The Uganda Development Bank Limited (UDBL) in partnership with the Uganda Women Entrepreneurs Association Limited (UWEAL) this week set an agenda to assist and accelerate financing for women-owned enterprises across the country.
Running under the theme; Accelerating women’s Economic Equality through financial and Non-financial Inclusion Opportunities for Ugandan Women, 200 registered women enterprises from all 14 UWEAL clusters in the country met in Kampala to share experiences and explore opportunities.
UDBL is Uganda’s top Development Finance Institution which in December 2021, launched a special initiative aimed at growing enterprise assets and revenue, create employment, and redistribute wealth across all the sub-regions of Uganda.
Sophie Nakandi, the UDBL Company Secretary and Head of Legal told the gathering, “Cognizant of the systemic challenges women in business face, including inadequate access to affordable-patient capital and business development services, the bank established a specialized proposition, dubbed the UDB Special Programs, to address the specific financing needs of youth, SMEs and women.”
She said, “Under the women financing segment, (Women Prosper Loans) the bank has in the last two years supported 72 enterprises in over 40 districts and approved UGX75 billion worth of loans.”
Sarah Kitakule, the UWEAL Board chairperson thanked UDB for offering tailor-made financial solutions aimed at providing low-cost and patient capital for women entrepreneurs and facilitating women-owned businesses.
“Our partnership with Uganda Development Bank further increases our footprint and impact in the country. Through Business Development Services, women entrepreneurs develop the knowledge and skills necessary to grow and sustain their businesses,” she said.
The deputy finance minister for Investment and Privatization, Evelyn Anite applauded UDB and UWEAL for the inaugural conference saying it symbolizes efforts to address the structural barriers facing women businesses.
“The government’s commitment as outlined in Vision 2040 and National Development Plan III, underscores gender equality as a cross-cutting enabler for socio-economic transformation. In an economy where women account for about 77% of the agricultural labor force, the sector that accounts for 24% of the GDP, and about 40% of Uganda’s export earnings, we stay committed to ensuring that such opportunities reach every woman across Uganda.”
Prof. Dr Maggie Kigozi, a director of Crown Beverages reiterated the power of building synergies in business, for women to achieve economic equality, further noting that in such gatherings, women should learn from each other and build networks to propel their businesses.
Standard Bank Group recorded headline earnings of R42.9 billion (about $2.3 billion) for the 12 months to 31 December 2023 (FY23), of which nearly half were generated by its subsidiaries across Africa, including Stanbic Bank Uganda (SBU).
SBU is one of the five subsidiaries of Stanbic Uganda Holdings Limited (SUHL) Standard Bank Group through Stanbic Africa Holdings Limited, owns SUHL.
Announcing the latest financials on Thursday in Johannesburg, Sim Tshabalala, Standard Bank Group CEO said, “This strong performance is underpinned by our differentiated franchise and reflective of the good momentum in our business. Our Africa Regions’ and Offshore franchises remain key differentiators. Both recorded pleasing performances.”
Standard Bank’s Africa Regions contributed 42% to group headline earnings. The top eight contributors to Africa Regions’ headline earnings were Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nigeria, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The figure for earnings is up 27% on the previous year (FY22), delivering a return on equity of 18.8%. Officials said this strong performance is underpinned by the bank’s robust and growing franchise and is reflective of the positive momentum in its businesses.
In 2023, the group effectively defended and grew its banking franchise and improved banking earnings and returns. Active customers grew by 6% to 18.8 million. In addition, digital retail clients in South Africa increased by 8% as more clients transitioned to our convenient digital channels. The group processed over 2.8 billion digital transactions for retail clients and distributed over R41 billion on behalf of South African clients via our digital wallet platform. Client satisfaction scores improved across various channels, particularly digital in South Africa.
Standard Bank’s Insurance and Asset Management franchise recorded an improved insurance performance and growth in its assets under management year on year. Since the announcement of the Liberty minority buyout, the group has received over R5.7 billion in distributions. The group successfully bought out the minorities of Liberty2Degrees (L2D) in the financial year. L2D holds an attractive portfolio of commercial properties including Sandton City, Nelson Mandela Square, Melrose Arch and Midlands Mall amongst others.
In 2023, uncertainty remained elevated globally. In the first six months inflation remained elevated and interest rates continued to rise. However, in the second half of 2023, central banks paused whilst monitoring inflation trends and developing geopolitical risks. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecast global growth of 3.1% in 2023.
Tshabalala said, “While uncertainty is expected to remain elevated, our business is diversified, growing, and resilient. We are focused on delivering against our strategic priorities and remain on track to deliver on our 2025 targets. The group is also on track to deliver against its ambitious sustainable finance and renewable energy targets.”
In 2023, Sub-Saharan Africa experienced inflationary pressures and monetary policy tightening. However, there was progress on Ghana’s debt restructure, Kenya’s funding outlook improved, and Nigeria took steps to liberalise the Naira. While currency movements were mixed across the group’s portfolio of countries, they were weaker on average by the end of the year.
Tshabalala said, “In 2024, we will continue to support our clients, develop our employees, and deliver sustainable growth and value to our shareholders and other stakeholders. In addition, as a leading financial institution on the continent, we recognise our responsibility to have a positive impact in our regions of operation. We do so by delivering against our purpose of driving Africa’s growth.”
Uganda beverage company Nile Breweries (NBL took the silver home in this year’s edition of the Federation of Uganda Employers (FUE), organised annual Employer of the Year (EYA) Awards.
Finalists for the award which celebrated managerial processes, human resources and company performance, were announced March 1, at Speke Resort Munyonyo. MTN Uganda bagged the gold in the awards which were held under the theme “Employer competitiveness post Covid.”
NBL Country People Lead, Martha Nalubega touted the accolade as highlighting the brewer’s commitment to employee welfare and growth, a reflection of the company’s supportive, inclusive, and empowering culture.
“Our longstanding tradition of investing in our employees’ development, providing continuous training programs especially through our online platform-ABI University, competitive benefits, fostering a supportive work culture, and upholding diversity, equity, and inclusion has been pivotal in our success,” Nalubega said.
“As we celebrate this significant milestone, we reaffirm our commitment to being the employer of choice in Uganda as we create a future with more cheers. Our employees are at the core of everything we do. We strive to create a workplace where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to succeed,” she added.
FUE chief executive officer Douglas Opio said, the awards sought to recognise decent work and promote best business practices at the workplace.
Other winners included, Quality CIPLA- Chemicals who took the disability inclusion award, NUPIDU won the best non-governmental organisation while Carrefour won the best service sector employer award. Over 300 companies participated in the awards with over 1712 respondents.
Prof. Julius Kikooma, the lLead consultant for the survey noted that the survey was measured in five aspects; Quality and Performance, Innovation, Risk and Compliance, Customer Experience as well as Workplace Culture. Overall, there were 15 winners in 14 categories, including the Small and Medium Enterprise category and the agriculture sector among others.
Mr. Luc Pirson, the head of cooperation at the Embassy of Belgium, who presided over the event as chief guest, hailed the awards as an important contribution towards advancing equity in society.
Applications are now open in a global competition for women social entrepreneurs, whose businesses are advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The deadline is Friday April 12.
These start ups or businesses that directly generate social change or impact a social cause. A social entrepreneur is primarily motivated by a desire to alleviate some kind of systemic social or cultural problem.
Launched by the UN Secretary General, President of the World Bank and the Council of Women World Leaders at the UN General Assembly in 2018, the WE (women entrepreneurs) Empower UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Challenge is the first-of-its-kind. The Challenge is co-convened by ASU Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory and Vital Voices Global Partnership.
Eligibility Requirements are;
The successful applicant will be notified by July 2024 and will receive the opportunity to travel to New York City during the UN Global Goals/Climate Week September 22 – 27, 2024 to participate in a series of tailored trainings contributed by leading and supporting partners and engage in high-profile events with UN officials.
The WE Empower Challenge Awardees will participate in events surrounding the 79th UN General Assembly as well as connect with renowned business experts from around the world.
For more information: visit the Official Webpage of the WE Empower UN SDG Challenge
The need for drastic change in the economics discipline has never been so urgent writes Jayati Ghosh.
Humanity faces existential crises, with planetary health and environmental challenges becoming major concerns. The global economy was already limping and fragile before the pandemic; the subsequent recovery has exposed deep and worsening inequalities not just in incomes and assets but in access to basic human needs.
The resulting sociopolitical tensions and geopolitical conflicts are creating societies that may soon be dysfunctional to the point of being unlivable. All this requires transformative economic strategies. Yet the discipline’s mainstream persists in doing business as usual, as if tinkering at the margins with minor changes could have any meaningful impact.
There is a long-standing problem. Much of what is presented as received economic wisdom about how economies work and the implications of policies is at best misleading and at worst simply wrong. For decades now, a significant and powerful lobby within the discipline has peddled half-truths and even falsehoods on many critical issues—for example, how financial markets work and whether they can be “efficient” without regulation; the macroeconomic and distributive implications of fiscal policies; the impact of labor market and wage deregulation on employment and unemployment; how patterns of international trade and investment affect livelihoods and the possibility of economic diversification; how private investment responds to policy incentives such as tax breaks and subsidies and to fiscal deficits; how multinational investment and global value chains affect producers and consumers; the ecological damage wrought by patterns of production and consumption; whether tighter intellectual property rights are really necessary to promote invention and innovation; and so on.
Why does this happen? The original sin could be the exclusion of the concept of power from the discourse, which effectively reinforces existing power structures and imbalances. Underlying conditions are swept aside or covered up, such as the greater power of capital compared with workers; unsustainable exploitation of nature; differential treatment of workers through social labor market segmentation; the private abuse of market power and rent-seeking behavior; the use of political power to push private economic interests within and between nations; and the distributive impacts of fiscal and monetary policies. The deep and continuing concerns with GDP as a measure of progress are ignored; despite its many conceptual and methodological flaws, it remains the basic indicator, just because it’s there.
Inconvenient truths
There is a related tendency to downplay the crucial significance of assumptions in deriving analytical results and in presenting those results in policy discussions. Most mainstream theoretical economists will argue that they have moved far away from early neoclassical assumptions such as perfect competition, constant returns to scale, and full employment, which bear no relation to actual economic functioning anywhere. But these assumptions still persist in the models that explicitly or implicitly undergird many policy prescriptions (including on trade and industrial policies or “poverty reduction” strategies), particularly for the developing world.
The power structures within the profession reinforce the mainstream in different ways, including through the tyranny of so-called top journals and academic and professional employment. Such pressures and incentives divert many of the brightest minds from a genuine study of the economy (to try to understand its workings and the implications for people) to what can only be called “trivial pursuits.” Too many top academic journals publish esoteric contributions that add value only by relaxing one small assumption in a model or using a slightly different econometric test. Elements that are harder to model or generate inconvenient truths are simply excluded, even if they would contribute to a better understanding of economic reality. Fundamental constraints or outcomes are presented as “externalities” rather than as conditions to be addressed. Economists who talk mainly to each other, then simply proselytize their findings to policymakers, are rarely forced to question this approach.
As a result, economic forces that are necessarily complex—muddied with the impact of many different variables—and reflect the effects of history, society, and politics are not studied in light of this complexity. Instead, they are squeezed into mathematically tractable models, even if this removes any resemblance to economic reality. To be fair, some very successful mainstream economists have railed against this tendency—but with little effect thus far on the gatekeepers of the profession.
Hierarchy and discrimination
The enforcement of strict power hierarchies within the discipline has suppressed the emergence and spread of alternative theories, explanations, and analysis. These combine with the other forms of discrimination (by gender, race/ethnicity, location) to exclude or marginalize alternative perspectives.
The impact of location is huge: the mainstream discipline is completely dominated by the North Atlantic—specifically the US and Europe— in terms of prestige, influence, and the ability to determine the content and direction of the discipline. The enormous knowledge, insights, and contributions to economic analysis that are made by economists located in global majority countries are largely ignored, because of the implicit assumption that “real” knowledge originates in the North and is disseminated outward.
Arrogance toward other disciplines is a major drawback, expressed for example by the lack of a strong sense of history, which should permeate all current social and economic analysis.
Recently it has become fashionable for economists to dabble in psychology, with the rise of behavioral economics and “nudges” to induce certain behavior. But this too is often presented a historically, without recognizing varying social and political contexts. For example, the worm’s eye randomized tests that have become so popular in development economics are associated with a shift away from studying evolutionary processes and macroeconomic tendencies, to focus on microeconomic proclivities that effectively erase the background and context that shape economic behavior and responses.
The underlying and deeply problematic underpinning of methodological individualism persists, largely because few contemporary economists attempt a philosophical assessment of their own approach and work.
These flaws have greatly impoverished economics and unsurprisingly reduced its credibility and legitimacy among the wider public. The mainstream discipline is sorely in need of greater humility, a better sense of history and recognition of unequal power, and active encouragement of diversity. Clearly, much has to change if economics is really to become relevant and useful enough to confront the major challenges of our times.
Jayati Ghosh is a Professor of Economics at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Chinese brands dominated the African market as latest figures showed shipments to the continent grow 12.5% year-on-year (YoY) in the fourth quarter of 2023 to 19.8 million units.
Amid a period of high inflation, local currency devaluations, and foreign exchange shortages, the relatively lower priced Chinese brands continued to gain popularity however the feature phone market saw shipments decrease 7.8% over the same period to total 20.9 million units.
According to findings published by International Data Corporation (IDC), a global provider of market intelligence and advisory services, Transsion brands (Tecno, Itel, Infinix) continued to dominate Africa’s smartphone market with their ultra-low-end devices selling at less than $100.
These are the most marketable to a consumer base challenged by low purchasing power due to reduced income and the growing dollar rate. Samsung and Xiaomi followed the Transsion brands in second and third place, respectively.
George Mbuthia, a senior research analyst at IDC said, “Kenya recorded the region’s highest YoY growth rate in terms of smart phone shipments in Q4 2023, coming from a low base when the market’s dominant brands reduced their shipments in Q4 2022 in an effort to manage high inventory levels.
He said, “Local assembly initiatives for low-end smart phones (below $200) also contributed to the strong growth seen in Kenya. In addition, mobile phone financing schemes have enabled consumers to acquire new smart phones by enabling payment installments over a long time period.”
Earlier this year, MiOne, a Chinese phone manufacturer which set up an assembly plant in Mbale industrial park, launched two new smart phones available in two versions–U1 and Joy 9. MiOne first entered the Ugandan market in February 2023 with feature phones and hopes to maintain its steadily growing market share by adding locally-made smart phones.
Nigeria overcame market volatility and a significant currency devaluation to record Africa’s second-highest growth rate thanks to a strong push by Chinese brands. South Africa recorded a YoY decline due to the challenging economic environment and partly due to delays in shipments at the country’s ports.
The IDC report indicates shipments of ultra-low-end smart phones (below $100) to the region were up 5.2% YoY in Q4 2023, while shipments of low-end versions, (between $100 and $200) and midrange (between $200 and $400) devices increased 18.9% and 16.6%, respectively, indicating strong demand for budget-friendly smart phones.
Looking ahead, IDC forecasts YoY growth in smart phone shipments of 2.8% for 2024. Ramazan Yavuz, a senior research manager at IDC said, “Handset renewal cycles have slowed as smart phones carry better features, increasing their longevity, and are more durable. However, in Africa, the transition from feature phones will support smart phone growth in the short and medium term, while AI phones and 5G adoption will fuel Africa’s smart phones growth in the long term.”
The Standard Bank Group has appointed Stanbic Bank Uganda Chief Executive Anne Juuko to a new leadership role at the regional office in Nairobi as the Global Markets Regional Head-East Africa, effective April 1st, 2024
Patrick Mweheire, the Standard Bank Group Regional Chief Executive for East Africa said, “I congratulate and welcome Anne to the East Africa region—an important growth vector in the Group’s business strategy. I am confident that she will succeed in her new mandate—steering the respective country teams to deliver satisfactorily on the set revenue, profitability, and sustainability goals, given her expertise, market networks, and leadership experience.”
She succeeded Patrick Mweheire to become the first female Chief Executive of Uganda’s largest commercial lender in 2020 and is lauded for sustaining the bank’s profitability through some of the most challenging operating environments including two years of the global Covid-19 pandemic.
Under her watch, the bank posted strong prosperity announcing a profit after tax of UGX365 billion in 2022, up from UGX242 billion in her first year 2020. Performance results for 2023 are set to be released later this month.
She is not new to Global Markets banking having joined the Standard Bank Group 12 years ago as Head of Global Markets for Stanbic Bank Uganda (SBU), before moving on to serve as Head of Corporate and Investment Banking Namibia, until 2020 when she was appointed SBU Chief Executive.
Kayode Solola, the Standard Bank Group Executive Head for Global Markets—Africa Regions said, “I congratulate Anne on this skyward deployment within the Group Africa Regions Global Markets leadership where she will oversee seven markets including Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, DR Congo, South Sudan, Malawi, and Zambia.”
Under her watch, SBU registered considerable success in enabling access to affordable credit for smallholder farmer groups with the launch in 2021 of the SACCO financing and capacity building programme which has since enrolled over 6000 groups with a combined membership of 1.8 million people and deposits of over UGX200 billion.
Collectively, the bank has lent over UGX 80 billion at 10% annual interest to SACCO groups which has indirectly benefited nearly 10 million Ugandans, with support from partners such as Abi Trust, Operation Wealth Creation. It also played a critical part in enabling the implementation of the government of Uganda’s led Parish Development Model
“We thank Anne and her colleagues in senior management for the collaboration and leading their respective teams to considerable success and delivering for both our customers and shareholders,” Damoni Kitabire, the SBU Board Chairman said.
Through Stanbic4Her, Stanbic has enrolled 19 000 women entrepreneurs of which 14 000 were new to bank and had disbursed over UGX60 billion in deposits to women led businesses at an annual interest rate of 15.5% as well as extending financial literacy training to over 54,000 women.
Beyond banking, Anne will, among others, be remembered for championing maternal and neonatal health having launched the Corporate Society for Safe Motherhood alongside other private sector actors, in partnership with the Ministry of Health. Nearly 100, 000 women have benefited from the effort since 2021.
During her time, the bank also invested in FlexiPay, a digital wallet that enables access to financial services without necessarily having a bank account. The digital channel has seen tremendous growth moving from 390,000 wallets in 2022 to over 850,000—nearly a million as of last year.
Anne Juuko holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Makerere University and a master’s degree in strategic planning from the Herriot Watt Business School in Edinburgh, Scotland.
The World Bank’s beverage price index reached a 13-year high in February 2024 month-on-month (m/m), driven by surging prices of cocoa and Robusta coffee. The index, which averaged slightly higher in 2023 compared to 2022, is expected to weaken in 2025 as additional supplies of coffee and cocoa reach the market.
Robusta coffee prices surged to their highest point in three decades in February 2024, marking a four percent rise from the previous month, driven by supply concerns.
Meanwhile, Arabica prices increased by three percent in February (m/m) reflecting the tightness of this market as well. The global coffee market anticipates a significant increase in supplies, with an estimated increase of nearly seven million bags for the current season, mainly from Arabica producers like Brazil, Colombia, and Ethiopia, which dominate the Arabica market.
However, challenges loom for the Robusta market as Indonesia and Vietnam, key Robusta suppliers, grapple with poor crop yields, leading to potential shortages. On the demand side, consumption is projected to reach record levels during the ongoing, 2023-24, season.
Arabica prices are expected to soften in 2024, followed by overall stability in 2025. Conversely, Robusta prices are anticipated to remain high in 2024, before they decrease considerably in 2025.
Cocoa prices continued their upward climb, gaining 26 percent in February (m/m), building on the 13 percent gain in 2023Q4 (q/q). Prices averaged 37 percent higher in 2023 compared to the previous year.
The surge has been fueled by lower-than-expected production in Côte d’Ivoire, the world’s largest supplier, attributed to heavy rains linked to El Niño. Additionally, robust grindings—a barometer of demand—earlier in the year supported the price boom.
Global cocoa availability for the upcoming season is expected to improve, especially in Côte d’Ivoire, which is reported to have taken several steps to address ongoing supply issues, including a halt on 2024-25 forward sales and a restriction on cocoa processors keeping stocks beyond set limits. In view of increased global supplies, cocoa prices are expected to ease in 2025.
Tea prices increased only marginally in February 2024 (m/m), largely influenced by the continuous drop at the Kolkata auction (-10 percent). The tea price index hovers 4 percent lower than it did a year ago. The decline reflects ample production and exports from major producers and exporters, such as Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, two key South Asian suppliers.
Concurrently subdued demand from leading importers, notably Iran, further contributed to the downturn. Following a 10 percent decline in 2023, tea prices are expected to stabilize in 2024 and 2025 as supplies in South Asia, particularly Sri Lanka, recover.
Higher prices for fuel, materials and utilities during February resulted in an increase in overall input costs for the private midway through the first quarter of 2024. However, a slight easing of activity in some sectors of the economy dropped the headline Stanbic Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) to 51.7 from 54.0 in January.
However, overall business conditions in the Ugandan private sector continued to improve in February amid further increases in output and new orders resulting in firms increasing their employment and purchasing activity.
The Stanbic PMI is a monthly survey carried out by S&P Global involving about 400 respondents, covering agriculture, mining, manufacturing, construction, wholesale, retail and services.
The PMI is a weighted average of the following five indices: New Orders (30%), Output (25%), Employment (20%), Suppliers’ Delivery Times (15%) and Stocks of Purchases (10%). Readings above 50.0 signal an improvement in business conditions on the previous month, while readings below 50.0 show deterioration.
On the latest findings, Christopher Legilisho, Economist at Stanbic Bank said, “Despite a slight softening of private sector activity in February, Uganda has sustained a streak of strong activity, with both output and new orders increasing over the last 19 months due to higher customer demand. There was growth in construction, industry, services as well as wholesale and retail.”
The report shows that an influx of new clients also supported a further expansion of business activity, although there were reports from some panelists that demand had shown signs of softening over the month. Output rose across four of the five monitored sectors, with only agriculture posting a fall.
Legilisho said, “Activity in agriculture declined in February. Still, backlogs eased, particularly in agriculture, with firms increasing staffing levels for 11 months running, albeit only slightly in February, as well as hiring permanent staff to handle overflow. Nevertheless, staffing costs in February declined for a second month running as firms increased output prices whilst limiting costs – this was despite higher input prices, especially for fuel, materials and utilities. Firms remain optimistic about the outlook for customer demand and output over the next 12 months.”
According to the report, as well as contributing to current growth of activity and new orders, higher customer numbers are also predicted to support increases in output over the year ahead. As such, companies remained optimistic in the 12-month outlook for activity, with positivity seen at around 83% of respondents.
Despite sustained increases in purchasing activity in February, stocks of inputs decreased for the first time in three months. While wholesale and retail companies raised their inventory holdings, this was outweighed by falls in stocks of purchases in the agriculture and industry categories.
Employment rose again in February as firms made efforts to deplete backlogs of work. These were generally successful as outstanding business decreased for the second successive month.
Employment has now increased in each survey period since April last year, but trends varied by sector in February. Job creation in the industry, services and wholesale and retail categories contrasted with falling staffing levels in agriculture and construction.
Companies also increased their purchasing activity again in February, while suppliers’ delivery times shortened. That said, stocks of purchases decreased for the first time in three months.
Anecdotal evidence suggested that input buying was raised in line with higher sales, but some firms scaled back purchasing amid signs of client demand softening. With overall input costs rising, companies increased their own selling prices accordingly. Charge inflation has now been recorded in each of the past 11 months. Four of the five monitored sectors saw output prices increase in February, the exception being construction.
Companies were able to deplete their backlogs of work for the second month running midway through the first quarter of the year. Construction was the only sector to see outstanding business increase during the latest survey period.
Africa’s space industry rarely makes headline news; how active is the continent, and what does the African space landscape look like?
It’s exciting to see that the African space landscape is rapidly evolving. According to the 2022 report of the think tank Space in Africa, Africa is home to more than 270 space companies that develop space technologies and offer space-based services, collectively employing approximately 19,000 people. According to the same report, the African space industry is projected to grow by 16% to USD 22 billion by 2026. Additionally, 20 African countries established national space programs, and the African Union established the African Space Agency (AfSA) in Cairo, marking a significant milestone.
As a global leader in aerospace, Boeing recognises the immense potential of Africa’s space sector, and we are committed to contributing to the growth and success of the space industry in Africa by investing in a sustainable talent pipeline.
That is why Boeing and the Future African Space Explorer’s STEM Academy (FASESA) have recently launched the educational program Pathways to Space. The program is specifically designed for the youth in Sub-Saharan Africa and particularly emphasises satellite technology.
Can you provide an overview of the “Pathways to Space” program, its objectives, and how it fits into Boeing’s broader commitment to space exploration and education?
Pathways to Space is an extracurricular program tailored for Ethiopian, Nigerian, and Tanzanian school students. The program will reach 300 students over five months, with at least 50% of the participants being girls.
The program is a collaborative effort with local educational and government institutions in Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Tanzania aimed at state schools identified by the local Ministries of Education and Science and Technology.
The curriculum goes beyond imparting theoretical knowledge, incorporating practical elements to offer hands-on experience relevant to the space industry. The program cultivates science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) literacy. Simultaneously, the program aims to spark curiosity in space exploration by providing foundational knowledge on space, the history of human space exploration, and satellites. Additionally, it equips students with indispensable skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and teamwork.
Through the Pathways to Space program, Boeing is excited to share 60 years of space expertise with the African youth. Our primary objective is to inspire students to explore fulfilling careers in aerospace, thereby nurturing a future generation poised to drive economic transformation in their respective nations.
What are Boeing and FASESA’s plans for developing or expanding the program?
As the program evolves, plans are underway to expand its reach to other African countries, providing educational opportunities for more young people interested in space exploration and STEM.
Starting next year, we will offer online participation and in-person classes, enhancing accessibility.
Boeing and FASESA are committed to enhancing the curriculum, fostering partnerships with more local institutions, and building a supportive online network for students and educators.
What are the expected outcomes of this collaboration in Africa, and what opportunities will it open for the beneficiaries?
Upon completing the program, graduates will get certificates and find themselves at a pivotal juncture with numerous exciting pathways to consider. Whether it entails pursuing further education in aerospace, embarking on entrepreneurial ventures, or actively contributing to the expanding space ecosystem within their countries, the knowledge and skills acquired will empower them to make informed decisions.
Does Boeing provide any space services in Africa?
In 2003, Boeing became one of the pioneers in space endeavours on the continent by inaugurating the first worldwide Ka-band antenna system and tracking facility at the Satellite Applications Centre of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in South Africa.
How does Boeing see its role in developing the African space industry?
Space exploration symbolises global cooperation, and Boeing had the privilege of helping put the first man on the Moon. Over the past six decades, Boeing has been and remains a significant player in spacecraft and satellite development, manufacturing, and sustainment.
Space exploration is also about pushing the boundaries and inspiring the next generation to dream big. We are excited to share our aerospace expertise and knowledge with African youth through initiatives like Pathways to Space and other STEM programs.
Since 2008, we have partnered with over 40 African organisations and invested $22 million to support systemic improvements in education and economic empowerment in Africa. We collaborate with credible non-profits and universities to deliver impactful STEM, sustainability, career skills development, entrepreneurship and other programs in all parts of Africa.