Author: Victor Olayiwola

Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is gearing up for one of its biggest annual showcases as the Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Prize Competition — a flagship initiative of Alibaba Philanthropy — prepares to host the 7th ABH Summit and Grand Finale in Kigali, Rwanda, on 12–13 December 2025. Organised in partnership with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), the two-day gathering is set to attract over 1,000 entrepreneurs, investors, industry experts, mentors, and innovators from across the continent and beyond. This year’s theme, “Defining Africa’s Future Today,” signals a strong focus on groundbreaking ideas and scalable solutions capable of influencing Africa’s economic transformation…

The Yale School of Management (SOM) recently opened its doors to 20 senior business leaders from across Africa as part of the prestigious Global CEO Africa program. The initiative, jointly delivered by Strathmore Business School (Kenya), Lagos Business School (Nigeria), and Yale SOM, guides executives through a multi-country leadership immersion — starting in Nairobi, continuing in Lagos, and culminating in a final learning experience on the Yale campus in New Haven. The weeklong U.S. residency provided participants with access to faculty-led seminars, peer-to-peer learning sessions, and discussions focused on the evolving landscape of leadership, innovation, and enterprise strategy in African…

South Africa’s inflation rate ticked up slightly in October, setting the stage for what analysts say will be a tight and closely watched interest rate decision by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) later this week. According to the latest data from Statistics South Africa, headline consumer inflation rose to 3.6% year-on-year, up from 3.4% in September, though still comfortably within the central bank’s newly announced 3% inflation target, which allows for a 1-percentage-point tolerance band. Economists surveyed by Reuters had expected inflation to come in higher at 3.7%, making October’s outcome slightly softer than forecast. A closer breakdown of…

The Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Prize Competition — the flagship philanthropic programme of Alibaba Philanthropy — is gearing up for the 7th ABH Summit and Grand Finale, set to take place in Kigali, Rwanda, from 12–13 December 2025. Hosted in partnership with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), this year’s edition promises an inspiring two-day gathering dedicated to advancing African entrepreneurship, innovation, and collaboration. The Summit will welcome over 1,000 entrepreneurs, investors, business leaders, founders, mentors, and industry experts from across the continent and around the world. Attendees will engage in networking sessions, masterclasses, discussions, and interactive experiences that highlight the…

CNN has released a special half-hour programme highlighting key moments from its first-ever Global Perspectives: On Africa event. Hosted by Zain Asher, the broadcast captured standout interviews, major conversations, and insights from influential political leaders, business pioneers, innovators, and respected thinkers shaping Africa’s future. In a global environment increasingly defined by geopolitical tensions, shifting tariffs, and rapid technological change, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) continues to play a stabilising role. Its Director-General — and former Nigerian finance minister — Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was among the headline speakers at the event. In a conversation with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, she emphasised Africa’s…

In a bold initiative set to reshape Mediterranean tourism and foster stronger cultural ties between Africa and Europe, Ilaji International Hotel has unveiled an ambitious hospitality and tourism masterplan. The strategy aims to position Malta as a premier gateway connecting both continents while promoting the island’s rich heritage, luxury offerings, and sustainable tourism practices. According to the executive summary released by the hotel’s management team, the property is designed to serve as “Malta’s premier bridge between Africa and Europe,” attracting travellers from across Africa, its diaspora, and international markets, while providing a culturally immersive, globally appealing experience. The project is…

South African Tourism (SA Tourism) has officially named Corne Koch as the new chief of the National Convention Bureau (SANCB) business unit, with her appointment taking effect on 1 December 2025. SANCB has seen remarkable growth, securing 35 major bids in the first half of 2025 alone. These bids, valued at R415 million (US$24.1 million), are expected to attract nearly 16,000 delegates to South Africa, further solidifying the country’s reputation as a leading destination for business events. Koch brings almost two decades of experience in tourism destination marketing and promotion. Before joining SANCB, she served as the head of the…

Market volatility has intensified over the past month, and the stock market’s current four-day losing streak reflects how uncertain investors have become. As conditions remain shaky, the forces driving these swings have become clearer: the dominance of AI-related stocks and ongoing speculation about the Federal Reserve’s next move on interest rates. This week brings several high-impact events that could determine how markets behave for the rest of the year — and possibly set the tone for early 2026. Here’s what investors are preparing for, and why each event matters. The Main Event: Nvidia Earnings — November 19 (Wednesday) Why it…

On 13 November 2025, Discovery Group partnered with the B20 South Africa Integrity & Compliance Task Force to host the latest Network for Business Integrity (NBI) workshop — a gathering focused on rebuilding trust, promoting ethical leadership, and enabling small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to play a stronger role in South Africa’s economic transformation. The event highlighted how responsible business practices drive job creation, attract investment, and strengthen long-term economic stability. A key feature of the session was the exploration of practical tools that companies — especially SMEs — can adopt to enhance governance, boost compliance, and reduce the risk…

AWIEF Announces Finalists for 2025 Award Recognizing Outstanding African Women Entrepreneurs The Africa Women Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) has unveiled the finalists for its highly-anticipated 2025 AWIEF Awards, an annual initiative aimed at honoring exceptional women entrepreneurs and innovators across the continent. The awards ceremony, which forms a key highlight of the annual AWIEF Conference, serves to elevate the achievements of women who are championing innovation, leading impactful businesses, promoting gender equality, and contributing to Africa’s sustainable and inclusive economic development. “Through the AWIEF Awards, we continue to recognize and celebrate the exceptional women whose vision, creativity, and determination…