By Mervyn Naidoo, Group Chief Executive Officer at ACTOM and Chairman of the Manufacturing Circle

In most African countries, local manufacturers tend to look towards imported equipment when choosing an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), often selecting imports from the Far East due to the lower costs associated with these products.

This is mainly because many African countries lack the capabilities and manufacturing capacity to locally produce equipment across various industry segments, which often makes the procurement of equipment in-country difficult and expensive.

This means that, by default, many African manufacturers companies turn to the West, Europe or most commonly the East – particularly China – to source equipment. However, the benefits of lower upfront costs are generally negated by the lifecycle costs of the imported products.

On the other hand, equipment manufactured by local OEMs has the benefit of being backed up by local competence and intellectual property, providing equipment owners with support and maintenance throughout the product's lifecycle. As is often the case, imported equipment can fast become useless and obsolete due to a lack of spare parts and expertise to maintain it.

Economic stimulus

Additionally, developing a local vertical supply chain that can support equipment from cradle to grave brings wider economic benefits to a country, including an economic stimulus that ultimately leads to the expansion of industry, job creation and increased gross domestic product. Typically, manufacturing multiplies employment – for every job created, many more are created in the vertical supply chain.

As many African countries grapple with high unemployment rates, developing and growing local and regional OEM capabilities would see more people become economically active, which would drive greater demand for resources such as electricity, water, data and service. An economically active population also creates demand for infrastructure growth and services, in turn boosting demand for locally manufactured equipment.

Hence, the reasons for African countries to actively look at using the existing demand for equipment manufacturing to stimulate regional economies and create jobs, as opposed to importing goods and benefiting other economies are compelling.

While the generally lower cost positioning of equipment imported from the East does make it tough for African manufacturers to compete, it is not impossible. African manufacturers need to look aggressively at how to position themselves to be competitive against foreign OEMs, and the key to this will be to leverage the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

Incentivise trade

The reduction in tariffs under AfCFTA will automatically contribute to promoting the use of locally manufactured goods on the continent, as it will introduce an element of increased competitiveness and opens borders to facilitate trade between countries. At the same time, governments will have to play their part to incentivise trade between African countries, which will ultimately stimulate regional economies across the continent.

One of the key outcomes that must flow from AfCFTA is that African countries must effectively meet the demands of manufacturers on the continent by effectually exploiting the readily available raw materials needed for equipment manufacturing. Many of the resources required to produce these products are found on the continent and these should be beneficiated locally to add value.

The establishment of local manufacturing plants and factories will in turn stimulate economic growth and ensure sustainability in terms of cradle-to-grave lifecycle support for locally manufactured equipment. This will unlock economic growth in Africa. If done wisely, AfCFTA can help to boost African economies and change the plight of many countries on the continent.

Acclaimed musician and songwriter Femi One is set to enchant audiences worldwide with her latest musical masterpiece, Mtungi. 

Renowned for her distinctive sound and evocative lyrics, Femi One is poised to redefine boundaries and continue to set new standards in the music industry.

Mtungi represents a culmination of Femi One's artistic evolution, offering a glimpse into her musical prowess and creative ingenuity. With a fusion of genres that defy conventional classification, Femi One delivers a captivating auditory experience that transcends traditional boundaries.

"I want my music to reflect the realities of the world we live in while inspiring others to embrace their truth and stand tall," expressed Femi One.

Femi One has received widespread acclaim for her previous releases, earning accolades for her songwriting prowess and captivating stage presence.

After a streak of chart-topping singles, the sensational voice in Afro-pop, Teni, is back with her highly anticipated album, "TEARS OF THE SUN."

Released on November 17th through Platoon, the 16-track LP promises to captivate Kenyan audiences with its diverse and celebratory sound.

The album opens with the autobiographical track, "YBGFA (Young Black Girl From Africa)," a moving tale of Teni's roots featuring delicate piano and sublime vocal melodies.

The feel-good anthem "LANKE," produced by the award-winning Blaisebeatz, sets the celebratory tone, while the megahit "NO DAYS OFF" approaches four million streams and has been recognized by Rolling Stone as one of the Best Songs of 2023 So Far.

"TEARS OF THE SUN" is a sonic journey that showcases Teni's stunning vocal talents, complemented by sunny funk guitars and blissed-out synth arrangements.

From sultry numbers like "DEVIL DANCE" to uptempo dance tunes like "CONTROL" and the recent single "MALAIKA," the album promises a blend of styles that will resonate with Kenyan music enthusiasts.

With production credits from industry giants such as Blaisebeats, Rymez, Debonair Dessy, Kukbeat, Yung Willis, Extremebetz, and more, "TEARS OF THE SUN" is a sprawling masterpiece of uplifting Afropop.

Reflecting on the album, Teni shares, "Life is a beautiful journey of ups, downs, highs, and lows. 'TEARS OF THE SUN' has taught me about life and brought many blessings. I'm grateful to be a vessel in this world. People come and go, but remember your time around the sun will surely come, and mine is here and here to stay."

This release follows the success of Teni's collaboration on 'MAITAMA (Going)' last year and a recent rework of Bob Marley & The Wailers' classic 'Three Little Birds' with Oxlade. Teni's debut on COLORS, featuring on Stormzy's latest album 'This Is What I Mean,' and previous collaborations with Wizkid and Davido have solidified her reputation as a standout artist in the Afro-pop scene.

The album, "TEARS OF THE SUN," expands Teni's sonic vision in blissed-out style, adding to her quickly growing discography of crowd-pleasing hits. Kenyan fans are invited to immerse themselves in the captivating sounds of this sophomore masterpiece.

By Faith Waithaka, Cloud and Service Provider Segment Sales Lead: Anglophone Africa at Schneider Electric

In today's business landscape, organisations often face challenges in transitioning to greener and cleaner practices due to concerns about the associated costs of materials, resources, and technology.

However, the cost of not prioritising sustainability far outweighs the initial investment required to adopt environmentally conscious business practices. It is crucial to consider that global warming could exceed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels by the early 2030s.

While enterprises today grapple with the complexities of sustainability, it is important to recognise that sustainability is an essential driver of growth. Sustainability plans are often criticised for being perceived as "too expensive," when in reality, financial performance and sustainability are intertwined and mutually beneficial. According to a 2022 Sustainable Value study conducted by EY, about 69 percent of respondents reported that their climate initiatives exceed their initial financial expectations, generating greater value than anticipated.

The challenge arises when organisations seek to align their mission critical initiatives with sustainability goals. It can be complex to find the right balance between operational efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and environmental stewardship.

However, organisations must recognise that sustainability is not just a moral imperative, but also a strategic business imperative. Failing to address sustainability issues can lead to reputational damage, regulatory non-compliance, operational inefficiencies, and missed opportunities for innovation and cost savings.

How business leaders can shape company’s sustainability DNA

The cornerstone of a sustainable transformation lies in examining the core values that underpin an organisation's operations. It is the duty of business leaders to take charge and implement the appropriate solutions that can reinforce the company's sustainability DNA.

Leaders have the power to shape the culture, policies, and practices that define how the company operates. By embracing sustainability as a guiding principle, leaders can pave the way for a transformation that aligns business objectives with environmental and social responsibility.

Here’s how leaders can strengthen sustainability when the stakes are high:

Enhancing resource management centred on circularity

Businesses have a tremendous opportunity to enhance their long-term value by embracing sustainability at both the strategic and operational levels. Taking proactive measures to minimise environmental harm and ensure long-term resilience is crucial, and one way to achieve this is through the adoption of circular economy practices.

Ambitious scenarios indicate that a system-level shift to a circular economy could potentially reduce approximately 80% of plastic pollution in both aquatic and terrestrial systems. Estimates from McKinsey suggest that building out an efficient waste management infrastructure could cost between $560 billion to $680 billion over a ten-year period. We can realise tremendous value through the circular economy model.

The circular economy approach aims to maximise the usability and value of products, components, and materials while minimising waste generation. It involves designing products with durability and recyclability in mind, optimising resource use throughout the entire lifecycle, and actively seeking opportunities for reusing materials and extending product lifetimes.

As part of our sustainability commitment, Schneider Electric continues developing innovative approaches that reimagine product design, business models, and services with circularity in mind. For example, EcoFit™, an approach used by Schneider Electric to modernise the electrical, critical power, cooling, and automation systems that sustains customer’s business operations, all while enhancing their environmental credentials. This involves outfitting businesses with advanced, digitally driven electrical solutions and active engagement in sustainable, circular practices.

Customers are increasingly seeking sustainable solutions and are more likely to choose businesses that align with their values. By offering products and services with a clear commitment to circularity, we can build trust and strengthen relationships with our customers, fostering long-term loyalty and competitive advantage.

Increasing efficiencies through digitisation

Embracing digital technologies with the potential to decarbonise industries is a key driver for businesses to achieve their Net Zero goals more expeditiously. Recent analysis indicates that if these digital use cases are scaled up, they could potentially reduce emissions by 20% by 2050.

Technology has evolved to enable Electricity 4.0, facilitating the decarbonisation and decentralisation of industries, while creating a more electric, digital, and sustainable world. It offers enhanced control, optimisation, and analytics, revolutionising our approach to energy efficiency.

In the Oil and Gas industry, for instance, Edge computing plays a significant role in improving sustainability, resilience, and cost savings. Edge bolsters the reliability of smart grids by swiftly identifying alternative power sources in the network during outages, ensuring uninterrupted power supply to customers until the main delivery system is repaired and operational.

Addressing climate change requires more than a quick fix. Leaders play a big role in ethically fusing sustainability and technology. They can spearhead initiatives to evaluate and monitor the environmental impact of their operations, promoting sustainability throughout the organisation. In doing so, they also enhance their ESG performance and effectively deliver on sustainability goals that is demanded by customers.

Award-winning global artist King Kanja has released a brand new single “Washa Kitu” featuring K.O. Kenya and Maxudi – new Afro/R&B record produced by Kay S Beats. The single follows the success of King Kanja’s mega collaboration “E.A Party” with Boutross. The newly-released track is an anthem for immersing oneself in the joy of socializing and captures the reluctance for the delightful moments to come to an end.

Kanja says, “I feel privileged to release my single Washa Kitu through a new label, Happy Jack Records, which prioritizes the well-being and mental health of artists above all else.” As the first artist signed to Happy Jack Records, King Kanja is now dedicated to promoting positive mental health advocacy, especially to the youth in Kenya and within Africa. 

Happy Jack Records was founded by Sam Koch (DJ & Producer) and David Nathan (former SVP of Promotion & Artist Development, Republic Records (UMG) and was the powerhouse behind artists such as Nicki Minaj, Amy Winehouse, Taylor Swift, The Weeknd just to name a few.

Speaking to Billboard.com, Nathan says “We are not interested in signing artists that don’t want to use it as a platform. Whatever their issue is, or their experience has been, we want them to share it. And we want them to educate with it.” The label is on a mission to sign emerging artists from various genres, with a specific emphasis on those who have faced challenges related to mental health. 

King Kanja is generating anticipation and offering a glimpse of his upcoming addition to his discography.

He hints, “We've dedicated months of hard work in New York to my seventh studio project, SOVEREIGN, which explores a diverse range of music genres, including Afrobeats, Amapiano, House, Hip-hop, R&B and Reggae. I'm eager for the world to experience my most outstanding album to date, one that is poised to make history by transcending all boundaries and influencing the global music scene.”

Changamwe will face Majengo in the Mombasa Speaker's cup finals.

On Wednesday, Changamwe brought Mjambere's memorable campaign to an end with a 1-0 win in the semi finals played at the Mombasa sports club.

On Tuesday Majengo beat Old Town 2-1 to secure the slot.

The finals are slated for December 3 at the Mombasa sports club.

The tournament now on it's second year kicked off in September 9 with 32 teams participating in the tournament.

The winner will walk away with Sh 500,000.

Shanzu FC  won the 2022 tournament bagging Sh300,000 in cash.

The Mombasa County Assembly on Wednesday approved a motion on establishment of water transport Infrastructure for enhanced mobility and economic growth.

The motion which was sponsored by Shanzu MCA Allen Katana seeks to improve the county revenue collection, tourism sector and decongest the city.

In the ever-evolving landscape of the digital era, Brands find themselves at a crossroads, facing both challenges and boundless opportunities. The relentless surge of technology demands not just adaptation but proactive engagement and strategic redefinition.

The narrative unfolds as brands seamlessly integrate digital technologies into their operations, reshaping the very essence of corporate identity.

In this dynamic terrain, adaptation is no longer a strategic choice but a prerequisite for survival. The question is not merely how brands are adjusting, but how they are actively engaging with the transformative waves of technology. From operational processes to customer interactions, the pace of technological change necessitates an agile response.

Challenges manifest in various forms, from cybersecurity threats demanding fortified defenses to the pressing need for upskilling a workforce in sync with digital demands. The evolving technological landscape presents a dynamic set of hurdles that require not just reactive solutions but proactive strategies to stay ahead of the curve.

Brands are no longer treating technology as an external force but as an intrinsic component of their identity. Artificial intelligence streamlines decision-making, data analytics steers market strategies, and cloud computing transforms infrastructure. The strategic integration of technology is not just an optimization tool but a fundamental restructuring of corporate DNA.

Data has emerged as the lifeblood of the digital era, and corporations are mining it for invaluable insights. Understanding consumer behavior, market trends, and performance metrics through data analytics is not just a competitive advantage but a prerequisite for informed decision-making. The ability to leverage data effectively is separating industry leaders from followers.

In the realm of digital media, brands are rewriting the playbook of communication. Social media, influencers, and digital storytelling have become integral components of engagement strategies. Authenticity and relatability in the digital sphere are proving to be as critical as the message itself, as brands seek to connect with audiences in meaningful ways. 

The demand for digital expertise is reshaping talent management. Brands are not only hunting for external digital talents but also investing in upskilling their existing workforce. The cultivation of a digitally savvy workforce has become not just a competitive edge but a necessity in a landscape where adaptability is the currency of relevance.

The shift to the digital realm has opened new avenues for monetization. Whether through e-commerce platforms, digital marketing strategies, or innovative business models, brands are exploring ways to capitalize on their digital assets. The ability to monetize digital presence is becoming a pivotal aspect of sustainable revenue streams.

As brands navigate the challenges and opportunities of the digital era, the landscape continues to evolve. The future promises further technological breakthroughs, and the brands that thrive will be those that not only adapt but innovate, leveraging technology as a catalyst for progress. The journey is ongoing, and the narrative of corporations in the digital era is one of resilience, strategic vision, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.