In its “Gartner Africa ICT Hype Cycle 2019” report issued on August 20, the US advanced technology consulting and research firm Gartner Inc. has spotted the three technologies that will transform business in Africa over the next ten years. These are smart cities, the Internet of Things (IoT) and low-Earth orbit satellite systems.
Professional services sector research and data consultancy Source Global Research has released its 2019 report on the management consulting industry of the GCC, reporting year-on-year growth of 9.1 percent in 2018 – with the positive growth seeing the regional market break the $3 billion barrier for the first time. The region was again led by surging demand for consulting services in Saudi Arabia, with healthcare and pharma the fastest growing sectors.
Global strategy and management consultancy A.T. Kearney has released its latest business and human capital focused Global Cities Report, with Dubai holding onto its top 30 ranking among 130 cities assessed worldwide on categories including business activity, human capital, information exchange, cultural experience and political engagement. Abu Dhabi, however, has dramatically jumped Dubai on the report’s ‘outlook’ index.
Clocking up a quarter of a century of coverage, Mercer’s 25th annual cost of living survey has seen the Middle East’s leading economic hubs once again rocket up the rankings. Conducted with an expatriate focus, Mercer’s latest survey measured over 200 comparative prices across a vast range of products and services in 500-plus cities to arrive at its final ranking of 209 global cities.
A new report from leading strategy consultancy Strategy& – compiled in conjunction with Monsha’at, Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Small and Medium Enterprises – has delved into the ‘potential and promise’ of the Kingdom’s co-working scene, which, as it stands, features an estimated 40 locations in total similarly sparse as to population – has close to 30 per head.
Now into its fifth edition – but assessing data stretching back for the past two decades – the annual Growth Promise Indicators (GPI) report compiled by global professional services firm KPMG provides investors and policymakers with an objective international benchmarking tool on a range of factors contributing to nation’s economic growth prospects.
While digitalisation and innovation are both picking up in pace across South Africa, some companies appear to be more successful than others in unlocking the potential value of innovative technology. Accenture recommends a ‘Wise Pivot’ strategy for those firms that appear to be struggling.
Personal financial wealth in the UAE from 2013 to 2018 grew by 5 per cent per year to $0.4 trillion, and is expected to grow by 8 per cent per year to $0.6 trillion by 2023, according to a new report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), titled Global Wealth 2019: Reigniting Radical Growth.
Communicating the unique benefits of blockchain technologies to stakeholders remains a key challenge for both startups and established businesses. Deloitte, one of the "big four" accounting organizations in the world, aims for its Blockchain in a Box to make it easier for developers to quickly prototype, demonstrate, and share projects.
PwC has launched an updated auditing solution for clients who hold cryptocurrencies, the firm announced. The auditing solution, called Halo, offers a full breakdown of clients’ crypto treasury, tracking blockchain transactions to provide “independent, substantive evidence needed to establish ownership of cryptocurrency.”
In addition to providing expert advice on the evaluation and review of all supporting documents for the tender, as well as on the evaluation of applications, bids and the preparation of the licensing process, KPMG Angola will also help publicize the tender on the international market. The aim is to attract the interest of the world's leading telecoms operators.
Bahrain’s Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunication has shortlisted three firms to provide transaction advisory services for the phase I of Bahrain Metro Rail project. According to a Bahrain Tender Board notice, a sum of eight bids were received. however, bids by Al Zayani Engineering, KPMG and PriceWaterCoopers are still in the run for the phase one of Bahrain metro rail project.
Human resources consultancy Mercer has appointed Tamara Parker as its Chief Executive Office in South Africa. Parker is tasked with expanding the firm’s presence in South Africa and neighboring regions, in addition to fostering the newly developed partnership with Alexander Forbes.
Global professional services firm Ernst & Young has added 20 new members to its partnership ranks in the Middle East & North Africa amid 733 mid-year global promotions – including the firm’s first ever female partners from Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE; Heba Wardie, Esraa Al-Buti and Wardah Ebrahim. Altogether, the number of newly appointed female partners has tripled from last year.
Ernst & Young LLP (EY) has unveiled the audit firm’s first female regional chief executive, Nancy Muhoya, who is set to take over from Gitahi Gachahi who retires next year. Ms Muhoya, who is the new EY Kenya managing partner and East Africa region leader, is also the first woman to be appointed to the top position in Africa.
INFOMINEO RESOURCES
A highlight of some of our resources to expand your knowledge on Africa and the Middle East.
In the past, companies turned to consultants mainly for access to their analytical capabilities, but today this is not enough. Organizations are now seeking out consultants for topic expertise and their ability to drive change.
This change in client expectations is driving consultancies to restructure and adapt their delivery model to one that is more open and tailored to client needs.
In the last two decades, China has become the most important economic interlocutor of the African continent, through a number of both public and private initiatives across trade, investments, financing and cooperation. To have an idea of the scale of the Chinese wave, we can have a look at the most recent figures.
INFOMINEO
Infomineo is a data and research service provider, that specializes in Africa and the Middle East, dedicated to supporting global companies in getting access to information that powers their investment decisions in the region. Through a direct presence in key markets such as the UAE, South Africa, Kenya, Egypt and Morocco, Infomineo provides a quick access to market data on key questions such as: market and product prioritization, partner identification, commercial due diligence, route to market, supply chain mapping and competitive analysis among others. Along with conductingCustom Research for clients, Infomineo also delivers an Expert Network service and a Business Translation service.
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