insert_link Business / Economics As equity deals continue to decline and volumes dry up worldwide, African startups are increasingly relying on venture debt to stay afloat. By Conrad Onyango, bird story agency In 2022, when funding from venture capitalists began to dry up in Africa, Treepz, a shared mobility startup, was faced with a difficult decision... throw in the towel or grow the business without new investors. As part of their decision to keep going, they changed their core business model. “Towards the end of 2022, we knew the funding draught would happen in Africa. We […] todayJanuary 24, 2024 3
insert_link Business / Economics Lessons from Finland’s attempt to transition to a circular economy Tracegrow, a Finnish company, uses recycled batteries and industrial waste to create agricultural fertilizers. A number of companies are innovating to increase circular solutions. At the national level, however, experts underline that great challenges remain to advance circularity. Image courtesy of Tracegrow. By Sean Mowbray via MongaBay In 2016, Finland became the first country in the world to adopt a national circular economy road map, with the ambition to become a […] todayJanuary 24, 2024 7
insert_link Business / Economics We need a better understanding of how crops fare under solar panels, study shows Farmers in Bihar, India, growing crops amidst solar panels. Image by C. de Bode/CGIAR via Flickr (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0). By Ruth Kamnitzer via MongaBay The dream of agrivoltaics is to generate your electricity and eat your edamame too. But a recent study in Agroforestry Systems shows that agrivoltaics — growing food beneath solar panels — is not so simple. Research published in September finds that overall crop yields decrease when paired with solar panels and offers […] todayJanuary 24, 2024 14
insert_link Africa Education has a huge role to play in peace and development: 5 essential reads Children’s education is frequently disrupted in conflict-fraught areas. Daniel Beloumou Olomo/AFP via Getty Images Natasha Joseph, The Conversation Nelson Mandela was a famous advocate for the value of education. In 1990, the man who would become South Africa’s first democratically president four years later told a high school in Boston: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” The United Nations agrees. In 2018 […] todayJanuary 24, 2024 24
insert_link Business / Economics The Alexforbes Lead Story – 23 January The Alexforbes Lead Story is back for 2024 and still tackling the topics that matter to you. In this episode David speaks to President of the Anaesthesiologists Society of Namibia, Dr. Jesse Mumba, and specialist anaesthetist, Dr Meandra Jordaan about the fact that NAMAF decided on a zero rate increase for 2024 and how this will impact not only them as specialists who only do in-hospital procedures, but also the […] todayJanuary 24, 2024 68
insert_link Business / Economics BUSINESS AND FINANCIALS UPDATE 24 JANUARY 2024 Orano Mining Namibia Contemplates Resuming Operations at Trekkopje Mine Amidst Uranium Price Surge: Orano Mining Namibia is currently exploring potential actions, including the potential resumption of operations at its Trekkopje Mine, driven by the recent upswing in uranium spot prices. The mine, located in the Erongo Region, was placed under care and maintenance in 2013, with the commencement of operations deferred indefinitely, contingent upon the eventual recovery of uranium prices. […] todayJanuary 24, 2024 4
insert_link Business / Economics Namibia’s Annual Inflation Moderates to 5.3% in December 2023 In December 2023, Namibia experienced a moderation in its annual inflation rate, standing at 5.3% year-on-year. This represented a slowdown from the 5.7% year-on-year figure observed in November 2023 and a more substantial decline from the 6.9% recorded the previous year. FNB Namibia Economist, Ruusa Nandago, provides insights into what can be anticipated regarding inflation for the year 2024. todayJanuary 24, 2024 19
insert_link Business / Economics Uranium one withdraws case against water ministry The Uranium One Group has withdrawn its case against the water ministry for not issuing exploration drilling permits to the company but remains confident its project will be safe and beneficial to Namibia. Here is Uranium One spokesperson Riaan van Rooyen. todayJanuary 23, 2024 8
insert_link Business / Economics Tesla bypasses South Africa due to high import taxes Elon Musk has announced that Tesla will not sell electric cars in South Africa due to high import duties and taxes, due to a lack of incentives for local electric vehicle manufacturing. Importing a Tesla Cybertruck to South Africa can cost upwards of R1.3 million (incl. VAT). According to ‘My Broadband’, South Africa’s tax regime protects domestic car factories while failing to develop a policy to incentivise local EV manufacturing. todayJanuary 23, 2024 22
