Placed on the Africa map: Disruptive companies chart their growth strategies
Frost & Sullivan will unveil new technologies and innovative business models impacting industries at GIL 2014: Africa this August
Africa is at a cusp of realising its true growth potential, with innovation and technology acting as the catalyst to achieving this goal. Globally, new technologies are expected to create new market opportunities to the tune of $1.9 trillion over the next 5 years, and organisations leveraging new business models and disruption will be at a competitive advantage when charting their growth strategy throughout Africa.
“Innovation is fundamental for any organisation to remain relevant with the fast paced and ever-changing needs of its customers,” states Frost & Sullivan’s Operations Manager for Africa practice, Mani James. “In Africa, we have started to see how cutting edge technologies are shaping and transforming a number of industries.”
Healthcare is an area that has shown tremendous development over the last decade with the full convergence of ICT and traditional health services almost complete, making the two industries inseparable.
“While there has been rapid expansion in the penetration and use of mobile communication devices in Africa, the growth of health applications has still been relatively slow. Infrastructure deficits and costs limit the scope for leveraging technology to improve health outcomes, but Frost & Sullivan has certainly noted mounting traction in the market with more and more stakeholders looking to develop viable and sustainable business models to ensure future growth. With mobile penetration rates of over 100 percent in many African countries, this is certainly the time to get involved. ” says Health Care Programme Manager for Africa, Dr Etienne van Wyk.
The rapid rate of urbanisation and population growth throughout Africa is also forcing organisations to revisit their country and city based supply chain strategies, thereby becoming more innovative.
“With an estimated total of $174 billion in ongoing and planned investment in transportation infrastructure projects throughout sub-Saharan Africa, organisations and governments are re-evaluating their business models to effectively serve their customers,” confirms Frost & Sullivan Operations Manager Mani James. “We are also seeing rapid improvements and development in areas such as high speed rail – for example the Gautrain in Gauteng Province – as well as the public transport systems – for example the Rapid Bus Transport (RBT) system in the Western Cape.”
Frost & Sullivan has identified 50 promising innovation technologies that have the greatest ability to disrupt, collapse and transform the world and business around us over the next 6 -18 months. These technology trends will be revealed at GIL 2014: Africa The Global Community of Growth, Innovation and Leadership (http://www.frost.com/growthandinnovationevent), on 14 August at The Table Bay hotel in Cape Town, South Africa.
This annual one-day congress is part of Frost & Sullivan’s exclusive GIL community that represents a worldwide network of over 5,000 senior executives. The congress will begin at 9 am with a welcome address by Operations Director for Frost & Sullivan Africa, Hendrik Malan, followed by an inspiring keynote by EIA Partner & Director Dorman Followwill. Frost & Sullivan’s prestigious Best Practice Awards Banquet will follow on from the day’s events where companies, like Standard Bank, IBM, EOH, Sasol and more will be recognised for best practices and as innovative leaders.
To attend Frost & Sullivan’s congress, or to inquire about sponsorship and media partnership opportunities, please send an e-mail to Samantha James, Corporate Communications, at [email protected]
Schedule:
GIL 2014: Africa
The Table Bay Hotel, Cape Town, in South Africa
The Global Community of Growth, Innovation and Leadership
14 August 2014
