Author: Business Enquirer
Lillian Barnard, Microsoft South Africa – On how digital skills will drive African development It is no secret that the cost of the COVID-19 pandemic to public health and the global economy has been a high one, and yet there is much truth in the famous saying, ‘in the midst of every crisis lies great opportunity.’ Following a 2020 that was characterised by seemingly unending lockdowns and disruption, the world has since gone online at a scale and speed that was scarcely imaginable only 18-months ago. A revolution is well and truly underway, and as the renowned technologist and Managing…
From smartphones to coffee, bananas and cars, petroleum, microchips, metals and minerals, trillions of dollars worth of goods and commodities are carried by sea from where they are produced to where they will be consumed, as part of a vast maritime trade network that underpins our modern, globalised world. The topic of maritime trade is high on the economic agenda for most nations in a global context, but for the economies of Africa – a region which relies upon seaborne trade for 90% of its imports and exports, ensuring access to the world’s arterial sea lanes is a matter of…
There have been many remarkable developments so far in the 21st century, but undoubtedly one of the most disruptive and fascinating of these must surely be the emergence, and mass acceptance of the sharing economy – a socio-economic shift that is turning long-held views pertaining to ownership on their head. As we collectively strive to build greener, more environmentally sustainable economies, it is only natural that being more resource efficient and getting more bang for our buck is at the top of the agenda for both consumers and businesses. The rise of the sharing economy – a flexible community-based system…
In a world which is nothing if not competitive, attaining success in life and in business are goals that all aspire for and yet few achieve. However, whilst the journey to success is fraught with challenges and adversity, the journey can be a little less arduous for those who find their passion, and are then able to marry this passion with the drive and discipline needed to progress in the professional world – something that Vincent Gauriat, Chief Information Officer at COTECNA, discovered over the course of his own journey, albeit unexpectedly as he admits: “My passion for IT started…
The global race to secure a plentiful supply of rare earth metals, a grouping of 17 somewhat peculiar elements that are crucial to the manufacture of all manner of hi-tech products and facilitating renewable energy, is at the heart of geopolitical strategy for the world’s major powers, and for good reason – our goal to build a prosperous sustainable economy of the future depends on it. Take neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium and terbium, for example: the key rare earth metals that are used in the manufacture of permanent magnets. A wind turbine with a power output of one megawatt requires one…
Hidden away deep in the frozen, rugged terrain of northwestern British Columbia, the Golden Triangle – once a hub for hardened prospectors and pioneers in search of gold and glory – is one of the richest areas of mining real estate in North America. Billions of dollars of gold, silver and copper lie beneath its rocky earth, which after many decades is now ready to finally be tapped. As the first major mine to enter operation in the region, the aptly named Premier Gold Mine, which was described as “one of the greatest silver and gold mines in the world”…
In business as in life, silver linings can come from the unlikeliest of places. Take the mining sector, for example: after eight years of labouring through the most gruelling and prolonged global downturn in generations, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic last year saw the industry reach its lowest ebb as mining and exploration, and consequently drilling, all-but ground to a halt. However, far from being a coup de grâce to the then embattled industry, instead the pandemic proved to be the catalyst for its revival. As restrictions have been gradually lifted over the course of 2021, like a coiled…
Hidden away beneath the dry earth of Chile’s Atacama Desert, there is treasure waiting to be found by those with the know-how and dogged determination to find it. Situated within the Andes and the eastern portion of the Ring of Fire—a geological fault line encircling the Pacific Ocean that contains large and varied deposits of all kinds—the Atacama is as renowned for its mineral wealth as for the breathtaking natural beauty of its foothills, deep canyons, and salt flats. Rich as it is with gold, silver, iron, lithium, and most notably, copper, the province has drawn a lot of investment…
Welcome to the February Edition of Business Enquirer Magazine – Issue 134As we step into February, we bring you a collection of inspiring stories from companies making a significant impact in their industries and communities. From football to sustainability, household innovation to economic transformation, this issue shines a light on organizations leading the way in their respective fields. Liverpool FCLiverpool FC has long been celebrated for its rich history, iconic players, and passionate supporters. But beyond the game, the club is building a lasting legacy through The Red Way—its commitment to sustainability, diversity, and community impact. We had the privilege…
Welcome to the January 2025 Edition of Business Enquirer – Issue 133! This month’s cover highlights Dangote Petroleum Refinery, a landmark project by the Dangote Group, a diversified conglomerate founded by Aliko Dangote. From its beginnings in bulk commodity trading in the 1970s, Dangote Group has grown into a powerhouse of self-reliance and innovation, operating across sectors such as cement, sugar, fertiliser, and petrochemicals. The refinery, boasting the world’s largest single-train petroleum refining capacity, underscores the Group’s commitment to revolutionising Nigeria’s industrial landscape. This feature explores Dangote’s unparalleled achievements, including Africa’s largest cement and fertiliser production facilities and the world’s second-largest…