food and Agriculture Organization, for the stewardship of the health of humans, animals and plants.



We are also working with USAID on a master plan for the Sapo National Park in Liberia, one of the most biologically-rich rainforests in the world.



In Kenya, we are working with the Maasai communities and conservation NGOs to create a Visitor, Research, Information and Sustainability Center in the two most important ecosystems – the Amboseli National Park and Maasai Mara Game Reserve. Currently, we are also creating a Maasai Mara Sustainability Center with support from the Oliveseed Foundation to educate Maasai women by creating a library and a sustainability center in Kenya. We are also creating a community center for the Noonkotiak Maasai community in partnership with the African Conservation Center headed by Dr David Western, the former head of the Kenyan Wildlife Service.



Q. You were given an outstanding achievement award by United Nations’ bodies for the alleviation of poverty and for protecting sensitive environments. Can you please tell us about some of your work in that respect?



A: In my work around the world, especially while working in protected areas, the people who are most impacted are the local communities whose needs must be met in any such projects. The award that you mentioned was for my work in protected areas, especially in Africa, such as in the Nyungwe National Park, Africa’s largest montane forest, in Rwanda and the Virunga Massif, shared by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Uganda.



Q: I understand that Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda and Bale Mountains National Park in Ethiopia have been recently named as World Heritage Sites by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). What was your contribution to these projects?



A: I am so thrilled that these parks have been recognized by UNESCO. I prepared the physical master plans for both places. In Nyungwe, this included the protection of mammal species such as chimpanzees and helping benefit local communities by creating an investment apparatus for local entrepreneurs. The Bale Mountains National Park in Ethiopia is high plateau at over 11,000ft which I refer to as the Tibet of Africa. My company HM Design prepared the ecotourism master plans which were part of the World Heritage Site package that was submitted to UNESCO. Both Nyungwe and Bale are amazing natural treasures, and I am so proud to be associated with these parks.



Q: Your book Authentic Ecolodges published by HarperCollins is a coffee-table publication; how did you manage to compile material for this project?



A: It all began with me preparing a ‘how to’ technical guidelines book on eco-lodges in 2002. This book, International Ecolodge Guidelines, was widely received by the ecotourism community, so I set about using the criteria set in the book to publish visual, exemplary examples of authentic eco-lodges around the world. The book highlights 36 properties from the 46 countries that I visited and evaluated for publication.



Q: You have designed many of the properties that I have visited by chance the world over. But what fascinates me even more is your life as an international cricketer. What were some of your crowning moments?



A: I first started playing cricket for East Africa at the age of 17, even before I played for my country, Kenya! All this was whilst still in high school. My crowning moment was when I captained the Kenyan team in 1987.



The first cricket bat (Slazenger) that Kapil Dev owned was given as a gift to him from me in 1977. He later signed a huge contract with the bat manufacturer and used a Slazenger bat during India’s successful run to win the World Cup in 1983.



In a three-day game in 1977 and before Kapil Dev had played for India, he borrowed my bat and then proceeded to hit me for three sixes&#8230; I also bowled five consecutive maidens against Sunil Gavaskar but he went on to score a double-century!

Author: Forbes Africa

FORBES AFRICA SOCIAL MEDIA