New forms of urban planning in African cities seem to be dedicated to transforming them into replicas of Dubai, Shanghai and Singapore,” says Professor Vanessa Watson, of the School of Architecture, Planning and Geomatics, University of Cape Town. According to Prof Watson, the main challenge of the real estate sector on the continent currently is “to find approaches to real estate development which are not only for the wealthy, and which find architectural and planning approaches which are not simplistic ‘cut and pastes’ of cities elsewhere in the world.” Prof Watson is part of an exciting speaker line-up at the upcoming African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit in Cape Town from 2-3 November with a contribution that will focus on “African cities for sale. World-class, smart, eco or just profitable?” She explains: “rapid growth of African cities means that urban development is required, but noting that the vast majority of this growth is of poor and unemployed households. The very small urban middle-class offers limited opportunity for real estate aimed high-income households. Finding housing models for lower income households is absolutely possible and offers far greater opportunity.” Other exciting speakers on the programme include: Jose Miranda, Regional Director Africa, Aurecon, South Africa, who will be part of a presentation entitled: “What makes a multi-billion dollar project in Africa?” about the international, award-winning General Master Plan for Luanda City (2030 Luanda Plan) outlining the sustainable transformation and development plans. Says Eng. Miranda: “water, energy and sanitation are fundamental needs for all human beings. Preserving Luanda’s natural environment, whilst providing the people of Luanda with a future city they will benefit from, is an important priority to Aurecon within the Luanda City Master Plan or Plano Director Geral Metropolitano de Luanda (PDGML). As part of the strategic city and provincial wide …
African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit showcases exciting city development plans on the continent in Cape Town in November
The CEO of Wesgro, Tim Harris, the Executive Director of Kampala’s Capital City Authority, Dr Jennifer Musisi, the UCLG-A Secretary General, Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi, and Business Botswana Director Lekwalo Mosienyane are heading up an exciting line-up of headline experts from around Africa that will address the African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit in Cape Town from 2-3 November 2016. *UCLG-A: United Cities and Local Governments of Africa The African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit will gather the full spectrum of the continent’s real estate sector and will assist African cities and governments to secure international investment for commercial real estate development and infrastructure projects that will contribute to Urban Development Plans (UDPs). Summit programme highlights include: Opening keynote: “Developing the Future of African Cities” - Africa’s population of roughly 1.1 billion is expected to double by 2050. Keynote speakers: Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi, Secretary General UCLG-A, Morocco; Nana Kwame Bediako, President, Founder & CEO, Petronia, Ghana*; Lekwalo Mosienyane, Director, Mosienyane and Partners Int. & President, Business Botswana, Botswana “Future Cities revealed – Urban Development Plans” - Some of the continent’s leading cities, including Lusaka, Kigali, Dar es Salaam and Nairobi, have been invited to showcase their UDPs in a discussion format. This will allow for delegates and exhibitors to understand the future plans of developing cities and build business relationships with key city officials including: city managers, city mayors, city council members, town planners, town clerks, district officials and city and finance directors amongst others. Africa’s finest: A review of successful city development projects - - Building a new face for Kampala – A case study of how good governance, improved city revenue collection and service delivery are transforming Kampala into a vibrant, attractive and …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
Spintelligent marks half-year with record after record at its African events
“Education is one of the most powerful instruments for reducing poverty” “Record attendances at our events are important to show growth and momentum but knowing that we are relevant to the industries that we serve and are also making a difference outside of our business is equally, if not more, important” – this is according to David Ashdown, MD of Spintelligent, leading Cape Town-based trade exhibition and conference organiser and the African office of Clarion Events Ltd, based in the UK. During 2016, Spintelligent will host 15 events in the energy, infrastructure, mining, agriculture, education and real estate sectors across the African continent. “The company is performing positively against a volatile backdrop after the first half of this year” says David Ashdown, “and we are looking forward to an even busier and equally successful second half of the year, including a number of exciting launch events”. Reaching Out Projects that the Spintelligent MD is particularly proud of includes an outreach programme at the Golden Valley Basic School that is situated next to the massive Agritech Expo in Chisamba, in Zambia. Some 610 learners and 17 teachers have been reaping the benefits of the Agritech Expo Outreach Programme, from the renovation of school buildings, to a solar power installation and the mechanisation of the schools working farm, from which the profits fund the school. Furthermore, a new school build project in Lubumbashi, DRC, associated to DRC Mining Week, will provide a modern school infrastructure environment for up to 500 junior students. “Education is one of the most powerful instruments for reducing poverty and inequality and lays a foundation for sustained economic growth, as such we have invested in schooling projects in both Zambia and the DRC. These projects are where the magic happens for us as a business, as we have the opportunity to give back to the communities that support our events. We are committed to these development …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
African cities to connect with developers and investors in Cape Town on future development plans
African Real Estate Summit to gather full spectrum of real estate sector Kigali, Lusaka and Dar es Salaam are open for business and are showcasing their future land and development plans at the African Real Estate Summit in Cape Town from 2-3 November 2016. “We passionately believe that Africa is a continent of opportunity. With improving economies, rising populations, rapid rates of urbanisation and burgeoning middle classes, some African cities are expected to grow between 70-100% in the next 15 years.” This is according to Mr Jean-Pierre Elong Mbassi, Secretary General of the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG). The UCLG Africa is the patron of the upcoming African Real Estate Summit in Cape Town - an international platform that will bring together the full spectrum of the continent’s real estate sector. The summit will assist African cities and governments in securing new international investment for economic development based around commercial real estate and infrastructure projects that will contribute to Urban Development Plans (UPDs). Mr Mbassi adds: “it is our hope that the African Real Estate Summit can help African cities and local governments highlight the need for quality commercial and residential real estate that this growth creates. And in turn generate the partnerships and investments from investor groups, developers and operators to deliver on this worthwhile opportunity”. The summit will provide an invaluable opportunity for investors, developers, landowners and the cities themselves to conduct business, sign contracts and develop the future cities of Africa. Alongside the Urban Development Plan City Showcase sessions, the two-day high-level conference will also offer private companies case studies and practical guidance on how to do business in new markets. Leading African cities The African Real Estate Summit has invited some of the top cities in Africa to showcase their UDPs in the form of models or …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
Large delegation of South African suppliers taking part in DRC Mining Week in Lubumbashi in June
“We view the DRC as a strategic partner on the continent” The South African Department of Trade and Industry is bringing a large delegation of South African suppliers to the mining and related sectors to the DRC Mining Week expo and conference that is taking place in the DRC mining hub of Lubumbashi from 8-9 June. The DRC Mining Week expo and conference is expected to be attended by more than 1000 mining professionals and will be opened by the DRC’s Minister of Mines, H.E. Martin Kabwelulu Labilo, while Cameroon’s Minister of Industry and Technology Development, H.E Ernest Gwaboubou, will also attend the opening keynote session. DRC a strategic partner “South Africa is committed to the implementation of the SADC Industrialization Strategy and Roadmap and increasing partnerships with DRC in advancing the Agenda 2063 as well as the fourth industrial revolution,” says Ms Pumla Ncapayi, Deputy Director-General: Trade and Investment South Africa at the Department of Trade and Industry. She continues: “in this context, we view the DRC as a strategic partner on the continent and we believe that participation in the DRC Mining Week provides us with an ideal platform to expose our local businesspeople in the mining and allied industries to opportunities in the DRC especially within the infrastructure realm which has presented a myriad of opportunities for collaboration and partnerships”. She adds that “South Africa is steadfast in its commitment towards creating tangible partnerships with the DRC so as to ensure that the DRC develops into a key driver of Africa’s economic development with its vast water resources and its untapped mineral reserves which are of global importance.” Win-win relationship with the DRC Fifteen companies were selected for the DRC Mining Week comprising seven SMMEs and eight large companies. According to Ms Ncapayi: “the group of companies that were selected conforms to criteria such product/service suitability and compatibility …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
African Utility Week’s growth and success a reflection of confidence in continent’s energy and water sectors
“I know the energy revolution is powering up and ready to take off” “Everyone who was part of this year’s African Utility Week felt the same passion for the energy and water sectors on the continent and had the feeling that we are on the brink of enormous progress“, says Evan Schiff, event director of the African Utility Week conference and exhibition that took place in Cape Town and gathered a record 6445 attendees from 17-19 May. “Technology, water and renewable energy were strong themes this year,” Schiff adds “and there’s no doubt that renewable energy as well as smart technology are changing the way power and water utilities operate and deal with their customers.” There are big plans in the offing for next year: “as the industry evolves, so will the event” says the African Utility Week event director, “our exhibition will be even bigger next year as we grow into the new expo space at the CTICC to reflect the new markets and developments in the sector, including a focus on non-utility scale projects, large power users, rooftop solar installations, energy storage, lighting products, independent power producers (IPPs) and EPCs (engineering, procurement and construction).” The event featured 250 exhibitors from 40 countries, 299 speakers who addressed the packed strategic conference over three days in six different topic streams while inspiring industry pioneers engaged the audiences in the daily high-profile keynote sessions. African Utility Week addressed the latest challenges, developments and opportunities in the power and water sectors: ranging from generation, transmission & distribution, metering, clean energy, finance and investment, water supply and energy efficiency. “The energy revolution is powering up” A notable presence at the CTICC in Cape Town this year was Sierra Leone’s Dr Kandeh Yumkella, UN Under-Secretary-General and Former Special Representative of the Secretary-General and CEO, Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All), who not …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
Sierra Leone’s Kandeh Yumkella, City Power and Akon Lighting winners in African Utility Week Industry Awards in Cape Town
“I know the energy revolution is powering up and ready to take off” Sierra Leone’s Kandeh Yumkella of the Sustainable Energy For All Initiative, Johannesburg’s City Power, George Airport and Akon Lighting are just some of the exciting and pioneering power and water professionals, utilities and projects that were winners in this year’s African Utility Week Industry Awards. Uganda’s NWSC won the coveted water utility of the year award for the second year in a row. The winners of these prestigious industry awards in 11 different categories were announced at the gala dinner that took place on Wednesday evening, 18 May, during the annual African Utility Week and Clean Power Africa at the CTICC in Cape Town. More than 5000 power and water professionals gathered in Cape Town for the event. Mr Kandeh Yumkella, UN Under-Secretary-General and Former Special Representative of the Secretary-General and CEO, Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All), won the Lifetime Achievement Award. He was also an inspired keynote speaker on the opening day of African Utility Week on Tuesday. On receiving his award last night Mr Yumkella said: “I know the energy revolution is powering up and ready to take off. We saw again this week that we have the technology and the innovation. Sometimes we are too suspicious of each other, we should embrace energy trade with each other”. City Power = Utility of the Year City Power won the award for Power Utility of the Year, particularly in recognition of the utility’s flagship Solar Water Heating Programme in which approximately 70 000 low income households around Johannesburg were fitted with solar water geysers over a period of three years. Says Sicelo Xulu, City Power Managing Director: “We are pleased that once again the diligent work that has been done by the City Power team has been recognized and acknowledged. This award is an affirmation of the hard work that has been done by the City Power team, and this accolade galvanizes us to work …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
Finalists announced in African Utility Week’s Innovation Hub for energy and water industry
African Utility Week’s Innovation Hub offers unique opportunity Aquaponic farming, a geyser switch and other water and energy savings gadgets and software are amongst the winning innovations and inventions that will be showcased at the Innovation Hub taking place during the upcoming African Utility Week in Cape Town from 17-19 May. Fifteen SMEs, start-ups and young innovators have been selected for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of the event and take their businesses to the next level. The finalists will each receive a free exhibition stand within the Innovation Hub area for the duration of the 3-day exhibition and showcase their developments or inventions through live presentations. Four of the entrants have also earned speaking slots in the Innovation Hub conference sessions. They will furthermore meet industry incumbents, VC funders, project developers, incubators and be able to interact with the 6000+ visitors at African Utility Week. The winner of the Innovation Hub Award will be announced during the African Utility Week Industry Awards gala dinner on 18 May. The Innovation Hub finalists are (in no specific order): PowerOptimal: Power demand management technology that is commercially proven in diverse installations such as hotels, office buildings, shopping malls and golf courses. Tiisetso Dev Solutions (Pty) Ltd/TDS Innovations: A cost effective early warning device that is an addition to the existing ready board currently deployed by government for the electrification of low-income houses, known as RDP homes. Bontle Ke Tlhago: This co-operative offers a waste sorting service and sells the waste product on to suitable buy back centres. GCX Africa: A sustainability services company that provides consulting for all matters that relating to water, waste, energy and carbon. WHC: This start-up water conservation business currently focuses on a Leak-Less Valve. SAGIFON Technologies: A wireless geyser control system. Aquaponic Farmer …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
African Utility Week’s Finance and Investment Forum: Africa as attractive power project investment destination
“Let’s share success stories we can learn from and scale up” “Five years ago, when South Africa launched its renewable Reefit programme, it did not know how successful it would be”, says KPMG’s De Buys Scott. He adds: “the country has since then been the recipient of much global acclaim for its renewable programme successes and this process needs to be copied into the SADC region. I also think the East African block, including Tanzania, Ethiopia, Kenya and Rwanda, can easily repeat this renewable programme”. De Buys Scott is a Senior Partner in Transactions & Restructuring and head of the KPMG Infrastructure advisory in the Infrastructure and Major Projects Division. During the Finance and Investment Forum at the upcoming African Utility Week in Cape Town in May, he will chair a session on: “The success of the Renewable Energy IPP programme in South Africa”. KPMG are also platinum sponsors at this year’s African Utility Week. Key trends unpacked at Finance Forum “There are exciting investment opportunities in the power sector in Africa”, says African Utility Week event director Evan Schiff. “During the Finance and Investment Forum, financiers and project owners will hear about the key trends impacting project finance in regional energy markets with updates and insights on market opportunities, sources of capital, financing instruments, risk mitigation strategies, success factors and access to project finance. A featured session on regional power integration will explore new methods of developing cross-border power projects on a PPP basis, explore the opportunities for investors, and show how regional power integration can substantially save capital investment costs.” More speaker highlights at the Finance and Investment Forum at African Utility Week include: • “There is no doubt that 2015 has been a challenging year for the wider infrastructure space in Africa and there is clearly a greater need for regulation that allows for cost-reflectivity of …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
OUTA and AfriForum show civil society getting involved in improving energy and water management in South Africa
“OUTA's campaign in the energy sector has just begun” “As the level of service delivery in South Africa breaks down to levels seen in other African states, it becomes critically important for civil society to mobilise and interrogate the reasons why service delivery is failing” says Ted Blom, energy analyst and advisor to the energy and mining industries and spokesperson for OUTA (Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse). The organisation recently lost its urgent bid in the High Court in Pretoria to interdict the electricity tariff hike. He adds: “for members of a former functioning society with service delivery working, the adoption of a civil rights activist stance can be most uncomfortable and unfamiliar, but ultimately when Government has become deaf to the needs of its citizens, there is little other alternative if one elects to remain in the country.” Ted Blom says “civil activism is still in its relative infancy in post-Apartheid South Africa. The nature of civil activism is that it is objective driven - people only join an action if it has the likelihood of meeting their need or concern for action”. “OUTA's campaign in the energy sector has just begun” Ted states, “unfortunately with a lost court case, but such is civil action and it will not be deterred by the technical loss of one court case. OUTA is still gearing up its internal capacity, both on the energy desk as well as on the legal side, as it envisages many more legal bids will become necessary.” AfriForum: active communities “Water affects us all and every aspect of our lives and active communities can make a big difference when they act as a united group to hold government responsible and apply the 'do it yourself' principle to prevent pollution and preserve water,” says Marcus Pawson, Head: Local Government at the civil-rights organisation AfriForum. The movement currently has 170 000 members and branches in 125 cities and towns in South Africa. “AfriForum’s Local Government portfolio …