Category: AFRICA

Invest in Niger Spotlight at African Energy Week (AEW) 2023 to Connect E&P Players with Industry Leaders

The 2023 edition of African Energy Week will host an Invest in Niger Energies country spotlight, promoting opportunities, facilitating investment and kickstarting a new wave of project developments in the country

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, July 7, 2023/ — The Government of Niger is making great strides towards opening the domestic market for foreign investment, working closely with a suite of energy players and investors to drive long-term and sustainable developments.

As the market grows, the regulatory environment has been made that much more attractive, and the Government is inviting investors to join the burgeoning sector.During this year’s edition of the African Energy Week (AEW) conference and exhibition – scheduled for October 16-20 in Cape Town – a dedicated Invest in Niger Energies country spotlight session will provide potential investors with crucial insight into the developing market. Comprising a roundtable discussion, technical presentations, networking event and deal rooms, the summit serves as a networking and engagement hub for the country’s energy sector and is set to unlock a wave of opportunities and outcomes.At the center of the country spotlight is collaboration.

While Niger currently produces an average 20,000 barrels of crude oil per day, efforts to ramp up exploration and the development of regional pipelines are set to increase these levels substantially. The country holds approximately 3.7 billion barrels of proven oil reserves and over 24 billion cubic meters of recoverable gas reserves, thus creating an exciting investment prospect. High oil exploration success, attractive fiscal terms and relatively low operational costs associated with the market promise high returns for players.

As such, the AEW 2023 country spotlight will provide crucial updates into upstream prospects, avenues for investments and both regional and global trends. Notwithstanding an upstream push, Niger is making progress towards connecting domestic basins to regional consumers through the construction of cross-border pipeline networks. With much of Niger’s crude exported to regional markets including Nigeria, Mali and Burkina Faso, the country is eager to increase exports and facilitate intra-African trade.

Projects underway include the 2,000 km Niger-Benin Pipeline, connecting Diffa in Niger to Bight of Benin. The project is currently 75% complete and on-track to transport crude this year. Additionally, the multi-billion Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline is making progress with a taskforce and roadmap established for its development by the respective ministries of Niger, Algeria and Nigeria.

The 4,128 km pipeline will run from Warri in Nigeria to Hassi R’Mel gas field in Algeria via Nigeria, creating a direct connection between Nigeria and Algeria’s gas fields while bringing significant benefits for Niger.Meanwhile, opportunities for investment transcend hydrocarbons with Niger making progress to expand its renewable energy sector. Investors have already expressed their interest in investing in the promising market, with Niger offering abundant solar and wind resources.

Savannah Energy Niger Solar inked a deal with the Government this year for the development of two solar power plants with a combined capacity of 200 MW, following a 2022 deal between the company and country for the construction of a 250 MW wind project.

These projects barely scratch the surface of Niger’s clean energy potential, and the AEW 2023 country spotlight will connect new players to Nigerien opportunities.“The opportunities for investment in Niger cannot be overstated. As a relatively untapped market, the country is inviting regional and global players to participate and help grow the entire energy value chain from oil and gas exploration to processing and refining to distribution and retail.

The AEW 2023 country spotlight is a unique opportunity for potential investors and project developers to meet with Nigerien leaders, discuss opportunities for collaboration and sign deals,” stated NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC, adding that, “AEW 2023 takes place under a mandate to make energy poverty history by 2030. Investing in Niger’s energy sector will not only enable the continent to achieve this goal but promises high returns on investment for participating players.

”The Invest in Niger Energies represents just one of many country spotlights set to take place during this year’s edition of AEW. Representing the premier event for the African energy sector, AEW 2023 is committed to making energy poverty history by 2030 by providing a platform where stakeholders can meet, network and sign deals. Taking place in Cape Town from October 16-20, AEW 2023 serves as the biggest gathering of energy stakeholders on the continent.

For more information, visit. www.AECWeek.com

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.SOURCE
African Energy Chamber

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July 10, 2023

Konkombas and Dagombas Urged to Remain Calm

………..As KOYA and Dagbon Forum Leadership Step Up Engagement

A rumored planned Konkomba war offensive allegedly targeted at a number of Dagomba towns to kick-off today Monday, further beefed up tension yesterday between Konkombas and their age-long Dagomba neighbours prompting the Konkomba Youth Association(KOYA) last night to issue an official statement assuring Konkombas resident in Dagbon that its leadership was in close contact with their counterparts of the Dagbon Forum(DF).

Now read the full statement for more details

The Konkomba Youth Association (KOYA) issues this statement to assure all Konkombas residing in
Dagomba areas and other parts of Northern Ghana to remain calm and steadfast during these turbulent times.

We want to emphasize that the leadership of KOYA is in close contact with the leadership of Dagbon Forum,
and together, we are actively working towards maintaining peace and security for all communities.

We recognize the concerns and anxieties that may arise in such situations, but we want to assure all
Konkombas that there is no need for panic or fear. KOYA, in collaboration with the Dagbon Forum (DF)
leadership, is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all Konkombas and fostering a peaceful
coexistence between our communities.

We have engaged in ongoing dialogue and communication with leaders of DF to address the tensions and
mitigate any potential conflicts. Through open lines of communication, we are actively addressing the issues
at hand, seeking resolutions, and promoting understanding amongst all parties involved.

Therefore, we urge all Konkomba students and workers in Dagomba areas to remain calm and continue with
their daily routines without fear. We understand the importance of education and livelihoods, and we want
to assure you that concerted efforts are being made to safeguard your well-being.

We encourage all residents to be cautious of rumours and misinformation that may circulate during these
challenging times. Verify information through reputable sources and refrain from engaging in activities that
may escalate tensions or contribute to misunderstandings.

KOYA, in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders, is firmly committed to establishing and
maintaining a peaceful environment for everyone.

We call upon the Regional Security Council, Northern Regional Peace Council, Community Leaders, Local Authorities, and Law Enforcement Agencies to work hand in hand with us to foster mutual respect, cooperation, and harmony.

Finally, we extend our gratitude to all Konkombas for their patience, resilience, and commitment to peaceful
coexistence. Together, we can overcome these challenges and build a brighter future for all communities in
Northern Ghana.

Sincerely
Nagbija Elvis Poliyeh
[General Secretary- KOYA]
9TH July, 2023
General Secretary: +233 245036606
National President: +233 245731023

July 10, 2023

A Model for Africa: Côte d’Ivoire Health Ministry Announces New Initiative to Become Self-Sufficient in Paediatric Cardiology Surgery

The goal of the new initiative is to build a national effort to diagnose and treat many more children

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, July 7, 2023/ — Launched by Mitrelli Group, Menomadin Foundation, Save a Child’s Heart, Côte d’Ivoire Health Ministry and Abidjan Institute of Cardiology; Côte d’Ivoire Minister of Health: “Health-independence is a national strategic priority, and this project is a major step on the road to that vital goal.” ; Taking part in the project: Mitrelli’ s health subsidiary Promed International (Switzerland) and the Sylvan Adams Children’s Hospital (Israel), AFCAO and CHU Nantes (France).

The Mitrelli Group (https://Mitrelli.com/), the Menomadin Foundation (https://MenomadinFoundation.com/), Save a Child’s Heart (https://SaveaChildsHeart.org/), and the Côte d’Ivoire Health Ministry, this week announced an innovative local-capacity-building initiative in Côte d’Ivoire to establish the country’s local capabilities in the field of life-saving paediatric cardiac surgery, and enable the country to become a model for self-sufficiency in this field in the continent.

The initiative is rooted in the “UN’s Sustainable Development Goal to promote Good Health and Well Being”.

Approximately 1 in every 100 babies born in the world suffers from congenital heart disease (CHD), which are structural heart anomalies that occur during pregnancy when the heart or major blood vessels fail to develop properly. CHD is the most common type of birth defect, but with advanced medical care and treatment, the chances of infants and children fully recovering from CHD and living normal adult lives are better than ever. However, in countries where the necessary treatments are unavailable, CHD is the leading cause of mortality in the first year of life.

According to the WHO (https://apo-opa.info/3O1Ps2F), 2,700 out of 300,000 births registered each year in Côte d’Ivoire, suffer from congenital heart disease. However, the screening rate for these congenital heart diseases is very low (11%).

The goal of the new initiative is to build a national effort to diagnose and treat many more children, while jointly establishing Côte d’Ivoire’s paediatric cardiac surgery health-independence with advanced medical knowledge and resources.

As part of this new partnership, projected to last for 5 years, the Institut de Cardiologie d’Abidjan’s medical staff will undergo advanced training in various heart-related procedures from French and Israeli cardiology teams, enhancing their existing professional capabilities. Delegations of surgeons will travel throughout the year to Côte d’Ivoire, to perform operations on young patients, and provide training for local medical teams. In addition, medical teams from Côte d’Ivoire will benefit from state-of-the-art training in Israel in different fields of paediatric cardiac care.

The project will serve Côte d’Ivoire as a model and a reference point for paediatric cardiac surgery in Africa – not only reducing mortality rates but also improving quality of life for children. Meanwhile, the most serious and urgent cases will be transferred for immediate care in Israel.

The announcement of the initiative was made at a special meeting at the Côte d’Ivoire Ministry of Health and included the participation of nine children with heart deficiencies, ranging between the ages of 1 to 13 years old, who are traveling to Israel in the coming days to undergo life-saving heart procedures at the Sylvan Adams Children’s Hospital through Save a Child’s Heart.

In 2020, during the early stages of the project, the foundation, “Children of Africa” under the patronage of First Lady Mrs. Dominique Ouattara, Mitrelli Group, Menomadin Foundation and the NGO “Save a Child’s Heart”, worked together to facilitate successful surgeries in Israel for five children suffering from cardiologic conditions.

Minister of Health of Cote d’Ivoire Mr. Pierre Dimba spoke on the importance of health independence as a strategy of the government. “Patients with heart defects require not only surgery but also post-treatment. Sending children abroad for surgery is a blessing but not a long-term solution. Achieving health-independence in the field of paediatric cardiological care especially, is a national strategic priority, and this project is the first step on the road to that vital goal. Our vision is to stop outsourcing our healthcare, and instead begin to export our own capabilities to help others.”

He added, “We are extremely pleased with the cooperation with our partners and the treatments of our children at the Sylvan Adams Children’s Hospital through Save a Child’s Heart and we are looking forward to establishing this extremely important and strategic health model for our country and happy to see it serve as a model cross-Africa.”

Haim Taib, Founder and President of Mitrelli Group and Menomadin Foundation and President of Save a Child’s Heart Africa said: “This is an incredible opportunity to make a difference in the wellbeing of children and their future through upgrading local capacities and creating sustainable solutions. If 1% of children in the country need heart surgery, philanthropic activity, however blessed, is just a drop in the ocean. In order to create a significant, sustainable and long-term impact, the government must be involved, because only the government has the power to create a long-term solution.

This is the Mitrelli model – to build long term sustainable development solutions in cooperation with our local partners in health, agriculture, education, and more, to create real impact. Together with Menomadin’s ability to provide solutions based on national roadmaps and impact management, I am sure that Cote d’Ivoire will be a model for additional countries. We are extremely encouraged by Cote d’Ivoire leadership – the president and health minister – and their commitment to building a self-sufficient model to treat children, and proud to be working with such special partners.”

Eva Peled, Mitrelli’s Partner in Côte d’Ivoire stated: “We have been working with the government of Côte d’Ivoire and its ministry of health for several years. We discovered a wonderful country with many hidden gems, among which is the Abidjan Institute of Cardiology (ICA). The ambitious vision of His Excellency Alassane Ouattara, President of Côte d’Ivoire, has made the health sector a priority for the nation’s citizens. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Patrick Achi and the guidance of the Minister of Health Pierre Dimba, we are honored and proud to join forces in this humane initiative, which reflects our shared beliefs and values. We believe that Côte d’Ivoire will not only become a point of reference for cardiac surgeries, but for many other sectors in Africa.”

Professor Mohamed Ly, cardiac surgeon, and President of the AFCOA, added: “This extraordinary partnership signifies a monumental step towards providing essential surgical care and empowering local teams, ensuring a brighter future for children who currently lack access to these critical services.”

Simon Fisher, Executive Director of Save a Child’s Heart: “We are very grateful to the Mitrelli Group and the Menomadin Foundation for their partnership and for initiating the expansion to Cote d’Ivoire of Save a Child’s Heart activities.

The arrival of the group of nine children in Israel for lifesaving treatment at the Sylvan Adams Children’s Hospital is a major step in the implementation of this strategic initiative in partnership with the Côte d’Ivoire Health Ministry and the Institut de Cardiologie d’Abidjan.

This group of children, and future groups to be treated in Israel, will complement the capacity building efforts in Côte d’Ivoire led by the Association Française du Coeur pour l’Afrique de l’Ouest (AFCAO) and the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Nantes from France turning this initiative into an truly international project that will lead to Côte d’Ivoire to becoming self-sustainable in Paediatric Cardiac Care and a Regional leader in the field.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mitrelli Group.

For more information, please visit:
www.Mitrelli.com
www.MenomadinFoundation.com
https://SaveaChildsHeart.org/
https://apo-opa.info/44vgDZ9

July 7, 2023

Investing in Africa Conference & Expo 2023 Gets Set

Now in its 10^th year, AFSIC – Investing in Africa is set to host another world-class gathering of Africa-focused businesses, dealmakers and investors to discover and execute investment deals, network and share insights in London on 9-10^th October 2023.

IFC, Accion, Verdant Capital, RMB, Old Mutual, Citibank and more than 120 speakers are confirmed to present exceptional content in a highly structured, multi-stream programme which includes focused sessions on Banking, Informed Investing, Building, Fintech Innovation, Sustainable Growth, Agriculture and Power.

The highly popular country investment summits led by in-country experts facilitate deep dives into specific African countries to explore and debate local issues and investment opportunities with interactive Q & A sessions.

Underpinned by the Award-Winning AFSIC African Investments Dashboard, the expanded Quickfire sessions and investor networking sessions will showcase a wide range of African start-ups, growth companies and Africa-focused funds that are seeking capital, for a variety of different projects from zero emissions logistics solutions to secure payments systems to SME-target funds. Quickfire presenters benefit from a range of promotional opportunities across the group’s investor network in the lead up to AFSIC.

British International Investment, Executives in Africa and FSD Africa head up an impressive group of loyal sponsors and partners with 27Four, Ebury, Mitco and Bank One welcomed as new sponsors for 2023. These sponsors exemplify African expertise in investment, financial services and human resources and will share key insights into the African investment ecosystem.

The beating heart of physical events is physical networking which at AFSIC is driven by highly interactive sessions, panel debates, B2B meetings via the Event App and social functions.

Don’t miss out on networking at the leading gathering of Africa-focused investors. Listen, learn and debate at presentations, country summits, quickfire pitch sessions, networking sessions, informal chats and social events – all making AFSIC 2023 an unmissable opportunity.

AFSIC 2023 www.afsic.net

June 23, 2023
Global fintech giant invests in sustainable communities in West and Southern Africa

Having pioneered the development of online trading and digital investment solutions 22 years ago, global fintech company Admirals is today considered a market-leading provider of an innovative range of online trading and investment products.

The Admirals suite of products includes leveraged Contracts for Difference (CFD) products in the over-the-counter market, including Forex, indices, commodities, digital currencies, stocks, and ETFs, as well as listed instruments to retail, professional, and institutional clients.

The company is steadily increasing its footprint in Africa, having opened its first African office in Cape Town, South Africa in July 2022, followed by the launch of its Lagos office in Nigeria in February this year.

Admirals currently serves clients across 176 countries world-wide.

With a physical presence in 18 countries across developed and emerging economies, Admirals is deeply committed to bridging the financial inclusion gap that spans across continents, economies, and societies.

“Financial freedom is a universal objective,” says Boriss Gubaidulin, Admirals Africa Director. “By offering simplified retail trading and investing processes and solutions, supported by accessible financial literacy and education material, we aim to encourage greater access to global financial markets in a transparent, secure, and sustainable manner,” he says.

“As we continue to expand our footprint, we are constantly witnessing the many social, economic, and environmental challenges affecting societies the world over,” he continues. “As a reputable neobroker with a growing base of savvy and socially conscious clients, Admirals is actively living its commitment as an ethical, and socially and environmentally responsible global citizen to drive the betterment of communities in which we operate,” Gubaidulin says.

In 2020, Admirals developed and rolled out its global environmental, social and governance (ESG) program which directs its strategic corporate social investment initiatives. These projects range from tree planting and reforestation, clean ocean initiatives, investing in renewable energy and scarce resource management projects, recycling, and the development of better living conditions for local communities.

Admirals’ ESG philosophy

Admirals has been at the industry forefront by engraining the principles of ESG as part of its strategic business imperatives. Incidentally, Admirals has taken on a carbon-neutral status in 2020, which is firmly integrated into the Admirals overall business model.

The company engaged a global third-party rating agency, ClimatePartner, to verify its carbon footprint, as well as certify the CSI projects in which Admirals is involved.

Here on the African continent, Admirals has been involved with two sustainable water management and renewable energy initiatives in Sierra Leone and South Africa respectively.

Project 1: Clean drinking water in Kono, Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone is a largely rural country where households typically use wood fuel on inefficient three-stone fires to purify their drinking, cleaning, and washing water. This process results in the release of greenhouse gas emissions from the combustion of wood.

However, these emissions can be avoided by using efficient borehole technology that does not require fuel to supply clean water.

Admirals’ support is helping communities in the Kono region to restore 57 wells. In cooperation with the local population, damaged wells are repaired and regularly maintained, which secures the regional water supply. The availability of clean drinking water eliminates the need to boil water, saving an average of 10,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.

Not only does this initiative contribute to climate action but it also has a major social impact. In these rural areas, water sources are often located far from residential areas. Women and children, who are primarily responsible for fetching water, may have to travel long distances, sometimes several kilometres, to access water. This not only consumes their time and energy but also poses safety risks, especially for women and girls.

Project 2: Investing in the future of South Africa’s sustainable clean energy generation

South Africa has been in the grip of a severe energy supply shortage in recent years, and every effort possible is being made to generate additional electricity capacity. Admirals has heeded the call for investors to help drive clean energy projects by pledging its support to one of the country’s largest wind projects.

Close to the rural town of De Aar in South Africa, 96 wind turbines have been producing an average of 439,600 MWh of electricity per year since 2017, which is being fed into the South African grid. The aim of the project is to harness the region’s wind energy potential to balance its energy needs in a sustainable way. This diversifies the power supply and improves energy security in regions that are frequently affected by power shortages and outages.

The share of electricity now supplied by the wind farm would have otherwise been generated by fossil fuels. The wind power project avoids about 433,920 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year, which makes an important contribution to a clean energy supply and sustainable development with respect to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In addition to the environmental benefits, the project assists the local community by creating jobs and improving the access to healthcare through its Mobile Health Clinic. Offering primary healthcare, dental, eye care services, more than 36 000 residents and members from nearby communities have been screened and serviced by this clinic.

The project supports local football clubs by funding equipment, events, travel and much more. It also provides financial funds to the Richmond Untied Ladies Football Club, the only female club in De Aar playing in the premier league.

The project supports a math enrichment programme for pupils in 10 primary and 4 high schools to encourage interest in this subject. Three Early Childhood Development Centres were renovated to support about 155 children between 2 and 6. About 108 students are currently on the project’s bursary scheme that covers tuition, accommodation, books, food, and laptops.

“Contributing meaningfully to society is one of the cornerstones of our business,” Gubaidulin says. “Admirals considers the environment, our actions, and the influence we can create as global leaders. We are deeply committed to leaving a legacy through shared success and by creating flourishing communities across the globe,” he concludes.

——————————————————————————————————————————————

Admirals Group AS

Admirals Group AS is a global growing FinTech company, offering a wide range of products and services worldwide, meeting people’s needs and making personal financial management easy-to-use, affordable and secure through its regulated investment firms.

The online investment service providers that are owned by Admirals Group AS, are authorized to offer their clients with the ability to trade Forex, and CFDs on, inter alia, indices, metals, energies, stocks, bonds and digital currencies, but also to invest in Stocks and ETFs (product offering may vary depending on each investment service provider’s license obligations and the client’s country of residence).

Over the years, Admirals has received internationally recognized and respected awards and recognitions, including the ‘Best Broker of 2022’ awards from both Area de Inversion and Traders.com, as well as the Traders.com award for ‘Best Financial analyst of 2022’.

Since founded in 2001, Admirals continues to experience worldwide growth and evolution and is committed to providing its clients around the globe with advanced trading tools, access to financial security and various customer care policies. Admirals is licensed in the Seychelles, UK, Cyprus, South Africa, Australia, Jordan, Canada and Kenya.

For more information about Admirals visit admirals.com.

Trading involves risks. 

June 23, 2023
CHIC Implements Accor digital solutions across owned portfolio in DRC

Five hotels, including Novotel Kinshasa La Gombe will integrate Accor’s innovative digital solutions including mobile solution Accor key and Opera cloud systems

Compagnie Hoteliere et Immobiliere du Congo (CHIC), the leading hotel owner and developer in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), at AHIF 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya, announced the implementation of Accor driven digital solutions covering five hotels of the CHIC group, opening soon under under the Novotel and Ibis Styles brands across 4 cities, bringing 660 keys to the country.

This implementation, according to the official statement, aims to offer a unique experience to customers, due to the deployment of Accor’s innovative digital solutions which will be the first in DRC to integrate cloud solutions with mobile keys and Opera Cloud systems.

These solutions, it noted, will facilitate “Fast Check-in and Check-out” for guests and allow them to access their room via their smartphone offering the option to avoid visiting the Front office as well as benefit from latest guest centric tools, fully mobile with optimized management of hotel operations. The move will further assist in reducing the ecological footprint of the hotels by limiting the use of paper and magnetic cards

“We are delighted to partner with Accor, a major player in innovation in hospitality, to offer our customers an unprecedented experience in the DRC. The decision to bring the Accor Key and other cloud-based solutions to our hotels demonstrates our commitment to invest in cutting-edge solutions that exceed the needs and expectations of travellers, staying at any of our five hotels across DRC,” says Mr. Khalil Manji, Partner – CHIC”.

“This strategic partnership with CHIC strengthens our presence and leadership in the DRC, a key market in Africa. We are proud to collaborate with a renowned hotel group that shares our vision of augmented hospitality and our commitment to sustainable development”, We are convinced that our innovative digital solutions will add value to the hotels of the CHIC group”, says Clinton Govender, IT Director Southern Africa at Accor

The digital key solution allows customers to use their smartphone to open the doors of ACCOR hotels. Without a physical key, they can enter their room, the meeting rooms, the elevators and other spaces. The application is compatible with Android and iOS systems and is integrated with the Accor ALL Loyalty application.

June 23, 2023
State Visit Maldives – President Ramkalawan holds talks and conducts visits as part of Maldives State visit

14 June 2023 | Foreign Affairs

Male, Maldives 14 June: President Ramkalawan, as part of his State visit in Maldives, held various discussions with various senior government officials and visited tourism establishments as part of his tour of the island nation.

Amongst some of the high-level officials President Ramkalawan met with were the Vice-President of the Republic of Maldives, His Excellency Hon. Faisal Naseem, the Speaker of the Parliament of the Maldives, His Excellency Hon. Mohamed Nasheed and the Maldivian Minister for Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Hon. Abdulla Shahid.

Whilst visiting tourism establishments, the President took the opportunity to visit and interact with the two young Seychellois currently undergoing work-based training at Waldorf Astoria, Maldives; Mr. Samuel Marie and Ms. Naomi Payet. Mr Marie and Ms Payet are on the ‘Fitir’ program by Hilton Labriz Silhouette and were the two top participants from their cohorts nominated for the internship. The President and the First Lady also met with Ms Serena Mangroo a Seychelloise currently working in the Maldives for the past five years.

The President also visited the Trans Maldivian Airways seaplane operation which is the world’s largest seaplane fleet. This was an opportunity for him to view their full operation and experience first-hand how the seaplane inter-island transfers are done in the Maldives and discuss possibilities of exchange.

Accompanied by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Mr Sylvestre Radegonde, President Ramkalawan also toured various island resorts and held discussion on sustainable tourism practices being implemented by the Maldives.

Source:(State House News)

June 14, 2023
CityBlue Opens in South Sudan and Tanzania

Openings in July 2023

Date: 13 June 2023

CityBlue Hotels, Africa’s fastest-growing local hotel chain, is pleased to announce the signing of management agreements and the commencement of operations from July 2023 of the CityBlue Panorama Hotel & Suites, Juba, South Sudan and Urban by CityBlue, Masaki, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The CityBlue Panorama Hotel & Suites in Juba is a 72-key property upscale mid-market property located in the airport zone in Juba, South Sudan while Urban by CityBlue in Dar es Salaam is a boutique 65-key lifestyle property with a rooftop restaurant.

Andat Ghidey, director of the development company owning the CityBlue Panorama Hotel & Suites, said that CityBlue Hotels has developed a defined strategy of covering all East African markets, making it a natural partner to expand alongside. “CityBlue has a clear and distinguished history in East Africa – with properties in every city. Juba is the only market it is yet to penetrate. We will support CityBlue in the South Sudanese market across rooms, food, beverage and conferencing”.

Khalil Hamadi, director of the property company behind Urban by CityBlue, Dar es Salaam, said that CityBlue had worked closely with its partners in Tanzania since 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, and he strongly believes that the business plan will now turn into reality. “Every member of CityBlue understands their role and we are almost ready to turn this partnership into a new dawn for the hotel market on the peninsula of Dar es Salaam”.

Jameel Verjee, Founder & CEO of CityBlue Hotels, said “Our homework has been done and we have a fantastic team which understands African hospitality. We are focused on results – in terms of occupancy, rates, ESG targets, customer satisfaction, stakeholder support and human resource development. Juba and Dar es Salaam are two exciting markets and we proud to have such partners”.

ABOUT CITYBLUE HOTELS

CityBlue was founded by Jameel Verjee in 2013 as an African-born brand which he has developed from inception. Having opened the first CityBlue hotel in Rwanda in 2013, CityBlue has now expanded across eight major cities in East Africa, following a path to create one of the leading multi-jurisdictional African hotel chains. It is anticipated that by end-2024, CityBlue will have added to its existing portfolio with hotels across seven African countries and approximately 2,000 keys.

CityBlue’s portfolio features the following sub-brands: Urban by CityBlue in the business boutique space, Residences by CityBlue for long-stay guests, CityBlue Hotel & Suites in the business budget space and the CityBlue Collection for charming hotels that maintain their identity. A new venture called c3 was launched in 2023 as a smart hosting and property management company for the sub-Saharan African market.

ABOUT THE DIAR GROUP

The Diar Group, a UAE-based office established by the Verjee family, includes a hospitality arm called Diar Hospitality, a hotel management company. The operations of CityBlue Hotels, its African-born hotel chain, are managed by Diar Hospitality.

The Diar Group is also engaged in cultural heritage and philanthropy in East Africa.

June 14, 2023
Hospitality Leaders discuss supply chain challenges at AHIF 2023

How intra-African trade measures, technology and a new generation of hospitality leaders are challenging “business as usual”

Date: 14 June 2023

For too many years, African hospitality leaders have worked incredibly hard to maintain operational standards when critical products are unavailable to be sourced on time due to a myriad of reasons, from changing trade restrictions, poor transport infrastructure, currency fluctuations, and supply chain breakages.

This week leaders across the hospitality sector have descended into Nairobi city, the vibrant capital of Kenya and hub of East Africa, to join the annual African Hospitality Investment Forum (AHIF) to discuss growth opportunities in the region, and to share their learnings from the last year including developments across the trade and operational landscape. Attending is Toggle Market’s CEO, Fuad Sajdi, and VP of Africa, Abraham Muthogo Kamau, where they have been leading discussions on leveraging local and regional sourcing, and the innovative ways the sector is reducing operational costs.

Supply chain challenges in Africa have been one of the primary obstacles for economic growth and diversification, with businesses continuing to pay inflated prices for nearly every consumable and operational product that is not locally grown or manufactured – where even then it is more profitable to export outside the continent than to cater to the regional market due to weak intra-trade regulations.

Today there are promising signs that this status quo is changing fast.

The African hospitality industry is in the throes of a massive transformation. The catalysts? Ground-breaking trade measures, rapidly evolving technology, and a fresh generation of visionary leaders. These forces are challenging the traditional “business as usual” mindset and reshaping the African hospitality landscape.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the largest free trade area globally since the formation of the World Trade Organization, is set to significantly bolster intra-African trade. By reducing trade barriers, it allows a more fluid movement of goods, services, and people across borders. The ripple effect will be profound, with the hospitality sector one of the many industries reaping the benefits of this regional integration.

Breaking with the Past

The lessons of the Covid-19 pandemic have been harshest on the world’s largest continent which has for so long relied on suppliers in far flung countries, most heavily on goods from China, European Union (EU) countries, United States and India.

Take for instance South Africa which remains the largest importing country in Africa at 17% of all imports in the region. Its largest import partners in 2023 were China at 21.9%, followed by United States at 8.8%, Germany at 7.3%, India 5.8% and the UAE 3.6%.[1] The next largest importing countries are Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco, Kenya and Ghana.

The elephant in the room is that Intra-African trade still stands at only 15.2%, a poor showing when compared with intra-continental trade figures for America, Asia, and Europe, which stand at 47%, 61%, and 67%, respectively, and which should be at the head of the pan regional efforts to support trade and business. Much of this is due to multiple trade restrictions that exist in the region and between neighbouring countries for instance.

The recent World Bank 2022 AfCFTA report[2] shows that the borders between African countries rank among the most restrictive in the world and is the main reason there is relatively little intra-African trade and investment.

The impact of this in real terms is putting the break on the growth of regional businesses while limiting the flow of the international supply chain which in turn heavily relies on intra-African trade routes (where goods are transported across several borders by land routes) due to poor infrastructure and lack of trade and custom harmonisation.

For locally grown African hospitality investors and operators, the supply chain challenges remain acute, and ramifications have meant consistent delays in the growing pipeline of projects, along with sometimes turbulent price fluctuations on shipping and logistics services, as well as effects of weakened domestic currencies.

Our research across Toggle Hospitality clients in Africa has shown examples of multiple duties paid in this way to receive goods crossing several borders resulting in highly inflated pricing for essential products and equipment.

Trade Cooperation and Collaboration

The good news is that there are signs across all industry sectors of more joined up thinking and increased regional cooperation. For instance, amongst East African nations there has been a noticeable increase in activities across both government backed and private sector efforts through the multiple alliances that exist such as the East Africa Business Council, the East African Chamber of Commerce and Trade, and the East African Association.

In addition, the highly lauded and anticipated rollout of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement is geared to be the largest free trade region in the world based on the number of countries – at once connecting 1.3 billion people across 55 countries with a combined gross domestic product (GDP) valued at US$3.4 trillion and with a major potential as well to lift over 30 million people out of the poverty line.

For this to succeed there will need to be mutual and significant policy reforms and trade facilitation measures to reduce red tape, simplify customs procedures, and make it easier for African businesses to integrate into global supply chains. The upside is a boost of income gains around $300 billion.

The role of technology and the importance of a knowledge-based economy will increasingly be a driving force for transforming economic prosperity. The latest report from UNCTAD has warned that neglecting the high knowledge-intensive services, such as information and communications technology services and financial services, will be a key reason holding back export diversification in Africa.[3]

A new generation of hospitality leaders in Africa making waves

One of the most exciting outcomes of more regional integration is the rise of home-grown hotel chains that are now expanding beyond their respective national borders. In 2022, intra-African travel accounted for 40% of the total number of hotel guests in the continent, up from 34% in 2019, according to the African Development Bank. This increase is partly attributable to the easing of travel restrictions and the growth of African hotel chains.

The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), forecasts 134 million visitors by 2035. These figures make it the second fastest growing region in tourism after Asia Pacific.

This new wave of hospitality brands is being led by a dynamic generation of African leaders who understand the local markets and are at the forefront of developing more viable value-based networks and forging stronger regional partnerships. These individuals are harnessing the benefits of the AfCFTA, using innovative practices to enhance the hospitality experience with a unique African flavour that can cater better to the African consumer needs while at the same time offering global standards of service. For example, today over 80 percent of safari lodges in South Africa are managed by indigenous brands and a part of the tourism sector that generates around 70 percent of hospitality revenue. This segment is growing rapidly across the region.

“There is a major paradigm shift taking place with progressive trade policies and cutting-edge technology. This new generation of leaders are poised to redefine the essence of hospitality in Africa. We are delighted to be participating this year at AHIF 2023 which continues year on year to help shape the African hospitality industry and spotlight investment opportunities,” said Abraham Muthogo Kamau, VP of Africa at Toggle Market.

Technology is a driving force behind this transformation. Digitization is permeating every facet of the hospitality experience from reservation systems to room service, with growing numbers of hotels now using a form of smart-room technology or employing AI-driven services such as chatbots for customer service and offering mobile apps for reservations and in-stay services.

The integration of technology has also enhanced efficiency and sustainability within the sector. African hotels can see up to 30% increase in energy efficiency and 25% reduction in water usage, thanks to the adoption of smart technologies.

Although Africa only receives 5% of the regional share of worldwide tourism,[4] this number is rising after the Covid slump with 2022 seeing 47 million tourists returning to the continent after the high of 69 million in 2019. UNWTO forecasts 134 million visitors by 2035 making it the second fastest growing region in tourism after Asia Pacific. There is also robust and growing domestic tourism within Africa as increasingly middle-class families and younger travellers opt for more local and regional travel.

The supply chain, too, has been revolutionized by both trade facilitations and technology.

A recent survey revealed that the average lead time for supply delivery dropped by 15% in 2022. This improvement is due to more streamlined cross-border processes and the implementation of digital supply chain management systems. Moreover, the increased use of this technology has led to more resilient and responsive systems. More hotel chains can now track their supply deliveries in real-time, forecast demand more accurately, and react swiftly to changes in the market.

The wave of change isn’t confined to the large chains alone. It’s being felt in every corner of the industry, from boutique hotels in Accra that blend modern design with traditional Ghanian culture, to eco-friendly lodges in the Maasai Mara that champion sustainable tourism.

As intra-African trade continues to flourish and the technological landscape evolves, the African hospitality sector is preparing for an exhilarating future. This new era is being ushered in by ambitious, tech-savvy leaders who are ready to shake off the old and bring forth the new.

Source:(The Bench)

June 14, 2023

Radisson Hotel Group announces seven new hotels in Africa for the first half of 2023, maintaining its growth momentum across the continent

Radisson Hotel Group continues its ambitious growth in Africa with the signing of seven new hotels, adding over 1,400 rooms to its African portfolio.

The new hotels expand the Group’s brands, spanning from upscale to premium luxury lifestyle with a new market entry in Gambia and the introduction of new brands in key markets with the first Radisson Collection in Nigeria and Egypt, the first Radisson RED hotel in Nigeria, and the introduction of the Radisson brand in Kenya.
As one of the fastest-growing hotel companies in Africa, Radisson Hotel Group plans to further strengthen its robust African presence this year beyond signings with at least seven hotel openings and over 1,400 rooms.

These openings include the Group’s first hotel openings in Reunion Island and Ghana and expanding its resort presence in Casablanca and Saidia in Morocco as well as in South Africa, Egypt and Tunisia. Elie Younes, Executive Vice President and Global Chief Development Officer at Radisson Hotel Group comments: “Thanks to the relevance of our brands and trust of our owners, we have a successful growth momentum in Africa thus far, this year. With the continent remaining a focus market for us, we are committed to further contribute to the African hospitality industry, providing more possibilities to our guests and employment opportunities to the local communities.’’

Speaking at the Africa Hotel Investment Forum in Nairobi, Ramsay Rankoussi, VP, Development, Africa & Turkey at Radisson Hotel Group said: “We are thrilled to be maintaining our growth momentum across Africa, bringing our tally of new signings for 2023 so far to seven hotels and over 1,400 rooms.

An even better indication of our growth is the materialization of our pipeline into openings, where we have led consistently the biggest market share for the last 36 months, translating to a commendable 15 percent growth on our African portfolio, year-on-year, placing us well on track to reach our objective of 150 hotels within the next five years from 100 hotels today. Our rate of materialization and openings is a testament not only to the quality of our pipeline but also reflects our conversion strategy in repositioning existing hotels under one of our brands. We are also proud to further entrench our stance as the operator with the most extensive presence in Africa with once again a new market entry as the only hotel operator.”

The new hotel signings include:

Radisson Collection Resort, Marsa Alam Port Phoenice Scheduled to open in early 2025, the resort, which introduces Egypt to the Group’s premium lifestyle brand, Radisson Collection, will be situated in Port Phoenice on the Red Sea,

a waterfront premier integrated resort community boasting luxury residents, golf estates, water activities, retail centers, hospitals, and schools and easily accessible from Marsa Alam International Airport (only 35 minutes’ drive away).

The resort location makes it an excellent spot for a vacation, with venues for dining, entertainment, boutique shopping, cultural expedition, activities, and lively nightlife located all nearby. The newly built resort will comprise of 294 rooms, including 20 suites, all carefully curated with a mix of Mediterranean and Italian architecture.

The resort will offer a lobby lounge, one all-day dining restaurant, one high-end specialty restaurant, as well as a stunning beach restaurant, and a beach bar with mesmerizing sea views. The resort will also offer a fitness center, diving center, a theatre, kids club, several pools, and direct access to the beach.

Radisson Collection Hotel & Conference Center, Abuja The new-build, 249 room hotel will be Abuja’s first luxury hotel and will further expand the Group’s Radisson Collection portfolio in Nigeria as the country’s third Radisson Collection hotel

and the premium lifestyle brands debut in Abuja. The hotel will have an expansive range of rooms, from standard rooms and apartments to lofts and presidential suites. Spanning across almost 3000 square meters, the meeting spaces will consist of a dividable conference hall, five meeting rooms, a board room, as well as a pre-function area.

Located next to the Presidential Palace in Maitama District, one of the most sought after and exclusive areas in Abuja, the hotel will be a 45-minute drive from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, the country’s second busiest airport after Lagos. In proximity to the hotel is the city’s most popular market, Wuse market, Jabai Boat Club, a water based recreational facility and family entertainment center, and Abuja National Mosque, also known as the Nigerian National Mosque, built in 1984.

Radisson Blu Beach Resort & Spa, Banjul The new-build, 462 room hotel currently under construction, marks the Group’s debut in Gambia as the first internationally branded hotel in the country.

Scheduled to open early 2025, the resort will be located in the Bijilo region in Banjul, the country’s capital city, spanning over 17 hectares with direct access to the ocean, surrounded by tranquil, picturesque landscapes.

The resort will offer large, contemporary rooms, presidential apartments, and royal villas as well as five food and beverage outlets, including a cocktail bar, an all-day dining restaurant, a specialty restaurant, poolside restaurant and beach bar.

Other hotel facilities will include a fitness and wellness center. The 3,025 square meters meetings and events space with beach access, will consist of a conference hall, 12 meeting rooms, conference room, board rooms, reception, pre-function area and banquet showroom.

Radisson Blu Hotel Abuja CBD Following the recent signing of Radisson Collection Abuja, is the announcement of the first Radisson Blu hotel in Nigeria’s capital city, the Group’s 10^th hotel and 3^rd Radisson Blu in Nigeria.

The 104-room hotel, scheduled to open early-2025, will be in Abuja’s Central Business District (CBD), 45 minutes from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. The hotel will have a stylish piano bar and an all-day dining restaurant along with fitness and wellness facilities and 245 square meters of meetings and events space.

Radisson RED Lagos VI Further expanding the Group’s presence as its 11^th hotel in Nigeria and 7^th hotel in operation and under development in Lagos, is the highly anticipated debut of the bold and cutting-edge upscale Radisson RED brand in Nigeria.

The new-build, 62 room hotel scheduled to open end-2025 will introduce the country to the renowned Radisson RED brand and its unique food and beverage concepts through its lobby bar, all day dining restaurant and rooftop bar and terrace which in true Radisson RED style will become the most coveted rooftop venue in the country.

Additional facilities will include a gym and pool along with 249 square meters of flexible meetings and events space, consisting of a conference room, a board room and two meeting rooms. The hotel will be located just over 30 minutes’ drive from Lagos Murtala Muhammed Airport, in Victoria Island, the main business and financial center and one of the most sought-after residential areas in Lagos, which has the highest hotel performance in West Africa due to its financial hub status and size of its economy.

Radisson Hotel Nairobi Airport The Group’s 4^th hotel in Kenya and first Radisson property in the country, is the new build, 200 room Radisson Hotel Nairobi Airport, scheduled to open mid-2027. With proximity to JK International Airport, the property will be easily accessible to tourists as well as business travelers.

It is also 22km from Nairobi National Park, the only national park in the world in proximity to the city. The hotel will have a lobby bar and an all-day dining restaurant as well as extensive facilities including a gym, spa, pool, retail unit and crew lounge. The meetings and events area will consist of a conference room, two meeting rooms, a board room and a business center.

Radisson Hotel Algiers El Mouradia Marking the Group’s second hotel in the country, complementing the Radisson Hotel, La Baie d’Alger, currently under construction and bolstering the limited internationally branded hotel supply in Algiers is the country’s second Radisson hotel, scheduled to open mid-2026

Located in the sought after El Mouradia district, known as the home of the Algerian presidency, several ministries and embassies, the 148-room hotel is also in proximity of the city center and Port of Algiers, standing as the main port of Algeria and just 15km west from Algiers International Airport.

With an array of food and beverage outlets, the hotel will include an all-day dining as well as a signature restaurant, a juice bar and sky bar all with flowing terraces and a coffee bar and coworking space, in true Radisson style, providing the balance between work and leisure. Further enhancing this concept is the meetings and events space which will consist of a ballroom, a conference room and 4-5 meeting rooms and the leisure facilities, comprising of a swimming pool, retail area, spa, hair salon and sport & fitness gym

MEDIA CONTACTS SAADIYAH HENDRICKS, Area Director, PR & Social Media, Middle East & Africa, Radisson Hotel Group saadiyah.hendricks@radissonhotels.com DEVELOPMENT CONTACT RAMSAY RANKOUSSI, Vice President, Development, Africa & Turkey, Radisson Hotel Group Ramsay.rankoussi@radissonhotels.com

June 14, 2023