It was a banner year for Africa’s billionaires, whose cumulative wealth surpassed $100 billion for the first time ever. Africa’s 22 billionaires saw their fortunes rise to a total of $105 billion, up from $82.4 billion and 20 billionaires last year.



It’s no small feat to generate this level of wealth on the continent, where political uncertainty, currency crises and challenging consumer markets are routine. Last May, Zimbabwe ditched the country’s Zimbabwe dollar in favor of the ZiG, a gold-backed currency aimed at curbing the nation’s hyperinflation problem. Still, the growth for Africa’s wealthiest is in line with global equity markets, which rose 22% in the 12 months ended February 2025, according to MSCI.



Aliko Dangote of Nigeria tops the list for the 14th year in a row with an estimated net worth of $23.9 billion, up from $13.9 billion a year ago. The big jump in his fortune is primarily due Forbes adding the value of his refinery, which opened last year on the outskirts of Lagos after long delays. The refinery struggled for years to take off due to regulatory disputes and other setbacks, but started refining a small amount of oil in early 2024 and is slated to reach full capacity this month. That has allowed Nigeria–a major oil-producing country–to begin exporting some refined petroleum products.



“This is a very, very big relief,” Dangote, 67,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnhyatt/2025/02/17/africas-richest-man-doubled-his-fortune-on-a-massive---and-risky---23-billion-bet/">told&nbsp;Forbes&nbsp;in February</a>. Dangote, now one of the world’s 100 richest people, believes that his latest project is “a pivotal step in ensuring that Africa has the capacity to refine its own crude oil, thereby creating wealth and prosperity for its vast population.”



The second richest African is South African luxury goods tycoon Johann Rupert, whose fortune rose 39% to $14 billion, the second-largest gain among the billionaires. Rupert has held onto the No. 2 spot since 2022. Another billionaire whose fortune grew more than 30%: Femi Otedola of Nigeria (No. 18, $1.5 billion), chairman of listed power generation firm Geregu Power Plc. Shares of Geregu surged some 40% in the past year following a jump in revenue and profits.



Two African billionaires who made the list in the past and then fell off are back on again. Anas Sefrioui, a Moroccan housing billionaire, returns to the ranking as shares of real estate firm Douja Promotion Groupe Addoha, which he controls, more than doubled in the past year as the company reported increased home sales. Jannie Mouton, founder of a South African investment firm, appears once again following a 59% jump in the share price of Capitec Bank Holdings, one of Mouton’s most significant holdings.



Among the four whose fortunes slipped since last year: Zimbabwean telecommunications magnate Strive Masiyiwa, whose fortune was caught in the crosshairs of the country’s currency change.&nbsp;Forbes&nbsp;estimates his net worth at $1.2 billion, down about 33% from the 2024 list.



South Africa had the largest number of billionaires this year, with seven, followed by four from Nigeria and four from Egypt. The list also includes three billionaires from Morocco, one from Algeria (Isaad Rebrab), one from Tanzania (Mohammed Dewiji) and one (Masiyiwa) from Zimbabwe.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-methodology">METHODOLOGY</h3>



Our list tracks the wealth of African billionaires who reside in Africa or have their primary business there, thus excluding Sudanese-born billionaire Mo Ibrahim, who is a U.K. citizen; and South African Nathan Kirsh, who operates out of London and has his business in the U.S. and U.K. Net worths were calculated using stock prices and currency exchange rates from the close of business on March 7, 2025.



Net worth changes were measured from&nbsp;Forbes’&nbsp;2024 African Billionaires list, published in January 2024. To value privately held businesses, we start with estimates of revenues or profits and apply prevailing price-to-sale or price-to-earnings ratios for similar public companies. Some list members grow richer or poorer within weeks or days–of our measurement date. For daily updated net worths, see&nbsp;Forbes’&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/real-time-billionaires/#55188f883d78">Real-Time Billionaires List</a>.

974×548

Africa’s Billionaires Are Richer Than Ever

With traditional powerhouses retrenching and realigning, and Chinese brands aggressively entering with competitive pricing and tech-savvy models, the next few years promise significant disruption in the South African premium car market.



A decade ago, the South African premium vehicle segment was a picture of German precision and dominance. BMW South Africa sold over 24,000 vehicles a year, Mercedes-Benz was hot on its heels, and Audi comfortably moved around 15,000 units annually. Fast forward 10 years, and those numbers have reportedly shrunk by as much as 70%, forcing a dramatic reshaping of the luxury automotive landscape–opening the floodgates for an influx of Chinese automotive brands.



From a trio of titans to a thinning crowd, the contraction of the premium segment has led to dealership closures and consolidation. In the meantime, Chinese manufacturers are capitalizing on the vacuum. As of March 2025, South Africa is home to 13 Chinese car brands–with at least seven more set to join the fray.



One of the latest moves? A strategic agreement between Saudi-based Jameel Motors and China’s Changan Automobile to distribute SUVs, sedans, pickups and new energy vehicles (NEVs) in South Africa. It begs the question: who’s next?



In response to changing market dynamics, Audi South Africa is reducing its dealership network from 31 to just 20 by 2030. The announcement came during the national launch of its flagship Q7 and Q8 SUVs in Cape Town this March, where Sascha Sauer, Head of Audi SA, acknowledged the shifting ground underfoot.



“The premium segment is under pressure,” he said, “and consumer behavior is changing. We have to evolve with it.”



On the sidelines of the launch, FORBES AFRICA caught up with Audi SA’s leadership team, who emphasized that despite the structural changes, the brand’s focus remains firmly on customer experience.



“The optimization of our dealer network will include dedicated service hubs in areas where full dealerships are reduced,” said Ashley Reddy, Head of Aftersales. “We’re committed to ensuring a seamless transition for our customers.”



Asif Hoosen, Head of Retail, Planning and Supply Chain, offered a snapshot of Audi’s current position. “Even though the premium market declined by 9% in 2024, Audi held its ground and claimed an 18% share–moving into the number two spot behind BMW and ahead of Mercedes-Benz.”



It’s a big win in a tough market, and Audi isn’t backing down. “The premium SUV segment still shows strong momentum, and we’re ready to lead in that space,” Hoosen added.



Volvo Car South Africa is taking an even bolder step. The Swedish brand is reducing its dealership network from 19 to just seven–a move driven by strategic realignment and sustainability.



“This restructure ensures long-term viability,” explained Felipe Yagi, Volvo SA’s Head of Marketing &amp; Communications. “We’re consolidating through four key dealer groups (CMH, SMH Bedfordview, Tom Campher Motors and Rola Motors Somerset) operating in seven locations across Gauteng, KZN and the Western Cape.”



While acknowledging the headwinds in the premium market, Yagi sees reason for cautious optimism. “We expect modest growth towards the end of the decade.”



That optimism is echoed by Managing Director Tarcisio Triviño, who is aiming high. Speaking at the recent launch of the all-electric EX90 in Cape Town, he revealed Volvo’s target of a 20% share of South Africa’s premium segment–a figure inspired by the brand’s performance in peer markets like Mexico and Brazil.



At the top of the premium vehicle chain, BMW Group South Africa is choosing a more measured path. While not immune to market pressures, the brand is confident in its ability to hold fort.



“Competition drives innovation and expands customer choice,” said Angela Konert, BMW SA’s Head of Business Communications. “While Chinese brands are growing in the entry and mid-market segments, the premium segment demands trust, a strong dealer footprint, and a legacy of performance.”



BMW, which has led the premium segment in South Africa for two consecutive years, continues to dominate the local battery electric vehicle (BEV) market–with a commanding 85.5% share across BMW and MINI.



Though she didn’t confirm whether dealer closures are on the cards, Konert noted that such moves often stem from operational efficiencies, shifting business models or market conditions.



“Our focus is on sustainability, innovation and digital mobility. Those will be our differentiators as the market evolves.”



What remains to be seen is whether South Africa’s affluent motorists will remain loyal to their legacy badges–or whether the new kids from the East will win them over with value, versatility and a fresh take on mobility. For now, all eyes are on who rolls in next!

New cars in a row at dealership

At A Crossroads: Premium Car Sales Slide In South Africa While Chinese Brands Shift Into Gear

Traditionally, Africa has been seen as a recipient of global health interventions rather than a leader in medical research, but Uganda’s Ebola vaccine trial is changing that narrative, and represents a major landmark for Africa’s scientific community.



In late January 2025, a nurse at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Uganda collapsed at work, showing symptoms that had been mistaken for malaria. Within days, he was dead. His diagnosis—confirmed only after his passing—was Ebola. His case became the first confirmed fatality in the outbreak, prompting health authorities in Kampala to declare an emergency and move swiftly to contain the virus before it spread further. It was the country’s first Ebola outbreak in two years.



The healthcare worker’s widow, a midwife named Afiya (name changed to protect privacy), was left to care for their two young children alone. She, too, tested positive for Ebola, along with the youngest child. “I was already in shock that my man had died. I thought, now the whole family is going to have Ebola, because I know how it spreads. I felt like God had betrayed me at that moment.” After several weeks in isolation and receiving treatment, Afiya and her one-year-old were discharged from hospital. But they returned to a community that no longer embraced them. Neighbors whispered, pointing at them in the streets, some actively avoided them. Sadly, so did family. “They turned against me,” she laments. “They sent away my people from the funeral, threatening them, telling them that I should never go back because I will get killed. I have not stepped there ever since. It’s been very traumatic.”



In Uganda, as in many parts of Africa, burial traditions involve washing and preparing the body—a practice that becomes particularly dangerous during an Ebola outbreak. The virus remains highly infectious—if not more so—after death, posing an extreme risk to those who come into contact with the body. To combat this, health officials have introduced “safe and dignified burials”, designed to allow families to grieve while minimizing contact with the deceased. However, implementing these measures has proven difficult, particularly in rural areas where traditional customs are deeply ingrained.



The outbreak that claimed the life of Afiya’s husband is now the focal point of a groundbreaking vaccine trial. The Sudan strain of Ebola, which has plagued Uganda for decades, is different from the better-known Zaire strain.



“Ebola has a number of strains. The major difference is in their genetic composition and immune response,” explains the Executive Director of the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI), Prof Pontiano Kaleebu.



The vaccine that successfully controlled the Zaire strain does not work against the Sudan variant, making this new vaccine an urgent necessity. While it mimics its predecessor with regards to minimal side-effects like mild fever and soreness at the injection site, the new inoculation is more conducive for use in African settings, as Prof Joseph Okeibunor, a scientist in the Emergency Prevention and Response Program at the World Health Organization (WHO), explains.



“Previous vaccines required ultra-cold storage between-60 degrees to -80 degrees centigrade. The new vaccine is designed to be stored between 2 to 8 degrees centigrade, aligning it more to our environment.”



Beyond the logistical and medical hurdles, there are for- midable challenges such as misinformation and distrust, compounded by the global wave of vaccine skepticism during the Covid-19 pandemic that has created an atmosphere where many people fear being part of a clinical trial.



“People think they are being used as guinea pigs. Some believe that vaccines are used to depopulate African countries. But, of course, the whole idea is to gather knowledge that will help us to improve health security for one and all,” says Okeibunor.



An aggressive awareness campaign has been launched, making use of radio announcements, venturing into churches and mosques, and leveraging community leadership. “A trusted message comes from a trusted messenger,” explains Dr Mosoka Fallah, Acting Director for the Science and Innovation Directorate at the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).



“It’s about getting to the community, hearing from them, making them a part of the co-creation of the messages.”



In some areas, however, hesitancy remains. “Most Africans still believe in traditional healers, so they might go to them for the treatment of the virus,” Fallah notes. “Then by the time we pick it up in the healthcare facility, it’s already too late.” Even among those who understand the need for an Ebola vaccine, the idea of taking an experimental drug is daunting. “It’s difficult to get people to consent, especially in the middle of an outbreak when fear is high,” Kaleebu says. “We have to assure them that their safety is our top priority.”



Some healthcare workers have also been hesitant. “I encountered a doctor, a physician, who refused to be vaccinated in this very Ebola outbreak,” reveals Okeibunor. “He’s not actively telling others to avoid it, but he declined it himself.” Despite these challenges, the Ebola vaccine trial represents a major milestone for Africa’s scientific community. Traditionally, Africa has been seen as a recipient of global health interventions rather than a leader in medical research, but this trial is changing that narrative.



“This is an African-led initiative, with African researchers and institutions at the forefront,” Kaleebu declares. “If this vaccine proves effective, it could set the stage for Africa to take a leading role in dis- ease prevention, not just for Ebola but for other emerging diseases,” says Fallah. “We are devel- oping the expertise and infrastructure needed to respond to outbreaks quickly and effectively.” Uganda’s Ebola vaccine trial is more than just a response to the current outbreak—it is a sign of Africa’s growing capacity to tackle public health challenges on its own terms, as well as a testament to the resilience of communities like the one that Afiya and her children must nownavigate on their own. For her, the vaccine came too late to save her husband, but she hopes it will spare others the same pain. “I think about my loved one, I think about the responsibilities I was left with,” she says. “But if this vaccine can save lives, maybe his death won’t be in vain…”

Stethoscope and syringe filled with drugs injecting the Ugandan flag

How Uganda’s Ebola Vaccine Trial Is Changing The Research Narrative

As the new coach of Kenya’s Harambee Stars, Benni McCarthy is hoping to impart to the team his learnings from Manchester United, where he worked with some of the world’s top stars, including Cristiano Ronaldo.



South Africa’s all-time leading scorer in international football Benni McCarthy has long transitioned from a fearsome striker, who won the Champions League in Europe and played in England’s Premier League, to a successful coach.



He has won praise after spells at Cape Town City and AmaZulu FC in South Africa, and until the end of last season was a striker coach for boyhood idols Manchester United.



Now McCarthy has taken on the new challenge of a national team, appointed in charge of the Harambee Stars of Kenya as he looks ahead to 2027, when the country co-hosts the Africa Cup of Nations with Tanzania and Uganda.



It is a risky job because Kenya has much expectation but little past achievement, but McCarthy has an eye on shaking things up, as he explains to FORBES AFRICA how he took to coaching and what he learned at Manchester United.



“Once I started working on TV as an analyst, I obviously started spending more time going through the teams a lot more thoroughly, learning more about them so that I would be able to analyze them better,” he says. “I felt it came naturally, not knowing if it was because of my football background because I’d played and was familiar with team tactics.



“I found I was able to quickly figure out what sort of system the various managers wanted to play with the players they had at their disposal. People were very encouraging about my analysis, feeling it was on point.”



But the biggest push came from his Scottish wife, Stacey, at the couple’s home in Edinburgh. 



“My wife said to me, ‘maybe this is what you should be doing? You’d still be in football, in and around with the players’. I had missed the camaraderie of the change room plus the discipline it brings to your life and the competitive edge it gives you. My wife convinced me.



“That’s when I decided to go and do my coaching badges because I didn’t want to be in a situation where people just do me favors because I was an ex-player. I felt I needed to educate myself and learn what I didn’t know.”



These days, it is a requirement in most leagues that coaches at top-level clubs have the required qualifications, no longer relying only on time served as a player.



“I don’t think I could coach if I didn’t go on the courses,” McCarthy admits. “You think that if you’ve played in front of tens of thousands of people that you can handle it, but it’s a completely different kind of pressure.



“Having to speak in front of players, who are as good as you were, or even better, and convince them what you are trying to put across will make them even better… that’s a scary thought. I don’t think I would have survived without the training.



“It gave me the skill set on how to become more confident, to become a bit firmer, be able to speak out so that players can understand and buy into what you are saying. That’s what they teach you on these courses.”



His two seasons at Manchester United, working with some of the world’s top stars, including Cristiano Ronaldo, was also a massive learning curve at the very highest end of the game.



“We had a nice openness, and we pick each other&#8217;s brains, and we challenged each other. I felt that I could contribute,” McCarthy said.



“But it was an eye-opener because of the amount of work that goes into the job. The manager works countless hours.”



He will hope to bring all that experience and know-how into the Kenya role.



“I think [Kenya is] a sleeping giant in my eyes. I looked at the project and they are a country that has a lot of potential,” McCarthy said.



“Their conversations with me were that there was a lot of respect and admiration for me and they think my mentality and mindset, my story coming from Africa, moving to Europe at such a young age to survive and flourish under difficult circumstances, is a story Kenyans can take from and take it one notch further.”

Manchester United v Athletic Bilbao – Pre-season Friendly

The Coach Creating Stars From South Africa To Kenya

The Springboks’ season kicks off in June, with players called for alignment camps and an ever-growing list of assistants to coach Rassie Erasmus.



This year promises to be a transitional one for the world champions, South Africa, as head coach Rassie Erasmus looks to the future both on and off the pitch.



The Springboks are back-to-back Rugby World Cup winners and have set the standard in the global game in recent years, with many of the innovations developed by Erasmus, which at first were criticized, now adopted by other teams.



It means to stay on top, the Springboks need to keep evolving, on and off the pitch, and Erasmus has already made one major re-appointment to bolster their brains trust.



The return of Felix Jones as one of six assistant coaches is a key appointment. The Irishman was involved in both the Springboks’ World Cup wins in 2019 and 2023 but left after the latter to take up a position with England.



His stay there was short and he is now back in South Africa, with the Springboks able to utilize one of the best rugby brains in the world.



“We do think there are little things we have missed where we can do better and Felix is going to play a pretty vital role in that,” Erasmus says. “There is not one (Springbok assistant) coach who didn’t send me a list of things that he wants Felix to be involved with in his department.



“We know exactly what his role is going to be with us a nd if we do our hard work first, those small little edges might help us, which Felix will bring.”



Former New Zealand international flyhalf Tony Brown, ex-Ireland hooker Jerry Flannery, Deon Davids, Mzwandile Stick and scrum coach Daan Human are the other five assistants.



Erasmus has already welcomed 56 players to what are termed alignment camps, where much of the talking is done off the field to bring new and old players up to speed with what is expected of them in a Springbok jersey.



The coach has also requested an additional two tests be added to the Springboks’ schedule for 2025, which would bring their number of fixtures to a whopping 15.



That is to try and integrate non-regular players into the side quicker with the major goal in mind – building a pool of players capable of winning the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.



“We are hoping that we will get 15 matches, we have almost confirmed every single one,” Erasmus says. “It’s a really tough season. I think it’s only the second time in history that we will play that many – 2007 was 17 matches.



“But we need that because we still want to filter and sieve some players, give a lot of them opportunities whilst winning because I know that I won’t be sitting here (as coach) if we just chop and change and don’t win (matches).”

England v South Africa – Autumn Nations Series 2024

How The South African Rugby National Team Plans To Tackle 2025

The artificial intelligence (AI) landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, moving away from its reliance on Graphics Processing Units (GPUs). These powerful computer chips, initially designed for rendering graphics, have been the backbone of AI advancements for over a decade, enabling breakthroughs in deep learning, natural language processing, and self-driving cars. However, as AI systems become increasingly complex and demanding, the limitations of GPUs are becoming increasingly apparent.



GPUs are inherently energy-intensive, requiring vast amounts of electricity and water to power the complex calculations that underpin AI training. This contributes to rising operational costs and raises significant environmental concerns due to the carbon emissions associated with energy and water consumption. Furthermore, while adept at parallel processing, GPU architecture must facilitate handling the massive datasets and intricate algorithms that characterize modern AI workloads. This results in bottlenecks and inefficiencies that hinder developing and deploying advanced AI applications.



Beyond these technical limitations, the reliance on GPUs raises critical questions about sustainability and global equity. The production of GPUs depends



heavily on rare earth minerals, with Africa serving as a primary source of these essential resources. While the continent possesses abundant reserves of cobalt, nickel, and other critical minerals, the extraction and processing of these materials often come at a high cost. Child labor, exploitative working conditions, and environmental degradation are prevalent in many mining regions, highlighting the urgent need for ethical and sustainable practices in the industry.



Moreover, the current model of resource extraction perpetuates a system of global inequality. Despite being rich in natural resources, African nations often derive minimal economic benefit from their extraction. Raw materials are exported to other countries for processing and manufacturing, leaving African economies with little value addition and limited opportunities for technological advancement. This disparity underscores the need for a more equitable distribution of the benefits generated by the AI industry.



Fortunately, the AI landscape is evolving, presenting an opportunity to address these challenges and forge a more sustainable and inclusive path forward.



The industry is gradually shifting towards specialized hardware, such as Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) and neuromorphic chips, which offer significant advantages over GPUs. These alternatives are explicitly designed for AI workloads, delivering superior performance, energy efficiency, and scalability.



This transition presents a unique opportunity for Africa to redefine its role in the AI ecosystem. The continent can become a leader in developing and manufacturing next-generation AI hardware by moving beyond its current position as a raw material supplier and embracing innovation. This would boost economic development, create high-skilled jobs, and empower African researchers and entrepreneurs to contribute to the global advancement of AI.



Strategic investments and collaborative efforts are essential to realize this vision. African governments, research institutions, and private sector companies must work together to foster a thriving AI ecosystem. This includes supporting local startups, promoting research and development in AI hardware, and attracting investment in manufacturing facilities crucial to ensure that Africa benefits from technology transfer and knowledge sharing.



The United Nations (UN) is vital in facilitating this transition. Recognizing the importance of responsible sourcing and equitable benefit-sharing, the UN has established a panel on critical energy transition minerals. This initiative brings together stakeholders from governments, international organizations, industry, and civil society to develop global principles that protect environmental and social standards throughout the mineral value chain.



By fostering collaboration and transparency, the UN aims to ensure that the transition to sustainable AI technologies does not exacerbate existing inequalities but creates opportunities for all nations to participate in and benefit from the AI revolution. This includes promoting fair trade practices, supporting capacity building in developing countries, and encouraging the adoption of circular economy models that reduce reliance on raw materials and minimize environmental impact. Africa is poised to become a key player in the future of AI. With its abundant mineral resources, growing technology hubs, and a young, dynamic population, the continent has the potential to drive innovation and shape the development of AI in ways that benefit not only Africa but the entire world. By embracing this opportunity, we can create a more inclusive and sustainable AI ecosystem that empowers all nations and contributes to a better future for humanity.

Working robots

Expert-Speak: Rethinking Tech And Why GPUs Are Not The Future Of AI Training

Imagine a young entrepreneur in Nairobi, a brilliant mind with a game-changing idea. She has the passion, the drive, and the solution to a critical problem. Her name is Akinyi.



With no real experience in business, Akinyi sensibly decides to invest some time immersing herself in the top management books.



She devours The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and becomes super proactive.



She studies Good to Great and meticulously crafts her niche offering using the hedgehog model.



She reads Start with Why and contemplates the deeper purpose of her product.



And she diligently applies the lessons from How to Win Friends and Influence People in all her day-to-day interactions.



Yet, despite this, Akinyi, like hundreds of thousands of other entrepreneurs before her, ultimately fails in her quest. Why?



Because all these great business books failed to adequately express the importance of networks.



And without networks, even the most talented people can never succeed.



So, what exactly is a network and why are they critical links in your chain of future success?



Most dictionaries define a network as an action or process of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts. This, in my eyes, is incomplete. It fails to capture the essence of what networking is really all about. It doesn&#8217;t answer the &#8216;why&#8217; of networking.



Because, to me, networking is actually the process of getting others to willingly offer you their resources to support your goals. These resources could be capital. They could be introductions. It could be knowledge. It could be many things, but ultimately the power of the network is how it helps you to do things you couldn&#8217;t possibly achieve alone.



And to get that type of support, you have to be skilled in getting others to not only trust you, you have to get them to believe that by helping you, they too will benefit at some time in the future.



If that sounds difficult to pull off, it is. It takes planning. And to do it well you need to allocate a lot of time.



If you are wondering how much time you should allocate to networking compared to your other business demands, consider how important networks really are.



It&#8217;s widely acknowledged, for example, that a significant portion of jobs are never publicly advertised. &nbsp;These &#8220;hidden&#8221; opportunities are often filled through personal connections and referrals, highlighting the power of networks in accessing the unadvertised job market. This makes intuitive sense; employers often prefer to hire someone they know or trust, or someone recommended by a trusted source.



An even more compelling illustration of the power of networks can be seen in the success of startup incubators like Y Combinator (YC), Techstars, and 500 Global. &nbsp;While these programs offer valuable resources like seed funding and mentorship, their greatest asset is arguably their extensive network of successful entrepreneurs and investors. This network provides startups with crucial connections, advice, and potential partnerships that can significantly increase their chances of success.



The facts are pretty simple. Startups that use incubators are twice as likely to still be in existence after five years. And looking at some of the famous brands that have benefited from these incubators, such as Airbnb, Stripe, Dropbox, Canva, Uber, Coinbase, DoorDash, and more recently, OpenAI, there is compelling evidence that you are far more likely to reach billion-dollar valuations by being part of their network than trying to go it alone.



OpenAI, in particular, showcases the power of networks. Its founder, Sam Altman, a former Y Combinator president, leveraged his connections to secure funding from influential figures like Elon Musk, Reid Hoffman, and Peter Thiel. &nbsp;Interestingly, these individuals were already connected through their shared experience founding PayPal, further highlighting the compounding effect of networks.



And it is these networks that have fueled the growth of some of the world&#8217;s biggest companies. For 50- plus years, the United States has been mastering the art of creating virtuous ecosystems that bring together politicians, business leaders, universities, business schools, funders and incubators, creating more unicorns than any other country in the world.



The top 10 companies in Silicon Valley alone generate around $2 trillion of revenue every year. That&#8217;s approximately the same as the GDP of whole countries like Canada or Italy!



So, what is my advice for Akinyi and anyone else that wants to be successful in life?



Stop reading business books. Get out into the world. Build relationships with successful business people. Get them to share their stories. Join incubators. Get funding, even if you don’t need it. Do whatever you can to build your network.



You’ll learn more. You’ll hone your business skills faster. You’ll have more fun. And you never know. Maybe it will be the catalyst that propels you to build Africa’s next unicorn!

Tech scene in Cape Town, South Africa

Expert-Speak: Stop Reading Books. Try This Instead

Vilanculos is Mozambique’s untouched gem with its benevolent sun, sand, surf – and horses, as this writer discovered.



The photographs in the brochure show poised, slender women sitting atop horses in the ocean. Why then am I struggling to get a foot into the saddle and horse trainer, Mary Retzlaff, is trying to heave me onto her horse, Black Beauty. The scene is anything but beautiful and I narrowly miss slipping out of the stirrup and crashing face first into the cold Indian Ocean.



But once atop the brown beast, the view is magnificent and as Black Beauty begins to gently gallop with me wobbling to find my balance, I feel like I’m on top of the world.&nbsp;&nbsp;



“Horses love water,” Retzlaff chuckles, knee-deep in waves. She and her husband, Pat, rescued dozens and it’s all detailed in her book, One Hundred and Four Horses: A Memoir of Farm and Family, Africa and Exile.



Pat and Retzlaff were farmers in Zimbabwe whose lives were turned upside downin early 2001 when armed members of President Robert Mugabe&#8217;s War Veterans&#8217; Association reportedly began violently reclaiming farmlands owned by white Zimbabweans. They were forced to flee.


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/GettyImages-1912155661-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-65007" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/GettyImages-1912155661-1.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/GettyImages-1912155661-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/GettyImages-1912155661-1-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Tourists Getting On A Dhow In Vilanculos Beach, Bazaruto Archipelago. Mozambique. (Photo by Universal Images Group via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>


As families across the country abandoned their land, they left behind their horses. Devoted animal lovers, Pat and Retzlaff – virtually bankrupt themselves – vowed to save homeless horses, risking their lives and using all their money, to bring them to safety&nbsp;across the border into Mozambique.



Now visitors to the coastal town of Vilanculos,&nbsp;about 750km north of Maputo, Mozambique&#8217;s capital, can ride atop some of the horses the Rezlaffs saved. It’s the perfect vantage point to&nbsp;soak in the&nbsp;pristine beaches and dazzling views that make this a traveler’s paradise.



Growing extensively over the last decade, the town of Vilanculos is the gateway to the Bazaruto Archipelago,&nbsp;a chain of islands in a marine national park. The area has become a favorite Mozambique holiday destination and stopover for many sunseekers.&nbsp;Known for their&nbsp;unspoilt beauty and diverse ecologies, the crystal-clear coral reefs are home to more than 2,000 fish species as well as whales and dolphins.&nbsp;Famous Mozambique prawns and beers are readily available in the town’s markets where the stalls spill over with fresh fruit, vegetables and a variety of arts and crafts.



&#8220;When visiting Vilanculos, there&#8217;s a lot of things you can do,” smiles Mayor Joaquim Quinto.



“We have the islands, cultural tours where you can experience how people live, boat trips or you can simply take a walk on the beach. You fall in love again when you are in Vilanculos,&#8221; he says.



This is true for co-owner of Mangal Beach Lodge,&nbsp;Paula&nbsp;Almeida.


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="684" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/GettyImages-1912155126.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-65006" style="width:372px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/GettyImages-1912155126.jpg 684w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/GettyImages-1912155126-200x300.jpg 200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 684px) 100vw, 684px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Fish Vendor At The Municipal Market, Vilanculos, Bazaruto Archipelago. Mozambique. (Photo by:Universal Images Group via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>


&#8220;We decided to build something because we wanted people to get to know this place. When we came here, there was nothing; it was empty. We fell in love with it,” she exclaims.



South African, Steven Kotze,&nbsp;has been holidaying here since he was a boy. Five years ago, he and his family settled in Vilanculos permanently to realize a lifelong dream of taking tourists out on their boat.



For Kotze,&nbsp;it’s all about making dreams come true.



“The beautiful bay has calm and shallow waters which are ideal for water sports and fun in the sun. This is&nbsp;a unique and beautiful place. While Mozambique might not be the first destination one thinks of when planning a holiday, I can promise you that this will be one of the most exciting destinations of your life.”



A former Portuguese colony,&nbsp;Vilanculos, apart from the funny name that makes you smile every time it is pronounced, is a hidden jewel of Africa. As&nbsp;Ana&nbsp;Paula&nbsp;Simoes Da Silva, owner of Villas Do Indico, sums up, “This place is like a gem, it&#8217;s untouched … for now. Thirty kilometers of beach from north to south with nothing. It’s a place to do nothing, which is what people are looking for. To do absolutely nothing,” she chuckles!

Local Boys Relaxing In A Dhow On Vilanculos Beach During Low Tide, Bazaruto Archipelago; Mozambique

A Former Portuguese Colony That’s Africa’s Hidden Jewel

Towards the end of 2024, the discovery of trafficked minors at the Stilfontein mines in South Africa’s North West province spoke to a severe trafficking crisis. As it emerged, undocumented children, some as young as 10, were reportedly coerced into forced labor under alleged armed criminal syndicates.



Trafficked from neighboring Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries, these children had endured extensive abuse and exploitation. This harrowing discovery revealed systemic failures in combating trafficking. Throughout the annals of history, human trafficking has emerged as a deeply disturbing scourge of humanity. United States Senator Josh Hawley argues: “The swelling epidemic of human trafficking makes a mockery of the law and its protections.”



Endeavors to deal with human trafficking, viewed from both international and legal perspectives, have required a multifaceted approach. By its very definition, human trafficking is not confined to borders, although statistics indicate that Africa is disproportionately impacted. It involves the illegal trade of human beings for exploitation. Such exploitation includes forced labor, sexual exploitation, organ removal, forced marriage and involuntary servitude.



The global estimates paint a crude picture of the plight of many. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), an estimated 24.9 million people worldwide were victims of human trafficking. Sex trafficking, disproportionately impacts women and girls, comprising 99% of its victims. Disturbingly, Africa has one of the highest proportions of human trafficking victims globally. High levels of poverty, pockets of conflict, and weak governance structures have exacerbated the situation on the continent.



Cognizant of the magnitude of this crisis, the international community has responded with key international treaties and protocols aimed at combating human trafficking, including:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>The United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (2000) and its Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (known as the Palermo Protocol).</li>



<li>The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), emphasizes the protection of children from exploitation, including trafficking.</li>



<li>The Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (2005), provides a comprehensive legal framework for protection and prevention.</li>
</ul>



These frameworks provide critical guidance for countries to prevent trafficking, protect victims, and prosecute perpetrators. Yet, there are some apparent gaps in terms of a collective approach. Legal definitions of human trafficking differ from one jurisdiction to another. General elements of the definition include act (recruitment, transportation, transfer), means (coercion, fraud, deception), and purpose (exploitation). However, there is a need for clear definitions. Such definitions are necessary for effective law enforcement and victim protection. Moreover, countries have enacted various laws to combat human trafficking. These laws are often influenced by international agreements. National legal frameworks generally include criminalizing all forms of trafficking, establishing comprehensive victim protection measures and requiring cooperation among law enforcement, social services, and the judicial system.



It also must be noted that efforts to combat human trafficking face significant challenges. Enforcing anti-trafficking laws and prosecuting traffickers is complicated by the cross-border nature of trafficking, resource constraints, and corruption within law enforcement. To improve prosecution rates and victim outcomes, training for law enforcement and judicial personnel is crucial. In Africa, there is an argument to be made for a more synchronized approach. Already, initiatives led by the African Union (AU), such as the Ouagadougou Action Plan, promote coordination among states. There is a focus on sharing intelligence and harmonizing anti-trafficking laws. This is supported by the African Court of Justice and Human Rights, a continental court established by African states to protect human and peoples’ rights across the continent. However, there is scope to increase regional cooperation while addressing the root causes of trafficking on the continent through integrated social and economic development strategies. Furthermore, enforcement should be equipped to identify cases, handle victims sensitively and build strong cases against traffickers. Victims also require comprehensive support services, including safe housing, medical care and access to legal assistance to safely navigate the legal process and reintegrate into society. It is clear that there needs to be systematic reframing of our approach.



The Stilfontein incident is a stark reminder of how many lives we have let slip through the cracks. However, it is also a powerful call for change.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

African Migrants Ensnared By Human Traffickers En Route To Europe

Expert-Speak: The Disturbing Scourge Of Human Trafficking And How To Protect The Vulnerable In Africa

As artificial intelligence reshapes healthcare, the fight against cancer is witnessing unprecedented breakthroughs, from microscopic nanorobots to virtual treatment twins. This acceleration in drug discovery is just one example of AI&#8217;s impact on oncology, now and in the future.



According to the British Journal of Cancer, cancer research is one of the most heavily-funded areas of science. Billions are poured into research every year but the main ways in which we treat cancer – surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy – haven&#8217;t changed in the past 80 years.



But now artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming this landscape entirely, revolutionizing not just how doctors diagnose and treat cancer, but how we discover new treatments. “I think we are really in the golden age of scientific discovery, powered by the cloud and AI at scale,” says Dr Rowland Illing, Amazon Web Services’ Chief Medical Officer and Director of Global Healthcare and Nonprofits. At its core, cancer presents a fundamental challenge: cells that go rogue, growing and dividing uncontrollably without the normal genetic &#8216;braking system&#8217; that regulates cell growth.



“But finding a way to put the brakes on is where it gets interesting,” says Dr Divya Chander, a physician, neuroscientist and futurist. For Chander, there are three key areas where AI is making significant inroads: drug discovery, designing new therapeutics (like living medicines) and precision clinical trials and precision medicine.



From data to diagnosis



Traditional drug discovery is expensive and time-consuming but AI models can accelerate the process by identifying shared genomic features across diseases to predict effectiveness. “It&#8217;s incredibly helpful because with older medications, we already know they&#8217;re safe,” says Chander. “When we find drugs that are useful for another indication, it’s really an extraordinary gift.” This is particularly important for rare and undiagnosed diseases, including certain cancers, that affect over 300 million people globally (but only 5%-7% have FDA-approved treatments).



A new open-source AI model called TxGNN, developed by Harvard Medical School researchers, aims to close this gap by identifying drug candidates for over 17,000 diseases, including rare cancers, using existing medicines. Then there’s Insilico Medicine, a Hong Kong-based biotechnology startup, who now has one of the first AI-discovered drugs to enter the clinical pipeline. The company’s own Pharma.AI platform, which includes tools like PandaOmics and Chemistry42, uses multiple AI models trained on millions of data samples to identify disease targets and design new drug compounds. What’s really exciting about this is the speed. Insilico reached the first phase of clinical trials in just two and a half years, compared to the traditional six-year timeline, and at a fraction of the usual $400 million cost. “It can cost over a billion dollars per drug and take over a decade and a lot of lives are lost in that time,” adds Chander.



This acceleration in drug discovery is just one example of AI&#8217;s impact on oncology. Working with Genomics England, Illing and his team faced an immense challenge: analysing thousands of scientific papers about genetic links to diseases. “They have a team of bio curators – experts who do searches, pull out papers, read them and work out the associations between disease types and genes,” explains Illing. But with so much key data on cancer and genetics being published, Genomics England’s manual review process couldn’t keep up with the sheer volume of research. Illing’s team worked on an AI solution – automated bio-curation – which transformed this landscape completely. “Over an eight to 10-week period, we built a generative AI platform that was able to look at all of those papers published and identify 20 new gene associations which previously were not known,” Illing says, adding that if they had manually looked at all the data, it would be out of date. “The role of AI is very much automation. It&#8217;s how do you take stuff which needs to be done at scale globally, make it faster and take off the burden of the care providers?”



The digital patient



This revolutionary approach isn&#8217;t simply fast-tracking research, it&#8217;s shifting how quickly scientific discoveries can become life-saving treatments. Among these innovations, AI is being utilized to create increasingly sophisticated simulations of disease progression in virtual environments called digital twins. In fact, Research and Markets have projected that the digital twin industry will reach $130.77 billion by 2029, driven by demand in healthcare and pharmacology. In a new research paper published in Nature Medicine on digital twins, Dr Eric Stahlberg, a Leidos scientist, explained that “if you look at the aerospace industry, they&#8217;re using digital twins extensively to simulate fluid dynamics and materials processing to improve engine and aircraft designs. There are many similarities between those models and newer models that simulate the human cardiovascular and circulatory systems,” he continues. “The complexity of the human body is so substantial that there will always be uncertainty in the models. But ultimately, digital twins will inform patients, help them rank various treatment options and increase their chances of survival.&#8221;



UK Biobank, a global biomedical database and research hub, currently has a project underway that’s using AI to create detailed digital twins that mirror how cancer develops and responds to treatment for individual patients. “Digital twins enable precision care in a way that could never be done before,” says Chander. These computer models are groundbreaking because they combine multi-modal data from genetic patterns and protein behavior to chemical changes in the body and patients&#8217; full medical histories. “Most of the models that are coming out to date, like ChatGPT or Claude, have been language models, but we&#8217;re seeing a shift into large data models,” explains Illing. “Healthcare isn&#8217;t just language – it&#8217;s also genomics, proteins and imaging. By integrating all of those different data streams you get a much better idea, upfront, about what kind of treatment a patient can have.” By analyzing this rich mixture of biological and clinical information, UK Biobank’s AI system can spot subtle warning signs that traditional methods might overlook. First tackling pancreatic cancer, where the complex mixture of different cells in tumors makes early detection difficult, the team is hoping to look at lung, breast, colon, prostate, skin and bladder cancers in the future.



These AI breakthroughs are reshaping how doctors approach cancer treatment, turning an uncontrollable disease into one they can analyze, track and target with unprecedented precision. It’s a new era in medicine where cutting-edge technology can customize care. “The promise of personalized medicine is that when you come in with your specific problem, you will be treated as an individual, rather than just one of a &#8216;this sex, this age, in this environment&#8217;,” ends Illing. “AI is already having a massive impact on this kind of tailored understanding of what patients have got but also how things evolve over time.”



Will next-gen oncology be driven by nanorobots?



Remember those illustrations in the 1976 children&#8217;s book The Value of Believing in Yourself: The Story of Louis Pasteur? Tiny warriors drawn inside syringes, ready to battle disease. What once captured children&#8217;s imaginations is now a scientific reality. Today, AI is turning this vivid imagery into a radical new approach to fighting cancer: nanorobotics – sophisticated molecular machines that are redefining how we target and treat tumors. “These are kind of like rocket ships,” explains Dr Divya Chander, “your rocket ship could be a bacterial cell, or it could be a virus&#8230; or it can be a nanorobot that we create, but essentially it can hold a payload. And so, the shell, the main structure, is something that can actually be activated, like a heat seeking missile.” These tiny machines, typically measuring between 1 to 100 nanometers, are programmed to act as precision delivery systems. One breakthrough example comes from Arizona State University, where researchers have developed DNA nanorobots loaded with thrombin. These microscopic warriors seek out cancer cells and effectively starve tumors by cutting off their blood supply – a far cry from the broad, systemic effects of traditional chemotherapy. The development of nanorobots goes hand-in-hand with what Chander calls “living medicines”. Instead of traditional drugs, living medicine uses nature’s own tools (like bacteria or viruses) to fight diseases. It&#8217;s almost like having tiny helpers that can do things our bodies can&#8217;t do on their own. “A living medicine involves programming a life form to deliver a specific treatment, unlike traditional medicines, which are molecules that spread passively through the body based on physics and chemistry,” explains Chander. “These targeted therapies are extraordinary because they don&#8217;t come with the same side effects as systemic drugs… and chemotherapy is toxic.” What makes nanobots so exciting for cancer treatment is their ability in precisely attacking tumor cells. One new study found that nanorobots reduced tumor size by 65.2% compared to chemotherapy&#8217;s 40.5% reduction. They also delivered drugs with an impressive 92.7% accuracy, detected tumors nearly twice as fast and caused significantly fewer side effects. Most strikingly, patients treated with nanorobots achieved a 78% survival rate within 12 months, compared to 54% for those on chemotherapy.

3D virus cells attacking a DNA strand

A New Era In Oncology: Tackling The Dreaded ‘C’ Word With AI

The decorated former Olympian and Zimbabwe’s sports minister Kirsty Coventry will replace Thomas Bach as President of the IOC.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-medium-font-size is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
“It&#8217;s a signal that we&#8217;re truly global…”
</blockquote>



Double Olympic champion Kirsty Coventry continues to set new records after she was elected president of the International Olympic Committee on Thursday, becoming the first woman, first African and youngest-ever to hold the prestigious post in the 130-year history of the organization. Zimbabwean Coventry, 41, needed only one round of voting as she secured her mandate, replacing outgoing president Thomas Bach, who did not stand for re-election.



&#8220;It is a really powerful signal,&#8221; Coventry said. &#8220;It&#8217;s a signal that we&#8217;re truly global and that we have evolved into an organization that is truly open to diversity and we&#8217;re going to continue.&#8221;



Coventry won 49 of the 97 votes in the first round for a majority ahead of Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr, who earned 28 and finished in second. Sebastian Coe from the United Kingdom was third having managed only eight votes.



&#8220;This is not just a huge honor, but it is a reminder of my commitment to every single one of you that I will lead this organization with so much pride,&#8221; Coventry said at the IOC session in Pylos, Greece.



&#8220;I will make all of you very, very proud, and hopefully extremely confident with the choice you&#8217;ve taken today, thank you from the bottom of my heart.



&#8220;I&#8217;m going to sit down with President Bach. We&#8217;re going to have a few months for a handover takeover. And what I want to focus on is bringing all the candidates together. There were so many good ideas and exchanges over the last six months.”



The next Summer Olympic Games are in Los Angeles in 2028 and Coventry must navigate an increasingly difficult geopolitical landscape that will inevitably spill over into sport.



&#8220;We need to look at the IOC and our Olympic movement and family and decide how exactly we&#8217;re going to move forward in the future,” she said. “What is it that we want to focus on in the first six months? I have some ideas, but a part of my campaign was listening to the IOC members and hearing what they have to say and hearing how we want to move together.



&#8220;It&#8217;s extremely important we have to be a united front and we have to work together. We don&#8217;t and we might not always agree, but we have to be able to come together for the betterment of the movement.&#8221;



Coventry is a decorated former Olympian having won two gold medals, four silver and a bronze in backstroke and medley events in the pool.



She shone at the Athens (2004) and Beijing (2008) Games. &#8220;Greece seems to be my lucky charm,&#8221; she said with a smile.



Since retirement she has turned to politics having been Zimbabwe’s sports minister since 2018.



A champion of the African continent, Coventry has pledged to expand Olympic participation and ensure the Games remain relevant to younger generations.

144th International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session – Day Two

Meet The First Woman, First African And Youngest-Ever To Be Head Of The 130-Year-Old International Olympic Committee

These Ugandan game designers and founders are holding up a mirror to society with their art.



As many a traveler knows, you’re never alone if you’ve packed some cards. You could indulge in the terse isolation of solitaire, but in East Africa you can make an instant friend with an invitation to a game of matatu, a simple, addictive pastime played with a standard 53-card pack. The game is often encountered on the eponymous minibuses in the region, as seats can sometimes be turned to face each other so a feisty card battle can ensue.



A colonial acculturation introduced from Europe, card play thrived in the brighter, warmer climes of the African continent, where playing games like matatu on the streets triggered a viral propagation of these easily learned diversions.



Since returning home after studying abroad, two childhood friends have created a company that reconfigures the hobby with a Ugandan twist, tapping into card games’ inherent sociability and low barrier to entry. Denzel Muhumuza and JJ Asiimwe are the founders of the company Mizano, and creators of a vivacious range of games that draw on the cultural idiosyncrasies of modern Uganda.



“The name Mizano is derived from the Ankole language, and refers to the act of playing,” says Muhumuza, the company’s managing director, and designer of the games’ vibrant artwork.



“Uganda has a huge gaming culture. At the market in downtown Kampala, people are always playing cards. So we&#8217;re trying to plug into that gaming ecosystem. The issue is that they’re playing with cards that arrived in the 19th century – a White queen, a White king. We want people to play games that are inflected with their cultural identity. That was our driving mission: to uniquely celebrate our culture.”



Their flagship product is Mulodi, a property game that leans hard into the spiky back-and-forth of East Africa’s notoriously perilous real estate hustle: in a mischievous nod to the urban landscape’s ubiquitous painted ‘this land is not for sale’ signs, the game even allows you steal another player’s estate (and bank the proceeds).



“It&#8217;s about making money – and trying to protect your property from other people!” says JJ Asiimwe, Mizano’s co-director. He points out some of the game’s action cards. “Banja means getting back money from someone who owes you. And this one is ‘wedding meeting’, which means everyone has to pay you 20 million shillings towards your wedding. Weddings are a big part of our culture, and a lot of people have a meeting where you might have a community help you fundraise.”



The name of the Mulodi game, which now has a safari real-estate spin-off, is another hat-tip to the stratified financial power-wielding of Ugandan society. “A rich, successful person is called a mulodi,” Muhumuza says. “Here, there are no land titles. It’s all based on your neighbors knowing you own the land. That&#8217;s what we tried to capture: people are always trying to get ahead ‘differently’. So, if you&#8217;re playing this game, it’s about understanding your partners are riddled with corruption&#8230;”



It&#8217;s an affectionate but unflinching satire about the nefarious goings-on in everyday economic life, and a deliberate effort to educate as well as entertain (the company also produces a skew called Eyedentify, a symbol-matching game especially popular with children).



Do the two entrepreneurs feel a responsibility to decolonize popular gaming culture for this new generation of card players?



“Every problem’s an opportunity, right?” says Asiimwe. “It reflects what we’re going through. We were educated in this system, and went abroad; now we’re back, reconnecting with our roots. So, it feels good, because it’s in line with what we’re doing with our own lives. We’re doing it for business – but we’re also contributing to society.”

Mizano founders

The Ugandan Game Designers Playing Their Cards Right

The speed of AI development is leaving countries with limited digital infrastructure behind, and the gap is widening at an unprecedented rate.



In Africa, there is a need for massive digital infrastructure investment that prioritizes bridging the digital divide, particularly where the gap is widening exponentially. As David Martinon, French Ambassador to South Africa and former French Ambassador for Digital Affairs, said at the recent Finance in Common Summit (FiCS) hosted in Cape Town: “AI may seem virtual for the end user, but it needs a skeleton. It requires heavy investment in infrastructure and increased connectivity to democratize access.”



Yet, Africa is lagging when it comes to digital infrastructure. Many countries lack the cloud, connectivity, high-speed networks and data centers required to handle the demands of the technology. Hun Kim, Acting Vice President of Investment Solutions at the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), said: “African countries lack the backbone of cloud and connectivity, among other core infrastructure necessities, and without these, AI will remain a distant concept rather than an accessible tool. Already there’s a digital divide and AI is doubling, even tripling this, as countries without digital infrastructure risk falling even further behind.”



The gap is further wedged open due to limited access to funds. Infrastructure funding is challenging to source, and prone to bottlenecks that introduce lengthy delays. The result is that Africa is slipping down the AI hill because countries can’t get a grip on the infrastructure, they need to embrace the technology effectively. There is work being done to rectify the challenge, but it remains slow. The Agence Française de Développement (AFD) committed 288 million Euros between 2021-2023 for broadband construction and datacenters across Africa, but this is just a drop in the ocean.



AI drives a growing demand for materials and energy that’s a challenge in markets where access to energy is fragile or insufficient. Ygor Scarcia, Industrial Development Expert at the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), also emphasized the risk of growing inequalities: “The challenge is risking the divide between industrialized and non-industrialized economies.”



Africa is already making strides in AI with initiatives like the African Union’s digital transformation strategy, various tech hubs across the continent, and notable AI research projects.



Finance institutions, governments and private sector need to collaborate to find smarter ways of building Africa’s digital infrastructure and prioritizing critical environmental and governance requirements to ensure the continent doesn’t sit at the bottom of the slope. The continent has the talent and the potential, now it needs the investment impetus to take hold of AI and take the lead.

The Power of AI. Transforming Industries and Customer Service. A Look into the Future. Yellow AI icon processing texts and commands on smart phone. 3D render

An Exponential Threat: Is AI Leaving Africa Behind?

Dr Patrice Motsepe was elected unopposed for a second term as President of Confederation of African Football (CAF) in March, a nod to the progress made since he first took office four years ago as he has proposed a new, ambitious target for the organization.



CAF, as with many sporting bodies around the world, has grappled with various challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic and the ever-evolving manner in which fans consume sport, but is now arguably on its soundest footing for some time.



Motsepe has not been without his critics, but the proof of his impact is in the numbers.



CAF has managed to increase its annual subversions to Member Associations from $200,000 to $400,000 per annum, and to its six Zonal Unions from $500,000 to $750,000. That money is earmarked for football development.



Prize money across all CAF competitions is up, not least for women’s football, with CAF investing almost five times as much in the women’s game as at the start of his tenure.



Renewed sponsorships and record television audiences have been a driver behind improved revenue that is budgeted to take CAF forward in the 2024-25 financial year.



But, Motsepe says, this is just the beginning, and he has ambitious plans for his second term.



“The tender is open for the $1-billion contribution to African football over the next eight years and it’s going very well,” Motsepe said. “We have to comply with Comesa (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa), because there are regulations in Comesa that you cannot conclude an agreement for more than four years.



“We don’t only have to comply but respect those regulations. Many of the partners we are talking to are saying, but president of CAF, you want $1-billion, we will give you $1-billion, but we need more years.



“The aim is to give every African nation $1-million (subversion) annually, starting in 2026.”



Having launched the CAF Women’s Champions League soon after taking office in 2021, Motsepe says the ladies’ game will continue to be a special focus.



“An African women’s national team may win the (FIFA) World Cup before a men’s national team,” he said. “Governments can help. The private sector. Half of our (African) population are women. Women’s football is about inspiring young girls.”

Dr Patrice Motsepe was elected unopposed for a second term at CAF’s 14th Extraordinary General Assembly in Cairo on March 12; image supplied

African Billionaire’s Ambitious Plans For Second Term As Football Boss

It is a word that does not roll off the tongue, though “kakistocracy” perfectly captures the wave of frustrations many encounter at work.



Derived from the Greek words ‘kakistos’ (worst) and ‘kratos’ (rule), it refers to leadership by the least competent or most inept.



Once confined to political commentary, kakistocracy is increasingly a talking point in all types of organizations, from large corporations to small businesses, not-for-profits and community groups.



It is not that there are not enough excellent examples of well-led organizations out there.



Yet, as we start the new working year, too many organizations will continue to flounder, steered by leaders who prioritize ego over expertise and appearances over meaningful outcomes.



Kakistocracy epitomizes a leadership style driven not by progress but by personal gain, favoritism and an unfortunate embrace of ineptitude.



This result is organizations that resemble rudderless ships – unstable, directionless and destined to flounder under the weight of mismanagement.



When organizations enter a kakistocratic state, where those ill-equipped to lead occupy critical roles, decisions become reactive, priorities shift aimlessly and those aboard are left feeling adrift.



The consequences ripple outward, eroding trust, stalling progress and creating a culture of disillusionment where employees, customers and stakeholders feel trapped by poor leadership.



Understanding how kakistocracy anchors itself in workplaces begins with examining the choices made at the outset.



It often starts with a failure to prioritize leadership fundamentals in recruitment or promotions.



Those unfit for the demands of the role might rise to the surface, buoyed by charisma rather than capability.



Once in place, these so-called leaders surround themselves with like-minded allies to create an echo chamber where dissenting voices are drowned out and decision-making becomes insular and erratic.



This dynamic thrives in environments where accountability has eroded, leaving the ship rudderless.



Poor decisions carry little consequence, allowing incompetence to flourish.



Boards, stakeholders or governing bodies might fail to chart a course of accountability, valuing loyalty over results and sidestepping challenges rather than tackling them head-on.



Even glaring errors are met with a shrug, further emboldening those least equipped to lead.



Performative leadership is another factor driving kakistocracy.



In an age where visibility often trumps substance, leaders who excel at projecting confidence, spinning narratives or delivering soundbites are frequently elevated – regardless of their track record.



Leadership becomes less about steering through rough waters and more about crafting a compelling image.



The ripple effects extend beyond the organization’s walls as kakistocracy stifles innovation, creativity and morale.



Talented employees often find themselves marginalized or disengaged, their contributions overshadowed by political manoeuvring and self-promotion.



This dynamic can lead to a talent drain, with the most-capable individuals seeking opportunities elsewhere.



When this exodus occurs, the damage extends to the organization’s reputation.



The good news is history has shown that even the roughest waters can inspire change.



Poor leadership can serve as a wake-up call, forcing organizations to confront their flaws, rethink their structures and rebuild stronger, more resilient systems.



This process is not easy and underscores the importance of reimagining leadership – not as a position of privilege but a responsibility demanding expertise, collaboration and a commitment to excellence.



This year, organizations must rewrite the rules of the game.



Leadership should no longer be about who speaks the loudest but who can chart the clearest, most effective course.



The challenges of modern workplaces require leaders who can listen, adapt and unite teams towards a shared vision.



By anchoring decisions in competence, fostering accountability and encouraging collective engagement, workplaces can move beyond the tide of kakistocracy and set sail towards a future where leadership is truly fit for the challenges ahead. Only then can organizations ensure they are equipped to navigate any turbulence the new year might bring while emerging stronger and more resilient.

Forbes Africa

FORBES AFRICA SOCIAL MEDIA