The 7th edition of Afri Print and Packaging Expo to be held from 20 – 22 December is gearing up to promote the advertising value chain.
Over 3,000 trade visitors are expected to have valuable discussions with exhibiting companies.
Organized by the leading trade fair organizer Prana events and its partner Expo Team for Service Co. Ltd, the Expo show cases; premier paper, commercial printing, packaging technology, inputs, and international solutions in its tradeshow.
A sign and graphics expo (SGE) will also be held concurrently to promote the advertising value chain for the first time in the East African Sub-region.
The three-day show will be held from December 20 to 22 at the Ethiopian Skylight hotel gathering key stakeholders, leading industry experts, renowned sector professionals, valuable buyers, concerned government officials, and start-ups.
(Photo: Anteneh Aklilu)
“As the premier event in Ethiopia, APPEx and SGE 2022 will serve as an excellent platform for companies to connect with potential clients and give exceptional access to an audience ready to equip themselves with knowledge and solutions to move their business forward,” said the organizers.
The signs business is expanding tremendously in the East African sub-region due to an increase in demand for outdoor signs and digital displays. The graphics business has also been booming because it allows companies to create customized images that represent their brand identity.
“Our company has seen the great need in the sector for a platform to interact, meet and do business. Due to the fast growth of the sector, now more than ever, companies in the industry need to get together and discuss ways to take the whole sector to the next level,” the organizing firm explained.
The rising domestic economies-particularly those in East and West Africa, growing disposable income, and expanding population drive increased markets for consumer products that push the printing and packaging industry’s rapid development in Africa. With increased urbanization and mobility becoming the norm in societies, the move towards small packs and multipacks is becoming more important. For manufacturers, this trend will create opportunities to encourage brand switching. Merchants will adopt these products as they save shelf space and rely on attractive packaging to boost sales.
With an annual growth rate of 14.4% from 2016 to 2020, Ethiopia is Africa‘s fastest-growing importing country for printing & paper-converting technology. Ethiopia is also East & Central Africa’s largest and fastest-growing importer of packaging technology. With an average annual growth rate of 11.2% between 2015 and 2020, Ethiopia is also one of Africa’s fastest-growing importers of packaging technology.
Arifpay Financial Technologies officially starts its operation of Point of Sale (PoS) and payment gateway after the approval of a commercial license by the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE).
Arifpay is said to be the first PoS payment system operator with payment solutions for various payment terminals smartphone, POS and quick response.
As indicated it is also licensed to provide various payment gateway solutions including utility bills, airtime payment, Ecommerce, school fee process and so on.
Arif pay will prove to integral in the digital finance space as it provides innovative, secure and simple digital payment solution for Micro, small and medium business merchants, as well as customers.
(Photo: Anteneh Aklilu)
Arifpay 1.0 was developed by Ethiopians and includes products such as POs and Arif mobile PoS designed to enhance digital payment infrastructure by allowing customers to purchase products and services using their mobile POS device.
On an event held on December 15, 2022 with the presence of Belete Mola, Minister of Innovation, Nigusu Tilahun, State Minister of Labor and Skills, and Yilebes Addis CEO of EthSwitch, the financial technology company announced its official operation.
“Arifpay is promoting digital business across Ethiopia using new digital payment systems,” said Bernand Laurendeau, CEO of Arifpay, adding, “What makes Arifpay is not only technology or the service made available, but also how Arifpay approaches the market through channel partners such as training agencies value added resellers, system integrator and implementers and others.”
The financial sector in Ethiopia is being properly regulated by the national bank regulations with prudential requirements and restrictions. A sustainable and well regulated digital payment ecosystem will ensure Ethiopia’s transition to a middle income economy. Also digital payment system plays key role in ensuring Ethiopia’s digital strategy 2025 as digital payments ensure payment service delivery, transparency, economic participation financial inclusion and encouraging innovation in the bank system.
ArifPay has raised 130 million birr in funding from 31 individual investors to support its early stages of rollout and growth.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) released its annual Emergency Watchlist, highlighting the 20 countries most at risk of deteriorating humanitarian crises in 2023.
This year, Somalia, Ethiopia and Afghanistan top the Watchlist, as East Africa faces the worst drought in decades and economic turmoil continues to compound needs in Afghanistan.
With over a third of a billion people in humanitarian need around the world and 100 million people displaced, IRC expert analysis clearly shows that the guardrails designed to prevent humanitarian crises from spiraling out of control – from diplomatic agreements and law-of-war tribunals to climate early warning systems and humanitarian aid itself – are being dismantled. Beyond the individual crises to watch, the report dives deep into the three major accelerators of humanitarian crises – armed conflict, climate change, and economic turmoil – and highlights what can be done to rebuild guardrails against a runaway world.
David Miliband, President and CEO of the IRC said, “the Emergency Watchlist shows record levels of humanitarian need in 2022 and real peril ahead for 2023. A year ago we diagnosed a global ‘System Failure’ – deficits in respect of state actions, diplomacy, legal rights and humanitarian operations that are driving the increased numbers of people in humanitarian need. Yet humanitarian need, forced displacement and food insecurity have all worsened since then. This system failure can be seen in this year’s figures: humanitarian need has jumped by 65 million people since last year, displacement has ballooned to over 100 million people.”
He further added “in this year’s Watchlist, we address the spiraling humanitarian need at ground level. The evidence we present shows that the guardrails that protect people from humanitarian catastrophe are being weakened in fragile and conflict states around the world. These guardrails are local, national and international systems designed to limit the impact of humanitarian crises on affected communities and to prevent crises from spiraling out of control. But the scale and nature of conflict, climate change and economic turmoil left unchecked in too many places is over-loading these systems. One need only look to the war in Ukraine to understand the impact of the unraveling of global guardrails against conflict, and the close association with humanitarian crises.”
Recently, on December 12, 2022, The Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS) presented the work accomplished in 2022 and reported on the primary outcomes of the Year of Africa during the IOFS Day in Astana, Kazakhstan. Today 21 African states are member of the IOFS.
The diplomatic corps, experts from more than 20 countries, and representatives of the international media participated in the forum.
Yerlan Baidaulet, General Director of IOFS, urged all member states and international organizations to partner in implementing the Africa Food Security Initiative (AFSI), which is the result of the resounding success of the IOFS Year of Africa in 2022.
«IOFS will continue to support Africa’s commitment to a sustainable food system through its projects and programs. I hope we will succeed, and I firmly believe our efforts will be more effective with your support,» – he said in the welcoming remarks.
The forum participants noted the position of IOFS as a critical platform for coordinating all flows of food security programs in the countries of the Islamic world. According to the guests of the forum, the young organization has great potential and provides a timely response to the growing global challenges of the food crisis worldwide.
Photo credit: iofs.org
According to Masoud Jarallah Al-Marri, Chairman of the IOFS Executive Board, the IOFS objective is to provide adequate, healthy, and balanced nutrition and increase the capacity related to obtaining it at the reasonable cost and the required quality to achieve sustainable development, social stability, and a decent life.
«This comes in light of the current situation and the recurring crises that threaten food security in the countries of the world in general and Islamic countries in particular, which requires more concerted efforts and capacity building to strengthen the food security system to enable it to withstand these challenges», – he said.
As IOFS press-serves report, throughout the year, the IOFS worked with African governments and other partners to develop the African agricultural sector and implement its strategic programs. The IOFS extended its gratitude and recognition to the partners who have worked in various venues for the benefit of African member states with the IOFS.
It is necessary to be noted that the Inaugural session of the IOFS General Assembly was held in conjunction with the 7th Ministerial Conference on Food Security and Agricultural Development on April 26-28, 2016 was also held in Astana, Kazakhstan. Back in 2011, this largest (by GDP) Central Asian Land locked country was first who initiated the foundation of IOFS, within the OIC at the 7th session of the World Islamic Economic Forum in Astana. That is why now the headquarters of IOFS is located in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan. This food-producing and exporting state along with Bangladesh and UAE are making the contributions into a budget of IOFS.
The idea of establishing the IOFS was very timely, considering the relevance of food insecurity and hunger in many countries. At the high-level forum on «Sustainable Development under the UN General Assembly», the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev pointed out the importance of the goals of the Islamic Organization for Food Security, which are aimed at solving the problems of desertification, deforestation, erosion, salinization, and social insecurity.
Photo credit: Akorda.kz
On September 21, this year in New-York President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev took part in the Global Summit on Food Security, which was held under the joint chairmanship of the African Union and the European Union.
As presidential press-service reported, the event was also attended by the President of the European Council Charles Michel, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Senegalese President Macky Sall, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and other world politicians.
In his speech, President of Kazakhstan noted that ensuring food security is one of the most pressing problems facing the world today. He stressed that since the last meeting in this format in 2019, the number of people facing acute food shortages has increased from 135 to 345 million people.
Tokayev said that Kazakhstan intends to continue to utilize its agricultural potential to combat the global food shortage. In particular, the President stressed that his country will continue to act as a reliable supplier of grain and other basic types of food.
Kazakh President urged to intensify efforts to combat hunger. In this context, he noted readiness to expand cooperation with the Islamic Food Security Organization and UN institutions.
In addition, Tokayev focused on the transit and transport potential of Kazakhstan, including within the framework of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. — «We expect that the volume of cargo transportation through Kazakhstan will increase significantly in the coming years. Ahead of winter, Kazakhstan can mitigate the existing shortage of energy resources and critical raw materials», – he said.
The President separately focused on the challenges associated with climate change and the structural vulnerability of food systems. He stressed that Kazakhstan, as an international transit hub, is able to build global sustainable supply chains.
At the end of his speech, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted that in the 1930s, Kazakhstan experienced a tragedy caused by famine («Asharshylyk») and is therefore fully committed to solving food security problems.
By the way, besides the grains, flour and wheat, Kazakhstan holds a leading position in the export of many other important goods, including oil, metals, petrochemicals, edible oil. Cooperation of Ethiopia with Kazakhstan in this area has great prospects.
Ambassador Barlybay Sadykov discussing the trade issues with Minister of Trade and Regional Integration Gebremeskel Challa during the 12th International Exhibition of Ethiopian products, June 2, 2022, Addis Ababa Photo credit: Embassy of Kazakhstan.
During the trade seminar in Addis Ababa, organised on November 8, this year, by the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Ethiopia in cooperation with the Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, local businessmen expressed their interested in developing trade with Kazakhstan.
Ambassador Barlybay Sadykov, in this remarks during the seminar pointed out that Kazakhstan-Ethiopian mutual trade turnover is growing three times this year, comparing with the same period of the previous year. He also drew attention to the prospects of bilateral trade and investment cooperation. Regarding the political situation in Ethiopia he congratulated the Government of Ethiopia and all citizens of the country on the signing of the Peace Agreement on November 2 this year. «This long-awaited event is a historic landmark for Ethiopia and its people in achieving peace, stability and security throughout all country. Kazakhstan has always stood and supported the principle and policy aimed at preserving the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ethiopia» – he said.
Thus, the continuation of effective cooperation of Ethiopia with Kazakhstan in the international arena, within the framework of the UN, could be fruitful for both sides. Both countries share common values and firmly stands for the principles of international law, protection of sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
