Celina Lee

ON COALITIONS. After no one party won a majority in last month’s elections, the air is filled with speculation and uncertainty about the composition of South Africa’s next government. We stand at a formative crossroad that will shape the future of our country for decades to come. It is a moment that demands inclusive, level-headed leadership. It is BOSA’s belief that all decisions about the shape of our new government are informed by the interests of all 60 million citizens, not just the 16 million who voted in this election. BOSA is aware of several political parties making pronouncements on coalitions, governments of national unity and holding private and secret negotiations behind closed doors. This is not in the spirit of unity and of inclusive nation building. We have proposed a meeting with the leaders of all 18 Parliamentary parties, chaired by a neutral individual, to address this. The purpose of the meeting is to decide on the agenda of any Government of National Unity (GNU), which is the preferred option of the biggest party in South Africa, the ANC. We cannot commit to or reject any GNU without knowing or agreeing to the actual agenda of said government. BOSA will entertain a conversation with any parties who agree to coalescing around the following principles: • A firm commitment to non-racialism • Upholding and defending Constitutionalism and the Rule of Law • Pursuit of justice through redress • Strengthening Parliamentary oversight over the Executive • A 10-point Governance Plan that focuses on: o Growing a mixed economy that creates jobs o Fixing Eskom, Transnet and other SOEs o Eradicating Crime and Corruption o Reforming Education o Instilling ethical leadership in all spheres In the case whereby a Government of National Unity is not agreed upon, BOSA is amenable to working with parties on an issue-by-issue basis in line with the principles outlined above. Finally, BOSA will not pursue governance for governance’s sake. Our organisation is young and holds infinite potential for growth in the coming years. Ultimately, our focus is to build structures ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections and the 2029 National and Provincial Elections. We are in it for the long haul, and we invite you to journey with us as South Africa continues along its trajectory of change.

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** NEW REPORT INCOMING ** https://bit.ly/4bzaSgS Come to our launch event tomorrow (Thursday 20th June) to talk about #ELECTRONICS. A slightly different report this time, we've done a deep dive into a specific business model in a bid to understand if it helps or hinders the journey to #circularity... There is a constant battle between the PURISTS and the PRAGMATISTS. > The Purists want perfect circularity. > The Pragmatists want action now. Who is right? Is there a middle ground? Will they ever see eye-to-eye? We will explore the real life example of E-Waste Compensation tomorrow. The experts will shine a light on what really happens at the end of life of your electronics. We'll hear stories of amazing innovators across Africa and the opportunities and horrors that e-waste presents. What does circularity in electronics actually look like and how do we get there? Find out tomorrow!

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CAPITAL URBAN, RURAL, AND ALL IN BETWEEN What “rural” African SMEs? Is all that is not capital city “rural”? In the ever-evolving narrative of Africa’s entrepreneurial landscape we need to craft a language and terminology that matches the city jungle, urban savanna and open plains. We increasing see tenders that speaks of working with, supporting and developing “rural” SMEs. For some it is to communicate a focus on businesses beyond capital cities – and for others there is a wish to go beyond the big(ger) cities and towns. And then some are actually looking for SMEs beyond cities and towns .. in the rural. We need to (re)define the business landscape: -> Capital cities: Cultural, political, and economic centers with significant resources and the bulk of the urban population -> Secondary cities: Key commercial and transport hubs within their regions -> Tertiary cities: Local trading centers or administrative seats essential for regional economies but smaller than secondary cities -> Towns: Typically serve as centers for agriculture, transport, or mining, critical to local economies and cultures -> Urban areas: Densely populated areas that generally include one or more cities or large towns, rapidly growing areas driven by migration from rural regions -> Peri-urban areas: Transition zones on the outskirts of major cities, mixing urban and rural features and often marked by rapid development and population growth -> Rural areas: Mostly agricultural or undeveloped lands with dispersed populations reliant on subsistence farming or small-scale agriculture, often lacking basic infrastructure such as roads, electricity, and water supply can be limited   SMEs in the rural The current SME blueprint in rural Africa doesn’t quite mirror the robust infrastructure seen in rural Europe or the U.S. which historically host a lot of SME and large manufacturing businesses. The typical rural African setting isn't primed with the logistical, skilled labor, power, or water resources necessary to nurture the kind of great manufacturing businesses that are commonplace in the West. Medium-sized businesses in rural Africa are extremely rare. Nano and micro businesses that serve local community needs dominates rural Africa. Hence when discussing SMEs in Africa, our focus is on urban and peri-urban areas within capital and secondary (and tertiary) cities. There are exceptions, but these are rare and not the norm for developing broad-based programs at this stage. Let's work together to align terminology for clearer understanding and effective communication. We aim to ensure that our dialogues and strategies reflect the real conditions on the ground, supporting entrepreneurs based on actual needs. This collaborative effort is what drives us and our peers across big city ESOs and countrywide innovation hubs. #AfricanEntrepreneurship #RuralInnovation #SMEdevelopment #FundingClarity #EntrepreneurialEcosystem #AfricanEntrepreneurship #SustainableDevelopment

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📍At the launch of The Partnering Initiative (TPI)'s Systems Change Activation report, Ziyad Cassim, GEAPP Country Delivery Lead for South Africa, highlighted how philanthropy can be most additive to Public-Private-Partnerships (PPPs) through: 🔹 Credibility 🔹 Accelerated progress 🔹 Bridging financing 🔹 Prioritizing social outcomes By leveraging their unique position and resources, philanthropic organizations can significantly enhance the effectiveness and impact of PPPs, unlocking new solutions to intractable problems. Watch the video to learn more↓ #LetsChangeEnergy

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Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa is projected to pick up to 3.5 percent in 2024, and average about 4 percent in 2025-26, as inflation retreats and private consumption and investment improve. The projected recovery is somewhat weaker than January’s forecast, largely reflecting the damaging effects of recent increases in political instability and conflict that have delayed recovery in parts of the region. Importantly, the expected increase in per capita income is insufficient to make significant progress on poverty alleviation in the region. Recent growth in debt-service costs has sharply narrowed fiscal space and exacerbated financing needs in many economies. Risks to the outlook remain tilted to the downside. These risks include increasing global geopolitical tensions, especially an escalation of conflict in the Middle East; a further deterioration in regional political stability; a sharper-than-expected economic slowdown in China; greater frequency and intensity of adverse weather events; and a heightened risk of government debt distress. 

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Amina Khan and I spent last week in Zambia sharing the findings of our #openfinance feasibility assessment and recommended implementation approach with our partners at the Bank of Zambia and the broader ecosystem. It was really positive to see the level of engagement throughout the workshops and highlights the critical importance for African decision makers to grapple with these questions around enabling responsible data sharing. Whilst fully-fledged Open Finance may not be responsible or appropriate right now in all contexts, regulators and market players should be proactively considering what steps they can start to take now to both enable value enhancing data sharing, whilst also managing the risks, such as starting to development national API and data standards, revising consumer protection and recourse and specifying data liability. This figure summarizes the findings of our consumer research conducted in Rwanda and Zambia and shows that there is a mandate from consumers for their data to be better used for their benefit, and not to remain within small, anti-competitive siloes centered around the largest FSPs. A thoughtful and tailored approach is required by African States combined there is increasing evidence and experience globally from which we can learn. Thanks to all our partners: William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Smart Africa, FSD Zambia, Frontier Consulting and the Bank of Zambia and National Bank of Rwanda (NBR)

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As the West African Sahel battles climate insecurity and conflicts, all stakeholders, local, foreign, state, and non-state, must continuously work together to find sustainable solutions.

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We participated in the Africa Forward: Social Impact, Sustainable Funds session at the #CatalysingChangeWeek2024 with fellow impact investors, entrepreneurs, and changemakers to discuss the need for more innovative funding solutions in Africa. Three critical points stood out to us: 1. Shifting away from stereotypical terminologies that portray social entrepreneurship and social investing as not profit-driven. 2. More patient capital should be considered for social enterprises as they often navigate new solutions and are prone to mistakes on their journey toward profitability. 3. We must explore avenues to improve our local giving and philanthropic efforts. At EIV, we are committed to utilising innovative techniques to support women entrepreneurs. We are eager to hear your thoughts on these points in the comment section. Thank you Lehlé B. Tosin Faniro-Dada, CPA Vivianne Infante Pearl Uzokwe Mosun Layode, Catalyst 2030 👏🏾👏🏾 Watch the session here: https://buff.ly/3URIwrg #EIVSupport #InnovativeFinancing #WomenEmpowerment #ImpactInvestment

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FUTURE FOCUSED FRIDAYS If you are curious about the impact of the Botswana Climate Change Network, or you want to learn more about how BCCN is creating a greener future for Botswana, we invite you to look for Future Focused Fridays, where we will showcase the exciting work we're doing. Today we have featured CLIMATE CAFE. This initiative seeks to mobilize young people by providing them with a platform to share ideas, learn from experts, and contribute to the national discourse on climate change and sustainability. As part of the EarthDay2024 commemoration, BCCN's Climate Cafe is conducting a nationwide survey in collaboration with EcoGirl Africa to help us understand your views on plastic pollution and equip you with the knowledge and tools to become a powerful voice in tackling plastic pollution in Botswana and beyond! This survey will help us draft the Youth Statement on Plastic Pollution as a contribution towards the Global Plastic Treaty, reflecting YOUR ideas, solutions and the collective voices from Botswana's brilliant young minds. We request for 5 minutes of your time to fill in this survey. https://lnkd.in/gQ93rRg2 #EarthDay2024 #PlanetVsPlastics #plastic #pollution #survey

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Sharing a thoughtful article about the challenges with the JETPs. While I do not agree with all the points in the article, it sheds a light on the need to provide solutions that are practical and acceptable to the countries themselves. One challenge is that the MDB and DFI investments must be “additional.” In other words, they can’t crowd out the private sector. In South Africa, for example, there is no shortage of private banks willing to finance renewable energy projects. So despite the commitment and desire for the MDBs and DFIs to provide billions of dollars of financing, they sometimes struggle to find projects in which to invest in at scale in these countries. I agree with Gregor Paterson-Jones that one opportunity for that public investment is in the hard infrastructure of transmission lines, which need greater assistance or subsidy from the public sector and philanthropy if we want to attract private investment. Transmission lines, including cross-border transmission lines, can help facilitate the scaling of a renewable energy ecosystem that includes baseload (hydro, geothermal, nuclear) and intermittent (wind, solar).

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Today, South Africa 🇿🇦 celebrates 30 years of democracy, reflecting on the journey towards freedom and equality. As we honor the past and embrace the present, let's strive for a brighter future together. Check out my latest article for Tropics Magazine on promoting democracy and governance in Africa, drawing lessons from the South African experience. #FreedomDay #SouthAfrica #Democracy #Equality #TropicsMedia #TropicsGroup

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This is a great article about the need for companies to create market innovations in Africa in order to be sustainable.

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📢 We are thrilled to share Women in African Investments - WAI Group Impact Report for 2023. In this report we describe how our network is incrementally co-creating the conditions required to build an African investment industry that works better for women. The report combines all member data and survey data, as well as our ongoing research, to weave together a theory of change for WAI. We would like to thank the following people and organisations for their support: 💡 The members of Women in African Investments - WAI Group for contributing your time, data and rich insights 💡Small Foundation for making this new chapter of our journey possible and for your valuable contributions to this report 💡 Lelemba Phiri for your ongoing guidance, candid feedback and industry expertise 💡 Briter's team (especially Clara Sarangé) for another great collaboration 💡 Dimakatso (Nono) Sekhoto, Carri Munn and Elsa Henderson for your wisdom and coaching on network leadership 💡 Nonzwakazi (Nzwaki) Adonisi, CA (SA), who has created immense value for our members and our partners, and contributed extensively to the development of WAI’s theory of change and several emergent projects In the report, Women in African Investments - WAI Group's founder, Elizabeth Howard notes "To move that dial, WAI must tackle the systemic barriers that impede our industry from backing investment models that are designed by and for women in Africa. This can feel like a Sisyphean task, but the goal is no longer controversial. With over 90% of members feeling empowered to voice non-mainstream views, mindsets are shifting." We look forward to continued collaboration with our existing and future partners, towards an inclusive African investment system that sees significantly more fit-for-purpose funds being deployed to and by women, across the capital continuum. If you are interested, please connect with us! https://lnkd.in/djztWV5r

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Transform Your Finances, Together. To go fast, go alone. To go far, go together. Founded on the principles of collective savings and community growth, StokFella began as an ambitious idea and has grown into a revolutionary platform. We stand at the intersection of technology, finance, and community-based economics, committed to transforming how South Africans save and build wealth collectively. Ever felt alone on your financial journey? It's time to change that. Join StokFella and experience the incredible impact of collective savings. No more financial isolation—your community is here for you. #CollectiveCapital #AccelerateAndConnect #SharedOwnership

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By leveraging the complementary strengths of private equity and public-private partnerships, Kenya can unlock significant financial resources and expertise to address the pressing challenges of climate change. https://lnkd.in/dAGCNa34 #ClimateFinance #ClimateChange #PPPs #PresidentWilliamRuto #PrivateEquity #Kenya

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❔️I increasingly hear two questions linked to the topic of nature and biodiversity... "what is the CO2 equivalent to be able to measure this?" and "given the complexity, where should we start?" 💡With this in mind, I love the clarity and focus of this Collective Impact Coalition (CIC): we are now calling on companies to urgently prioritise assessing and disclosing their nature-related risks, impacts and dependencies. 🏞 WBA's 2022 and 2023 Nature Benchmarks showed that less than 1% of keystone companies holistically assess and disclose their dependencies on nature, and less than 5% are doing this for their impacts on nature. 🚨The TNFD, CSRD and Target 15 of the Global Biodiversity Plan all include this as a key action for companies to take. So, its now the moment to call on companies to step up - to use the tools, to leverage the networks and dare to lead. 👐Well done Melis Jennifer and all the founding CIC members for getting this out of the starting blocks. For those who are not yet involved, feel free to reach out if you want to get more info or stay tuned to hear updates!

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With a population of 78% below the age of 35, Uganda’s youth embodies significant economic potential. However, young entrepreneurs face many challenges, like limited access to finance, markets and knowledge. To address these issues, Cordaid East & Southern Africa's Futuremakers Youth Agribusiness Project, funded by Standard Chartered, was launched to support 700 entrepreneurs. The project empowers young people to overcome obstacles and succeed in their businesses by providing business development services, mentorship, linkages to new markets, grants, digital literacy training and access to finance. 📽 In this documentary, the participants talk about the programme’s impact. 🔗 Also read this article: https://lnkd.in/ee_xvErg #Uganda #Entrepreneurship #Youth #AccessToFinance #AgriBusiness #FoodSystems

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If you look up climate tech news, the Africa climate scene has taken it by storm 🔥🚀 It is because DESPITE a decline in overall VC funding, climate tech VC funding went UP by 9% totaling $1.4B ⚡️ It's the impact of climate tech becoming a bigger priority across the world - especially in places like Africa which disproportionally have to take adaptation measures to deal with the fallout of climate change. Climate tech is now second only to fintech. However, within climate tech, renewables investing dominates - investors are gravitating to what they are familiar to because it's what they are comfortable with. This has to change. We don't have the answers yet, but one clear gap to fill is the amount of public investment into climate tech on the continent. Maelis Carraro had a fantastic point (article linked in the comments 👇🏽) that the private market has to de risk tech before governments can fund it. The large-scale experimentation going on in the US as a result of the IRA can inform strategies that African governments use. It's on those actively involved in the different IRA programs to make sure the lessons are shared and that collaboration exists. #africa #climatetech #adaptation

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