Rajesh Chandiramani stepping into the role of CEO in June. (Image source: Comviva)

Rajesh Chandiramani, CEO of global mobile solutions leader Comviva, has outlined the company’s strategic vision and the importance of the African market to its growth plans

The CEO, who stepped into the new role in June this year, made the comments while speaking to Robert Daniels, Editor of African Review, in a digital interview. In the session, Chandiramani described how the company has evolved its platforms and technologies to consistently push the boundaries with intelligent software solutions that drive substantial business impact for its customers across the globe and is systematically investing to pave the way for a brighter, digitally-connected future. 

While India was the start point for Comviva, Chandiramani explained that Africa was its second stop and, therefore, has the continent in its DNA. With both regions experiencing a growth economy, the company is consistently being challenged to meet new demands but has, so far, met each of these through its dedication and diverse, evolving portfolio.

Discover the full interview with here

AfDB will host and participate in a number of events across COP29. (Image source: AfDB)

The African Development Bank (AfDB) is aiming to mobilise additional resources for climate action in Africa and launch a new approach to assessing African economies at COP29

The 29th edition of the United National Climate Change Conference has begun in Baku, Azerbaijan, as decision makers from across the globe gather to take on the ever-growing climate challenge. Dubbed the ‘finance COP’ the 2024 iteration will see countries negotiate fresh climate finance targets with trillions of dollars required for countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect citizens from the worsening impacts of climate change.

It is into this arena that the AfDB delegation is stepping into with the organisation outlining its agenda for the conference in a statement. In this, AfDB made note of the massive potential to drive clean energy access that the continent holds; an ironic fact against the <3% of global climate finance that is currently deployed to sub-Saharan Africa. This deficit hinders efforts to advance National Adaption Plans and Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement.

“There is no reason why Africa should be greenly poor,” remarked AfDB president Akinwumi Adesina. “Africa should be greenly wealthy by proper valuation of its vast contributions to global environmental services.”

To achieve this wealth, the president is advocating for recalibrating the GDP of African countries to reflect natural assets like forests and carbon sinks, a move that would reveal a significantly higher GDP and thus paint a better reflection of the continent’s environmental contributions. The conference will therefore serve as a platform for the introduction of ‘Measuring the Green Wealth of Africa’ initiative to redefine African economies.

Preliminary estimates from AfDB suggest that adjusting for carbon sequestration alone could boost Africa’s nominal GDP by US$66.1bn in 2022 with six Congo Basin countries accounting for nearly 64% of this. The significance of this initiative – which has received strong backing from participating countries such as Republic of Congo and Kenya – was explained by Adesina who noted, “That means that the countries can have larger headroom to take on more financing and invest them for the greening of their economies. Therefore, such a move is important for re-computing Africa's debt sustainability.”

AfDB utilising the COP29 platform to focus on climate finance should come as little surprise given the growing awareness that flows to Africa are falling well short. This point was recently reiterated by a new report by Climate Policy Initiative which exposed the 'grave financing gap' that continues to threaten Africa's long-term sustainable development trajectory. Discover more about this research by clicking here

Climate neutrality is one of the key topics of bauma 2025. (Image source: Messe München GmbH)

bauma, one of the world’s leading construction and mining machinery trade fairs that is run on a three-ear cycle, is returning 7-13 April 2025 at the Trade Fair Center Messe München, Germany

This year, the event is looking to answer how construction processes be as climate-neutral as possible in the future, a pertinent topic in the modern age as the world strives to reach net zero goals.

A statement from bauma has outlined some of the key areas progress can be made, and where the event in Germany will focus on:

• Process automation: “As the international construction machinery industry has already been vigorously driving forward this development for decades, for example, through increasingly economical components, much has already been achieved in this regard,” said Joachim Schmid, managing director in the construction machinery and building material plants division at the German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (VDMA).

• Digitalisation: At bauma, opportunities around digitalisation and automation will be clear with digital solutions enabling better planning of machines. Developing more sophisticated machine-to-machine communication can ensure more efficient production chains, while smart sensors can monitor machine status. These are but some of the advantages being realised which bring tangible benefits such as avoiding idle times and increasing energy consumption.

• Alternative drive concepts: In addition to the use of electric motors, many companies are focusing on developing and testing hydrogen-power construction machinery. Such concepts – in addition to alternative fuels like HVO – have great potential for reducing greenhouse gases. “Because alternative drive concepts are currently so relevant for manufacturers and users, we are dedicating a separate key topic to this technology segment at bauma 2025,” surmised Nicole Schmitt, bauma exhibition director.

• Continuing the conversation: According to the bauma organisers, to make sure a transformation to climate-neutral construction succeeds, then discussions between industry stakeholders need to be maintained. At bauma, machine manufacturers, construction companies, politicians, researchers, and everything in-between will be represented and encourage to partake in the dialogue and drive the industry forward.

Click here to visit the website to learn more.

Visitors will have the opportunity to discover new technology and solutions entering the mining market. (Image source: The Mining Show)

The Mining Show Dubai is returning for its 16th edition from the 26-27 November at the Festival Arena, Dubai, to offer visitors the opportunity to capitalise on the development and change in mining across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region

More than 3,000 attendees, 150 speakers, and 500+ VIPS will gather to take part in the leading mining and quarrying event in the region.

With the mining industry undergoing a period of transition – driven by forward-thinking engineers and new initiatives – the Mining Show acts as a meeting point for leading and diverse stakeholders in the mining ecosystem to gather. Here, visitors will be able to network with the full spectrum of the sector, from mining and quarrying companies, government bodies, financiers, distributors, tech innovators and beyond. The 2024 edition will seek to continue the proud history of the event which has established it as a premium event on the calendar, enabling attendees to capitalise on developments and get business done.

As ever, the core of this year’s Mining Show will be the multi-brand exhibition. With multiple country pavilions, more than 200 sponsors and exhibitors have signed up to the conference and will be ready to demonstrate their cutting-edge solutions and explore future collaborative opportunities. Orica, RPM Global, Haver & Boecker, Mincon, Manitou, Terravox, and Darda are but a few of the exciting exhibitors that are preparing to participate this year.

Previous attendees of the event will be sure to note a new addition to this year’s event in the form of the Outdoor Heavy Machinery Showcase. This will offer a specialised space to provide a platform for the latest advancements in heavy machinery technology from towering mining vehicles to precision drill rigs (and everything in between).

A packed agenda

When not traversing the extensive exhibition areas, visitors will also have the opportunity to learn from the brightest and most innovative minds in the industry in the accompanying conference. Across the two days, more than 150 industry leaders will participate in over 40 sessions (comprising everything from panel discussions to keynotes), striving to bring the mining industry into the modern day and prepare it for the future.

Various content themes will colour the proceedings, with key topics including: Digital Transformation & Technology; Alternatives in Exploration; Innovation in Finance; Sustainability & ESG; Quarrying; Smart Operational Excellence; Waste Management; Rethinking Supply Chains; Lifecycle Management & Operations; Workplace Culture & Safety Systems.

Organisers have also been keen to note the efforts put into enhancing networking opportunities and buyer engagement this year. To encourage the fluid exchange of ideas and proliferate the frequency of valuable meetings, The Mining Show network app is freely available. This will provide users access to all registered attendees and offer useful actions such as the ability to schedule virtual meetings year-round. Beyond this, there numerous opportunities to form business relationships beyond the exhibitor floor, with an evening networking party, a networking lounge and hosted VIP meetings all available.

The Mining Show will explore the latest trends shaping the future of the industry including exploration equipment & services, heavy equipment & machinery, automation & digitisation, sustainability and so much more. Learn more at: https://www.terrapinn.com/exhibition/mining-show