insert_link Business / Economics The rise of robo-retail: Who gets left behind when retail is automated? By Mathew Iantorno, University of Toronto Canada’s first robotic cafe, RC Coffee, opened in Toronto in October 2020. The flagship location of the coffee chain revived the long-dormant retail concept of the automat: a restaurant where food and drinks are served by technology, rather than human staff. The new coffee automat consisted of a touchscreen for placing orders, a window that allows customers to watch a […] todayFebruary 15, 2024 21
insert_link Africa From Dreaming to Drawing: Omotunde Akiode’s Journey from Screenwriter to Acclaimed Animator By Gbemisola Esho, via bird story agency Omotunde Akiode sits at her workstation in Lagos, appearing to doodle. To the occasional visitor, this may look like play but the result of the creative session will be a very real cartoon character, possibly for an acclaimed African cartoon series -- like Supa4. “I grew up watching Sesame Street, the Muppet show animations on television. I saw the […] todayFebruary 15, 2024 11
insert_link Africa Nigerian E-payments eclipse South Africa’s 2022 GDP, in latest surge When the Nigerian Central Bank introduced newly designed currency notes in November 2022 and a month later put a cap on the maximum amount of hard cash that individuals and corporations could withdraw, the idea was to tame money laundering in the country. During that year’s Christmas festive season and in the run-up to the 2023 Nigerian presidential election in February 2023 –– two high spending seasons –– the country […] todayFebruary 15, 2024 10
insert_link Business / Economics Inceptus energy secures financing for UNAM solar project Inceptus Energy, a public-private partnership between Alensy Energy Solutions (Alensy) and Inceptus Holding (Inceptus), the business arm of the University of Namibia (UNAM), is pleased to announce the successful financial close with the Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) and Old Mutual Namibia for a groundbreaking solar project at UNAM. This partnership marks a significant milestone in advancing sustainable energy utilization in Namibia, with the project boasting an installed […] todayFebruary 15, 2024 26
insert_link Africa Investors bet big on Africa’s logistics potential By Bonface Orucho, bird story agency Africa's logistics sector is growing into a lucrative market and strategic hub within the global logistics network as investors' confidence in the sector increases. A new report by logistics company Agility confirms the global logistics industry is considering expansion plans or first-time investments in the continent’s logistics sector. According to Agility Vice Chairman Tarek Sultan, “This is the most optimism we’ve […] todayFebruary 15, 2024 12
insert_link Business / Economics WEEKLY ECONOMICS WRAP: Global Economic Developments Impacting Various Sectors In a week marked by significant economic events, here's a roundup of key developments across different regions: Namibia: Plastic Bag Pricing Probe and TotalEnergies' Investment Focus The Environment, Forestry, and Tourism ministry in Namibia are investigating potential overpricing of plastic bags by retailers. Preliminary findings indicate that some businesses are charging between N$1 and N$5 per plastic carry bag, prompting concerns about adherence to government-mandated rates. On a positive note, […] todayFebruary 15, 2024 3
insert_link Business / Economics 15 February 2024 Morning Biz News: Economic Developments and Financial Indicators: A Snapshot of Recent News In the dynamic landscape of global economies, recent developments highlight the challenges and opportunities faced by various countries. From ambitious power projects in Namibia to currency fluctuations in South Africa, outstanding debts settlement in Nigeria, and unexpected economic downturns in Japan, this article provides insights into the latest economic trends. Additionally, we'll explore the current financial indicators that play a crucial role in shaping the economic landscape. NamPower's Bold […] todayFebruary 15, 2024 1
insert_link Business / Economics Josef Sheehama reacts to the decision of Bank of Namibia to keep repo rate unchanged By Josef Sheehama The decision of Bank of Namibia to keep repo rate unchanged is a shocking because inflation rates is stable, and our international reserve remain strong. The policymakers try to navigate risks to inflation and the timing of when global interest rates will start to fall. I understand that the decision influences by several factors contributing to the status quo. We are aware that Namibia's currency, […] todayFebruary 14, 2024 11
insert_link Africa bird TenX: 10 African projects that show the power and versatility of blockchain technology By Okwi Okoh, bird story agency 1. Catch of the Day (Senegal) The Bleu comme la mer platform connects fishermen and customers directly, eliminating brokers and financial gatekeepers. Payments for seafood can be made in Bitcoin, Ether and Tezos. Details like species, location, and dates are recorded by fishermen and shared with buyers on the blockchain as an attempt to reduce overfishing and waste. 2. Private Property […] todayFebruary 14, 2024 7
