26 - 28 February
26 - 28 February 2025Cape TownFOREWORDThe Journal of African BusinessA unique guide to business and investment in Africa.Welcome to The Journal of African Business. Since the inaugural issue was publishedas an annual in 2020, the quarterly format has been adopted, giving our team moreopportunities to bring to readers up-to-date information and opinions and offeringour clients increased exposure at specific times of the year.We cover a broad range of topics, ranging from energy, agriculture, manufacturingand mining to tourism and skills development.A great deal of debate is happening at the intersection of climate change, climatechangepolicies, African mining resources and the global need for critical mineralsin order to transition to an electric economy. An article in this issue by two directorsof Norton Rose Fulbright expressly enjoins African leaders to take a more proactivestance at COP gatherings, one that is partnership-seeking and solution-oriented.The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) is playing a key role insupporting Africa’s transition to a greener economy as a mobiliser of climate finance,and aspects of that role are unpacked in this edition. DBSA is focussed on a holisticapproach to a Just Transition, in which the benefits of the green economy are felt bya wider range of Africans.Igor Hulak, a Partner at Kearney, highlights some of the uncertainties that arecurrently roiling international mining markets. African mining companies may needto pivot or scale down to withstand the current strains and maintain their operations,he states, but there are also huge opportunities to leverage the continent’s wealth ofbase and precious metals.Risks to infrastructure from climate change are among the more detailedreporting requirements that African businesses now face, writes Philippa Burmeister,Consulting Partner and Principal Environmental Scientist at SRK Consulting. RamiOsman, Director for Business Development, MediaTek Middle East and Africa,contributes an article on how 5G is driving infrastructure investment.Dr Andrea Campher, Senior Manager Sustainability and Agribusiness at StandardBank, outlines the steps agriculture can take to become more sustainable whileHelgaard Muller, Director at Cresco, reports that water wheeling might be thesolution to Africa’s water crisis.An interview with Ryan Cohen, co-founder and Chief Relationship Officer,Merchant Capital, reveals that a Silver Tsunami is on the way. With so many of Africa’spopulation being young people, the continent’s entrepreneurs have opportunities totake over established businesses. Bakeries and laundries might be “boring”, but theycan attract capital based on their record.Global Africa Network is a proudly African company which has been producingregion-specific business and investment guides since 2004, including South AfricanBusiness and Nigerian Business, in addition to its online investment promotionplatform www.globalafricanetwork.com.JOHN YOUNGEditor, The Journal of African BusinessEmail: john.young@gan.co.zaTHE JOURNAL OFAFRICANBUSINESSMARCH/APRIL/MAY 2025ESG DEMANDS ON THEINCREASERisks to infrastructure from climate changemust now be reportedHOW 5G IS DRIVINGINFRASTRUCTUREINVESTMENTCULTIVATING RESILIENCEAgriculture’s role in climate-changemitigation and adaptationBORING BUSINESSES AREGOOD BUSINESSLEVERAGING THE SHIFT TOAN ELECTRIC ECONOMYThere are huge opportunities for Africa incritical mineralsCATALYTIC INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDINGThe CEO of the Development Bank of Southern Africa, BOITUMELO MOSAKO,wants the financier to tackle Africa’s most urgent challenges.Editor: John YoungPublishing director: Chris WhalesManaging director: Clive DuringOnline editor: Christoff ScholtzDesigner: Elmethra de BruynProduction: Ashley van SchalkwykProject manager: Chris HoffmanAccount managers: Venesia Fowler, Tennyson Naidoo,Sam Oliver, Tahlia Wyngaard, Gavin van der Merwe,Graeme February, Shiko Diala, Gabriel Venter, VanessaWallace, Sadiyah Roubain and Dwaine RigbyAdministration & accounts: Charlene Steynberg,Kathy Wootton, Sharon Angus-LeppanDistribution & circulation manager:Edward MacDonaldThe Journal of African Business ispublished by Global Africa Network Media (Pty) LtdCompany Registration No: 2004/004982/07Directors: Clive During, Chris WhalesPhysical address: 28 Main Road, Rondebosch 7700Postal: PO Box 292, Newlands 7701Tel: +27 21 657 6200 | Email: info@gan.co.zaWebsite: www.globalafricanetwork.comNo portion of this book may be reproducedwithout written consent of the copyright owner.The opinions expressed are not necessarily thoseof The Journal of African Business magazine, northe publisher, none of whom accept liability ofany nature arising out of, or in connection with,the contents of this publication. The publisherswould like to express thanks to those who supportthis publication by their submission of articlesand with their advertising. All rights reserved.Printing: FA PrintMember of the Audit Bureau of Circulations6
