africon Founder & CEO Marc-Peter Zander selected in QUANTRON AG’s advisory board

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Quantron AG, a specialist in sustainable mobility, has expanded its Supervisory Board and africon’s Founder & CEO, Marc-Peter Zander, has been selected among the seven board members. Mr. Zander has more than 25 years of cross-cultural experience while doing business in Africa through international organisations such as the MAN Group and Wincor Nixdorf.

“The position is a great honour for me. Quantron has become a key player in sustainable mobility concepts and will soon be a more global player besides the US and Saudi Arabia. Being part of this internalization will be the key focus of my work,” he says.

Quantron notes that expanding the board with a wide range of competencies ensures that they master challenges at an international level in the best possible way in the future.

You can read more here.

Related topics

africon and Quantron AG join forces for eMobility in Africa

 

Slide of the month (SOTM) May. The size of Africa’s travel retail market

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Global players majorly dominate the African travel retail market. africon advised one of the largest travel retail operators in the world on their Africa strategy. The project aimed to identify the market size, main distribution channels, and new and upcoming projects in the travel retail industry.

Our research revealed that the travel retail turnover experienced a significant drop of 64.3% in 2020. This was primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused the cessation of air travel, the implementation of stringent lockdown measures, and a decline in travel demand worldwide. However, the market is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 5 – 10% until 2030, due to increased air passenger traffic, improved income levels among the middle class, and favourable government policies promoting tourism and hospitality.

We also presented the client with an all-inclusive report mapping duty-free shops and other retail outlets in airports, railways, onboard airplanes and cruise ships in Africa. We helped them prioritize the key markets and distribution channels to guide upcoming regional sales endeavors.

What is the potential for you in Africa? If you have any questions, contact us at info@africon.de

 

Read previous SOTMs (Slides of the month) here

Slide of the month (SOTM) April. More than 37bn € investment in upcoming rail infrastructure projects poised to transform Africa’s transportation network

Slide of the month (SOTM) March. 77% of German chemical companies see a big potential in Africa.

Slide of the month (SOTM) February. Green hydrogen opportunity in Africa

Slide of the month (SOTM) January. Africa will install 600 new printing and packaging machines in 2023

Slide of the month (SOTM) December. Opportunities in the automotive manufacturing sector in Africa

 

Shaymaa Hafeez africon

Shaymaa joins africon as a Business Analyst

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Shaymaa Hafeez africon

We are excited to announce the latest addition to our team. Shaymaa Hafeez joins our Egypt office as a Business Analyst.
Egypt has one of Africa’s largest and fastest-growing economies, with a GDP of over $400 billion. Its strategic location, large population, and young, tech-savvy workforce make it an attractive business market. With its large consumer markets, strategic location, and diverse economy, Egypt presents numerous opportunities for international companies. “This motivated us to fully employ a person in the market” says Marc-Peter Zander.

Our new team member brings a wealth of experience and expertise in the Egyptian market, having worked with numerous businesses across different sectors. She deeply understands the local market and is well-equipped to provide our clients with valuable insights and data to help them make informed decisions.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science from Cairo University. She also has a Nano degree certificate from Udacity (Challenger-Professional tracks) and has a diploma in Data Analysis and Feasibility Studies. She is well-versed with PowerPI, Python and SPSS.

Shaymaa’s experience stems from working as a research analyst at Omdena Platform, a Data Analyst at Solution MAX company, and a Senior Research Analyst at Z2data company.
“I appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with the africon team, as it has allowed me to gain in-depth expertise in diverse fields. I eagerly anticipate contributing my skills and knowledge to various projects to enrich my professional experience”, she says.
We are confident that her skills, knowledge, and experience will be valuable to our team and enable us to provide even more comprehensive and effective services to our clients.

Why the South African medical technology market is interesting for German manufacturers

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Over the past 10-20 years, African medical technology markets have become increasingly interesting for German companies.

We recently got featured by Medizin & Technik where our Founder and CEO Marc-Peter Zander highlighted some insights from our projects in the healthcare market in Africa.

South Africa is one of the most economically developed countries in Africa. Manufacturers from Germany cite South Africa as having a market that is technology savvy, professional and armed with a functioning distributor network.

On the other hand, almost 40% of all medical devices and laboratory equipment in South Africa are imported from Germany.

We answer the following questions in the article:

  • Why should German companies in the health sector look at South Africa?
  • How do we support clients in entering the South African medical market?
  • What are some of our case studies in the country?
  • We highlight a case study for a medium-sized German company interested in the market for special individual components for prosthesis manufacturing in South Africa.
  • What is the future outlook for the industry?

Learn more about this by reading the article here.

Südafrika braucht moderne Medizintechnik aus dem Ausland

Feature: How do you find the right partners when setting up a business in Africa?

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Choosing the right local partners is crucial for German companies to succeed in Africa. In the third issue of the BVMW  #AfrikaContact Magazine, we shared our expertise on this topic. We detailed the successful entry in four essential steps, as seen on pages 57 and 58 of the magazine.

You can download the magazine below.

German edition

English edition

africon shares insights on sustainable agriculture in Côte d’Ivoire

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Sustainable agriculture has become a crucial topic globally now more than ever. In our September SOTM (slide of the month), we highlighted agriculture as one of the most vital sectors in Africa. It provides employment and food for the population. We also analysed the top agricultural exporters from Africa, and Cote d’Ivoire was the top country exporting cocoa, nuts, rubber, and fruits.

Kevin Armattoe, a Business Analyst – africon, Côte d’Ivoire, spoke in a panel on “Promotion of farmers’ seeds in the face of climate diversity in West Africa”. Attendees included experts from different fields in agriculture and PhD students in nutrition and agriculture. He shared data on the potential for sustainable agriculture in Côte d’Ivoire. It is a lower middle-income country that has the power to be one of the largest economies in West Africa. Agriculture is one of the growth sectors, and over 60% of the country’s land is dedicated to farming. Ivory Coast is the biggest cocoa producer globally, supplying about 2,200,000 tons of cocoa beans annually.

However, some of the agricultural sector’s challenges are soil erosion, deforestation, and climate change. Kevin mentioned that many programs and initiatives are in place that promote sustainable agriculture. He recommended solutions such as technology (i.e. farming with detectors) and research and training to improve the thinking on sustainable agriculture.

If you have comments or questions on the topic, contact us.

Slide of the month (SOTM) April. More than 37bn € investment in upcoming rail infrastructure projects poised to transform Africa’s transportation network

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The rapid population growth in Africa is generating ample prospects for international companies. One of our clients, a large travel retail operator, tasked us with creating their Africa strategy.
Being one of the largest distribution channels, the railway network has the potential to grow further in the next couple of years. Many African countries recognize infrastructure development’s role in supporting economic growth and development. As a result, investment in transport infrastructure, including railways, ports, and highways, has become a priority for many African governments.
The African Integrated High-Speed Railway Network (AIHSRN) has put forward an ambitious plan to connect all the capitals of African countries, as well as major cities and ports, through a high-speed rail network. The AIHSRN is part of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, a long-term strategic plan to transform the continent into a prosperous and integrated region.
We furnished our client with a comprehensive report with all the upcoming projects in the sector along with strategic recommendations based on the findings. Additionally, we identified key partners, offering guidance for future entry and expansion.
What is the potential for you in Africa? If you have any questions, contact us at info@africon.de.

Read previous SOTMs (Slides of the month) here

Slide of the month (SOTM) March. 77% of German chemical companies see a big potential in Africa.

Slide of the month (SOTM) February. Green hydrogen opportunity in Africa

Slide of the month (SOTM) January. Africa will install 600 new printing and packaging machines in 2023

Slide of the month (SOTM) December. Opportunities in the automotive manufacturing sector in Africa

Slide of the month (SOTM) November. Number of trade fairs in Africa

 

Slide of the month (SOTM) March. 77% of German chemical companies see a big potential in Africa

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How much-untapped potential does Africa possess, according to German chemical industry companies?

According to the current CHEMonitor trend barometer by CAMELOT Management Consultants and the trade journal CHEManager, 77%+ of the managers surveyed from the German chemical industry expect a significant increase in Africa’s standing in the sector. 86% regard Africa as a primary hub for raw materials, while 82% consider the continent a sales market.

Additionally, increased green energy from Africa will significantly contribute to achieving global climate targets. According to 85% of CHEMonitor respondents, Africa will produce enough renewable energy to supply itself and other regions making the continent an important strategic partner for Europe in terms of the successful implementation of the EU Green Deal.

There is still plenty of untapped potential in the chemical segment on the continent. This poses a great opportunity for companies interested in the sector.

Based on these and other findings, africon provides practical recommendations to guide clients in their Africa strategy. The chemical industry is one of the key sectors for africon, with more than 35 projects executed during the last years.

What is the potential for you in Africa? If you have any questions, contact us at info@africon.de.

Read previous SOTMs (Slides of the month) here

Slide of the month (SOTM) February. Green hydrogen opportunity in Africa

Slide of the month (SOTM) January. Africa will install 600 new printing and packaging machines in 2023

Slide of the month (SOTM) December. Opportunities in the automotive manufacturing sector in Africa

Slide of the month (SOTM) November. Number of trade fairs in Africa

Slide of the month (SOTM) October. Automotive battery markets in Africa

 

Slide of the month (SOTM) February. Green hydrogen opportunity in Africa

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Did you know that Africa has the potential to produce 50 (Metric tonnes) Mt worth of green hydrogen per year by 2035?
Within a project with a client from the hydrogen mobility sector, we analyzed the potential for imports of green hydrogen from Africa. One of the key insights we found was that Africa would be producing about 50 Mt/year on green hydrogen per year.
This is due to the surging demand for clean-burning fuel as the world looks for alternatives to climate-warming fossil fuels; Europe is seeking to lessen its dependence on Russia’s natural gas, which has proved unreliable due to the Russia-Ukraine war and other global uncertainties.
This has posed a great opportunity for companies in the energy sector in Africa. By 2030, several countries can produce fuel by splitting water using renewable energy at a cost of less than 2€ a kilogram. This will only be made possible by harnessing the world’s best solar energy resource in Africa.
According to a study backed by the European Investment Bank, energy production is set to be in three major hubs in Africa; Egypt, the North-western hub (Morocco and Mauritania), and the South African hub (Namibia and South Africa). While plans to produce the fuel are most advanced in these nations, several other countries ranging from Algeria to Nigeria and Mozambique, have the potential to start production. The largest producer would be Egypt, with 20 million tons produced annually, followed by the Southern Africa hub with 17.5 million tons, where Morocco and Mauritania could together produce 12.5 million tons. About half of that could be exported, equivalent to 15% of Europe’s gas needs.
africon provided the client with a comprehensive market overview and facilitated them with identifying and accessing opportunities in the sector. We also gave them practical recommendations for penetrating the market.
What is the potential for you in Africa? If you have any questions, contact us at info@africon.de.

Read previous SOTMs (Slides of the month) here

Slide of the month (SOTM) January. Africa will install 600 new printing and packaging machines in 2023

Slide of the month (SOTM) December. Opportunities in the automotive manufacturing sector in Africa

Slide of the month (SOTM) November. Number of trade fairs in Africa

Slide of the month (SOTM) October. Automotive battery markets in Africa

Slide of the month (SOTM) September. Agricultural exports from Africa

 

Slide of the month (SOTM) January. Africa will install 600 new printing and packaging machines in 2023

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In a recent project, our client had the following questions:

  • Are there opportunities for global players like us in Africa’s printing industry?
  • What is the demand for new printing and packaging machines in Africa?

In our project with a large printing machine supplier to analyse the opportunities in the sector we found that the printing industry in Africa is growing and will produce more packaging material locally. This will require capex investment to meet a gap of 15 million tons until 2023, resulting in an estimate of approx. 600 newly installed printing machines.

We did a multi-country analysis and prioritization for our client. We also identified prospective partners, thereby reducing their costs, risk, and time when setting up in the continent.

What is the potential for you in Africa? If you have any questions, you can contact us at info@africon.de

Read previous SOTMs (Slides of the month) here

Slide of the month (SOTM) December. Opportunities in the automotive manufacturing sector in Africa

Slide of the month (SOTM) November. Number of trade fairs in Africa

Slide of the month (SOTM) September. Agricultural exports from Africa

Slide of the month (SOTM) August. Beer production in Africa

Slide of the month (SOTM) July. The growth of consumer markets in Africa