Invest Africa Insights

COP29 in Baku wrapped up this week amid a mix of tentative hope and palpable frustration. Developed nations pledged at least $300 billion annually by 2035 to support developing countries in their fight against climate change. In this edition of Invest Africa Insights, we explore the specifics behind the $300 billion pledge, examine the political dynamics behind Africa’s frustration at COP29, and delve into the ongoing debate over loans versus grants in climate finance.

In a deeply unstable geopolitical environment and with economic recovery proving extremely sluggish in many key markets, the tech industry is nevertheless in a very confident mood as it looks towards opportunities for future growth. That is the clear conclusion of DLA Piper’s biennial Tech Index which, for the first time takes a truly global snapshot of opinion from across the tech sector.

With Africa's strategic importance and potential being increasingly recognised, the UNGA agenda is packed with issues critical to the continent’s trade and investment future. We have identified five critical topics that will take centre stage this week.

On the occasion of Women's Month in South Africa, Invest Africa spoke with Taelo Mojapelo, CEO of bp Southern Africa. In the interview, Taelo discusses her career path, the barriers she has overcome, and bp Southern Africa’s efforts to empower women. Her insights offer a compelling perspective on how individual achievements can drive broader structural changes and contribute to a more inclusive economic future.

At the end of May, South Africans went to the polls for national and provincial elections that marked a significant shift in the country's political landscape. To delve into what this historic election and the new coalition government mean for investors and businesses operating in and around South Africa, Invest Africa recently hosted a podcast with Ipeleng Selele, Chairperson of Brand South Africa; Seamus Duggan, Director for Global Risk Analysis at Control Risks; and Jeff Gable, Chief Economist at Absa.

Read this report by Jeremy Holmes Consulting Ltd, sharing insights into the challenges of the African pharmaceutical sector, as well as strategies that can be used to navigate the sector, while simultaneously stimulating economic growth, improving access to healthcare and addressing the mounting challenge of non-communicable diseases across East-Africa.

This report from Economist Impact and Prudential plc explores the hopes and aspirations that, in the pandemic aftermath, people in West and East Africa hold for different aspects of their well-being, including their physical and mental health, their personal finances, their relationships with family and friends, and interaction with their communities.

The 10th edition of The Africa Debate convened 700+ delegates in London to discuss Africa’s evolving and increasingly influential role in the global landscape. We are pleased to share the post-event report highlighting key insights from the programme.

Earlier this year, DLA Piper partnered with Invest Africa to convene DFIs and other investors, corporates, and policy makers to explore how DFIs should refine their approaches to invest and mobilise more capital to the continent, maximise impact, and better serve as a catalyst for growth and development in Africa.

To shed light on the value of technology and smart data for mapping and assessing natural capital, Invest Africa spoke to Simon Bosch, Managing Director at Xcalibur Smart Mapping. The following interview explores the specific technologies and methodologies employed by Xcalibur Smart Mapping, as well as the role of smart data in enhancing operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness for both governments and companies involved in resource extraction.

In this insights piece, DLA Piper and Invest Africa delve into the unfolding dynamics of Africa’s transition away from fossil fuels, exploring the challenges and opportunities that shape the continent’s journey towards a clean energy future.

The G20's historic decision to grant the African Union (AU) a permanent seat at its annual summit in India last year was a long time coming, bringing with it much fanfare about the continent’s rising prominence and influence on the global stage. In advance of Invest Africa’s 10th Annual Africa Debate, this insights explores Africa’s enhanced role in a world undergoing significant transformation.

This Insights explores the current landscape of gender equality in Africa, and what initiatives are in place to close the gender gap, highlighting the significant link between investing in women and fostering sustainable development. 

To better understand the importance of fostering diversity and inclusion in the workplace, Invest Africa spoke with Kevina Takoordyal, Head of Operations at Africa HR Solutions.  

To shed light on Africa’s evolving gender dynamics, Invest Africa spoke with Rola Abu Manneh, CEO of Standard Chartered, UAE. This insightful interview explores the current landscape of financial access for female-led businesses in Africa and discusses the strategies to foster greater gender equality and equity within the workplace. 

Our 11th Annual Mining Series was another busy week of receptions, panel discussions and high-level business meetings, featuring government and industry leaders amongst other stakeholders shaping the future of African mining. Our latest insights blog explores some of the key takeaways from our successful week in Cape Town alongside the Mining Indaba.

The AU plays a vital role in championing African viewpoints in global discussions and confronting the continent's peace and security challenges head-onn, and this year’s AU Summit came at a time when Africa has a unique opportunity to showcase leadership on the international stage, helping to unite the Global South in pursuit of sustainable development and climate action. This Insights explores some of the key topics that dominated discussions at this year’s AU summit. 

Aon, our Mining Series 2024 Headline Partner have published a report highlighting the tough balancing act between increasing demand and finite reserves, while operators have to navigate challenges such as geopolitical risk, commodity price fluctuations and societal pressure for greener solutions, all of which are the makings for a very complex operating environment.

Africa’s mining outlook stands at a crossroads. On one hand, the continent is witnessing a monumental surge in opportunity and demand for its abundant minerals and metals. Despite this, global insecurity and oscillating commodity prices are steering investments away from perceived "riskier" choices, with Africa potentially losing out on its mineral endowments. This Insights explores 5 key trends shaping Africa’s mining industry in 2024.

A just and sustainable energy transition should mean opportunities for many African producers of critical minerals, but industry players should not lose sight of the challenges too. In this piece, S-RM’s Africa experts – Matthew Venturas and Gabrielle Reid – explore this ever-evolving frontier.