It would be an understatement to say that the global working population has been through a traumatic year. Working from home (WFH) is tough on people who have school-age children and limited space to use as an office. And not everyone lives with the best technology and fastest internet connection.



Global technology company <a href="https://www.hcltech.com/">HCL </a>Technologies confronted this reality head-on. The $10 bn company has over 150,000 employees and came up with smart and generous innovative measures to keep them productive and fully engaged while adjusting to a new WFH world. During this journey, it won the Forbes award for being one of the World’s Top 30 Employers and was recognized as a Top Employer 2021 in 11 countries globally, including South Africa.



HCL Technologies Chief Human Resources Officer Apparao Venkata Varre, known as Appa to his colleagues, looks at this massive effort and tells us where the world of work is headed.



Our working worlds changed dramatically during 2020. But HCL’s experience shows how a global workforce can be empowered during a pandemic.



HCL prides itself on the duty of care and I knew that there would be a lot more on how they navigated to beating the pandemic situation, which would go beyond just distributing the hardware required to work from home. And so, the duty of care was extended to the employee’s family members as well.



So, we provided laptops, and shipped desktops along with back-up power supplies. But we also created policies that made the whole situation a lot more convenient – like additional allowance for mobile / internet data and back-up power supplies. Personal space is important, and we understand that. Which is why we offered employees the Flexi-time benefit so that they could take some time off to attend to personal commitments, because managing a home, a family and navigating this new work culture is hard.



A new leave – Pandemic leave was introduced, in which the employee can take leave up to 14 days if they or their family member was sick.



A 24/7 helpline managed by in-house HCL Healthcare clinics was put in place. Doctors and nurses provided clinical and non-clinical advisory services and emergency care to employees and family members.



Navigating this new work from home was not easy on mental health. Many found themselves stressed, anxious, and even frustrated. So, we signed up Life Coaches to care for the emotional and mental wellbeing of our employees and their families in addition to virtual events such as yoga sessions and meditation. These helped to keep spirits up in a time when things were shaky.



Constant Attention



Communication is even more important in a crisis. When a crisis occurs, you cannot say to your employees. ‘I’ll get back to you later on this matter’. We had a strategy on how we would communicate with our employees throughout the pandemic with a specially curated communication campaign &#8211; #TakeCareHCL and a COVID-19 resource microsite. And an employee volunteering program – like the buddy system, where an employee would call another employee and keep in constant touch with them to make sure they are safe and comfortable. Indigenous technology and apps helped us monitor, track and update at-scale.



But, for a lot of people who could work from home, there were many who could not. Not everyone can work from home. HCL’s own IT support staff for example, had to be running company data centres to keep the entire technology ecosystem of our clients going. So, they were provided with hotel accommodation and meals close to these HCL sites.



Employee feedback matters to HCL. Many businesses might be content to hear that 90% of their people were happy, but when this statistic crossed my desk it concerned me. What about the other 10%? You must be self-critical in pursuit of a human-centric approach to business.



This pandemic has changed our way of working. Looking ahead, I believe that by early 2022 no more than half of my colleagues will be working from their old offices on any given day. But people will still need to be part of a team wherever they are located. They must be able to collaborate with their colleagues, as that collaboration is what delivers service. So, I can see people coming to office for at least two days a week.



It is hard to say how work will evolve. There is no silver bullet. The world has never been in this situation before, it is a kind of a blank canvass. But people do need the experience of working together. I predict we will see a balance between the pre-pandemic world and the new WFH practices that have emerged worldwide.



Unique Approach



That all-important team spirit is about interacting with other people in a productive way. HCL has pioneered an approach to teamwork that we call Ideapreneurship. To anyone schooled in traditional IT services it sounds bizarre. Rather than stick to the letter of the service agreement with the customer, HCL encourages employees to work together and find ways to go further.



They search out ideas that will help the client, regardless of whether that takes HCL outside of its contracted boundaries. And if those ideas are taken up by the customer the teams who came up with them reap financial rewards.



Over 17,000 employees have contributed ideas to this program, proving that going above and beyond its contracted obligations to clients is part of HCL’s identity. It all comes down to employee involvement and passion for the job. We are all part of a virtuous circle and it scores highly with customers, who tell HCL just how much they appreciate a different level of support from a service provider.



That level of service to customers also reflects the willingness of HCL employees to go the extra mile for each other. For instance, this meant driving around delivering laptops to their colleagues during the pandemic. A lot of people have gone beyond the call of duty.



Human Priority



HCL is in the technology business, and technology does give leeway to innovation. However, it is human application that finally drives transformation. People are the key to everything.



HCL’s ongoing involvement in employee welfare extends to financial support. Not a single employee has spent their own money on hospitalization due to COVID-19. And this means their families as well. This again, goes back to our duty of care.



I am truly proud at the scale of our efforts in such an eventful year. We have done a humungous amount of work and our people have been relentless in supporting our customers too.



That positive approach meant the pandemic had no impact on HCL’s bottom line, in fact 2020 was the year we passed the milestone of $10 bn in revenues. Delivering constant support to our customers through the most difficult of times has seen revenues remain untouched by the storm that has hit global business. It pays to put people first.

Apparao VV – Chief Human Resources Officer

How a tech giant beat the pandemic by putting People First.

NESCAFÉ RICOFFY has been a part of South African lives for over 50 years, and we are taking steps to ensure that we will be around for many years to come. To us, sustainability means more than knowing the origin of our coffee beans. It means we take great pride in being able to contribute toward creating and enriching shared moments that stir pride in people’s hearts. Small victories that can go on to uplift communities and create long lasting impact from beginning to end. We are proud to announce that from source to cup, our coffee beans are now 100% responsibly sourced. South Africans can still enjoy our rich chicory and coffee blend, but now it comes with the added benefit of building a better world. Our commitment to farmers, coffee communities and the planet has never been stronger. However, the challenges of sustainability don’t end with sourcing; there is a need to renovate and rehabilitate coffee farms, as well as improve labour practices and supply chains within the industry, and these are challenges that NESCAFÉ RICOFFY is proud to step up to.



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/dcaf39f7-75d5-40cd-9c1f-534c5a08571d-819x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-50676" width="412" height="515" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/dcaf39f7-75d5-40cd-9c1f-534c5a08571d-819x1024.jpg 819w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/dcaf39f7-75d5-40cd-9c1f-534c5a08571d-240x300.jpg 240w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/dcaf39f7-75d5-40cd-9c1f-534c5a08571d-768x960.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/dcaf39f7-75d5-40cd-9c1f-534c5a08571d.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 412px) 100vw, 412px" /></figure></div>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rising-to-the-occasion">RISING TO THE OCCASION</h4>



Nestlé recently launched the RE sustainability initiative in South Africa, which is aimed at reinforcing all its sustainability initiatives, strategies and resources to help mitigate sustainability challenges and strengthen its contribution to a waste-free future. The initiative will focus on three key pillars to tackle the sustainability issues: Rethink, Reduce, and Repurpose. The initiative encourages everyone – industry, civil society, consumers, and government &#8211; to rethink, reduce and repurpose in their own ways by making sustainability more practical, accessible, motivating and rewarding. We know that addressing sustainability challenges cannot be resolved without collaboration and therefore it becomes important to work with like-minded partners to drive more circular initiatives and strive for zero environmental impact.



Rethink:



This pillar speaks to rethinking and encouraging broader society to rethink their relationship with the environment. On our part, we intend to drive this by educating the public about ways in which their behaviours can be shifted to better serve the environment. Some examples include water conversation, recycling and creating responsible practices.



Reduce:



The second pillar speaks to our commitment towards reducing our environmental impact to zero. This is part of our global ambition to strive for zero impact on the environment by 2030. Therefore, we will achieve this by driving reduction across our value chain; for example, food and plastic waste, as well as operational efficiencies to reduce waste.



Repurpose:



The third pillar of the initiative focuses on upcycling and reusing materials. This is where we accelerate our circular economy business models and projects to show commitment and leadership in this space, by facilitating the elimination of single-use plastic items that cannot be recycled. Responsible sourcing is a voluntary commitment made by companies to take environmental and social factors into account when managing relationships with suppliers. This approach is an indispensable component of the NESCAFÉ RICOFFY brand strategy,



highlighting the importance of an ethically and responsibly sourced product. It’s a move that forms part of our commitment to establishing a culture of corporate responsibility. To get the best end product we needed to start at the source, because the future of great quality coffee and chicory begins with sustainable farms. Nescafé runs the largest private coffee plantlet distribution program in the world, distributing more than 180 million coffee plantlets since 2010. The venture is instrumental in driving the growth and sustainability of the industry. Responsible sourcing adds to that impact, because we know where 100% of our coffee and chicory comes from, and that it is produced in a way that makes a positive contribution to individuals, communities and the planet.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-respecting-the-bean">RESPECTING THE BEAN</h3>



Coffee has the potential to be a sustainable commodity that provides great climate benefits while ensuring improved livelihoods for coffee communities around the world. It is precisely because of these benefits that our coffee beans are now 100% responsibly sourced. All of our coffee beans can be traced back to a reputable group of supplying farmers – farmers we are actively working with in 15 different countries across the globe. Through our network of approximately 300 agronomists, we are able to visit more than 30,000 coffee farms per year, where we provide training and assistance that improves their operations and output. The production of our chicory and coffee mixture helps the industry grow by improving the abilities of our partners in the value chain, and ultimately results in a better, more sustainable product.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-plan-powered-by-pride">A PLAN POWERED BY PRIDE</h4>



To further our support for sustainable farming and the environment, the NESCAFÉ Plan is a tangible effort to Create Shared Value for farmers and communities in the coffee sector. It also allows us to consistently increase the functionality and sustainability of the value chain. In short, it’s about being more responsible to improve more lives. The NESCAFÉ Plan consists of three platforms: respecting farmers, respecting communities, and respecting our planet. Our objective is to positively contribute towards the future of great quality coffee, and that means uplifting the environment and everyone in it. Another of the plan’s focal points is to make coffee farming a more attractive activity for present and future generations of coffee farmers. The strategy has accelerated and expanded the work we had been doing for decades to ensure a long-term supply of quality green coffee and chicory.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-raising-the-cup">RAISING THE CUP</h4>



Responsible sourcing is improving the environmental footprint of both coffee farming and our own operations. From the farm to your freshly brewed cup of NESCAFÉ RICOFFY, even the chicory and sugar that we use is sourced responsibly. We continue to collaborate with expert partners and agricultural suppliers to fully understand the challenges on the ground, where changes can drive transformation, transparency and full traceability. When it comes to responsible sourcing, there are no half measures here. We thank our loyal customers for supporting our efforts to contribute to a more sustainable world. From bean to cup, there’s shared pride in every step of the process.



NESCAFÉ RICOFFY – sharing moments that stir pride.



@NESCAFERICOFFY | #NESCAFERICOFFYRESPONSIBLYSOURCED

a8fd033c-cf0d-4563-97c3-5da8e95d06ce

TASTE THE PRIDE IN EVERY CUP

“The Inside Story”



Some of the most beautiful things in life are born out of chaos, and an involuntary retrenchment for Kara-Leigh Baker in 2017, was the catalyst that propelled the dynamic mother and daughter duo, Vanessa Ralston and Kara-Leigh to pursue their passion for natural and organic products. Creating the French Lemon brand, that South Africans know and love today, was fuelled by the adoption of their beloved Russian-born bulldog Ian, who has not only become the inspiration behind the brand, but also the face on their environmentally friendly packaging.



With collective backgrounds in the corporate world, what started out as a pursuit to become purveyors of preserved lemons and other lemon edibles for mom Vanessa and daughter Kara-Leigh; soon evolved into the passionate production of 100% natural, vegan and animal friendly bath and body products. Three years later, Vanessa and Kara-Leigh have built their fledgling business into a profitable venture that has created employment and skills development for their team of ten, as well as established a respected and reputable proudly South African cruelty-free brand.



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1O9A1640-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-50637" width="443" height="664" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1O9A1640-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1O9A1640-200x300.jpg 200w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1O9A1640-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1O9A1640-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1O9A1640-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1O9A1640-scaled.jpg 1707w" sizes="(max-width: 443px) 100vw, 443px" /><figcaption>Genevieve Fundaro Fine Art international wedding photographer</figcaption></figure></div>



As more people call for better ethical practices; advocates of beauty without cruelty, Vanessa and Kara-Leigh, together with their French Lemon team, are continually developing, trying and testing products that cleanse, nourish, moisturise and soothe skin from head to toe.



Vanessa has developed a series of secret recipes; their scrubs, steamers and signature scents are made to order, with their bestseller for men and women being their pumice bar. Each product in the Collection is handmade with love, and their inspiration is drawn from vigorous research, and the exploration of essential oils and the various responses that they trigger. This process results in the development of products with a purpose, that Vanessa and Kara-Leigh know their clientele would love to purchase and use.



Going back to basics, and birthed out of personal skin sensitivity, French Lemon embodies an ethos of kindness and compassion. Fanatical about what is found inside their products, their entire Collection is SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulphate) free. A surfactant found in bath and body products; and not only bad for your body, but for the environment and animals too, French Lemon uses coconut as a natural alternative foaming agent; and their products contain kaolin clay, coconut oil and shea butter. Their Collection is also palm oil free, and they do not support deforestation and the animals that are affected. Committed to the cause, their packaging is also bio-degradable, and made possible by local suppliers that provide sustainable environmentally-friendly options.



From their very first market in March 2017, French Lemon has spread their wings into Mauritius, Zambia and Zimbabwe, and while still operating a boutique production line from home in Bryanston, their plans include growing into a bigger space to accommodate their 2020 vision.



Natural and pure, the Collections, which are reimagined and reinvented every year, are suitable for women, men and children who are conscious about cruelty-free products and who also want to prevent absorbing toxins through their skin, bath and body routines.



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1O9A2115-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-50638" width="436" height="654" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1O9A2115-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1O9A2115-200x300.jpg 200w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1O9A2115-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1O9A2115-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1O9A2115-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1O9A2115-scaled.jpg 1707w" sizes="(max-width: 436px) 100vw, 436px" /><figcaption>Genevieve Fundaro Fine Art international wedding photographer</figcaption></figure></div>



Vanessa and Kara-Leigh’s creativity is contagious, and with an indomitable spirit and entrepreneurial outlook, this mother and daughter team is a powerful force to be reckoned with. French Lemon has branched out into DIY scrub and lotion stations for events and parties; where the handmade process is shared with guests, who can build their own bath bombs and create signature soaps and scrubs.



The ultimate gifting solution, and a decidedly different take on soaps, scrubs, salts and scents, there is something for everyone at French Lemon.



The French Lemon Collection is available exclusively online at <a href="http://www.frenchlemon.co.za">www.frenchlemon.co.za</a>



For all Media Enquiries and PR Communication please contact Jillian Grogor on zebrasquare@global.co.za or Claudia Henkel on <a href="mailto:admin4@zebrasquare.co.za">admin4@zebrasquare.co.za</a>  +27 11 784 8112



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1O9A2244-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-50639" width="423" height="634" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1O9A2244-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1O9A2244-200x300.jpg 200w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1O9A2244-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1O9A2244-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1O9A2244-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1O9A2244-scaled.jpg 1707w" sizes="(max-width: 423px) 100vw, 423px" /><figcaption>Genevieve Fundaro Fine Art international wedding photographer</figcaption></figure></div>

Genevieve Fundaro Fine Art international wedding photographer

French Lemon- 100% Vegan, Animal-Friendly Products

Ghana is a prosperous nation whose economic outlook and stable democratic system is powering its way to becoming West Africa’s regional powerhouse. Guiding the nation’s progress and transformation is the nation’s twice-elected President Addo-Akufo and his long-term National Development Plan, a four-decade strategy devised to provide a comprehensive framework to Ghana’s medium-term economic plans which aims to lead the nation to becoming a high-income country by 2057, on its centennial anniversary since its independence. This new development scheme aims to drive industrialisation, diversification and an export-oriented economy and is modelled upon a scenario for the country to achieve a per capita income of over US$60,000 by 2057.



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/FORBES-GHANA_2021_60pags_v08.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/GHANA-MPU-NEW-01.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-50441" width="248" height="248" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/GHANA-MPU-NEW-01.jpg 591w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/GHANA-MPU-NEW-01-300x300.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/GHANA-MPU-NEW-01-150x150.jpg 150w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/GHANA-MPU-NEW-01-80x80.jpg 80w" sizes="(max-width: 248px) 100vw, 248px" /></a><figcaption><a href="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/FORBES-GHANA_2021_60pags_v08.pdf">Download the full report here.</a></figcaption></figure></div>



Ghana’s growth trajectory is indeed promising and rooted on realistic ambitions; the country’s GDP has been on the rise since 2015, a trend which continued on into 2019, with an estimated 7.1% growth according to IMF figures. This noteworthy outcome has meant that Ghana is consistently placed amongst Africa’s ten fastest-growing economies. “Ghana is not only the best place for doing business in West Africa but it is also the fastest growing economy in the world according to the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Report 2019,” explains Hon. John-Peter Amewu, Minister of Energy and Petroleum. “The country has developed into an established business destination for investors seeking a conducive business environment, committed and progressive government-private sector participation, political stability, transparent regulations and a dynamic private sector ready for partnerships.”



Most of Ghana’s recent prodigious results have been due to its exceptional endowment of mineral and natural resources. Ghana’s oil production is expected to double over the next four years, peaking at a rate of over 400,000 barrels per day, while the country’s mining industry in a wide range of minerals such as gold, diamonds, manganese and bauxite accounts for 5% of the GDP. According to &nbsp;Solomon Asamoah, CEO of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF), it is “a country with huge growth potential and opportunities.” Industry accounts for 31.5% of its GDP and sits at the very core of Ghana’s governmental plans in its potential to transform the economy from one reliant on its resources to one driven by value-added exports. Key to this shift is President Akufo-Addo industrial agenda and his enterprising ‘One District, One Factory’ (1D1F) flagship initiative which aims to establish a factory in each of the nation’s 216 districts. The initiative has established a widespread network of factories across the nation, secured job creation for Ghana’s abundant and well-qualified human resource base and encouraged fair wealth distribution amongst its people. “In terms of industrial transformation we are looking at bringing together all these efforts in a way that brings about a massive transformation to the economy and puts Ghana onto the path towards growth and transformation in a way which leads to better jobs, livelihoods and overall development,” affirms Michael Ernest Ansah, CEO of Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC). While the 1D1F initiative has increased the nation’s capacity for self-sufficiency, its programme for Planting for Food and Jobs has remodelled the nation into becoming&nbsp; a net exporter of food. Ghana is developing industrial exports and high-value manufacturing and in order to decentralise development the government has created industrial zones across the nation, with the goal of opening a park in each of Ghana’s 10 regions.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">“The talents, energies, sense of enterprise and innovation of the Ghanaian can be harnessed to make Ghana the place where dreams come true.” <cite>President Akufo-Addo</cite></blockquote>



Ghana’s implementation of its national single window has also been key in the automation and consolidation of all trade processes through an e-payment system and single paperless system. According to the World Bank, Ghana’s service sector has proved to be the largest player in the economy and comprises 43% of its GDP while employing 48% of the population. The country also has one of the highest financial inclusion rates (58%) and mobile data penetration rates (88.8%) in the whole region. Policies such as the ‘ICT for Accelerated Development’ (ICT4AD) programme have also been launched in order to ensure a friendly regulatory environment for ICT businesses and the development of IT products, propelling Ghana towards becoming an information-rich knowledge based society. Digitalisation is playing a crucial role in driving Ghana’s transformation towards becoming a regional powerhouse while ensuring its youth are active participants. “One of the roles we play is bringing modernity through technology and increased interest from youth,” declares &nbsp;Tucci Goka Ivowi, CEO of GCX.



As global economies around the world pick themselves up and shake themselves free of the challenges imposed by the pandemic, Ghana continues to shine its light upon the continent and show itself to be the beacon of positivity, success and stability for sub-Saharan Africa that it is. President Akufo-Addo confirms this, going further to add: “I am of the firm conviction that this nation, the Black Star of Africa, is on the brink of a decisive step into a brighter future, which will deliver progress and prosperity to all the peoples of our country”

PHOTO-COVER-GHANA REPORT

Ghana: Blazing A Trail For Sub-Saharan Africa

Words: Ladi Eguche &amp; Fraser Mitchell. Graphics: Daniela Godard.



The United Nations warns that the world could face a 40 per cent shortfall in water supply by 2030, with Africa – which already suffers from greater levels of water stress than other regions – likely to bear the brunt.&nbsp;



The economic impact of the shortfall in water infrastructure and supply is already severe. Sub-Saharan Africa currently loses an estimated 5 per cent of its annual gross domestic product (GDP) due to poor access to clean drinking water and sanitation, 5 to 25 per cent of its GDP to droughts and floods in affected countries, and 40 billion hours of otherwise productive time annually, collecting water.&nbsp;



Having delivered on sustainable water supply projects in the SADC region, South African-based construction and engineering firm, Khato Civils, has announced its intention to expand across the continent and play its part in tackling Africa’s infrastructure shortfall.&nbsp;



The African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), the world’s largest free trade area, came into effect in January 2021. It is expected to increase levels of intra-Africa trade by over 50 per cent by 2030 and offers the opportunity for increased Pan-African collaboration in major infrastructure projects. 



<div class="wp-block-image is-style-default"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/12-KhatoCivils_AL_infographic-page-001-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-50278" width="478" height="478" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/12-KhatoCivils_AL_infographic-page-001-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/12-KhatoCivils_AL_infographic-page-001-300x300.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/12-KhatoCivils_AL_infographic-page-001-150x150.jpg 150w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/12-KhatoCivils_AL_infographic-page-001-768x768.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/12-KhatoCivils_AL_infographic-page-001-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/12-KhatoCivils_AL_infographic-page-001-2048x2048.jpg 2048w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/12-KhatoCivils_AL_infographic-page-001-80x80.jpg 80w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/12-KhatoCivils_AL_infographic-page-001-600x600.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/12-KhatoCivils_AL_infographic-page-001-100x100.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 478px) 100vw, 478px" /></figure></div>



In an interview with AfricaLive.net Khato Civils Chairman Simbi Phiri put forward an ambitious vision for African development facilitated by infrastructure development. “Problems like food shortages are not occasioned by a lack of food on the continent necessarily, it’s about our underdeveloped land and waterways. If we can step up infrastructure development, we will solve a lot of other problems as well,” says Mr Phiri.



“AfCFTA gives us a chance to have a business without borders.&nbsp;



“We will now be able to go into places like Zimbabwe, Zambia and other countries to compete. It also gives us a chance to compete with multinationals from India and China in other African countries. The agreement will lay to rest some of the restrictions that were imposed by colonial legacies of the past.”



<div class="wp-block-image is-style-default"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/14-Simbi_Phiri-872x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-50276" width="416" height="488" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/14-Simbi_Phiri-872x1024.jpg 872w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/14-Simbi_Phiri-256x300.jpg 256w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/14-Simbi_Phiri-768x901.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/14-Simbi_Phiri-1309x1536.jpg 1309w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/14-Simbi_Phiri-1745x2048.jpg 1745w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/14-Simbi_Phiri-300x352.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/14-Simbi_Phiri-600x704.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 416px) 100vw, 416px" /><figcaption>Khato Civils&#8217; Chairman Simbi Phiri</figcaption></figure></div>



The Data: Africa’s Water Crisis In Numbers



As the world becomes more populous, increased urbanisation, climate change and changes in food production are driving water demand at a rate that outpaces supply.&nbsp;



* Globally, 80 per cent of wastewater goes back into the ecosystem without adequate treatment, resulting in 1.8 billion people worldwide drinking contaminated water.



* Over 300 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa lack access to clean drinking water and over 700 million live without access to good sanitation.



* The world faces a severe water shortage by 2030, and Africa is likely to bear the brunt – as exacerbated by the impact of climate change.



* Africa’s water sector has an annual investment shortfall of USD 13 billion (urban areas) to USD 27 billion (rural areas).



* African countries lose between 5 and 25 per cent of GDP due to issues related to lack of water infrastructure.



The Opportunity: Every 1 USD spent brings between 3 and 24 USD of economic benefits



For every USD 1 invested in water and sanitation, there are direct and indirect economic returns to individuals and households, the health sector, and agricultural and industrial sectors, ranging from USD 3 to 34, according to the World Health Organisation.&nbsp;



“If you look at big cities like Accra, their biggest issue is water and sanitation,” says Mr Phiri, “The same applies to other cities like Lagos and Kinshasa with power and roads coming a close second,”&nbsp;



“Water and sanitation is without a doubt the main area that will boom in Africa in the short-term future.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-style-default"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/11-DSC_6323-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-50272" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/11-DSC_6323-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/11-DSC_6323-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/11-DSC_6323-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/11-DSC_6323-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/11-DSC_6323-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/11-DSC_6323-600x400.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption>Khato Civils recently completed constructing the Polokwane Waste Water Treatment Works in South Africa.</figcaption></figure>



In order to unleash these economic benefits, Khato Civils Chief Executive Officer Mongezi Mnyani calls on governments to accelerate infrastructure development and foster public-private partnerships. “Political will is at the centre of it all,” says Mr Mnyani.



“Infrastructure initiatives must be government-driven because that’s where the agenda is set and major decisions are made. Governments must work collaboratively and also develop strategies that entice the private sector so that firms like ours have an easier time carrying out projects.”



<div class="wp-block-image is-style-default"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/13-Mongezi-Mnyani-898x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-50277" width="448" height="511" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/13-Mongezi-Mnyani-898x1024.jpg 898w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/13-Mongezi-Mnyani-263x300.jpg 263w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/13-Mongezi-Mnyani-768x875.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/13-Mongezi-Mnyani-1347x1536.jpg 1347w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/13-Mongezi-Mnyani-1797x2048.jpg 1797w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/13-Mongezi-Mnyani-300x342.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/13-Mongezi-Mnyani-600x684.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 448px) 100vw, 448px" /><figcaption>Mr Mnyani, CEO of Khato Civils</figcaption></figure></div>



The Water Sector in Sub-Saharan Africa Requires an Annual Investment of USD 35 Billion



While poor governance, mismanagement of resources, and a lack of environmental research have exacerbated water supply issues, insufficient long-term investment in water infrastructure needed to manage water resources and provide water services remains a key challenge.&nbsp;



The African Development Bank’s Acting Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development, Wambui Gichuri, recently highlighted an annual investment requirement of USD 35 billion per year.



Ms Gichuri also stated that a UN assessment indicates finance gaps of between 39 per cent for urban water supply and 78 per cent for rural water supply.



Derisking Africa in the eyes of global capital is key to closing that funding gap. Mr Phiri believes indigenous African construction and engineering firms &#8211; previously often overlooked in favour of international firms &#8211; have a role to play in building investor confidence, saying “I believe it’s all about getting projects done on time, within budget, and with proper quality.&nbsp;



“People will trust you more if you have a track record of delivering what’s needed with allocated funds.&nbsp;



“Risk comes in when we have companies that do not do what’s required of them with borrowed funds. Once we develop professional and social proof based on the work done with borrowed funds, it will boost our credit rating and make it easier for us to access more capital.”



Khato Civils Impact On Infrastructure in Southern Africa



Khato Civils has been making a mark on water infrastructure across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region for decades, with Mr Phiri at the helm for about 11 years. “We took over the company in 2010 because we saw a niche area in South Africa,” he says. “Lots of South African companies were either being priced out of deals or running out of budget to complete certain projects. We also wanted to bring a special quality to the market in a way that exceeds what customers want and need.”



Also speaking in an interview with AfricaLive.net, CEO Mogezi Mnyani adds, “We may be based in Johannesburg, but we have offices in Zimbabwe, Botswana, Ghana and South Sudan. We are looking to set up offices in other regions as well because our vision is to diversify into other markets and offer our products to countries that need them the most across the continent.”



With Khato Civils’ ongoing expansion and 85 per cent of their staff based in local sites, the company is poised to expand Sub-Saharan Africa’s water infrastructure and supply, thus improving climate resilience and mitigating food security risks, pending greater investments in water infrastructure. “It’s not just about business for us, we work to ensure we leave a legacy by changing the lives of communities,” says Mr Mnyani.&nbsp;



Botswana’s 100km Pipeline Project



<div class="wp-block-image is-style-default"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/2_2020_09_15_14_10_IMG_6282-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-50270" width="509" height="382" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/2_2020_09_15_14_10_IMG_6282-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/2_2020_09_15_14_10_IMG_6282-300x225.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/2_2020_09_15_14_10_IMG_6282-768x576.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/2_2020_09_15_14_10_IMG_6282-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/2_2020_09_15_14_10_IMG_6282-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/2_2020_09_15_14_10_IMG_6282-600x450.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 509px) 100vw, 509px" /></figure></div>



The government of Botswana is implementing the North-South Carrier Project to address water shortages in its growing capital, Gaborone.&nbsp;



The Khato Civils/South Zambezi/Evolution Engineering JV is designing and constructing a Transmission Water Pipeline of approximately 100km from Masama Well fields to Mmamashia Water Treatment Plant in Gaborone, to convey 64Ml/day of borehole water abstracted from both Masama East and West Wellfields. The project started in May 2020 and Khato Civils is rallying to complete what would normally require 2.5 years in half the time, as per the client’s wishes, and despite the COVID-19 pandemic. &nbsp;



Joint Venture with South Zambezi: Mmamashia Water Treatment Plant in Botswana 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-style-default"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/7-DJI_0083-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-50271" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/7-DJI_0083-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/7-DJI_0083-300x169.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/7-DJI_0083-768x432.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/7-DJI_0083-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/7-DJI_0083-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/7-DJI_0083-600x338.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption>Site establishment kicks-off for the Mmamashia Water Treatment Plant</figcaption></figure>



In connection with the above-mentioned North-South Carrier Project in Botswana, Khato Civils is working in a joint venture with South Zambezi to increase the capacity of the Mmamashia Water Treatment Plant to handle increased water pipeline flows. The project entails designing, building and equipping all protection for the water treatment plant to function effectively, critically examining the maximum water flows and associated pressures, design calculations and drawings, amongst other activities. The plant will treat a maximum of 110 megalitres of raw water per day.



Khato Civils and South Zambezi have a long-standing business relationship. This joint venture serves as a clear example of the type of collaboration African engineering firms can form to deliver infrastructure projects ahead of schedule.



Lake Malawi Water Supply Project 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-style-default"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="600" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/13-lake-malawi.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-50274" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/13-lake-malawi.jpg 800w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/13-lake-malawi-300x225.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/13-lake-malawi-768x576.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/13-lake-malawi-600x450.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></figure>



The Lake Malawi project was conceptualised as a long-term and sustainable intervention to water problems that have been affecting the ever-growing population of Malawi’s capital city, Lilongwe, for over a decade. Khato Civils won the USD 500 million water transfer project tender issued by the government of Malawi, beating six reputable companies from China, Portugal, South Africa, Italy and the United Kingdom.&nbsp;



Khato Civils is in a joint venture partnership with South Zambezi to extract water from Lake Malawi, clean and transport it to the Lilongwe Water Station, 124km away, before piping it to the city’s population. Khato Civils’ designs have been approved by the Malawi Water Board and the national government.



Shaping Africa’s Future With A Commitment to Green Building



The Khato Civils leadership also emphasises a commitment to sustainable engineering, construction and infrastructure development. “Our designs always have an element of green building in terms of energy savings, alternative sources of energy and local materials. We also research and look to bring in green technologies so that we ensure sustainability even as we build,” says Mr Mnyani.



Mr Phiri adds, “I believe our future in this industry, in relation to sustainability, will largely depend on solar energy. We want to be recognised in this space and we are moving ahead with sealing important partnerships with Canadian firms to get the right competencies. We see this as an emerging sector.”



Another of Khato Civils’ key service offerings is advice on cost-effectively executing projects from the design stage. “The importance of preliminary work before the execution stage is very important,” says Mr Mnyani. “We are resourceful enough and open enough for the use of various energy forms along the course of work. We have incorporated hydropower and even solar power, in the design, to ensure continuity at all times. We also believe in preserving natural sites, indigenous trees, graves and other important landmarks of countries.”



A Call For Transformative Partnerships&nbsp;



Khato Civils is now looking to both inspire a new generation of African engineers while accelerating its own development by forming new strategic partnerships.&nbsp;



“Another big plus of the AfCFTA agreement is that fellow Africans will see an African-owned company like us that is well organised and accomplished and our success will rub off on them. Overall, the trade agreement provides a platform where trailblazing African companies can set the marker for the rest to emulate,” says Mr Phiri.



“We look for competent like-minded partners and have found some in Kenya, USA, Italy, and other countries. The companies we work with have done business in far-flung areas, including Asia, and understand how to operate in sometimes unfavourable conditions.”



“We are open to partners that have a passion for changing the status quo, care about African development, and are not just interested in profitability.”



Published by <a href="http://africalive.net/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AfricaLive.net</a>.

Leading Image

USD 35-billion per year is needed to tackle Africa’s water crisis. South African firm Khato Civils announces African expansion and calls for AfCFTA to be the catalyst to build Africa’s water infrastructure.

What: Virtual launch of the African Economic Outlook 2021



Who: The African Development Bank, with President Akinwumi A. Adesina and Prof. Joseph Stiglitz



When: Friday, 12 March 2021, 14.30-16.30 GMT



Where: Virtual



The African Development Bank will launch its 2021 African Economic Outlook on Friday, 12 March 2021. The theme of this year’s report is From Debt Resolution to Growth: The Road Ahead for Africa, which examines Africa’s growth performance and outlook and presents the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.



Africa is projected to recover in 2021 from its worst economic recession in half a century, but the continent still faces significant challenges related to COVID-19 vaccinations and debt burdens. One of the most significant consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic has been a rise in the borrowing needs of African governments to cover expenditures induced by the health crisis.



The launch will be attended by African Development Bank President Akinwumi A. Adesina, Nobel laureate Prof. Joseph Stiglitz, government ministers and Governors of the Bank, representatives of the diplomatic corps, researchers and industry experts.



Following a presentation on the African Economic Outlook, a panel of senior policymakers, sovereign debt experts and private sector practitioners will discuss the report and present their views. Panelists will focus on helping African countries build back better from the crisis and manage debt vulnerabilities.



The African Economic Outlook is the Bank’s flagship tool for economic intelligence, policy dialogue, and operational effectiveness. The report is read widely by policymakers, academics, investors, development practitioners and the media.



For more information and to watch the event live, click through to the 2021 AEO website.



Join the conversation on Twitter by using the hashtags #2021AEO and #AfricanEconomicOutlook2021.&nbsp;



Media contact: Emeka Anuforo, Communication and External Relations Department, African Development Bank, email: e.anuforo@afdb.org

AEO A1-01

African Development Bank to launch African Economic Outlook 2021

<figure class="wp-block-pullquote"><blockquote>“This resilience of our economy is by no means accidental. It has been a deliberate focused effort by the NRM Government to build an independent, integrated and self-sustaining national economy, that is able to feed its people, generate the resources it&nbsp;&nbsp; needs, both human and financial, provide security to its people and their property and&nbsp;&nbsp; develop a prosperous nation.” <cite>H.E. Yoweri Museveni/President of Uganda</cite></blockquote></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/UGANDA-MPU-NEW-01.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-50238" width="351" height="351" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/UGANDA-MPU-NEW-01.jpg 591w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/UGANDA-MPU-NEW-01-300x300.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/UGANDA-MPU-NEW-01-150x150.jpg 150w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/UGANDA-MPU-NEW-01-80x80.jpg 80w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/UGANDA-MPU-NEW-01-100x100.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 351px) 100vw, 351px" /></figure>



<a href="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/FORBES-UGANDA_2021_42pags_vok5-online-1.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Download Full Report Here</a>



Following his visit to Uganda, Winston Churchill famously stated, “For magnificence, for variety of form and colour, for profusion of brilliant life – bird, insect, reptile, beast – for vast scale – Uganda is truly ‘the Pearl of Africa.’ Today, its unique land linked location at the heart of sub-Saharan Africa and its steady economic growth has further added to its shining potential. According to the UNCTAD’s 2020 World Investment Report, Uganda also happens to be one of the countries in East Africa to have attracted the most Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), reaching an unprecedented record of US$1.3 billion in 2019 (a stunning 20% increase from 2018), the result of developing construction, manufacturing and agriculture projects.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-energy">Energy</h2>



Crucial to engaging FDI in Uganda is its focus in expanding major oil fields and in September 2020, a host government agreement was signed with Total for the lucrative East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project. The US$3.5 billion 1,445 kilometre long pipeline will be the longest electrically heated oil export pipeline in the world and the FID is due to be signed during the first quarter of 2021. “The crude oil pipeline will cross 90 kilometres of Ugandan land and more than 100,000 kilometres of Tanzania land to reach the Tanzanian coast,” explains Pierre Jessua, Managing Director of Total CP Uganda. “It is a big landmark and it is the longest pipeline in the world and a big investment for both Tanzania and Uganda and also for the international oil companies who are going to be the shareholders. So, this project, along with the Tilenga and Kingfisher ones are going to develop the economy of both countries and produce indirect effects and jobs through the contractors and subcontractors.” The Minister of&nbsp; Energy and Mineral Development, Hon. Mary Goretti Kitutu, has disclosed that the project will create as many as 10,000 jobs and that proceeds will be invested back into the economy in order to promote and develop other key sectors such as infrastructure, education and health. “The FID related to the exploration of oil production is a big deal not only for Uganda but for the continent as well,” declares Mumba Kalifungwa, Managing Director of Absa. “A lot of work has gone into preparing the country to get to a certain point of production.” Proscovia Nabbanja, CEO of Uganda National Oil Company Ltd agrees, “The achievement of FID paves the way for a lot of things: number one, of course, is that &nbsp;it makes our crude hit the international market and gives visibility to our future refinery project.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vision-2040-and-industrialisation">Vision 2040 and Industrialisation</h2>



Through the implementation of President Museveni’s Vision 2040 strategies and policies, Uganda transformational trajectory towards becoming a competitive upper middle income economy is on track. Ranked 10th best in the world in curbing the spread of COVID-19, H.E Museveni has buffered the blow by activating a focus on import-substitution in a bid to boost job creation, self-sufficiency and local skills. Indeed, in October 2020, President Museveni revealed that Uganda no longer needed to import buses into Uganda due to state enterprise, Kiira Motors Corporation’s (KMC), capacity to assemble and manufacture vehicles locally. “When we speak about securing the future we believe the strategy lies in industrialisation, mechanisation of agriculture to improve productivity and the automotive industry, as well as value addition such as agri-industrialisation,” states Paul Isaac Musasizi, CEO of KMC.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ict">ICT</h2>



ICT is Uganda’s fastest growing sector and contributes majorly to its GDP. Its Digital Uganda Vision promotes a unified programme for ICT development and provides an enabling environment for investment. In liberalising communication services and improving the legal and regulatory environment as well as rolling out high-standard ICT infrastructure, such as the national fibre optic network, the government has diligently worked towards expanding the nation’s digitalisation in&nbsp; a number of fields. “Uganda has updated the regulations on telco and fintech in 2019 and 2020, creating the framework and the foundation to attract new investments clarity, transparency and visibility,” states Wim Vanhelleputte, CEO of MTN Uganda. According to the Global National Cyber Security Index, Uganda was also ranked as the most secure cyberspace in Africa while the increased use of digital technologies, such as mobile money, during the COVID-19 lockdown displays how ICT is proving to be a key player in economic recovery and in boosting resilience.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tourism">Tourism</h2>



Home to 55% of the world’s gorilla population, 11% of its bird species and Africa’s largest lake, the chief reservoir of the Nile, Lake Victoria, Uganda is a high-value tourist destination. “The diversity of culture in Uganda is vast,” says Lilly Ajarova, CEO of the Uganda Tourism Board. “Uganda is still very pristine, a territory to discover and we have the best conservation laws in Africa, so although we are developing fast we are very cautious of the impact on the environment, 20% of tourism revenue is being provided to local communities.” Recently, the Uganda Airlines was also rehabilitated. With a fleet comprising of four Bombardier CRJ900 planes, Uganda Airlines has also recently acquired the Airbus A330-800 neo as part of its fleet for international long-haul flights. “It felt important to provide direct access and connectivity intra-Africa and with the rest of the world,” explains Cornwell Muleya, CEO of Uganda Airlines.



Opening up to the immense potential inherent within interregional trade as well as reining in its vast capacity to generate economic growth, Uganda has taken a grain of sand and produced a pearl that reflects hope, solidity, vast opportunity and a shiny bright future.&nbsp;

PHOTO-COVER-UGANDA REPORT

Focus on Uganda: Securing Long Lasting Lustre And Resilience To The Pearl Of Africa

ITHUBA in partnership with the Eric and Charmaine Mabuza Foundation gives 26 students a once- in-a lifetime opportunity to further their studies.



ITHUBA in partnership with the Eric and Charmaine Mabuza Foundation, today (05 March 2021) awarded 26 students with full time university scholarships, bringing the 2021 intake to 41 students.



The ITHUBA Scholarship Intake Ceremony for the 2021 academic year, where Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande was a keynote speaker, saw the youngsters being presented with an opportunity to make their dreams become a reality.



In his address, the Minister expressed the importance of collaborative efforts to ensure a better future for the youth of South Africa: “I have decided to support this event primarily because it is important to mobilise the whole of South Africa, especially those of us with resources to join in the effort of educating our youth and therefore educating the nation &#8211; albeit holding it under difficult circumstances of the Coronavirus pandemic. It is pleasing to see ITHUBA, our National Lottery Operator prioritising the education of our youth by awarding them with bursaries that covers full university tuition, housing and living expenses in order for them to pursue their dreams in their chosen fields of study. Much as government has, and continues to, put billions of rands into education, and that our single highest budget expenditure is for education, government alone will not be able to tackle the enormity of the education challenge. Hence the importance and significance of the role played by foundations like yours (the Ithuba Scholarship)”, said Minister Blade Nzimande.



In its 21 years of existence, the Scholarship Foundation has funded the education of more than 200 students. The Eric and Charmaine Mabuza Scholarship Foundation, which started in Mpumalanga, spread its reach to the rest of South Africa in 2015, in partnership with ITHUBA, the National Lottery Operator.



The intake ceremony and assessment week held at the beginning of each academic year is extremely important to ITHUBA as it reflects the Operator’s commitment to continue contributing actively and positively towards developing South African communities. In addition, this initiative forms part of the



Operator’s recognition of the importance of a solid foundation of a career path, bearing in mind the Vision 2030 National Skills Development Plan (NSDP) strategy.



Speaking at the scholarship intake ceremony, Group CEO Charmaine Mabuza said: “The partnership with ITHUBA, the National Lottery Operator, in 2015 amplified and accelerated the reach and impact of this initiative. Yet, even after so many years, each time we award a young person with a scholarship, it feels like it is the first”, said Mabuza.



“That’s because we do not take for granted that inequality is still a reality in our country, that while a lot has changed, some of the struggles in black communities have remained the same, access to higher education and training being one of them. We have witnessed the efforts put forward by the government to meet the costs of education. We are equally aware that, that alone cannot create a substantially educated and effectively skilled next generation. We need more than that. We need active corporate citizens who work hand in hand with both the government and communities we operate in, to eradicate poverty and inequality through education,” Mabuza added.



She commended the selected students for having demonstrated tenacity by passing matric with flying colours despite facing challenging times.



“Many of the young people you see here today have been through very difficult times. Some are from child-headed homes. But despite the challenging family dynamics, lack of basic needs, poverty, add to that the Covid-19 pandemic and its dreadful impacts, they have made it – passed their matric with numerous distinctions. They have indeed demonstrated tenacity. “Now, it is our turn as responsible corporate citizens to meet this resilience with Ubuntu. I am delighted to welcome the 26 new students into the 2021 intake of the scholarship foundation,”



Mabuza concluded.



WHAT THE SCHOLARSHIP ENTAILS:



The scholarship foundation covers tuition, student accommodation, study manuals and books, meal allowance, personal care allowance, laptops and data allowance, and psychological and emotional support through ICAS, Continuous academic performance monitoring and assessment of students to ensure optimal performance, Early intervention, and support program, preparation for workplace readiness, additional female-orientated skills development programs and mentoring and coaching for all students.

Ithuba Assessment Programme_Day 2- 22

SOUTH AFRICAN LOTTERY OPERATOR ITHUBA GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND ITS MANDATE TO PRIORITISE EDUCATION

More South Africans rely on technology and the internet to go about their daily lives. That means high speed, reliable fibre to the home has become more of a necessity for people to experience what matters most and make new connections that transcend boundaries.



Fibre connects people to more of their favourite online content, educational programmes and loved ones from the comfort of their homes. Its speed, and reliability, also means they experience less of the dreaded buffering wheel when loading a web page, buffering YouTube videos or even having to decipher an onscreen character cloaked behind a blurry, pixelated screen while watching a Netflix series.&nbsp;



Fibre is a way for people to stay in touch and informed, to continue learning, work towards a brighter future and stay entertained.&nbsp;



Building connected lives, communities and societies



Vuma, one of South Africa’s leading fibre providers, has been giving South Africans the opportunity to do more, see more and dream of more with high-speed fibre to the home since 2014.&nbsp;



&#8220;The future begins at home, and to successfully connect to it, you need high-speed fibre that gives you and your family the foundation to access unlimited benefits and opportunities,&#8221; says Lianne Williams, Head of Marketing for Vuma. &#8220;Our vision is to help build a connected nation where people across South Africa can access an abundance of information and knowledge, available at their fingertips, that empowers them to move forward into the information age.&#8221;&nbsp;



Vuma has since connected over 800 000 South African homes, complexes and apartment blocks to super-fast, world-class open-access fibre broadband across Johannesburg, Cape Town, Limpopo and Durban. It builds an open-access fibre network, which means it isn’t a service provider but installs the infrastructure to drive transformation by tackling the digital divide and breaking connectivity barriers across the country.&nbsp;



Vuma has over 60 Internet Service Providers (ISPs) on its network, who work together to help build a connected South Africa with access to future-proof technology.&nbsp;



How high-speed fibre to the home is giving South Africans access to more



Vuma’s fibre to the home brings South Africans together by connecting people to their loved ones, colleagues and communities at a time when many of the country&#8217;s people have to practice social distancing during the pandemic.&nbsp;



Students can continue studying from home without disruption, thanks to the high-speed and reliable nature of fibre that allows for HD-quality video chats with educators and tutors, file downloads of any size in a matter of seconds and non-stop educational video streaming.&nbsp;



Vuma also creates opportunities for the remote workforce to collaborate in real time over crystal-clear Zoom and Microsoft Teams calls, helping them meet deadlines with a lightning-fast, stable fibre line.&nbsp;



Connecting the future generation to the information age&nbsp;



“Vuma’s value extends beyond infrastructure, reaching ordinary individuals and empowering communities across South Africa. Our philosophy of ‘if we can, we must’ guides our value of creating opportunities for people and communities throughout the country,” adds Williams.&nbsp;



In addition to connecting residents, Vuma also invests in connecting every registered primary and high school it passes when deploying the network to free 1Gbps fibre broadband internet. Since the launch of the Vuma Fibre-to-the-Schools project in 2015, Vuma and its ISP partners have connected over 420&nbsp; schools, empowering more than 320&nbsp;000 young people with access to the boundless opportunities of the internet – enabling teachers and learners to unlock new opportunities and expand their knowledge.&nbsp;



Fiber to the home allows families to experience more online learning resources, the latest sport, and entertainment (streamed in HD and without disruption), news from around the world, endless social media browsing, hours of lag-free gaming, and so much more, from the comfort and safety of their homes. This technology allows South Africans to embrace a new tomorrow and choose the extraordinary.&nbsp;

Lianne Williams

How High-Speed Fiber To The Home Is Connecting South Africans To Digital Opportunities

By Kate Hennessy, Group Chief Financial Officer



What portion of the proceeds will go towards restructuring existing debts, and what portion will go towards growth activities?



The Bond and term loan package will be mainly used to refinance the group’s existing debt. A small portion will be leftover and that will go to support our growth strategy by scaling our infrastructure, investing in our people, and ensuring that our services meet the current customer needs by expanding our digital solutions offerings. Liquid Telecom is a digital solutions provider and we aim to build Africa’s digital future.



Because the coupon on the new Bond was tightened by 300bps to 5.5% from our initial Bond issuance coupon of 8.5%, that has also saved us real cash flow in interest costs which will improve the financial position of the group and drive forward more of our growth strategy.



Where does the group see the biggest growth opportunities? For instance, data centres, fibre etc.



We are very focused on areas that are underserved, a good example is our continued investment in the DRC but also in South Sudan. There are other interesting geographic expansions within Africa we are exploring. Additionally, we are expanding our array of offerings by providing businesses with access to more digital and Cloud-based services. In the future, digital companies that outpace the competition will do so because they are leaders at orchestrating a diverse ecosystem of producers, service providers, and customers to service new demand rapidly. They will also have the financial agility and effective contingency plans needed to respond, stabilise, recover, and reimagine growth.



The data centres are not within the bond and term loan restricted group. They have their own capital structure as their financing needs are extensive and couldn’t be accommodated beneath the restricted group.



Will this bond placement meaningfully lower the overall cost of capital for the group? 



Yes, due to the lower coupon on the new Bond, it will meaningfully lower our cost of capital despite our total borrowings increasing. The ZAR term loan also assists us in hedging the FX volatility that we have suffered in the past by having all our debt in USD whilst a portion of our earnings was in ZAR and this should also assist in changing the risk outlook on the capital structure.



What types of investors showed an interest? i.e., European and US pension funds?



We saw strong interest from high-quality investors from the UK, US, Europe and Asia, in addition to the anchor orders from the IFC, DEG, and EAIF. The investor group was across the board from pension funds to investment funds to hedge funds. We value the strong group of loyal investors we have had in the Bond since the first issuance and we were pleased to see so many of them re-enter the new Bond.



Did Liquid Telecom do an investor roadshow? And are institutional investors growing more comfortable about the African growth story?



Yes, we met with more than 150 investors over two days of roadshows.



We believe that this outcome reflects the growing confidence in Liquid Telecom and African businesses more widely as we seek to drive sustainable growth and positive social change across the continent.

Liquid TelecomGareth DaviesCapture Comms Ltd07774899744

Liquid Telecom Successful Placing of USD840 Million Bond and Term Loan Financing Package

Since its establishment on the African continent in 1997, Huawei hopes not only to contribute to the digital transformation of the continent, but also to strengthen Africa&#8217;s human capital. It is through its committed vision &#8220;in Africa for Africa&#8221; that the company has been able to implement a balanced and attractive work environment for all its employees and partners. The certification of Top Employer proves that Huawei strives to be the best place to work for young African talent and help them build successful careers. 



In Africa for the past twenty years, Huawei has been committed to bringing the digital world to every person, family and business in order to build a better-connected Africa. For twenty years, Huawei has been providing high-speed, stable and secure networks for Africa. They have helped 6 million households without fixed network infrastructure to access broadband and serve more than 900 million people in Africa, the equivalent of three quarters of the continent&#8217;s population.



Huawei has the ambition to promote the digital transformation of states, businesses and enable more Africans to benefit from digital services, those are its main objectives. This vision is applied in its daily activities, helping every African citizen to be part of the Huawei digital community. The company is committed to continuous business growth while ensuring the improvement and development of the business environment in the countries in which it operates.



Through its activities, Huawei makes it a point of honor to contribute positively to social development by strengthening local human resources, an essential asset for the growth of a company and a country. To date, there are more than 9,000 employees on the continent, 76% of whom are local employees. In order to ensure a good cohesion between Chinese employees and locals, the company pays great attention to the values of empathy and consideration through diversity and inclusion. Cross-cultural management is a practice Huawei has been implementing since its creation. In addition, Huawei works tirelessly to provide its employees with ambitious projects, the best tools, flexibility and environments that promote their development.&nbsp; The company places a great deal of importance on the responsibility, autonomy and pride of each employee because they are convinced that the progress of employees goes hand in hand with that of the company.&nbsp; With this in mind, Huawei provides specialized career counsellors who are available to provide advice on the next steps in a career that is accessible to all employees.



This view of work applies not only to Huawei employees, but also to their partners and the organizations they work with. The goal remains to create an open, cooperative and mutually beneficial industry ecosystem with rapid growth for all.



To this end, Huawei cooperates with more than 1,200 subcontractors installing telecommunications networks in Africa. More than 24,000 subcontractor engineers have been certified by Huawei training and more than 150,000 employees have been recruited throughout the industry chain. Cooperation with excellent suppliers and partners in various sectors such as health, energy, finance and transport create many local jobs and business models directly and indirectly.&nbsp; Customers, suppliers and Huawei grow together and contribute to Africa&#8217;s digital economy. The slogan &#8220;in Africa for Africa&#8221; could not be better embodied.



However, Huawei is aware that the socio-economic growth of African countries cannot be maintained without fully integrating youth into development plans. At present, the phenomenon of &#8220;brain drain&#8221; is still rampant in many regions of Africa. Every year millions of students and skilled workers leave their countries of origin for the countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in search of the best professional opportunities. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), by 2050, the continent will have lost a total of 34 million skilled workers to OECD countries, even though African countries are among the countries most in need for skilled workers.



In the face of this scourge, Huawei plays a major role in helping to improve the digital skills of Africans and encourage the next generation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) talent. The company is committed to improve the overall level of ICT education in Africa, promoting digital literacy, helping Africa build local ICT capacity and harnessing digital skills to deploy future opportunities for talented young people. To this end, the company has established the Huawei ICT Academy &#8220;ICT Academy&#8221; in more than 400 high-level ICT universities and colleges in 17 African countries. The aim is to teach students cutting-edge ICT knowledge. 50,000 ICT talents have been trained in areas such as routing and switching, cloud, computing, 5G and AI and over 20,000 people have received Huawei professional technical certifications. More and more young people have started their ICT careers through the ICT Academy. In addition, Huawei has systematically provided professional training in ICT to more than 2,000 teachers, helping them to improve their teaching skills and better transmit their knowledge. In 2020, ICT Academy rapidly transformed itself into an online education and launched the Learning ON initiative to suspend face-to-face courses and implement more than 500 online courses to enable students to learn even during the epidemic.



Since 2014, Huawei launches the Seeds for the Future program in Africa every year to select outstanding young talent in the field of ICT. More than 1,000 exceptional young Africans from 33 countries have travelled to China to receive training in the latest ICT technologies.&nbsp; At the same time, since 2016, Huawei has been organizing an annual ICT Competition in Africa to promote learning, bringing together more than 150,000 students from 22 countries.



Finally, Huawei is in close cooperation with the African Union and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in the field of education.&nbsp; Together, both parties are working to make digital skills and artificial intelligence capabilities available to Africa by investing heavily in educating the next generation of ICT talent in Africa.



The Top Employer award is symbolic of Huawei&#8217;s efforts to ensure development opportunities for its employees with more jobs and work opportunities to create more value for the company and the country. Through the years, Huawei engaged to be the best place to work for the most dedicated and ambitious candidate to build a successful career. It also recognizes Huawei&#8217;s commitment to providing a balanced and attractive work environment for all its employees and partners. In the coming years, Huawei in Africa will continue to improve the human resource best practices to ensure that it is the best place to work in the region, seeking to attract the best talent and provide a healthy work environment to help them realize their full potential.

Brand voice Huawei 2-

Huawei Top Employer increase the employability of young African talent

Tolga Ozdil, ASUS Southern Africa, Systems Country Manager



 In November and December, for the first time in South African history ASUS was the top selling laptop in the country. What accounted for that and do you think that trend will continue?



The most obvious answer is that the pandemic has driven work from home and remote learning demand. But in the consumer segment the demand for entertainment has also led to an increase in over all PC and laptop sales. ASUS laptop sales grew 66% in 2020, moving the brand from 5th in consumer sales to 1st. This growth was consistent over both consumer, premium and gaming segments. This indicates a unilateral rise in demand for laptops across the entire ecosystem.



The pandemic has placed a spotlight on the need for digital transformation in both SME and multinational companies. The acceleration of this existing trend has started to shift what’s considered normal business operations in South Africa toward digital. This trend should continue as both business owners and consumers become more comfortable with transacting and engaging with businesses online.



 As a brand ASUS has emerged from the shadows in the last few years, what can people expect from the brand? Who is ASUS?



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Tolga-Corporate-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-50163" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Tolga-Corporate-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Tolga-Corporate-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Tolga-Corporate-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Tolga-Corporate-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Tolga-Corporate-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Tolga-Corporate-600x400.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption>Tolga Ozdil, ASUS Southern Africa, Systems Country Manager</figcaption></figure>



ASUS is about the search for incredible, that can be in the smallest gesture or a life changing event. We create innovative products that help people achieve incredible things, the extraordinary spirit requires an extraordinary laptop or PC. That’s our goal. Going forward we continue to focus on purpose driven innovation within the consumer, commercial and education space.



There has been a significant amount of radical innovation from ASUS in the last year, particularly with regards to Dual Screen laptops. Why do consumers need a dual screen?



Most recently our innovation has focused around making people more efficient. We are taking the day-to-day lives of our customers and searching for every possible edge that we can give them. First, we launched the ScreenPad, turning the laptop trackpad into a small secondary display. Then we took that a step further with a full 4k secondary display that sits above the keyboard. This is particularly useful for multitasking not only for the everyday professional or student, but it offers a marked and measurable increase in return on investment of time for creative professionals who charge by the hour and can now work with desktop efficiency just about anywhere.



What can South Africa expect from ASUS in the near future?



In 2021 we will double down on the investment in serving up innovative new products for creative professionals such as video editors, graphic designers, architects, and animators with our ProArt line. The big story for us internally is the drive into the commercial market with the ASUS Business suit of products. The last few years have focused on building the consumer side of our business, streamlining distribution processes, building a service network and creating a relationship of trust between the brand and consumers. Now its time for us to invest in corporate South Africa and bring the same level of innovation, value and service that has taken us to the top of the consumer segment to the commercial market.

ASUS_II_0224 (2)

Purpose driven Innovation leads 66% growth for ASUS laptops

by Loise Tamalgo, Vice-President for Sub-Sahara Africa Public Relations of Huawei Northern Africa



15 months ago, no one could have guessed that such a tragic health and economic crisis was looming. In a matter of months, the world was turned upside down, and innovation has become the one hopeful, promising solution to counter a complete decline of our societies. The African continent, due to its fragile economies and lack of infrastructure, had to exercise caution and before all, display technological genius and an entrepreneurial mindset.



Yet, although all expected the consequences of the pandemic in Africa to be dramatic, both from a sanitary and economic standpoint, the continent has demonstrated an unprecedented resilience. It has been able to grasp the moment to reinvent itself and has shown readiness to dive into the fourth industrial revolution.



Africa has digitalized at a pace never matched before, with more than 453 million of internet users according to the GlobalWebIndex’s data and a new generation impressively creative and aware of the opportunities brought by NTICs. This innovative youth is the solution to the African development; a fact private businesses must recognize to increase their investments in that domain. As the start-up and tech culture deepens on the continent, the explosion of tech hubs across Africa has shown no signs of slowing down over the past months: their number&nbsp;grew by nearly 50%&nbsp;over the past year (Quartz Africa).&nbsp;Africa needs to understand that welcoming and supporting this boom will reinvigorate its technical and inclusive capacities, draw micro, small and medium businesses out of a threatening failure. Our company Huawei has been, since 1997, enthusiastic about engaging with African talents and embarking with the whole society on a technological revolution.&nbsp;



In that regard, the pandemic has been a digital accelerator as it has guided our daily decisions about the way we live, work, and do business. It has brought new ways of communicating and exchanging to the fore, with new social tools such as video-conferencing or social applications. We are comforted in our vision that the digital is the solution, as we have for instance noticed a 40% increase of the use of videoconferencing technologies in Egypt since Covid-related measures have been implemented. Applied to all social sectors, families, private companies, public institutions and the administration, this type of connectivity is our most powerful tool to build an intelligent society.



Although we need to be optimistic, according to the IMF, Africa needs 1200 billion USD for its economy to regain strength and speed in the three coming years. As 50 million of Africans are threatened to be thrown into extreme poverty according to Devex, and as the health budgets of most African countries remain low, it is urgent for both public and private actors to cooperate and kick off a virtuous cycle mechanism based on a digital upgrade. For Huawei, creating an ecosystem of innovation can only occur among a broader ecosystem of collaborators working on an equal footing. Thus, in September 2020, we have launched our remote consultation system in partnership with the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Kinshasa ad the Stomatology Hospital of the University of Wuhan in China. This significant advance in telemedicine is expected to be the first step towards a more resourceful health environment on the continent, leading the way to other innovative impulses that will gradually empower African societies. The digital world is one that Africa wants to delve into with all its resources and talents, and we will be there to support that transition.

15 _ Shoot photo – Mr Loïse Tamalgo _ Abidjan Plateau – bureau HUAWEI _ …

Digitalisation will put Africa on the road towards the fourth industrial revolution

Sponsored content by: Top Employers Institute



On 25 January 2021, 221 organizations spanning 32 African countries were officially announced as certified Top Employers 2021 in Africa for their outstanding HR strategies and people practices. Top Employers Institute is the global authority on recognising excellence in people practices. In total, Top Employers Institute has certified 1 691 organisations in 120 countries and regions for the year ahead. These certified Top Employers positively impact the lives of over seven million employees globally. 



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Top-Employers-Supplement-Revised.pdf"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cover.png" alt="" class="wp-image-49918" width="273" height="351" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cover.png 573w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cover-233x300.png 233w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cover-300x386.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 273px) 100vw, 273px" /></a><figcaption><a href="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Top-Employers-Supplement-Revised.pdf">Read more about Africa’s 2021 Top Employers in the Forbes Africa supplement </a></figcaption></figure></div>



The Top Employers Institute Certification Programme assesses the people practices of participating companies through the independently audited and fact-based HR Best Practices Survey, which covers six domains and 20 subtopics:In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic posed challenges for societies across the world. It unleashed a new era of change for companies worldwide, whose survival and growth could influence the lives of millions of employees and their families. 



David Plink, CEO of Top Employers Institute, remarked: &#8220;In addition to the adverse impacts on global health systems and economies, businesses faced the significant hurdle of supporting their people in adapting to new ways of work. In our research, we were glad to see that Africa’s Top Employers put their employees first from the outset of the global health crisis. They responded and adapted quickly to the ever-changing situation.”He added that despite the challenges, it was business as usual and Top Employers were held to the same high standards as with every previous year.“We also saw great opportunities and positive changes, including increased focus on well-being, a greater need work-life balance, and a reduction in time spent commuting,” said Plink.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-style-large is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">In addition to the adverse impacts on global health systems and economies, businesses faced the significant hurdle of supporting their people in adapting to new ways of work. In our research, we were glad to see that Africa’s Top Employers put their employees first from the outset of the global health crisis. <cite>David Plink, CEO of Top Employers Institute</cite></blockquote>



Top Employers Institute also took the opportunity to align their certification process across all regions, moving away from three separate cycles to one certification celebration globally. He concluded, “We are proud to share this year’s announcement and congratulate all Top Employers that have been certified in their respective countries at our first global virtual event bringing together over 12 000 attendees on one day, united in shaping a better world of work.”You can view the list of this year’s Top Employers from around the world on the Top Employers Institute website: <a href="https://www.top-employers.com/en/lp/announcement-2021/announcement-2021/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.top-employers.com/en/lp/announcement-2021/announcement-2021/</a>



&#8220;Congratulations to the 2021 organisations that achieved the Top Employers Certification for 2021 . These high performing organisations have credibly proven dedication to creating a better world of work and this has been clearly exhibited through their excellent people strategies and practices. Africa’s Top Employers provide an outstanding workplace experience and journey empowering employees to reach their full potential” Billy Elliott, Regional Manager for Africa at Top Employers Institute.



Have you got what it takes to be a Top Employer? Visit <a href="http://www.top-employers.com/en-ZA/get-certified" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">www.top-employers.com/en-ZA/get-certified</a> for more information.

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Africa’s Top Employers: 2021

Huawei Northern Africa takes pride in receiving the Top Employer certification, a recognition of their positive social impact throughout the continent, which, they assert, they will further in the coming years. As much as ensuring a prosperous business growth, the advantages brought to the communities by which side the company evolves are key priorities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-huawei-s-priority-transforming-their-clients-into-beneficiaries-of-its-csr-strategy">Huawei’s priority: transforming their clients into beneficiaries of its CSR strategy</h2>



As part of their strategy «&nbsp;In Africa for Africa&nbsp;», one of their greatest strengths is, according to the Huawei Northern Africa direction, their capacity to listen, a skill critical for community cohesion and action.&nbsp;With the aim of maintaining the recognition it has been awarded, the group has been taking upon many corporate social responsibilities lately, most importantly towards the new generations. Indeed, new technologies are on the rise among young Africans aged 15 to 24. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), they represent 37.3% of Internet users worldwide, while access to this tool remains difficult on the continent. In fact, only 18% of African households have the Internet at home while this figure reaches 84.2% in Europe. Young people therefore connect at work, at school, in universities. Were it not for the digital divide, this solution could seem sustainable. However, in the face of a major lack of infrastructure and education, Huawei is concerned about these circumstances on the long run. Thus, the company’s strategy relies on its engagement with policy-makers and the youth at both the national and the community level, where most action is needed. African youth can no longer afford to be spectators of their own futures, and Huawei Northern Africa has chosen to grant them the instruments to build a bright and fulfilling future, respectful of the environment and promising in terms of economic growth. &nbsp;Their CSR approach focuses on 3 main areas: promoting education and digital inclusion in African communities; helping the most marginalised gain access to new technologies; and fostering economic progress and sustainable development on the continent.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-no-development-without-digital-education">No development without digital education</h2>



The focal point in Huawei’s social actions 2020 might have been the Covid-19 crisis, which has aggravated an already critical situation for African education systems. The mobilisation of states has not been sufficient, as the last 12 months have left gaps in the curricula of young learners. Regarding the employment market in an ever younger and more connected Africa, increasing the competencies of young Africans and improving the overall level of ICT education to unleash the possibilities of Africa&#8217;s future is the one priority all public and private actors should focus on. Given that, in Northern Africa, Huawei employs more than 3,000 ICT technical engineers, their strategy is based on recruiting local talents. Consequently, Huawei has set up &#8220;ICT Academy&#8221; in 177 top ICT universities and colleges in Northern Africa to teach students cutting-edge ICT skills, thereby filling an educational gap.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-and-no-education-with-a-gaping-connectivity">And no education with a gaping connectivity</h2>



But this objective cannot stand on its own: Huawei is well aware of the digital divide which threatens the education sector in Africa. According to the World Bank, in Sub-Saharan Africa, about a third of the population remains out of reach of 3G networks. For this reason, among others, Huawei is particularly committed to improve network coverage in remote areas. «&nbsp;Digital for everyone&nbsp;» is how one would summarise the company’s approach, which considers the right to connectivity as a fundamental human right and the cornerstone of contemporary economic progress. The group’s Tech4All global initiative aims to eliminate inequalities in digital coverage and use, which today affects more than 300 million people in Africa according to GSMA. In the same vein, Huawei has deployed the innovative RuralStar solution in several Western African countries, significantly reducing the cost of building and deploying the network in remote areas and linking more than 400 villages and 800,000 people.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fostering-a-green-digital-economy-huawei-s-new-hobbyhorse">Fostering a green digital economy: Huawei&#8217;s new hobbyhorse</h2>



The future of the younger generation will strongly depend on the incorporation of environmental goals in any business and growth strategy. World primary energy consumption has only increased since the 20th century, when all continents became industrialised. Due to an increasing urbanisation and a population explosion, this trend will continue in the coming decades. Fortunately, Africa benefits from a major asset: abundant energy resources. Huawei has heard the youth’s forceful demand for a more environmentally sustainable future, and the group is working hard to advance the goal of building a green digital economy in Africa. Morocco, for instance, which hosts Huawei Northern Africa’s central office, acts as a leader in terms of their use of renewable energies, inspiring Huawei Northern Africa’s strategy and motivating them to place green energies at the top of their concerns list. It is crucial for the continent, and all of its private and public actors, to understand how central those preoccupations are. Indeed, the Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GeSI), of which Huawei is a member, states that &#8220;information and communication technologies have the potential to reduce the equivalent of 20% of global carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and to decouple economic growth from rising emissions. The World Economic Forum attests to this: &#8220;The social benefits of digitisation could equal or even surpass the value created for industry&#8221;. In concrete terms, ICTs can be used to improve energy efficiency in the processes of production. With energy consumption below the world average, there is still time for Africa to implement digital energy solutions relatively easily in order to meet environmental standards, while at the same time enjoying strong growth. Today, Huawei strives to help Africa become economically competitive based on renewable solutions, which, by unlocking economies of scale, would result in the direct improvement of the living conditions of Africans.



These steps forward illustrate how much the group feels entrusted with a social mission. Their drive seems to be giving African youth the impetus to overcome the obstacles on their road to success, as they wholeheartedly wish to contribute to making the African continent shine in the coming decades. The new generation represents, in Huawei’s perspective, the Africa of tomorrow, a future that must be prepared now. As a leader in the technological industry, the company takes its leading role very seriously, explaining the Top Employer it is today awarded, and it asserts it will keep on supporting the African youth in achieving its dreams.



This page was paid for by&nbsp;Huawei.

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