Tag: infrastructure development

The 2023 Agricultural Insurance Pulse Report indicates global hunger and food insecurity is on the rise with the number of undernourished people estimated to have increased up to 828 million in 2021. Africa, unfortunately, makes up a large percentage with 57.9% of the population exposed to moderate or severe food insecurity.

Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Industrial Development Zones (IDZs) play a vital role in promoting economic growth, attracting investments and driving industrialisation in Africa. As the world embraces rapid technological advancements, it is crucial for SEZs and IDZs to adapt and adopt technological change to remain competitive and foster sustainable development.

Infrastructure challenges in South Africa are mounting in what is turning out to be a perfect storm. Power cuts, water shortages and potholes are all too common. The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) highlighted these challenges in its 2022 state of infrastructure report that revealed that South Africa is at risk of becoming a “failed state”.

South African businesses in the metals and engineering (M&E) sector have faced enormous challenges over the past few years, with the  pandemic compounding an already difficult situation. A shrinking domestic market, declining production, weak production sales, a smaller contribution to the economy, increasing joblessness, cheap imports and low investment levels are just some of the issues they face.

The construction industry can play a critical role in helping address the recent hard knocks to the South African economy, but it needs the willingness and, more importantly, the action of all stakeholders to succeed. This was the overwhelming sentiment at a recent conference hosted by Construction Alliance South Africa (CASA) and headline we sponsored.

Institutional investment is arguably a key economic driver, providing the means by which many countries can grow and develop across many different areas – in many ways it is the ‘fuel’ that powers modern economies. But, as society increasingly grapples with what a modern, inclusive, socially responsible society should look like, so many are looking to re-imagine the ingrained structures behind elements of society that need systemic change.

The chance of a century to end poverty, and how we can seize it. Africa does not need handouts, but positive impulses. It is therefore high time for a paradigm shift: now Europe must invest instead of help, especially since the low interest rates offer the opportunity to make a big difference with a modest investment.

The GDP print for the fourth quarter of 2020 has come in better than expected, seeing markets respond positively in terms of rand strength and bond yields. Year-on-year GDP fell by 4.1% compared to the expected 4.6% decline, while on a quarter-on-quarter, annualised basis we saw a very strong 6.3% versus an expected 5.6%.

Despite education taking up the lion’s share of national budgetary spending in South Africa, it is disheartening to still see stories about broken pit toilets, leaking roofs and unqualified teachers. Some stories lament how schools which were built in 1994 still have three pit toilets and only one tap, with parents and teachers making improvements using their own funds.