Forbes Africa - October - November 2020

In this issue

Nine years! That's how far FORBES AFRICA has come on the continent, documenting the present for posterity and the countless stories of entrepreneurs and visionaries taking us into the future. In the October/November issue of FORBES AFRICA, we celebrate our ninth birthday along with the 60th independence anniversary of Africa's biggest economy and most populous country - Nigeria. The Covid-19 pandemic may have come right in the middle of the country's mid-life crisis, but there is hope in the form of its tech innovators and the resilience of its growing youth population, cementing its never-say-die attitude. We focus on these young leaders, and also include a state-of-the-nation report with commentary from the top billionaire and multi-millionaire titans on how they are strategizing their business models in the new normal. There are tips from names like Aliko Dangote, Folorunso Alakija, Tonye Cole and more on the emerging new capitalism. And we won't go without our take on Nollywood's money-spinning yarns. Also in this issue, an exclusive with Kenya's Amina Mohamed, a frontrunner from Africa in the race for the top job as DG of the WTO. Also on East Africa, a look at the energy sector that took the hit in the pandemic and the way forward for these businesses. And then, a photo essay with snapshots of the informal economy crawling back to life in South Africa. All this and more, in addition to our regular profiles on entrepreneur success stories from across the continent. Read this must-have birthday issue now!

Our Ninth Anniversary And The Most Important Attributes Needed Today

As we all persevere and seek our own ‘Ultima Thule’ through this very difficult time, we need to sit back and celebrate the small wins that help lift our morale.

5 mins

Tanzania Is Ahead Of Schedule

I congratulate all my compatriots on this historic achievement. We had envisaged to achieve this status by 2025 but with strong determination, this has been possible in 2020. God bless Tanzania.”

6 mins

Powering Through The Pandemic

Covid-19 has proved to be a game-changer for East African businesses. Among the hardest hit is the region’s alternative energy sector. Responsible for providing many remote communities with off-grid energy services, sector businesses started the year on a high. FORBES AFRICA examines how they are responding, and coping, in the current crisis.

7 mins

The New Tycoons Ready For The Next Normal

The change-makers in Nigeria’s new digital economy are turning today’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities. They are the tenacious new wealth creators in a country that celebrates its 60th anniversary in October.

10+ mins

A Nadir Of Hope In ‘The New Normal'?

As Africa’s biggest economy marks its diamond jubilee, there are mixed views for its post-pandemic recovery forecast. But there is reason to be hopeful about the hyper-competitiveness and resilience of the country’s middle class and youth through the fog of uncertainty.

8 mins

The Blockbuster Named Nollywood

A look at the never-say-die Nigerian film industry’s emerging money-spinning trends.

9 mins

RESUSCITATING The Multilateral Trading System

Amina Mohamed has had a long illustrious career as an accomplished international civil servant, lawyer and diplomat and is currently Kenya’s Minister of Sports, Heritage and Culture. As the race is on to find the next Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), she is one of three candidates from Africa running for the top post, and could make history if she wins. She speaks to FORBES AFRICA in September from Geneva about her vision for renewing global trade.

7 mins

A Day In The Life Of…

SIX MONTHS INTO THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IN SOUTH AFRICA, THE FATE OF MOST SMALL BUSINESSES REMAINS UNCERTAIN. THE FEW LEFT ARE STRUGGLING TO SURVIVE. SKILLED LABORERS ARE WITHOUT JOBS AND THE COUNTRY FACES AN UNEMPLOYMENT CRISIS. ON THE FOLLOWING PAGES ARE SNAPSHOTS OF SOME PARTS OF THE ECONOMY SLOWLY CRAWLING BACK TO LIFE.

3 mins

The 500% Leap From Store to Door

Covid-19 has left many businesses in disarray. But not OneCart, South Africa’s ondemand grocery delivery service that rewarded its founders Lynton Peters and Ariel Navarro with record growth.

6 mins

The Digital Wasteland Where Products Never Die

E-waste is hazardous, but often not properly tracked or recycled. What’s needed? A more formalized re-use economy and future-thinking brands.

4 mins

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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.