Africa In Focus

Africa In Focus: "The mainstream thinking now is that Africa is different and we could get it right if we want. The choice is fully ours, and it is now time for us to define what we want."

African Development Bank (AFDB) President, Dr. Donald Kaberuka.

Wednesday 20 November 2013

Samsung Gets ISO 50001 Certification For All Its Business



Global electronics giant, Samsung has been awarded the international energy standard, ISO 50001 certification, for all its foreign and domestic business sites as a result of its commitment to energy efficiency and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions across its entire business by 57 percent since 2008.

The ISO 50001 is an international-certified energy management system that stipulates processes and procedures for energy reduction in planning, execution and operation.

Samsung Electronics’ site in Gumi was the first to receive the certification in July 2011 and later in July 2012 all six business sites in Korea had been awarded. That was two years after introducing the standard which was established in June 2011 by the International Organisation for Standardisation.

Speaking on the new achievement, Director of Corporate Marketing and Communications at Samsung South Africa, Michelle Potgieter in a statement released by the company said, “The ISO 50001 certification is a testament to our commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the company. We are especially proud that Samsung South Africa is also contributing to energy reduction, both in its internal and external environment.”

In 2012, Samsung SA was the first South African Consumer Electronics brand to have taken the 49M pledge which commits the organisation to energy efficiency through its product line and the environment in which it operates. This initiative aligns the brand to a government endorsed programme that aims to encourage a national culture of energy saving.

The recently introduced Samsung Digital Village, the first of its kind in Africa , is a complete solar digital offering which supports the drive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the business.

By capitalising on the sun’s energy, this solution has been developed for both rural villages without power and urban neighbourhoods that are subjected to fluctuating electricity supply.

This unique offering includes a complete education system infrastructure, power generation for small business enablement, a tele-medical centre for quick and accurate diagnoses, a health centre and basic lighting solution all developed to reduce the reliance on electricity.

Potgieter promised that Samsung will “continue to lead the way for energy management and plans to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions by systematically identifying and addressing factors that result in energy waste, utilise renewable and environmentally friendly resource and continue to implement policies that ensure that a low-carbon footprint is not only maintained, but reduced.”

Meanwhile, the Korean electronics said it will be partnering with Miss Earth South Africa as the brand ambassador for all its eco-friendly products, to educate South Africans of the benefits of using green technologies and practices to save energy, optimises water usage and contributes to a sustainable environment.


Honeywell Flour Mills Invests $63m To Increase Capacity By 62%




Nigerian Stock Exchange listed indigenous miller, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc has announced the completion of its Apapa factory expansion with two additional mills estimated at N10bn ($63 million).

Honeywell had announced early this year that it is currently investing over N10 billion (about $65 million) in a state-of-the art twin mill facility, at its current site in Apapa, Lagos, with combined capacity of 1,000MT/day to enable it meet growing demand for its range of products. 

Company founder and former President of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Dr. Oba Otudeko said the project to realise a 1000 metric-tonnes-per-day increase in milling capacity by the company was completed around March 2013, which he said, had taken the milling capacity to 2,610mt/day.

The new mill will fuel the Company’s product diversification strategy that started with the expansion into Noodles and Pasta through HFMP’s wholly owned subsidiary, Honeywell Superfine Foods Plc.

Executive Vice-Chairman of the company, Babatunde Odunayo in a statement released by the company said the expansion had increased its production capacity by about 62 per cent to be able to meet the increasing demand for its products.

Odunayo said the new investment would lead to business growth and more profits for customers; adding that the expansion project also included the completion of a-first-of-its-kind automated warehouse in Nigeria.

At its 4th annual general meeting (AGM) held in September, Honeywell announced a N1.3 billion ($8.2m) dividend recommended by the board of directors which translates to 16 kobo per share.

Its Profit after tax rose from N2.7 billion to N2.84 billion, while shareholders’ funds and total assets increased by nine per cent and 16 per cent to N19 billion and N55 billion respectively.

Its revenue also increased by 20 per cent from N38 billion to N46 billion.

Wednesday 6 November 2013

African Business Magazine Releases Survey of Africa's Most Valuable Brands




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African Business magazine in partnership with brand Africa, Brand Finance Africa and TNS release the full results of their exclusive survey highlighting a full listing of Africa's most valuable brands.

As revealed last month at the African Business Awards, an awards ceremony organised by African Business magazine, Brand Africa awarded MTN and Coca Cola the prize for the best brands in Africa.

In the November issue of pan-African monthly African Business, for the first time, the full findings of a survey conducted by Brand Africa in partnership with Brand Finance Africa and TNS are exclusively listed by category and country.

Africa's most valuable brands are dominated by South African brands, MTN, and three retailers: Woolworths, Shoprite and Pick n Pay. The Nigerian Globacom comes in at number five with two drinks companies taking the next two spots, Castle beer and Tusker.

The survey was conducted in two parts – one studies the most admired brands on the continent and the other looks at the most valuable brands operating in Africa.

One surprising finding is that brands originating in Africa are not only holding their own against international household names, but in some instances outperforming international brands. While brands such as Nike and MTN rule the roost, the high placing of expensive brands such as Rolex reflects the growing trend in Africa towards the high-end of the luxury market.


The rankings published by African Business have major implications as they demonstrate why some brands are regarded more highly than others by consumers. The information has been welcomed not only by the brands and brand architects but also by shareholders, investors, marketers, advertising agencies, consumer groups and the media as they provide an easily navigable chart of the current state of the consumer market in Africa.


Press Release

East Africa Exchange (Eax) Concludes 1st Regional Trade Auction Of Maize On Nasdaq Platform


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KIGALI, Rwanda, November 5, 2013/ -- The recently operational East Africa Exchange (EAX) (http://www.africaexchange.com) concluded the first regional trade auction from its Rwanda head office, successfully selling 50 metric tons of maize at 398 USD per metric ton between a Ugandan seller and Rwanda buyer. The auction took EAX one step closer to its ambition to create “one African market” and has given further credence to the importance of regional commodity trading.

EAX is owned by African Exchange Holdings (AFEX) which was formed by Tony Elumelu's Heirs Holdings (http://www.heirsholdings.com), Berggruen Holdings and 50 Ventures to develop a network of commodity exchanges across Africa to transform trade dynamics and ensure higher incomes for the rural poor. EAX, the first AFEX exchange is the first regional commodities exchange established to link smallholder farmers with agricultural and financial markets, secure competitive prices for their products and facilitate access to financing opportunities.

AFEX Chairman Tony O. Elumelu, CON, said, “East Africa Exchange’s successful first auction is a powerful demonstration of the tremendous value that can be unlocked through this platform. EAX will continue to advance the competitiveness and integration of East Africa’s agricultural markets, as well as bringing tangible improvements to the lives of the region’s farmers. We are looking to replicate this impact in many countries across Africa.”
With a brand new trading platform, powered by NASDAQ, the East Africa Exchange (EAX) has big plans to transform the way small farmers and traders do business within the East African region and beyond. It will provide global market access to local farmers through proven technology.

In the days prior to this first auction, local traders were required to visit EAX offices and undergo training on the NASDAQ OMX electronic trading platform. Over the past four months, the EAX has trained over 50 local and regional traders on the new technology.
 The exchange will be a marketplace offering price transparency and wider market access to farmers from across East Africa and beyond.



Worldwide Online Premiere Of The Movie "Lust" Holds This Friday



Big Picture Entertainment in collaboration with DoboxTV proudly presents the world premiere of the movie titled "LUST" on November 8, 2013 on a mobile platform and online. This release is the first of its kind and would be downloaded via phones, tablets, laptops and other internet powered devices.

Subsequent to the advancement in technology and the revolution of digital downloads, Big Picture Entertainment deemed it fit to launch her movie "LUST" on a mobile platform that will be available to audiences the world over. DoboxTV would serve as the platform to ensure seamless and un-interrupted downloads.

"LUST" was shot in various locations in Northern Nigeria . It is the story of love gone sour as a result of Babatunde (Wole Ojo) cheating on his bride to be Alero (Taiwo Aromokun).  Her despair leads her to find solace in the arms of Hamza (Sanni Danja), an ordinary farm boy working for Babatunde’s parents. With Babatunde’s mom determined to make Alero her daughter-in-law by all means, a story of pride, jealousy, intrigue and the outcome of a mother's ruthless determination unfolds.

Production credit goes to Kunle Abiola-Ige and Taiwo Aromokun. 

The movie was directed by the award winning director Toka Mcbaror and the cast includes Wole Ojo,Taiwo Aromokun and Sanni Danja. The soundtrack credits go to Le’mmon ,Yeka (Nigerian Idol Season one winner), Oshmann and Limelite records. All songs produced by Timothy King (TK).


For more information: www.dobox.tv/lust.



Press Release