Barclays to rebrand to ABSA

Thursday, October 30, 2025

Home Tags ABSA

Lifestyle

Barclays to rebrand to ABSA

Special Correspondent - May 17, 2018

Barclays Africa Group shareholders have approved the lender’s planned change of name to Absa Group starting July. This, in effect, sets in motion the start...

MOST POPULAR

Building trust in the healthcare: Is Tech the answer?

July 25, 2023

Fox Wallet Bridges the Gap Between DeFi and CeFi with the...

October 28, 2021

African economies have been challenged to boost their investment in research to power the continent’s industrial transformation by accelerating development of homegrown innovations that reinforce autonomy, sustainability, and technological sovereignty. Speaking during the official launch of the African Research and Innovation Hub (ARIH) on the sidelines of the ongoing Intra-African Trade Fair 2025 (IATF2025) in Algiers, the Group Chief Economist and Managing Director for Research at the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) Dr. Yemi Kale noted that while Africa accounts for less than 3% of global research output, it bears a disproportionately higher share of global challenges. “Even more concerning, our research and development spending averages under 0.5% of GDP, far below the global average of 2.2% and far less than the over 4% invested in countries such as South Korea and Israel. However, history shows us that deliberate investment in research ecosystems has been the foundation of industrial transformation. Sustained competitiveness requires research, innovation, and the industrial capacity to transform ideas into products and services that can stand at the frontier of global markets,” Dr Kale said. The hub is a joint initiative of Afreximbank, the African Union and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat that aims to promote and commercialise African research and innovation. It provides a platform for academics, researchers, and students to contribute their knowledge and expertise towards advancing Intra-African trade and industrialisation. “ARIH’s mission is to transform intellectual capital into industrial competitiveness and trade-led growth. Studies indicate that if Africa merely doubles its R&D spending to 1% of GDP by 2030, we could unlock an estimated $60–70 billion annually in additional value across agriculture, digital technology, and manufacturing. This would boost productivity, reduce import dependence, and expand Africa’s share of global trade,” Dr Kale argued. Throughout IATF2025, ARIH is running sessions bringing together participants from academia, enterprise, policymakers and investors. Besides the co-convenors, Algeria's Ministry of Higher Education is providing technical coordination for the sessions that include roundtables and pitch sessions for innovative projects and startups. University lecturers and students, as well as scientists and researchers affiliated with National Research Institutions from Africa, and the Diaspora including the Caribbean, have the opportunity to showcase their innovative research and scientific prototypes. Hosted by the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, IATF2025 is co-convened by Afreximbank, the African Union Commission and the AfCFTA Secretariat, and is projected to facilitate trade and investment deals worth over US$44 billion. IATF is a platform for businesses to showcase their goods and services to visitors and buyers while exploring opportunities and exchanging information. IATF aims to tap into opportunities from AfCFTA’s single market of over 1.4 billion people and GDP of over US$3.5 trillion. The ongoing IATF2025 is in its fourth edition with the last three editions of IATF cumulatively generating over $118 billion in trade and investment deals and attracting more than 70,000 visitors and 4,500 exhibitors.

African Employers Welcome a Fresh Start with the African Development Bank...

October 8, 2025

Finsco Africa’s Impact on WRC 2025: Empowering Women and Driving Growth

March 26, 2025

HOT NEWS

News

African steel demand is expected to hit 3M tonnes per year...

Main Story

SAFARICOM SUSTAINS CLOSE TO A MILLION JOBS IN ONE YEAR

News

More than 18 Million Children in Uganda to be Immunized against...

Executive Corner

USERNAME INVESTMENTS AWARDS OUTSTANDING EMPLOYEE WITH A GRAND PRIZE OF A...

EDITOR PICKS

Prof Njenga Munene Launches his Autobiography, ‘Rooted in Hope’

October 28, 2025

State Department for Correctional Services fetes its officers

October 28, 2025

KQ flies first Africa flight using sustainable fuel

October 22, 2025

Third Africa Islamic Finance Forum Confirmed for Nigeria March 2018

March 23, 2018

EABL signs lease deal for office space in upcoming Garden City...

March 14, 2018

Facebook Introduces Messenger Rooms and More ways to connect

April 27, 2020

Tag: ABSA

Barclays to rebrand to ABSA

MOST POPULAR

Building trust in the healthcare: Is Tech the answer?

Fox Wallet Bridges the Gap Between DeFi and CeFi with the...

African Employers Welcome a Fresh Start with the African Development Bank...

Finsco Africa’s Impact on WRC 2025: Empowering Women and Driving Growth

HOT NEWS

African steel demand is expected to hit 3M tonnes per year...

SAFARICOM SUSTAINS CLOSE TO A MILLION JOBS IN ONE YEAR

More than 18 Million Children in Uganda to be Immunized against...

USERNAME INVESTMENTS AWARDS OUTSTANDING EMPLOYEE WITH A GRAND PRIZE OF A...

EDITOR PICKS

Prof Njenga Munene Launches his Autobiography, ‘Rooted in Hope’

State Department for Correctional Services fetes its officers

KQ flies first Africa flight using sustainable fuel

POPULAR POSTS

Third Africa Islamic Finance Forum Confirmed for Nigeria March 2018

EABL signs lease deal for office space in upcoming Garden City...

Facebook Introduces Messenger Rooms and More ways to connect

POPULAR CATEGORY