Seeds of Opportunity: The African Growth Series
July 2023 | Issue 2
In this week's issue, you will learn more about:
- AFRICA OPPORTUNITY: Water Infrastructure Challenges In South Africa
- AFRICA OPPORTUNITY: Africa50 Pilots Asset Recycling Agreement for Togo
- AFRICA INVESTOR: Ai Academy Water Investment Action Initiatives
- ESI AFRICA: Fortune favours the knowledgeable
- ENGINEERING NEWS: Urbanisation placing pressure on Water Infrastructure
- UPCOMING EVENT: Africa Energy Week 2023
- UPCOMING EVENT: Transport Evolution Africa Awards
AFRICA OPPORTUNITY: Water Infrastructure Challenges In South Africa
Yaa Ngonyama had the privilege of hosting and moderating a compelling and relevant panel discussion at IFAT Africa last Friday. The panel comprised six talented and knowledgeable members, all dedicated to tackling South Africa's water infrastructure challenges.
During the discussion, several key points caught my attention. One notable aspect is that South Africa has some of the most progressive reforms, acts, and legislation in water management compared to the rest of the world. Our forward-thinking legislative reforms empower us to drive change actively. However, we face implementation gaps, partly due to a scarcity of skills and, to some extent, inadequate management of our infrastructure and services. Additionally, our infrastructure has aged, necessitating a commitment to effective maintenance to prevent water scarcity issues like those observed in Johannesburg. Nevertheless, the future is not bleak; there are various avenues through which we can address these challenges. These include leveraging technology, digitalizing our data, and fostering increased engagement from the willing private sector.
Water remains a personal passion of hers, and it was a tremendous honour to facilitate such an enlightening discussion.
AFRICA OPPORTUNITY: Africa50 Pilots Asset Recycling Agreement for Togo
Rapidly increasing financing for Africa’s infrastructure developments is key to driving economic recovery and growth. To aid this, Africa50, an infrastructure investment platform, which is leading the mobilisation of $500 million in infrastructure investment is now piloting asset recycling agreements. Togo is the landmark of the first of the agreements where the agreement will free the government from the debt associated with the Lomé-Kpalimé Road project by forming a new PPP. Asset recycling allows governments to monetise existing infrastructure assets through a concession to the private sector, with the benefit of the funds received being reinvested in other priority projects. For African governments, the model is new, with successful examples being in markets like Australia where $18 billion was generated in three years through the recycling of 12 state-owned assets. The assets can include power plants, toll roads, ports, airports, fiber-optic networks, pipelines, and more. Since its inception in 2017, Africa50 has played a critical role in the infrastructure development cycle in the region, with its investment profile covering transport, agriculture, and other private sector development projects, in 28 African countries. By 2030, the Africa50 group will be the leading infrastructure investment platform, providing innovative finance solutions for the region's critical infrastructure.
AFRICA INVESTOR: Ai Academy Water Investment Action Initiatives
Africa Investor (Ai) through The Ai Academy, helps investment and business leaders and policymakers to understand the evolution of climate investing in Africa, to enhance their performance, competitiveness and provide a fact base for decision-making at the continental level.
The Water Projects Barometer is an initiative with Frost & Sullivan Africa to showcase Africa’s bankable project pipeline and investment potential in water and sanitation.
Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dTMq2gNK.
ESI AFRICA: Fortune favours the knowledgeable
Africa's Green Economy Summit early this year saw speaker after speaker reference the vast opportunities on the African continent to invest in sustainable renewable energy projects. As the summit host media partner, ESI Africa had the opportunity to capture these insightful conversations.
Learn more as Africa CEO for Frost & Sullivan Africa, Hendrik Malan, and other speakers discuss these investment opportunities and the need for Africa to come together to help develop the continent - https://lnkd.in/dRqJXHsy.
ENGINEERING NEWS: Urbanisation placing pressure on Water Infrastructure
Africa’s already limited water infrastructure will likely face increased strain as multiple countries experience rapid urbanisation, says Frost & Sullivan Africa Consultant Yaa (Agyare - Dwomoh) Ngonyama.
Learn more as she discusses how urbanisation is placing pressure on Africa's water infrastructure: https://lnkd.in/d4u8j2Qe
UPCOMING EVENT: Africa Energy Week 2023
Frost & Sullivan Africa comes onboard as a Knowledge Partner for the AEC African Energy Week 2023 conference happening from 16-20 October in Cape Town, South Africa, at the V & A Waterfront.
Join us and experience Africa's booming energy markets by registering here: https://lnkd.in/d9y9Z2Tv
Don't miss out on unmatched opportunities in oil and gas, power, green hydrogen, and renewable energy.
Secure your spot now and be part of 'The African Energy Renaissance: Prioritizing Energy Poverty, People, the Planet, Industrialization, and Free Markets’.
UPCOMING EVENT: Transport Evolution Africa Awards
As part of the Transport Evolution Africa Forum & Expo, the Women in Transport Awards has evolved into the Transport Evolution Africa Awards. Running in Durban on 21 September 2023, the awards will bring together Africa’s most renowned transport industry professionals, many of them longstanding attendees of the Transport Evolution Africa Forum & Expo.
This platform will recognise, reward and celebrate the success of trailblazers who are transforming the transport sector, as well as those who have made significant impact in driving enterprise development, sustainability, and inclusivity.
Looking for more information or have a nominee in mind? Click the link below to learn more about the Awards and to submit your entry - https://lnkd.in/eEdGqBqk
Please note: Nominations close on 31 July 2023.
To find out more about opportunities in Africa, please get in touch with Lynne Martin.
