Forbes Africa Magazine - December 2023 - January 2024

In this issue

The Dec 2023 / Jan 2024 issue of FORBES AFRICA is an action-packed compilation of all the news and newsmakers from Africa. The 2023 Person of the Year is an illustrious economist and banker known for his successful strategies for trade and growth on the continent. We go from bankers to wealth forecasters, and sugar farmers to the informal traders who are the heartbeat of our economies. The spurt of backroom rentals in the townships, innovations in the sugar industry and the important topic of whether women are safe in the metaverse are great reads. And then, as we head towards 2024, we have an entire segment devoted to fashion ideas and a gift guide for the festive season. Also in this issue, we have an extra section devoted to Kenya’s 60th birthday and its march ahead as an East Africa giant: with insights on SEZs, fintech, tourism and startups. All this and more entrepreneur lessons in the must-have issue of FORBES AFRICA, on stands now!

'A World Where The Mighty Prevail And Suffering Will Be Forgotten'

Over our lifetime, we all come to believe that evolution creates the need for adaptation.

7 mins

Staying In The Loop - How A South African Tech Startup Is Leveraging Google Cloud To Optimize Its Processes

Have you ever heard of the ‘last mile’ in logistics?

5 mins

BETWEEN SOLIDARITY AND CONDEMNATION

Amidst a complex spectrum of opinions, South Africa recalls its diplomatic corps from Israel in a stern response to the Gaza ground invasion, as debates surrounding apartheid analogies and proposed solutions intensify.

6 mins

CSR Initiatives And A Birthday Bonanza Worth Over $400,000

This year Choppies, through its annual Big Birthday Bonanza competition, and its partners will give away P6 million (approximately $446,000) worth of prizes to its customers with the ultimate grand prize being the Mercedes-Benz C200 sedan in celebration of its 20 years of bonanza.

3 mins

The Growth Strategist

IN OCTOBER 2023, WHEN AFREXIMBANK CELEBRATED ITS 30TH ANNIVERSARY, IT ALSO MARKED PROF. BENEDICT O. ORAMAH'S ALMOST THREE-DECADE-OLD CAREER WITH THE BANK. AS ITS PRESIDENT SINCE 2015, HE HAS SPEARHEADED INITIATIVES TO PROMOTE, FACILITATE AND FINANCE INTRA-AFRICA AND EXTRAAFRICA TRADE, IN THE PROCESS FOSTERING GLOBAL COLLABORATIONS, AND CEMENTING THE CONTINENT'S DEVELOPMENT FUTURE. MEET FORBES AFRICA'S 2023 PERSON OF THE YEAR.

10+ mins

In Its Own Sweet Time

Sprouting with possibilities but marred by uncertainties, South Africa’s sugar sector has seen rough patches over the past few years. But the industry has growth prospects and is pushingnfor sustainability and innovation.

8 mins

The Wealth CREATOR

Subomi Plumptre is one of the few female African CEOs in asset management on the continent focusing on empowering middle-class. Africans through investment solutions and unlocking prosperity.

5 mins

Fashioning Business

Ghanaian entrepreneur Alima Bello, the founder of Bello Edu, would have been toiling away in a greasy oil seed factory had she not chosen to ignite her passion for contemporary fashion design.

4 mins

Bond Ballers

Morocco-born vulture investor Marc Lasry and his sister Sonia Gardner have made their investors billions buying debt and other troubled interest-bearing obligations, such as tax liens. Now they’ve set their sights on sports, looking for value in unexpected places like Major League Pickleball and the NBA’s Africa league.

6 mins

The Big Backroom Boom

There's an intimate story on these pages. Of life in Johannesburg's suburban sprawls; the moody and mighty townships that thrive from dawn to dusk, bearing within them the dreams and secrets of a city on its way up, never failing to look at itself, into its beaten soul and the great backstories of survival. The billion-dollar-plus backyard rental industry is one such, making room for hope and dignity where there often is none.

10+ mins

Will Women Be Safe In The Metaverse?

The hype around the development of the metaverse, an immersive digital space that will take real-world experiences online and blur the line between physical and virtual, is palpable.

4 mins

ROAD to the TROPHY

South Africa’s record fourth World Cup title was a seminal moment for the game in the country and highlighted the huge strides forward rugby has made in igniting a passion for the game among supporters of all races.

6 mins

Hands-On Learning

Roushanna Gray uses food and ecology as a medium to impart knowledge on the rich biodiversity of South Africa’s edible land and seascapes.

2 mins

'More Of A Humble Curator, Amplifying Africa's Voice'

Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary For Foreign Diaspora Affairs, Dr Musalia Mudavadi, spoke exclusively to FORBES AFRICA on the country’s achievements and the road ahead as it prepares to celebrate its 60th birthday in December.

6 mins

Impact & Investment: A Wealth Of Opportunities On The Continent

Q. | How much has Kuramo Capital driven in catalytic capital and what is its presence in Africa?

3 mins

'Trade In': Kenya's EPZ Ambitions

In a bid to boost foreign investment and meet targets to increase employment, lower the cost of living, secure livelihoods and bolster foreign exchange earnings, the Kenyan government has introduced several new zones for investors to make in Kenya, and sell elsewhere. FORBES AFRICA reports.

4 mins

Fintech In Kenya: Analyzing The Gains, Growth And Game-Changers

Innovation and collaboration have fueled the country’s mobile money and tech space for decades. But where does it stand now and what can we expect in the coming years?

6 mins

Kenya 60 Years Ago: The Role Of Women In The Path To Progress

As Kenya celebrates 60 years of independence from British colonial rule, its freedom, like any other country’s, was hard-won involving the actions of brave political leaders, activists, freedom fighters – and its women.

3 mins

Read all stories from Forbes Africa

Forbes Africa Magazine Description:

Forbes Africa is the drama critic to business in Africa. The magazine helps readers connect the dots, form patterns and see beyond the obvious, giving them a completely different perspective. In doing this, it delivers sharp, in-depth and engaging stories by looking at global and domestic issues from an African prism.