Last year, FORBES AFRICA featured inspiring women in our first-ever ‘Over 30 Under 50’ list, celebrating those excelling in their 30s and 40s. From musicians and actors to business leaders and tech entrepreneurs, we highlighted a dynamic cross-section of female trailblazers, disruptors, and decision-makers across the continent.



We now announce the second annual FORBES AFRICA &#8216;Over 30 Under 50&#8217; list, to be published early 2025, to showcase a new set of formidable leaders in this age group in Africa writing their stories and owning their success.



Know someone who fits the bill? Nominate them today – or apply to share your journey!



>>>>>>><a href="https://under30alum.typeform.com/Over30Under50">Click here to nominate</a>&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Forbes-Africa-logo-black-Recovered-1024x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-63229" style="width:566px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Forbes-Africa-logo-black-Recovered-1024x1024.png 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Forbes-Africa-logo-black-Recovered-300x300.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Forbes-Africa-logo-black-Recovered-150x150.png 150w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Forbes-Africa-logo-black-Recovered-768x768.png 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Forbes-Africa-logo-black-Recovered-1536x1536.png 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Forbes-Africa-logo-black-Recovered-2048x2048.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div>

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Call For Nominations For FORBES AFRICA’s 2025 ‘Over 30 Under 50’ List

The Bristol Zoo Project is set to evoke a sense of the dense forest and landscape of Equatorial Guinea.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
“Conservation zoos have a critical role to play in working with communities and connecting them with wildlife.” – Dr Justin Morris
</blockquote>



If you were looking for wildlife in the United Kingdom’s cool and rainy southwest, you’d easily find squirrels, hedgehogs, perhaps the occasional deer. Bats too. Even beaver. Stoic, quotidian creatures, unperturbed by sunlessness and drizzle.



You might not expect to discover endangered species like cherry-crowned mangabeys, slender-snouted crocodiles, or African grey parrots, but spot them you can from spring 2026, thanks to Bristol Zoo Project’s Central African Forest habitat, now under development on a 136-acre site in the Gloucestershire woodlands. These exotic additions to the British countryside will be joined by the Zoo’s troop of western lowland gorillas, in an environment designed “to evoke a sense of the dense forest and landscape of Equatorial Guinea” by the Bristol Zoological Society, a conservation and education charity founded in 1835.



“The character of a central African forest is created through utilizing and enhancing the qualities of the local landscape, rather than attempting a false replication of the original habitat,” says the charity’s Chief Executive, Dr Justin Morris. “And by understanding and applying the structure of a tropical forest, which consists of specimen trees, upper, mid and lower stratum, and a forest ground cover. Each area, particularly the animal houses and interior spaces, has been built with temperatures and humidities as a central requirement for each species. Of course, our existing gorilla troop are well acclimatized to the British weather already.”



Though 78% of the species the Society cares for are threatened, they are also part of targeted conservation programs; Morris says the aim is to increase this number to 90% by 2035. The new habitat will eventually be joined by the Central African Savannah project, home to black rhino and ostrich, alongside the Society’s existing giraffe, cheetah and zebra populations.



In a 21st century Britain becoming more sensitive to its colonial past, and less and less comfortable with animals living in captivity (according to YouGov research, half of surveyed Britons believe the practice of keeping large animals should be phased out, with a quarter calling for zoos to be banned entirely), the Society’s projects are as much about capturing hearts and minds through education as providing safe havens for animals whose continued existence on the planet is now in dire jeopardy.



“Like our award-winning Bear Wood (a walkway experience through treetops, from which wolves, lynx and wolverine can also be glimpsed), the new Central African Forest habitat will have integrated learning spaces, enabling students, visitors and schoolchildren to observe, record and appreciate animals in a natural scene, connecting people to threatened wildlife and animals in an immersive landscape,” says Morris.



The site will also feature a Conservation Campus, giving young people access to new knowledge opportunities around veterinary medicine and animal breeding.



“By creating a new education and skills hub for the region, with 20 new learning spaces, we want to inspire and create the conservationists of the future,” Morris says. “It will provide teaching facilities for more than 600 students each year, participating in our higher education programs, and help us to engage 90,000 school children.



Visitors will be able to watch veterinary procedures, see animals extinct in the wild and being bred for reintroduction, explore field conservation programs across the world, and learn how they can become conservationists themselves.”



A home away from home then, for these critically endangered creatures, and a rare chance for the human population of a curious island nation to share in their new and protected lives.



“Conservation zoos have a critical role to play in working with communities and connecting them with wildlife,” says Morris. “We have an incredible opportunity at Bristol Zoo Project to show what a modern, progressive conservation zoo can be.”

Jock the silverback gorilla at the former Bristol Zoo Gardens © Bristol Zoological Society

How A Central African Forest Is Shaping Up In The UK

South Africa’s first electric minibus taxi, eKamva, was unveiled at the Smarter Mobility Africa Summit in Johannesburg today.



It was launched alongside an integrated electric vehicle (EV) business model and charging infrastructure called ‘flx EV’.



The prototype electric minibus is a project by GoMetro, Powerfleet, formerly MiX Telematics, alongside electronics manufacturer HSW, ACDC Dynamics’ charging network, and Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Engineering.



The 15-seater electric minibus has a 70kWh battery capable of a 200km range for commutes; and 80% of its battery recharges within 45 minutes from its 50kW DC charging support.&nbsp;



Justin Coetzee, CEO of GoMetro, tells FORBES AFRICA that the journey started two years ago, when the world started going electric. “We asked ourselves, why isn’t there an electric minibus?”



Most electric buses available were 9m in length, so after a challenging search across Europe and China, GoMetro eventually found a Chinese model that could be turned into a South African-specific minibus.



“If we’re going to electrify the minibus sector, we’re going to have to do it ourselves. This is a proudly South African project alongside our industrial partnerships,” says Coetzee.



The flx EV website will soon allow minibus taxi owners and operators to apply to be added to the waiting list, while the flx app will let owners manage fleets, monitor vehicle status, prepay for charging, and find its nearest charging hub.



GoMetro will be taking eKamva on a roadshow later this year, targeting taxi ranks, associations, and hubs in South Africa’s Western Cape.



“That to me is the highlight – the industry is at the start of the journey with us, so we have to make sure that whatever they want out of an electric taxi, we listen,” adds Coetzee.



GoMetro plans to build a hub at the Century City taxi rank in Cape Town, and Stellenbosch, and hopes to have its first 10 to 20 electric taxis operating by the second half of 2025.



“There’s a huge market of private sector van usage for people movement, which goes beyond the taxi industry that we will be addressing, such as staff transport, hotel shuttles etc, but first, we need to get our model right,” says Coetzee.



Rudi Kriel, transport economist and Head of Programme at GoMetro, shares that the eKamva will either be sold outright, through a leasing model or a different type of model, such as purchasing the vehicle but leasing the battery, so the buyer still owns the asset.



“The battery will stay in the vehicle, but the ownership remains with flx EV. You just pay a subscription fee per month to have access to the battery, charging facilities and the like; it’s a model commonly used in Africa,” says Kriel.



GoMetro hopes the taxi industry will adopt the new technology on the electric minibus, which would ultimately improve operations, with its claim of up to 70% lower monthly running costs.



“At the end of the day, the taxi industry are business people, right? If you give them something they can save money on, they will be interested. And that’s the plan here, to save people operating costs, and to improve the environment,” says Kriel.



While no pricing has been confirmed for the eKamva, Coetzee hints at a ballpark figure of between R1 million (approximately $57,730) to R1.5 million ($86,600).

Image supplied

‘A Proudly South African Project’: Start Of The Journey For The Country’s First Electric Minibus Taxi

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">Topline</h2>



The Israeli Defense Forces&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/IDF/status/1841155252428390707" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">said</a>&nbsp;Iran fired rockets at Israel just before 1 p.m. EDT—news that comes after the U.S. said it believed Iran was preparing to “imminently” launch missile strikes against Israel, potentially escalating the war in the Middle East.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">Key Facts</h2>



The IDF said Iran fired rockets in a&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/IDF/status/1841155252428390707" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">post</a>&nbsp;on X, formerly known as Twitter, at 12:35 p.m. EDT.



In a follow up&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/IDF/status/1841155252428390707" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">post</a>, Israel’s military said Israeli civilians are in bomb shelters.



Iran took responsibility for the attack—and warned it is only a “first wave”—saying it was retaliation for the killings of multiple Hezbollah leaders in a statement read on state television, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-gaza-news-10-01-2024-eb175dff6e46906caea8b9e43dfbd3da" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Associated Press</a>&nbsp;reported.



Daniel Hagari, an IDF spokesperson, said around 1:30 p.m. EDT that Israeli authorities believed there were no additional aerial threats from Iran, there were no reports of casualties and that Israel would respond to the attack.



Airspaces in Jordan and Iraq were closed following the attack, and the Israeli airports authority said its airspace was closed and flights were being redirected, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/10/01/world/israel-lebanon-hezbollah" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">New York Times</a>&nbsp;reported—though the Israeli airspace&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/10/01/world/israel-lebanon-hezbollah/5a2849f6-7571-5a04-b434-e663b4a830b4?smid=url-share" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">reopened</a>&nbsp;around 1:45 p.m. EDT.



A senior White House official said earlier on Tuesday the U.S. had “indications” Iran would launch a “ballistic missile strike against Israel” imminently, though the scale of the attack wasn’t clear,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/israel-lebanon-war-hezbollah-10-1-24-intl-hnk/index.html" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">CNN</a>&nbsp;reported.



The unnamed official told CNN the U.S. was “actively supporting” preparations to defend Israel against the expected attack, which would carry “severe consequences” for Iran.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">Key Background</h2>



Iranian officials warned they would retaliate against Israel for a strike last week that killed the longtime leader of Hezbollah,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoniopequenoiv/2024/09/28/hezbollah-leader-hassan-nasrallah-target-of-israels-beirut-strike-confirmed-killed/">Hassan Nasrallah</a>. Nasrallah was one of at least seven Hezbollah leaders killed in recent weeks as Israel has increased its attacks in Lebanon against Hezbollah. The attacks increased after Israel’s Security Cabinet&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/IsraeliPM/status/1835890307763757535" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">updated</a>&nbsp;its objectives of war in mid-September to include “returning [Israeli]



residents of the north securely to their homes” amid intermittent Hezbollah strikes from across the border. As Israel’s attacks have ramped up against Hezbollah—which is largely funded by Iran and has been labeled a terrorist group by the U.S.—so have concerns about the conflict expanding to the wider Middle East. President Joe Biden called for a cease-fire Monday ahead of Israel launching “targeted ground raids” in southern Lebanon, and the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres&nbsp;<a href="https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/statement/2024-10-01/statement-attributable-the-spokesperson-for-the-secretary-general-%E2%80%93-lebanon" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">said in a statement</a>&nbsp;Tuesday “an all-out war must be avoided in Lebanon at all costs, and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon must be respected.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crucial-quote">Crucial Quote</h2>



Hours after the attack ended, President Joe Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/MSNBC/status/1841212755790991498" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">said</a>&nbsp;it appeared to be “defeated and ineffective,” which he said was a testament to both the Israeli and U.S. militaries. He went on to say: “Make no mistake, the United States is fully fully fully supportive of Israel.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chief-critic">Chief Critic</h2>



Guterres said in a statement&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/antonioguterres/status/1841167889191112704" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">posted to X</a>&nbsp;shortly after Iran’s attack that he condemns “the broadening of the Middle East conflict with escalation after escalation. This must stop. We absolutely need a ceasefire.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-big-number">Big Number</h2>



10 million. That’s roughly how many civilians were targeted by the Iranian missile strike, the IDF&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/IDF/status/1841159354914898024" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">said</a>&nbsp;on X. The IDF later&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/IDF/status/1841205620709503051" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">said</a>&nbsp;it believed Iran launched more than 180 ballistic missiles.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tangent">Tangent</h2>



On Monday, Israel began <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/mollybohannon/2024/09/30/israel-begins-ground-raids-in-southern-lebanon/">“targeted ground raids”</a> in a notable escalation of the fighting. The IDF said the raids were “limited, localized, and targeted … in southern Lebanon” against Hezbollah targets and infrastructure, and that the Israeli Air Force and Artillery will also conduct “precise strikes on military targets” in support of the raids.

Iran fires around 180 ballistic missiles at Israel amid rising tensions

Iran Launches Missile Strike On Israel, Israeli Military Says

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">Topline</h2>



Crude oil prices rose again Wednesday as traders priced in heightened concerns about violence in the Middle East.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">Key Facts</h2>



International benchmark Brent crude rose 2.7% to about $75.50 per barrel by midmorning, while U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate climbed 3% to $72 per barrel.



That’s Brent’s highest level since Sept. 3 and WTI’s highest since Sept. 24.



Brent is up more than 5% this week and WTI almost 6% as oil traders digest a series of escalatory headlines from the key oil-producing region, including&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/mollybohannon/2024/10/01/iran-launches-missile-strike-on-israel-israeli-military-says/">missile strikes</a>&nbsp;from Iran on Israel and Israel’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoniopequenoiv/2024/09/28/hezbollah-leader-hassan-nasrallah-target-of-israels-beirut-strike-confirmed-killed/">killing</a>&nbsp;of the leader of Hezbollah, Lebanon’s ruling party.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-contra">Contra</h2>



Despite the recent bump, oil prices remain far cheaper than they were this summer, with Brent down 14% from its July peak, and far lower than the more than $100 per barrel it stood for much of 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crucial-quote">Crucial Quote</h2>



“While the geopolitical risk premium rose on Tuesday…this premium remains moderate,” explained Goldman Sachs oil strategist Yulia Zhestkova Grigsby in a Wednesday note to clients, adding it’s “likely” due to an otherwise favorable setup for production.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">Key Background</h2>



Crude oil prices most directly <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/08/business/oil-price-surge-threat-us-economy/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">make their way</a> to consumers as they heavily influence gasoline prices, but they also can lead to higher prices across the board as higher production costs make their way to final prices of goods. The climb in oil prices may throw a wrench in the Federal Reserve’s inflation fight, but the volatile commodity is still well within its normal range of the last year, amid demand <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/iea-cuts-2024-oil-demand-growth-forecast-china-slowdown-2024-09-12/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">concerns</a> from China, the top oil consumer outside of the U.S., and a <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/1d186f62-5941-4f9e-aef1-7d93a8a696cd" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">proposed</a> increase in production from Saudi Arabia, the top oil producer in the Middle East.

Oil pump with candle stick graph chart in the background. World Oil Industry

Oil Prices Rise Again As Concerns About Middle East Conflict Escalate

As the world commemorates the 120th anniversary of the Phoenix Settlement and Mahatma Gandhi’s 155th birth anniversary, the settlement and his legacy remain powerful symbols of non-violent resistance and social justice. A new book and a special event mark this occasion.



The Phoenix Settlement, established in 1904 by Mahatma Gandhi in the lush hills of Inanda, in South Africa’s coastal KwaZulu-Natal province, was much more than a communal living space; it was the birthplace of Gandhi’s revolutionary philosophy of Satyagraha. His aim was to create a self-sustaining community built on principles of non-violence, truth, and self-reliance. Phoenix would go on to play a crucial role in shaping his ideas on justice and equality, principles that would later drive India’s independence movement.



“The Phoenix Settlement embodies Gandhi’s African legacy not only for South Africa but for the world,” says Uma Dhupelia-Mesthrie in an interview with FORBES AFRICA. Her book, Gandhi’s African Legacy: Phoenix Settlement 1904 to 2024. A History Through Letters, which will be launched at a special event on October 5, provides a unique window into the settlement’s history, traced not just through Gandhi’s letters, but through the correspondence of his family, particularly Manilal Gandhi, his wife Sushila, and their children Sita, Arun and Ela Gandhi. These letters reveal the immense struggles faced in preserving Gandhi’s legacy while resisting the social injustices of the time.



At Phoenix, Gandhi set up a printing press for his newspaper, Indian Opinion, which was printed in multiple languages — Tamil, Hindi, Gujarati, and English. The newspaper became a vital tool in Gandhi’s fight against injustice, giving a voice to both Indian and African communities in South Africa. Through its pages, Gandhi articulated the principles of Satyagraha — a strategy of civil disobedience rooted in non-violence that would later inspire global movements for justice.



The years Gandhi spent in South Africa were pivotal in shaping his world-renowned philosophy of non-violent resistance. The Phoenix Settlement was a microcosm of the principles Gandhi would later apply to India’s struggle for independence.



It was here that he, his family, and other settlers practised communal farming and manual labor, embodying his ideals of simplicity, self-sufficiency, and equality.



According to Dhupelia-Mesthrie, Gandhi’s vision for Phoenix was inspired by his desire to “experiment with a different form of living that challenged settler society’s segregationist ideals”. He aimed to create a community that embodied inter-faith harmony, upliftment of women, and an equitable labor system where workers earned equal wages regardless of skill. Phoenix became known as a ‘Satyagraha Farm’, a place where young people could be educated in non-violent resistance and prepared to challenge injustices. “Gandhi always believed that the power to transform society lay in the hands of ordinary people,” Dhupelia-Mesthrie explains.



He described Satyagraha as “the force which is born of truth and love or non-violence”.



The settlement became a living example of how collective wellbeing could take precedence over individual gain.



When Gandhi left South Africa in 1914 to return to India, his son Manilal Gandhi took up the mantle, leading the settlement and continuing the publication of Indian Opinion. Under Manilal’s leadership, the newspaper advocated for non-racialism, and he himself became deeply involved in South Africa’s broader fight against apartheid. His wife, Sushila, would later assume leadership of the settlement, ensuring it remained a hub for activism and education until her death.



The Inanda Riots of 1985 severely damaged the settlement, but it has since been restored thanks to efforts by the Phoenix Settlement Trust and the Gandhi family. Today, the settlement houses a museum, a clinic, and Gandhi’s original home, continuing its legacy as a place of learning and inspiration.



The Phoenix Settlement offers enduring leadership lessons that resonate today. Gandhi’s approach to truth, integrity, and ethical leadership is particularly relevant in a world grappling with complex social and economic challenges. His model of leadership, rooted in non-violent resistance and communal good, provides a framework for ethical governance and inclusive decision-making. For modern business leaders, these lessons are just as powerful.



The 120th-anniversary celebration of Phoenix Settlement will culminate in the launch of Dhupelia-Mesthrie’s book. According to her, Gandhi’s African legacy speaks directly to today’s most pressing challenges: how to live harmoniously in the face of differences, how to conduct oneself ethically, and how to resist injustices non-violently. As the world grapples with issues like climate change, inequality, and social unrest, Gandhi’s time at Phoenix serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of non-violent resistance, ethical governance, and the pursuit of justice for all.

place-2019-01-17-4-99c3d54429daaf2ff87c74419a831ebc

‘Legacy Not Only For South Africa But For The World’: 120 Years Of Gandhi’s Phoenix

Dikembe Mutombo, the towering basketball legend renowned for his shot-blocking prowess and commitment to humanitarian work, has died at the age of 58, following a two-year battle with brain cancer, the National Basketball Association (NBA) announced on Monday.



Born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Mutombo was one of the NBA’s most dominant defensive players, using his 7-foot-2 frame to protect the rim with unparalleled skill. A four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and eight-time All-Star, he finished his career with 3,289 blocked shots, placing him second all-time in NBA history. His trademark finger wag, a gesture of disapproval after swatting an opponent&#8217;s shot, became iconic during his 18 seasons in the league.


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="594" height="394" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/GettyImages-453798888.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-63193" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/GettyImages-453798888.jpg 594w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/GettyImages-453798888-300x199.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 594px) 100vw, 594px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Dikembe Mutombo of the Denver Nuggets poses for a photo on March 1, 1996. (Photo by Sporting News via Getty Images via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>


Félix Tshisekedi, the president of the DRC, joined others to &#8220;pay tribute to this worthy son of the country, a philanthropist at heart, who held high the banner of the DRC and worked for the general interest, particularly in the sectors of health and education&#8221;.



Off the court, Mutombo was a global ambassador for the NBA, traveling the world to promote the game and spearheading numerous charitable initiatives. He built hospitals, supported education, and advocated for healthcare in Africa. The Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, established in 1997, has been instrumental in providing medical services to thousands in his home country, including the construction of the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital in Kinshasa.



For former U.S. President Barack Obama, Mutombo &#8220;inspired a generation of young people across Africa, and his work as the NBA’s first global ambassador changed the way athletes think about their impact off the court”.



Adam Silver, the NBA commissioner, described himself as &#8220;one of the many people whose lives were touched by Dikembe&#8217;s big heart&#8230;&#8221;

GettyImages-1347937076q

Dikembe Mutombo Dead At 58: From The DRC To The Hall-Of-Famer Who Changed Lives Beyond The Basketball Court

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">Topline</h2>



The Israeli Defense Forces began “limited, localized, and targeted ground raids … in southern Lebanon” against Hezbollah targets and infrastructure Monday—escalating the conflict in the Middle East after Israel killed a number of Hezbollah leaders.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">Key Facts</h2>



The IDF announced the raids “a few hours” after they began, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/IDF/status/1840890054819864776?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">post on X</a>&nbsp;just after 7 p.m. EDT, and the military clarified the operations were “approved and carried out in accordance with the decision of the political echelon.”



The Israeli Air Force and Artillery will also conduct “precise strikes on military targets,” the post said.



The ground action will be smaller than Israel’s last against Hezbollah in 2006, a U.S. official&nbsp;<a href="https://wapo.st/3XO98KS" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">told The Washington Post</a>, and will reportedly focus on clearing out militant infrastructure on Lebanon’s southern border to protect communities in northern Israel.



At around 1:30 p.m. EDT on Monday,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/israel-lebanon-war-hezbollah-09-30-24-intl-hnk#cm1p92r23000m3b6kugujpjjy" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">CNN</a>&nbsp;reported there were about 100 Israeli military vehicles around five miles from the Lebanon border.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-is-israel-attacking-lebanon">Why Is Israel Attacking Lebanon?</h2>



On Sept. 16, Israel’s Security Cabinet&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/IsraeliPM/status/1835890307763757535" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">updated</a>&nbsp;its objectives of war to include “returning the residents of the north securely to their homes,” and warned it would continue to act to achieve the goal. Around 60,000 residents of northern Israel communities have been displaced following Lebanon-based Hezbollah attacks that began on Oct. 8, 2023, one day after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel, and have continued since, The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/26/world/middleeast/israel-hezbollah-displaced.html" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">New York Times</a>&nbsp;reported. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said the only way to achieve the goal was “via military action,”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/israel-new-war-goal-hezbollah-military-action-lebanon-gaza-rcna171417" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">NBC News</a>&nbsp;reported.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chief-critic">Chief Critic</h2>



President Joe Biden said earlier Monday he was “more aware than you might know” of Israel’s plans to launch a ground operation, and said he’s “comfortable with them stopping,” calling for a cease-fire. The Biden administration had been discouraging Israel from invading Lebanon,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/30/israel-ground-invasion-lebanon?utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=editorial" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Axios</a>&nbsp;reported, and has privately expressed concern that doing so could increase support for Hezbollah among Lebanese people.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">Key Background</h2>



Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has escalated recently, leading to heightened concerns about the war expanding into a broader Middle East conflict. Israel has spent recent weeks targeting southern Lebanon and Beirut, attempting to “strike and eliminate” Hezbollah leadership. Meanwhile, Hezbollah has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2024/09/25/israel-says-it-intercepted-missile-fired-at-tel-aviv-hezbollah-says-mossad-headquarters-was-target/">launched</a>&nbsp;strikes into Israel. Israel recently blew up&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2024/09/18/walkie-talkies-reportedly-explode-across-lebanon-one-day-after-hezbollah-pager-explosions/">pagers</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2024/09/18/walkie-talkies-reportedly-explode-across-lebanon-one-day-after-hezbollah-pager-explosions/">walkie-talkies</a>&nbsp;used by Hezbollah, injuring thousands of people and killing at least&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz04m913m49o" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">32</a>, and increased its bombings and strikes in Lebanon. The U.S. has warned Israel against escalating its fighting in Lebanon, though State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller&nbsp;<a href="https://youtu.be/IYG5j-A7yiY" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">said</a>&nbsp;Monday the U.S. was aware of Israel’s “limited operations” and he said “military pressure can at times enable diplomacy.” Miller said the U.S. still supports a cease-fire, and a 21-day cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah that was presented last week is still on the table.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tangent">Tangent</h2>



On Saturday, the IDF <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoniopequenoiv/2024/09/28/hezbollah-leader-hassan-nasrallah-target-of-israels-beirut-strike-confirmed-killed/">announced</a> it killed Hezbollah’s longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah, who Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said was “not just another terrorist, he was the terrorist.” On Sunday, the IDF announced the death of Nabil Kaouk, commander of Hezbollah’s preventative security unit, whose death marked the seventh death of a Hezbollah leader in a little more than a week, the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-gaza-09-29-2024-4696e581e28d8c747f017221f2cf420f" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Associated Press</a> reported.



.

Israel Launches Fresh Strikes In Lebanon As Ground Operation Appears Imminent

Israel Begins Ground Raids In Southern Lebanon

Have you found your niche? I received a lot of advice when I set up my company, but perhaps the most important consisted of just three words: Find Your Niche.



Five years later, I’m still struggling to apply this principle. Interestingly though, so are most of the companies I deal with.



So why is this, and what are we missing out on exactly? Well, let’s start by defining what a niche business is.



Per ChatGPT, it’s “a company that focuses on a specific segment of the market, catering to a particular group of customers with specialized needs or interests”.



Nerve Money provides a great example of what it means to be niche. If you have not heard of them, that’s because you are not a musician or comedian in need of a business banking app. You see, Nerve only focuses on delivering banking services to artists living in America.



Like all niche businesses, Nerve has a huge advantage in that it has fewer competitors. In the United States, thousands of banks fight for market share with similar products and services. But Nerve isn’t competing against the likes of JP Morgan and Citibank. Its founders believe they have found a differentiated offering that will appeal directly to American artists who want help with invoicing and payments.



But it’s examples like this that simultaneously highlight the benefits of going niche whilst scaring business owners away from trying to find theirs.



And that’s because size matters!



Nerve, for example, may face less competition, but they are restricted to the three million people who sing songs and play guitars. Most bankers I know would treat this as a passion project and would never imagine taking the idea to go niche to their leadership teams.



However, the fear that going niche means missing out on larger opportunities, is also a fallacy. Because niche doesn’t have to limit your upside.



In fact, some of the biggest and most well-known businesses in the world are actually niche.



Have you, for example, heard of Patagonia? Yes?



Well, they achieved global success by targeting outdoor enthusiasts who value high-quality, environmentally-friendly clothing.



Or, what about Nvidia?



Their initial niche was GPUs designed for gamers. And now they have found a bigger niche where they provide AI chips for data centers, with over 40% of their revenue coming from Apple, Alphabet, Microsoft, and Meta.



As an aside, at the time of writing, this niche business is now worth just over $3 trillion, and they are the second-most valuable company in the world.



That puts them just ahead of Apple, who many would argue also deserve to be considered niche.



So, niche most definitely does not mean small. It does mean narrowing your focus so you really zoom in on delivering quality, differentiated services that solve real problems and generate real value for your clients.



And what excites me most about this idea of ‘going niche to thrive’ is that the opportunity to succeed has now been amplified a thousandfold because of the arrival of artificial intelligence and large language models.



These technologies allow us, for the first time, to design and distribute an infinite array of products tailored to solve end-user problems in highly personalized ways.



If you’re wondering where the demand will come from, rest assured. We each have an endless capacity to imagine new problems, and each one, much like fingerprints, will always require a unique solution.



But will big businesses, like JP Morgan, have the wherewithal to use their capital and resources to create hundreds of differentiated brands that cater to every possible human whim?



Or will it be the century for startups, which, like Nerve, leverage the democratization of technology to collectively solve for these infinite use cases?



I don’t know, although I do have my hopes and suspicions.



Ultimately, whether AI drives huge consolidation or mass fragmentation, it is clear that in both cases, the spoils will go to those that move away from second-rate generic offerings to instead focus on niche services that solve our unique problems at scale. As business leaders, it has never been more critical to find our niche. So, I’m going to double down on finding mine. Have you found yours?

Marketing segmentation

Expert-Speak: ‘It Has Never Been More Critical To Find Our Niche’

A striking divide exists between urban and rural populations when it comes to healthcare access in Africa. While urban areas in countries like South Africa and Kenya have relatively well-developed healthcare systems, many rural areas across the continent are still underserved. Experts weigh in.



Access to healthcare in Africa with a population of 1.2 billion faces significant obstacles, with the World Health Organization (WHO) estimating that half the African population lack access to essential medicines, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The problem is compounded by geographic disparities, where rural areas often lack even basic healthcare infrastructure. Distribution inefficiencies exacerbate these gaps, as many rural regions are not sufficiently served by supply chains, leading to shortages of essential medicines and equipment. In Nigeria and Kenya, for example, supply chains remain strained due to poor infrastructure and limited access to reliable distribution networks.



Affordability also remains a core issue, particularly for low-income populations. While healthcare products may be available in urban centers, the cost often places them out of reach for many. A lack of affordable health insurance compounds this problem, meaning that individuals must often pay out-of-pocket for treatments and medications, further deepening healthcare inequalities.



Samuel Okwuada, CEO of Remedial Health, a Nigerian healthtech startup, notes, &#8220;The landscape is shaped by investor interests in scalable solutions, and given the current healthcare infrastructure, I would say there are a lot of opportunities.” Yet, Okwuada highlights the critical role technology must play in bridging access gaps, stating that tech-enabled solutions like inventory management can help streamline distribution and ensure medicines are available where they are needed most.



The African Development Bank points out that health facilities in rural areas are often limited to basic services, with a shortage of trained healthcare professionals and essential medicines.



Beyond geography, demographic factors such as age, gender, and socioeconomic status heavily influence access to health products. Women, particularly in rural areas, face added challenges due to limited access to maternal health services.



According to the United Nations Children&#8217;s Fund (UNICEF), many women in sub-Saharan Africa still lack access to safe childbirth options, with maternal mortality rates remaining alarmingly high. Youth, representing a significant portion of Africa&#8217;s population, also face barriers in accessing sexual and reproductive health products, which are often stigmatized or restricted by policy in various regions.



For older populations, the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) presents an emerging crisis. NCDs, such as hypertension and diabetes, require long-term management and regular access to medications, something that is often lacking in many African countries.



As Biju Mohandas, Partner at LeapFrog Investments, a South African-Australian private equity firm, explains: “Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) prevalence as a proportion of global disease burden is rising dramatically, today, NCDs account for nearly 70% of disease mortality globally.&#8221;



Despite these challenges, innovative solutions are emerging across the continent. Healthtech startups, particularly in Nigeria, Kenya, and Egypt, are leading the charge in addressing access issues. According to Salient Advisory, Nigeria now accounts for 29% of leading healthtech innovations in Africa, with tech-enabled solutions such as online pharmacies and inventory management systems reshaping healthcare



delivery. Field Intelligence, Remedial Health, and Maisha Meds are among the key players utilizing digital platforms to improve access to medicines.



Okwuada points to technology’s transformative role in optimizing supply chains and improving healthcare access. “At Remedial Health, we leverage our technological innovations to streamline logistics, optimize routes for deliveries, and provide real-time business intelligence to help local pharmacies and proprietary patent medicine vendors enhance business growth and improve efficiency.”



Beyond tech-enabled solutions, mobile health and e-pharmacies are addressing critical access gaps. These innovations allow healthcare providers to reach patients in remote locations without the need for physical infrastructure. Platforms like Zipline, which uses drones to deliver medical supplies to hard-to-reach areas, have demonstrated the potential of technology to overcome geographic barriers. Similarly, telemedicine services are expanding, enabling patients to consult with healthcare professionals remotely, which is particularly important in rural areas with limited access to hospitals or clinics.



International organizations, such as the Global Fund and the WHO, play a crucial role in improving access to health products in Africa. These organizations often provide the funding and resources needed to bolster healthcare systems, especially in countries hardest hit by diseases like malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis. According to UNICEF, Africa accounts for approximately 95% of global malaria cases.



National governments, in collaboration with private sector partners, are also critical to closing the healthcare gap. In countries like Nigeria, where the government is working with healthtech companies to optimize supply chains, there is a growing emphasis on public-private partnerships to enhance access to essential medicines. However, as Mohandas points out, “There is simply not enough funding across all healthcare sub-sectors to satisfy the demands of the continent.”



While Africa’s healthcare landscape is riddled with challenges, it is also ripe with opportunity. The African pharmaceutical market is projected to reach $56 billion by 2030.



However, achieving equitable access will require a multi-faceted approach that addresses not only the supply chain but also affordability, education, and the promotion of preventative care. As Mohandas puts it, “If we don’t change course soon, within a decade we will be staring down a world with enormous financial burden of health for families and states.”

Rural Vaccinations as South Africa Navigates Pandemic

‘Need To Change Course Soon’: The Cost Of Healthcare In Rural Africa

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">Topline</h2>



Hezbollah confirmed Saturday its longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah—the target of Israel’s aerial bombardment on the group’s Beirut headquarters—was killed during the strike, a major victory for Israel but a further escalation in the conflict.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">Key Facts</h2>



Nasrallah was killed in a large strike on what the Israel Defense Forces called Hezbollah’s “central headquarters” in southern Beirut, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/09/28/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-hamas-war-news-gaza/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">The Washington Post</a>.



Israeli leaders were tracking the whereabouts of Nasrallah months ahead of the strike, which involved the use of more than 80 bombs,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/world/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-hamas" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">The New York Times</a>&nbsp;reported, noting the body of Hezbollah commander Ali Karaki was found and identified alongside Nasrallah’s.



Nasrallah’s cousin and potential successor, Hashem Safieddine, was not present at the site of the attack and could soon be announced as Hezbollah’s new secretary general, the Times reported, citing Israeli Defense Force officials.



Israel expects Hezbollah or its allies to launch retaliatory strikes following Nasrallah’s death and has prohibited gatherings of more than 1,000 until Monday evening in certain parts of the country, the Post reported, citing Israel Defense Forces spokesman Daniel Hagari.



The Israel Defense Forces said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/idf/status/1839937408587968917?s=46&amp;t=JkM0_55XDyTRv3jACj1XjA" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">statement</a>&nbsp;early Saturday, “Nasrallah will no longer be able to terrorize the world.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-who-is-hassan-nasrallah">Who Is Hassan Nasrallah?</h2>



Nasrallah, 64, was Hezbollah’s secretary general for 32 years, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/27/world/middleeast/hassan-nasrallah-hezbollah-leader.html" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">the Times</a>, building the group’s status as a political party and military power over those three decades. The former secretary general has referred to Israel as “the Zionist entity” and called for Jerusalem to be liberated, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/27/world/middleeast/hassan-nasrallah-hezbollah-leader.html" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">multiple</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/hassan-nasrallah-hezbollah-leader-israel-says-killed-beirut-strike-rcna173053" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">outlets</a>. Nasrallah was described as a “fiery orator” by the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hezbollah-nasrallah-lebanon-israel-airstrikes-haret-hreik-7d89051bb420991cee29398243c250fe" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Associated Press</a>, which noted he largely stayed out of the public eye out of fear of Israeli assassination attempts. The late Hezbollah leader supported Hamas’ strike against Israel on Oct. 7 last year, and vowed that Hezbollah would continue attacking Israel along its northern border until a cease-fire was reached in Gaza.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">Key Background</h2>



The Israel-Hezbollah conflict has ramped up significantly in the last two weeks, killing more than 600 in Lebanon and injuring more than 2,000, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/lebanon-israel-strikes-hamas-war-updates" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">AP</a>&nbsp;reported. Israeli strikes have largely targeted southern Lebanon and the country’s capital of Beirut, while Hezbollah has launched its own strikes into northern Israel and beyond, claiming a ballistic missile recently fired at Tel Aviv was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2024/09/25/israel-says-it-intercepted-missile-fired-at-tel-aviv-hezbollah-says-mossad-headquarters-was-target/">supposed to target</a>&nbsp;Mossad, Israel&#8217;s intelligence agency. The missile was intercepted. The conflict shows no signs of slowing down, as Israel has considered a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoniopequenoiv/2024/09/25/israel-preparing-for-potential-ground-invasion-into-lebanon/">ground invasion into Lebanon</a>&nbsp;that would mark another escalation toward all-out war in the Middle East, where&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoniopequenoiv/2024/09/25/israel-preparing-for-potential-ground-invasion-into-lebanon/">about 40,000 U.S. troops</a>&nbsp;are stationed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-reading">Further Reading</h2>



<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hezbollah-nasrallah-lebanon-israel-airstrikes-haret-hreik-7d89051bb420991cee29398243c250fe" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Who is longtime Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah?</a>&nbsp;(AP)



<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoniopequenoiv/2024/09/25/israel-preparing-for-potential-ground-invasion-into-lebanon/">Israel Preparing For Potential Ground Invasion Into Lebanon</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)

Nasrallah’s death hits headlines in Iranian newspapers

Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah—Target Of Israel’s Beirut Strike—Confirmed Killed

Author and former professor, Abdulrazak Gurnah, scheduled to speak at the 2024 Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture at Wits University in South Africa, elaborates on the significance of leaving his home country when he was a teenager, and the importance of kindness and a shared humanity.



Abdulrazak Gurnah places his pen on the table as he finishes signing the last book in the orderly stack next to him. Then, settling on a deep-seated burned orange chair at the Nelson Mandela Foundation’s center in the leafy suburb of Houghton in Johannesburg, he relays his writing process.



“It’s not like you sit there and then, ‘I know what I will do’. These are usually long running ideas or preoccupations. It takes a while of reflection, making a few notes and thinking things through,” Gurnah, a Nobel Prize Laureate in Literature, tells FORBES AFRICA.



“I guess, at that time, when I was thinking about it, I didn&#8217;t really know enough to write a book like Afterlives. I did, instead, actually write Paradise, which ends with a recruiting drive as the conflict is beginning. Inspiration is – here’s a story I’m hearing, about other people. I don’t know very much about it. I think about it, I read, move on, do other things, and so on. And then a time arrives when I think, yeah, I think I know enough now to be able to write about this.”



Gurnah, born in 1948 in the Sultanate of&nbsp;Zanzibar, has written more than 10 books, including titles like Gravel Heart (2017), Desertion (2005), Pilgrims Way (1988) and Memory of Departure – his first book, published in 1987.



It’s about 15-year-old Hassan, who has sought to escape the violence and poverty he’s experienced in the small village he lives in, and told from his perspective. He goes to live with a relative in Kenya but doesn’t find what he hoped for.



According to The Nobel Prize, he was recognized as the 2021 laureate due to his “uncompromising and compassionate penetration of the effects of colonialism and the fate of the refugee in the gulf between cultures and continents”.



A former professor of English at the University of Kent, he left the island of Zanzibar in the late 1960s, with Britannica citing that “when Gurnah was a teenager, a coup in 1964 overthrew the Arab rulers on Zanzibar and led to political upheaval and the persecution of Arab citizens in the following years”.



He credits this move to a different place as one of the most significant moments in his career.



“There’s more than one, but I suppose leaving my home country… It’s a transforming moment. I’m a stranger in a place, and I had not been a stranger before. So it then required a rearrangement of my mind, my life, my future, etc. Everything was different,” Gurnah explains.



“I can’t tell how it would have been if I hadn’t made that move, of course, but making that move feels, in retrospect, to have been a moment of great change. Also because of what followed – several years of living away from a place you know, getting to learn about a new place, new ways, a new language; I could hardly speak English.”



Gurnah is scheduled to speak at the Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture Series on September 28, 2024, and elaborates on this year’s theme, Realising Our Shared Humanity.



“It’s an everyday thing. We recognize others. We recognize them, either by acts of kindness or by sympathy or understanding what’s happening to them and sharing something of their pain or their happiness – all of these ways. But there are several obstructions in the way of these things.”



“This might be to do with race, to do with intolerances that we can’t get rid of, and perhaps just to do with unkindness, to do with nastiness. There are barriers to what sounds like the thing that we do every day. We are kind to this one, but not kind to that one. So, how do we move on from this? How do we get to understand others enough so that we don’t obstruct our humanity as a human response to others?”



He explains further that there are different levels in which to say that we need to be kinder but we need to continue saying it, while his advice to the next generation seems to equally and perfectly surmise his work ethos – “Whatever it is that you choose to do, work hard at it.”

Untitled design (30)

‘How Do We Move On?’: Tanzanian-Born Nobel Prize Laureate For Literature On Transforming Moments And Getting To Understand Others Enough

At its recent meeting, the committee increased the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) by 50 basis points from 26.75% to 27.25%, while also raising the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) for Deposit Money Banks from 45% to 50%, and for Merchant Banks from 14% to 16%. The Liquidity Ratio (LR) remains unchanged at 30%, and the Asymmetric Corridor at +500/-100 basis points around the MPR.



The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has voted to raise key interest rates in a bid to tackle inflationary pressures and boost investor confidence.



Olayemi Cardoso, Governor of the CBN and chair of the MPC, explained the rationale behind the adjustments during a press briefing. &#8220;To attract investments into the economy, efforts must be sustained to achieve a positive real interest rate,&#8221; Cardoso stated. &#8220;This would enhance the economy&#8217;s competitiveness for international capital, thereby improving the exchange rate.&#8221;



Cardoso noted that while inflation showed signs of moderation in recent months, with Nigeria’s annual inflation rate falling to a six-month low of 32.15% in August, down from 33.40% in July, core inflation remains elevated due to rising energy prices.



He also pointed to the anticipated benefits of the Dangote Refinery, which recently began shipping gasoline.



Nigeria’s state-owned energy company, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), commenced gasoline shipments from the Dangote Refinery in mid-September under a crude-for-gasoline swap agreement. The refinery, located on the outskirts of Lagos, is set to receive 385,000 barrels of crude per day from the NNPC beginning in October. The swap, conducted in local currency, is expected to stabilize transportation costs and ease foreign exchange pressures, according to officials.



The 650,000-barrels-per-day Dangote Refinery is expected to produce enough gasoline to meet Nigeria’s domestic demand, reducing the need for costly fuel imports.



&#8220;The committee expressed optimism that the lifting of refined petroleum products from Dangote refinery will moderate transportation costs and significantly support the easing of food price pressures in the short to medium term. This is also expected to moderate foreign exchange demand for importation of refined petroleum products, with a positive spillover on external reserve and improvement in the overall balance of payment position.,&#8221; Cardoso said.

General Economy As Nigeria Faces Rising Debt In 2020

CBN Increases Rates To Combat Inflation, Eyes Boost From Dangote Refinery

The great poet William Butler Yeats once said, “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” Yeats’ words could be viewed through the lens of societal impact – the impact of education on the world around us.



Necessary in this pursuit are multilateral relationships that strengthen development – locally, regionally and beyond. In Africa, the value of collaboration in this regard is immense. This is because these collaborations enable the sharing of resources, knowledge, and best practices, facilitating comprehensive growth and allowing us to collectively address common challenges.



Now, more than ever, we are realizing the role universities play in societies beyond the mandate of higher education. We are vessels for societal impact, and our scope is increasingly broadening and pushing our gaze outward. As we realize this vision, fostering collaboration among universities in the region and beyond is crucial. Universities need to provide guidance on moral, political and social issues. 



This is what I refer to as societal impact. This concept represents the effect of our research and work in the real world. It represents a shift beyond academia to the economy, society, culture and beyond. The emergence of an ‘engaged university’ represents a sphere where institutions actively contribute to societal development and address regional challenges. In this regard, it is wholly necessary for us to develop peer-led networks that significantly contribute to development.



Times Higher Education’s Chief Knowledge Officer Phil Baty in a report on university-industry collaboration writes: “Universities cannot fulfil their limitless potential without collaboration – collaboration between institutions, with industry and across borders.”



The very notion of collaboration needs to extend beyond higher education institutes. The Dowling Review of Business-University Research Collaborations suggests that strategic business-university research collaborations entail a range of benefits and allow challenges to be addressed by research questions that have tangible applications. 



Through these collaborations, researchers can have a tangible impact while improving their arsenal of skills. For industry, this collaboration allows for new techniques or technologies to emerge and extends innovation and expertise. As this thought suggests, there is great value in collaborating with industry.



Similarly, in a university and industry collaboration study, Othman and Omar assert, “Even though universities are known to pursue fundamental research as well as educating the people, they may not provide ready-made workers that are highly competent and capable of performing in any conditions.



However, universities do have the capacity and also capabilities to ensure that the workers capabilities are tailored to the needs of the industry.”



Indeed, as these ideas demonstrate, universities have a mandate that extends beyond their own walls – we have a responsibility to society to provide answers. The impact we can make together is significant. Establishing joint research and design (R&amp;D) projects between industry and research institutions in both countries can facilitate technology transfer and knowledge exchange and promote innovation in mutual areas of interest – particularly related to areas of sustainable development. Collaborating on skills development initiatives can address workforce needs and promote capacity building, particularly across borders. 



The economist Ricardo Hausmann argues that this is how the working population gains ‘know-how’, which he defines as a combination of implicit knowledge and experience. This knowledge transfer alongside capacity building initiatives speaks directly to inclusive economic growth and job creation. Hausmann’s thesis suggests that there is much more to be gained by international knowledge transfer, especially as countries such as South Africa look to ‘leapfrog’. 



Related to my previous point, facilitating the transfer of technology from research institutions to industry can also stimulate innovation and economic growth. Supporting entrepreneurship and startup incubation can spur economic development and job creation. Collaborative initiatives, such as accelerator programs or venture capital funds, can provide resources and mentorship to aspiring entrepreneurs in both countries. 



As Hausmann suggests, there is much more to be gained by widening these collaborations beyond borders. In the pursuit of societal impact, cooperation and mutual understanding creates a space where diverse perspectives converge, where innovative ideas are nurtured, and where the seeds of future collaborations are sown. 



As the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres once said, “I am deeply convinced that there is no other way to deal with global challenges than with global responses and organized in a multilateral way.” If this indeed is now our mandate as universities, then we must both offer and welcome collaboration – particularly within the continent as we seek to address many of our common challenges. This is how the very notion of the ‘engaged university’ emerges.

Networking people  with globe

EXPERT-SPEAK: Beyond Academia – The Societal Impact Of Multilateral Educational Collaborations

The success of African athletes across multiple sports in the last decade has shone a spotlight on the potential of the continent for excellence. The commercial case is also clear.



Africa is set for a sporting boom in the next decade that can be a significant driver of economic growth and social change, with many involved in sports from outside the continent starting to realize it as fertile ground for opportunities. 



With a young and increasingly connected population, Africa is currently underutilized in the global sports market according to several experts, but that may be about to change.



The continent achieved an annual growth in the sports business of 2.8% in the last three-five years, but this is ex- pected to accelerate to 8% in the next three to five, with only the Middle East (13.5%) and North America (9.5%) having better prospects, according to PricewaterhouseC- oopers’ most recent Global Sports Survey.



Ricardo Bernard is partner at American law firm Aker- man LLP and has advised on numerous deals in Africa’s sports industry, including Omega Sports Holding’s recent investments in an NBA Africa franchise and Racing Club d’Abidjan, a football club in Côte d’Ivoire.



“There has been a boom of sports as an asset class in Africa,” Bernard tells FORBES AFRICA. “And I think- that is going to continue across multiple sports and across multiple verticals.



“Whether that’s rugby in South Africa and Kenya, foot- ball in West Africa or even motorsports, there is going to be an incredible demand. But also, for real estate investors, there’s going to be an opportunity to provide the assets to allow those teams and sports to flourish.”



Investment in sports teams globally is on the up, but if stakeholders want to acquire a football club in England or Spain, or a rugby team in France, the figures to do so can be eye-watering.



Bernard believes Africa can provide investment in professional sports franchises for a fraction of the cost, but which can create attractive returns.



“A lot of that money is now searching for assets in Africa,” he says. “This has been helped tremendously by the NBA starting its Basketball Africa League.



“If we look into the future over the next five to 10 years, there’s a question as to what is going to be the return opportunity? I think some of that is going to be in football because there is a proven model of training and developing players and selling them to larger leagues (for profit).



“So, in some cases, you don’t need the team that you’re purchasing to have success insofar as that team is devel- oping players who are desired by larger clubs.



“What I’ve seen in the last five years is that there’s been an emphasis on professionalizing the teams that are already in existence, in the sense that this team exists, but what’s the business model for growth? What’s the business model for developing players? What’s the business model for commercializing what you have?”



Bernard adds the success of African athletes across multiple sports in the last decade has also shone a spotlight on the potential of the continent for excellence.



“There are sports assets that are undervalued and underdeveloped. So, the outsized returns that people are seeking become a bit more real, where they can see that if they invest a little bit in player development and infrastructure development, they can start really moving forward the asset that they are purchasing.



“There is also the success of the African athlete that has shone a light on sports in Africa a lot more than perhaps it did 10 years ago.”



Bernard adds that there remain some hurdles for acquiring sports franchises on the continent, many of which are not owned by individuals. 



“Football or basketball teams are often owned by the municipality, or run as a social organization for police- men, firemen, and so on,” he says. “And so how do you privatize an institution like that, which is not privately owned in a way that they are in the U.S.?



“The commercial case is clear in most instances, but what isn’t clear is the regulatory issues that may surround privatizing some of those sports assets.”


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/GettyImages-2166136572.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-63164" style="width:576px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/GettyImages-2166136572.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/GettyImages-2166136572-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/GettyImages-2166136572-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Siya Kolisi of the Springboks at The Rugby Championship match between Australia Wallabies and South Africa. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>


Tony Simpson, Sports and Entertainment Lead at management consulting firm Oliver Wyman and Paul Calvey, who leads the company’s South African office, recently authored a report that suggests Africans will invest more of their own money in sports in the coming years.



“Africa is also one of the world’s fastest-growing regions in terms of economics and urbanization,” they said. “Sports spending is linked to macroeconomic development stages, and so we anticipate that the amount of disposable income spent on sports will accelerate, resulting in sports spending growing faster than incomes.



“There is a lot of room for growth too. Our data estimates that the current sports market in Africa is worth more than $12 billion but could reach over $20 billion by 2035.”



Masai Ujiri, a former NBA champion and current president of the Toronto Raptors basketball team, is already investing in Africa through his non-profit Giants of Africa foundation.



“Sports is the next big thing in Africa,” he said. “We should be supporting teams in Africa, that should be our vision.”



He recently suggested sport is the best vehicle for creating jobs and improving the lives of young people on the continent, and has backed an urban development project in Kigali, Rwanda, that is billed as a “social, cultural and sports hub”. “This project shows that sports can act as a catalyst for neighborhoods and for nations – jobs, businesses, and whole economies can benefit from the presence of these spaces,” Ujiri said.



In southern Africa, COSAFA is an example of an organization that has seen rapid growth in its tournaments through the funding of FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), as well as strong governance and the embracing of technology and innovation.



A decade ago, the organization was unable to host tournaments due to a lack of funding, but through grants, the increase in sponsorship and strategic partnerships, in 2024, the plan is to host a minimum of eight across the region from Under-15 level up to the senior age group, for both men and women.



“Our success has been built on the development of the right infrastructure within the organization and using our funding as efficiently and effectively as possible,” says COSAFA Executive Director Sue Destombes.



“We cannot host tournaments without our commercial partners but they see a tangible return on their investment, whether it be corporate sponsors or host cities. Through our innovation in the media space, we are able to deliver our tournaments to a global audience, and this makes them more attractive to current and potential partners.” The message from everyone, inside and outside the continent, is that African sport is open for business, and braced for a boom.

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