A new GSMA study revealed that more than half a billion people across Africa are now subscribed to mobile services as the continent continues to migrate rapidly to mobile broadband networks.
‘The Mobile Economy: Africa 2016’ was published at the GSMA Mobile 360 Africa event this week, being held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from 26 to 28 July. The report also highlights the increasing contribution of Africa’s mobile industry to the regional economy, including employment and public funding, and mobile’s role a platform for digital and financial inclusion.
“More than half a billion people across Africa are now subscribed to a mobile network, providing them not just with connectivity but a gateway to a range of other essential services in areas such as digital identity, healthcare and financial services,” said Mats Granryd, director general, GSMA. “The rapid move to mobile broadband networks is also unlocking new opportunities for consumers, businesses and governments, growing an ecosystem that last year added more than $150 billion in value to Africa’s economy.”
The report finds that there were 557 million unique mobile subscribers across Africa at the end of 2015, equivalent to 46% of the continent’s population, making Africa the second-largest – but least penetrated – mobile market in the world.
Africa’s three largest markets – Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa – together accounted for around a third of the total subscriber base. The number of unique mobile subscribers is forecast to reach 725 million by 2020, accounting for 54% of the expected population by this point. (Bizcommunity)
Growthpoint partners with property fund Attacq in their supplier development programme
Growthpoint and Attacq confirmed a renewed partnership to develop promising small businesses through the Property Point initiative.
Nine small businesses will benefit from strategic development as part of an exciting new intake by Property Point, a Growthpoint Properties initiative, in collaboration with Attacq Limited, a capital growth fund listed on the JSE, with a diverse portfolio.
These nine businesses have joined Property Point’s supplier development programme as part of its latest intake, which has been tailored to the specific needs of Attacq.
“Attacq continuously aims to develop and invest in the growth of people and so believe that this programme will provide an excellent platform to achieve this,” says Danny Vermeulen, Attacq’s Transformation specialist.
Shawn Theunissen, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Growthpoint Properties and Head of Property Point, explains: “Supplier development improves supplier performance in a proven win-win for both small businesses and corporate companies.”
He adds: “By developing the companies on Attacq’s supply chain, we are improving the quality of service delivery it receives from its suppliers. This benefits the company, its clients and the small businesses. What’s more, this supplier development partnership between Attacq and Property point makes a positive contribution to SA’s property sector and plays a vital role in stimulating the economy as a whole.
All nine small businesses deliver services to the property industry, such as landscaping, plumbing, cleaning, building maintenance, air-conditioning and fire protection. “Due to the nature of Attacq’s business of consistently delivering capital to its investors through investments and developments, these nine businesses are the perfect fit to our business and we are excited to offer them a bright future” adds Danny.
Theunissen explains effective supplier development creates the basis for a business relationship that manages and improves service while equipping and supporting a small business’s management and workforce, and assisting it on a strategic level. It also ensures compliance and effective risk management.
For Attacq, the supplier development programme of Property Point supports its competitive edge with better service delivery from its supply chain, ensuring satisfied clients and better tenant attraction and retention. By supporting suppliers to strengthen their capabilities, the programme will ultimately enhance Attacq’s performance and align with Attacq’s core pillars – Invest, Develop and Grow.
Seedstars heads to Ghana, Accra
Seedstars World, the global seed-stage startup competition for emerging markets and fast-growing startup scenes, is returning to Ghana on 21 August 2016, with the support of a local ambassador Impact Hub.
The startups selected to compete at the Seedstars Accra event need to be less than 2 years old, have raised less than USD $500,000 in funding and have built a minimum viable product, ideally with existing traction and scalable nature. With a strong network of international partners such as Inmarsat, INADEM, Standard Bank and Deloitte, Seedstars World is looking for smart startups that solve regional issues and develop profitable products for the global market, to support their regional businesses and growth.
To provide local entrepreneurs with this opportunity and aiming to deliver the best possible event, Impact Hub will represent the initiative.
“Impact Hub Accra is at the center of an exciting and growing startup ecosystem in Ghana, we offer a wide range of opportunities for dynamic startups to grow and scale, such opportunities includes global partnership with organizations such as Seedstars,” says Victor Ofoegbu, Community Manager at Impact Hub Accra.
“Accra has proved itself, time and again to be the leading innovation hub of the continent. The startups who participated on our event last year were phenomenal and we are very excited to come back this year, as we know for sure the bars have been raised and there will be even more amazing startups coming our way,” says Selam Kebede, Associate for Africa.
