Author: prtimesafrica

CURITIBA, Brazil, January 25, 2024/ — Clients in major rising economies like Brazil, India, Kenya, and Nigeria are pulling the global digital market up by paying online purchases with instant payments, transfers, and other alternative payment methods – including for B2B transactions; Cards are still strong in digital, with high penetration of domestic brands and debit bringing new consumers to the online sales world, points out the new EBANX’s (www.EBANX.com) Beyond Borders study; Digital payments in Africa have jumped from a 23% to a 46% penetration rate in less than eight years and continue to drive growth in digital commerce.

Rising markets in Latin America, Africa, and Asia are guiding the global surge in new consumers, with India leading the way, by adding 34 million people to the consumer class this year, almost one third of the 109 million worldwide. After Asia, Africa and Latin America are, respectively, the second and third regions to add more people, per the World Data Lab. This general consumer increase led by these three dynamic regions unfolds into the digital commerce realm as well: combined, LatAm’s and Africa’s digital commerce markets are expected to surpass US$1 trillion in total value by 2026, while India’s will be over US$275 billion, per Payments and Commerce Market Intelligence (PCMI) data in the new annual Beyond Borders (https://apo-opa.co/3OiQ1F4), EBANX’s comprehensive study about the digital market and payments in rising economies, which was launched today.

While digital commerce is growing by 13% or 12% per year in more consolidated markets around the world, like the U.S. or Europe, online sales are expanding at a much faster pace in rising economies, of 20%, according to Statista’s data, in the study. Over half of the population in these regions already embraces digital payments, positioning them as central to economic growth and consumer access.

“There is a solid demographic reason for this: rising economies have a young and growing population, contrasting developed regions. In addition to the demographic and economic push, rising economies largely benefit from digitization,” states Paula Bellizia, President of Global Payments at EBANX. “The digital revolution has been disrupting industries and unlocking opportunities for both local and global players, from verticals spanning from SaaS, digital ads, and B2B online trade, to gaming, streaming, social media, and e-commerce. And payments have been the backbone of this growth,” she added.

Latin America’s digital market will nearly double in size by 2026, reaching US$944 billion after growing at a 23% CAGR, per PCMI data for Beyond Borders, showcasing robust opportunities. Brazil, LatAm’s digital commerce powerhouse, boasted a US$275 billion market last year, and stands out as a prominent force, ranking fourth globally in the number of digital buyers, according to Insider Intelligence.

Also emerging as strong contenders are Mexico, Colombia, and Peru, which display annual growth rates of around 30% for digital commerce. Central America & Caribbean countries like Costa Rica, El Salvador, Panama, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic will not slow down either, accelerating at an annual pace of around 20% by 2026, proving that a block approach to this Latin region can add up to the global expansion strategy of any global digital player.

India is another perfect example of the digital potential in rising economies: the Asian country is the world’s second-largest online shopping market, only behind China, with around 350 million people boosting a digital commerce market that surpassed US$184 billion last year. And yet, online sales penetration rate is still at 33%, as pointed out by Insider Intelligence’s data in Beyond Borders, showing the substantial untapped opportunity that still exists in the country – particularly if efforts are directed towards improving payment access for India’s diverse population.

Financial inclusion was at the center of two strong cases inspiring the world: UPI in India and Pix in Brazil. With great user experience, zero-cost services to consumers and minimal to no charges for merchants, the two systems are revolutionizing both offline and online purchases: Pix is part of the daily lives of 4 in every 5 adults in Brazil, according to the country’s Central Bank. Over the last three years, nearly 8 out of 10 customers making their initial online purchase with an EBANX merchant opted to use Pix for payment, per EBANX internal data. In India, UPI has a 41% share of the total digital commerce, according to PCMI, being the utmost chosen payment method by Indian online consumers.

As an early adopter of digital payments, and soon to be home to an adult population of 1 billion by 2030, Africa is also an important region for the outstanding digital growth of commerce and payments. After heavily embracing digital payments, which jumped from a 23% to a 46% penetration rate considering many of its countries in less than eight years, Africa is now on the verge of its next big leap: digital commerce, fueled by cell phone  penetration rates and constant adaptability of local, alternative payment methods to the online world, like mobile money, which reached almost universal penetration in countries like Kenya.

It is interesting to observe how the innovation brought by alternative payments is improving the whole ecosystem, and impacting cards as well – including debit ones – which remain steady and keep playing an important role in the digital economy as account ownership surges in rising markets. “Cards and alternatives are learning from one another, absorbing features from one another, paying attention to the needs of merchants and consumers,“ Bellizia noted. Combined, credit and debit cards represent 51% of digital commerce value in Brazil, 66% in Mexico, and 75% in Chile, according to PCMI data in Beyond Borders. In India, cards account for 43% of the value of online transactions; and the high penetration goes to African nations as well: in Morocco, 42%; in Nigeria, 36%. “A payments strategy for rising markets needs to consider a balance between cards and alternative payments, adapted to specific countries, verticals, and business models, centered in offering the best payment experience to customers, enabling them to pay with their method of choice. This fosters true access,” she added.

The new Beyond Borders report is also revealing the next frontier for innovation and growth in the payments industry: B2B payments – companies purchasing from other companies. Currently 42% of Kenyan businesses and 63% of Indian ones make online purchases. In LatAm, 64% of businesses in Brazil and an impressive 85% in Colombia, way higher than the global average of 50%, according to OECD and UNCTAD data. By 2027, rising markets in LatAm, Africa and Apac will make up for 40% of the total value of B2B payments made online worldwide, and yet an estimated 70% of B2B transactions are still pretty much manual, according to Capgemini, lacking more seamless flows. “This opens a massive opportunity in which alternative payments can be a game-changer: EBANX’s internal data show that local payments improve approval rates for B2B transactions, with internal rates that surpass 80%,“ Paula Bellizia concluded.

Access the complete Beyond Borders 2024 study at https://apo-opa.co/3OiQ1F4.

For more information:
Website: www.EBANX.com
LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/4bcrVW6

UPPER NILE, South Sudan, January 25, 2024/ — As its first post-independence elections fast approach, South Sudan, the world’s newest nation, is working to enhance child protection in conflict-affected areas.

It’s ally in this endeavour: the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS)!

The UN Peacekeeping mission recently held interactive workshops in two key locations across Warrap state for members of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF).

The aim: To reinforce full implementation of the Comprehensive Action Plan signed in February 2020 which seeks to end and prevent all grave violations against children by all parties to the conflict.

Some 40 SSPDF personnel deployed to Kirik, a payam [administrative division] in Tonj North, who, historically, have been mired in a tense relationship with communities, participated in a two-day capacity building workshop to enhance their child protection abilities.

“This training by UNMISS marks a new chapter in our approach to handling civilian interactions, especially safeguarding children,” remarked the payam administrator, William Deng, during his opening speech.

For his part, Kerbino Malual, SSPDF commander and workshop participant, reflected on past incidents and was optimistic about a more productive relationship with Kirik residents soon.

“This initiative is pivotal in strengthening our relationship with communities. Our priority is their protection and we are here to help uphold their rights. We have tried in the past to build better synergies but now we understand our roles and responsibilities much more,” he stated.

Training sessions covered topics such as the UNMISS child protection mandate, the rights of children and the six grave violations, the immediate need to release all minors from military service, gender-based violence, as well as other vital aspects of the Comprehensive Action Plan.

Similarly, in Matiel, Gogrial East, a workshop on providing security to civilians—especially children—amid ongoing tensions, took place for SSPDF officers located in Lietnhom, again 40 in number.

“The insights and knowledge from this UNMISS-facilitated workshop are invaluable for us to be operationally sound and protect the most vulnerable, such as our children who are the future of this country,” said Brigadier General Makuac Mabior. “We are committed to upholding the Action Plan and shall trickle down what we have learned to all our colleagues who couldn’t attend the sessions,” he added.

Additionally, Brigadier Mabior emphasized the importance of enhancing military professionalism and fostering peaceful community relations. Expanding on his commitment, he added, ‘We’ve gained a deeper understanding of the crucial work carried out by UNMISS and other UN organizations. I want to assure you that our barracks will not only remain open to you but will actively welcome your presence and collaboration. This partnership is essential for us to continue developing our skills and understanding, thereby ensuring that we can better serve and protect our community.’

For Joseph Deng, an UNMISS representative, such advocacy is important.

“Our efforts through these trainings are part of a larger strategy to help South Sudan build lasting peace and have a spotless human rights record. Protecting children lies at the heart of protecting civilians and we remain dedicated to working with the SSPDF and communities to ensure a secure environment for all,” he averred passionately.

More such sensitizations are planned across Warrap in coming weeks.

 

GENEVA, Switzerland, January 25, 2024/ — Despite much progress on health in recent decades, Uganda remains vulnerable to a variety of life-threatening diseases, such as Ebola, malaria, and rabies. Discover how the Uganda Red Cross is helping school students learn about different disease threats so they can help keep their families and communities safe.

“The School Health Club has taught us how to look after our health. I also bring the knowledge I learn from the club to my home, and my parents take those messages to the wider community.”

These are the words of Kikanshemeza, a pupil at Mwisi Primary school in south-west Uganda and proud member of her School Health Club.

Set up by the Uganda Red Cross, the School Health Club helps primary and secondary school pupils understand how to protect themselves from various disease threats, stay healthy, and share their newfound knowledge with their fellow pupils, families, and wider communities.

It’s one of the many different activities under the Community Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Programme (CP3) – a multi-country programme run by the IFRC and seven Red Cross National Societies to help communities, first responders, and other partners prepare for, detect, prevent, and respond to health risks.

Since joining her School Health Club, Kikanshemeza has built a tippy tap—a simple, low-cost handwashing facility that can help reduce up to 50% of avoidable infections—in her home, supported her family to use it regularly and properly, and shared life-saving information about different diseases.

“She told us not to eat the meat of animals that have died and to make sure they are buried properly, and also that bats are a potential cause of Ebola and monkeys can transmit it too,” explains Kikanshemeza’s mother, Annet.

Knowledge is power

Kikanshemeza is one of 30 School Health Club members at Mwisi Primary school. The club meets up once a week in special sessions led by Akampurira, a facilitator from the Uganda Red Cross, who teaches them all about different diseases—including how to recognize signs and symptoms, which people might be most at risk, and actions the students can take to stop diseases from spreading.

Club members are then responsible for maintaining school handwashing facilities, making sure all students follow proper hygiene practices, and sharing what they’ve learned with their follow students—often through large, theatrical performances in the school hall.

Students act out informative and lively scenes: everything from a patient seeking help from a doctor after noticing signs of malaria, to a person being bitten by a dog in the street and rushing to get vaccinated.

Tackling serious health issues in this more fun and light-hearted way helps break down complex topics, keeps fellow students engaged, and helps them retain the knowledge in case they need it in future.

Why involve school children in epidemic preparedness?

The IFRC and our member National Societies have long focused on helping people prepare for, respond to, and recover from epidemics.

We know from experience that effective epidemic preparedness must involve communities themselves, first responders, and partners from across all parts of society – such as schools.

“School health clubs have been a game changer in health risk communication, as engaged learners have been excellent peer educators in school, and also change agents at the household level,” explains Henry Musembi, CP3 Programme Delegate for Uganda and Kenya.

“The clubs are a great platform for training the next generation of epidemic emergency responders and champions in target communities,” he adds.

Seeing positive change

Kushaba, another School Health Club member whose brother had previously suffered from malaria, says he’s learned a lot from the club and has noticed positive change in his community:

“We learned how we can control malaria by slashing compounds, draining all stagnant water to destroy habitat for mosquitoes, and how you can use a treated mosquito net.”

“Before the introduction of the School Health Club, we didn’t have tippy taps, we didn’t know how to use toilets, even how we can clean our school. Pupils, they were suffering from diseases like malaria, cholera, but now because of the School Health Club, they are fine,” he adds.

 

GENEVA, Switzerland, January 25, 2024/ — Captaining his country at the Africa Cup of Nations, the Senegalese international Kalidou Koulibaly has joined forces with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to produce a short film that seeks to raise awareness among the general public and weapon bearers of the rules of international humanitarian law.

The film, entitled Defenders, is aimed first of all at young weapon bearers and at raising their awareness of the fundamental rules of war, such as: civilians must never be targeted; steps must be taken to reduce the possible impact on military operations on women and children; enemy combatants who surrender must be spared.

“We know that football gives us a way to speak out loudly and clearly about important issues. Keeping children, young women and civilians safe is more important than anything else in Africa,” says Kalidou Koulibaly, referring to the ongoing armed conflicts in Africa.

According to the ICRC, there are currently more than 100 armed conflicts in the world, involving over 60 different states and 100 non-state armed groups. Several countries have multiple conflicts within their own borders and some actors are involved in several armed conflicts.

The number of armed conflicts in Africa has continued to increase. For example, since the early 2000s, the number of armed conflicts has doubled, rising from around 20 to more than 40. The ICRC estimates that around 83 million Africans are living in areas that are either totally or partially controlled by armed groups.

“Our dialogue with the authorities and weapon bearers is aimed mainly at preventing humanitarian issues and ensuring we have access to all victims of war and other violence so as to protect and assist them. We raise awareness of the rules of war that protect civilians in armed conflicts so that lives can be saved. Speaking about the rules using football terms, a game that has its own rules, gives us a way of reaching a much larger audience of people who are passionate about the sport,” says Patrick Youssef, the ICRC’s regional director for Africa.

The film is being released in the year of the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions, and reflects the ICRC’s new institutional strategy, which places protection and international humanitarian law at the heart of its work.

“I’m proud to be able to tell this beautiful story and to continue to promote peace in the world and in Africa. I think that abiding by the rules of war, humanizing conflicts, enables people to live in greater safety. I hope that this is the path we’ll take in the future,” says Kalidou Koulibaly.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, January 25, 2024/ — Shaping our physical environment, creating a sense of identity and place, and supporting economic development are but a few of the functional purposes of architecture. Architects play a critical role in providing places for people to live and work, improving the quality of human life and supporting the aesthetics within a designed environment. This year’s Global Black Impact Summit (GBIS) { https://GlobalBlackImpact.com/}  – taking place in Dubai on February 27, 2024 – will explore the achievements of Black architects and designers, whose work serves as a symbol of culture, society, and development.

Architects shape the world we live in, casting an emotional impact on people and changing our perception of space. Serving as the first Black architect to become a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in 1923, the work of Paul R. Williams resulted in his bestowment of the institution’s prestigious Merit Award for his design of the MCA building in Beverly Hills, California. Williams’ impressive oeuvre encompasses the design of the homes of Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, and Lon Cheney, to name a few.

Centered around the theme, ‘Black Excellence: Unleashing the Unexplored Potential for Global Unity’, this year’s summit underscores the value of innovation, inspiration, and authenticity. Known for her lavish use of form, straddling the line between openness and utility, Norma Merrick Sklarek’s notable works include the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo and the Terminal One station at the Los Angeles International Airport. In addition to becoming the first woman licensed as an architect in New York and California, Sklarek became the first African American woman member of the AIA and the first to co-own an architectural firm.

As a medium, architecture provides designers an opportunity to express their artistry on a larger scale than other traditional artists. The accessibility and visibility of their work offers a greater influence on a wider population and for much longer a term. As such, the transcontinental scope of architect and designer, Pascale Sablan, includes notable buildings such as the Museum of the Built Environment in Saudi Arabia and the Bronx Point project in New York. Her work on commercial, cultural, and residential buildings has resulted in Sablan becoming the recipient of numerous awards including the 2018 Pratt Alumni Achievement Award, Emerging New York Architect Merit Award, and the NOMA Price for Excellence in Design.

Renowned for his innovative and sustainable architectural style, Burkinabe-German architect, Diébédo Francis Kéré became the first African to receive the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize. Kéré’s portfolio, which includes civic infrastructure and temporary installations, is notable for its innovative use of local resources and participatory design methods. His work includes the Gando Primary School in Burkina Faso, the National Park of Mali, and the Serpentine Pavilion in the UK. Kéré’s focus on social initiatives has been celebrated for embodying the values of the communities where he works, driven by a commitment to environmental understanding and service to humanity.

Architectural excellence and the influence of Black designers in the field will be a focus-point during this year’s GBIS event, which will highlight the contributions, achievements, and influence of Black architects from all over the world. The Summit will unite participants under the common goal of celebrating and supporting innovation and inclusivity in the realm of architecture, promoting equal opportunities and inspiration to Black creatives and trailblazers.

Global Black Impact Summit 2024

The Global Black Impact Summit is an annual event – organized by Energy Capital & Power – that seeks to celebrate the achievements of the Black community, promote excellence, and explore untapped potential across various fields. This year’s summit is set to be a transformative experience, featuring influential speakers, engaging panel discussions, and networking opportunities that encourage attendees to reach new heights.

MOGADISHU, Somalia, January 18, 2024/ — A United Nations-contracted cargo plane today crashed while landing on an air-strip in El-Barde in Somalia’s South West State.
The aircraft was transporting humanitarian supplies for the World Food Programme when it veered off the runway. Initial reports indicate there was one fatality and two people injured.
The United Nations in Somalia expresses its condolence to the family and colleagues of the victim, and wishes a speedy recovery for the injured.

The United Nations is working with the contracted airline company and federal and South West State authorities to investigate the incident.

SOURCE

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, January 18, 2024/ — According to a recent Kaspersky survey[1] (www.Kaspersky.co.za), over half of employees surveyed in the Middle East, Turkiye and Africa (META) region feel the lack of digital skills when working on computers and other digital equipment. If they had higher digital skills, employees think they would earn 41% more, on average. Specifically, respondents in Egypt said they would earn 53% more money with higher digital skills, in the UAE – 44% more. Respondents in Saudi Arabia indicated their salary would increase by 36% if they had better digital skills, in Turkiye – by 35%, and in South Africa – by 36%.

Employees understand the importance of acquiring new digital skills and honing their existing ones. In the Middle East, Turkiye, Africa region in general, 79% of employees tried to uptake paid or free digital literacy trainings on their own. In Egypt this number stands at 75%, in Saudi Arabia – at 70%, in the UAE – at 91%, in Turkiye – at 81%, and in South Africa at 76%.
The lack of digital skills may not only impede one’s career and deprive them of income, but also produces serious risks for the cybersecurity of the organisation where this person is employed. The ‘human firewall’ is one of the key defenses from cyber incidents. Employees can open a phishing link or download ransomware on a corporate device and it’ll produce financial and reputation losses for the company. This is why workers on any levels — from top managers to interns — should receive proper IT and cybersecurity training.

Brandon Muller, Technical Expert for the MEA region at Kaspersky, commented: “While digital skills today are the linchpin for career advancement, employers should not forget about the synergy between individual upskilling and organisational cybersecurity. When companies invest into IT and cybersecurity trainings for their staff, they not only boost their reputation as employers who care about the prosperity of their employees, but also contribute to increasing the cyber protection of organisational infrastructure. Special solutions, such as Kaspersky Automated Security Awareness Platform, help to effectively achieve both these goals.”
To help your employees to improve their digital skills, Kaspersky experts recommend:

• Conduct regular checkups to understand what digital skills are most needed for business.
• Organise cyber literacy courses and trainings for employees so they could improve their skills – use Kaspersky Automated Security Awareness Platform (https://apo-opa.co/3Hp9vE0), an online learning tool that would help to train employees about relevant topics in cybersecurity.

Make sure employees know about trending cyberthreats like phishing, scam, ransomware attacks and how to recognise and avoid them.

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, January 18, 2024/ — The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) (www.AfDB.org) agreed on Wednesday that the Bank should take a stake of USD 10.50 million in the capital of Seedstars Africa Ventures S.L.P. venture capital fund to enable it to invest in innovative African businesses with strong growth potential.
The Bank agreed to invest USD 7 million from its ordinary resources and USD 3.5 million from the European Union Boost Africa programme. The investment will allow Seedstars Africa Ventures (SAV) to raise funds, expand its presence in Africa and attract other investors.
Seedstars Africa Ventures is an early-stage venture capital fund investing in high-growth companies active across Sub-Saharan Africa.
The fund focuses on businesses that have strong potential, are generating income and tackling key challenges in the market. It mainly targets sub-Saharan Africa, especially markets less well covered by traditional investors, and enjoys a particular focus on French-speaking countries such as Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin and Cameroon. However, it also has investments in Ghana, Uganda and Tanzania.

As a venture capital fund of USD 75 million, Seedstars Africa Ventures targets the start-up and launch phases of businesses tackling key constraints in the market. Initial investments are around the EUR 250,000 mark, followed by additional capital injections of €5 million to support their growth.
SAV focuses on financial inclusion and the technologies that equip businesses (fintech and insurtech); retail sales and logistics platforms that target the online and mobile consumers market; health-related technologies; pre-paid, off-grid energy; and more generally, the adoption of technology in businesses, particularly in the food-processing industry and value chains.
It is estimated that the fund will help create 9,000 full-time jobs, 50% of them for women, and have a significant economic impact.
The fund’s objectives are in line with those of Boost Africa, which aims to invest in innovative start-ups that are growing strongly and having a positive social impact. Its investment strategy will strengthen that of the African Development Bank, which links entrepreneurship, investment and economic growth to poverty reduction and sustainable development. It will also contribute to the Bank’s operational priorities – the High 5 – by supporting start-ups operating in key sectors, such as agriculture, health, industrialization and off-grid energy. Finally, the investments will contribute to strengthening regional integration and improving the lives of people in Africa.

 

LAGOS, Nigeria, January 17, 2024/ — As we head into 2024, the renewable energy sector is set to see innovation that will transform the way energy is accessed, stored and deployed across Africa. Paul van Zijl, Group CEO at Starsight Energy (https://StarsightEnergy.com/), discusses 4 key trends that he thinks will profoundly shape the industry over the next year.

Batteries will provide benefits far beyond backup for behind-the-meter projects

One of the most significant shifts in solar technology revolves around the integration of battery energy storage systems (BESS) – especially for behind-the-meter solar (also known as onsite solar). Traditionally, batteries were seen primarily as backup storage when paired with a solar system, ensuring a steady power supply during cloudy days, nighttime or when the grid is unavailable. However, in 2024, the focus is vastly shifting towards load management, where batteries play a dynamic role in optimising energy consumption.
As the trend for the deployment of batteries across the continent grows, cutting-edge management systems will become a key part of solar installations with an integrated battery component. These systems use advanced algorithms to predict energy demand patterns. This allows for the strategic use of battery storage – discharging it during expensive peak times and charging it using solar energy or the grid during off-peak – to reduce the costly demand charges that come with variable tariff structures. Along with enhancing the efficiency of solar systems, integrated battery storage solutions can also contribute to grid stability by reducing strain during high-demand periods.
When it comes to front-of-the-meter (or offsite) storage, BESS is also set to play a bigger role in the deployment of utility-scale renewable energy technology like wheeling – where power is generated at an offsite location (like a solar or wind farm) and transported using the available power network to different off-takers.
In South Africa for example, the national energy provider Eskom announced the deployment of around 343 MW in BESS projects as part of an overall 500 MW BESS initiative aimed at addressing the country’s long-running electricity crisis. The systems will be in remote areas (with limited access to Eskom’s network) but still close to renewable energy plants built by independent power producers (IPPs).
This collaboration between the public and private sectors supports more widespread deployment of utility-scale power and the adoption of renewable energy projects. By adding battery storage components to the national grid, businesses and consumers can gain quicker access to reliable electricity while the power utility can address peak energy demands more easily. This also ensures that the increasing amount of power generated from utility-scale solar projects can be stored and consumed outside of daylight hours to avoid stranded grid capacity.Data, banking and tourism: The rise of sustainable off-grid solar solutions

Off-grid renewable energy solutions, including stand-alone systems and mini-grids, offer a unique opportunity to expand modern energy access services. The distributed nature of these systems allows them to be tailored to local conditions, tap into available renewable resources, deliver diverse energy services, and utilise local capacity to ensure long-term sustainability.
We will see a rise in these solutions as more and more commercial and industrial businesses realise the value of effectively moving off-grid. This will be prevalent in three industries:Data centres: Africa is a global hub for data centres. According to research from African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM), there is around 250 MW of installed data centre capacity across Africa – with the demand for centres in Africa expected to exceed supply by 300% by 2030. These powerhouses of technology rely heavily on a steady and safe electricity supply. From operating to maintaining their vast cooling systems, large data centres simply can’t afford the risk of a grid collapse or any possible power interruptions. Power autonomy is the name of the game here, making battery storage a necessity from the get-go.

Banking: While the prevalence of mobile financial services continues to soar on the continent, there is still a tangible need for brick-and-mortar banks and ATMs in countries where access to these services remains essential. These sites need to remain operational should there be any sort of grid collapse or catastrophic power failures – making an off-grid solution a non-negotiable component of the future of banking in Africa.

Tourism: With the rise of conscious consumerism and eco-tourism, sustainability is fast becoming the differentiating factor for discerning travellers choosing their next holiday destination. Luxury lodges in popular destinations in East and Southern Africa are fast moving towards fully off-grid solar battery operations to offer their guests uninterrupted access to power while boosting the lodge’s green credentials in the process.
As more and more businesses become aware of the benefits of off-grid solar, it is likely that we will see an even greater adoption of this technology in the coming year.

Seamless access to renewables through a reimagined aggregation model

We will certainly see a shift towards aggregated solutions, wherein energy providers will consolidate diverse technologies and services into comprehensive packages in 2024. This trend is driven by the recognition that a holistic approach to energy solutions is not only more convenient for consumers but also more effective in optimising energy production and consumption.
his can be done in several ways. For example, trading of electricity in South Africa allows a service provider of solar energy to buy and sell, excess wind energy without having to invest substantial capital expenditure amounts. Similarly, instead of having gas-powered energy compete with renewable energy, the aggregation model will also allow providers of such services to aggregate their energy solutions and provide the client with a holistic offering. The goal is to provide consumers with a seamless and integrated final product that maximises the benefits of renewable energy across various aspects of their daily lives. The real value for customers lies in a collaboration of providers who can meet their specific needs and power the entire energy lifecycle.

Tackling complexities through an increasingly consolidated sector

As the solar industry matures, a trend towards consolidation will become increasingly evident in 2024. Larger energy companies will consider merging or acquiring smaller players, creating more robust and diversified entities. This consolidation is driven by the desire to achieve economies of scale, increase market share, and foster innovation by pooling resources and expertise.
Consolidation in the industry is not limited to manufacturers but extends to service providers, research and development firms, and energy management companies. By joining forces, these entities can tackle the complexities of the evolving energy landscape more effectively, driving down costs and accelerating the adoption of alternative energies across the continent.
This trend is fostering the emergence of holistic service providers capable of providing end-to-end solutions that address the diverse needs of businesses, consumers and communities. Our recent market-milestone merger between Starsight Energy (https://StarsightEnergy.com/) and SolarAfrica (https://SolarAfrica.com/) is a case in point. Customers in Eastern, Southern and Western Africa can access our comprehensive mix of cost-effective solutions that provide power security and carbon reduction. These include solar energy, battery storage, wheeling, and energy management, among others.
The future is bright. If 2023 was anything to go by in terms of transformation for the energy sector, 2024 will be marked by accelerated innovation and a collective commitment to harnessing the full potential of renewable energy that holds the promise of a more resilient, more sustainable, and more tightly connected energy future for Africa.