From conscious consumerism to empowering South African women with knowledge and skills–this is the impact that every rand has at AMAZI, the social impact organization.



The theme for International Women’s Day 2023 is all about embracing equity and why equal opportunities are not enough. This theme is important in light of the ongoing gender inequality that women face worldwide. Despite significant progress, marginalized women of colour still face numerous barriers to equality and equity, including unequal pay, limited access to education and healthcare, and gender-based violence and discrimination.



Africa has the ability to create change in achieving gender equality by reimagining how businesses are built. AMAZI is a social impact brand and ecosystem created by women, for women, that works to empower economically excluded women in South Africa. Founded by Divya Vasant and Lisa Mgcotyelwa in 2018, these two social entrepreneurs have been innovating around the idea of bringing social justice through a commercial framework. Since AMAZI’s infancy, the company&#8217;s core mission has always been to educate women of colour in South Africa and even as the ecosystem grows, the core mission remains. This is what embracing equity looks like to us.



AMAZI’s mission is to achieve economic inclusion for women of colour that need a hand up coming from previously disadvantaged backgrounds. Economic inclusion can have such a massive impact on the lives of women that were previously economically excluded as it gives them tremendous freedom. Freedom from spaces that no longer serve them, and freedom from people that no longer serve them. It gives women the ability to not only uplift themselves but their children, families and communities at large. Economic inclusion for AMAZI means giving women the education that they need to join the workforce in South Africa or start their own micro businesses to begin earning. This is vital in a country where youth between the ages of 25-35 in South Africa are unemployed.


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/9-AMAZI-DEC-1-1024x684.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-58409" width="480" height="321" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/9-AMAZI-DEC-1-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/9-AMAZI-DEC-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/9-AMAZI-DEC-1-768x513.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/9-AMAZI-DEC-1-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/9-AMAZI-DEC-1-2048x1367.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px" /></figure></div>


AMAZI’s goal is to impact the lives of 2000 women by 2025. This year alone, 4255 women have been trained in soft skills through AMAZI. 132 Women have been technically trained in the AMAZI Academy, while 123 women were economically active in 2022. AMAZI has also aligned itself with the Sustainable Development Goals, working towards Gender Equality, Economic Growth and Decent Work for Young



Women. This is achieved through creating innovations within the AMAZI ecosystem that strive to address the SDGs.



At the core of the AMAZI ecosystem is the AMAZI Academy, where women go through the program to become technically trained to be nail technicians in the beauty industry. The program consists of soft skills, hard skills as well as mentoring and coaching. In 2023, AMAZI’s goal is to educate 300 women with vocational skills. We are on a mission to empower more women, not only by educating them but also by employing them after they graduate from the Academy. The qualified technicians go through an internship at the AMAZI Beauty Bars and then have the opportunity to start working at the stores.



AMAZI’s newest partnership with Woolworths enabled the brand to open up 13 Beauty Bars within Woolworths stores across the country thus far, with more to come. This has truly created impact for women by allowing AMAZI to employ 100 women in the stores, further creating work opportunities. This



partnership has allowed the brand to have a significant impact on the lives of women in our ecosystem that might have been part of the 35% unemployment rate. Consumers can walk in or book online for a quick on-the-go self-care moment while grabbing their groceries during their lunch break or on their way home from work. AMAZI essentially wanted to bring self-care services to where customers already are, and offer quality services while creating an impact. The AMAZI Beauty Bars offer nail on-the-go treatments, including express manicure-pedicures and facial threading.



Something that was mentioned in one of the panels at the Forbes Leading Women Summit was the importance of Africa offering excellence and using African ingredients to do so. The AMAZI Beauty skincare range is just that. AMAZI Beauty is our natural skincare range that is produced locally in South Africa using African-sourced active ingredients that work in harmony with your skin&#8217;s natural intelligence. The African-sourced active ingredients support your skin&#8217;s innate processes with 100% nutrient-rich actives like Moringa, Kalahari Melonseed, and Rooibos. When it comes to packaging, the products have been bottled sustainably in amber glass bottles to preserve the product.



AMAZI Beauty and the Beauty Bars, all contribute to the ethos of AMAZI which is our ‘Rands &amp; Change’ philosophy. The impact framework that we use is simple; our customers become part of the impact ecosystem, as anyone that chooses to indulge in their self-care with AMAZI creates impact for marginalized women in South Africa. When an AMAZI Beauty product is purchased or a treatment is booked at the AMAZI Beauty Bars, every rand invested by our customers unlocks more funds and the total goes back into the AMAZI Academy to empower women through education.



Conscious consumerism is something that lives within the AMAZI ecosystem as it impacts the business&#8217;s decisions from the perspective of suppliers, the products that we use at the company as well as the ingredients that we use in the products that we sell. Conscious consumerism is a movement of individuals who are mindful of the impact that their purchasing decisions have on society and the environment. Not only are our customers conscious consumers, but they are also impact investors, as AMAZI aims to empower their customers to understand how much impact their rands can have over time when investing in organizations like AMAZI that are creating much-needed change in a country that needs to empower their women.



AMAZI shows the impact that Africa can have as a continent to enable women to join the working force, become economically included and be empowered to have the freedom of choice. AMAZI is working towards gender equality by offering women the opportunity to learn and earn where consumers play a big role in making this possible. Conscious consumerism is at the heart of choosing local, women-owned and led brands like AMAZI, so let’s collectively create change for women globally.



Visit the <a href="https://amazishetribe.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AMAZI website</a> to learn more about the brand or shop AMAZI Beauty online and receive 15% off using the discount code #FORBES15%. Stop by the AMAZI Beauty Bars at a Woolworths near you to indulge in a treatment while you invest in the future of another woman.

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Breaking Barriers: South African Women Empowered to Achieve Economic Inclusion

Are you someone who loves to travel and explore new destinations around the world? If so, you&#8217;re going to want to learn more about the Radisson Rewards, which unlocks a range of benefits for members when they stay at hotels within the Radisson Hotel Group. With Radisson Rewards, you can take advantage of exclusive upgrades, earn points for every stay, and gain access to a range of unique experiences that will take your travels to the next level.&nbsp;



What makes the Radisson Rewards so accessible to all guests is that it&#8217;s incredibly easy to sign up to. All you need to do is visit the Radisson Rewards website and complete a simple registration form. Once you&#8217;re registered, you&#8217;ll immediately begin earning points for every eligible stay at a Radisson Hotel Group property. The more you stay, the more points you&#8217;ll earn, and the more rewards you&#8217;ll be able to access. 


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Vivace-Restaurant-4-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-58373" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Vivace-Restaurant-4-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Vivace-Restaurant-4-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Vivace-Restaurant-4-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Vivace-Restaurant-4-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Vivace-Restaurant-4-1.jpg 1800w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div>


Once you’re a Radisson Rewards member you can expect the following:&nbsp;&nbsp;



<ul>
<li>Upgrades: Depending on your membership level, you may be able to enjoy complimentary room upgrades or even access to the hotel&#8217;s executive lounge, where you can enjoy free drinks, snacks, and other exclusive amenities. &nbsp;</li>



<li>Points: Every time you stay at a Radisson Hotel Group property, you&#8217;ll earn points that can be redeemed for future stays, dining experiences, and more. Plus, as you earn more points, you&#8217;ll move up through the membership levels and gain access to even more exclusive benefits. &nbsp;</li>



<li>Unique Experiences: As a Radisson Rewards member, you may be able to access a range of unique experiences that aren&#8217;t available to non-rewards members. For example, you might be able to book a private tour of a local attraction or enjoy a special dinner prepared by a world-renowned chef. &nbsp;</li>
</ul>



One of the standout properties within the Radisson Hotel Group is the Radisson Blu Hotel Sandton, located in the heart of Johannesburg. This stunning hotel is the perfect base for exploring all that this vibrant city has to offer, from its bustling markets to its world-class restaurants and bars.&nbsp;



According to Danie Smit, the General Manager of the Radisson Blu Hotel Sandton, &#8220;We are proud to be part of the Radisson Hotel Group and to offer our guests the opportunity to be part of Radisson Rewards. We’ve seen our guests maximise their stays through the programme. Whether you&#8217;re visiting Johannesburg for business or leisure, we look forward to welcoming you to our hotel and helping you make the most of your stay.&#8221; 


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="alignleft size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/RB_Sandton_Exterior_4-Copy-1-858x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-58374" width="400" height="477" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/RB_Sandton_Exterior_4-Copy-1-858x1024.jpg 858w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/RB_Sandton_Exterior_4-Copy-1-251x300.jpg 251w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/RB_Sandton_Exterior_4-Copy-1-768x917.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/RB_Sandton_Exterior_4-Copy-1-1287x1536.jpg 1287w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/RB_Sandton_Exterior_4-Copy-1-1716x2048.jpg 1716w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></figure></div>


If you&#8217;re ready to take your travels to the next level, then it&#8217;s time to sign up for Radisson Rewards. With exclusive benefits, unique experiences, and a range of amazing properties to choose from, you&#8217;ll be able to create unforgettable memories on every trip. Why wait? Head over to the Radisson Rewards website today and start your journey towards unlocking a world of rewards.&nbsp;



Links to Radisson Rewards:&nbsp;



<ul>
<li>Radisson Rewards Homepage: <a href="https://www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/rewards/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/rewards/</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>



Sign Up Page: <a href="https://www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/radisson-rewards/join?originPropertyId=GBLHRHTR" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/radisson-rewards/join?originPropertyId=ZAJNBSA2</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;



End.&nbsp;



For more information contact:&nbsp;&nbsp;



Meagan Manners&nbsp;



PR Manager&nbsp;



Email: <a href="mailto:meagan@mm-media.net" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">meagan@mm-media.net</a>&nbsp;



Tel: 076 381 9487&nbsp;&nbsp;



***&nbsp;



ABOUT RADISSON HOTEL GROUP&nbsp;



Radisson Hotel Group™ is one of the world&#8217;s largest hotel groups with eight distinctive hotel brands, and more than 1,400 hotels in operation and under development around the world. The Radisson Hotel Group portfolio includes Radisson Collection™, Radisson Blu®, Radisson®, Radisson RED®, Park Plaza®, Park Inn® by Radisson, Country Inn &amp; Suites® by Radisson and prizeotel. &nbsp;



Radisson Rewards™ is a global rewards program that delivers unique and personalized ways to create memorable moments that matter to our guests. Radisson Rewards offer exceptional loyalty benefits for our guests, meeting planners, travel agents and business partners.&nbsp;&nbsp;



Radisson Meetings place people at the heart of everything we do and treat every meeting or event as more than just a date in the calendar. Designed around three key commitments – Personal, Professional and Memorable – delivered through bespoke services, Radisson Meetings create successful and unique experiences for our guests.&nbsp;&nbsp;



More than 95,000 team members work globally for the Radisson Hotel Group and at the hotels licensed to operate in its systems.&nbsp;



For more information, visit:&nbsp;&nbsp;



<a href="http://www.radissonhospitalityab.com/media/news-releases" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">www.radissonhospitalityab.com/media/news-releases</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



<a href="http://www.radissonhotelgroup.com/media" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">www.radissonhotelgroup.com/media</a>&nbsp;



Or connect with us on:&nbsp;&nbsp;



LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/radisson-hotel-group/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.linkedin.com/company/radisson-hotel-group/</a>&nbsp;



Instagram (Employees): <a href="https://www.instagram.com/radissonmoments/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.instagram.com/radissonmoments/</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;



Instagram (Hotels): <a href="https://www.instagram.com/radissonhotels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.instagram.com/radissonhotels/</a>&nbsp;



Twitter (Corporate): <a href="https://twitter.com/RadissonGroup" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://twitter.com/radissongroup</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;



Twitter (Hotels): <a href="https://twitter.com/radissonhotels" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://twitter.com/radissonhotels</a>&nbsp;



Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/radissonhotels" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.facebook.com/radissonhotels</a>&nbsp;



YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/radissonhotelgroup" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.youtube.com/radissonhotelgroup</a>&nbsp;

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How to Maximize Your Hotel Stay In Johannesburg With This Programme 

Africa is a place like no other, and its economy has its own unique characteristics. It’s a continent of massive opportunity, but that comes with a unique set of challenges – especially when it comes to financial inclusion.



This is true for South Africa too, a country with a large informal sector, estimated at 3.3 million micro and informal businesses. These enterprises accommodate, involve, serve and benefit marginalized communities, such as women, youth and the previously disadvantaged, many of whom fall outside of formal financial structures.



Recently Mastercard pioneered and commissioned a piece of research titled Driving Financial Inclusion In South Africa’s Informal Economy: The Landscape At The Bottom Of The Pyramid, in order to study the attitudes and behaviours of both consumers and micro businesses in the informal economy. Because only when we have the necessary data and insights on informal markets, can we hope to create relevant and effective financial solutions. Particularly because, the informal sector is where financial inclusion efforts can make the biggest impact.



To establish factors that would democratize and widen financial access and enable equitable financial inclusion, the study looked at the ‘bottom of the pyramid’, where consumers and SMMEs primarily use cash when making or receiving payments. These entrepreneurs either do not use bank accounts, have bank accounts that are inactive, or have access to facilities such as credit and digital banking, but choose not to make use of them. As a result, many continue to be marginalised and financially excluded from the growth happening in the digital economy.



<a href="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Final-Mastercard-White-Paper-2023-1.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Download full report here</a>



<div class="wp-block-file"><object class="wp-block-file__embed" data="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Final-Mastercard-White-Paper-2023-1.pdf" type="application/pdf" style="width:100%;height:600px" aria-label="Embed of Final-Mastercard-White-Paper-2023-1."></object><a id="wp-block-file--media-e61e01a2-4b67-40ea-8e95-a81782827e06" href="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Final-Mastercard-White-Paper-2023-1.pdf">Final-Mastercard-White-Paper-2023-1</a><a href="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Final-Mastercard-White-Paper-2023-1.pdf" class="wp-block-file__button wp-element-button" download aria-describedby="wp-block-file--media-e61e01a2-4b67-40ea-8e95-a81782827e06">Download</a></div>



The study showed signs of a movement to switch away from cash: nearly two-thirds of those surveyed (65%) claimed they are likely to start paying with something other than cash in the year ahead. A large part of this willingness is underpinned by a desire for increased security, but the one-year study also highlights that the convenience of non-cash payment methods is growing in importance: originally 48% of informal sector consumer respondents cited the convenience of using cards, a figure that grew to 60% a year later. By contrast, the perceived convenience of cash dropped from 51% to 34%, and there was a 9-point drop in the use of cash “out of habit”, along with fewer concerns related to the hidden costs of bank cards.



However, the study indicated that SMMEs are not quite ready to serve this growing appetite for non-cash transactions. Despite high awareness of banking, the study actually showed a decline in respondents’ ownership of a traditional bank account. By the end of 2022, only 25% had a business bank account. All the surveyed SMMEs offered cash options to customers, with only 2% offering a card machine or tap-on-phone, and 1% offering contactless QR codes – their reasoning being that non-cash payment options are too difficult to use, and data costs are too high.



Currently this disconnect is a challenge, but in future, this is also a great opportunity for everyone. Clearly, there is a need to develop simple, affordable, easily understood fintech solutions that can displace cash and unlock wider inclusion for everyone involved in a transaction. Regardless of size, turnover, headcount, or customer segments, convenient digital solutions underpinned by secure technology level the playing field for entrepreneurs and ensure that disadvantaged communities can participate meaningfully in the economy.



We must think of customer-centric designs and solutions that are market-specific, in a language relevant to those using it. Clearly defining usefulness is imperative. Consumers need to understand the value of digital



payment options, and this in turn can help to drive large-scale adoption. We must also continue financial literacy initiatives and remain focused on interoperable infrastructure.



As a business, Mastercard has the technology, reach and expertise to provide communities with tools that can connect them to opportunities in the digital economy. However, we cannot do it alone. Collaboration and co-creation are critical. Partnerships with fintech companies, governments, banks and telcos are key to achieve scale, adoption and affordability.



When people have access to financial services, they are more likely to start and grow businesses, invest in education and health, and save for the future. The knock-on effect is a reduction in poverty and inequality, and an increase in economic growth.



Developing, incubating, and scaling locally relevant digital solutions is a vital step not only in growing financial inclusion, therefore, but lifting South Africa’s citizens out of poverty, and building a thriving country and economy.

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Financial inclusion key to growing South Africa’s economy

The global fragrance market is projected to grow to over $50 billion in 2025 (Statista.com). This, however, was not the reason Thamani Thothe decided to venture into the fragrance industry. For her, it was a mixture of genetics and the simple love of perfumes.



“Entrepreneurship runs in my blood. My parents are both successful entrepreneurs and it was only a matter of time until I found my path into the business world,” she says.



Thothe is the Founder and Creative Director of White Label Fragrances, a cosmetics company born in Botswana out of sheer love for perfumes and the beauty industry. Thothe was on vacation when she walked into a fragrance shop and the thought of opening her own came to her. She started the company while working for an insurance company and for a while didn’t leave her comfortable job but rather decided to strategically lean on it to reach her entrepreneurship goals. She decided to take what she learned from her corporate job and implement it into her new business.



It is interesting to note that, instead of quickly jumping into the new world of self-employment, Thamani took the very rare approach of setting up her business structures and ensuring that the business was capable of running on its own without her. She set out to hire human resources that would enable her to operate while she figured out her exit strategy with her job.



For a long time, she was reluctant to quit a comfortable pay check, even though she admits that her first store made enough revenue to allow her to leave. It would take a work trip to Ghana, to convince her it was time. “When I was in Ghana, I looked around and saw how young people were actually doing it. They are confidently running businesses and leading from the front. This gave me the confidence to just go for it,” she recalls.



On the plane ride back home, she worked on a plan to quit her full-time job and in 2017, with the $2,000 she had in savings, she started running her company, hiring 13 full-time staff and opening 2 stores back to back.



The growth of White Label Fragrances has been phenomenal, forcing Thamani to grow as an entrepreneur along with it. She cites her father, who has been in business for over 30 years, as a great sounding board for business ideas even though she says with a smile: “I don’t always listen and I’ve been horribly burned for it,” as she remembers a period when she made a slew of bad business decisions that saw her close one of her stores and reduce her staff complement to five.



Failure doesn’t scare Thamani, in fact, she boldly states: “The way I look at failure now is different. I needed to go through all of it. I now believe that failure is impactful for growth.” It has allowed her clarity in both her leadership style and where she wants to take her business and looking at her new outlook, one is inclined to believe that this entrepreneur is bound to break barriers well into Africa and beyond.



<a href="http://www.whitelabelfragrances.com">www.whitelabelfragrances.com</a>

Polish_20230505_123800936

A Botswana Businesswoman With A ‘Nose’ For Entrepreneurship

The future of finance is balance–a combination of both the digital and the human element to create a cohesive ecosystem that connects people to solutions that are customized to suit their needs.



As McKinsey puts it, physical channels are evolving to become the bank’s brand ambassadors, focused on “truly complex, empathy-centric” situations while digital is providing the immediacy, the value and the real-time visibility that customers need.



According to the Accenture Banking Consumer Study this is a critical step at a time when customer connections are weakening and people feel disconnected from their finance institutions. If banks work on solutions that allow them to create more meaningful personal relationships, then, says the survey, they could potentially increase revenue by up to 20%. This is reflected in the fact that only 23% of customers rate their bank highly when it comes to products and services, and only 30% believe that the customer service they receive is excellent.



The relationship between bank and customer is growing colder by the digital day. Digital channels may be quick and efficient. They may be remarkable and in real-time. But they are distanced and impersonal and run the risk of increasing customer friction and frustration if there are no human connections. This is underscored by Accenture and McKinsey, as both research firms highlight the value of personal conversations and holistic experiences that move banking out of silos and into customer journeys that carry the warmth of the human connection.



And this shift from silo to holistic, from impersonal to personal, from cold digital to warm human, can be achieved only by creating a digital culture that’s focused on transformation within banking. A digital culture that goes beyond investment into digital technologies and toolkits–the foundational investments of digital transformation–and into smart ways of managing customer expectations across an increasing number of touchpoints. Companies need to move beyond just thinking about how they have to optimize their digital investments in terms of functionality, speed, real-time service delivery, analytics and insights–they have to optimize for the human as well as the digital.



It is an approach that will enable the financial institution to evolve alongside the customer and their changing needs and expectations while navigating volatile markets that are flexing and pivoting in response to intense economic and geopolitical instability. Boston Consulting Group (BCG) captures this shift clearly, in a recent analysis of digital transformation within the financial sector. The analysis shows that the optimal approach to business is a bionic one that combines strategy with both human and technological capabilities to ensure that the organization transforms successfully.



In Africa, this focus is not an impossibility. Yes, there are residual complexities impacting infrastructure and service delivery, but there are also customers willing to take the digital journey with the banking company–customers that value speed, accessibility, security and reliability at a time when many of these qualities are sorely lacking in service delivery. Plus, the continent is already thriving within a culture of innovation, with startups, entrepreneurs and companies coming up with new ways of overcoming old problems within the limitations of infrastructure, politics and economy. All it takes is a commitment to investing in solutions that meet customers on the digital front line and that help them achieve more and do more within their personal ecosystems.



This is where digital and transformation can thrive, especially when a personalized, flexible, and proactive approach is taken by the banks to create digital services that support people in their everyday activities. Here, value can be found in the blend of human and digital as it meets people where they stand, and it can be seen in the organizations that are gaining momentum thanks to their



ability to connect with customers in unique and specialized ways. Digital when you want it, human when you need it. This thinking builds sustainable roads that take customers on a journey that’s forward-thinking and human-centered.



For Nedbank, it is this blend of the human and the digital that defines its Private Clients portfolio. This banking solution is designed to enable financial aspirations through digital solutions that offer a richer and more personalized banking experience. It is an intelligent ecosystem that pulls on the capabilities of digital to fully engage with every client’s financial future.



For more information on our specialised services and solutions, as well as tailored prices, contact us at privateclients@nedbank.co.za.

Businesswomen shaking hands in conference room

Creating a digital culture that drives transformation in banking

Q&amp;A with Crispin Achola, General Manager of BAT East and Southern Africa Markets.



Following your departure from BAT in 2017 after 18 years and your subsequent return in 2021, what are your key highlights?



My team has been invaluable in helping me settle back upon my return, and now, as we transform into a larger business unit covering East &amp; Southern Africa (BAT ESA) with a view to build a future-fit business. A key highlight is our accelerated evolution from a tobacco company to a multicategory consumer goods business, which reflects our commitment to reducing the health impact of our business.



What is your approach to building a resilient the organisation for today and the future?



The quality of our people is a major reason we’ve been able to build a successful business. We continue to enhance efforts to build a purposeful place to work, including driving diversity and inclusion, for which we target to achieve 50/50 gender balance and 5% representation of people with disabilities in our workplace by 2025. I am proud to say that we have received recognition for our People agenda, including certification as a Top Employer by the global Top Employers Institute for the last six years.



As the world grows increasingly conscious from a health perspective, what efforts are you spearheading to align to these realities?



We’ve always been clear that BAT supports regulation that is based on sound evidence and robust consultation, respects legal rights and has the proven potential to deliver on reducing the burden of tobacco-related harm.



Our purpose is to build A Better TomorrowTM by reducing the health impact of our business through offering smokers alternative products. In Kenya, we rolled out tobacco-free oral nicotine pouches in 2022, and in 2019, launched a Vapour product in La Reunion. We however face challenges in various other markets in ESA, where there is need to shape an enabling regulatory and fiscal framework.



Tobacco harm reduction requires regulatory and fiscal policy that reflects the reduced risk potential of these alternative products and promotes consumer choice. This must then be complemented by responsible industry practices, which we are already doing at BAT. As such, industry, government and the public health community have symbiotic roles to play.



The importance of sustainability cannot be overstated. What are your priorities and vision for the company in this regard?



We have a responsibility to society to minimize our impacts on the environment. Our approach focuses on the most important issues for our business and stakeholders across four priority areas: carbon neutrality, sustainable water stewardship, waste management and circularity, and biodiversity and afforestation.



Our progress in this area has received external recognition, including the prestigious global Alliance for Water Stewardship certification, recertification for ISO 9001:2015 on quality management and energy compliance certification from the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority in Kenya.



If you were to narrow down your vision for 2023 to three things, what would they be and why?



Accelerating the transformation of BAT ESA into a future-fit, multicategory consumer goods business is a key priority for us. We also continue to advocate for a sustainable fiscal and regulatory regime and the elimination of illicit trade in tobacco products.



Currently, we face an unpredictable and unbalanced regulatory and excise environment which has led to diminished consumer purchasing power. This has resulted in unintended consequences such as illicit trade in tobacco products especially in Kenya and Uganda, as consumers search for cheaper, tax-evaded products. We estimate that the two governments lose approximately USD50 million annually to the illegal tobacco trade. We are also concerned about the impact of regulatory overreach on illicit trade and the value chain in markets like Zambia and Mozambique.



To address this, we are contributing to ongoing public dialogue with government, towards achieving a sustainable regulatory and fiscal environment which supports socio-economic growth and development.

BAT Board & Management – Favier Productions (31)

Transforming Business For A Better Tomorrow

The certification is awarded to employers that provide excellent employee conditions, nurture and develop talent across all levels of the organization, and strive to optimize the employee experience and employment practices.



Absa retained the certification in all five markets that were recognized in 2022 – South Africa, Zambia, Kenya, Ghana and Botswana. Absa was recognized for not only matching rigorous global benchmarks, but for exceeding these in several categories including business strategy, ethics and integrity, organization and change, purpose and values, digital HR, and people strategy.



Jeanett Modise, Absa’s Group Chief People Officer, said, “Retaining our certification across disparate markets for two years speaks to the consistency of our Group strategy and vision for our people. It is testament to our focus on consistently re-invigorating our people practices across the Group, and setting new benchmarks as an employer of choice in Africa as a result.”



Absa is a pan-African organization operating in diverse, dynamic markets, and has embraced the opportunity to build enterprise talent that is reflective of that diversity, that is synergistic, and that is agile in the way it is deployed. Absa’s ability to retain this mobility and coherence relies on its people’s alignment within a shared vision, values, culture and strategy.



“We have shown that we are able to align the lived experiences of our colleagues to our intent, building a shared sense of belonging through our culture where colleagues are empowered, engaged and future fit,” Modise says. “Developing an exceptional employee experience leaves no room for complacency. We want to become nothing less than the chosen home of Africa’s leading talent.”



Absa views talent development, progression and succession as critical enablers in driving its future success. Underpinning its people practices is a committed focus on communication and understanding people’s desires, challenges, and motivations. This enables alignment across diverse operations, enabling Absa’s people at every level to understand how their efforts contribute to the group’s shared success. An environment in which people are connected, growing, and bringing their best helps Absa stand out as a class-leading organization.



“We are a people-centered organization whose success is dependent on theirs,” Modise says. “We have the potential to move from good to great, and it is our people who will get us there. Absa has responded to the new ways of work, and the evolving expectations of our people, through a flexible, digitally enabled environment, where processes and practices support the employee experience. We have invested in the holistic wellbeing of our people, and will continue to do so, with a special focus on sustaining an inclusive culture that empowers and enables our people to thrive.”



Absa is a leading pan-African financial institution that brings possibilities to life. “Achieving the Top Employer Africa certification is a great milestone on our journey to build an organization that is globally respected, and that Africa can be proud of,” Modise says. “This certification assures us that the investments we are making in our colleagues’ lived experience – through building a shared sense of belonging, and cultivating a workforce that is engaged and future fit – is paying dividends. We are pleased that the people practices we have established to empower and support our people are not just on par with global best-practice benchmarks, but often exceed them.”



“This is a prestigious award,” Modise concludes, “an award that spurs our continued focus on collective success as a diverse organization, with a shared purpose and vision. I want to thank our leaders, managers and our People and Culture community for their commitment and passion to making Absa a great place to work. Above all, this award celebrates our talented, diverse workforce, who bring possibilities to life every day, one story at a time.”

Left to Right __ Jo Blake – Group Talent Acquisition Lead, Jeanett Modise – Group Chief Human Resource Officer, Ruene Bissondayal – Senior Group Talent Acquisition Specialist

Absa Celebrates Regional Top Employer in Africa Award

Mercedes-Benz South Africa is committed to enriching the world of work through its employee offerings and conditions. Mercedes-Benz South Africa is committed to advancing codes of good practice, transforming the automotive value chain, and empowering people and communities.



Building the world’s most desirable cars is our core business. For over 130 years, our leading status in the automotive industry has been achieved through our people, who build the most desirable cars.



As Mercedes-Benz, our employer value proposition, “Together for Excellence” encapsulates our focus on the holistic wellbeing of our employees. As an organization operating within an industry that is undergoing transformation, our general perspectives of the workplace has also shifted.



Our transformation strategy has catalyzed a shift to the way in which we work, interact and engage with one another to ensure we maintain our position as a premium, global brand. In taking a holistic approach to enriching the world of work, Mercedes-Benz South Africa has embarked on various activities which are underpinned by eight people principles: Agility, Empowerment, Co-Creation, Driven to Win, Customer Orientation, Purpose-Driven, Pioneering Spirit and Learning.



As a Top Employer in South Africa for the seventh consecutive year, we are committed to enriching the world of work through our employee offerings and conditions. The certification achievement reaffirms our deliberate focus of being an employer of choice and the strides we make to ensure Mercedes-Benz South Africa is a great place to work.



Annually, we invest in the qualification of our employees, putting lifelong learning and continued education at the heart of the Company’s future. Between 2021 and 2022, Mercedes-Benz South Africa spent in excess of R167 million on various training programs and initiatives for its employees. The company’s development programs include: leadership development programs, technical programs, graduate development program, student internship program, disability learnerships, educational assistance program for employee children in Grade 1 &#8211; 12 and bursaries for tertiary students.



Our further employee investments range from conducive working spaces in a modern 4-star green-rated building with amenities such as meditation rooms and Moms’ Room; mobile, flexible and hybrid working models; attractive remuneration packages to international career development opportunities. Various leave benefits such as Employee Volunteer leave ensure that employees who are passionate about social responsibility are afforded the opportunity to actively participate in making a difference in our communities. Employees also have onsite access to company-funded, full suite medical services, professional consultations with experts in legal and finance, gym facilities, sports clubs and subsidized canteens.&nbsp;



A culture of respectful cooperation and appreciation based on integrity, diversity and sustainability drives our transformation strategy and influences our work internally and externally.



As a global company operating locally and as responsible corporate citizens, we remain dedicated to advancing the codes of good practice within the sector, transforming the automotive value chain and empowering people and communities. Our current Level 2 BBBEE contributor certification demonstrates our commitment to not only the transformation of the company, but that of the automotive industry too. To augment our transformation efforts, Mercedes-Benz South Africa also participated in the Automotive Industry Transformation Fund (AITF) as well as the Youth Employment Service (YES) initiative, which are mandated to pioneer inclusive growth through access to market, funding and capacity development and work opportunities for young South Africans, respectively.



The recognition by the Top Employer Institute strengthens our Employer Branding, is a validation of our high standards and our continued dedication to create a work environment that promotes excellence.&nbsp;



Want to become one of us?



Learn more about opportunities and programmes available at Mercedes-Benz South Africa: <a href="https://corporate.mercedes-benz.co.za/careers/." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here</a>



By Abey Kgotle, Executive Director of Human Resources and Corporate Affairs, Mercedes-Benz South Africa

Abey-004 (1)

A Holistic Approach to Enriching the World of Work

Africa’s surge in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in recent years is a sign of the burgeoning interest Africa holds for global investors. Ethos Asset Management, a debt financing firm, held a workshop in Cape Town, South Africa, highlighting its increasing presence on the continent.



The 2022 World Investment Report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) states that in 2021 Africa received a record-breaking $83 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) flows in contrast to the $39 billion in 2020, which accounted for 5.2% of global Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). This surge in FDI is a testament to the untapped potential of the African market and highlights the growing interest from global investors in the continent.



As Africa continues to grow and develop, more viable and lucrative projects have become available for investors looking for opportunities within the continent. Carlos Santos, Founder, President and CEO of Ethos Asset Management, is one individual who has made it his mission to help more African businesses unlock these opportunities and realize their potential.



Ethos Asset Management is a debt financing firm that recently held a workshop in Cape Town, South Africa, where the executive team and guest speakers spoke about the importance of continuing to build trust and credibility with local and international investors to help more businesses in Africa access much-needed capital.



Santos led the workshop alongside his executive team where he shared his mission and vision for Ethos Asset Management towards helping businesses in Africa, adding that, “Leading with purpose, passion and perseverance is important, that’s why at Ethos, we believe that the most impactful projects have both profit and purpose. Because when the right project finds the right model of financing and support, the positive impact can be felt everywhere. First and foremost, in the return on investment, but also in the jobs created and communities transformed.”


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Alice-Hungwane-Executive-Director-of-the-Ethos-Asset-Management-Africa-1024x536.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-57996" width="520" height="272" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Alice-Hungwane-Executive-Director-of-the-Ethos-Asset-Management-Africa-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Alice-Hungwane-Executive-Director-of-the-Ethos-Asset-Management-Africa-300x157.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Alice-Hungwane-Executive-Director-of-the-Ethos-Asset-Management-Africa-768x402.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Alice-Hungwane-Executive-Director-of-the-Ethos-Asset-Management-Africa.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 520px) 100vw, 520px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Alice Hungwane, the Executive Director of the Ethos Asset Management &#8211; Africa</figcaption></figure></div>


The Executive Director of the African Continent for Ethos Asset Management, Alice Hungwane, has been instrumental in promoting the company’s commitment to the African market and ensuring that the company&#8217;s investment strategy is tailored to the specific needs of African businesses. During the workshop, she also shared the company’s mission for its African reach.



&#8220;At Ethos Asset Management, we have a great African footprint and our goal is to reach more African countries. This is because our focus is on investing in businesses that have the ability to create long-term sustainable value in Africa. We want to provide debt financing, with uniquely favourable terms, designed to allow select companies with impactful projects to invest in themselves and fuel their future success.”



Hungwane further added, “When Ethos Asset Management invests, it&#8217;s all about you, your ideas, your vision, your courage and your determination. We know and respect that no one will ever be as committed to the success of your project or business as you, which is why our innovative debt financing model is designed to preserve your autonomy while giving you the greatest opportunity to succeed.&#8221;



Ethos Asset Management has to date helped unlock funding for 87 businesses and projects globally, 7 of these being within the African continent. The purpose of the workshop was to help share more



knowledge and insights into what international investors look for when looking for bankable projects, and what businesses can do in order to increase their chances when trying to unlock funding.


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="300" height="300" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Leandro-Fernandes-Chief-Legal-Officer-of-Ethos-Asset-Management.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-57997" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Leandro-Fernandes-Chief-Legal-Officer-of-Ethos-Asset-Management.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Leandro-Fernandes-Chief-Legal-Officer-of-Ethos-Asset-Management-150x150.jpg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Leandro Fernandes, Chief Legal Officer of Ethos Asset Management</figcaption></figure></div>


The workshop also shared insights on the importance of compliance and ethical business practices in building trust and credibility with stakeholders, including investors, customers, and employees. Leandro Fernandes, Chief Legal Officer of Ethos Asset Management touched on the topic of compliance for African businesses and beyond before reaching out for investment opportunities. He further stated, “At Ethos, we promote a positive impact on the economy globally, and Africa is the key geography in terms of the level of life and the Human Resources. At Ethos, we work diligently every day to ensure that our clients are on top of the art in this industry. This is to guarantee that each investment is in compliance with our policies and as such, improving the client’s own practices.”



For Ethos Asset Management, empowering the African market is not just about providing financing but also providing strategic and operational support. Through the workshop, the company aimed to emphasize offers such as market analysis, due diligence, risk management, and post-investment support to businesses, helping them navigate the complex regulatory and economic environment in Africa.



The workshop was a powerful tool in not only sharing insights from Ethos Asset Management but from its success stories in Africa. José Fonseca, Chairman of the Executive Committee of TML Mozambique SA is one of those happy clients who touched on challenges faced by entrepreneurs in Africa when it comes to seeking investments.



&#8220;Getting investment from international companies or organizations can be a challenge for entrepreneurs in Africa as many investors have a perception that the continent is risky,&#8221; Fonseca shared.



He emphasized the need for these organizations or investors to better understand the continent to build a great conversation, saying, &#8220;I encourage these organizations to try to understand the continent better and engage in meaningful conversations. This will help them to see the vast investment opportunities and the potential for growth and success that exist in Africa. Ethos Asset Management sees that opportunity, hence its major African footprint.&#8221;



Ethos Asset Management is playing a critical role in unlocking opportunities for businesses in Africa through debt financing. By promoting debt financing as a viable source of capital and providing strategic and operational support, Ethos Asset Management is helping businesses, projects and communities thrive in Africa. The workshop presented an opportunity for potential entrepreneurs and project owners to unlock more investment opportunities that can help their businesses and projects to grow, while also making a positive impact on their local communities.

Carlos Santos Founder, President and CEO Of Ethos Asset Management[1]

Unlocking More Opportunities for Investment into African Businesses

Tsebo Solutions Group has been recognized as an ‘Employer of Choice’ in South Africa for the company’s superlative HR policies and people practices, their passion for developing and upskilling people, and their drive to embed sustainability in everything they do.



Tsebo solutions Group has been recognized as an ‘Employer of Choice’ in South Africa. Being certified as a 2023 Top Employer confirms an organization’s dedication to a better world of work through its excellent HR policies and people practices.



For Tsebo, the certification is a natural advancement, as the company has been innovating workplaces and building a legacy for the businesses and employees of the future for more than half a century.



As a leading African Integrated Workplace Management Solutions Provider, Tsebo Solutions Group offers clients improved workplace productivity that supports their success. From city-based corporate headquarters to hard-to-reach remote camps, Tsebo creates, manages and maintains environments that are pleasant to be in, easier and safer to work in and ultimately enhance employee engagement and productivity. The company specializes in Facilities Management, Catering, Cleaning and Hygiene, Security, Energy, Pest control, and more.



Elanie Kruger, Tsebo’s Group Chief Human Resources Officer, says: “We are exceptionally proud of this achievement, which marks another milestone in our over 50-year rich history of caring for people and reimagining the world of work. As part of our high-performance service culture, we are committed to accelerating our people strategies by benchmarking policies with proven HR best practices globally. It supports our values and creates a safe environment where employees feel recognized, are given opportunities to grow and, in turn, shape a brighter future for all.”



It’s particularly important in a services-led business like Tsebo’s, where their over 32,000 strong workforce forms the heartbeat of the company and is their true differentiator in the industry. At its core, Workplace Management Solutions is a holistic approach to an industry of people taking care of people. Therefore, Tsebo’s first priority is the health, safety and well-being of people—including its employees, clients and communities. Developing people to serve people, to uplift society, is not only the company’s purpose statement but the mantra that Tsebo has lived by to achieve its sustainable development goals and growth objectives.



Tsebo Group Chief Executive Officers Tim Walters and Chris Jardine say: “We believe that Tsebo’s solid people practices, passion for developing and upskilling people and drive to embed sustainability in everything we do, have earned us this internationally relevant acknowledgement. With an overall score of over 82%, benchmarked against a globally certified group of more than 2,050 Top Employers, this accolade clearly sets us apart. It assures clients that we are a responsible, ethical employer that equips our employees to provide world-class services and solutions.”



Tsebo’s in-house Learning and Development Academy trains and upskills approximately 40,000 people annually across the continent. The result is a knowledgeable workforce that is in touch with every nuance of clients’ needs &#8211; innovating and evolving with clients’ business challenges and requirements.



The Top Employers Institute programme certifies organizations based on the participation and results of their HR Best Practices Survey. This survey covers 600 practices in six HR domains across 20 topics. Participants then submit evidence and are independently audited, where their practices are thoroughly interrogated. The adjudicators were impressed by Tsebo’s use of innovation and technology, which added to Tsebo’s positive results.



“We commenced with a digitization strategy a few years back and identified the needs of our employees, clients and business. Covid-19 accelerated the need to prioritize our digitization journey. It was clear that we needed to change the way we do things, and challenge ourselves to work more innovatively and efficiently, enriching the world of work for our people, and, subsequently, for our clients,” says Kruger.

Tsebo_forbesImage

Another Milestone in Tsebo’s Progressive 50-year History of Shaping the World of Work

McDonald’s South Africa’s partnership for the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit is testament to its mandate to bridge the gap and drive diversity and inclusion.



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As McDonald’s South Africa, over the past 26 years, we are proud to have had over 65% women in our business.
</blockquote>



Collaborations are often born out of synergies and common values between organizations, and this is no different in the partnership between McDonald’s South Africa and FORBES WOMAN AFRICA.



McDonald’s South Africa has ventured into a two-year partnership with FORBES WOMAN AFRICA as a headline sponsor for the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit. By forging this alliance, the two organizations, each of which is a pioneer in its own field bringing about significant and positive changes in society, highlight the power of women.



“The partnership between McDonald&#8217;s SA and the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit is one that speaks to synergy and the beliefs that both organizations hold when it comes to diversity, equity, inclusion as well as women empowerment. McDonald’s SA believes in platforms that foster dialogue amongst female leaders to cross-weave their knowledge and drive socio-economic change,” says Daniel Padiachy, Executive: Supply Chain, Marketing and Technology at McDonald’s South Africa.



Real change is seen when women from different spheres provide each other a platform where they can learn, bestow knowledge and grow together. The power of women connecting and supporting each other should never be underestimated. Engaging women in leadership positions will champion other women. Thus, creating a safe environment where women can unlock their potential which leads to safe and functional communities.



McDonald’s South Africa has its own Women Leadership Network, a platform that encourages a cross-weaving of knowledge and inspires change among subject matter experts. It also aims to honor women by acknowledging and celebrating their achievements through conversations with phenomenal women in their own spaces of influence. Since its inception in 2021, the McDonald’s South Africa purpose-led initiative has reached over thousands of women across the country.



We have the responsibility and opportunity to bridge the gap and play our part in ensuring that women are offered equal opportunities and thus drive inclusion. We embrace this opportunity to drive meaningful progress, and to do so through our own initiatives as well as through collaborations. We are strongly invested in ensuring a world free of bias, with equal representation and an equal opportunity for women’s voices to be heard.



As big businesses we need to take this seriously and be committed as it allows for an opportunity to engage with women from all walks of life. We believe that we should always walk the talk, and not just talk the talk.



As McDonald’s South Africa, over the past 26 years, we are proud to have had over 65% women in our business; we continuously find ways to enable everyone within our business, not only focusing on women but inclusively bringing men along. The key driver in our business is a constant push against complacency, we strive to uphold transformation and excellence in all our interactions in all aspects of our business be it with our employees, executives or even our suppliers, thus giving us an opportunity to build a brand that lives in the hearts of our people.



Our young generation of women should always be empowered and encouraged to become better leaders who alter the narrative in their spheres, thus creating a bright future for their communities through conversations and action. By providing opportunities for women to succeed and realize their full potential, we hope to continue disrupting the power dynamic and alter the current status quo.

Daniel Padiachy (1)

A Partnership Creating A Platform For Women To Power On

Leaders can unlock up to 5X more human potential by better managing employees’ everyday work experiences and creating a sense of belonging, which positively impacts retention, motivation and commitment levels. Accenture is an advocate for equality and diversity in the workplace, promoting work/life integration, race equality, gender mainstreaming, mentorship and coaching, and self-care.



The CHRO has emerged as one of the most vital roles in the C-suite, as organizations work to keep their people safe, employed, supported and equal.



Many are rising to the occasion, and CHROs can reclaim one of their most fundamental missions: the care and resiliency of the people. They can now rewrite a script that builds trust, based on the fundamentals of what matters most to their people. The CHRO is excellently positioned to be the catalyst for such meaningful change. As our research demonstrates, it makes good business sense to do so.



A sense of belonging



Employees are rethinking their attitude toward work by focusing more on their personal and professional aspirations. They also want to feel a sense of belonging. They want to be recognized, heard and valued. Employees want to do interesting work, learn new skills as well as progress in their careers.



According to our global Better To Belong Research, leaders can unlock up to 5X more human potential by better managing peoples’ everyday work experiences. Leaders can go beyond inclusion and make their employees feel they truly belong, are cared for and loved. Focusing on the professional and personal moments that matter to employees enhances their feeling of being net better-off within their organizations, which positively impacts retention, motivation and commitment levels. This benefits our people, our business, our clients and the communities they serve.&nbsp;



Our people are changemakers



Our people are a team of talented individuals who bring skills, hopes and dreams to work, and change the world of our clients. They are the essence of Accenture, and every day they deliver incredible work on the promise of technology and human ingenuity to our various stakeholders.&nbsp;



Our people have a passion for change; for our clients, and changing society for the better. As our people grow, our firm grows, and the offering to clients expands. Nurturing our people makes people sense and business sense. Our firm provides our people with an inclusive, nurturing, empowering and inspirational environment where they can thrive. We have recognized that our nation has a skills deficit, so we prioritize providing our people with infinite growth opportunities.



In 2022 the global work landscape underwent fluctuations as organizations altered their working conditions after the worldwide pandemic. Top employers and other leading organizations have had to challenge themselves. We continue to actively promote work/life integration, race equality in the workplace, gender mainstreaming, mentorship and coaching and a focus on self-care. Some leaders might view this work/life integration as less important than profitability, but conventional wisdom suggests that happier and healthier people will inevitably be more focused and efficient.&nbsp;



We believe the future workforce is equal and have set bold goals to accelerate gender equality. Accenture is an avid advocate for equality and diversity in the workplace. Today, more than 300,000 women work at Accenture – according to the Delivering Value by Building Trust Accenture South Africa 2022 Responsible Business Report. Additionally, 50% of our board of directors and 27% of our global management committee are women. We have set bold goals for a gender-balanced workforce by 2025 and are well on track to achieving this.



Accenture has been named the overall Top Employer in South Africa for 2023. We celebrate this achievement with our biggest brand ambassadors – our people. Being ranked first is evidence of the significant effort we put daily into growing our company and careers while delivering 360o value for our clients. We are grateful that our deliberate efforts over the years have been recognized. This comes with responsibility and later on, growth. Growth requires more people –  and talent markets across the globe are tight. This is one of the many reasons why we pride ourselves on being a people first and purpose-led company – our purpose enables us to create stronger and more resilient people relationships and a greater sense of belonging.  



BY KESHNIE MARTIN, HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR AT ACCENTURE, AFRICA

Prioritizing Care, Sense of Belonging and Resiliency of Our People Makes Business Sense

Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of the Merck Foundation, philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany has spearheaded their programs in Africa to transform the patient care landscape, and raise community awareness on various critical social and health issues. She travels far and wide across Africa to deeply understand the issues and to be able to develop successful and innovative strategies to tackle them.



Recently, Kelej has been conferred with Doctorate of Letters (D.Litt), Honoris Causa by Krishna World University in India, recognizing her efforts &amp; commitment towards women empowerment, girl education and patient care transformation in Africa &amp; other developing countries.



Moreover, under her leadership, Merck Foundation has been recognized by Avance Media Honours as 2022’s Most Influential NGO whose collective efforts are shaping Africa’s future.



“These recognitions only motivate me to work harder and give my best to our beloved Africa. I will continue working closely with my team and partners to empower women, support girl education, and build healthcare capacity,” she says.



African First Ladies &amp; Merck Foundation Impact Journey



Recently, African First Ladies of 13 countries came together for their annual conference “Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary”, where together they celebrated the 10 years anniversary of Merck Foundation programs. The African First Ladies, who are also the Ambassadors of Merck Foundation, shared impact report their journey of partnership with Merck Foundation.



The conference was conducted in Dubai (virtual and in-person) to benefit more than 10,000 participants from more than 70 countries, who met to discuss strategies and solutions for health &amp; social challenges in their countries with the aim to contribute to transforming patient care landscape and building healthcare and media capacity.



“I am proud that we provided more than 1580 scholarships to doctors from 50 countries, in more than 36 critical underserved specialties. We are making history in many African countries by providing training to the first specialized doctors in many fields like Fertility, Embryology, Oncology, Diabetes, Endocrinology, Respiratory and more, in The Gambia, Burundi, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Chad, Niger, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia , Zimbabwe and more, this makes us an important part of Africa’s legacy,” says Kelej.



“More Than a Mother” A Historic Movement To Break Infertility Stigma



She successfully created the iconic “More Than a Mother”, a strong movement that aims to empower infertile &amp; childless women through access to information, education and change of mindset. Not only



this, it also addresses critical social issues like supporting girl education, ending female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage, stopping gender-based violence (GBV), women empowerment and more. “I believe that all these issues are connected,” she emphasizes.



She worked over the past 5 years with 20 African First Ladies as Ambassadors of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother”, transforming together the lives of many women who have been a victim to the infertility stigma.



Believe In Girl Education Today For Women Empowerment tomorrow



She emphasizes that educated girls can build healthier and stronger families, communities and economies.



“I strongly believe girl education is strong strategy to eliminate Child Marriage, GBV, FGM and STDs, and even infertility, therefore, empowering girls and women is the spirit of everything we do at Merck Foundation, and it is close to my heart as an African woman. I understand that girls and women have tremendous potential to excel in any field they represent, but they are deprived of a favorable environment, in many societies, especially in underserved communities,” she says.



Together with African First Ladies, they contributed to the future of 1000’s of girls by providing grants to continue their education and providing essential school items, through “Educating Linda” program in many African countries such as Burundi, Malawi, Ghana, The Gambia, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Niger and more.



“Girl education today for women empowerment tomorrow,” she emphasizes.



Taking The Unconventional Route



Kelej is an intellectual and a creative powerhouse, spreading her wings in a multiplicity of areas, breaking barriers to make an impact. Her work speaks volumes of creativity, determination and a leadership spirit.



She has conceptualized, produced, directed and hosted a unique pan-African TV program “Our Africa” by Merck Foundation, which has been broadcasted on prime TV stations all over Africa like Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Zambia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Botswana, Gambia and soon to be broadcast in many other countries.



The program focuses on pertinent issues like Breaking the Infertility Stigma, Ending Child Marriage, Supporting Girl Education, Ending FGM, Stopping GBV, Promoting Healthy Lifestyle, Diabetes Awareness and Coronavirus Health Awareness, through “Fashion and Art with Purpose” African Community established by her in 2020.



The program has captured the attention and hearts of millions of viewers across Africa. The program also streams Rasha Kelej YouTube and social media channels handles and Merck Foundation channels too.



The Key &#8211; Continuous Engagement And Flawless Implementation



She is using singular avenues to create community awareness about Africa’s social and health issues.



She donned her creative hat to produce and direct around 30 songs in English, French, Portuguese and local languages, with various African artists to address Infertility Stigma, Women Empowerment , Girl Education, Child Marriage, Diabetes , Hypertension Awareness and more.



The President of Liberia and The Daughter of Burundi President also composed and sung songs to support “Merck Foundation More than a Mother” movement.



Another unique engaging initiative she has been undertaking and implementing successfully since 2017; The Awards for talents from the Media, Fashion, Film and Music fields, encouraging them to be the voice of the voiceless and creating a culture shift by addressing the above issues.



She has also launched 8 children’s storybooks such as; “Jackline’s Rescue”, “Ride into the Future”, “Jude Sugar Free” &amp; “Mark’s Pressure” on a range of social issues to sensitize children from young age in three languages, English, French and Portuguese. To follow Senator, Dr Rasha Kelej and Merck Foundation journey, find Rasha Kelej at Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube and Merck Foundation: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej with Fashion with Purpose Community, during OUR AFRICA TV Program

Building Healthcare Capacity And Girls’ Education In Africa

Africa’s youth demographic is exploding while the tech economy booms, bringing clear opportunities for tech training. However, the challenge is to do it effectively and affordably, writes Divesh Sooka, ALX and The ROOM South Africa general manager.



Education is key to success for the millions of young people living in Africa hoping to achieve their dreams. But it is also crucial on a macro-economic level, as an investment in the future of a nation.



Education helps aspirant professionals build careers, allowing them to achieve financial security and support their families and loved ones. It helps achieve personal goals. For national economies, education allows a country to unlock the full potential of its young people, driving employment, entrepreneurship and economic growth. It is acknowledged that education is fundamental to modern human development. The United Nations Sustainable Development <a href="https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal4">Goal 4</a> calls on all countries to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning for all”.



Education for all is an admirable national and global goal. However, there is a gap between making education&nbsp;available&nbsp;to young people, and making it&nbsp;accessible&nbsp;and&nbsp;affordable.&nbsp;



At this time of the year, students are well within their studies, and while some may have gained admission to the education institutions of their choice, but one big question remains unanswered: will they be able to secure funding to pay for their studies?



The admirable progress achieved in the wake of the #FeesMustFall campaign has made higher education an achievable prospect for many high-school graduates – but not all.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



According to Universities South Africa, student debt stood at&nbsp;<a href="https://researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-africa-south-2022-3-south-africa-s-student-debt-mountain-grows-to-r16-5bn/">R16.5bn</a>&nbsp;last year, with 120 000 students at risk of not graduating due to unpaid fees.&nbsp;



This debt threatens the financial survival of universities, as they sometimes take on debt to underwrite the studies of students who cannot afford to pay fees. The main source of the debt is “missing middle” students who cannot afford fees, but do not qualify for National Students Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) funding.



NSFAS is only able to assist a certain number of learners across the country, and last year, funding for thousands of qualifying students was only&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nsfas.org.za/content/media-releases/24%20June%202022%20Statement%20by%20The%20Minister%20of%20Higher%20Education,%20Science%20and%20Innovation,%20Dr%20Blade%20Nzimande%20on%20the%202022%20National%20Student%20Financial%20Aid%20Scheme%20(NSFAS)%20funding.pdf">confirmed</a>&nbsp;deep into the academic year.



This situation emphasises a significant gap in the range of higher education offerings: for affordable opportunities to gain relevant skills that will lead to careers in the digital fields that will shape the economy of tomorrow.



Competency-based training



One approach to solving this is a growing trend towards outcomes-based education, which proceeds at the speed of the student. It’s a move away from the traditional four-year-degree model of gaining a qualification.&nbsp;



Also known as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gettingsmart.com/2017/12/12/competency-based-education-definitions-and-difference-makers/">competency-based education</a>&nbsp;(CBE), this approach allows students to progress, or complete courses as soon as they demonstrate competency in the required skills.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



Shorter courses



Implicitly acknowledging this demand, established universities are also starting to offer short-course alternatives to the standard three or four-year degree.&nbsp;



Strikingly, the short-course options tend to be more relevant to practical, new-generation careers that are already part of the emerging digital economy.



Data-science, digital marketing, cyber-security… these kinds of short courses allow students to qualify quickly, and also give graduates an opportunity to supplement their traditional qualifications with an in-demand skill.



Relevant, fully funded, tech courses



To meet this need for access and affordability, our institution – technology training accelerator&nbsp;<a href="https://www.alxafrica.com/">ALX</a>&nbsp;– in partnership with Mastercard Foundation, has introduced a solution that allows students to take practical, relevant courses&nbsp;<a href="https://www.alxafrica.com/programme_post/full-stack-software-engineer/">fully</a>&nbsp;funded through 2023, with an eye to launching careers in the tech space.



We believe waiving programme fees on several of our courses will accelerate our mission of developing ethical, entrepreneurial leaders, and to help address South Africa’s education-funding challenges. ALX tech programmes require no prior IT experience.



Digital transformation is the next Industrial revolution.&nbsp;Helping to democratise education by providing affordable access to tech skills allows students to be part of this trend.



Africa’s youth opportunity



By the end of the century,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/africa-to-experience-population-boom/article19998373/">40%</a>&nbsp;of the global population will be African. By 2035 Africa will have the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dale-capital.com/why-investing-in-africa/poised-to-have-worlds-largest-workforce/#:~:text=By%202035%2C%20Africa's%20labour%20force,workers%20to%20boost%20economic%20growth.">largest</a>&nbsp;and youngest workforce in the world.



This presents a massive youth opportunity for the continent.



At the same time,&nbsp;the world of work is being reshaped by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.redhat.com/en/resources/paving-successful-transformation-hbr-analyst-material">digital transformation</a>. In a 2022 survey of hundreds of global executives, 92% said digital transformation would become more important to the success of their business over the next year.



Africa is therefore faced with a twin opportunity: an exploding youth population, and a global economy that is rapidly becoming more technology based.&nbsp;



The solution for unlocking Africa’s potential is clearly to find technology training solutions for Africa’s young people.&nbsp;&nbsp;



With South Africa’s education-funding gap,&nbsp;the best approach – and one we have adopted at ALX – is to bridge this gap by giving students affordable access to those skills and technical capabilities.



At ALX and The Room –&nbsp;our global network of resources, job opportunities, career support and lifelong learning&nbsp;– we have made it our mission in 2023 to train more than 20 000 young South Africans in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.alxafrica.com/programme_post/full-stack-software-engineer/">software engineering</a>&nbsp;and other tech fields for the South African market.&nbsp;



To help Africa’s burgeoning cohort of young people to seize the opportunities of the digital economy, we need to offer training in the tech fields employers need most.&nbsp;



Now is the time to&nbsp;invest in developing the digital leaders who will power the future, training and equipping them with the skills to address social needs – and helping them build crucially relevant careers in the process.

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Training Young Africans To Be Ahead of the Digital Transformation Wave

Top Employers Institute is the global HR authority on certifying excellence in people strategies and practices, helping companies elevate their status as an employer. Africa&#8217;s Top Employers 2023 Certification programme saw 274 organizations in 31 African countries and 26 industry sectors achieve the coveted Top Employers Africa Certification, with 129 organisations from South Africa and 140 from other African countries.&nbsp;



By Nathier Jappie, Top Employers Institute, Regional Manager: Africa&nbsp;



Headquartered in the Netherlands, Top Employers Institute is the global HR authority on certifying excellence in people strategies and practices. On its 32nd operating year, our organisation has been dedicated to accelerating the impact of people strategies to enrich the world of work through certification, benchmarking, aligning and connecting Top Employers around the world. Through our HR Best practices survey, we enable organisations to objectively assess and improve their workplace environment. We believe employees make the organization and when they are empowered by excellent people strategies and practices, they thrive. Recognition through our programe helps companies elevate their status as an employer of choice.&nbsp;



We certify organisations in single countries, different continents and globally. We recognise Top Employers based on a global four-stage programe, governed by a strict standardized process. The leading-edge international research conducted by Top Employers Institute each year determines whether an organization meets the required standard of excellence for certification as a Top Employer.&nbsp;



Top Employers Institute CEO, David Plink says: “Reflecting on the demanding year that has, like the year before it, impacted organizations across the world, Africa’s Top Employers continue to show that they prioritise maintaining excellent people practices in the workplace. They continue to meet the challenges of the changing world of work while working tirelessly to make a positive impact on the lives of their workforce. We are pleased to celebrate and applaud the organizations that have been certified as Top Employers in their respective countries this year.”&nbsp;



It gives me great pleasure to share an overview and some of the main research highlights from Africa’s Top Employers 2023 Certification programme:&nbsp;



<ul>
<li>A record of 274 organizations in Africa officially registered to participate in the Certification programe for 2023. A total of 269 organisations spanning 31 African countries and 26 industry sectors achieved the Top Employers 2023 Certification. A total of 129 certified organisations will carry the South African certification, while a total of 140 certified Top Employers from other African countries outside of South Africa have been certified.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>A total of 17 organisations made up of 146 affiliates have earned the right to carry their continental certification with the prestige in recognition. The coveted Top Employers Africa Certification is earned when an organisation is certified in a minimum of 4 or more African countries in the same audit period. These international organisations have proven they are able to offer a consistent and best in class experience for their employees, regardless of their geographic location on the African continent.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>The Top five countries with the most certified organisations are: South Africa (129), Egypt (23), Morocco (13), Kenya (13), Nigeria (12) and Ghana (9).&nbsp;</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>The industry sectors in Africa with the greatest representation are: FMCG, Transport &amp; Logistics, Telecommunications, Manufacturing, IT, Financial Services, Food and Beverage, Pharmaceuticals, Healthcare.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Excluding non-certified organisations, the average overall score achieved by this years group of Top Employers is 84%. This impressive score doesn’t come as a surprise based on the high calibre of brands certified. The Top three best performing topics in our HR Best Practices Survey are Ethics and Integrity, followed by Business Strategy and thirdly, Organisation change while the three topics requiring improvement on were Offboarding, rewards and recognition and lastly well-being.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>According to our research, Africa’s top three business priorities are: Costs (reducing unnecessary expenditure), Business resilience (Additional strategies to ensure that the business is robust) and thirdly Business continuity.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Based on the research, the Top three People Strategy priorities are: 1. Tailor working models for employees, 2. To improve the flexibility of the workforce, 3. Manage the integration of technology in the workplace.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>The negative impact of a high absenteeism rate can be detrimental to a business and have a direct correlation to the bottom line, this is a sign of engagement and wellness issues, more so if it persists. The research during this audit has shown that the average absenteeism rate is 3.34%. The most important HR metric and impressive statistic proves that employees at these reputable organisations have high levels of productivity, which can be attributed to the world class people strategies and practices used to drive employee engagement and well-being.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Taking a comparison over the last two years, these Top Employers have indicated the following: Revenue Growth has shown a strong improvement, from 38.32% to 45.42%. The Market Share analysis has shown a strong improvement from 26.61% to 28.41%. The Profitability index represents a phenomenal improvement in this period, from 31.22% to 35.28%. The Customer Satisfaction index indicated a slight improvement, starting at 30.57% compared to this years results at 31.04%. Based on these results, its is clear that this employee-centric strategy plays an important role in achieving successful business results over a sustained period, driven by a highly engaged and motivated workforce.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Perhaps the most interesting and meaningful statistic to share in this years outcomes, is the amount of lives that have been directly impacted as a result of the survey. We are delighted to share that 625 542 employees across the African continent was impacted. The lives of these individuals will be impacted by means of exposure to the best strategies and people practices for their organisations to use as a benchmark and make improvements to ensure that they are on track to supporting a better world of work.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>



The impact of various global issues, geopolitical unrest, Covid 19 and others have accelerated organisations’ need for robust strategies and people practices, the ever changing landscape has shone a light on areas of development. Top Employers the world over continue to respond and adapt with such speed, proving their ability to blend people and technology in the most dynamic ways.&nbsp;



I would like to Congratulate Africa’s Certified Top Employers for 2023. The recipients of this prestigious award have become part of an exclusive global “Employer of choice” community and they will claim this achievement at the certification celebration event in January next year. The achievement with be celebrated and awarded in the presence of fellow Top Employers, whom have invested in developing and enhancing their people practices to create the most effective workforce. Top Employers have proven to provide an outstanding workplace experience, empowering employees and play a significant role in creating a better world of work.&nbsp;



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DISCLAIMER: Brand Voice is a paid program. Articles appearing in this section have been commercially supported.

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Africa’s Top Employers 2023

When Barclays divested its final stake in South African bank Absa, some people may have mistakenly thought that it was exiting Africa for good. But even as that final stake was being sold, Barclays was proactively strategising on rebuilding its African presence.&nbsp;&nbsp;



Rather than focusing on retail banking, it would focus on servicing the Private Banking needs of ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) individuals and their global families.&nbsp;



Amol Prabhu, Country CEO: South Africa and Market Head: Africa for Barclays, says the gains it’s made and&nbsp; the plans it’s laid out for the future, show that it’s a new chapter in the Barclays story on the continent.&nbsp;



Getting to that point has meant being clear about its African target market and how it can provide real value to clients.&nbsp;&nbsp;



“We’re no ordinary Private Bank. We’re not here to provide everything, for everyone, everywhere.”&nbsp;&nbsp;



That means focusing on UHNW families who hold investable assets of £10 million+, particularly in Anglophone countries. As Prabhu points out, there’s a very strategic reason for this strict focus.&nbsp;&nbsp;



“Most Anglophone African countries retain strong ties to the UK,” he says. “Those ties can be particularly strong for families, who may have gone to university in the UK and may have worked there at one point. They likely want the same opportunities for their children and hold UK real estate- particularly in London. Because we’re headquartered there, we act as the primary corridor to the UK.”&nbsp;



As he points out, UNHW families are increasingly global and it’s feasible for grandparents to reside in South Africa or Kenya, while one child lives in the UK, another in the Middle East, with extended family residing in India.&nbsp;



Despite the global nature of such clients, Barclays’ services remain highly personalised. Having Private Banker coverage across these locations allows the bank to really understand the family dynamics and be able to bank each individual in their location as well as support the family holistically.”&nbsp;



“Around 90% of client meetings take place in their homes. That’s because the topics being discussed are private and a relaxed home environment, helps open frank dialogue amongst family members, often across multiple generations.”&nbsp;&nbsp;



That means Barclays has to be innovative with the kinds of investment offerings it gives its clients. With overseas real estate, for example, it provides mortgages off the back of local earnings, something that few other banks do. It allows for global investments in multi-asset portfolios through direct stock selection, resulting in lower fees for customers, and its Private Assets programme makes it easier for clients to invest in high-growth startups and opportunities that are not available in the public markets.&nbsp;



“Many of our clients are entrepreneurs and are keen to invest in the sectors they built their wealth in,” says Prabhu.&nbsp;&nbsp;



That embrace of innovation is also part of why Barclays is so committed to Africa.&nbsp;&nbsp;



“Growth in Africa leads to global growth,” says Prabhu. “We’ve seen that through helping families who head up African ventures to expand into markets like the UK, Middle East, and India. Having a strong presence in Africa also allows us to connect families in Africa with other global families for joint ventures and investments.”&nbsp;



Further evidence of Barclays’ commitment to Africa can be seen in its Referral Agreement with Credit Suisse that enabled Credit Suisse to refer its private banking clients in Sub-Saharan Africa (excluding South Africa) to Barclays.&nbsp;&nbsp;



“That single referral opportunity is equivalent to five years’ worth of organic growth,” he says.&nbsp;&nbsp;



Barclays is also working hard to ensure that it can help its clients to do good across the continent.&nbsp;&nbsp;



“For a lot of younger people it’s about finding ways to marry scenarios where they’re making money while doing good,” he says. “Here, our global expertise in impact investing as well as impact Philanthropy can be incredibly helpful.”&nbsp;&nbsp;



Prabhu says Barclays’ new approach to Africa can be summed up as one that’s cognizant of the bank’s long history on the continent but which is optimised to provide the best possible experience for its client.&nbsp;&nbsp;



“Our customers know how critical it is that the institution holding their money is trusted, stable and independent and we will never compromise on that.”&nbsp; &nbsp;

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Same Name, New Approach: How This Bank is Building its African Renaissance 

While the African beauty industry is dominated by international beauty conglomerates, Belle Nubian seeks to challenge these statistics, and also help the continent reclaim what it considers to be African beauty.



As beauty ideals begin to shift, the demand for brands that understand African skin continues to grow. Tapping into a billion-dollar industry that is dominated by international companies is no easy feat. Yet, Faria Ichola already possessed a skill that would help her achieve this goal – a work ethic instilled in her by an A list American Singer. “It was an intense experience, but as my coach and mentor, she instilled an incredible work ethic in me.” It was during this period that Ichola was introduced to skincare solutions practiced by celebrities, and she noticed how these solutions helped maintain healthy skin. Coupled with memories of her late mother’s entrepreneurial spirit, and her master’s in Business and Administration, it wasn’t long before Ichola set out to provide solutions to women on the African continent.



A solution for African skin concerns



Hailing from the Republic of Benin and Ivory Coast, West Africa, and struggling with her own skincare issues, Ichola sought out remedies. She discovered a formula that was so effective that she believed it would offer the same benefits to others. Launched in 2016, based in New York, Belle Nubian now has 40 stores around the world, with just over 200 distributors, and an annual turnover of $10 million. Translating to Beautiful Black, the brand emerged after Ichola was introduced to glutathione, an antioxidant ingredient gaining popularity due to its effectiveness on the skin and overall health.



After discovering that the compound was relatively non-existent in the beauty market, Ichola created a dual glutathione and vitamin C product, and began selling. It wasn’t long before the product sold out, and as the brand grew and began introducing new products, Ichola recruited distributors that would help her sell across Africa. 60% of revenue is generated from the franchises and distributors in Europe and the USA. Ichola has also created opportunities for African women to earn a living by distributing Belle Nubian products. “We empower so many women who are now financially independent and happier in their marriages and in their lives. They don’t have to take any burden from men anymore. They’re free.



Laying the Beauty Foundation



Launching a successful business is a feat that Ichola is proud of, yet she has realized that no matter how large her consumer numbers grow, it doesn’t make her immune to criticism. Ichola acknowledges that every struggle comes with a lesson, and if she hadn’t gone through these struggles, then she wouldn’t have learned what she needed to in order to move forward.



A beauty secret revealed



Consumers often struggle with trusting brands, especially those that produce products to be used on the skin. “My audience likes me because I’m genuine. I don’t pretend to be what I’m not…I share my struggle. I share my battles, and I’m transparent.” However, it is not just the effectiveness of her ingredients or candidness that Ichola credits her success to, but also her attention to detail. “Unfortunately, while some companies will possess all the necessary tools and resources, they may fail to meet success due to poor implementation and organization,” says Ichola. By ensuring organization in her business, and never letting anybody discourage her, Ichola launched a successful brand that brought luxury skincare to the continent. With plans for the brand to introduce products aimed at babies, as well as haircare, it’s clear that Belle Nubian is leaving its beauty mark on Africa – and beyond, as the company intends on expanding into real estate and finance

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Bringing African Luxury To Skincare

Energy balance and private investments are crucial for the recovery of KZN economy.



KZN has the potential to cover the energy needs of the province and still supply excess energy into the national grid. With the projects being planned, KZN could become the hub for renewable energy in the future.&nbsp;



Renewable Energy Manager, Sbu Ntshalintshali explained, “The demand for energy in the KwaZulu-Natal province is forecasted to grow steadily at about 2% annually, from 6 281 MW to 7 562 MW by 2028. Base load generating capability in the Richards Bay, will eliminate the current scale of line losses and provide a completely new source of power capable of supplying the entire demand of KZN. As such, KZN would be removed from the existing national demand profile but in addition flow of electricity could be reversed from KZN back into the national transmission network providing much-need capacity and stabilisation of the grid.”&nbsp;



Below are some of the key projects being undertaken as part of the city’s and regions roadmap to sustainable energy supply.&nbsp;



Independent Power Producers Programme&nbsp;



The rollout of eThekwini’s Municipal Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (MIPPPP) is expected to attract approximately R324 billion by 2035. However, the first batch of procurement will only attract R10 billion and create over 8000 jobs. This project will be delivered through a public-private partnerships (PPP) as outlined in Section 120 of Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) and external service delivery mechanism of Section 76 (b) in Municipal Systems Act (MSA). The power generation plants are expected to generate net output of 1 576 800 MWh for natural gas and 175 200 MWh for solar power. The combined net energy output is expected to reach 1 752 000 MWh annually going to 2065.&nbsp;&nbsp;



The Municipality presented intentions to procure new generation capacity to the KZN Provincial Executive Council (PEC) on the 8th of June 2022. The KZN PEC supported the procurement of electricity from IPPs and mandated Provincial Treasury (PT) to provide concurrence in line with S120 of MFMA, Provincial Corporate Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) to provide concurrence in line with S76 (a) and S76 (b) of MSA and Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) to fast-track the process of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) as per National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) processes.&nbsp;



As part of R324 billion plan, the Municipality plans to further procure an additional capacity of 2 600 MW from various sources of power generation. This includes procurement on behalf of other regional municipalities within the province of KwaZulu Natal. This will fast-track regional transformation in the province and restore energy security, not only within eThekwini region, but across other 10 districts in the province. EThekwini is willing to become an ultimate buyer from IPPs on behalf of KZN Province and other municipalities.&nbsp;



EThekwini’s response to gas economy and hydrogen supply chain infrastructure&nbsp;



The Natural Gas Strategy of the city was adopted in 2015, aiming to provide safest, cleanest, and most efficient forms of non-renewable hydrocarbon energy. The Municipal position is to directly invest in natural gas infrastructure such as power plants and natural gas vehicles, creating the enabling environment that would support increased gas utilisation through accelerating the approval processes associated with gas ventures, and raising awareness of the benefits of natural gas amongst stakeholders.&nbsp;&nbsp;



The total energy consumption in eThekwini is dominated by the transport sector (69%), followed by the industry (14%), residential (8%) and commercial (7%) sectors. Local government and electricity losses account for 1% each of energy demand. The main areas where energy consumption can be reduced is within transportation sector and as such gas can play a role as a source of fuel, then later switch to hydrogen and ammonia fuels. The Municipality is planning to operate within the gas economy in partnership with private sector.&nbsp;&nbsp;



The Municipality’s sustainable energy master plan outlines energy consumption will increase by 70% by 2030 if business as usual scenarios continue. Therefore, eThekwini is considering several strategic interventions such as building gas distribution networks and gas storage infrastructure in partnership with private sector.&nbsp;



The South Africa Government published its Hydrogen Society Roadmap in February 2022. In the foreword, the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation noted that South Africa is facing multiple social and economic challenges, and that there is an opportunity to use and deploy hydrogen and hydrogen related technologies as part of our economic development and greening activities. The Government thus acknowledges that hydrogen has an important role to play in its Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan and transitioning towards a just and inclusive net zero carbon economy,&nbsp;&nbsp;



The eThekwini’s Regional Hydrogen Strategy seeks to explore and articulate the role of eThekwini and Richards Bay districts can play in establishing hydrogen economy in South Africa. It also uses modelling and analysis to show how hydrogen can help to facilitate increased use of sustainable energy in the region and possibly create an export market for hydrogen-derived products. EThekwini is a first city in Africa to develop world class hydrogen strategy that is built on circular economy principles.&nbsp;&nbsp;



Low carbon hydrogen is catalytic for the transformation of eThekwini’s energy landscape by reducing a heavy dependence on domestically produced and imported fossil fuels, in exchange for reliance on domestically sourced renewable energy and a circular economy.&nbsp;&nbsp;



EThekwini has identified 3 hydrogen hubs (namely Durban Port, Richards Bay, and Cato Ridge Dry Port), and each hub serves to meet demand and supply for conventional fuels. The supply chain infrastructure for hydrogen projects already exists in Durban and Richards Bay, however, more repurposing must happen to ensure projects reach commercial operation. The demand patterns of hydrogen developments represent 500 kilotons (kT) by 2030, 1000 kilotons by 2040 and 1500 kilotons by 2050. This will inject a total private investment of $23 billion (R410 billion) by 2050, create 260 000 construction jobs and 11 000 permanent jobs by 2030.&nbsp;&nbsp;



Comments on the Hydrogen Strategy&nbsp;



<ul>
<li>With the support from UK PACT, the eThekwini Municipality has demonstrated leadership and foresight to develop a hydrogen economy as part of the regional energy mix. This is an exciting opportunity that will transform the economy, create jobs, reduce carbon, and mitigate the impacts of climate change. The region is vulnerable to disasters as a result of climate change and the initiatives that the Municipality is taking are in response to ongoing challenges. This strategy confirmed that the leadership in the public and the private sector are motivated to lead and deliver the strategy. The building blocks are already in place to make this happen and the existing infrastructure will be explored to contribute positively to the delivery of the strategy. The Municipal leadership is inviting the private sector partners to identify specific opportunities to make the strategy a reality. &#8211; Damane Hlalele, Director, Arup&nbsp;</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>This is the first evidence-based assessment of how the hydrogen economy could emerge within a region of South Africa. It demonstrates the scale of the opportunity to attract investment in clean technologies that will drive economic activity, create quality jobs, and increase prosperity in the eThekwini region. The next steps for pilot projects are clearly articulated, providing a rallying cry for private sector investment. &#8211; Nick Ash, Associate Director, Arup&nbsp;</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>We have developed a practical strategy derived from circular economy approaches to outline supply chain infrastructure projects in the hydrogen economy. Hydrogen is a thermally dense molecule with exceptional thermodynamic properties that no other gas can match. The KwaZulu Natal (KZN) region is strategically located to commoditize hydrogen and lead regional commitments in support of the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA). The establishment of our South Durban Energy and Chemicals Park (SDECP) will bring policy certainty and attract much needed public-private investment. &#8211; Sbu Ntshalintshali, Energy Office, EThekwini Municipality&nbsp;</li>
</ul>



The establishment of South Durban Energy and Chemicals Park (SDECP)&nbsp;



The eThekwini Metropolitan has established SDECP in which sector coupling energy infrastructure in the form of land-based Floating System and Regasification Unit (FSRU), LNG import terminal and refined products terminal, along with various Gas to Power (GTP) plants, Hydrogen production and storage, Biofuel production and storage will be deployed to turnaround the economic situation of South Durban. The SDECP will be delivered through PPP model and will offer alternatives to pure-play product storage conversions, mitigates de-industrialization in Durban and defers decommissioning provisions.&nbsp;

Hydrogen,Renewable,Energy,Production,-,Hydrogen,Gas,For,Clean,Electricity

ETHEKWINI’S ROADMAP TO SUSTAINABLE ENERGY

Afri50 is a new award celebrating 50 Africans paving the way in their respective fields. It will be held in Johannesburg on 1 May, with a diverse set of nominees from all over Africa.



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Africa is a continent with abundant and multi-faceted talent. Africans are blazing new trails in science and technology, finance, sports, and entrepreneurship. Africans are taking charge and leading in various fields. There are several awards and honors that exist to honor and recognize various talents at different levels of their success. Notable lists and honors include the Forbes Africa lists, the New African Magazine’s 100 most inspirational, among several others.



Afri50 is a new award that will recognize 50 African trailblazers. The inaugural awards night is set to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 1 May 2023. The awards night coincides with Workers Day, a day when workers are celebrated and recognized for their labor towards making the world a better place.



The Afri50 Award nominees include Senegalese and Bayern Munich football club star Sadio Mane who is recognized for his sporting talent which has won him various accolades and his passion for community development which has seen him build schools, hospitals among several other donations he has made to Senegal. Sadio Mane is a game changer on the pitch and in the community development space in Senegal.



Senator Dr Rasha Kelej is the CEO of Merck Foundation. She has dedicated her time and life towards ending child marriages, empowering the girl child and transforming patient care across the globe. Kelej works with more than 20 African First Ladies and her organization has made an impact in 50 countries. She was appointed to serve in the Egyptian senate.



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Ambassador Dr Edd Branson is a leading citizen diplomat, a UN World habitat ambassador, African investment advocate and philanthropist. Branson received a certificate of recognition from the City of New York in the USA. In the certificate of recognition City of New York Mayor Eric Adams praised Branson for using his knowledge and resources to fund education and food distribution initiatives for underprivileged students and families in New York and around the world.



The diverse Afri50 Awards also recognized individuals from various countries including Djibouti, The Gambia, Togo, Mauritania among several other African nations. Former Zambian Vice President Dr. Nevers Mumba will be among the honored guests who will present the awards and the Afri50 certificate of recognition.



The Afri50 Awards night promises to be a gathering of Africa’s finest forward thinkers and extra ordinary talent whose endeavors have led to meaningful development and change at community, national, regional and global level while inspiring others.



The award nominees list was compiled by Dashboard Africa Research Institute and a select group of freelance journalists in a manner that ensures a high level of integrity. Award winning actress Samela Tyelbooi who plays Ayanda Majola on Generations the Legacy will be the host for the night.

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Inaugural Awards Ceremony For African Trailblazer

The new Avon Hydramatic Matte Lipstick is bold on the outside, caring to the core.



While history has it that the first commercial lipstick was invented in 1884 by French perfumers, lipstick dates back some 5000 years ago were ancient Sumerian and Indus Valley men and women were possibly the first to invent and wear it when they crushed gemstones to decorate their faces, mainly on the lips.&nbsp;&nbsp;



Since then, lipstick has become almost every woman’s darling best friend that she drapes on her lips and takes everywhere in the bag. Many research studies have discovered that lipstick has become much more than mere makeup, rather a tool of empowerment that enables them to present themselves and express their beauty. And while colors and ingredients evolve as the years go by, the objective of applying lipstick doesn’t change: to express inner beauty with outer self.&nbsp;&nbsp;



One of the most popular lipstick types amongst women is the matte lipstick. Women love it because it’s customizable, has bold colors, is easy to apply, water and smudge-proof, and long-lasting. But there is a downside to it: the undesirable feeling of dry lips.&nbsp;&nbsp;



“Avon asked thousands of women around the world to share what they would love in their dream lipstick,” says Nomfanelo Buthelezi, Senior Category Manager at Avon. “They desire a matte lipstick with amazing color that stays matte but keeps their lips feeling moisturized.” As a result, The world&#8217;s first matte lipstick with hydrating hyaluronic acid core is now available from Avon. Featuring 12 different shades, the matte lipstick offers bold, bright colors that women adore, as well as a hyaluronic hydrating core that leaves lips feeling moisturized and supple. With Avon&#8217;s new Hydramatic Lipstick, lips are moisturized with a revolutionary hyaluronic core.&nbsp;



Through the Hydramatic Lipstick, Avon’s team of scientists and experts have created a central core, powered by an exclusive blend of skincare ingredients: hyaluronic acid and glycerin, and surrounded it with intense matte color.  



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The game-changing lipstick is available from the Avon website &#8211; in 12 shades that are suitable for all skin tones, and retails at only ZAR129 ($7), true to Avon’s mantra that people choose Avon for high quality products at a fraction of the cost.  



Emily Howarth, Global Head of Make Up at Avon, adds: “There is nothing else like Hydramatic Matte Lipstick on the market. We’re proud to be the first to bring this groundbreaking technology to women all over the world at a price point which is accessible for all. Welcome to the new era of matte lipstick: bold on the outside and caring to the core – just like the women we’re proud to have supported for over 136 years.”&nbsp;



Avon Hydramatic Matte Lipstick will be available exclusively via Avon’s Online store, through any Avon representative countrywide&nbsp; from 1 March 2023.&nbsp;&nbsp;



About Avon&nbsp;&nbsp;



Avon has been doing beauty differently for 136 years. Avon is a company that connects people, using the power of beauty to transform lives for the better. Millions of independent sales representatives across the world sell iconic Avon brands through their social networks, building their own beauty businesses on a full- or part-time basis. Avon stands for gender equality, and we believe in listening to women’s needs, speaking out about issues that matter and creating positive change. Through Avon and the Avon Foundation we’ve donated over $1.1 billion, with a focus on tackling gender violence and breast cancer. Avon is part of the <a href="https://naturaeco.com/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Natura &amp;Co Group</a>.  Learn more at the Avon website.&nbsp;

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A game-changing beauty product for the go-getter

Shameel Joosub, CEO of the Vodacom Group, outlines the tensions between Africa’s development realities and the necessity of Just Transition, while highlighting corporate’s role in transforming to a green economy.



South Africa’s overreliance on coal has cemented the country as a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in Africa. Over 80% of South Africa’s electricity comes from coal. This has a negative impact on the environment, and the exposure to other pollutants and toxic chemicals emitted by coal plants is also harmful to human health and linked to illnesses like asthma, bronchitis and even lung cancer.



Combine these realities with the rolling blackouts that have plagued the country for well over a decade and it is imperative that changes are made. How do we successfully move away from coal without negatively impacting the many businesses, communities and individuals who depend on the energy sector for their livelihoods? By prioritising a ‘Just Transition’.



Ensuring a just transition that fully considers affected stakeholders demands dialogue. Dialogue between the workforce, unions, policymakers, businesses, supply chains, government, and communities. These parties must all be engaged to guarantee that the transition to a green economy happens with human rights in mind. Furthermore, it is critical that marginalized and under-represented groups of society – the youth, women, the informal sector and people with disabilities – participate in these discussions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Considering Africa’s development realities</h2>



In the African context, a just transition must be grounded in the continent’s development reality. Given the fact that global warming disproportionately affects poverty stricken communities and countries with lower levels of GDP, it is equally imperative that our dependency on energy sources that have a negative impact on our environment is reduced at an accelerated pace.



Balancing the need for a speedy transition with the need to execute this shift justly requires global, national and local collaboration. These partnerships must develop solutions that address the challenges faced by countries that are currently more focused on poverty alleviation and job creation than decarbonising their economies. Job losses are not a natural consequence of climate policies, but the consequence of meagre investment, limited social legislation and a lack of planning around the implementation of policies. If executed correctly, Africa’s move to a more sustainable future has potential to create decent jobs and improve the quality of life by preserving our natural resources and lowering our impact on the planet. So much so that the transition to clean energy is expected to create as much as 10.3 million net new jobs globally by 2030, according to the World Economic Forum. And there is also potential for existing blue collar workers to be upskilled and hired in other work.



Several African countries have already made steps in the right direction. At COP26 in 2021, a Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) was formed between South Africa, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union. As part of this partnership, $8.5 billon in financing is being channelled to support a just and equitable energy transition in South Africa. More recently, France and Germany have promised an additional €300 million each in concessional financing to help South Africa accelerate the decarbonisation of our economy.



In the DRC, Tanzania and Mozambique, governments acknowledge the importance of a just transition and progress is happening. In Mozambique, for example, government has set a goal to provide access to clean power for all citizens by 2030. They plan to do so by leveraging the country’s abundant renewable energy sources. But when cyclone Idai partly destroyed Mozambique’s Mavuzi and Chicamba hydropower plants, these efforts were hampered. Fortunately Germany, France and Sweden stepped in to help finance the rehabilitation of the country’s important renewable infrastructure.



Balancing climate action and social imperatives on a continent with vast inequality is a significant challenge but solvable if decisive action is taken. Yes, African countries should have a right to use their



natural resources to uplift economies and boost development, but this must be done sustainably. While financing is important, it is essential that developed and other high emitting nations, who are disproportionality responsible for climate change, contribute to the historic COP27 loss and damage fund. In addition, these nations should also provide access to technology, education, social support and skills and help Africa develop new economic opportunities and create jobs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-corporates-in-the-just-transition">The role of corporates in the just transition</h2>



There is a global call for businesses to create net-zero plans and set science-based targets in line with a 1.5 degree pathway. A just transition is an imperative part of these plans.



To understand the role that corporates could play, Vodacom most recently collaborated with Eskom to pilot a solution where the private sector would be encouraged to help solve the country’s intermittent power challenges. This partnership is also about making a transition of the South African power infrastructure to include more renewable energy sources. At COP27, Vodafone Egypt and the Egyptian New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA) signed a memorandum of understanding to initiate discussions on the potential use of renewable electricity generated by the Authority&#8217;s projects to feed its network.



In other countries of operation, Vodacom is working to help local economies and empower surrounding communities by providing telecommunications and other technology services. Mini and microgrid solutions not only provide clean power for Vodacom’s operations but also for the community who can purchase surplus energy through M-Pesa. This gives local communities access to electricity, which otherwise would not be available; the knock-on effect of which is the creation of new businesses and job opportunities.



As a technology and innovation business, Vodacom can connect government and industry with the technology they need to improve efficiencies and productivity and positively effect change in communities disproportionally affected by climate change.



The just transition will not happen by itself. It requires plans and policies and active engagement from all groups of society. It demands that we all become agents of change, especially those that are more fortunate to influence and effect change. We recognise that this will not be easy, however our futures are at stake and so we must respond appropriately. I had the privilege of attending COP27 in Egypt last year and was encouraged by the discussions that were had and the commitments that came out of the event both from governments and the private sector. For me, these conversations underpin the fact that we have to work together to address this global crisis so that we can succeed in ensuring that our move to a greener world is just and equitable for everyone involved

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Partnerships Key To Ensuring Africa’s ‘Just Transition’ Is Successful

The adoption of digital payments by businesses plays a pivotal role in transforming Africa’s economy. Cellulant is focused on empowering global and local businesses operating in Africa with the ability to accept and make payments seamlessly via its unparalleled payment network.



African businesses whether large enterprises, medium-sized enterprises or entrepreneurial micro outfits play a pivotal role in the economic growth of the continent as they account for about 80% of the continent’s employment, help close infrastructure gaps and help meet Africa’s unfulfilled demand for new goods and services.



Empowering the growth of these businesses is therefore essential for not only Africa’s economic growth but also for the global economy, as it leads to the emergence of a middle class with disposable income, opens up opportunities for new investors and spurs innovation on the continent.



However, for too long it has been expensive and cumbersome to make and receive payments between businesses which impedes their growth and opportunities for those they serve. Yet, it is clear that there is a huge demand for and progress in better ways for people to send and receive money. Currently, Africa represents 70% of the $1 trillion global mobile money value. Furthermore, the domestic e-payment market in Africa is projected to amount to $40 billion by 2025 through a 20% annual growth rate.



So far, The growth in the payments landscape can be attributed to innovations in peer-to-peer (P2P) and consumer-to-business (C2B) payments. Business-to-business payments remain painful for many because of the operational complexities surrounding these transactions. For example, whereas C2B payments tend to be instantaneous, B2B payments involve a complex array of factors, including different payment terms for different suppliers and pricing discounts based on payment timing and methods.



Specifically in Africa, low card penetration, the proliferation of mobile phones and no unified digital infrastructure has led to the emergence of a large number of payment options mainly comprising a vast number of mobile wallets, banks and regional card networks.



Whereas this abundance of payment options has many benefits, especially for consumers, it creates significant challenges for businesses, who have to work with many partners to handle the various types of payments required to fulfil customer needs. Establishing these relationships with multiple providers is a costly and arduous affair that then forces the business to consider either limiting their expansion, reducing the payment options available to their customers or resorting back to cash.



Even with established connections, businesses still have to deal with the challenges of reconciliation and reporting. Tracking down transactional data for the different providers, and



reconciling what was sold and what has been settled is very challenging for many businesses without a single platform that supports automatic reconciliation.



The above intricacies demonstrate that business-to-business payments necessitate an additional back-end layer for the execution of business payments.



These are some of the challenges we’re solving at Cellulant by enabling businesses with the payment rails they need to operate. Driven by the goal of empowering global and local businesses operating in Africa with the ability to collect and payout seamlessly, we’re building the continent’s most extensive payment platform.



Cellulant’s payment platform, Tingg, enables businesses of all sizes to accept payments online and instore(collections), and to make payments across multiple regions and currencies (payouts) while allowing anyone to pay businesses from their mobile money, local and international cards or directly from their bank. The platform directly connects to over 350 payment methods covering over 35 countries in Africa and is arguably the continent’s most comprehensive payment infrastructure.



Whether it’s an FMCG company in Zambia faced with the challenge of reconciling payments from three mobile money wallets, a global ride-hailing company looking to make daily payouts to thousands of its drivers in multiple African countries, or a remittance company powering safe and reliable international payments into Africa &#8211; the thousands of businesses on the Tingg digital platform benefit from a single view of their auto reconciled transactions.



To fully unlock growth for most businesses, support has to go beyond payment solutions to value-added services along the value chain such as access to credit. Cellulant is looking to further the strength of its payment infrastructure through business lending in the near future.



Cellulant firmly believes in the power of building a payments ecosystem that creates seamless interoperability across the continent to create opportunities and accelerate growth for businesses and individuals.

Akshay Grover Cellulant Group CEO _Landscape

Building Africa’s Digital Payments Infrastructure: The Path to Economic Growth

FIBO Group explores the potentials and drawbacks of investments like savings, real estate, dollar deposits, and outlines the risks and rewards of Forex.



On the one hand, economic and geopolitical shocks in 2022 widen a class divide between the lower and upper classes of the population. On the other hand, crisis is always a time of opportunity. How can you save money and make it work? What investment services are available on the market today?



Of course, one of the simplest and most affordable tools is a bank deposit. What rates do banks offer for deposits in national currencies? For example, average rates in South Africa, Ghana and Nigeria are up to 8-9%. The larger and more reliable the bank, the longer the deposit period and the less flexible withdrawal terms, the lower the rate. It seems to be a guaranteed income. However, quantitative increase does not mean a qualitative one. When calculating revenues, we forget about inflation, that is, the actual increase in prices.



According to official figures for 2021, inflation is approximately 17% in Nigeria, 10% in Ghana and 4.5% in South Africa. Its level is rather an average temperature of a country’s economy. If you look at individual categories of goods, you do not have to be an economist to calculate that the price increase is higher than the indicated values. So, what will cost 10 million naira ($22 000) will cost over 11.7 million naira ($26 000) a year later. And with a one-year deposit you will have only 10.9 million naira ($24 000). It turns out that inflation both prevented you from making a profit and ate a big piece of your money.



Of course, you can invest in dollar deposits, but the de facto the situation is even worse. Such deposits are attractive only when the dollar grows against your national currency within a specific period of time that has nothing to do with the banking system. An average rate on dollar deposits is up to 1%. But vast majority of people are paid in their national currency. It means you will lose both due to inflation and due to double conversion, because in order to use the money at the end of the deposit period, you need to convert it, for example, to the South African rand.



The next most common way to invest is real estate. But firstly, you need to have a significant initial capital. Secondly, it takes a very long time to pay back the investments, which is not always suitable as a planning horizon. Real estate often is a highly illiquid tool – meaning it is not readily convertible to cash. So it is rather a liability for a &#8220;bright future&#8221;.



What remains an alternative to classic types of investment? To find the answer, you need to figure out how banks generate profits on deposits. In most cases, it is not interest on loans, because banks themselves are credited by central banks and resell these loans to borrowers. One of the main sources of the bank&#8217;s income is its own and customer asset management on the financial market. Access to financial markets is also available to private investors and it does not always require large capital.



Representatives of the investment community argue about the effectiveness of different approaches to obtaining income on the financial market. One part prefers a long term investment, the other part is committed to active speculative trade. And they are both right in their own way. Each of these approaches is suitable for different market phases. Securities are attractive when the market is growing or recovering. What do you do when markets face turmoil and there is no understanding of prospect? It turned out that many people are skeptical about the foreign exchange market and it is understandable. For some reason frustration caused by a large number of fraudsters and scam projects grew into a skeptical attitude toward the Forex market itself.



In terms of trading, it is often said that the Forex market is a big risk, but let&#8217;s compare. The S&amp;P 500 index, the benchmark of the American stock market, declined by 24.9% from January to September 2022, while the



main currency market tool, the EURUSD currency pair, declined by 13.9% over the same period. Even during a quiet period, the change in the stock price within one trading session can be 4-5% against 1% in the Forex market. The most important advantage of the currency market over the stock market is an ability to quickly redistribute assets between the tools of completely different economies of the world, which makes it possible both to save your money and to profit from it.



At the same time, we need to understand why there is a negative attitude towards the Forex industry. This industry has not been regulated for a long time, and it was easy to establish an offshore company. Offering large earnings and claiming that &#8220;forex is simple&#8221;, fraudsters lure people into their trap. Do not believe it if someone guarantees you profit, tries to impose a profitable super-system, offers huge bonuses for making a deposit and, most importantly, does not warn about risks – it is a scammer. Meanwhile, there are a number of companies that have been forming the industry for many years, working transparently and trying to provide high-quality service to their customers.



As with anything, you can&#8217;t do without knowledge of the market. At FIBO Group, based on our 24-year experience in the industry, we understand it perfectly. We help new traders in more than 30 countries to feel supported in their endeavors. Our customers get to a private club, where they meet like-minded people, and get the knowledge and practice necessary for great results. Unfortunately, most companies in the market cease providing their services right after the first deposit and a customer is left alone with the market. FIBO Group experts share their knowledge, analyze customer transactions, give feedback and corrects errors. Of course, no one will make transactions for you, but you will know the right direction. Our active premium customers have an opportunity to get cashback from paid fees and even get an interest on funds on the account.



The business of the FIBO Group forex broker is a huge ecosystem consisting of the brokerage company, liquidity providers (aggregators) and the counterparty to the transaction (for example, a bank or a prime broker). The task of a forex broker is to accept an order from the customer and transfer it to the liquidity provider, which in turn, transfers it to the counterparty – the second party in the transaction. The company earns money by charging a fee for each customer&#8217;s transaction. On the one hand, the company does not care if the customer has earned or not, but in the long term, a smart broker is interested in the customer being active for a long time, which is possible only if the customer is satisfied and makes a profit.

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Alternative Investments in 2023

Joni Zurawinski, Advocate for Equal Access to Healthcare, at Roche Diagnostics, speaks to the importance of healthcare partnerships.



Nearly half of the world’s population (47%) does not have access to diagnostic testing. Low-to-middle-income countries (LMICs) are among the worst affected, with large diagnostic access gaps leading to premature deaths. In Africa, there is also a glaring shortage of healthcare workers; for example, pathologists, with a ratio of around one pathologist for every one-million people.



According to the World Health Organization (WHO), however, between 2000 and 2018, new HIV infections in Africa fell by 37% and HIV-related deaths by 45%, with 13.6 million lives saved due to access to testing and anti-retroviral treatment. This significant impact resulted from tremendous efforts made through partnerships – between governments, development and technical agencies, implementing organizations, civil society, and the private sector.



The Global Fund partnership, one of the world&#8217;s largest funders of global health, is one of the shining examples of partnership in practice, having saved more than 50 million lives over the past 20 years and reducing death rates from HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria by more than half.



The past has shown us that progress is possible, and the challenges faced across Africa cannot be solved by any one organization alone. As WHO suggests, and the Global Fund has demonstrated, we need a diversity of partners, thought, and solutions to move ahead. Leveraging the strengths and expertise of a broad range of partners brings solutions to solve complex challenges into better focus.



When established with purpose, transparency, and trust, with an aligned mission from all parties, partnerships have proved to be robust mechanisms in delivering impact. Partnership is the core of much of the success we’ve seen so far in delivering access for patients, and will be one of the key mechanisms to saving many more lives in years to come.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Why do we need the private sector for sustainable healthcare across Africa?</h3>



The private sector typically comes with technical expertise, speed, efficiency, and the ability to stretch every dollar to create maximum healthcare impact. When resources are scarce, this can offer an immense benefit for global, regional, and local health.



With a focus on growth, private sector companies aim to build technologies and innovations, understanding how and where the technology will work best for the benefit of patients and customers. In many cases, private sector companies have extended global reach to bring diverse best practices and leverage experience from a myriad of markets.



Private sector organizations invest heavily in product research and development and these investments can have greater impact for countries when they are directed with input from a diverse set of stakeholders.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The impact of public-private partnerships in action</h3>



Public-private partnerships have historically demonstrated an impact in driving access for people who need it and in building sustainable health systems that work.



Project Last Mile brings together the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Coca-Cola Company.



This cross-sector partnership taps into Coca-Cola’s business network – one of the widest-reaching business systems in Africa – and leverages top skills and experience within the supply chain and service providers to strengthen health systems and improve the availability and reach “to the last



mile” of life-saving medicines. In 2021, the project achieved some key milestones across 12 countries in Africa, having affected more than 35 million lives since its inception in 2010.5



Johnson &amp; Johnson is among several public and private sector partners expanding access to tuberculosis treatment in LMICs and non-governmental organizations. For example, in South Africa, starting in 2015, around 50,000 courses of MDR-TB medicine have been procured for patients in need to date. The initiative also supports efforts to train health workers and raise community awareness to find the “missing millions” of undiagnosed individuals with tuberculosis.



These are just a couple of examples that demonstrate the value and impact of public-private partnerships in addressing the access challenges across Africa. I’ve seen a similar sense of community in action in my own organization.



Roche was the first company to establish a formal diagnostic access program – the Global Access Program – in 2014, together with the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) and other partner organizations, including USAID, PEPFAR, and the Global Fund, to support much-needed scale up for access to HIV viral load tests to monitor anti-retroviral treatment efficacy across LMICs.



The Global Access Program has since expanded beyond HIV to ensure reliable testing solutions are available to patients in LMICs, focusing on critical infectious diseases, including tuberculosis, hepatitis B and C (HBV and HCV), COVID-19, and HPV (cervical cancer).



The Global Access Program was designed to provide end-to-end, sustainable, local solutions that would go beyond providing reduced pricing of diagnostic and monitoring tests, building capacity, and strengthening healthcare systems – in particular, diagnostics infrastructure. By working together with international agencies, non-governmental organizations, and governments at the global, regional and local levels, it takes a holistic and collaborative approach to improve health system diagnostic capacity.



As part of the Global Access Program, through continued partnership, over 8 million African patients are tested annually to manage their HIV infections. Over the past 7 years, more than 11 million babies have been tested for HIV, and over 8,300 laboratory technicians have been trained. Additionally, 33 African countries have installed Roche molecular diagnostics systems, enabling reliable testing – a critical step to realizing global elimination goals.



Between 2007 and 2017, Roche contributed to several Public-Private Partnerships specifically aimed to address barriers to access and scale up of HIV viral load and early infant diagnosis across Africa. This included partnerships with UNITAID and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) to create “Turnkey Laboratories” to improve access for early infant diagnosis, where over 900,000 tests were made available, 300,000 infants were enrolled into care and treatment, leading to more than 100 laboratories across Sub-Saharan Africa offering PCR testing.



In 2012, Roche and PEPFAR announced a public-private partnership to strengthen certification programs, educational resources, and molecular diagnostic laboratory systems to improve HIV and AIDS prevention, treatment, and outcomes.



Some partnerships bring together unlikely matches, but thinking outside of the usual suspects can lead to significant impact. A great example is (RED), the organization founded by Bono and Bobby Shriver in 2006 to fight AIDS and the injustices that enable pandemics to thrive. (RED) leverages big brand presence and influencers to create unique products and experiences. These all raise money for the Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS.



Roche Diagnostics, was the first diagnostics company to partner with (RED), embarking on a shared mission to create greater awareness of the importance of diagnostics in fighting pandemics and to encourage continued investment in health system strengthening. Over the last 3 years, the Roche and (RED) partnership has broken new ground in shifting awareness forward with new audiences via docu-style stories that helped keep the spotlight on HIV/AIDS and the importance of diagnostics throughout the COVID pandemic.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-continued-role-of-public-private-partnerships">The continued role of public-private partnerships</h3>



The nature of partnerships should continue to evolve, building from past successes, lessons learned, and then adapting to meet new challenges. To reach more patients, we must understand the real-world conditions in public health facilities across the continent and foster cooperation with all the stakeholders to develop new models for access.



We need a diversity of capabilities, expertise, and perspective at the table to work together to tackle complex challenges for healthcare delivery. Partnerships created with purpose and aligned along shared missions and values have demonstrated impact and have shown what can be accomplished – including with the private sector.



&#8220;If everyone helps to hold up the sky, then one person does not become tired,” said Dr. Askkari Johnson Hodari.



I am fortunate to work for Roche, an organization committed to driving access to diagnostics for all – regardless of social, economic, or geographical barriers.



At some point in our lives, every one of us has been a patient and has seen a beloved family member or friend tackle health issues. If we remain mindful of this and work together within trusted, transparent, and purposeful partnerships, we can build strong health systems that provide equal access to the care and treatment people need, no matter where they live.

JoniZurawinski_DRUCK_003

Partnerships With Purpose: The private sector’s role in building sustainable healthcare in Africa

The Future of Education in Africa



The COVID-19 pandemic greatly affected the way that education is conceived and delivered worldwide. As institutions in Africa adapt to the new learning environment and consider implications for students, faculty, and staff, technology plays a critical role in enabling successful outcomes both today and in the future.



That’s why OneConnect and Anthology have partnered to support the African education community and help more students and institutions achieve their goals. With a holistic approach to education technology that’s focused on delivering dynamic, data-informed experiences, OneConnect and Anthology are breaking down silos and connecting critical systems to open up a world of new possibilities for learning.



Blending Data with Experiences



A learner doesn’t exist inside one system alone, and neither does an institution. By bringing together data and insights across core solutions, the right technology can help educators develop a deeper understanding of students to deliver more personalized experiences tailored to meet the needs of each learner. This also helps institutions drive operational efficiencies and meet objectives around critical areas like enrollment, retention, and engagement.



Higher education leaders are nearly unanimous in their perspective on the potential impact that blending data and experiences could make. 94% globally agree that a holistic view of learner data pulled across multiple systems would benefit their team and help more students achieve their goals.



“By considering student feedback and investing in technology resources to deliver more personalization across everything from course delivery options to career services, higher education leaders can position their university to provide an experience that meets the needs of today’s learners—and those of tomorrow,” said Jim Milton, Chairman and CEO, Anthology.



“We believe that education technology solutions allow students in rural and remote areas access to the same quality of education as a child attending the best private school in the city. Furthermore, that student can interact with peers across the country and the continent; be exposed to new ideas and new opportunities, benefitting from the diversity and richness of their engagements. Our aim is to also help education institutions see that they can grow their businesses beyond brick and mortar and do so quickly – breaking down “walls” to reach students beyond their physical geography, through sophisticated solutions that make administration and teaching seamless,&#8221; said Rogers Sithole, MD of OneConnect Education.



Partnering for Progress



OneConnect delivers Anthology’s comprehensive suite of education technology solutions to institutions across the African continent. Trusted by more than 150 million learners, educators and administrators in +80 countries, Anthology offers a holistic ecosystem designed to help create an inspiring and infinite world of learning without boundaries. In partnership with the African education community, OneConnect and Anthology are shaping the future of learning through technology.



Get to know us and explore the possibilities. <a href="http://www.anthology.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">www.Anthology.com</a> OR www.oneconnect.co.za



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Together we will figure it out

Supporting The African Education Community To Achieve Its Goals

Q&amp;A with Emma Knox, CEO: Vitality Health Insurance



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Why is Vitality Health International (VHI) embarking on an Africa strategy?



Before I answer the &#8216;why&#8217; I would like to take the opportunity to share a little more with you on the &#8216;what&#8217;.



Vitality Health International was established last year and is the most recent expansion for the Vitality group, which brings both the Vitality Health International product as well as the unique Vitality wellness program to the rest of Africa. We have launched VHI to enable us to bring this novel private health International solution and wellness program to meet the unique needs of our home continent’s people.



Vitality has more than 20 years’ experience, in 38 countries worldwide with over 27 million members – we believe that the time is right to expand our innovative, globally recognized, shared-value health International offering to key markets across our home continent.



Is your own background and experience conducive to leading an Africa strategy for VHI?



I am very excited to be part of the team bringing Vitality to the rest of Africa. My background is in healthcare, I spent 18 years at GlaxoSmithKline where the focus of my last ten years was focused on bringing much needed medicines and vaccines to sub-Saharan Africa.



In addition to this I have spent some time working with NGO&#8217;s focused on the African continent, with both Project HOPE (Health Opportunities for People Everywhere) as well as sitting on the Board of Save the Children SA. I am passionate about increasing access to healthcare and look forward to bringing this experience to VHI. I am also surrounded by a team of exceptionally talented and experienced individuals in the VHI team, including my actuarial and medical teams who ensure we build the right product for each country and are able to offer real value to our customers.



You say you are working with local in-country partners to deliver your Africa strategy – how have you gone about selecting those partners?



Partnership is crucial to the VHI model. Every country is unique, and we need to work with leading local International businesses to fully understand this and ensure we bring a product of real value. Our partners enable us to do this. In each market we have conducted a detailed in-country review and have a selection process to find a partner who has the right combination of in-market knowledge as well as one which meets our legal and regulatory requirements and has aligned values. I believe that in any partnership the most important ingredient is aligned values, these form the basis of any strong, long-term partnership.



Which countries is VHI currently available in?



We have launched in four countries so far, Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia and the DRC. This is part of a plan to grow our footprint to more than ten countries in the next 12 months.



Ensuring that we provide long-term benefits to our clients in all markets means that we need to get the basics right – it is for this reason that we are taking a considered approach to meet all relevant in-country regulatory requirements. In addition, we have focused on the countries where we believe we can make the most impact, this is dependent on the healthcare model of the country as well as the ability for us to bring our shared-value model. At the heart of our shared value ecosystem is our commitment to create healthier people, and build a stronger healthcare system, across our home continent.



Shared-value is what underpins the Vitality offering and it is what makes our offering so different. The knowledge that looking after your health by doing the correct medical checks for your age, eating healthily and exercising improves our life expectancy and reduces illness is not new. However, we know at Vitality that often this knowledge is not enough to change human behaviour, and that having increased access to clear, relevant information and regular rewards for achieving your goals helps people make long lasting changes that impact their health.



How have you gone about deciding which VHI products are appropriate for Africa?



Vitality Health International is currently only focused on one core product &#8211; this is Health International for corporates where we offer Health International with our Vitality wellness program embedded. We believe this is the product that can make the biggest impact most rapidly.



Through the roll out of Vitality we offer employers the ability for employees to link an approved wearable fitness device to the Vitality platform, to track their physical activity. Employees on Vitality will also be able to complete online health assessments to understand their health risks and receive weekly goals to increase their physical activity levels and earn rewards with Vitality Active Rewards. In three easy steps, Vitality members can:



· Track physical activity through linked wearable fitness devices.



· Achieve weekly, personalised activity goals through the Vitality platform, and



· Earn rewards for achieving their physical activity goals.



In addition to the Health International product we have also launched another product, Travel for Treatment (T4T). Vitality Health International has partnered with Medical Services Organization International (MSOI) to enable us to do this. T4T is an end-to-end clinical concierge service for people living on the African continent who need to access healthcare in top medical destinations, including South Africa, the United Kingdom and France.



Medical tourism is a large and growing opportunity in Africa. The demand for T4T continues to grow rapidly year by year. Unfortunately, the vast majority of patients have to navigate this complex and often intimidating journey alone. An estimated two million patients, mainly from sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) travelled to South Africa between 2003 and 2008, at an average of 400,000 people per annum.



WithT4T, patients get access to a range of healthcare services, at standard medical fees, from contracted healthcare facilities and providers, including dedicated case management support and cover for complications. All non-healthcare arrangements are also catered for according to the needs of the patient, including flights, transfers and accommodation. We take care of all the complex details so that patients can focus on their treatment and healing.



What is your long term vision in terms of your Africa strategy?



The Vitality Health International team are bringing the benefit of our unique wellness programme and International to the rest of Africa along with our unique T4T offering. With these offerings we are committed to bringing our shared value model to the rest of Africa through which we aim to make people, companies, and societies healthier.



Interviewed by Bronwyn Nielson, CEO, The Nielsen Network

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Spotlight on Strategy For Health Insurance In Africa

A visionary leader with a zeal to transform the lives of people in Africa, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, also lovingly known as ‘Mama Africa’, has been at the forefront of the Foundation to address critical social and health issues across Africa through unique and exemplary ways. And one of the exceptional ways she is using to create community awareness about these issues is creating music and video clips together with talented young African musicians.



Merck Foundation CEO: Creating a cultural shift in Africa through Music



Egypt-born Rasha Kelej believes music and art can influence us to make the problem felt, which further stimulates emotions and leads to engagement and action. “Music has the power to touch the hearts and souls of people, bind communities, and bring about a cultural shift in society,” she says.



She used her hidden talents to produce and direct around 30 songs in English, French, Portuguese and local languages, with various local African artists to address issues like breaking infertility stigma, empowering women, supporting girls’ education, ending child marriage, diabetes awareness, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and more.



It is very impressive that besides the talents from the music industry, the President of Liberia, the former First Lady of Burundi, and the daughter of the current President of Burundi have also composed and sung songs for her Merck Foundation “More than a Mother” Campaign to break the stigma around infertility and infertile women in particular.



Kelej recently launched three interesting songs in English, French and Portuguese, to raise awareness about diabetes. The songs communicate an important message that diabetes can be prevented and managed with lifestyle modifications like going sugar-free, eating healthy, exercising regularly, stopping smoking, and limiting alcohol intake.



Creating with African Musicians



Some of the artists Kelej partnered with include Cwezi and Adina from Ghana, Wezi from Zambia, Kenneth from Uganda, Sean K from Namibia, Blaze from Mozambique, Sunita from Gambia, Tom Close from Rwanda, Suzanna Owiyo and Octopizzo from Kenya, Rozzy from Sierra Leone, Dan Lu from Malawi, Irene Logan from Liberia, Laura Beg from Mauritius – to name a few.



Another interesting song that she produced as her personal contribution to show support and appreciation for medical workers around the world during COVID-19 was ‘My White Army Song’.



It is worth appreciating that she coordinated with 11 singers across Africa to come up with this song, which was a tribute to the medical workers during COVID-19. It was for the first time that singers from 11 African countries came together in one song in three languages – English, French, and Arabic.



Merck Foundation Awards for African Talents to Raise Awareness



To encourage young talents who aspire to become singers to raise awareness through songs, Kelej has announced two song awards in partnership with African First Ladies. One is the ‘More Than a Mother’ song award for breaking the infertility stigma, supporting girls’ education, women empowerment, ending child marriage, ending FGM, and/ or stopping Gender Based Violence at all levels. And the second is the diabetes &amp; hypertension song award to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about the prevention and early detection of diabetes and hypertension.



Not only this, but the awards have also been announced on these themes for filmmakers, fashion designers, media, and young talents in these fields.



“I invite African artists, media and young talents of Africa, to be the voice of the voiceless, break the silence. Send us your entries at submit@merck-foundation.com,” she adds.



Creating “Our Africa” TV program to raise awareness



This multi-talented CEO has also conceptualized, produced, directed, and co-hosted a TV program “Our Africa by Merck Foundation”, a pan African TV program that features fashion designers, singers, and prominent guests from various domains with the aim to raise awareness about a wide range of social and health issues in Africa.



The show has been receiving overwhelming acclaim from its viewers and social media followers of Kelej, for its ability to use a medium like fashion and art to address sensitive social and health issues.



The show initially released on KTV in Kenya, NTV in Uganda, and GH One TV in Ghana and ZNBC in Zambia, AYV in Sierra Leone and LTV, Liberia, immediately captured the attention and hearts of millions of viewers across Africa. “Our Africa” TV program is currently on the social media handles of Kelej and Merck Foundation.



African First Ladies as Ambassadors



Over the last five years Kelej has been working closely with more than 20 African First Ladies, who are the ambassadors of Merck Foundation to build healthcare capacity, break infertility stigma, support girls’ education and more.



She has also launched 8 children’s storybooks on these issues to sensitize children from young ages in three languages, English, French and Portuguese – another unique initiative to create a culture shift.



Making history via Transforming Patient Care in Africa and beyond



Kelej spearheads Merck Foundation’s programs that have been contributing in building healthcare capacity in Africa and beyond. They provided 1470 scholarships to young doctors from 50 countries with scholarships in more than 32 critical and underserved specialties. Merck Foundation became part of Africa’s legacy as they provided training to the first specialized doctors in many fields like Fertility, Embryology, Oncology, Diabetes, Endocrinology, Respiratory and more.



“We invite all doctors from underserved communities to apply to our scholarships on our email info@merck-foundation.com to fill health gaps in their communities,” Kelej emphasized. To follow the Merck Foundation mission, visit: www.merck-foundation.com and www.rasha-kelej.com.

Senator Dr Rasha Kelej during OUR Africa by Merck Foundation TV Show (1)

Merck Foundation CEO: Creating Songs With African Musicians to Raise Awareness

WCEF presents the world’s leading circular economy solutions with business leaders, policymakers and experts participating from around the world. In attendance in Rwanda from 6th to 8th of December was Josephine Wawira, the Communications Lead at Sustainable Inclusive Business, the Knowledge Center under the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA).



Kigali, a city that rhythms with African charm, prides itself on biodiversity that is well maintained, sprawling over green valleys and ridges, the capital of the land of a thousand hills, Rwanda. I am here for the annual World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF), and like millions of other people who have visited Kigali, I am in awe of the progressiveness of an African people who have chosen to rise from dust to glory. The streets are clean and flowers blossom along the roads; safe for your morning jog or an evening bicycle ride with provisions for both pedestrian and cycling lanes. On multiple corners sustainable buildings are coming up; some are already in existence. A city on the move towards the right direction. A direction of peaceful co-existence, a spirited art scene, an alluring business environment, delightful gastronomic experiences and an incredibly inviting culture.



Amid my deep analysis and comparison with my country Kenya, my thoughts are interrupted by the arrival of my guest, Kari Herlevi. He is the Head of Unit, Global Collaboration at the Finnish Innovation Fund – Sitra, the lead organization for the WCEF. A delightful gentleman who is driven by a bigger purpose to contribute to a better future. For Herlevi, it’s not just about the economy but also about the environment, making for an interesting side-line chat on the biodiversity topic that has captured the attention of global policymakers as well as the private sector.



As a background, WCEF presents the world’s leading circular economy solutions with business leaders, policymakers and experts participating from around the world. Hosted in the Global South for the first time in Kigali from 6th to 8th December, this year’s forum presented a unique opportunity for African countries and the world at large to transition toward an inclusive low-carbon and climate-resilient economy while tackling key societal challenges.



For this transition to happen, we cannot understate the importance of biodiversity, as it’s not only important for our co-existence with nature, but also supports our economy, civilization, and survival of the human race. At this juncture, Herlevi reflects on the gravity of biodiversity loss globally, the correlation with climate change, the dangers we face unless we take prompt action, and the opportunities we have to turn the tide. Unfortunately, biodiversity loss is more acute in Sub-Saharan Africa under the “business as usual” scenario. This is mostly driven by an increasing agricultural land use to feed a growing population. On the other hand, the primary forest cover continues to decrease, leaving Sub-Saharan Africa even more vulnerable to longer-term impacts.



Are you a threat or an opportunity for biodiversity? Herlevi asks me, and it immediately gets me wondering. How am I, you, individually contributing to this menace? Let’s take our daily consumption patterns for example.


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According to a 2022 Sitra Report on Tackling Root Causes, Agriculture uses 50% of habitable land globally, of which 77% is used to farm livestock for meat and dairy consumption or to grow crops for livestock consumption. Almost half of the forest area lost in the tropics has been converted to



agriculture, chiefly for beef, palm oil and soybean production. So, every time you and I crave a beef burger, we must evaluate our contribution to the biodiversity loss and ask ourselves if it is necessary to consume it as often as we currently do.



How about the tones of clothes lying around our wardrobe unworn for years on end, yet we keep adding to the heap each passing day? And how often do our torn clothes find their way into the dustbin, more often mixed with wet waste and into the landfill? But what if we focused on quality instead of quantity? What if we bought clothes only when we need them and not because we just wanted them? What if designers and manufacturers increased the durability of the materials so we can wear them longer without wear and tear? What if we refurbished more and recycled them at the end of their lifecycle? What if the textile industry used more regenerative methods to cultivate fibres? What if we shifted our consumption behaviour and adopted more regenerative and circular models that will then transform our economies to become more resilient and unlock new growth by giving us more, from what we already have? What if?



As I write this, the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP 15) is underway in Montreal, Canada (7 &#8211; 19 December 2022). More governments and policymakers convene from around the world to agree to a new set of goals for nature over the next decade through the Convention on Biological Diversity post-2020 framework process. But until we redefine how we produce, consume and manage the materials and products we already have; until we transition to a circular economy and implement tangible impact-driven solutions that reduce the impacts on biodiversity by reducing resource use; unless we urgently change course and start acting in conjunction with nature and not against it by starting the process of biodiversity recovery; then year on year, while all these discussions continue, biodiversity loss will keep accelerating. Temperatures will keep rising and the frequency of extreme weather experienced. The habitat will continuously degrade, and nature’s glory will deteriorate thus diminishing returns from its contribution to the people.



An hour of conversation with Herlevi goes by too fast; both of us are engraved in a global challenge that affects both our countries’ futures though from different contexts. And while varying drivers differentiate Finland, Rwanda and Kenya and so many other countries represented in the World Circular Economy Forum, we feel united by one mission, that of saving humanity from the pangs of our own doing. As we bid goodbye we remind each other of the key question, are you a threat or an opportunity for biodiversity?



Words by: Josephine Wawira

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Are you a threat or an opportunity for biodiversity?

<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">&#8220;It is in the character of growth that we should learn from both pleasant and unpleasant experiences.&#8221; &#8211; Nelson Mandela </blockquote>



Formulating Sustainable Healthcare &#8211; A Balancing Act.&nbsp;&nbsp;



&#8220;Healthcare is not just an industry; it&#8217;s an equality booster and an economy contributor,&#8221; shares Dr. Nicholas Crisp from the National Department of Health in South Africa. Formulating a sustainable healthcare model should be everyone&#8217;s priority and is a matter of national interest.&nbsp;&nbsp;



Experiences fueled by the COVID-19 outbreak became lessons of unexpected collaborative efforts, technological adaptations, and greater healthcare awareness amongst patients and healthy populations. Two years later, it is time to distill these lessons to shape a robust and sustainable plan. A plan that requires executives to find the right balance among strategic variables.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



Executive Forecast has interviewed top-level executives from the pharmaceutical, healthcare, and medical technology industries and refined what we&#8217;ve learned into essential insights. To gain a deeper understanding of these topics, click below to view our full report, including unabridged interviews with South African executives online. 



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Going Back to the Future of Health 

While the African beauty industry is largely dominated by international beauty conglomerates, Belle Nubian seeks to not only challenge these statistics, but also help the continent reclaim and redefine what it considers to be true African beauty.



As beauty ideals begin to shift around the world, the demand for brands that understand the plight of African skin continues to grow.



Tapping into a billion-dollar industry that is dominated by international companies is no easy feat.



Yet, Faria Ichola already possessed a skill that would help her achieve this goal – a work ethic instilled in her by an A list American Singer.



“It was an intense experience, but as my coach and mentor, she instilled an incredible work ethic in me.”



It was during this period that Ichola was introduced to skincare solutions practiced by celebrities, and she noticed how these solutions helped maintain healthy skin.



Coupled with memories of her late mother’s entrepreneurial spirit, and her master&#8217;s in Business and Administration, it wasn&#8217;t long before Ichola set out to provide solutions to women on the African continent.



A solution for African skin concerns



Hailing from the Republic of Benin and Ivory Coast, West Africa, and struggling with her own skincare issues, Ichola sought out remedies for her woes.



In doing so, she discovered a formula that was so effective in addressing her concerns that she believed it would offer the same benefits to others.



Launched in 2016, based in New York, Belle Nubian now has 40 stores around the world, with just over 200 distributors, and an annual turnover of $10 million.



Translating to Beautiful Black, the brand emerged after Ichola was introduced to glutathione, an antioxidant ingredient gaining popularity due to its effectiveness on the skin and overall health.



After discovering that the compound was relatively non-existent in the beauty market, Ichola created a dual glutathione and vitamin C product, and began selling.



It wasn’t long before the product sold out, and as the brand grew and began introducing new products, Ichola recruited distributors that would help her sell across Africa. 60% of revenue is generated from the franchises and distributors in Europe and the USA.



In addition to helping African women embrace healthy skin, Ichola has also created opportunities for them to earn a living by distributing Belle Nubian products.



“We empower so many women who are now financially independent and happier in their marriages and in their lives. They don&#8217;t have to take any burden from men anymore. They&#8217;re free.”



Laying the Beauty Foundation



Launching a successful business is a feat that Ichola is proud of, yet she has realized that no matter how large her consumer numbers grow, it doesn’t make her immune to criticism.



Ichola acknowledges that every struggle comes with a lesson, and if she hadn’t gone through these struggles, then she wouldn’t have learned what she needed to in order to move forward.



A beauty secret revealed



Consumers often struggle with trusting brands, especially those that produce products to be used on the skin. Yet Ichola believes that her audience has no qualms about trusting her because of her candidness,



“My audience likes me because I&#8217;m genuine. I don&#8217;t pretend to be what I&#8217;m not…I share my struggle. I share my battles, and I&#8217;m transparent.”



However, it is not just the effectiveness of her ingredients or candidness that Ichola credits her success to, but also her attention to detail.



“Unfortunately, while some companies will possess all the necessary tools and resources, they may fail to meet success due to poor implementation and organization,” says Ichola.



By ensuring organization in her business, and never letting anybody discourage her, Ichola launched a successful brand that brought luxury skincare to the continent.



With plans for the brand to introduce products aimed at babies, as well as haircare, it’s clear that Belle Nubian is leaving its beauty mark on Africa – and beyond, as the company intends on expanding into real estate and finance.

Category: Brand Voice

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