Radio Day Wreath

Radio In Africa: Challenges and Opportunities for A Sustainable New Century

by with No Comment PM Moments
Digital art image of commemorative mosaic celebrating a hundred years of Radio

The challenges faced by Radio (particularly in regions like Africa) underscore the need for transformative projects and solutions that can help radio stations navigate these issues and continue to serve their communities effectively into a new century.

Are you passionate about radio or working in the industry? Help shape the future of sustainable broadcasting in Sub-Saharan Africa by participating in our user preference survey for a cutting-edge audience analytics tool designed for African media stations

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On this #WorldRadioDay 2024, we reflect on the top five challenges that African radio must address to ensure a sustainable future in a rapidly changing socio-political landscape with disruptive technology. These challenges are:

 

  1. Editorial Independence vs Financial Sustainability: A study of local radio stations in Sub-Saharan Africa revealed a constant trade-off between editorial independence, financial sustainability, and community service.
  2. Technological Infrastructure: The transition to digital platforms is hindered by uneven access to the internet and technological infrastructure.
  3. Literacy Levels: Limited literacy levels can restrict the audience’s engagement with digital content.
  4. Colonial Legacy: The legacy of colonial interests continues to influence the content and structure of radio broadcasts.
  5. Survival of Community Radio Stations: Community radio stations, which have significantly transformed radio perception in Africa, face substantial challenges to their long-term survival.
 
World Wetlands_PasSolutions

World Wetlands Day 2024: Human Wellbeing and Environmental Balance in African Wetlands

by with No Comment PM Moments

African Wetlands: The Cradle of Life

African wetlands are famously described as the cradle of life. Wetlands in Africa cover around 4% of the continental area. Wetlands are a source of freshwater, fisheries, moist soil for farming, and wild plants; key resources for vital life-support projects in the agricultural, pharmaceutical, food value chain, and construction industries.

However, there is a global decline in the size of wetlands! 

In Africa, the real and potential environmental impacts of several projects in the energy utility sector contribute to the decline of wetlands on the continent.
Top Wetland Degraders In Sub Sahara Africa: Oil Exploration, Open cast mining and Hydro Power Projects

Here are the top 3 energy utility industries that contribute mostly to the decline of wetlands in Africa:

  1. Crude Oil Exploration Projects

Crude oil constituted 8, 177, 523 TJ of the Total energy supply in Africa as of 2022 (IEA Data). Crude oil exploration has also resulted in significant environmental pollution of wetlands in Africa with critical socio-economic implications.

2. Mining Projects

Mining especially through opencast methods, frequently impacts wetlands due to their positions in the landscape and relationship to drainage networks. The impacts are ongoing, as many mined minerals such as coal, cobalt, and copper are strategic resources and will continue to be mined to support development.

3. Hydro Power Projects

Major threats to African wetlands include the development of hydropower dams, with some 200 new projects planned in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Take Action  

Preserve the Cradle of Life!

Are you involved in projects that could impact our precious wetlands? Let’s ensure they thrive for generations to come. Take action now! Log your service needs and requirements on our charge-free consultation inquiry form at https://passolutions.com.ng.   

Let’s work together to develop effective environmental impact monitoring plans and review EIA reports. Your actions today can make a difference. Join us in protecting our wetlands!

 

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Navigating the Complexities of Agro-Processing Projects in Africa (1)

by with No Comment Agile Edge

Summary

This blog post is the first of a series of three that discuss how project managers can navigate challenges associated with agro-processing projects in Africa. The focus of this article is on the development of business cases that accurately reflect the needs of the customer for processed food products. Agro-processing is an essential part of the agri-business value chain in Sub-Saharan Africa, contributing significantly to the region’s GDP. However, Agro-processing projects in Africa can be complex, and not identifying the right customers and understanding their needs can result in a waste of resources, low demand for products, and negative impacts on the local economy. To navigate these challenges, project managers can use the Base of Pyramid (BOP) approach, which involves identifying and creating value for low-income consumers while generating a profit for the business.

The Agro-processing industry in Sub-Saharan Africa.

First of all, let’s briefly explore Agro-processing in Africa. The Agro-processing industry is an essential part of the agri-business value chain in Sub-Saharan Africa. The industry involves the transformation of agricultural produce into value-added products such as food, beverages, textiles, and pharmaceuticals. The Agro-processing industry in Sub-Saharan Africa contributes significantly to the region’s GDP. According to the African Development Bank, the Agro-processing industry accounts for 10% of Sub-Saharan Africa’s GDP and is expected to reach $1 trillion by 2030. The market size of the industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.8% between 2020 and 2025.

The potential value of the Agro-processing industry in Sub-Saharan Africa is enormous. The region has abundant agricultural resources, including land, water, and a favorable climate, which can support the growth of the industry. The industry has the potential to create jobs, increase food security, and provide income to farmers. Additionally, the growth of the industry can stimulate economic growth by creating a demand for goods and services, including transportation, energy, and financial services.

Agro-processing in Africa: Taking the first step

Although Agro-processing projects in Africa have the potential to       succeed, they can be quite complex. The industry is diverse, and many   different locales and cultures are involved. Drawing from our experience  at Projects Advisory services and Solutions (PasSolutions),   we’ll now share some insights on how project managers can navigate   the first critical step on an Agro-processing project i.e. Developing   business cases for project investments that correctly reflect the needs of  the customer for processed food products.

Business cases entail conducting market surveys and carrying out proper customer segmentation that will be used to justify the benefits in relation to the costs that will be incurred in installing an Agro-Processing project. Not identifying the right customers and understanding their needs when planning an Agro-business investment can lead to:

  1. Waste of Resources: Agro-processing projects that do not correctly reflect the needs of the customer for processed food products may result in the waste of resources, including time, money, and other inputs. This could lead to a significant financial loss for the investors and a lack of economic development for the countries involved.
  2. Low Demand for Products: Projects that are not based on the actual needs of the customers may result in the production of goods that are not in demand. This could lead to a situation where there is an oversupply of goods, which may lead to a price crash, lower profits, and low returns on investment.
  3. Negative Impact on the Local Economy: When Agro-processing projects fail, it could have a ripple effect on the local economy. This could lead to a loss of jobs, reduced income for farmers, and negative impacts on the supply chain.

There are numerous examples in Sub-Sahara Africa of promising Agro-processing initiatives that failed because they mishandled this critical business case step:

Nigeria: A fruit processing project in Nigeria failed due to a lack of proper market research and a poorly conducted feasibility study. The project was not designed to meet the actual needs of the customers, leading to a low demand for the product.

Ghana: A cassava processing project in Ghana failed due to a lack of proper planning and management. The project was not properly aligned with the needs of the market, leading to low demand for the product.

Botswana: A tomato processing project in Botswana failed due to a lack of proper market research and a poorly conducted feasibility study. The project was not designed to meet the actual needs of the customers, leading to a low demand for the product.

Kenya: A mango processing project in Kenya failed due to a lack of proper planning and management. The project was not properly aligned with the needs of the market, leading to low demand for the product.

South Africa: A canned fish project in South Africa failed due to a lack of proper market research and a poorly conducted feasibility study. The project was not designed to meet the actual needs of the customers, leading to a low demand for the product.