Informa Tech, organisers of the 27th annual Africa Tech Festival (www.AfricaTechFestival.com)  2024, are pleased to announce that the South African Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) will be an official partner of this year’s event, taking place from 12 to 14 November in Cape Town. 

Incorporating AfricaCom, AfricaTech, AfricaIgnite, and The AI Summit Cape Town, Africa Tech Festival 2024 will welcome 15,000 visitors, over 400 speakers, and more than 300 exhibitors. Topics include enterprise tech innovation and disruption across key sectors such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud and data centres, and green ICT.  

“Africa Tech Festival is the largest and most influential telecoms and technology event in Africa, with an audience that spans the entire ICT ecosystem, including trade and other ministries. The partnership with the DCDT is a clear indication of the South African government’s commitment to engaging with these key stakeholders from across the continent, opening dialogue, sharing insights, and working together to advance Africa’s digital transformation journey,” said Informa’s James Williams, Event Director of Africa Tech Festival.   

One of the highlights of the partnership is the AfricaCom 2024 Ministerial Summit, a closed-door VIP event bringing together close to a dozen African and international ministers from across critical sectors such as ICT, innovation, trade, finance, education, and enterprise. The Ministerial Summit will provide government leaders with a platform that facilitates discussion, collaboration, and sharing of learnings on how progressive policy is nurturing tech ecosystems, building efficient workforces, unlocking technological innovation across public and enterprise sectors, and driving Africa’s socioeconomic development.  

Another initiative that forms part of the partnership is an exclusive government pavilion at which a small group of top South African businesses, SMEs, and startups will be hosted, again reflecting top-tier support for businesses that are contributing to the country’s technology-driven agenda.  

“The importance of collaborative efforts and partnerships in realising our goal of a connected and digitally transformed society cannot be overemphasised. The Africa Tech Festival presents such platform for different innovative minds to come together to explore and exchange tech solutions for Africa and the rest of the world. This global platform will not only afford us an opportunity to learn best practices but also afford our SMEs to market their innovative solutions to the more than 15 000 visitors from across the globe. We are committed to ensuring that Africa does not become a mere consumer of digital solutions developed elsewhere but a meaningful participant in the digital economy by being a supplier of solutions and infrastructure that are tried and tested in our shores. We are looking forward to welcoming the world to our shores.” said Ms Nonkqubela Jordan-Dyani, Director-General of the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies. 

The introduction of the Ministerial Summit, along with the official endorsement of the event by the DCDT, add significantly to the depth of Africa Tech Festival. In addition to showcasing the immensely innovative nature of the industry, the event is also a targeted networking platform for tech leaders, role-players, and investors to make a positive contribution to Africa’s successful navigation of a tech-driven future. 

Confirmed Africa Tech Festival 2024 speakers include: 

Faith Burn, Chief Information Officer, Eskom Holdings SOC  
Funke Opeke, CEO, MainOne  
Kerissa Varma, CISO, Vodacom Group  
Leo Skarlatos, CEO, AT (formerly Airtel Tigo)  
Mary Mahuma, CIO, Southern Africa, Philip Morris  
Motunrayo Opayinka, Founder and CEO, Womenovate  
Nollie Maoto, Chief Data and Analytics Officer – Merchant Services, FNB South Africa  
Norbert Prihoda, Deputy CEO, Tunisie Telecom 
Prasanna Kumar Burri, Group Chief Information Officer, Dangote Group  
Samwel Magesa, Chief Data Officer, NBC Bank  
Simbah Mutasa, Managing Director, Bank of America  
Sithembile Songo, CISO, Eskom Holdings SOC  
Hon. Solly Malatsi, Minister, Ministry of Communications and Digital Technologies, The Republic of South Africa 
Hon. Rose Pola Pricemou, Minister, Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Digital Economy, Republic of Guinea 
Sitoyo Lopokoiyit, CEO, M-Pesa 
Brelotte Ba, Deputy CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa, Orange 
Hazem Metwally, CEO, e& Egypt (etisalat) 
Christian Bombrun, Group CEO: Digital Platforms, MTN Group 
Faith Burn, Chief Information Officer, Eskom Holdings SOC 
Funke Opeke, CEO, MainOne  
Thomas Dohmke, CEO, GitHub 
Alex Okosi, Managing Director, Africa, Google 
Hardy Pemhiwa, President&Group CEO, Cassava Technologies 
Morgane Imbert, CEO (South Africa), Jumia 

Register now to secure your spot and join us in shaping the future of technology in Africa: https://AfricaTechFestival.com/ 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Tech Festival.

About Africa Tech Festival:  
Africa Tech Festival, including anchor events AfricaCom, AfricaTech, AfricaIgnite, and The AI Summit Cape Town is part of the Informa Tech Connecting Africa event series.  

A vibrant celebration of Africa’s diverse community of tech champions, Africa Tech Festival is the largest tech and digital connectivity conference and exhibition in Africa, attracting hundreds of exhibitors, more than 400 speakers and more than 15,000 delegates.  

Leading global specialist risk consultancy, Control Risks (www.ControlRisks.com), and its economics consulting partner, Oxford Economics Africa (www.OxfordEconomics.com), today announced the launch of the ninth edition of the Africa Risk-Reward Index. This authoritative report is designed to provide policymakers, business leaders, and investors with a comprehensive guide to navigating the evolving investment landscape across key African markets.

Download document: https://apo-opa.co/3zu16yU

The report is released at a time when Africa is experiencing a significant generational shift in politics, increased continental connectivity, and the rapid emergence of transformative technologies that could potentially propel its progress. This pivotal moment presents both opportunities and challenges for businesses operating in African markets, but also risks exacerbating fragilities in some African countries.

Africa’s outlook is promising. But understanding the nuanced market dynamics and adopting a long-term perspective will be essential for stakeholders — from policymakers and investors to development agencies and civil society — as they navigate the evolving landscape to successful investment outcomes in 2024 and beyond. For African countries and investors looking to invest or grow their business in Africa, the time is now.

In the ninth Africa Risk-Reward Index, Control Risks and Oxford Economics Africa compare some of the continent’s largest and emerging markets, offering investors a comparative snapshot of market opportunities and risks across Africa in the year ahead.  

The report examines three key themes outlined below, summarising Control Risks’ and Oxford Economics Africa’s views on Africa’s trajectory in the year ahead.

Bridging the generational divide – a new era for African politics

The report’s first theme focuses on how African political leaders are increasingly mindful of their young, growing populations. Recent events have shown that young people are becoming more frustrated with governance, impatient with development, and disillusioned with political establishments. This discontent has manifested in some surprising election results, youth-led protests, and some policy shifts.

Patricia Rodrigues, Associate Director at Control Risks, said, “The 2024 Africa Risk-Reward Index provides crucial insights into the dynamic changes shaping investment opportunities across the continent. As Africa faces a period of significant political and economic shifts, our report highlights both the potential rewards and the risks that investors must consider. This year’s edition emphasizes the importance of understanding the complex interplay between emerging technologies, infrastructure developments and geopolitical influences to make informed and strategic investment decisions.”

In South Africa, the ruling party lost its parliamentary majority in the May 2024 elections. In Senegal, the opposition candidate achieved a resounding victory, further illustrating the changing political dynamics in the region. In Kenya, young people organised nationwide protests that led the president to dismiss the entire cabinet.

Businesses must now operate in a less predictable security and policy environment, as governments strive to balance investment attraction with rising societal demands.

White elephants and lifelines – the megaprojects reshaping the continent

Over the past decade, Africa has witnessed a significant surge in infrastructure investment, with large-scale energy, port, and rail projects taking centre stage. These megaprojects are often seen as catalysts for transformative economic growth, addressing long-standing deficiencies in trade corridors and enhancing connectivity across the continent.

However, these ambitious projects are not without their challenges. Questions about these ventures’ true cost, long-term utility, and the transparency of the deals underpinning them have sparked heated debates across the continent. Many of these megaprojects have been financed through government-to-government agreements, often accompanied by concerns over opaque terms, lack of local involvement, and the potential for unsustainable debt burdens.

Geopolitical dynamics also play a significant role in shaping Africa’s infrastructure landscape. While China has historically dominated infrastructure investment on the continent, other global powers are increasingly vying for influence. The US, Gulf countries, and other geopolitical actors are stepping up their efforts to fund and develop critical infrastructure projects in Africa, driven by competition for access to natural resources and strategic positioning in the global economy.

This has resulted in a more complex and competitive environment, where African governments and businesses alike have to carefully navigate competing interests and align their infrastructure needs with their long-term goals.

Emerging technologies – supercharging economic development

The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to unlock new opportunities for innovation across Africa. AI applications in agriculture, climate adaptation, healthcare, and education offer the potential to accelerate economic growth. However, African governments risk lagging their global counterparts in regulating these technologies. Countries like Morocco, Rwanda, and South Africa are taking proactive steps, but others may adopt a more cautious approach, leading to a fragmented regulatory landscape.

Jacques Nel, Head of Africa Macro at Oxford Economics Africa, added, “The 2024 Risk-Reward Index reveals a continent in flux, where significant shifts in political landscapes and economic conditions are reshaping the investment environment. This year’s report highlights the dual nature of Africa’s growth prospects – offering substantial opportunities while also presenting considerable risks. Our insights aim to equip stakeholders with the knowledge needed to make strategic decisions and utilize all the continent has to offer for sustainable growth.”

Investment Landscape Outlook

The 2024 Africa Risk-Reward Index continues to provide a grounded, long-term perspective on investment opportunities and challenges across major African economies. The report examines the shifting economic and political dynamics that are reshaping the continent’s risk-reward profile and offers actionable insights for stakeholders seeking to make informed decisions in this complex environment. African countries are at the intersection of global competition for resources, new trade corridors, and digital innovations. This index serves as a valuable tool for those looking to navigate the continent’s diverse markets and capitalize on emerging opportunities.

Methodology 

The Africa Risk-Reward Index is defined by the combination of risk and reward scores that integrate economic and political risk analysis by Control Risks and Oxford Economics Africa.  Risk scores from each country originate from the Economic and Political Risk Evaluator (EPRE), while the reward scores incorporate medium-term economic growth forecasts, economic size, economic structure, and demographics.  

For details on the individual risk and reward definitions, please contact us at:

communicationsEMEA@controlrisks.com or africa@oxfordeconomics.com 

To request a copy of the report please contact: tracy.walakira@apo-opa.com 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Control Risks Group Holdings Ltd.

Issued on behalf of Control Risks and Oxford Economics Africa. 

For more information, please contact: 
Control Risks
Claire Peddle
 Marketing Director, Middle East and Africa
claire.peddle@controlrisks.com
+971 50 600 5993 (Dubai)

Oxford Economics
Julio C. Urdaneta
Associate Director, Public Relations
jurdaneta@oxfordeconomics.com
M: +1 410 564 7385

About Control Risks: 
Control Risks is a specialist risk consultancy that helps create secure, compliant, and resilient organisations. We believe that taking risks is essential to success, so we provide the insight and intelligence you need to realise opportunities and grow. From the boardroom to the remotest location, we cut through noise and emotion to give you dependable advice when you need it most. We have been assisting clients in Africa for nearly fifty years and today we have eight offices across five countries on the continent, alongside an unrivalled network of embedded consultants and on-the-ground network. We work with the largest investors into Africa and the largest African companies, from mining and energy to media and telecommunications.

About Oxford Economics Africa:
Oxford Economics Africa, based in South Africa, has specialised in macroeconomic research in Africa since 2003. Insights are provided within the context of comprehensive knowledge of the African continent, its history, and each country’s unique political and economic setting. In 2015 we became part of the Oxford Economics group, to better combine Oxford Economics’ global base and unparalleled technical expertise in modelling with our Africa-specific skills and insight.

Oxford Economics is a leader in global forecasting and quantitative analysis. Our worldwide client base comprises more than 1,500 international corporations, financial institutions, government organisations, and universities. Headquartered in Oxford, with offices around the world, Oxford Economics employs 450 people, including 300 economists and analysts. The group’s best-of-class global economic and industry models and analytical tools give us an unmatched ability to forecast external market trends and assess their economic, social, and business impact.

About Control Risks and Oxford Economics:
Control Risks and Oxford Economics have partnered to provide an innovative political and economic risk forecasting service that takes a holistic view of risk in a complex, rapidly changing, globalised world. Control Risks and Oxford Economics combine extensive geopolitical, operational and security expertise with rigorous economic forecasts and models on 200 countries and 100 industries. Together, we offer full-spectrum consulting that enables your organisation to navigate the world of political and economic risk. Covering all aspects of the investment journey, including security and integrity risk, our joint consultancy practice can overlay geopolitical and economic scenarios to bring new insights and direction to your business.

The Kenyan High Court is today hearing a case in which two Ethiopian citizens, Abrham Meareg and Fisseha Tekle, and Kenyan civil society organization The Katiba Institute are accusing Facebook’s parent company Meta of promoting content that led to ethnic violence and killings during the armed conflict in northern Ethiopia from November 2020 to November 2022. 

The petitioners argue that the Facebook platform’s algorithmic recommendation systems prioritized and promoted inciteful, hateful and dangerous content on its platform during the conflict, contributing to significant human rights violations. The Kenyan court will decide if it has jurisdiction to hear the case. 

Meta’s legal team has argued that the case should not be heard in Kenya because the company is registered in the US and that Meta’s terms of service require such claims to be filed in the US.  

They also argue that the alleged human rights violations occurred in Ethiopia and therefore cannot be heard in Kenya. 

“Communities and individuals impacted by corporate human rights abuses committed by multi-nationals often struggle to access justice and effective remedies because of jurisdictional, practical and other legal challenges. As a result, Amnesty International is advocating for an approach to both cases that is informed by human rights obligations and corporate responsibilities that ensure justice and accountability.” 

In Kenya, a single Judge presides over a case, but petitioners can request their cases to be heard by not less than three judges if it raises significant constitutional issues. 

The petitioners, represented by Nzili and Sumbi Advocates and supported by the tech-justice organization Foxglove, argue, among other reasons, that because the content moderation operation reviewing Facebook content from Ethiopia was located in Kenya, the case can be brought to the Kenyan High Court.  

Other reasons cited for considering the case under Kenyan jurisdiction are Fisseha Tekle’s current residence in Kenya and safety concerns preventing him from returning to Ethiopia, the fact that The Katiba Institute is a Kenyan organization and the existence of a significant Facebook user base in the country.  

Amnesty International is one of seven human rights and legal organizations involved as interested parties to the case. The organization submitted written responses in support of the petition and opposing the application challenging jurisdiction by Meta. 

Background 

Abrham Meareg is the son of Meareg Amare, a University Professor at Bahir Dar University in northern Ethiopia, who was hunted down and killed in November 2021, just weeks after posts inciting hatred and violence against him were posted on Facebook.  

He claims that Facebook only responded to reports about the posts eight days after Professor Meareg’s death, more than three weeks after his family had first alerted the company. 

The second petitioner, Fisseha Tekle, an Amnesty International employee, has faced extensive online hate due to his human rights work in Ethiopia. Now living in Kenya, Tekle fears for his safety, underscoring the transnational impact of the content spread through Facebook’s channels. 

Katiba Institute, the third petitioner, has brought the case in the public interest given the unchecked viral hate and violence on Meta’s Facebook platform and Kenya’s constitutional obligations. 

The petition seeks to stop Facebook’s algorithms from recommending such content to Facebook users, to change Meta’s content moderation practices, and to compel Meta to create a 200 billion shilling ($1.6 billion USD) victims’ fund.  

The case will proceed to deal with the substantive questions relating to the extent, if any, to which Meta is accountable for the human rights violations and human suffering caused as a result of the content promoted on Facebook. 

In October 2023, Amnesty International published the report, A death sentence for my father: Meta’s contribution to human rights abuses in northern Ethiopia, which shows how Meta contributed to human rights abuses suffered by the Tigrayan community during the conflict in northern Ethiopia two years ago. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Amnesty International.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has successfully concluded the Technical Committee Meeting and CEOs of Investment Promotion Agencies in West Africa (IPAWAS), held in Banjul, The Gambia, from September 16 to 21, 2024.

This meeting marked a significant advancement towards enhancing investment promotion and economic cooperation among member states, highlighted by the validation of the IPAWAS statute as a major milestone.

The meeting was officially opened by The Gambia’s Honorable Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, Hon. Baboucarr Ousmaila Joof, and featured participation from key ECOWAS representatives. Notably, Miatha French the ECOWAS Permanent Representative to The Gambia, represented the ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mrs.Massandje, while the discussions among CEOs was chaired by Madam Aisha Rimi, Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Investment Promotion Agency.

The formal ratification of the IPAWAS statute solidified its role in regional investment promotion efforts. Member states committed to enhancing the capacity and coordination of their investment agencies.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).