6 Tips for plugging Africa’s infrastructure gap through public-private partnerships – Africa Business Round Up

Financing the infrastructure deficit across Africa will involve collective innovation both across the public and the private sectors. Traditional funding sources such as government budgets and donors will no longer suffice, but rather co-opting in the private sector will provide the necessary platform on which to accelerate infrastructure growth.

• Real demand for the service
• Environmental & Social considerations
• Multilateral Development Bank Involvement
• Currency fluctuations
• Local content
• A credible pipeline of projects

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Related: Demand for Better Services and Infrastructure on the Rise in Africa

The ‘explosion of energy’ happening in African design

When people think of African design, they tend to think of either the Out of Africa colonial aesthetic – dark wood, animal skins and khaki and beige hues – or they think of the typical west African wax print. Neither does justice to Africa’s diverse design scene, says Thandi Mbali Renaldi, who in spring this year launched her online boutique of African interiors products, Kudu Home, in the UK.

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Related: Making “Made in Africa” Last

Nakumatt Tanzania Sells 51pc Stake

Nakumatt Tanzania has sold a 51 per cent stake at an undisclosed value to a company known as Ascent Investment Limited. The retail chain recently announced that it is seriously in need of additional capital to support its operations and pay up rising debts across the East African region.

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Ecobank sets sights on 100m customers in Africa

Following a strategic review the bank has been restructured into three divisions (consumer banking, commercial banking and corporate and investment banking) and four geographical regions (Nigeria, which due to its size is considered one region; anglophone West Africa; francophone West Africa; and Central, Eastern and Southern Africa). The review will also lead to greater consolidation and centralisation of back office processes.

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A Stronger Court for Crimes Against Humanity

Since it began operations in 2002, the International Criminal Court has secured just four convictions, fueling the perception that it has been largely ineffectual as a tribunal of last resort for the world’s worst criminals. Making matters worse, Gambia, Burundi and South Africa have announced their intention to leave the court, which some African leaders see as a vestige of colonialism because it has so far tried cases only from their continent.

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Related: As 3 African Nations Vow to Exit, International Court Faces Its Own Trial 

South Africa’s first black female pilot is helping other African women take off

Asnath Mahapa was fascinated by planes as a teenager, little did she know she would break boundaries with them by becoming South Africa’s first African female pilot.

“It just dawned on me that those big things that we see in the skies, someone is actually in charge of them,” she told CNN. “I thought if someone can fly this thing, that means I can also do it.”

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