The ultimate year-end gift ideas for luxury lovers and gadget geeks.



<div class="wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile"><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="574" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/RayBan-x-Meta-1024x574.png" alt="" class="wp-image-60681 size-full" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/RayBan-x-Meta-1024x574.png 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/RayBan-x-Meta-300x168.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/RayBan-x-Meta-768x431.png 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/RayBan-x-Meta-1536x861.png 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/RayBan-x-Meta-2048x1148.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure><div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ray-ban-x-meta-wayfarer">Ray-Ban x Meta Wayfarer</h4>



Ray-Ban’s next-generation retro smart glasses in partnership with Meta lets you livestream to Instagram or Facebook. While privacy should be paramount, it offers other conveniences you can enjoy while protecting your eyes. These include taking pictures and videos with a unique perspective from its 12MP ultra-wide camera in full HD for up to 60 seconds; the ability to take calls or listen to audio; and voice recording through built-in microphones. The glasses are integrated with Meta AI to act as a personal assistant or get information through voice commands using the trigger “hey Meta”, which also sends photos. Its unique battery case offers up to 36 hours of usage, and it is now IPX4-rated for water resistance. Price: $329
</div></div>



<div class="wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile"><div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-montblanc-extreme-2-0-wallet">Montblanc Extreme 2.0 Wallet</h4>



For understated elegance and luxury, check out Montblanc’s new Extreme 2.0 Wallet in black leather with a carbon-fiber print on the outside and plain black on the inside. It features slots for eight cards, two compartments for cash and four additional pockets. It uses Montblanc’s Shield technology with RFID blocking in the lining. This ensures your cards are blocked from hackers who try to wireless skim data using radio frequencies. A must for travelers. Price: $420
</div><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="915" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Montblanc-Wallet-1024x915.png" alt="" class="wp-image-60677 size-full" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Montblanc-Wallet-1024x915.png 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Montblanc-Wallet-300x268.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Montblanc-Wallet-768x686.png 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Montblanc-Wallet-1536x1373.png 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Montblanc-Wallet-2048x1830.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="790" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/HP-Spectre-Fold-1024x790.png" alt="" class="wp-image-60676" style="width:550px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/HP-Spectre-Fold-1024x790.png 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/HP-Spectre-Fold-300x231.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/HP-Spectre-Fold-768x592.png 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/HP-Spectre-Fold-1536x1184.png 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/HP-Spectre-Fold-2048x1579.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div>


<h4 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center" id="h-hp-spectre-fold">HP Spectre Fold</h4>



Folding smartphones may have been all the rage these last few years, but there’s a new type that’s trending – the foldable PC. HP came out with the Spectre Fold in September 2023, and it’s quite the marvel: it’s a 3-in-1 that transforms between laptop, desktop, and tablet. Dubbed the world’s thinnest foldable at 17-inches, it can be accessed in tablet mode with a stylus; as a 12.3-inch laptop with wireless magnetic keyboard; and as a desktop through its built-in kickstand. The main drawcard here is portability, which you can set-up while on the move or working from anywhere. Using a desktop in a coffee shop? Sold! Price: $4,999


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="884" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Nespresso-Creatista-copy-884x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-60678" style="width:328px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Nespresso-Creatista-copy-884x1024.png 884w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Nespresso-Creatista-copy-259x300.png 259w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Nespresso-Creatista-copy-768x890.png 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Nespresso-Creatista-copy-1326x1536.png 1326w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Nespresso-Creatista-copy-1768x2048.png 1768w" sizes="(max-width: 884px) 100vw, 884px" /></figure></div>


Nespresso Creatista Plus 



Nothing beats starting the day with a good cup of coffee, and the Nespresso Creatista Plus offers just that with its café- style options thanks to its fully automatic steam wand. As its name suggests, the creativity kicks in through its ability to create latte art using Breville’s milk texturing technology. Its stylish, sleek design with a high- gloss finish would suit most homes, taking up minimal counter space. The Creatista Plus has a three second heat-up time and offers eight coffee selections, four frothing levels, and 11 milk temperature settings using its 19-bar pressure system. It has an assisted cleaning system and automatically switches off after nine minutes. Price: $649


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="938" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/FOM-Duffle-1024x938.png" alt="" class="wp-image-60675" style="width:408px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/FOM-Duffle-1024x938.png 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/FOM-Duffle-300x275.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/FOM-Duffle-768x704.png 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/FOM-Duffle-1536x1407.png 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/FOM-Duffle-2048x1876.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div>


<h4 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center" id="h-freedom-of-movement-franklin-dufle">Freedom of Movement Franklin dufle</h4>



Freedom of Movement is a South African lifestyle brand that offers stylish leather accessories, and its Franklin du-ffe bag has caught our eye. The Franklin, crafted from premium pecan leather is the perfect weekend bag, also suited for quick business trips. Apart from its main large interior, it has an outside back pocket, and two lined zipped ones on the inside for valuables. It is finished off with antique brass fittings, an embossed logo that makes it look understated, and a removable adjustable shoulder strap. The duffel fits in an overhead compartment on a flight. Price: $290



<div class="wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile"><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AppleWatch-Ultra2-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-60673 size-full" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AppleWatch-Ultra2-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AppleWatch-Ultra2-300x300.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AppleWatch-Ultra2-150x150.jpg 150w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AppleWatch-Ultra2-768x768.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AppleWatch-Ultra2-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AppleWatch-Ultra2-2048x2048.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure><div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-apple-watch-ultra-2">Apple Watch Ultra 2</h4>



When it comes to smartwatches, Apple is leading in the space, and for good reason – it’s intuitive with a familiar interface. The latest Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the first carbon- neutral Apple product when paired with the Trail or Alpine Loop interchangeable band. Its new S9 chip enables gestures by pinching your thumb and index finger, offers its brightest display of 3000 nits for the outdoors, and advancements for altitude ranges, on-device Siri, and water adventures, which is essentially a diving computer on your wrist. Paired with the new WatchOS10 update, its redesigned interface offers Smart Stack, new cycling experiences and features for the outdoors, plus unique watch faces. It promises 36 hours of battery in regular use and 72 hours in low power mode. Price: $799
</div></div>



<div class="wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile"><div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sennheiser-momentum-4">Sennheiser Momentum 4</h3>



Being productive while working from anywhere or traveling requires a solid pair of noise cancellation headphones. Available in black or white, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 promises a whopping 60 hours of battery life from a single charge. Its lightweight design, complete with touch controls, lends toward comfort for hours on end, without your ears taking the strain. It offers adaptive noise cancellation, transparency mode, and customized sound, which can be accessed on its smartphone app. Connectivity options include Bluetooth, an audio jack or USB-C. A quick five-minute charge yields four hours of playback. It comes with a carry case, 1.2-meter charging cable, auxiliary cable, and airplane seat adaptor. Price: $380
</div><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="989" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Sennheiser-Momentum-989x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-60682 size-full" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Sennheiser-Momentum-989x1024.png 989w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Sennheiser-Momentum-290x300.png 290w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Sennheiser-Momentum-768x795.png 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Sennheiser-Momentum-1484x1536.png 1484w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Sennheiser-Momentum-1978x2048.png 1978w" sizes="(max-width: 989px) 100vw, 989px" /></figure></div>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="940" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/OneWorld135-940x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-60680" style="width:324px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/OneWorld135-940x1024.png 940w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/OneWorld135-275x300.png 275w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/OneWorld135-768x836.png 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/OneWorld135-1411x1536.png 1411w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/OneWorld135-1881x2048.png 1881w" sizes="(max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px" /></figure></div>


<h4 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center" id="h-oneadaptr-oneworld135">OneAdaptr OneWorld135 </h4>



For the frequent business traveler and power user looking for convenience, check out OneAdaptr’s brand new OneWorld135 universal plug that works in over 200 countries. Between its three USB-C ports, two are powerful 100W ports that can power a Macbook Pro or notebook equivalent, alongside a USB-A port and a 2-pin AC outlet. It has some of the highest safety certifications available that protects the voltage, current, temperature with fuse protection. The OneWorld 135 features Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology that ensures the highest efficiency in a small package that’s the size of a credit card. It ships with a travel bag. Price: $129

The family is happily exchanging gifts at Christmas.

Luxe Is More: African Gift Guide

<blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-text-align-center is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
“We are not merely making policy, but are nurturing a legacy of boundless growth and shared prosperity under BeTA (Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda),” says Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary For Foreign Diaspora Affairs, Dr Musalia Mudavadi.
</blockquote>



Kenya, the largest economy in East Africa, celebrated 60 years of independence on December 12, 2023.



In June, during the country’s Madaraka Day celebrations, which commemorate the day Kenya attained self-rule in 1963 – a day that would prove pivotal in its pursuit of independence, President William Samoei Ruto stated that “every Kenya African understood [the first Madaraka Day] to be the beginning of the hard and noble work of securing and enhancing social and economic freedom as well.”



“For six decades now, the people of Kenya have worked hard, with admirable diligence and unwavering determination, to perfect the political freedom of their nation through sustained socioeconomic progress,” he added.



The country, in which GDP is projected to grow 5.6% in 2023 and 6.0% in 2024, according to an economic outlook published by the African Development Bank (AfDB) earlier this year, is considered “a powerhouse within the East African community”.



This was the sentiment from Dr Musalia Mudavadi, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Diaspora Affairs.



“On the global stage, Kenya’s influence has soared, expanding its footprint in international trade, becoming a key member of regional bodies such as the East African Community (EAC), the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and forging essential economic partnerships like AGOA with the United States and having an Economic Partnership Arrangement with the European Union (EU),” he tells FORBES AFRICA.



Furthermore, the country is committed to global harmony, underscored by its active participation in the United Nations peacekeeping framework.



“As we celebrate 60 years of independence, these achievements and challenges serve as stepping stones toward a future of even greater promise,” Mudavadi adds.



Solidifying Kenya’s commitment to economic development, in 2022, it exported a total of $7.4 billion, globally.



Approximately, $767 million of this revenue came directly from the country’s 89 Export Processing Zones (EPZs). This year, President Ruto announced new plans to expand this number with an additional five new zones to complement this growth and encourage more foreign investment in the country.



The East African nation’s technology ecosystem also holds immense potential, according to Endeavor Kenya Managing Director, Maryanne Ochola.



“The Kenyan startup ecosystem is nascent and full of promise,” she says, adding, “A number of important events saw Kenya turn the tide. These were the laying of the first undersea internet cable, the launch of M-PESA and the establishment of innovation hubs such as iLab at Strathmore University. These



developments underscore the importance of two key assets – enabling infrastructure and physical spaces for like-minded innovators to convene and exchange ideas.”



Mudavadi also emphasizes “Kenya’s pioneering role in the mobile banking revolution” and concludes: “Our legacy, we hope, will be woven from the threads of unity, determination, the resilient spirit of the African, and a relentless pursuit of a better tomorrow for every African.”



<div data-wp-interactive="core/file" class="wp-block-file"><object data-wp-bind--hidden="!state.hasPdfPreview" class="wp-block-file__embed" data="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Kenya@60-supplement.pdf" type="application/pdf" style="width:100%;height:600px" aria-label="Embed of Kenya@60 supplement."></object><a id="wp-block-file--media-5c8f4b6f-e833-4015-9531-127476a8c9a7" href="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Kenya@60-supplement.pdf">Kenya@60 supplement</a><a href="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Kenya@60-supplement.pdf" class="wp-block-file__button wp-element-button" download aria-describedby="wp-block-file--media-5c8f4b6f-e833-4015-9531-127476a8c9a7">Download</a></div>



<a href="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Kenya@60-supplement.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Download Full supplement here</a>

Aerial view of illuminated city buildings against sky at night,Nairobi,Kenya

Leading With A Legacy Of Economic Transformation: Kenya Celebrates 60 Years Of Independence

SOUTH AFRICA’S UNPRECEDENTED RECORD FOURTH RUGBY WORLD CUP WIN GOES FAR BEYOND SPORTING EXCELLENCE – IT WAS A STUDY IN FUTURE PLANNING, ORGANIZATION, LEADERSHIP AND MENTALITY.



South Africa’s record fourth World Cup title was a seminal moment for the game in the country and highlighted the huge strides forward rugby has made in igniting a passion for the game among supporters of all races.



In a country struggling with an electricity crisis, economic downturn, high unemployment, crime and corruption, the Springboks’ 12-11 World Cup final win over New Zealand provided a rare chance to celebrate.



But the win goes far beyond sporting excellence and those who spearheaded it hope it can be a blueprint for success in all walks of South African life.


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="681" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/GettyImages-1763424326.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-60650" style="width:797px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/GettyImages-1763424326.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/GettyImages-1763424326-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/GettyImages-1763424326-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA &#8211; NOVEMBER 04: Fans during the South Africa men&#8217;s national rugby team trophy tour on November 04, 2023 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Darren Stewart/Gallo Images)</figcaption></figure></div>


The sight of thousands of adoring supporters lining the streets to see the team on their trophy tour in Soweto, South Africa’s largest township, was particularly striking given how rugby was once perceived to be the sport of the white Afrikaner during apartheid.



Those scenes were replicated across the country and showcase not only the love and admiration supporters have for the side, but also the deep respect for an unprecedented achievement.



The Springboks became the first team to lift the World Cup trophy on four occasions and the win was achieved with much more than skill and physical prowess alone, it was a study in future planning, organization, leadership and mentality. No team has had a harder path to victory, with South Africa meeting each of the other top six sides in the world rankings on their road to the trophy.



One point wins over hosts France, a dogged England and old foes New Zealand in the knockout stages was a test of their character as well as skillset.



Former Springbok flyhalf Joel Stransky kicked the winning drop-goal in extra-time when the side lifted their first World Cup title in front of a beaming Nelson Mandela in 1995.


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="699" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/GettyImages-1761533936.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-60649" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/GettyImages-1761533936.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/GettyImages-1761533936-300x205.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/GettyImages-1761533936-768x524.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA &#8211; NOVEMBER 03: Siya Kolisi during the South Africa men&#8217;s national rugby team trophy tour on November 03, 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)</figcaption></figure></div>


He was in France in a broadcast role and got to see the side operate at close quarters. He explains to FORBES AFRICA in an exclusive interview the secret to their success.



“That tough mentality is born from a few things,” Stransky says. “It comes from the huge effort that goes into what they do, a team spirit and genuine love for each other, and a burning desire to succeed. This team has a wonderful culture. “They work their socks off for each other and leave no stone unturned in preparation for every match. They also have that South African never-say-die attitude where they find a way to win games that other teams cannot. They are an exceptional bunch.”



Eloquent captain Siya Kolisi is a hugely-respected figure in the game around the world and in the aftermath of their victory spoke at length about the unity within the side and the fact that their diversity, with players coming from such different backgrounds, is what binds them together.



“We are a diverse and beautiful team from all walks of life. This trophy is for those who come from tough, disadvantaged areas,” Kolisi said.



“For the kid who needs to know that while things are tough for you, and you can’t afford school fees, you have no shoes to walk to school and no food at home, you can make something out of your life. Even when the situation does not look hopeful.



“We come from those backgrounds, this team represents everybody. We want people to say, ‘who can I look to that has made it from this situation’, and that is us. You can look at this team.”



It was a sentiment echoed by scrumhalf Cobus Reinach, whose upbringing could not have been more different than Kolisi’s, but whose mentality is the same.



“It feels very uniting,” he said. “It is not our trophy, it is everyone in South Africa’s trophy. We might be 33 players (in the World Cup squad), but our driving force is the people of South Africa and we couldn’t have done it without them.”



Kolisi is the undisputed captain of the side but as Stransky points out, successful teams are made up of leadership groups, whose own perspectives and experiences are valued and listened to too.



“In every team you have lots of leadership, especially in the national set-up because there are lots of guys who captain other (club) sides and are natural leaders.


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="682" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1762113459.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-60050" style="width:836px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1762113459.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1762113459-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1762113459-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">PARIS, FRANCE &#8211; OCTOBER 28: Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa, lifts the The Webb Ellis Cup following the Rugby World Cup Final match between New Zealand and South Africa at Stade de France on October 28, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>


“But at the top of the leadership group you are still a proper, genuine captain who is respected and loved by everyone and Siya is that guy.



“As a human being he is just the most amazing guy. He is obviously thorough in his preparation and training, but as a human being he is sensational, and that is why they will follow him to the ends of the earth.”



The world may love Kolisi, but the Springboks are not universally admired despite their success and drew criticism during the tournament for what was viewed as a dour style of rugby and a controversial use of a 7-1 split between forwards and backs on the bench.



The criticism leveled at them is that they are all power and no finesse, and that does not make for an entertaining product for fans.



“Well done to South Africa, the best at not playing rugby,” screamed a headline in New Zealand Herald, while pundits shouted loudly about the bench being against the spirit of the game, and the need to depower scrums, a major weapon of the Springboks.



“When we look back at it in 20 years’ time, no one is going to say, ‘what was the style of play that day’,” Stransky says. “Where our coaching team has been exceptional is that they have looked at the laws of the game and the areas where the referees are focussing on.



“They have said, ‘these are our strengths, so how can we be at our best inside the parameters of the laws’. They have picked horses for courses and played a different game-plan against different opposition when required.”



Director of rugby Rassie Erasmus and departing head coach Jacques Nienaber had to think out of the box after losing key hooker Malcolm Marx early in the tournament, making the inspired decision to bring in flyhalf Handré Pollard as his replacement. He had missed out in the original squad due to a calf injury.


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="724" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1762435141.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-60047" style="width:680px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1762435141.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1762435141-300x212.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1762435141-768x543.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">PARIS, FRANCE &#8211; OCTOBER 28: Kurt-Lee Arendse (L) and Damian Willemse of South Africa celebrate their win in the changing rooms following dthe Rugby World Cup France 2023 Gold Final match between New Zealand and South Africa at Stade de France on October 28, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney &#8211; World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>


There were question marks over the kicking accuracy of Manie Libbok and given that Pollard was successful with all 13 of his kicks at goal, including difficult shots in the knockout rounds, it was perhaps the key decision from the coaching team that led to the win.



But it meant flanker Deon Fourie had to cover at hooker, a position he had not played in five years and never at test level.



His is a remarkable story, having been the oldest Springbok debutant in history at the age of 35 in July 2022. He played 77 minutes of the final in the front row of the scrum after an early injury for starter Bongi Mbonambi and ended up as captain of the side with Kolisi off the field at the final whistle.



“If you had told me two years ago that I would be standing here with a World Cup winner’s medal, I would’ve laughed and said you are smoking some weird stuff,” Fourie says.



“That emotion you saw after the whistle was relief. The last three weeks (of the tournament), winning by one point, it was stressful. Grafting it out at the end.



“There was relief, then happiness, and finally disbelief that I was on the field and winning a World Cup.”



Players like Fourie will inevitably step aside, some immediately and others in a year or two as the team builds towards the next tournament in Australia in 2027. It is the inevitable nature of a World Cup cycle and key for the Springboks will be maintaining their edge through this process.



“I see huge change coming,” Stransky says. “It will be a huge rebuilding process. In that starting line-up (in the final against New Zealand), I counted maybe five or six players who will be at the next World Cup.



“There are others in the squad who will slot in but there are also a lot of empty spaces where we will need to bring in youngsters and build a new team around some of the older hands. It will be a period of transition.”



What the Springboks have achieved is difficult to illustrate fully. Only four teams have won the World Cup in history, and no-one else has done it four times.



But aside from their on-field excellence, it is also their relatability that sets them apart. This is a team without egos, who show that hard work and unifying behind a common goal can bring the ultimate rewards.



“As a team, we want to be a reference point for our people, to show them how we can do it, and hopefully they’ll get hope from this team,” Kolisi said.



“This was not about us as players. This victory was for every South African, and we showed what is possible with this diverse team. “I hope that going forward in business, in everyday life, that we understand that the team only won because we decided to put our different cultures and differences aside and focus on the country. I think that’s the most important thing.”

New Zealand v South Africa: Final – Rugby World Cup France 2023

ROAD TO THE TROPHY: ‘This was not about us as players. This victory was for every South African’

The man behind the success of the The Real Housewives of Nairobi has an equally interesting story.



Amidst the ever-changing landscape of entrepreneurship, Eugene Mbugua is a role model in Kenya, embarking on a journey that found its roots in the most unexpected of places — a high school canteen. Nestled within the hallowed halls of Nairobi&#8217;s Upper Hill Boys High School, Mbugua took his first steps into the world of business by joining a student-owned canteen that offered break snacks. This early foray ignited the flames of entrepreneurship within him, leading him to become a shareholder in the venture and explore unique avenues, such as selling creatively-adorned envelopes to fellow students, designed for penning letters to girlfriends in other boarding schools, whose letters were sent via post.



When he moved on to university, he continued his quest to explore the world of business. He dabbled in various enterprises, from a shop selling bootleg DVDs to a haven for video game enthusiasts between classes. “I also tried my hand in different businesses varying from event management to a tour company; they all failed,” says Mbugua.



It was during his last year of university that the tide turned. A chance encounter with the world of film-making after high school, courtesy of a cousin who brought him to a film set, ignited a passion that would change his life&#8217;s course. This newfound love led him to pursue a course in television production at university, while concurrently managing his small businesses and exploring various job opportunities in the field.



Throughout this tumultuous journey, Mbugua held onto a dream – the dream of creating his own TV show.



“This whole time I pitched to quite a number of different TV stations. Eventually about a month prior to my graduation, our first show Young Rich was bought by a local station”. It focused on young entrepreneurs and quickly became a top-ranking, award-winning TV show. “That was our first milestone, the premiere of our first TV show Young Rich in 2013. It’s what set the ground for everything else that came”.



Mbugua and his team at D&amp;R Studios went on to produce more than 20 television shows, establishing a prominent presence in Kenya&#8217;s media landscape. Their latest sensation, The Real Housewives of Nairobi, is capturing audiences&#8217; attention not just in Kenya but on an international scale, thanks to collaborations with platforms like Showmax and NBCUniversal.



After a successful run of their reality show Kyallo Kulture, Mbugua got into the beauty space, forging partnerships with entities and personalities that allow the studio to not only take advantage of their clientele base but also tap into their huge following to provide value for audiences and broadcasters.



He recently launched a cosmetic line called Unapologetic in partnership with media personality and entrepreneur Betty Kyallo.



What makes Mbugua’s journey particularly fascinating is his ability to adapt and innovate. One major pivot came in 2020-2021 when D&amp;R Studios attracted investment and established a governing board.



“We took in investment and set up a board which now governs the company and to which I answer to as CEO. The board’s input has often helped us expand our view of what our business is capable of and has also helped us put together governing structures needed to scale new heights,” says Mbugua.



This strategic move allowed him to expand the company&#8217;s horizons and put in place the structures needed for scaling greater heights. As an avid reader now learning to play the saxophone, he finds inspiration in books.



Challenges abound in the film and television industry, with the rapid growth of digital media and technological advancements like AI rendering some job roles obsolete. However, Mbugua and D&amp;R Studios seem to have met these challenges with a proactive attitude. Mbugua predicts that streaming services will continue to thrive, offering on-demand content to an audience reluctant to return to traditional TV schedules. Self-publishing through platforms like TikTok and YouTube will also gain momentum, providing fame and fortune for emerging talent.



“What I think will provide the most disruption however is artificial intelligence. If one is able to use these tools well, it is possible to generate very good content very quickly and this might build some new fortunes and destroy others.”



For aspiring entrepreneurs entering the industry, Mbugua, an alum of the FORBES AFRICA 30 Under 30 list, offers an essential piece of advice: “Start where you are with what you have and embrace new technology quickly. In a rapidly-changing media landscape, early adopters are handsomely rewarded.”

Eugene Mbugua; image supplied

Kenya’s Early Adopter In Showbiz On The Next Big Disruption

Slaughterhouses in the landlocked African nation are up for an upgrade but what, if anything, stands in the way of meat production becoming an effective economic and development tool for the nation. FORBES AFRICA finds out



At Chad’s newest and most modern slaughterhouse, precision is paramount as razor-sharp knives deftly transform cattle and mutton carcasses into premium cuts, from sirloin to ribeye, brisket, tenderloin, shanks, and ribs. Nothing goes to waste: bones succumb to the sharp metal claws of machines and are turned into dust, yielding animal feed, fat is refined into tallow for soap production, and even the skins are saved for consumption. The facility processes approximately 200 cattle and 400 sheep every day.



Dozens of Chadian butchers wearing pristine, white robes, rubber boots, protective glasses and caps, have been working at the site since it opened in February. The abattoir is situated in Moundou, Chad’s second-largest city and its industrial hub, about 400km south of the capital, N’Djamena. 



The XAF20 billion ($32 million) investment by the government stands as the latest addition to the country’s growing arsenal of meat processing infrastructure, aimed at advancing its meat export capabilities. As one of the top three African nations by livestock population, boasting over 120 million heads, Chad wants to industrialize and emerge as a beef export powerhouse.



The country’s second source of income after oil, livestock amounts to about 18% of its GDP and supports nearly 40% of the population and provides a livelihood to more than 70% of the rural population, according to the African Development Bank. Currently, Chad exports 700,000 cattle and small ruminants per year, but most of that is done by herders on foot. 



“The breeding is not necessarily done for consumption in Chad,” says Abderahim Awat Atteib, the country’s minister of livestock and animal production. “It&#8217;s more of an economic and development tool — people rear cattle to sell.” 



With a saturated domestic livestock market, an underdeveloped meat processing sector and a lack of capabilities in exporting, the Chadian government has embarked on a partnership with a company in the private sector, Arise. Together, they are establishing seven special economic zones across the nation to develop its meat processing industry. To accomplish this, an estimated XAF220 billion ($361 million) are needed to be invested by 2035, Jacky Riviere, President of Arise Chad, tells FORBES AFRICA. 



In 2022, the public-private alliance between Arise and the Chadian government gave birth to Laham Tchad, a co-owned company that would coordinate the industrialization. Arise holds a 65% stake and the Chadian government claims 35%. Their shared goal is to enhance meat processing infrastructure, much like the Moundou slaughterhouse, and promote international exports of locally grown and processed meat. Over the next decade, Laham Tchad envisions the opening of approximately five additional slaughterhouses in various regions of the country, according to Amarpreet Sidhu, the company&#8217;s director.



Chad plans to export the meat on an industrial scale to multiple destinations in the Middle East and Africa, both by land and air routes. A land transport has already been made to the Gabonese capital Libreville, and countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of Congo, Nigeria, the Central African Republic, and Cameroon are also poised to receive their first transport by land if agreements are reached.



Meanwhile, Arab countries like Libya, Egypt, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates would receive their shipments via air routes. Egypt and Kuwait are anticipated to receive their first exports in the upcoming year.



Arise has committed to both worker training and the overall development of infrastructure within these economic zones. In parallel, the government will provide land and actively contribute to the industry&#8217;s advancement. For the past five years, Arise has also been working to develop Chad’s cotton industry under a similar agreement.



At the Farcha slaughterhouse in the capital N’Djamena, things aren’t quite the same. Some of the meat processing is done similarly to how it was done in 1958, when the site was opened under French colonial rule. 



Herders then bring their product to be slaughtered for a fee, after which they come to pick it up to sell in the capital’s markets. Although there are about five other small abattoirs in the city, according to the head of the Farcha, they largely adopt a similar artisanal approach, performing most tasks on the ground. 



Laham Tchad, the company co-owned by the government and Arise, will eventually take over Farcha’s operations and modernize it while building another, more modern, slaughterhouse to serve the capital of N’Djamena. 



Despite dissatisfaction with the modernity of the site, Sidhu of Laham Tchad thinks it can be modernized and used while they build a new one. The capacity of Farcha could be instrumental in expanding exports, yet presently, it remains dedicated to the local market.



The public-private partnership aims to generate employment opportunities, with an ambitious target of creating 45,000 jobs through industrialization. For the Moundou slaughterhouse, about 12 regional suppliers of livestock work with Laham Tchad. 



One of them is Maria Muhammad, a 37-year-old woman who tells FORBES AFRICA that the new abattoir has convinced her to breed cattle after previously only selling goats, sheep and other small livestock. The proximity of the site, which is about 100km from her native Doba, makes it easy for her to sell her livestock and expand her business. 



“Before, I was selling just in Chad, now my meat is exported,” says Muhammad.



In the city of Dourbali, about 100km south east of the capital, N’Djamena, another special economic zone is poised to develop. There, a local artisanal tannery has been struggling with its development. 



Souleyman Bello, the president of the tannery in Dourbali, said they are craving industrialization. Operating an artisanal tannery doesn’t sustain salaries, and production costs and more modern machines and chemicals would change the game for them.



“Exporting would also be great but we don’t have the means and it’s hard to find clients abroad,” says Bello. “We need more tools to industrialize the production.”



Riviere of Arise says that tanneries in Dourbali are part of the infrastructure elements Laham Tchad wants to develop.



At the cattle market in Dourbali, Chadian herders also say they would welcome industrialization if it can help them sell their cattle domestically. Currently, the herders have to travel to Nigeria via Cameroon by foot to sell their cattle.



“If we had a slaughterhouse here, we could sell the animals directly to them without traveling,” says Abakar Djabir, the president of the cattle market in Dourbali.



The cost of the trip to Nigeria and the dangers along the routes, where insurgent group, Boko Haram is present and has been involved in cattle raids, make it really difficult for sellers who often find their money and cattle stolen.



“There’s always risks during the export by foot,” Djabir says.



Chad’s security issues around the Lake Chad region, with Boko Haram groups and other jihadist factions a constant threat, as well as its rank as one of the world’s most vulnerable countries to climate change, could pose serious challenges for the government’s plan to industrialize.



“It’s not easy to attract investors but it is the most stable country in the region at the moment,” says Riviere.



Nicole Ndoubayo, the Deputy Director of the Agency for the Administration of Special Economic Zones (AAZES) in Chad, tells FORBES AFRICA: “If we wait for security to stabilize, we’ll never industrialize.” 



She also believes that economic development can present a source of stability, as people will have access to jobs and the region’s infrastructure will be developed alongside its meat industry, which will prevent young people from feeling disenfranchised and lacking in economic opportunities. 



While some welcome industrialization, others are wary of the unintended consequences it could bring. The expansion of industrial zones has presented issues as the aggregation of land can create disputes among local communities. 



In an article published in April with French media  L’Humanité, Job Kidindo, national coordinator of the Alliance of Cooperatives and Mutuals of Chad (ACMT), says that “the problem of monopolization, the orders for the creation of the special economic zones taken in violation of the laws of the republic on land law, the absence of feasibility studies and environmental and social impacts” all present serious threats.



But Ndoubayo says that while “the people don’t own the land” because it’s public, “it’s important to take into account their grievances and what they want to happen around them.”



According to her and Laham Tchad’s Sidhu, a big pushback came from communities where the Moundou slaughterhouse operates, that see the foreign company as a threat. Information initiatives and liaisons between the communities have been established and the government is trying to better inform them about the benefits of industrialization. 



“We saw resistance but once we explained to people that it can benefit them as well, the perception started to shift towards the best,” says Ndoubayo who also stressed that these investments will bring, aside from jobs, access to electricity, water and new infrastructure.



While the country is still hampered by security risks and the impact of climate change, the industrialization of the meat sector is just starting. For cattle suppliers like Muhammad, it is clear that the current situation is “better than before”.



Whether Laham Tchad’s bet will succeed could depend on next year’s presidential elections and the management of some of its domestic challenges. In the end, that may be the deciding factor on whether or not investors take that leap of faith and buy into the Chadian meat market.

Butchers cutting beef in slaughterhouse, wearing hygienic masks

‘Meat’ In The Middle: Can Chad Become A Livestock Exports Powerhouse?

When Kate Kallot turned on her microphone and boldly asserted that artificial intelligence (AI) for climate action should not be confined to the Global North, the room began to shift. Hers was a demonstration of a new form of activism and actionism deeply rooted in the ownership of homegrown solutions, as exemplified by her organization, Amini Corp. With a description of Amini’s mandate to fill data gaps in Africa and incorporate indigenous practices into that data — projecting to enhance cocoa sustainability in Ghana and crop yields in South Africa — Kallot’s speech received a standing ovation. An unapologetic advocate for the emergence of Africa’s women and youth, I chose to interpret this roar of applause as a signal of the broader acceptance that indeed Africa&#8217;s time has come to adjust its seating position from the back of the room to the center of the global decision-making table. Kallot, an exemplar of Africa leveraging innovation to take ownership of its challenges, represented the constituency of African women and youth whose mission to redefine the continent’s narrative on self-help, self-empowerment, and self-elevation was both seen and felt at the COP28 conference in Dubai.



To establish why it was crucial to see and hear Africa&#8217;s women and youth in action at COP28, it’s imperative to establish the stark reality driving their presence. Africa grapples with a perilous triple threat: the relentless impact of climate change, heightened vulnerability, and a distressing lack of preparedness — an uncomfortable truth we must confront. In 2023 alone, devastating floods wreaked havoc in the Libyan port city of Derna, an earthquake struck Morocco, wildfires swept across Algeria, and Cyclone Freddy triggered landslides in Malawi – the epicenter of the disaster – killing thousands. Simultaneously, severe floods caused chaos in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda.



The escalating drought conditions in the Horn of Africa pushed parts of Somalia to the brink of famine, leaving more than 23 million people across the region facing severe hunger, according to the United Nations World Food Programme. As if that wasn&#8217;t devastating enough, when the long-awaited rains arrived in Somalia, they were so intense that livestock, homes, and farmlands were washed away, while schools and health facilities were forced to close their doors. Why is this so distressing? Because countries like Somalia, contributing only 0.03% of total global emissions, are disproportionately affected by climate change. The most vulnerable, especially women and children, bear the brunt of these disasters.



While moderating the High-Level Event on Artificial Intelligence for Climate Action, hosted by the UNFCCC Technology Mechanism in collaboration with the COP28 UAE Presidency, I observed Africa&#8217;s proactive efforts in developing customized approaches to climate action. Instances such as Senegal&#8217;s 2020-2025 strategy, which strives for &#8220;digital for all&#8221; to bridge digital divides, especially for populations most vulnerable to climate change, and GIZ&#8217;s project in Kenya using AI for forest protection and crop yield predictions, showcased the continent&#8217;s commitment to innovation.



As these advancements unfolded on one side of the expansive COP28 landscape, other Africa-focused initiatives, including the African Women Clean Cooking Support Programme (AWCCSP) initiated by the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan, and Kenya&#8217;s African Women Studies Centre (AWSC) dedicated to integrating women into climate action as part of Kenya&#8217;s journey to Gender-responsive climate justice, highlighted the importance of women leading interventions that directly impact their livelihoods.



Perhaps even more exciting was the presence of youth leaders like Ugandan climate change advocate, Vanessa Nakate and Ghanaian Climate Reality Leader, Maxwell Beganim, whose audacious emphasis on the urgent need for sustainable action and their impassioned calls for climate justice reverberated throughout COP28, ensuring that the voices of Africa&#8217;s youth were not only heard but profoundly felt in shaping the collective discourse on climate change and its impact on the continent&#8217;s future.



My celebration of Africa’s women and youth at COP28 does not exist in isolation. It represents the growing hope for an intersectionality between Africa&#8217;s stark reality on climate change, the continent&#8217;s burgeoning surge of solution-providing innovations for climate action, and the collective efforts aimed at addressing and mitigating the profound challenges that the continent faces.

COP28 UNFCCC Climate Conference: Day Eleven

Africa-Focused Initiatives At COP28 Amplifying The Voices Of Women And Youth

Agriculture represents one of Kenya’s largest industries. Over the decades, the mega-sector has shaped and formed to include some of the continent&#8217;s highest export volumes, with major crops making a name for the country in the global market. FORBES AFRICA takes a closer look as the country celebrates its 60th birthday.



Agriculture in Kenya is big business. According to the latest Central Bank data, this national industry is responsible for at least 20% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It’s also a top income earner, accounting for 65% of national export earnings, and employs over 40% of the working population; a majority of which (approximately 70%) lives outside the cities. Additionally, the industry is directly and indirectly responsible for the livelihoods of an estimated 80% of the Kenyan population.



The productivity of this industry is expected to have a major impact on the economic growth of the country. Hence, it has become a cornerstone pillar in President William Ruto’s strategic economic plan known as the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).



Among six pillars, Agriculture cuts across several objectives intended to boost resilience and recovery in the country’s national economy. Among the key directives is a paradigm shift, challenging previous policy approaches in force within the industry.



A focus on entrepreneurship, across the value chain, including at farm-level as well as a move towards unit productivity rather than production marks the shift. Adding to this, agricultural resources, such as land and livestock, are now treated as national assets, elevating these factors of production to crucial levers in prevailing food security and export mandates. Overall, BETA seeks to address major economic challenges including poverty reduction through the creation of employment opportunities, particularly for the country’s large youth population, as well as boosting foreign exchange earnings, among others.



Organizations, in both the public and private sectors as well as civil society, have stepped in to shore up targets. Among them is the Centre for African Bio-Entrepreneurship (CABE), which supports stakeholders across the agricultural value chain in Kenya including farmers and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).



“We do market linkages. We gather market information, share the current state of market, in terms of agricultural produce [and] what is trending [in the marketplace]. This is to create value so that they have a targeted market and whenever they engage in business, it is demand-driven,” explains Lucy Adoyo, who leads Research at CABE’s Nairobi headquarters, to FORBES AFRICA.



MSMEs represent an important layer of the sectoral value chain and within the BETA framework. One of the pillars of the economic agenda, these enterprises are poised to drive job creation and stimulate trade and market activities across the national economy. Within agriculture, they provide a crucial pipeline for the youth population to enter the industry while employing the majority of Kenyans who depend on subsistence farming for both food and finance.



“These are the enterprises that produce the food which we consume in the country. They are the people you’d find in the domestic market and those are the people who even drive the local economy beyond the export [market]. The current discussions we’re having right now are around sustainable food systems coupled with climate action,” adds Adoyo.



These agribusinesses range from specialization to size and focus on direct food production to value addition such as agro-processing. The development of these businesses is a core national objective and a target of the BETA plan.



Last year, Strathmore University Business School, one of the most respected tertiary institutions in the country, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries and the Kenya Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) announced a program to support MSMEs within the industry. The partnership is intended to commercialize sectoral value chains across the country’s major counties; each of them home to a bulk of the farming population in Kenya.



While these businesses form a crucible within Kenyan agriculture, MSMEs in the country remain arrested in development. Barriers to growth such as lack of access to financing and markets are consistent stumbling blocks for entrepreneurs across all sectors as well as inflexible policy environments. The hopes for the BETA interventions frame this context with its promises for improved trading conditions, greater access to funding, and much needed business development support.



The Strathmore Business School program for agricultural MSMEs sharpens its focus on addressing gaps in the industrial value chain; beyond direct business support. Data, for improved policy-making and for tracking sectoral growth and impact, is lacking at both local and international levels. The program launched with an intention to address these challenges.



“There is a need to map out the value chains and integrate them under one platform to inform decision-making and areas of intervention,’’ noted Dr. George Njenga, Programs Manager at the Kenya Small Business Development Centers, during the announcement.



In Kenya, these enterprises currently employ close to 15 million people and hold the key for further job creation within the agricultural industry, particularly for the growing youth population.



“Youth are mobile, youth transition very fast, [they] are also innovative in nature and if we understand those aspects about youth, [then] creating sustainability [in] the businesses they establish and also tracking them to ensure that they are creating employment opportunities for themselves and others; looking at the multiplier effect of the initial seed [investment] is most important to us,” says Adoyo of CABE.



Kenyan youth are becoming prolific players within agriculture than in previous decades thanks to recent policy efforts, namely the national Kenya Youth Agribusiness Strategy that ran from 2018 to 2022. However, like other entrepreneurs in the MSME space, young agri-preneurs face similar challenges to scale such as limited market information, lack of credit, and competition from imported agricultural produce, which is often cheaper and floods the market during peak seasons.



Nevertheless, they remain a crucial demographic for BETA’s interventions, across the board. The country’s young people not only represent major human capital potential at the national level, they are also potential food producers for Kenya&#8217;s local and export markets. However, to keep them in the industry, relevant support systems need to be put in place, explains Adoyo.



“They are looking for livelihoods. If they are unable to sustain themselves, they might even sell their infrastructure and move on to the next thing. Sustainability of initial efforts is what is key in making sure that youth are able to earn meaningful employment or income.”



Like its youth population, agriculture remains one of Kenya’s most vibrant and promising industries. With output set to grow over the coming decades and its current export earning prowess, the industry is poised to drive the country into a new era of development and economic growth – financing the futures and fortunes – of the next generation.

Vegetable farmer

Kenya@60: Driving Agribusiness As A Core Imperative In The East African Country 

As business leaders, climate scientists and global leaders gathered at Expo City Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the 28th edition of the Conference of the Parties (COP) from November 30, the dialogues reflected the dire and drastic changes needed to combat the excesses of climate change – and Africa was at the forefront.



With out-of-control climate conditions, the global community – public and private sector alike – promised to strive together for a more sustainable future. COP28 President Dr Sultan Al Jaber made it clear at the event’s opening plenary speech that “a key success factor across the climate agenda is finance”.



“For too long, finance has not been available, accessible, or affordable. This Presidency is committed to unlocking finance to ensure that the Global South does not have to choose between development and climate actions. Let this be the year that climate finance meets the magnitude of the moment,” he said.



COP28 mobilized over $83 billion in the first five days of the summit, setting the pace for a new era in climate action. On day one of COP28, the Presidency facilitated a historic agreement to operationalize and capitalize funding for Loss and Damage, supporting those on the front lines of the climate crisis with $726 million already pledged to date. The World Bank announced an increase of $9 billion annually for 2024 and 2025 to finance climate-related projects. Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) announced a cumulative increase of over $22.6 billion toward climate action.



South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, also in attendance, echoed the sentiments but with the caution that “Africa is most vulnerable to the effects of a rapidly changing climate and have to adapt to build resilience within the context of historically low levels of development and severely limited capacity”. He applauded ‘the loss and damage fund’ meant to support and assist developing countries vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. A commitment of $100 million was made by the UAE towards the fund, paving the way for other nations to also pledge to the critically important initiative.



Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization, encouraged by the announcement of this commitment, said to CNBC Africa at the forum: “We are seeing a lot more action than we thought. But we need more. We are far away from where we need to be and developing countries need all the support to make the transition.”



Samaila Zubairu, CEO of Africa Finance Corporation, said in an interview with CNBC Africa that African countries should take ownership of their own carbon market value chains, adding that focusing on communities and preserving the forests is the right way as this will help the continent with its carbon credit.



Climate finance does not necessarily mean funding to transition from fossil fuel to clean energy. For some, it means more. For Kenya, it means housing. Home to 1.2 billion people, in Africa, as urbanization gathers momentum, so does the need to build houses in a more sustainable manner.



Nasra Nanda, CEO of the Kenya Green Building Society, made it clear in an interview with CNBC Africa that they are pushing to unlock financing. She said getting governments involved in green infrastructure will lead to creating more jobs especially for the youth. Statistics currently show that nearly 72 million youth in Africa are not in education, employment or training.



“Young people do not even possess the basic technical skills and unless we fix that, we will not be able to upskill them…or give them [what is] needed to participate in the green economy,” said Abigail



Khuluse, Programme Manager for Economic Inclusion at the National Business Initiative in South Africa. “It’s imperative to give focus to the right skills that enable the youth to pivot or upskill to get opportunities within the green economy.” This requires both political and business will to work together to address the skills gap.



Apart from what Africa needs to do to be an active participant in the fight towards carbon neutrality, there is overwhelming pressure that developed countries place on developing nations. Global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fossil fuels are expected to hit a record high in 2023 – as reported by the Global Carbon Budget report, published during the COP28 climate summit. Countries are expected to emit a total of 36.8 billion metric tons of CO2, a 1.1% increase from last year.



South Africa’s Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environmental Affairs, Barbara Creecy did not mince words when she spoke to the press at the summit. “While all countries have the responsibility to transition, responsibility that relates to national circumstances and national capabilities, South Africa fully supports the fact that the European Union (EU) wants to reach carbon neutrality by 2050 – and so they should – because it’s their use of fossil fuels over the last two-hundred years that has created the climate crisis.”



Whichever way one looks at Africa’s approach to climate change, the challenging global environment means fighting for the future of the world’s youngest population will require the continent to take control of its narrative in the climate dialogue.

COP28 In Dubai – UN Climate Conference – Day 7

‘A Lot More Action But We Need More’: Africa Takes Charge Of Its Narrative At COP28 Climate Summit In Dubai

<h3 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center" id="h-adecadeofunder30">#ADecadeofUnder30</h3>



It’s that time of the year when anticipation gives way to excitement as FORBES AFRICA prepares to welcome and honor, yet again, the next cohort of young innovators, influencers and intellectuals taking the continent by storm.



Marking 10 years of the FORBES AFRICA 30 Under 30 list, this edition will also hark back to the journey of unearthing Africa’s youngest and brightest people taking the continent to the future. The 10th annual list will highlight the potential of what is yet to come.



“It has been 10 years of showcasing tomorrow’s titans and billionaires! This list continues to draw great interest from our readers, young and old. And on a continent with the world’s youngest population, it’s more pertinent than ever to unravel these young movers and shakers who will be tomorrow’s global newsmakers,” says Renuka Methil, Managing Editor, FORBES AFRICA.



With thousands of applicants and hundreds of list-makers over the past decade, FORBES AFRICA has shone the spotlight on award-winning musicians, actors, tech trailblazers, business leaders, sports stars and social entrepreneurs, among others, who have gone on to become behemoths in their own right. The list has also evolved in the past decade to look at the new wealth creators from the world of content creation and digital media.


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/instagram-daily-2023-12-04T172738.612-1024x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-60428" style="width:770px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/instagram-daily-2023-12-04T172738.612-1024x1024.png 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/instagram-daily-2023-12-04T172738.612-300x300.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/instagram-daily-2023-12-04T172738.612-150x150.png 150w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/instagram-daily-2023-12-04T172738.612-768x768.png 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/instagram-daily-2023-12-04T172738.612.png 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div>


From names like Tems, Thuso Mbedu, Sho Madjozi and Burna Boy or influencers like Kay Yarms, Mihlali Ndamase and Elsa Majimbo, and let’s not forget business pioneers such as Shamim Nabuuma Kaliisa or Charlot Magayi, it has been a journey of listing stellar achievements. &nbsp;



Now is the time to invite the next 30 visionaries, risk-takers, change-makers and pioneers from Africa to take their place in the class of 2024. This is a list that promises to be our biggest and best yet as we foray our way into the next decade.



Our rigorous nominations process will require extensive paperwork including police clearance certificates (PCC) or a report from your country verifying that you have no criminal record, no ongoing or upcoming court cases and that you are a citizen of that country. The FORBES AFRICA 30 Under 30 team of curators will also need a recommendation/reference letter from a financial institution (like your bank), ensuring that you are a legitimate business/brand employing funds responsibly. We recommend that you contact your financial institution or advisor to prepare for this part of the process as well as apply for your PCC as it could potentially take 4-6 weeks.



Should you wish to nominate someone or yourself, please read the following.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-judging-process-will-take-place-in-four-stages">The judging process will take place in four stages:</h3>



<ul>
<li>The first stage will be the evaluation of your motivation. If you do not hear back from us (within a specific period), please deem your nomination as unsuccessful.</li>



<li>The second stage will require potential candidates to submit further documentation for the next stage of assessment.</li>



<li>The third stage will include an analysis of your financials, revenue model and credibility as in-depth research will be conducted into who you are and your company/team (no criminal records, troubling lawsuits/bankruptcies, allegations of crime, bad behavior, sexual harassment/abuse cases or fraud).</li>



<li>The final stage will have an expert panel of judges assess the strong candidates, whittling them down to the final 30. The editorial and research team makes the final selection based on judges’ scoring/remarks and adjusts for diversity across company type, gender, background, etc.</li>
</ul>



NOMINATIONS AND APPLICATION CRITERIA:&nbsp;



Please read and take careful note of the following before applying.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center" id="h-business-and-technology-categories-nbsp">Business and Technology categories&nbsp;</h3>



<ol start="1" style="list-style-type:1">
<li>Must be an entrepreneur/founder aged 29 or younger as on&nbsp;31&nbsp;March 2024&nbsp;</li>



<li>Should have a legitimate&nbsp;REGISTERED&nbsp;business on the continent&nbsp;</li>



<li>Business/businesses should be two years or older&nbsp;(please ensure you have your audited financial documents for at least two years as well as your company’s registration documents; should you make the second stage, this will be required)&nbsp;</li>



<li>The more innovative the business the better&nbsp;(as it speaks to Africa’s growth story)&nbsp;</li>



<li>Have you/your company created social impact on the African continent?&nbsp;</li>



<li>The company must be profit-generating&nbsp;</li>



<li>Must employ people in Africa&nbsp;</li>



<li>All applications must be in English&nbsp;</li>
</ol>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center" id="h-sports-category">Sports category</h3>



<ol start="1" style="list-style-type:1">
<li>Must be a sports person aged 29 or younger as on 31 March 2024</li>



<li>Must be representing an African team</li>



<li>Should have a proven track-record of no less than two years</li>



<li>Should be making significant earnings</li>



<li>Endorsement deals and/or awards of any kind would be a bonus</li>



<li>Entrepreneurship and social impact are a plus, especially if applying under the Business/Technology category. However, the business must oblige by the same rules as under Business/Technology</li>



<li>All applications must be in English</li>
</ol>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center" id="h-creatives-category-nbsp">Creatives category&nbsp;</h3>



<ol start="1" style="list-style-type:1">
<li>Must be a creative aged 29 or younger as on 31 March 2024&nbsp;</li>



<li>Must be from or based in Africa&nbsp;</li>



<li>Should have significant earnings&nbsp;</li>



<li>Should have a proven creative record of no less than two years&nbsp;</li>



<li>Awards/recognition of any kind should be mentioned&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>



<li>Social media presence will be taken into consideration&nbsp;</li>



<li>Entrepreneurship and social impact are a plus, especially if applying under the Business/Technology category. However, the business must be legitimate, registered and also two years or older&nbsp;</li>



<li>All applications must be in English&nbsp;</li>
</ol>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center" id="h-health-science-category-nbsp">Health/Science category&nbsp;</h3>



<ol start="1" style="list-style-type:1">
<li>Must be a creative aged 29 or younger as on 31 March 2024</li>



<li>Must be from or based in Africa&nbsp;</li>



<li>Should have a proven track-record in the field of health and/or science for no less than two years</li>



<li>Must have social influence and impact&nbsp;</li>



<li>If the nominee is a doctor/professor, please provide us with documentation and a reference letter from the institution where the applicant received a doctorate or Ph.D.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>



<li>Entrepreneurship and social impact are a plus, especially if applying under the Business/Technology category. However, the business must be legitimate, registered, and also two years or older&nbsp;</li>



<li>All applications must be in English</li>
</ol>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/logounder30-blk4-1-1024x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-59683" style="width:302px;height:302px" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/logounder30-blk4-1-1024x1024.png 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/logounder30-blk4-1-300x300.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/logounder30-blk4-1-150x150.png 150w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/logounder30-blk4-1-768x768.png 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/logounder30-blk4-1-1536x1536.png 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/logounder30-blk4-1-2048x2048.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div>


NOMINATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED

under2023_4 (1)

Call For Nominations To FORBES AFRICA’s 10th Milestone 30 Under 30 List: The Class Of 2024

Finance is a crucial change agent in society, government, and technology.



The introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) is fundamentally altering the financial world. AI is a form of technology that confers intelligence on machines. In my 2013 book, Economic Modeling Using Artificial Intelligence Methods, I demonstrated how



AI could forecast economic indicators, predict stock prices in stock exchanges, perform credit scoring in banks, and model complex financial instruments such as options, futures, and derivatives. In our 2017 book, Artificial Intelligence and Economic Theory, Evan Hurwitz and I demonstrate how AI affects how economists think about demand and supply, pricing, and behavioral economics. Utilizing AI’s capabilities, the financial sector is on the verge of massive disruptive changes that present new opportunities and risks. This article examines how AI affects economic systems, specifically the financial sector, markets, and the government.



Using machine learning, predictive analytics, and natural language processing, AI has the potential to revolutionize the way institutions operate. Additionally, AI opens up new avenues for customer service, risk management, and business advice.



For example, AI-powered chatbots and virtual helpers help with customer service around the clock, simplifying user interfaces and making it easier to answer questions quickly.



Consequently, they enhance consumer experience and reduce expenses. For instance, in risk management and credit scoring, AI algorithms can examine enormous amounts of data to identify patterns and assess risk levels. This makes financial services available to a larger population.



In the investment world, robo-advisors have become popular. They use AI’s analytical capabilities to offer cheap, personalized financial advice. Through these changes, AI is making it easier for more people to use financial services and driving the global financial system to be more open to more people.



AI is also changing the way financial markets work. For example, AI has changed how stocks are bought and sold with high-frequency algorithmic trading. AI can analyze vast financial data in milliseconds to identify trends and make trades. This is a substantial improvement over traditional methods making markets move faster, more open and work better. However, increased market speed ushers market stability and systemic risks, requiring protection and strong oversight to avoid these problems.



Regulators worldwide seek to deal with AI’s problems, such as data protection and algorithmic transparency. Accordingly, there should be a balance between encouraging innovation and protecting the financial security and consumer interests in regulations. AI can simplify compliance procedures, monitor



financial transactions in real-time for illicit activities, and predict market glitches, making regulators more proactive.



In the African market, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a trade deal that aims to increase trade significantly within Africa, offers unique opportunities for AI.



The agreement covers a broad range of aspects of Africa’s economy, such as digital trade and the protection of investments. Moreover, the number of countries in the AfCFTA will make it the largest free trade area globally, linking 1.3 billion people in 54 countries with a combined GDP of $3.4 trillion. AI can make the AfCFTA work better and reach its goals.



For example, AI can help improve trade logistics by making delivery systems, customs processes, and tracking and tracing more efficient. It can find the best ways to move goods, predict delays, and give traders real-time information. In addition, AI can analyze trade data to identify patterns, trends, and connections. This can help policymakers make better choices and predict and respond to future trends better.



AI-powered systems can make cross-border e-commerce more efficient, a sector expected to grow under the AfCFTA. AI can create personalized product recommendations and automate customer service. In education and training, AI can help people acquire the skills they need for an African economy that works better together.



However, for AI to achieve the goals of the AfCFTA, it is essential to have good AI governance and regulation. Furthermore, we need to invest in digital infrastructure and education.



In conclusion, AI is vital to changing how the world’s economic system works. It affects financial services, markets, and regulation. AI is ushering in a new age of innovation and efficiency.



However, as AI continues to change how the financial world works, a cautious and thorough approach is needed to make the most of its prospects and manage its risks well. There needs to be strong regulatory frameworks, investments in AI literacy and skills, and a commitment to ethical AI values. These objectives are essential if we want an AI-driven financial future that is both prosperous and sustainable in Africa.

Manager engineer control Innovation of robotics  automation robot ai Business data analytics process management

How Artificial Intelligence Affects The Financial Sector In Africa

For many, the reality of raising a family is an arduous journey – and often a silent one. In recent years, there has been remarkable progress in the field of reproductive technologies. These technologies include medical procedures used primarily to address infertility. In fact, the global assisted reproductive technology market size was valued at $28.2 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach $42.5 billion by 2030, according to a research report published by Spherical Insights &amp; Consulting.



In the African context, research suggests that our constantly and rapidly changing lifestyle is fundamentally impacting fertility. Fertility has emerged as a medico- sociocultural problem. The continent also has a higher prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STI), and postpartum and postabortion infections, which contribute to both male and female infertility.



In fact, a 2019 study conducted by Ombelet and Onofre found that infertility had a higher prevalence in low-resource countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. At the time, it was estimated that more than 180 million couples were impacted by infertility in the region. As the authors concluded: “The magnitude of childlessness in African countries has dimensions beyond its prevalence.” At its core, infertility is a human rights issue that demands attention.



In the 21st century, what are the ethical implications of reframing our creation of humans? As we venture into our own ‘brave new world’, we must do so with a framework in place. We find ourselves in the midst of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR), defined by great disruption to technology, industries, and society, which calls for changes to policy and our approaches.



There are two broad factors to consider in this shift: how do we safeguard core legal values – such as equal treatment under the law, procedural fairness, and due process and adequate access to justice for all, for instance – and how do we adapt to these broad societal changes? There are also key concerns in our own context. Infertility in Africa is impacted by epidemiological barriers as there is a lack of data informing the burden of infertility, the need for reproductive technologies and even access. Moreover, inequalities are starkly presented in conversations around access both from a geographical standpoint and a financial perspective.



Ombelet and Onofre’s study found that “more than 98% of the continent cannot afford In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) because it is either too expensive or because of a lack of IVF centers”.



In 2018, Botha et al. found that ‘inaccess’ was driven by the confluence of widespread poverty, inadequate government or insurance support, insufficient resource allocation for capacity building, and the absence of facilities. There are also challenges in the cultural, religious, and societal perception of both infertility and its treatment, which are pervasive in many parts of Africa. In some cases, this is largely the impact of limited knowledge of the public, patients, and even healthcare providers. This is coupled with restrictive health policies, which have to be challenged.



What is required is a comprehensive and culturally sensitive approach that takes into account the socioeconomic context.



Some solutions include raising awareness and education about available treatments and the benefits and risks; addressing cultural and religious beliefs around the technology and encouraging open dialogue; making artificial reproductive technologies more affordable on the continent through reducing 



costs; comprehensive healthcare coverage and public-private partnerships; and increasing research capabilities and data collection in this field to allow for infrastructure development.



Additionally, as other technologies of the 4IR have demonstrated, we need sound ethical frameworks. This will be the basis for our approach to regulation. This will require the legal fraternity to keep up with developments in the space and respond accordingly. While there are broad ethical frameworks in place, it is imperative that we get more specific as these technologies shift from theory to practice. Researchers Pepper and Slabbert state: “Legislation in its broadest sense should be seen as a permanent work- in-progress requiring ongoing review.” 



This is how we continue to break barriers and explore the unknown ethically. Legislation is largely reactive. In the 4IR, however, there is an increasing argument for a proactive approach.



What is apparent is that as these technologies increasingly emerge, society needs to respond accordingly. If we have any hope of ensuring greater access and acceptance, then we must ensure that we are adapting to this shifting context. As the biologist and author of Daedalus, JBS Haldane, once poignantly wrote, “We can foretell little of the future save that the thing that has not been is the thing that shall be.”

doctor analysing cell samples in a clinical fertility laboratory

The Ethics And Legality Of Artificial Reproductive Technology In An African Context

I attended the US-Africa Business Summit in July in Botswana, a country I have lived in in my youth, as a bachelor and then as a parent to boot.



The kids were born in the country’s new and first private hospital, GPH, efficient and chic, way back in the 1990s.



The conference center is equally so today – sparkling, purpose-driven, punctuated by smart cops along the brand-new roads leading there. A hallmark of Botswana. No wastage. Elegantly done at just the right time.



I left Botswana 25 years ago and have traveled the globe a bit. A journey that made me understand geopolitics and see its hypocrisies. Yet, this Kalahari country of my youth quietly got so many things right: control over its primary resources, universal free health, education, buffering cattle farmers from market volatilities, infrastructure, institution building, respect for the law, clean elections, conservatism, and a policy-driven government staying true to its manifesto.



A case study on getting things done.



Yet, many of my old friends, prosperous and welcomed as they have been in their adopted country, remain critical.



I dare say I left them unmoved. Familiarity breeds contempt?



But if the country still had many flaws, diamonds too need imperfections to shine.



The weather that week was the quintessential Kalahari winter I had long forgotten. Cold and crisp in the shade and warm in the sun, dry in its core but embracing in its reach; epitomizing the Motswana spirit.



‘What you see is what you get.’ A GDP (Purchasing Power Parity) per capita of about $20,000, Africa’s best credit rating, and a literacy rate of about 90%. The country has shown what planning and execution can achieve in only five decades.



I have a special bond with it.



1966 is my birth year and the year of Botswana’s independence.



At that time, one of the poorest – with a GDP per capita of about $70 per year – landlocked and two-thirds desert, it has transformed itself from being hopeless to a developed country today.



The country’s tale of self-rule is intertwined with that of white supremacy to prevent a marriage between an African chieftain destined to be the first President and his white British fiancée. They overcame it against all odds while maintaining peace with an unapologetic British government and an apartheid neighbor, South Africa.



It is a story of love and self-belief.



And above all, supreme diplomacy from a rustic but wise nation to forge a modern nation. Indeed, a testament to the rural fabric of fortitude and patience.



If indeed a country’s future lies in its history, this country’s common sense is its foundation.



While there, my evenings were laced with nostalgic dinners. Soaked in old stories, revealed, regaled, and rekindled.



Touchingly, those lovely people of Gaborone, the country’s capital, served up my favorite cravings and my special indulgences. Bonded with love and tied with memories.



Humane but often elusive. Serene indeed to see people from yesteryears making time for you. The President is an imposing figure with conviction; he’s articulate and clearly visualizes a thriving, peaceful Botswana.



And indeed, he is so comfortable as an African thought leader.



I recalled the days of a ‘quiet’ Botswana.



Now, their charismatic leader espouses African collaboration, instilling hope, and embracing the wisdom that deliverance for Africa must come from ‘us, the people’.



He reiterates the enormous possibilities, the need to share knowledge within Africa and the necessity of collective bargaining.



The miracle that the continent survives despite the incessant barrage of exogenous influences should embolden us for greater things, not derail us.



I bow to Botswana, the cradle to my young impressionable days where the seeds of inspiration were sown in me.



I learned the joys of networking, collaborating, and understanding different cultures in this little unheralded town.



I learned humility was a tool, humanity a constant and hubris a disease. For prosperity, peace, and progress. In a continent of discontent, Botswana is that beacon of hope and tranquility. May it drive the destiny of Africa. A harbinger of greatness and a poster boy of solidity in the maligned and exploited continent of Africa. Thank you, Botswana, as you seek your rightful place among the great nations of this world.

Gaborone, South East, Botswana 27 April 2017 aerial panorama of  Main Mall

A Homecoming: To The Beacon Of Hope And Tranquility

Traveling for work these days is not as simple as booking a flight, packing a suitcase and heading for the nearest airport lounge.



With the price of airline tickets sky-rocketing and the cost of hotel rooms in the stratosphere, companies are encouraging employees to get better bang for their travel buck.



To cut costs, bosses suggest cramming more meetings into the time away, driving to destinations instead of flying and – yes, you guessed it – sharing a hotel room with a colleague.



Many bosses have tried to dress up shared accommodation arrangements by telling employees that cohabitating is the perfect opportunity to build camaraderie and team work.



Some have been more direct and told staff that room shares might prevent a reduction in head count if they are forced to tighten their belts down the line.



Others have told staff it is not unlawful to ask colleagues to share rooms and recommended that they go with the flow and “buddy up” to save their company dollars.



But just because employees can share a hotel room does not mean they should.



Sharing with a colleague can be bad under any circumstance let alone if you are feeling unwell, experiencing “gassy” conditions, are prone to allergies or experience congestion during the evening.



And it can be uncomfortable to share a room with an early riser when you are a night owl or when you are forced to endure your colleague’s snoring or realize your roommate is a sleep walker.



Besides, being forced to witness your colleague in a towel or their sleepwear, share their soap when you shower and navigate their toiletries in the bathroom all go way beyond the call of duty.



It is important in the modern workplace that we get to know our colleagues though we only want to learn about work- appropriate aspects, not their more intimate or private sides.



Sharing rooms erodes the professional boundaries that we spend considerable time establishing.



You will not view your colleague Anna the same way if you become aware that she downs three shots of vodka each evening to help her to sleep. You will probably have a different view of Alan if you have been forced to listen to his raunchy sleep talking. And you will most likely have an alternative view of Alice after witnessing her 10-step bedtime regime, which includes two hours of reading before retiring but leaving a light on throughout the night.



If that is not enough to seal the case against sharing a hotel room with a workmate, there is more to consider.



Some people have medical conditions they would prefer not to disclose or be forced to manage in front of colleagues.



And of course the risk of sexual harassment is very real when unwanted advances take place behind closed doors in a shared hotel room.



Some employees will get around the problem of shared hotel rooms by paying for their own single room. Yet paying out of their own pockets is neither a reasonable nor fair solution to this escalating dilemma.



What is needed is for more workers to push back and make the point work travel is draining and that it is important to be well-rested to be effective in their line of work.



The more workers oppose shared accommodation arrangements then the greater the chance that employers will listen.



There is also the prospects of employers reducing costs by using cheaper hotel chains, making greater use of day trips without overnight stays and organizing virtual meetings as an alternative to travel.



But if the boss does require room-sharing, secure your employer’s assurance they will cover the expense of booking a separate room if your roommate’s behavior affects your ability to get a good night’s sleep.



Employees who travel for business to benefit their employer should be treated with the respect and regard they deserve.



This includes privacy and safety, a place for downtime away from colleagues and the opportunity to relax without having to worry about the views, emotions, routines and rituals of their colleagues.



Forcing employees to get to know each other in such an intimate way is not appropriate and can end up diminishing or destroying otherwise good working relationships between individuals.



To put this matter to bed once and for all, companies must refrain from asking employees to share rooms when traveling for work.



The risks will always outweigh the savings.

Interior of hotel room with twin beds

Sharing Rooms On Work Travels: The Good, Bad And Ugly

The African Cup of Nations (AFCON), the continent’s most important international men’s association football competition, is less than two months away. FORBES AFRICA offers some insight into what one can expect in the build-up to this much-anticipated exhibition.



Few times, if ever, has the favorite going into an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament emerged after a month of intense action hoisting aloft the trophy.



But two years ago, at the last edition in Cameroon, Senegal were certainly a sentimental favorite because they had come so close on several previous occasions but never won, and so when they emerged as victors, it was to many neutrals’ delight.



As reigning African champions, that will make them among the fancied sides this time round, which if historic precedence is followed, will not be welcome.



No team since Egypt in 2008 has been able to hold on to the African crown and Ghana and Cameroon are the only other countries able to retain their title.



The 34th edition Cup of Nations will kick off on January 13 and is being hosted in the Côte d&#8217;Ivoire – a second time for the West African country after the 1984 finals.



Then it was an eight-team tournament, completed in the space of 14 days, but Africa’s continental championship is much evolved. This time round, the Ivorians host 24 teams at six different stadia, four of them newly built for the tournament, which will have a bevy of top stars on display, with the ever-increasing number of African players now featuring in the top leagues in Europe.



Their clubs are not happy they will be absent for up to a month but FIFA rules dictate national teams enjoy preference on the players’ service over clubs when a continental championship, like AFCON, is hosted. Ideally, the players should not have to suffer the tug of club versus country.



But this tournament was moved back six months because of concerns over the rainy season in the region and is now being hosted slap bang in the middle of the league season to the chagrin of the clubs who now lose the services of their best African players.



The concerns over the weather should have been raised when the Ivorians first bid to host the finals but are genuine and have already caused much consternation long before a ball has even been kicked.



The newly-built showpiece Stade Olympique d&#8217;Ebimpé in Abidjan, where the final is due to be played on February 11, turned into a paddling pool in September when the Ivory Coast played Mali in a friendly and the heavens opened. There was no proper drainage and eventually the game had to be called off to the embarrassment of the Ivorians.



There were pitch problem at the last Cup of Nations in Cameroon too, to the consternation of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), and they can ill afford a repeat this time, seeking to assure that the playing surfaces are of a quality that ensures a good footballing spectacle. French experts have been called in to make sure all the pitches are ready for carpet football once the event gets underway.



If all conditions do turn out to be top class, it is tournament that has the potential to be a top quality event, given the strength and depth of the protagonists.



Of the 24 participating nations, half have won the tournament previously. This time there are no newcomers but some tricky minnows with a proven pedigree for creating carnage. Equatorial Guinea and the Gambia, for example, were giant killers at the last finals and return again with the ability to upset the established pecking order.



Hosts Côte d&#8217;Ivoire, who have won twice before in 1992 and 2015, have a talented squad but are a little short of tournament temperament. They will look to the former England international Wilfred Zaha to lead their hopes and he certainly has the x-factor to lead them to the winners’ podium.



Morocco, on the back of their heroic exploits at the 2022 World Cup, will be the most fancied side but teams from Arabic-speaking North Africa have a long history of struggling when AFCON is hosted south of the Sahara.



Egypt did win in Burkina Faso in 1998 and again in Ghana 10 years thereafter, but Morocco have pointedly failed time and again in the continental championship, particularly when they have been hailed as pre-competition favorites.



Perhaps this will be their time given the confidence they collected in Qatar, where the 2022 World Cup took place, when they became the first African, and Arab, nation to reach the semi-final.



Algeria will have a heavyweight selection of French-born players from the massive Diaspora that they have across the Mediterranean, while Egypt are ever dangerous, particularly if Mohamed Salah is on song. Egypt lost narrowly in the last Cup of Nations finals to Senegal on post-match penalties.



It has been a decade since Nigeria last won the competition but this could be their opportunity again with a squad brimful of attacking talent. It is led by the striker Victor Osimhen, who finished top scorer in Italy last season where he helped Napoli to win the league.



Often times, however, the players’ ambition is let down by the foibles of their administrators, whose incompetence might make things tough for Nigeria to realize its massive potential.



The tournament is being played in Abidjan (two stadiums), Bouake, Korhogo, San Pedro and Yamoussoukro with all but two of the venues built specifically for the tournament.

South Africa v Morocco – Africa Cup of Nations

The Pride Of African Football: A Look Ahead

A vision to enhance Nigeria&#8217;s power landscape and facilitate a transition to a more sustainable energy mix.



In a strategic move in Abuja, Nigeria&#8217;s federal capital territory (FCT), the minister of power, Bayo Adelabu, held a meeting with Sun Africa LLC, a US-based renewable energy solutions provider. &#8220;Together, we solidified a collaboration to enhance Nigeria&#8217;s power landscape,&#8221; he affirmed. The collaboration aims to deliver 961 megawatts peak (MWp) of solar photovoltaic (PV) generation infrastructure and 455 megawatt-hours (MWh) of battery energy storage systems, amounting to a $2.2 billion investment.



Adelabu disclosed this while sharing the vision during his visit to Cotonou, Benin Republic. &#8220;I had the honor of representing Mr President [Bola Tinubu] at the commissioning of the West African Power Pool&#8217;s (WAPP) Communication and Coordination Center,&#8221; he posted via his X account on November 19.



This initiative by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) promises &#8220;seamless power transmission and market-driven energy trading across the West African sub-region.&#8221;



Excitement resonated in the minister&#8217;s words as he shared his anticipation of the positive impact of the solar PV generation infrastructure on Nigeria. &#8220;This collaboration is a crucial step in transitioning to a more sustainable power mix, vital for economic growth and environmental responsibility,&#8221; he emphasized. The commitment from Sun Africa aligns with his power sector transformation roadmap, focusing on distributed power leveraging renewable energy.



This is coming on the heels of the visit of the president of the World Bank, Ajay Banga, where he co-convened a private sector roundtable with discussions held on the crucial role electricity plays in the country&#8217;s economic development. The World Bank notes that 85 million Nigerians lack access to electricity, and if left unaddressed, this figure is expected to rise to 94 million by 2030.



The financial backing for this ambitious venture is equally robust. &#8220;Financing partners ING Bank and Citi, backed by the US Export-Import Bank (US-EXIM Bank), actively support this venture, committing up to $10 billion over the years,&#8221; revealed the minister.



This support, according to Adelabu, not only ensures the success of the initial phase but also lays the foundation for future developments. Collaborating with Sterling and Wilson Renewable Energy Limited as the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) partner further solidifies the project&#8217;s strategic execution.



He expressed gratitude to all stakeholders involved, recognizing this collaborative effort as a milestone in advancing sustainable and reliable energy solutions for Nigeria. &#8220;Together, we forge a path towards a brighter, greener, and more energy-efficient Nigeria,&#8221; he concluded.

Laptop, farm and engineer team together at night for renewable energy, power and wind turbine. Electrician or technician man and woman in nature for electricity, eco and green environment maintenance

Author: Forbes Africa

FORBES AFRICA SOCIAL MEDIA