The Investing in Africa Event not to be missed 10th and 11th October, London, UK

The Investing in Africa Event not to be missed 10th and 11th October, London, UK

LONDON, England, 8 September 2022, /African Media Agency/- AFSIC – Investing in Africa 2022, Africa’s investment event, www.afsic.net, scheduled for the 10th and 11th October in London promises this year to deliver some exceptional investment and networking opportunities for everyone interested in doing business and investing in Africa. Firmly established as a leading event focussed on driving investment into Africa, AFSIC has this year attracted some exceptional partners and sponsors who are focused on growing their footprint and facilitating inward investment. With the support of top quality European DFIs – British Investment International (BII), FMO, DEG, BIO and Proparco the AFSIC delegates will be hosted at the Meet African Dealmakers Event that takes place on the first evening at a venue adjacent to the plenary sessions.    With exceptional content being delivered in Industry sector streams (Building Africa, Banking on Africa, Informed Investing, Fintech Innovation, Sustainable Growth, Advancing Agriculture and Power Africa) approximately 1200 delegates will listen to over 300 leading speakers as well as have the chance to attend country specific investment summits and network with a wide variety of both private and institutional investors in structured sessions. Exciting investment projects profiled on the AFSIC African Investments Dashboard will be presented. Our sophisticated Event & Meeting App, powered by Moody’s Investors Service, allows delegates to plan their agenda and meeting schedule well ahead of the doors opening.    British International Investment, formerly CDC, has a new identity that clearly defines this British Institution that is working to bring, not just capital, but high standards and transparency to investments which mobilise capital for economic growth in Africa. Building on a development mandate and successful track record of growth, BII remains committed to investing long term to bring about development with key objectives at the core of this strategy – to invest in productive, sustainable and inclusive development to create positive, environmental and social change.    Other notable partners this year include Prosper Africa, a US Government Initiative that connects US and African businesses with new buyers, suppliers and investment opportunities. They will host a meet US investors session for delegates and discuss investment packages that that are accessible, agile, and competitive, helping to build partnerships between African nations and the United States.    FSD Africa is focused on making finance work for Africa’s future and with partners they design and deliver programmes across 28 countries in Africa. Programmes are designed to build fair and thriving economies where businesses are able to grow and create sustainable livelihoods. FSD Africa will host a morning dedicated to the theme of Making Finance work for Africa’s Future, focusing on growing private debt, democratising carbon markets, and addressing how fintech is being used to create resilience by investing in innovation in a time of climate crisis. All topic which are particularly relevant ahead of the November 2022 COP27.    Rupert McCammon, MD of AFSIC, comments that never before has there been such a huge focus on driving investment into Africa and looks forward to welcoming the quality speakers, sponsors, partners and delegates who will be coming together to make AFSIC 2022 a resounding success. AFSIC – Investing in Africa is business event where real business will be done and through enhanced networking and dialogue investment dreams will be realised.    AFSIC registration is still open, and bookings will be accepted before the 30th September 2022. Full information and agenda content can be found on the AFSIC website www.afsic.net and any other queries can be addressed to the event team on event@afsic.net.

Distributed by African Media Agency in partnership with AFSIC- Investing in Africa About AFSIC AFSIC – Investing in Africa is a large-scale Event and Expo focused on matching business and investment opportunities in Africa. The event has grown over many years into one of the most important conduits of investment into Africa. Notable characteristics include: The event is attended by many of Africa’s most important investment firms Networking is at the heart of AFSIC with multiple events allowing companies to meet appropriate investors Dedicated Country Summits allow deep dives into some of Africa’s most important economies Sector Focused workshops and sessions allow companies to focus on one or more of Africa’s high growth business sectors; e.g financial services, energy, agriculture, health etc. Our sophisticated AFSIC African Investments Dashboard allows companies to upload investment propositions that can be viewed by Africa’s leading investors prior to AFSIC so that highly efficient investment meetings can be held within the AFSIC event to finalise investment deals AFSIC – Investing in Africa builds on a massive network across Africa, and high profile digital platforms enabling companies to grow their business, trade and investment across the African continent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sibongile Thobakgale, area sales manager for South Africa at Aggreko Africa

 

Manufacturing is an inherently energy-intensive sector. According to the EIA, 35% of energy consumption in the US is attributed to the industrial sector of which 81% is used by manufacturing. In South Africa, the industry is equally the primary user of power at 52% of the total electricity consumption, and McKinsey points out that the continent as a whole has to redefine its energy consumption profile and approaches to ensure that energy provision is green, reliable and efficient. As manufacturing finds its way out of the dips and troughs caused by the pandemic, organisations are under pressure to invest in energy solutions that meet growing demand without extensive expenditure.

The reality is that manufacturing is one of the key African growth sectors. It can potentially shift the challenges that have limited economic growth and impacted unemployment by providing companies and communities with global  opportunities. However, this growth will only be found in the arms of a trusted energy supply that can flex to meet demand and that doesn’t hit the bottom line. Typically, energy costs account for up to 20% of operational costs in this sector – a high price tag, especially when held up against the average business that only pays 1%.

Companies within the manufacturing sector are constantly looking for solutions that will allow them to improve productivity, reduce total energy use and potentially boost investment. There are benefits to reducing energy usage – lower energy demand means a lower carbon footprint, improved environmental impact, and transformed overall business sustainability. This lowered demand alongside trusted and stable energy solutions will also provide the business with improved resilience, sustainability and competitive advantage.

Ticking these boxes and gathering these benefits used to be a complicated, expensive and time-consuming process. Alternative energy solutions were weighty and required significant capital outlay to get on the ground and into operation. However, this is rapidly changing. There have been significant shifts in energy provision solutions over the past two years. Solutions designed to leapfrog legacy issues in access to supply, that are aligned with the unique complexities on the African continent, and that can be realistically implemented without adding excessive zeroes to the bottom line.

These hybrid approaches are designed to incorporate best-of-breed energy provision platforms into a cohesive ecosystem that can flex and adapt to changing business requirements. Considering that the sector is set to hit $667 billion by 2020, manufacturing energy has to be refined and redefined to ensure that companies are not affected by future energy prices and limitations on grid capacity. Self-reliance and resilience are two of the most important factors for success in the modern environment.

One of the energy provision methods that is currently gaining traction is gas. It offers a cheaper cost per KwH and can be outsourced which means that there’s no need to invest in a permanent, fixed plant and the costs that go with its establishment and maintenance. Using an outsourced solution manufacturing organisations can obtain gas on demand at a far lower price point and they can optimise their energy usage while reducing energy waste with meticulous planning and collaboration.

Gas corresponds well with Africa’s industrial growth and needs for reliable supply as the continent is currently home to more than 40% of the global gas discoveries this decade. Virtual pipelines can provide gas to areas that don’t have access to these gas discoveries and can then be used to replace other more carbon-intensive and expensive liquid fuels at the same time.  This move to gas is also invaluable in helping the sector to overcome its traditionally negative impact on the environment. Currently, manufacturing and its sub-sectors account for 47% of the carbon emissions from energy usage which is approximately 440 megatons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e). The mounting pressure to decarbonise the sector will continue to have profound economic implications for the continent so, because gas production can be flexible increased or decreased based on demand, it can be used as a renewable energy integrator and fill the gaps left behind by traditional energy solutions and sources.

Ultimately, manufacturing is now at a crossroads when it comes to energy investment and performance. By collaborating with companies like Aggreko that have developed robust, sustainable and reliable hybrid energy solutions, the sector can revitalise its energy footprint and its resilience without compromising on its green objectives. The future doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated, it just needs the right partnerships to move forward sustainably.