Ahead of celebrating Africa Day, Coca-Cola (www.Coca-ColaCompany.com) is dropping its newest Coca-Cola® Creation, Coca-Cola® Wozzaah, a symphony of flavors inspired by the beating heart of African culture. Through digital experiences, coupled by the refreshing taste of Coca-Cola® Wozzaah, fans will be transported through the continent of Africa, experiencing the electrifying flavors and expressive culture of each unique country.

Coca-Cola® Wozzaah is crafted to embody the pulsating rhythm and dynamic energy of Africa. The new flavor provides the refreshing Coca-Cola taste fans know and love, remixed with vibrant, tropical flavors inspired by Africa. Its captivating pulse and innovative blend seamlessly fuse a kaleidoscope of flavors for fans to enjoy, found nowhere else but in Africa. The design of each can of Coca-Cola® Wozzaah boasts contemporary typography and bursts of vivid color that captures the dynamic rhythm of African culture, infused with the heightened expression of the continent’s boundless creativity.

More than just a beverage, Coca-Cola® Wozzaah pays tribute to the energy of the continent, recognizing the influence Africa has across all aspects of culture around the world. To celebrate this cultural resonance, Coca-Cola® Wozzaah invites fans to join in the vibrancy and immerse themselves in a series of exhilarating physical and digital experiences. These experiences will be brought to life through dynamic collaborations with trailblazing artists who embody a profound connection to the essence of Africa’s creativity, igniting a cultural renaissance that resonates with fans worldwide.

As the ambassador of this new Coca-Cola(R) Creation, Coca-Cola is partnering with global music sensation and proud Eswatini citizen, Uncle Waffles, who will play a pivotal role in bringing Coca-Cola® Wozzaah to life. Renowned for her electrifying performances and unwavering commitment to celebrating African culture, Uncle Waffles promises to infuse the Coca-Cola® Wozzaah experience with unparalleled energy and celebrations that can be connected to fans across the world.

On May 23rd, Coca-Cola® Creations and Uncle Waffles are joining forces for an exclusive concert in Johannesburg, South Africa, bringing to life the world of Coca-Cola® Wozzaah for fans to immerse themselves in. The event will surprise and delight local spectators with a special pop-up concert by Uncle Waffles, followed by the grand unveiling of Coca-Cola® Wozzaah.

“We are thrilled to introduce Coca-Cola® Wozzaah, a new Coca-Cola Creation that not only celebrates the rich tapestry of African culture but also embodies the spirit of innovation and creativity,” said Silke Bucker, Senior Director, Coca-Cola Category Lead, Africa. “Partnering with Uncle Waffles adds an authentic touch to this exciting launch, and we can’t wait to see how her dynamic presence will elevate the Coca-Cola® Wozzaah experience, creating unforgettable moments for our consumers worldwide.”

Accessible through the Creations Hub, Coca-Cola® Creations is inviting fans to experience its interactive online experience that amps up African creativity through artists reshaping the global music scene. Hosted by Uncle Waffles, each channel features audiovisual elements inspired by distinct spaces within South Africa, Morocco, Algeria, and Nigeria. Fans will be able to digitally explore the unique interactive experience and engage with social elements including customizable Snapchat lenses. Fans can access the digital experience by visiting https://apo-opa.co/3wQdB6v.

To help further build the world of Coca-Cola® Wozzaah and highlight the cultural influences of Africa, Coca-Cola® is collaborating with WafflesnCream popularly known as waf., Nigeria’s first skateboarding company, to create exclusive merchandise available for purchase in select markets. waf. merchandise is available for purchase internationally and can be ordered by visiting WAFFLESNCREAM – waf.Online (https://apo-opa.co/4dULpQO).

“The latest Coca-Cola® Creation celebrates the vibrancy and influence of Africa, immersing consumers in the limitless energy of the continent,” said Oana Vlad, Senior Director, Global Strategy at The Coca-Cola Company. “This latest expression and collaboration with incredible African artists, designers and voices is what Coca-Cola® Creations is all about – creating ‘Real Magic’ for our fans through cultural connections.”

Coca-Cola® Wozzaah is available to purchase for a limited time only in select markets including Nigeria, Algeria, South Africa, and Morocco.

For more information about Coca-Cola® Creations, visit https://apo-opa.co/3UVCWUw.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Coca-Cola.

Media:
Name: Amel Benchikh El Houcine
Email: abenchikh@coca-cola.com

About The Coca‑Cola Company:
The Coca‑Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company with products sold in more than 200 countries and territories. Our company’s purpose is to refresh the world and make a difference. We sell multiple billion-dollar brands across several beverage categories worldwide. Our portfolio of sparkling soft drink brands includes Coca‑Cola, Sprite and Fanta. Our water, sports, coffee and tea brands include Dasani, smartwater, vitaminwater, Topo Chico, BODYARMOR, Powerade, Costa, Georgia, Gold Peak and Ayataka. Our juice, value-added dairy and plant-based beverage brands include Minute Maid, Simply, innocent, Del Valle, fairlife and AdeS. We’re constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We seek to positively impact people’s lives, communities and the planet through water replenishment, packaging recycling, sustainable sourcing practices and carbon emissions reductions across our value chain. Together with our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, helping bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at www.Coca-ColaCompany.com and follow us on Instagram (htps://apo-opa.co/3UUYYqp), Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/4dVjCPV) and LinkedIn (https://apo-opa.co/3yr4mtQ).

The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) approved a loan of $240 million to Mauritius in Abidjan on 22 May 2024 to implement the second phase of the Economic Competitiveness and Resilience Support Program.

“Following the approval and implementation of the first phase of the Program in 2023, the aim of this second phase is to continue to support improvements in economic diversification and competitiveness, to improve the country’s resilience and achieve more inclusive, sustainable growth. The proposed programme will support the economic recovery following the Covid-19 pandemic, through fundamental reforms to improve the business environment and the real economy,” declared Kennedy Mbekeani, the African Development Bank’s Country Manager in Mauritius.

Several government measures will be supported, including the government’s approval of the fisheries framework bill to fill the gaps in current legislation, especially regarding unregulated fishing and the use of sanctions. This will help boost the fishing sector and offer Mauritians new employment and income opportunities. Another measure concerns the approval of the roadmap and strategic plan for the agriculture and livestock farming sectors 2024-2030 focused on increasing production for resilient food security, promoting sustainable, resilient production, as well as entrepreneurship and agro-industry.

The program’s second phase will also support the installation of rooftop solar panels (using 1.5 kilowatt-hour solar kits) for households with modest incomes. Beneficiaries’ monthly electricity bills will be reduced by 75-kWh for 20 years. The not only promotes the share of renewable energies in the energy mix and lower greenhouse gas emissions, but is designed to help reduce poverty among these types of customers.

The Mauritian Minister of the Economy, Planning and Development, and several other ministries responsible for the areas covered by the operation are the program’s direct beneficiaries. The private sector will also benefit from better investment opportunities in agro-industry.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Media contact:
Alexis Adélé
Communication and External Relations Department
media@afdb.org

About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) is the premier multilateral financing institution dedicated to Africa’s development. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NSF). The AfDB has a field presence in 41 African countries, with an external office in Japan, and contributes to the economic development and social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org

There is no doubt that the goal of a company’s Chief Financial Officer is to have clean and accurate audits across the business – a single source of truth with a strong focus on compliance. As a diversified financial services company operating in 12 countries across the continent, Old Mutual Africa embarked on an ambitious journey to transform its finance and operations (F&O) across these territories, integrate their operations, introduce efficiency savings, and ensure the reliability and integrity of financial reporting.

Central to this journey was a partnership with Braintree, tasked with implementing a Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance&Operations Enterprise Resource Planning solution—a crucial component of the broader transformation strategy.

The Role of Braintree in the Transformation Journey

Donald Van der Merwe, Programme Executive at Old Mutual Africa who led the broader financial transformation programme, says that this journey was not just about technological implementation, but a strategic endeavour to consolidate over a hundred product systems across life assurance, asset management, unit trusts, property, insurance, and banking into a single platform.

As a leading IT solutions provider of Microsoft Dynamics 365 solutions, Braintree was selected for its deep expertise and understanding of the challenges at hand. Their role in this partnership was pivotal, focusing on the seamless implementation of the Microsoft D365 F&O system. This collaboration was characterised by a shared ethos and vision, with both parties bringing a commitment to excellence and a deep understanding of the financial services landscape. What resulted was the consolidation of all finance systems within 11 countries by April 2024.

The strategy and objective

Helping finance to become a strategic partner within the organisation was a key objective from the outset. This was achieved by restructuring the business and delivering a unified platform with an end-to-end view of all relevant financial and non-financial data, enabling real-time insight and decision-making while still delivering core finance capabilities.

Standardisation was key to the strategy of this transformation project, with chart of accounts, processes and internal controls all needing to work on the same system and a seamless flow of data into the company’s general ledger.

Automating these processes also meant the introduction of easier and more accurate workflows. For example, with D365’s powerful automation capabilities, 99% of all Old Mutual Africa’s bank reconciliation has now become automated.

Collaboration and buy-in

A key factor in the success of this initiative was the emphasis on collaboration and stakeholder engagement. Rather than adopting a top-down approach, the programme fostered a sense of ownership and involvement among all stakeholders, ensuring that the transformation was embraced at every level of the organisation. This collaborative approach was instrumental in achieving a smooth transition and in harnessing the full potential of the new system.

Buy-in from the organisation itself also translates as an investment of their time, both in the design phase as well as the implementation. This cannot be done in isolation, with the finance teams and other stakeholders needing to participate from the very beginning of the process.

With a project of this magnitude comes certain inevitable challenges, from data migration and cultural integration across different territories to different operational standards and regulatory requirements. However, these challenges were met with a spirit of collaboration and transparency. The expertise of Braintree, coupled with the leadership and strategic vision of the Old Mutual finance transformation team, ensured that each obstacle was met with clear communication and transparency and viewed as an opportunity for learning and growth.

A long-term investment in efficiency

This journey towards an integrated financial system was driven by the need to reduce manual input, improve reporting timelines, and ensure compliance with new international reporting standards, such as IFRS 17. These challenges were not merely technical hurdles but opportunities to redefine the way this multi-tiered organisation approached its financial operations.

Any company making the decision to implement technology such as this needs to view what this investment means in the long run, the value that this flexible and scalable operating system brings to the business and the costs that the business will incur when their financial and reporting systems do not align.

“This financial transformation has positioned Old Mutual Africa for sustainable growth and agility to future challenges. The scalable nature of the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance&Operations system means that this business is equipped with a robust platform that can evolve as the business grows, ensuring long-term resilience and efficiency,” Van der Merwe says. He adds that the overall project architect, Braintree’s Craig Fidler, was instrumental in the success of the implementation based on his extensive expertise and experience as a former Chief Financial Officer.

“This collaboration was not just about implementing a system; it was about incorporating innovation and strategic foresight into the very fabric of their operations. Seeing the substantial benefits of our work, from enhanced efficiency to strategic decision-making, reinforces our belief in the power of partnership and technology to navigate the complexities of the financial landscape. The success of this project was a testament to the vision and dedication of both teams,” says Fidler.

The power of partnerships

“This implementation stands as a testament to the power of partnerships and has spearheaded a future where Old Mutual Africa can leverage real-time insights, streamline operations, and meet the dynamic needs of the market with agility and precision,” says Van der Merwe.

This is one example of how a multi-tiered enterprise can incorporate world-class technology to improve efficiency and accuracy, streamline operations, minimise risk and enhance financial management.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Braintree.

The African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) has reassured Sudan of its continued support in providing humanitarian and economic assistance, while addressing other priority needs amid the country’s ongoing civil conflict.

Rufus N. Darkortey, the Bank’s Executive Director representing The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Sudan, reaffirmed this commitment during discussions with Sudan’s Finance Minister and Governor of the African Development Bank, Dr Gebreil Ibrahim Mohamed Fediel.

“The Bank will continue to support Sudan in reducing fragility, stabilising the economy, and fostering recovery,” said Darkortey, acknowledging the severe impact of the conflict on the country. The meeting, held in Cairo, Egypt, rather than Sudan due to the ongoing civil conflict, focused on the Bank’s ongoing support for Sudan, identifying new priorities, and discussing humanitarian aid.

While recognising efforts to grant aid access in Darfur, Darkortey called for expanded access nationwide. He also urged the protection of investments within the country financed by the Bank and development partners during the conflict and lauded the outcome of the recent humanitarian donor conference in Paris, where $2.13 billion was pledged for Sudan.

The Executive Director informed Governor Fediel that the African Development Bank is supporting Sudan both at national and regional levels. The Bank approved $74 million for the Sudan Emergency Wheat Production project, implemented by the World Food Program, which is enhancing food security and wheat production. This project aims to assist Sudan in becoming a net exporter of wheat in the long run.

The Bank has also committed $1 million from its Special Relief Fund to support humanitarian and food security efforts for internally displaced persons, refugees, and vulnerable communities.

Regionally, the Bank is co-financing a $36.4 million emergency project to support the stabilisation and recovery of refugees and host communities in the Lake Chad Basin. It is also exploring further regional support for the displacement crisis resulting from Sudan’s conflict. Minister Fediel expressed gratitude to the Bank and its President, Dr Akinwumi A. Adesina, for their robust support in helping the nation meet its immediate needs. He emphasised the need for continued humanitarian assistance and technical support to assess the conflict’s impact as peace is established. With the farming season approaching, he called on the Bank to provide urgent agricultural support, including seeds and fertilizers.

Governor Fediel pledged the government’s commitment to a stronger African Development Bank by ensuring the settlement of the country’s debt arrears. He reaffirmed Sudan’s commitment to financially contribute to the ADF-17 replenishment cycle starting in 2025, as pledged in a constituency memorandum signed in 2023. This memorandum outlines plans for enhancing domestic resource mobilisation and advancing SME-led private sector growth in constituency member countries.

Both officials thanked the Bank’s Sudan Country Office for its leadership during this challenging period and expressed gratitude to the Egypt Office for hosting the mission.

Darkortey also met with Sudan Country Office staff, affirming the Bank’s ongoing support for their welfare.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Contact:
Kwasi Kpodo
Communication and External Relations
media@afdb.org

About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) is the premier multilateral financing institution dedicated to Africa’s development. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NSF). The AfDB has a field presence in 41 African countries, with an external office in Japan, and contributes to the economic development and social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org